Bible Reading: Acts 1
Acts 1:4-5 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Jesus spent some intimate time with his apostles before he was betrayed on the night they celebrated the Passover. There in the Upper Room discourse (John 13-17), he spoke of the abiding Holy Spirit that the Father would send in his name. He told them it was expedient that he go to the Father because when he went, the Comforter would come. After the resurrection and prior to his ascension to heaven, he instructed them to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father.
They were waiting for the baptism with the Holy Ghost that would happen on Pentecost. What would be the result of this baptism?
The Holy Spirit from this point on would dwell in the believer and teach the believer all things in reference to the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
The Holy Spirit baptism actually unites believers with Jesus in his body which is the church.
1 Corinthians 12:13-14 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.
They were waiting for the inauguration of the church. The promised Holy Spirit who came from the Father was going to be poured out on Pentecost and He would accomplish many things in the lives of believers. Not only would the constant presence of Jesus be theirs because of the indwelling Holy Spirit, but the resident teacher would be teaching believers the mind of Christ. He also has another vital ministry in the life of the believer.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
He empowers for witness. What a wonderful work the Holy Spirit does in our lives. You need not wait for the Promise of the Father now. You need only receive Jesus Christ and realize that if you have Christ, you have the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9) and he will be in you to comfort, teach, and empower for witness as a member of the body of Christ.
In Christ,
Rody
