CTG 0028

Holy Spirit 

At a very young age I understood the gospel. I knew that Jesus had died for me and that he was resurrected. And I remember wanting to become a christian and yet, with a mixture of bravado and embarrassment, I expressed non-interest in front of my friends. 

The time came, however, when I publicly responded to the Lord's call. It was at the end of a meeting, which was arranged for children, at which an evangelist was speaking. The first thing I wanted to do was tell someone. And as I walked home everything felt new. In the words of Jesus, I was "born again." Regenerated by the Holy Spirit. I was 8 years old.  

In my late teens I recall wanting to become proactive in sharing the good news about Jesus with others. I tried but struggled. I knew that our Saviour said that when the Holy Spirit comes upon us we would receive his power to witness for him. It dawned on me that I needed, in the words of Jesus, to be "baptized with the Holy Spirit." 

I recall a day alone at home, when I was suddenly and deeply moved in my heart. Immediately I became aware of words being given to me in my throat, in what I now know was an unknown language. Doubting the significance of what was taking place, I carried on doing whatever I was doing at the time. 

Sometime later, while someone was praying with me, I was taken by surprise as words in the foreign language came to my throat again. This time I uttered them. What I can only describe as fire passed through my whole being. And I cried unashamedly. Not with sorrow, but with gratitude, as I was spontaneously filled with the assurance of God's love and grace towards me. 

A quiet confidence in God ensued, as the Lord Jesus Christ became even more real to me. And my desire to read and remember God's Word, the Bible, increased. 

The reason why I wanted the Holy Spirit's empowerment was so that I would be helped by him to talk to others more freely about Jesus. 

John the Baptist said Jesus would baptize us with the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that this would enable us to be his witnesses everywhere. Before his death and resurrection he had sent some of his followers out to speak on his behalf. But his later instructions to them make it plain that after his ascension they and we would need this relationship with the Holy Spirit, to be able to do his work in the way he wants it to be done. 

Being "born again" by the Holy Spirit is receiving new life, eternal life, through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

Being "baptized with the Holy Spirit" results in receiving God's power to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Whether we experience success or are faced by indifference and opposition, God's Spirit will help us as we continue to be filled with him, focussed on Jesus and the mission he has given to us. 

FOR FURTHER READING: 

John 3:1-16 

Matthew 3:11 

John 14:16 & 26; 15:26; 16:7 & 13-14

Luke 24:44-49 

Acts 1:4-5 & 8 

Acts 2:1-39 

John 7:37-39 & Acts 2:32-33 

Luke 11:5-11 

Ephesians 5:15-21; 6:10-20 

Romans 4:1-5 

Acts 4:17-31 

Hebrews 2:3-4 

2 Corinthians 3, 4 & 5 

It would be good to read the whole book of Acts in the New Testament and see how the Holy Spirit continues to empower believers and the church's mission.