The Promised Gift of the Father

In the Book of Acts, Luke tells us that after the resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples several times over the course of forty days (Acts 1:3). What was Christ doing during those forty days? He strengthened their faith and taught them about the kingdom of God. The disciples had to wait 50 days from Christ’s crucifixion at Passover until the Day of Pentecost. On that day, the Holy Spirit came to the 120 disciples and filled or baptized them (soaked them spiritually). The Lord prepared them entirely for the coming of the Spirit of God and to be willing to serve. The time of prayer and waiting created a longing that only the Holy Spirit could satisfy. The 11 disciples were not superhuman; they were just like you and me and needed God's Spirit to carry the message to others. Dependence on God and dedication to His work, enabled through His Spirit, allowed them to complete their mission. It is no different for us. Here’s the text from the Book of Acts:

³After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. ⁴On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about (Acts 1:3-4, emphasis added).

If the promised Holy Spirit was sent as a gift, why wouldn’t we want to receive Him and all He wishes to do in us? Some doubt that God will give them the Holy Spirit. Why would God not give the One He has promised? “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things” (Romans 8:32). I am sure that when God offers a gift with a promise, the least I should do is accept what the Lord wants to give! I accepted Christ by faith, and when I received Him, the Spirit took up residence in my life, just as He does in every life entrusted to the care of the divine Shepherd. If you are a true believer in Christ, according to the Word of God, you have the Holy Spirit:

You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ (Romans 8:9).

The enemy will try to convince you that you don't deserve the Holy Spirit's work in you and through you. Who will you believe? God has promised the Spirit to you if you trust Him. Everyone who has entrusted their lives to Christ has the Holy Spirit. The more important question is, does the Spirit have you? Have you surrendered your life to Christ? Does the Holy Spirit have ownership and control of your life? If so, He might be living in your soul's living room, but there may be some rooms you haven't yet given to His leadership: “Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

Sometimes people are not controlled, led, or filled with the Spirit because of bitterness or unforgiveness toward others; maybe waiting and introspection help them focus their minds and hearts on forgiving those who have hurt them. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the barriers that prevent you from experiencing His empowerment. Is there anything holding you back from experiencing the fullness of the Holy Spirit? Is there a fear within you at the thought of giving the reins of your life to the leadership of the Holy Spirit? Take a few minutes to ask yourself if you are open to the Spirit of God. Here are a couple of Scriptures that show us how God wants to be with us by His Holy Spirit:

¹⁵"If you love me, you will obey what I command. ¹⁶And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—¹⁷the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. ¹⁸I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you (John 14:15-18).

¹³Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:13-14).

There is no need to doubt Him. Take Him at His Word. Keith Thomas