Pentecost: The First Great AwakeningSample

The Power of Pentecost

At first, the book of Acts seems to be about Jesus’ disciples and the early Church, but it is not, at least not primarily. Acts, like every other book in the Bible in one way or another, is the story of Jesus. In this case, it is the story of His continued ministry on earth after His ascension by the power of the Holy Spirit through His disciples and their disciples after them. 

Make no mistake. Although the disciples did all the walking and talking and interacting with people that we find recorded in the book of Acts, the real work, the heavy lifting of convicting, drawing, and renewing souls, was done by the Holy Spirit, the same Holy Spirit that indwelt Jesus during His earthly ministry and continues to indwell those who put their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation today. 

This Spirit of Sonship sanctifies, or sets apart, those who have been reborn into God’s Kingdom, equips them for service, causes them to will and to act according to God’s will and purpose, and empowers, teaches, and comforts them as they obey God’s commands. 

Tempting as it might be, at times, for us to take credit for what God does through us by the power of the Holy Spirit, we really can’t. The glory is God’s alone! 

What do you think? Is God still at work in the world around you? What evidence do you see? Who deserves the glory for it?