"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 1:8
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a transformative experience that empowers believers to live boldly for Christ. In Acts 1:8, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit’s power, not just for personal strength, but to make us effective witnesses of the gospel to the world. When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples at Pentecost in Acts 2, they were empowered to speak boldly and carry out the mission God had set before them. This experience wasn’t just for the apostles—it’s available to every believer, equipping us for the work of the Kingdom and giving us the power to live and speak in ways we could never do on our own.
In 1906, the Azusa Street Revival broke out in Los Angeles, marking a major outpouring of the Holy Spirit that spread across the world. At this revival, many experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues, just as the disciples did at Pentecost. This movement brought a fresh wave of spiritual renewal and empowerment and birthed the global Pentecostal movement. Almost 100 years later, Missionary Jay Risner was ministering in the rural, tribal villages of Kenya. He was preaching with the help of a translator. At the end of the service, many people had come forward to pray, when, all of the sudden, Jay heard crystal clear English being spoken. The words were of praise to God. When he found the older lady worshipping Jesus in English, he asked the village chief, through a translator, where this lady had learned English. The chief quickly and emphatically told him that she had never left the village or learned English before. They all gave glory to God for this confirming sign of the Holy Spirit baptizing and empowering this woman, along with many others, to pray with the spiritual gift of tongues as God enabled them.
Reflection:
- Have you experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit? If not, how can you ask God to fill you with His power?
- How does the Holy Spirit empower you to be a bold witness for Christ?
- In what areas of your life do you need the Holy Spirit’s power to equip you for service and ministry?
- Art: Pentecost, with tongues of fire and a dove representing the Holy Spirit’s descent (c. 1600) By El Greco – [2], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14985625
- Songs:
- “Fall Afresh” – Kari Jobe
- “Spirit Break Out” – Kim Walker-Smith
- “When Wind Meets Fire” – Elevation Worship