We Work with the Holy Spirit

Scripture: "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements." - The Apostles and Elders in (Acts 15:28). "Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives." (Galatians 5:25).

Jesus promised His Holy Spirit during His earthly ministry. After He died and then rose from the dead, He appeared to His friends, Disciples, and "more than 500 of his followers at one time" (1 Corinthians 15:6). He instructed, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift He promised... In just a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:4-5).

The Working

The Spirit of God began working miracles through these simple people. Peter, who had been so frightened by the events surrounding the death of Jesus that he denied ever having known and been friends with Jesus, was suddenly bold enough to address a large crowd. He told them, "God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. Now He is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as He had promised, gave Him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today" (Acts 2:32-33).

Because of the powerful witness, "those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day — about 3,000 in all" (Acts 2:41). Three-thousand new Believers of Jesus in one day -- what a testament to the power of the Spirit!

The Leading

God's provision of the Spirit was not just for those first followers. When someone accepts God's gift of forgiveness of sin and salvation through Jesus Christ, they "will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). The Holy Spirit aids us in turning our lives toward God: "those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit... letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace" (Romans 8:5-6).

As Jesus's followers, we are instructed to take God's message of forgiveness and salvation "to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Like the Apostles, we are not expected to do God's work by ourselves. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit "will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13). So we know we can depend on the Lord to lead us in His work.