Scripture Focus: Acts 19.1-6
1…There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”
“John’s baptism,” they replied.
4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
Reflection: Holy Spirit Power
By Thoblie Mogane
The Holy Spirit comes when we hear and believe the gospel, the Good News, about Jesus. It is the privilege of every believer to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is with us in every need. Paul encouraged the Philippians to think about things which are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.
Paul asked “Did you receive the Holy Spirit,” because Paul wanted these believers to taste the anointing that comes through the Holy Spirit. Paul did many miracles and signs that demonstrated the supernatural things that come through the children of God, when filled with the Holy Spirit.
The people Paul was talking to did not have full knowledge of the gospel. They only knew what John the Baptizer taught. They knew the kingdom of God was near, but did not understand that Jesus is here through the Holy Spirit’s indwelling.
The Holy Spirit gives believers power to overcome any obstacle that competes with God’s word in our lives. I have seen it in my own life.
I was raised by a stepfather who had bad intentions to abuse me and I hated him. One night in a dark dream, I saw myself dead and I asked God to rescue me. In my dream God said, “You want me to have mercy on you while you fail to forgive those that wrong you.” I realized he was speaking about my stepfather and light came. Through this dream, and the Holy Spirit, I was able to overcome bitterness and vindictiveness.
God calls us to bring his kingdom, but it is only through the Holy Spirit that we can finish this race. In this process miracles can happen. God can mend broken relationships, heal incurable diseases, change hopeless situations. What if God is waiting for us to walk in the authority given to us through the Holy Spirit?
My mother, my sister, my father, my brother, may we be led by the Holy Spirit, may we depend on and rely on the Holy Spirit for our spiritual growth, finances, marriages, in raising our children, in our work environments, and in our community. Making the world a better place is the responsibility of born again children of God acting with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
“This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.” — Luke 9.35
Today’s Readings
Isaiah 61 (Listen -2:23)
Acts 19 (Listen – 5:47)
Read more about Well Equipped for Good or Bad
Spiritual disciplines allow the Holy Spirit to equip us for good and prepare us for bad.
