“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
After HE rose from the dead, Jesus spent forty days with HIS disciples. Before HE ascended into heaven, HE told them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for what had been promised.
“For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”
Acts 1:5
The Upper Room
They Gathered to Pray
They returned to Jerusalem and went up into an upper room. About a hundred and twenty were there: the apostles, the women, Mary the mother of Jesus, and HIS brethren.
They did not know how long they would wait. They prayed together until the promise came.
“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”
Acts 1:14
Pentecost
The Fire Fell
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all with one accord in one place. Suddenly a sound came from heaven like a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Tongues like fire appeared and rested on each of them.
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Acts 2:4
The Message
Peter Stood and Preached
A crowd from every nation gathered, amazed to hear them speaking in their own languages. Peter stood up and preached Jesus to them: crucified, risen, and exalted. Cut to the heart, they asked, “What shall we do?”
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Acts 2:38
About three thousand were added to the church that day.
All Nations
The Gift Was Poured Out Again
What began in the upper room did not stay there. In Samaria, believers received the Holy Ghost when the apostles laid their hands on them. In the house of Cornelius, the Holy Ghost fell on Gentiles while Peter was still speaking. In Ephesus, about twelve disciples were filled when Paul laid his hands on them.
“And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Acts 10:45
For You
The Holy Ghost Is for You
The promise did not end with the first church. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of God poured out on all who believe, bringing comfort, guidance, and the power to live for Christ and to tell others about HIM.
This gift is not for a chosen few. It is for you.
“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
“Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?”
Psalm 85:6 (KJV)
Join us in praying for revival in our homes, our church, and our nation.
