| Photo by Davide Cantelli on Unsplash
In Acts 2, we see the birth of the church and that the Holy Spirit is outpoured, which amazed the people in Jerusalem. The people in the upper room were baptized in the Holy Spirit, and they heard them declaring praises to God in their own language. They did not understand what was going on and were asking what is this that is going on.
Beginning in verse 14, we see that Peter gets up and shares what is going on. He tells them that what they are witnessing was prophesied by the Prophet Joel.
In verses 17 – 21, we read the prophecy of Joel: “In the last days,’ God says, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days, I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants – men and women alike -, and they will prophesy. And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below – blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives. But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
We see the gift of the Holy Spirit is available to all people. Young and old, leaders and servants, all nationalities, every spectrum of life. The Holy Spirit will fill those who are desiring the Spirit of God.
We need the Holy Spirit if we are going to be like Jesus in this world. We need to be filled with the Spirit if we live out the purpose the Holy Spirit was given. The purpose was to be witnesses to lost people.
And in verse 21 – we see the need, the purpose, and the reason why we need the Holy Spirit – for people to have a personal relationship with Jesus. “But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus, will be saved.”
We can spend our lives accomplishing many things, building many things, and investing in many things, but the greatest thing you can do is lead people to call on Jesus! There will be nothing greater than when you get to heaven, and there are people you led to Jesus, disciple, ministered to here on earth.
Lord, fill me today so I can lead others to You! Come Holy Spirit, I need You!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pastor Ronald Squibb has been the Lead Senior Pastor of the International Christian Church (ICC) at Staten Island, New York, since 2011. He draws many experiences from his over 40 years as a pastor and significant emotional life experiences.
His new book, Following the Journey with Jesus, which he co-authored with Daniel McNaughton, was recently published and is getting rave reviews. His daily devotional appears in this publication.
