Pentecost Sunday: The Promise

“And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me.” Acts 1:4 ESV”

THE PROMISE

“And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."” Acts 

The promise of the Father is clearly identified as the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts. The promise occurred on the day of Pentecost and continues to this day for all who believe and receive. The promise is that we be filled and receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us, enabling us to be His witnesses. A witness is someone who has a firsthand experience of Jesus which gives them the right to testify on His behalf. In the court of law someone who is a true witness can testify to what he has seen. Someone who is not a true witness can only offer hearsay. We are His witnesses that give the testimony of Jesus not just hearsay. Hearsay has no power and cannot bring conviction. A true witness brings conviction.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Thank you Jesus for the promise of the Father, the gift of the Holy Spirit who empowers us to be witnesses wherever we go in this earth. Thank you for filling us so that we can walk in your power. “For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” Acts 2:39 ESV

God bless,

Pastor Matt