October 12, 2020: SOAP #3966:  Nehemiah 7-8; Acts 1

Scripture:  Acts (NIV) 1:4  On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Observation:  Luke, the author of Acts, had emphasized the Holy Spirit descending like a dove on Jesus at His water baptism (Luke 3:22).  He followed on to describe Jesus as full of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1) and led by the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1) and then returning from the devil’s temptation in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14).  The next Sabbath day (Luke 4:16-21) Jesus publicly read from Isaiah (61:1-2) that he had the anointing of the Holy Spirit. 

In the verses above, Luke records Jesus as saying that the presence and anointing of the Holy Spirit was as important to the apostles as it was to Him at the beginning of His ministry.  They were not to go anywhere until they had received this gift! 

Application:  If the presence and anointing of the Holy Spirit was important to Jesus, also to the early church, then it is also important to me.  As the early church in Acts 2:4, I need to stay filled with the Holy Spirit.  Without His presence and anointing in my life, it is impossible to accomplish God’s assignment to me. 

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, Education is good; examples are great; but they are not sufficient for fruitful ministry.  It is your enabling presence and anointing that I need every day.  I cannot depend on myself. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!