City Life Starter

Written by Scott Fiddler

The Word

Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Acts 1:4-5

Commentary

Jesus’ disciples had spent the better part of three years with Him during which time they received the best Bible teaching daily from the best Bible teacher who ever lived. On top of that, they were also discipled daily by the Son of God for three years. They also had a front row seat as Jesus modeled what it meant to love others and share the Gospel. 

And yet, all of this teaching, discipling, and modeling wasn’t enough to prepare the disciples to fulfill the purposes of God in their lives. How do I know?  Because after His resurrection, Jesus gathered the disciples together and told them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, which they would need to be successful witness for Him. Acts 1:4-5.

Jesus had died and been resurrected from the dead, and the disciples had been born again and had received the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). But the disciples were still needful of being baptized with the Holy Spirit before they were ready to take the gospel to the world.

Before Pentecost the disciples were like many Christians today who eschew the baptism with the Holy Spirit. They were huddled together doing religious things (John 20:19; Acts 1:13-14) but afraid to engage the world with the Gospel. They loved God, and they were committed to Jesus and one another, but they had no power in their lives. Clearly then, good teaching is not enough.

That all changed on Pentecost. Upon being baptized with the Holy Spirit, Peter, suddenly intrepid, stood up in the midst of those he previously feared and preached the Gospel, telling them, “God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:14-36). Three thousand were saved that day, and after that day these previously timid disciples would all go on to courageously risk their lives for Jesus, all but one dying the death of a martyr.

Application

The same power that transformed these timid first century Jesus-followers into courageous world-changers is available to every believer today, if they ask for it (Luke 11:13), and if they ask in faith. (Gal. 3:2). 

Do you believe?

Will you ask?

Prayer

Lord, I want the fullness of the power of being baptized with the Holy Spirit. Amen.