It’s often easy to look through the disciples’ miracles in the New Testament and think, “Wow, those men were amazing!” The truth is, however, that they demonstrated no power that contemporary Christians cannot also exhibit because it was not their individual righteousness, their numerous good works, their eloquent preaching, or even their years with Jesus Christ that allowed them that strength; it was the Holy Spirit, the same spirit that dwells among believers still. I am often encouraged when reading about the early church. Acts 1-2 reveal much about how believers are unified and empowered through God’s gift of the Holy Spirit.
the holy spirit offers comfort after the ascension
There’s no doubt that the crucifixion and burial of Jesus was heartbreaking for his closest friends and followers; in addition, I would imagine His ascension into Heaven was bittersweet. Their Master would be entering Heaven once more to join the Father, but they would be left with a void here on earth. God recognized the loneliness and weakness believers would experience without the physical presence of the Messiah, so he sent the Holy Spirit to continue His relationship with us. Jesus comforted the disciples’ anxiety about his departure with these words:
He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:7-8 (NLT)
What a comfort it still is to know that we are never abandoned by our Savior. He is not only available through our prayers, but daily we can experience his power through the Spirit.
the holy spirit fulfills prophecy
When the Holy Spirit entered the followers of Christ at Pentecost, people around them were skeptical, to say the least. Their speaking in tongues led critics to blame drunkenness, but Peter, the rock of the Church, stepped up quickly to hush the cynicism with God’s word from the Old Testament:
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
” ‘In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
I will show wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.Acts 2:14-21 (NLT)
the holy spirit works through believers to save men
As the disciples followed Christ during his three-year ministry, they saw numerous miracles. Jesus often healed the ill and raised the dead, but the most remarkable power was the ability to save souls from sin. It’s a task only God is big enough to do; however, God’s Holy Spirit works within believers to use us as instruments in leading others to salvation through Jesus. What an amazing responsibility we have to be sensitive to the Spirit’s voice in our lives. The disciples witnessed thousands begin to follow Jesus; we can, too.
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Acts 2:38-41 (NLT)
the holy spirit encourages unity
God never intended His people to rely on the government or charitable organizations to meet their needs; He expected believers to be so unified in the Holy Spirit that they work together so that all physical needs were met, and individuals could spend their time glorifying and testifying about God instead of worrying about circumstances. What a world we would have if our church began to live like these early believers, still trusting in the promptings of the Holy Spirit. What brotherhood they must have known!
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2: 42-47.
The life of the disciples and the start of the early church is not a Christian fairy tale. It’s the reality of what God can do when his people accept and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit.