Prepare For The Promised Power ( 1) Springs Of Wisdom
BEFORE His ascension, He’s being “taken up into heaven.” The Lord had commanded His apostles and believers “that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise.” He promised: “ye shall be baptised with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”
What were they to do during the waiting period? Were they to be busy on some personal projects while waiting? Were they to be idle while waiting? While waiting for the promised power, were they to think, plan and strategise on networking with religious bodies in the land? “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and ‘ He shall direct thy paths.’”
They returned to Jerusalem, went up into an upper room and “all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.” They were waiting for the coming of the Holy Ghost and they remembered what Christ had taught them. “Jesus also, praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon Him,” ( Luke 3: 21,22). “How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ‘ ask Him?”’ ( Luke 11: 13). “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. This spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive,” ( John 7: 37- 39).
The Apostles and all the disciples, indeed the whole assembly, were earnest in prayer to God for the fulfillment of Christ’s promise. They all waited, in one accord, in unity of faith, perseverance and fellowship, asking for the outpouring of the Spirit upon them.
Christ had promised to send the Holy Spirit; and their faith in His faithfulness led them to fervent, importunate, united praying. We receive the power of the Holy Spirit through praying. The promise of the Father revealed the will of God; praying to receive the baptism and power of the Holy Ghost is God’s will for all believers in Christ. Many Christians spend a lifetime praying for a thousand blessings and benefits one by one. These benefits and blessings come through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit convicts, converts, regenerates, transforms, heals, helps, delivers, empowers, enlightens, guides, comforts, intercedes, and reveals mysteries. He is the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of life, the Spirit of grace, the Spirit of holiness, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of love, the Spirit of glory. The early church prayed until they all received of His fullness.
• Further reading ( King James Version): Acts 1: 12- 26. Acts 1: 12- 15; 2: 1,46; 4: 24- 31; 15: 25; Romans 15: 5,6; Philippians 2: 25; John 17: 17- 23; Luke 11: 5- 13; 18: 1- 8; Acts 6: 2- 4; Ephesians 6: 18; Matthew 18: 19. Acts 1: 16- 20; Psalms 41: 9; 55: 12- 15; 109: 8; Luke 24: 27,44- 46; Matthew 26: 23- 25; Mark 14: 10,11,18- 21,44- 46; Luke 22: 3- 6,21- 23; John 6: 60,66- 71; 13: 2,18,19,21- 30; Matthew 27: 3- 10; 2 Peter 2: 20- 22. Acts 1: 21- 26; John 15: 27; Acts 13: 22; Luke 6: 12,13; Hebrews 4: 13; Jonah 1: 7; Proverbs 16: 33; Acts 6: 2- 6; 9: 15- 17; 13: 2- 4; Galatians 1: 15,16; 1 Corinthians 15: 9,10.