Acts 1: 8
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Jesus spoke these words just before He Ascended into Heaven; and no longer was seen walking on the earth. He still appeared to His chosen from time to time, but did not appear to the masses publicly. If you look at the passage again, and read where they were to start witnessing, it happened just like Jesus asked them to do it. This was a form of prophecy, Jesus told them, and they together with the Holy Spirit's help got it done! How this was accomplished is written in the pages of Acts, and the rest of the Epistles. I will not go into more detail here, because we are only studying Jesus Words. Think about these words Jesus told them, they would be witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the world. Jerusalem, they were still hiding in the Upper Room, afraid they would be arrested and killed by the Jews or the Romans. This must have seemed like an unsurmountable task. It was before the Helper came, but with His help, They Got It Done!!!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
296th Post Jesus Said Promises Made to His Followers Con't. - Authority of Holy Spirit Con't. - Act s1: 4.
Acts 1: 4
For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.
This was spoken by Jesus after His resurrection from the dead, and just before His Ascension into Heaven, from the top of the Mount of Olives. Jesus reminds them that they have to stay in Jerusalem to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit, that will come very soon now. Jesus reminds them that John the Baptist baptized with water, into the Baptism of Repentance. The Disciples will be Baptized with the Holy Spirit, and will be transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the power to change your life, to make you a person of God and not to continue being a person of the world. Baptism is not the power of the Holy Spirit, Baptism is an outward sign of the inward change that has already taken place. I believe too many people are Baptized, who have not made Jesus their personal Savior. The proof of this is in the lack of change these people show after Baptism. Jesus tells us by our fruits we will be known. I believe too many people allow themselves to be Baptized because they believe they are doing what God wants. Yes, God wants you to be Baptized, but for the right reasons and at the right time, otherwise it is a false Baptism. Is your Faith real or fake? Only you and God know the difference, and if you are a tare, He will deal with you! If you are a tare, and you know it, there is still time to become real wheat.
For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.
This was spoken by Jesus after His resurrection from the dead, and just before His Ascension into Heaven, from the top of the Mount of Olives. Jesus reminds them that they have to stay in Jerusalem to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit, that will come very soon now. Jesus reminds them that John the Baptist baptized with water, into the Baptism of Repentance. The Disciples will be Baptized with the Holy Spirit, and will be transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the power to change your life, to make you a person of God and not to continue being a person of the world. Baptism is not the power of the Holy Spirit, Baptism is an outward sign of the inward change that has already taken place. I believe too many people are Baptized, who have not made Jesus their personal Savior. The proof of this is in the lack of change these people show after Baptism. Jesus tells us by our fruits we will be known. I believe too many people allow themselves to be Baptized because they believe they are doing what God wants. Yes, God wants you to be Baptized, but for the right reasons and at the right time, otherwise it is a false Baptism. Is your Faith real or fake? Only you and God know the difference, and if you are a tare, He will deal with you! If you are a tare, and you know it, there is still time to become real wheat.
Monday, April 25, 2011
295th Post Jesus Said Promises Made to His Followers Con't. - Authority of the Holy Spirit Con't. John 16: 7 - 15 Con't.
John 16: 7 - 15 Continued. In verse 8 Jesus tells the disciples the main reason for His coming, He will convict the world the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. Starting in verse 9 - 11, Jesus tells the disciples how the Holy Spirit will convict the world. Starting in verse 12, Jesus reminds the disciples that His time left for teaching them is becoming short, and He still has much to tell them. Jesus shows them His compassion, for He can see that they are in no shape to absorb anymore information at this time. In verse 13, Jesus gives them comfort that the Holy Spirit will come not only as Teacher but also as Guide. When you have a guide, they are right there with you every step of the way making sure you do not fall or get lost. The Holy Spirit will not speak on His own Authority but will speak whatever He hears. This shows that the Holy Spirit is part of the true line of Testimony. Jesus told them He did not speak on His Own Authority but on God the Father's, The Holy Spirit will not speak on His own Authority but on God the Father's and God the Son's Authority. God is the one supplying all the Power!! Jesus said a lot in these few verses, and John puts it in simple language, but the topic is very strong and complete. We can use these same teachings when defending our faith in the world today. You can not be a witness, you say. Jesus gave you some things to put into your witness kit today. Only you can make use of the equipment supplied, you can either choose to take it or go on without it. It is up to You!!
294th Post Jesus Said Promises to His Followers Con't. - Authority of the Holy Spirit Con't. - John 16: 7 - 15.
John 16: 7 : 15 Jesus with disciples in Upper Room, Maundy Thursday Night Continued.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they don't believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you of things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
This was spoken by Jesus the night He was to be betrayed in the Upper Room. Jesus again tells them about the Helper that is to come, and He gives them even more information concerning the Holy Spirit and His power. Since I am running out of room again for this post, I will start to unlock this passage on next post.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they don't believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you of things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
This was spoken by Jesus the night He was to be betrayed in the Upper Room. Jesus again tells them about the Helper that is to come, and He gives them even more information concerning the Holy Spirit and His power. Since I am running out of room again for this post, I will start to unlock this passage on next post.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
293rd Post Jesus Said Promises Made To His Followers Con't. - Authority of the Holy Spirit Con't. - John 15: 26 - 27.
John 15: 26 - 27. Jesus Still In Upper Room on Maundy Thursday Evening.
But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
This was spoken by Jesus on the night He was to be betrayed. This is the third mention of this Helper coming, and each time Jesus mentions Him, He tells them something new about this Helper.
In this passage, Jesus tells them that this helper will testify of Jesus, and will give strength to the disciples so that they also will be bold in their witness of Jesus Christ. I am writing this blog on Holy Saturday, the day after Good Friday, and right before Easter. The disciples were in the upper room hiding from the Jewish leaders and the Romans. Not a very good picture of people that will make a Bold Witness, in the coming weeks. This is the power of the Holy Spirit, He can transform you, and give you the power to become the person that God wants you to be. This is the whole reason you were born, to learn about this God and to have Him transform you and your life, through a personal relationship with you. Think of it the Creator of the earth and the universe, wants to have a personal relationship with you. All you have to do to start this process is to ask Him! Have you done this yet?? If not there is no better time than right now!
But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
This was spoken by Jesus on the night He was to be betrayed. This is the third mention of this Helper coming, and each time Jesus mentions Him, He tells them something new about this Helper.
In this passage, Jesus tells them that this helper will testify of Jesus, and will give strength to the disciples so that they also will be bold in their witness of Jesus Christ. I am writing this blog on Holy Saturday, the day after Good Friday, and right before Easter. The disciples were in the upper room hiding from the Jewish leaders and the Romans. Not a very good picture of people that will make a Bold Witness, in the coming weeks. This is the power of the Holy Spirit, He can transform you, and give you the power to become the person that God wants you to be. This is the whole reason you were born, to learn about this God and to have Him transform you and your life, through a personal relationship with you. Think of it the Creator of the earth and the universe, wants to have a personal relationship with you. All you have to do to start this process is to ask Him! Have you done this yet?? If not there is no better time than right now!
Friday, April 22, 2011
292nd Post Jesus Said Promises Made to His Followers Con't. - Authority of Holy Spirit Con't. - John 14: 25 - 26.
John 14: 25 - 26
And these things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things I said to you.
This was spoken by Jesus on Maundy Thursday evening in the Upper Room, the night He was to be betrayed. I believe that of the three persons of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, is the one most Christians know the least about. You are learning from these different passages in John, that Jesus told the disciples a whole lot about this Helper that was to come. Not only about His character, but His specific reasons for coming here. His character, He will never leave or forsake us, He will make the truth known to us; He will in dwell in us. All of the promises are very powerful. Then, you add to that, He will teach us all things, and bring to our remembrance all the things Jesus told them (the disciples) and us through His Word the Bible. You have to remember that at the time Jesus spoke these words, they were not written down yet. The disciples had to trust in their hearing and remembering only. We have Jesus' Words written down, so that we can re-read them anytime we want, this makes the Holy Spirit's power for teaching us that much stronger. Have you asked the Holy Spirit to help you understand God's Word? That is His job! He will, if you ask. Start getting to know the Holy Spirit better today!!
And these things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things I said to you.
This was spoken by Jesus on Maundy Thursday evening in the Upper Room, the night He was to be betrayed. I believe that of the three persons of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, is the one most Christians know the least about. You are learning from these different passages in John, that Jesus told the disciples a whole lot about this Helper that was to come. Not only about His character, but His specific reasons for coming here. His character, He will never leave or forsake us, He will make the truth known to us; He will in dwell in us. All of the promises are very powerful. Then, you add to that, He will teach us all things, and bring to our remembrance all the things Jesus told them (the disciples) and us through His Word the Bible. You have to remember that at the time Jesus spoke these words, they were not written down yet. The disciples had to trust in their hearing and remembering only. We have Jesus' Words written down, so that we can re-read them anytime we want, this makes the Holy Spirit's power for teaching us that much stronger. Have you asked the Holy Spirit to help you understand God's Word? That is His job! He will, if you ask. Start getting to know the Holy Spirit better today!!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
291st Post Jesus Said Promises Made to His Followers Con't. - Authority of Holy Spirit Con't. John 14: 16 - 20.
John 14: 16 - 20
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever- the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live; you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
This was spoken to His disciples on Maundy Thursday night in the Upper Room before Jesus was to be betrayed. Jesus as usual said a whole lot in not so many words, lets see if I can unlock this passage for you. Jesus is asking the Father to send a Helper to abide with them forever. This is huge. When Jesus walked the earth, He was limited to what He could do, by His physical body. When Jesus sent the disciples out by two's, Jesus could not go in all the different directions that the disciples took when they started their journeys. Jesus being human, could not dwell in the disciples hearts. The Holy Spirit, being Spirit, can in dwell who and where He is sent, and once He is sent one place. He can stay there and go somewhere else He is sent. The other huge promise is that He will stay forever, He won't leave you like orphans.
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever- the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live; you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
This was spoken to His disciples on Maundy Thursday night in the Upper Room before Jesus was to be betrayed. Jesus as usual said a whole lot in not so many words, lets see if I can unlock this passage for you. Jesus is asking the Father to send a Helper to abide with them forever. This is huge. When Jesus walked the earth, He was limited to what He could do, by His physical body. When Jesus sent the disciples out by two's, Jesus could not go in all the different directions that the disciples took when they started their journeys. Jesus being human, could not dwell in the disciples hearts. The Holy Spirit, being Spirit, can in dwell who and where He is sent, and once He is sent one place. He can stay there and go somewhere else He is sent. The other huge promise is that He will stay forever, He won't leave you like orphans.
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