Acts 1:6-8. Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Jesus concluded His earthly ministry with His disciples by promising them the filling of the Holy Spirit. Why was this necessary?
Scripture teaches that the whole world lies under the control of the evil one, Satan (1 John 5:19). He rules the kingdom of the air (Ephesians 2:2) and holds the power of death (Hebrews 2:14). Since the beginning of time, he has led the world astray (Revelation 12:9). He carries out his schemes against us (Ephesians 6:11), using rulers, authorities, the powers of this world’s darkness, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). His aim is to ensure that we do not stand firm even after we have done everything (Ephesians 6:13), continually launching flaming arrows against us (Ephesians 6:16).
Disguising himself as an angel of light, Satan offers seemingly good and irresistible things (2 Corinthians 11:14). Through politics, culture, and economy, the enemy blinds the minds of the people so they cannot see the light of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4-5). He also mobilizes evil spirits to take over the spirit, soul, mind, and body of people (Mark 5:3-15; Mark 9:17-18; Luke 13:16), and he is highly organized with specific goals and plans (Revelation 2:9).
No religion can stand against the power of the devil. Nothing we do by human effort can overcome his schemes. That is why Jesus has given us authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and promised that nothing will harm us (Luke 10:19). By the power of the Holy Spirit, God enables us to demolish the kingdom of Satan by proclaiming the gospel (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, the first thing we receive is assurance and conviction. The timid Peter became bold and addressed the crowd when filled with the Holy Spirit: “In the last days, God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams‘” (Acts 2:17). Convinced that this prophecy had been fulfilled, Peter boldly proclaimed the gospel. If you lack assurance in God’s promises, ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit.
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we receive power. Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk” (Acts 3:6). Taking the man by the hand, Peter helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Peter realized that the miracle had happened at the right time and place to make Christ known where He was not yet known. When we are in step with God’s timing and His work of salvation, miracles and signs will confirm His Word.
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we proclaim only Jesus. When the crowd gathered in amazement at the miracle, Peter said, “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?” (Acts 3:12). He redirected their amazement from the miracle to Christ, proving that Jesus is the Christ.
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we do not fear hardships or persecutions. Standing before the rulers, elders, and teachers of the law who opposed them, Peter declared, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). He boldly proclaimed the uniqueness of Jesus, who came to give life, not religion.
Even when threatened and ordered not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20). Unable to find a way to punish them, the leaders released them. Such boldness could only come from being filled with the Holy Spirit.
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are not envious of the things of this world. The believers were united in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power, the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. Those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the proceeds, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; the money was distributed to anyone in need (Acts 4:33-35).
Most of all, they devoted themselves wholeheartedly to proclaiming the gospel: “Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 5:42).
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we live with a God-given mission. The early church chose seven men to handle administrative tasks, but God used them for the advancement of the gospel (Acts 6:1-7). Stephen, for example, boldly proclaimed Jesus Christ through the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit enabled him to speak with such wisdom that his opponents could not refute him (Acts 6:10). His mission eventually cost him his life (Acts 7:54-60).
Philip also lived with a mission. When persecution broke out, he went to Samaria and proclaimed the Christ. The crowds listened intently to him, and many were delivered from evil spirits and healed from sicknesses (Acts 8:4-8). There was great joy in that city. The Holy Spirit also sent Philip to the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-40), opening the door for the gospel to reach Africa.
The Holy Spirit Himself fulfilled the promise of Jesus (Acts 1:8). Our mission is the work of the Holy Spirit. Our lifelong mission is the fulfillment of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). Only when the Holy Spirit works through us can we accomplish it. To this end, we must lay down our own ambitions and focus on what the Lord desires.
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we change the world. God chose Saul, the church’s greatest enemy, as His instrument to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles, their kings, and the people of Israel (Acts 9:15). God has always worked by changing individuals to change the world. He changed Peter’s view of the Gentiles through his encounter with Cornelius (Acts 10:1-48) and revealed to the Jerusalem church His will for the Gentiles (Acts 11:1-18). Through the church at Antioch, He opened the door to world missions (Acts 13:1-3).
God’s greatest desire is evangelism and missions. Without knowing and enjoying evangelism and missions, the Christian life has no meaning. Evangelism and missions must define our lives. God did not entrust the gospel to angels but to us, His saints, because evangelism and missions are the greatest blessings we have received. Tragically, many believers live without ever knowing or enjoying this blessing.
We have one life to live, and it is too short to spend on anything but what God desires most: saving this generation by the power of His covenant and passing it to the next. Therefore, let us remain in the complete and eternal covenant—Christ, the kingdom of God, and the Holy Spirit. Let us enter deeply into prayer until no person, circumstance, or condition becomes a problem.
Prayer. Lord, I thank You for Your promise to fill me with Your power through the Holy Spirit. Send me to the place You desire. Use me as Your instrument for the gospel. In Your precious name, Amen.