When The Holy
Spirit
In the first book, Theophilus,
I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day
when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy
Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented
himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty
days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered
them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father.
“This,” he said, “is what you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but
you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
So when they had come together, they
asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to
Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the
Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy
Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all
Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Salvation is by God’s grace through
faith. Our witness for Christ should reflect a grateful heart – a sincere
desire to share salvation’s blessings with others. If we shrink from giving a
word of testimony, ask God to give us the desire to speak out for Him. Then we
will witness because we want to.
If you know
Christ, you will want others to know Him too.
Our Daily
Bread – July 13, 2006