Wednesday, June 28, 2017

The Witness of the Holy Spirit

 [Peter said,] “We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." - Acts 5:32 NIV

The apostles, and a few others very close to Jesus, were witnesses of Jesus' presence after his resurrection from the dead. However, if we listen carefully to this statement of Peter, there is a great promise for those of us who live centuries after Jesus' resurrection. We have living in us a witness of Jesus' resurrection — the Holy Spirit.

Jesus promises to send this witness — sometimes called our Anointing from the Holy One, the Spirit of truth, the Comforter, Advocate, or Counselor — to us to live in his followers. This promise is not just for those of the first century, but this is a forever promise to anyone who loves Jesus and obeys his teaching! (See John 14:16-23.) Just as Peter said, the Holy Spirit is the witness God gives to those who obey Jesus! Do we want to hear testimony to the resurrection of Jesus? Then, let's listen and look for the work of the Spirit in our own lives!

Holy Spirit – Reminder of Jesus’ Resurrection

[Peter said,]  "Exalted to the right hand of God, he [Jesus] has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear." - Acts 2:33 NIV

I believe in the resurrection of Jesus. I believe because of the testimony of Scripture. I believe because of the change in fearful men and women who become bold and courageous witnesses to Jesus and his resurrection. I believe because otherwise unimportant people turn the world upside down with the message of Jesus.
I believe because timid people are willing to endure persecution and death for the cause of Christ. One of the greatest testimonies to Jesus' resurrection is the gift of the Holy Spirit. To see the Spirit work in the lives of people — convicting them, transforming them, teaching them to love, and empowering them to serve — is a great reminder of Jesus' resurrection power. Jesus, at the Father's directive, poured out the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

He does the same for us at conversion (Titus 3:3-7). The work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is a constant reminder of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus

Think it over…

~ You will find, as you look back upon your life, that the moments that stand out, the moments when you have really lived, are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of Love. - Henry Drummond

~ There's no such thing as a successful marriage.  There are marriages that give up, and marriages that keep on trying; that's the only difference. - Garrison Keillor

~ Confusion and impotence are the inevitable results when the wisdom and resources of the world are substituted for the presence and power of the Spirit. - Samuel Chadwick

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