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In Acts, the early Christians are suffering tremendous grief over losing their friend and Lord, Jesus. Christ had promised them a Comforter, and at Pentecost, they received that comfort from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. But the work of the Holy Spirit also allowed the apostles to establish a consistent and true Gospel and spread that Gospel throughout the world. The work of the Holy Spirit continues in each Christian, guiding and teaching us how to please God.
Acts was written by the author of the Gospel of Luke between 60 and 70 A.D. While the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John record the life and ministry of Jesus, the Book of Acts records the actions of the apostles following the ascension of Christ. It is the connecting link between the Gospels and the remaining texts of the New Testament. It bridges the gap between teaching and application.
The primary reason that the ministry of Christ could be taught and spread was the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Disciples of Christ were frightened when Christ was crucified. They were concerned that the leaders of the Jewish church would be out for their blood as well. When Jesus rose from the dead, He gave instructions to the disciples regarding the continuation of their work. First, He told them, “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)
The disciples followed these instructions to stay in Jerusalem. They had been told what they were waiting for. “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” (Acts 1:5) They surely couldn’t have known what this meant and knowing it probably did little to relieve their fear or grief. But they did wait, which shows obedience, respect and faith for Jesus.
Jesus had told them what the Holy Spirit would do for them. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26) The work of the Holy Spirit would be to soothe their grief, which must have been terrible, to teach them and remind them of all of Christ’s teachings.
This power of the Holy Spirit is what allowed a true and consistent Gospel to develop by the hands of men. Left to their own devices, it would have been impossible for them to record a true accounting of all they had experienced. Any police officer can tell you that eyewitness testimony is unreliable.
Pentecost arrived and the disciples were all together to celebrate it. “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:2-4)
Because it was Pentecost, the city was filled with devout people. The disciples went out into the street and began preaching the Good News. At first, the people thought they were drunk, then Peter began to speak and they came to realize he was speaking the truth. He boldly preached Christ as Lord and the people there heard him, each in their own language. They asked him, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37b) He replied, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38b) Christianity grew miraculously that day. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41)
This is where the mystery of Christianity is revealed. Christ was born of a human mother but the Son of God. He died and was resurrected and ascended into heaven. His Holy Spirit was sent to live in us to forever testify to the truth of His Gospel and provide us with the power to preach it. His Spirit in us is what transforms us and purifies us, so that when we die our spirit lives on with Him. (Acts 1:2)
When we receive Christ, we receive the same Spirit and Power of the Holy Spirit that the first Christians received. We invite the Holy Spirit to live in us and testify to us and to those we witness to. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
It was the power of the Holy Spirit that grew the first century church and developed a true Gospel. The unity that developed in the early church as a result of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is what gave the people the virtue to remain a cohesive group and preach the Gospel to all who would hear it. (Read Acts 2:42-47) Without this early unity and power, it’s unlikely that the Church would have survived a generation let alone two thousand years.
Christians and non-Christians today wonder why there are no miracles and signs of the Holy Spirit like there were in the early days of the Church. Peter is recorded to have healed a number of people. People today are more cynical and likely to attribute miracles to anything or anyone other than God. Miraculous healings do occur but the biggest miracle is often overlooked. That miracle is the transformation of individual lives by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The soul that once was dead now lives because of this gift from God and the sacrifice made by the man Jesus Christ.
All of us have access to the power that heals and transforms. When we confess our sins and ask in faith for the gift of salvation, Christ’s Holy Spirit fills us and begins to guide and teach us, just like it did for the early Christians. The miracle is just as available to us today as it was for them then. We only have to ask for it and receive it by faith.
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