After he died to pay for the sin of all of humanity and was resurrected, Jesus commanded his disciples to stay in Jerusalem. The disciples could hardly contain themselves. And who could blame them? Not many days had passed since their beloved teacher had suffered the humiliation of dying a criminal’s death. Not many days had passed since his lifeless body had laid undisturbed in a guarded tomb that belonged to a man named Joseph, a follower of Jesus from the town of Arimathea. And not many days had passed since he had done what no one ever expected him to do—raise to life again! So, when Jesus ordered the disciples to wait in Jerusalem, they couldn’t help but wonder, could this be the time?
The Book of Acts
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting...
the greatest story continued
Written as the sequel to the Gospel of Luke, the book of Acts picks up where the Gospels left off: Jesus had risen from the dead, and his followers were looking to the future with hopeful anticipation. As they waited in Jerusalem, the disciples expected Jesus to finally fulfill God’s promise to restore the kingdom of Israel. God had chosen Israel out of all the peoples of the Earth to be his representatives, his ambassadors of grace to the world. But because of their stubborn disobedience, he had humbled them by stripping them of their political power and subjecting them to foreign rule for almost one thousand years. The disciples were waiting for the restoration of a kingdom. Whatever they might have expected as they saw Jesus lifted up to heaven (1:9), nothing could have prepared them for what would come with the arrival of the Holy Spirit.
the unstoppable holy spirit
Just as Jesus is the main character in the Gospels, the Holy Spirit takes center stage in the book of Acts. As the Holy Spirit moves, the people of God move. Acts 1:8 serves as a helpful summary of the entire book. With the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, the disciples began sharing the good news about Jesus, beginning in Jerusalem (chapter 2) then on to Judea and Samaria (chapter 8), and ultimately to “the end of the earth” as Christians fled persecution and Paul began his missionary journeys (chapter 11 on).
As we study the book of Acts, we discover a God who, through his Holy Spirit, moves heaven and Earth to gather to himself people from every nation, ethnicity, race, tongue, sex, age, and socio-economic status to be a part of his family. It is in this book that we see the birth of what today we call the church—the people of God, separated across time and space, but united together by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and a devotion to the apostles’ teaching, the communion of believers, and the Lord’s Supper (2:42). As we study this book, may we be reminded that the same Holy Spirit who moved on the day of Pentecost continues to move today in our lives and the lives of his people scattered all around the world.
As we study the book of Acts, we discover a God who, through his Holy Spirit, moves heaven and Earth to gather to himself people from every nation, ethnicity, race, tongue, sex, age, and socio-economic status to be a part of his family. It is in this book that we see the birth of what today we call the church—the people of God, separated across time and space, but united together by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and a devotion to the apostles’ teaching, the communion of believers, and the Lord’s Supper.
Watch Week Five
New Testament: The Gospel & Acts
Daily Question
Where can you catch glimpses of the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life?
Comments (10)
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I definitely agree with what Kristen said, It is like I can feel Him when I am being convicted. Sometimes when I pray for other people and when I pray for myself and God has comforted me so much, God has showed me Himself many times and I’m so thankful. He gives me peace! I LOVE YOU JESUS!!!!!
I can catch glimpses of the Holy Spirits presence in my life by not feeling alone all the time even when I am alone and even seeing how beautiful nature is and seeing what he created for us.
I catch glimpses when I hear a song and love for God overpowers my heart to worship him or when I am outside and thankfulness for all that God has done floods my mind. I catch glimpses when I hear a small voice in my head telling me to pray for someone or to do a specific thing. I catch glimpses when the right words come to mind in conversation.
In decisions I make where there are whispers of conscience if I am about to act impulsively. In times when I don’t know what to say but the Holy Spirit speaks on my behalf. In the lives of my family as they leave home and come home safely every single day. WE ARE BLESSED.
In my love for my children and wanting what is best for them. Trying to provide and wanting them to have what is best for their lives.
When I am convicted about my words, or hold back my words because the spirit prompts me to shut up.
I know it’s the Holy Spirit when I can LOVE folks that have caused me harm…even though I may or may not "like" them. I understand it is the Holy Spirit working in my life when I am able to wait patiently whereas before I would have created a "fix" for the answer. I am abundantly aware that it is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit in my life when there is a peace within a very difficult situation without a resolution in sight.
Through adventures of prayer. As I pray alone out loud, I hear Holy Spirit’s influence because the thoughts didn’t originate with me. God will express Himself through willing Holy Spirit filled vessels. Holy Spirit also, gives unexpected mysteries we just need to pay attention.
I can catch glimpses of the Holy Spirit’s presence in my life at my place of employment. Holy Spirit has helped me in speaking with difficult team members. Holy Spirit stops me when I’m going about things the wrong way. Holy Spirit calms me when I become anxious.
I can feel Him nudging me when I have to make a decision about something. When I feel down I can feel His presence pushing me to get back up. I can feel His presence when I am asked a question and telling me how to answer it. I thank God that I accepted Jesus in my life.