“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart [with remorse and anxiety], and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what are we to do?” 38And Peter said to them, “Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is for you and your children and for all who are far away [including the Gentiles], as many as the Lord our God calls to Himself.” Acts 2:37-39 AMP
Our verse today is about a wonderful promise of God!; receive the Holy Spirit! The context of the verse is that the disciples were waiting in the upper room at Jerusalem. After experiencing the “promise of the Father,” he steps out in front of thousands and proclaims the good news!
Following His resurrection, Jesus had commanded them to go there and wait for the promise of the Father.”
“So when they had come together, they asked Him repeatedly, “Lord, are You at this time reestablishing the kingdom and restoring it to Israel?” 7He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority. 8But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:6-10 AMP
We know that Jesus told the disciples that the defining mark of the believer would be a life led by the Holy Spirit.
“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another [c]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor–Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever– 17the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.” John 14:16-17 AMP
Kittle in his Theological Dictionary of the New Testament put it this way;
“Reception of the Holy Spirit distinguishes Christians from the world and so unequivocally constitutes them as Christians”
The Apostle Paul qualified the mark of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the [l]sinful nature together with its passions and appetites. If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage–our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit].” Galatians 5:22-25
Clearly the mark of the infilling is the outgoing! What is coming from your life? Many have confused the gifts, “Charis,” of the Holy Spirit as the mark of the infilling. We must be careful as the Gifts of God are irrevocable! In fact, we are told that Satan will deceive may with great miracles and wonders. The Apostle advised the brethren to “evaluate the fruit” of a man who calls himself a Christian.
“I wrote you in my [previous] letter not to associate with [sexually] immoral people– 10not meaning the immoral people of this world, or the greedy ones and swindlers, or idolaters, for then you would have to get out of the world and human society altogether! 11But actually, I have written to you not to associate with any so-called [Christian] brother if he is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater [devoted to anything that takes the place of God], or is a reviler [who insults or slanders or otherwise verbally abuses others], or is a drunkard or a swindler–you must not so much as [e]eat with such a person. 12For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders (non-believers)? Do you not judge those who are within the church [to protect the church as the situation requires]? 13God alone sits in judgment on those who are outside [the faith]. REMOVE THE WICKED ONE FROM AMONG YOU [expel him from your church].” 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 AMP
I am hard-pressed today to put forth this word! I is a warning that we must give heed in these days of ear-ticking believers. While I in no way negate the charis. gifts of the Holy Spirit for I believe with all my heart that Spiritual battles need Spiritual weapons. I am however saying the evidence of the Hoy Spirit in one’s life is and heart-change and a demonstrated confirmation of that work in the outward flesh. Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken