“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
What do you think of the Holy Spirit?
Who is He? What does He do?
Has this always been how the Holy Spirit works or has this changed?
The Effect of Making Information Generally Available
Western society has changed dramatically over the centuries. One of the greatest changes has been the democratization of information. It used to be that only a small percentage of people were educated. Very few people could read and very few people had information about anything outside of their job and basic living skills.
It was generally the wealthy and powerful who received some form of education. The rest of the people were seen as little more than beasts of burden.
However, when people of all class levels were allowed to attend school, learn to read, and grow in knowledge, something amazing happened. The world saw a rapid increase in the development and growth of a wide variety of fields, from manufacturing, to technology, to medicine, and more. Why? Instead of only a few people being able to contribute to the advancement of these fields, now, anyone could.
The Trickle
In the Old Testament, God put His Spirit on a select few and sometimes only for a given time. The first King of Israel, Saul, was given the Spirit of God, but after a while, he started getting full of himself and started going against the Lord. So, God removed His Spirit from him.
We see this throughout the Old Testament. The Spirit would be given to the prophets, some kings, and a few others, but most people did not have the Holy Spirit upon them.
However, God promised that one day it would be different.
The Roar
On Pentecost, shortly after Jesus’ ascension, the Spirit came in power to the disciples. He came in a literal roar and the disciples were filled with the Spirit and began to preach. The Spirit then was given to all believers.
The Holy Spirit continues to be poured out on all believers.
“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” – 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
Some people look for the “supernatural” gifts of the Spirit. God can give spiritual gifts of prophecy or visions, but the primary way He speaks to us is through His Word, the Bible. When we only look for these gifts, however, we miss the truly miraculous nature of the other gifts God’s Spirit gives.
It is a miracle of the Spirit that we have faith. It is only by His power that we understand God’s Word. You have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit and He is your comforter, advocate, guide, He bears fruit in you, He reveals the Scriptures to you, He creates faith and sustains you, and He is a guarantee of your salvation and the resurrection to come.
Much like the effect of the democratization of information, the pouring out of the Holy Spirit now means that the ministry of the church is not limited to just a few. All believers have God’s Spirit. All believers can minister to one another and share the Gospel with the world.
When the whole church is ministering to each other and the world by the power of the Holy Spirit, amazing things happen!
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for sending your Spirit. May Your Spirit guide me and protect me and keep me in true faith to life everlasting. May I be filled with Your Spirit and minister to my Christian brothers and sisters as well as share the Gospel with all those around me who do not know You.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
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