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Prayer, the Holy Spirit and spreading the gospel 

When Jesus was baptised in the River Jordan and was praying, the Holy Spirit descended and remained upon him. And God spoke from heaven: "You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased." 

Jesus prepared himself through prayer. Travelling from place to place, preaching and miraculously helping people through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

When praying in Gethsemane ... before he was crucified and rose again to secure redemption for all who believe in him ... he encouraged three of his followers, Peter, James and John, to watch and pray while he was praying. They fell asleep. He persevered. And through the Holy Spirit he offered up himself without blemish to God as a sacrifice for our sins.

Before his ascension Jesus instructed his disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from heaven. He had already taught them about praying for the Holy Spirit.

Obeying his command his apostles, together with the women who followed him and also members of his immediate family ... a company of about 120, unitedly devoted themselves to pray. And when they were all together on the day of Pentecost they were all filled with the Spirit. A great crowd came to see what was happening. Peter explained to them what was taking place and he preached Christ to them, quoting from the Scriptures. Listening to Peter preaching about Christ, many repented, believed and were baptised. About 3000 were added to their company on that day. During those days they met together in the temple and their homes, as the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Later on, continuing to fulfil the commission Jesus had given them, Peter and John were arrested and questioned by the same hierarchy who had condemned Christ to death. When they were ordered not to speak anymore to others about Jesus, they answered that they couldn't stop speaking about him.

After the Sanhedrin warned and threatened them they were released. Peter and John returned to their companions and together they prayed to God for his help. Asking for boldness to keep on proclaiming the gospel. And for God to perform miracles in Jesus' name, to confirm the message. In answer to their prayers the Holy Spirit enabled them all to continue their witness.

This blogpost is based on the following Bible references

Luke 3:21-22 & 4:14; John 1:29-34

Mark 1:35-39 & 14:32-42; Acts 10:36-43; Hebrews 5:7-10 & 9:14

Acts 1:3-15 & 2:1-47; Luke 11:5-13

Acts 4:1-31

For further reading

2 Thessalonians 3:1-2

Ephesians 6:10-20

Colossians 4:2-6

Acts 28:30-31