Effie Darlene Barba

As we have looked at in the previous posts, the day of Pentecost was a very special divinely appointed day.  Because on that day the Holy Spirit appeared with sounds of a rushing wind and the appearance of fire like flames hovering over the believers. (Acts 2:1-4).  The Holy Spirit did not at this time appear as a Dove as when He alighted upon Jesus at His baptism.  Nor did He present Himself with an earthquake as later in chapter 16 of Acts when the Holy Spirit freed Peter from prison. Although He caused the face of Stephen to shine like that of an angel while being stoned, His appearance at Pentecost was unique.  We must not limit the powerful manifestations or remarkable communication of the Holy Spirit.  Particularly we cannot deny the necessity of an extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Revival.

Throughout history, both in the Old and New Testament, it has been moments of remarkable communication by the Holy Spirit that led stubborn, hard-hearted men and women to turn to God, forsaking their selfish plans.  As demonstrated in the past, therefore, all hopes of revival lie dependent upon these moments of remarkable communication of the Holy Spirit, an extraordinary outpouring.  On the day of Pentecost, the church in its infancy received such an extraordinary outpouring.  Everyone nearby heard the peoples praising worship sounds in their own language despite many languages being spoken.  No translators were necessary because the Holy Spirit translated and caused every ear to hear in their own native tongue.  God works in mysterious ways at times.  We pray for revival; but, are we truly with all our hearts prepared to surrender everything to the power of the Holy Spirit for this?

Remarkable Communication of the Holy Spirit in Revival

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Before going further in discussing the special filling of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, let us look at the idea of being filled with the Spirit. As we looked at last time, since the day of Pentecost, all who accept by faith Jesus as Savior and Lord have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit is there to comfort, guide, teach and transform us into the mature Christian filled with the Spirit, living a life overflowing with the fruits of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. (Galatians 5:22-23).    When we are filled with Spirit, we experience love, joy, peace, patience, hope, faith and calmness regardless of the storms surrounding us.  Our hearts are held steady within by the Holy Spirit; because, we have surrendered to Him.  We are in those moments filled with the Spirit.

Yet, there are times along this journey that we may quench the Spirit.  He does not abandon us in those times.  The Holy Spirit remains present.  However, we experience fear, anger, frustration, doubt, impatience, anxiety, depression, and all the former traits of the flesh.  Despite His indwelling presence we ignore the truth of Him.  He does not force Himself upon us unwillingly; but waits patiently.  God will so orchestrate our lives so that we may realize our need to let Him reign in our hearts.  Furthermore, there are times when we go about our lives with little regard for the true power of the Spirit which indwells us.  We try to face our lives within our own strength, turning for God’s help only after utter failure.  However, we don’t have to live a life of desperation.  There are 5 easy steps to being filled with the Spirit.

7 Steps to Being Filled with the Spirit

1. Meditate on God’s Word.

 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63).  We cannot know God’s will nor really know Him if we never feast upon His words.  Furthermore, how can I say I love Him if I never want to read the letters, He left for me?  Nor can I fully understand the power and the breadth of the gifts He has given me, if I fail to read His word.

2. Believe that His word is true.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).  Faith is knowing God IS and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).  How can I know God is Sovereign or know of His attributes, if I never read His word?  But beyond reading, I must believe the promises He has made for me.

3. Hold fast unto obedience.

Jesus said, “If a man love me, he will keep my words” (John 14:23).  Furthermore, if we truly understand who He is, we will desire to make Him Lord of our life.  We lean into the Spirit that He might be the righteousness through us that we could never be on our own.  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage… For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith (Galatians 5:1,5).  Not in my strength, but in His strength.

4. Desire the Spirit.

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.  My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? (Psalm 42:1-2).  When was the last time you longed to be in God’s presence as a dry and parched body thirsts for cool water? When filled by the Spirit our thirst is satisfied.

5. Never forget who you are in Christ Jesus.

In Christ we are His redeemed, chosen, beloved, gifted child.  Heir of the Kingdom, servant by choice, and Mighty Warrior not because of what we have done; but because of all He has done for us. Ephesians 1-3

6. Maintain an attitude of Gratitude.

Wherever in scripture we read of the Holy Spirit filling our life, we see scriptures regarding Praise.  Thankfulness is a very real part of being filled by the Spirit.  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.  Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.  Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:18-20).  During the difficult times in life, this is hard unless you keep focus on 3 main principles as I outlined in my book Abiding, Steadfast Joy.

7. Keep Your Eyes Focused on the Prize.

The true prize is Jesus Christ and our relationship with Him.  When we keep our eyes focused on Him, His Glory, and the temporality of our situation here; then, we can march forward with Hope.  We know that the Holy Spirit will provide what we need, when we need it.  Filled with the Spirit we have hope, joy, love, patience, and faith to continue no matter what happens around us.

Concluding thoughts:

The Holy Spirit indwells each true believer.  Despite that we so often live our lives without experiencing being filled by the Spirit.  However, we can live a life filled with hope, joy, peace, love, and power.  All we must do is desire God above all else and love Him with all our heart, soul and strength.  He will provide us with all we need and more than we could ever hope for.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link.  There is nothing more important than this; because,  He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

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Previous Posts in This Study of ACTS

What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

How to Wait with Cautious Discernment

 Begin with Acts of True Faith

How to Hold Fast to the True Gospel Message

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

CREDITS

Photo by Gift Habeshaw on Unsplash

 

After the ascension of Jesus, the disciples were instructed to go to Jerusalem and wait.  Through out the Old Testament the Holy Spirit intermittently dwelled with men, guiding, comforting, and helping them.  Yet, He did not indwell men and women as He does now.  The baptism of the Holy Spirit came only after the completed work of Jesus Christ on Calvary.   Now every true believer is indwelt with Jesus Christ.  His Spirit indwells us.   Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His (Romans 8:9). Jesus 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. (Acts 1:5).

True Believer

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The last instructions that Jesus gave to His Disciples before His Ascension: “Do not depart from Jerusalem.  Wait for the promise of the Father! The Holy Spirit will empower you for the ministry ahead.” (paraphrase of Acts 1:4-5).   Assigned to transform the world through spreading the gospel message, their first assignment was to wait with cautious discernment.  They needed the Holy Spirit’s power; because spreading the gospel required total commitment and surrender of self to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  It was during this time of prayerful waiting that Peter stepped forward to name the twelfth Apostle, replacing Judas Iscariot.  He quoted scripture from Psalms, while recalling the words of Jesus that 12 would sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28).

While waiting for the Holy Spirit, Peter encouraged the disciples to name the 12^th apostle from among those who had been with them from the beginning.  One who certainly had seen the resurrected Jesus.  The crowd was narrowed to two candidates as we are told in Acts 1:15-26.  Then after much prayer they cast lots to allow for God to choose which would be the twelfth apostle.  Although most renowned scholars of scripture accept that Matthias is the 12^th apostle, saying Paul was an apostle to the Gentile (not one of the 12) referenced in Matthew and Revelation.  Rather, Paul they say was of a separate order.  Perhaps that is all true and Matthias is the 12^th apostle.  We will know one day in heaven.  Yet, I see here in these verses in Acts a warning to each of us called upon to wait at times on God’s answer.

Wait with Cautious Discernment

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The book of Acts  tells the story of the initial spreading of the gospel message following Christ’s ascension.  It is a historical writing by the physician Luke. He documented primarily the early acts of Peter and Paul, although others are included.  Yet, I would argue that in truth, Luke is telling of the continuing acts of Jesus Christ through the body of believers.  Because what they accomplished was done through the power and the strength of the Holy Spirit indwelling them. Furthermore, His power overflowed through them.  The actions they performed and the response they provoked only occurred because of  the power of the Holy Spirit in them.  Therefore, the Acts of True Faith demonstrated in the book of Acts were the teachings and actions of Jesus Christ through His Disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:1-9

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