Welcome to Day 15. of our devotional study, Who Is The Holy Spirit And What Does He Do? online Bible study. Today's Bible study is about the power of the Holy Spirit. We will be studying Acts 1:8, 2 Timothy 1:7, Romans 15:13.
Power Of The Holy Spirit
Picture yourself as the latest and greatest smartphone. You have a sleek design, tons of apps, and incredible potential. But what happens if you don’t have a charged battery?
Nothing - absolutely nothing!
Nothing works! You can’t call, text, search the internet, find directions, or use any of those cool features.
In the same way, the Holy Spirit is like the electricity that powers your life. When you plug into this divine power source, you come alive spiritually.
The power of the Holy Spirit:
Holy Spirit Power to Live Right: Just like electricity powers up your phone, the Holy Spirit gives you the strength to make good choices and live a life that pleases God.
Holy Spirit Power for Guidance and Direction: Ever used a GPS to find your way? The Holy Spirit is like your personal spiritual GPS, helping you navigate life’s twists and turns.
Holy Spirit Power Communication: Just as your phone connects you to your friends, the Holy Spirit connects you to God, helping you pray and understand His messages better.
Holy Spirit Special Features: Remember those cool apps? The Holy Spirit gives you special abilities, called spiritual gifts, to help you and others. It might be wisdom, helping others, or even encouraging your friends.
Staying Charged in the Power of the Holy Spirit: Just like your phone needs to stay charged, staying connected to the Holy Spirit through prayer, reading the Bible, and being with other believers keeps your spiritual battery full.
Power Of The Holy Spirit Verses
What does the Bible say about the power of the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is omnipotent - all-powerful!
When Jesus ascended to heaven, He left us the power of the Holy Spirit, the dunamis. This is the word the original Greek uses to describe the power Jesus left behind in the person of the Spirit.
Fun fact: The word "dynamite" is derived from the Greek word "dunamis" (δύναμις), which means "power" or "force." Swedish chemist and engineer Alfred Nobel, who invented dynamite in 1867, chose the name to reflect the powerful nature of his invention.
The Holy Spirit is not simply a trickling of power to give us a little boost. He is explosive, life-changing power!
It was the power of the Holy Spirit who divided the Red Sea when the Israelites crossed it (Exodus 14:21-22)
It was the power of the Holy Spirit who caused fire to fall on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:38)
It was the power of the Holy Spirit who converted 3000 people on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41)
It was the power of the Holy Spirit who caused the place to be shaken when the disciples prayed (Acts 4:31)
Let's begin our study about the power of the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:8.
Click on the Bible verse to read it in various translations at Biblegateway.
Read Acts 1:8
" But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 ESV.
Moments before Jesus ascended to heaven, He said to the disciples (probably His final words on earth), "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth".
The coming of the Holy Spirit was even more important than having Jesus stay physically with the disciples.
Here’s why: the Holy Spirit provided a continuous, internal source of power, guidance, and transformation that Jesus, in His physical body, couldn't. While Jesus was on earth, He could only be in one place at a time. But the Holy Spirit can be with all believers everywhere, all at once. This means that the Holy Spirit can help and guide Christians all over the world, empowering them to carry on Jesus' mission, spread the gospel, and live out their faith no matter where they are.
Outpouring Of The Holy Spirit at Pentecost
Read Acts 2:1-4:
"When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested[a] on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2:1-4 ESV.
The Jewish festival, Pentecost, also known as the Feast of Weeks, occurred 50 days after Passover. It was one of the major pilgrimage festivals, attracting Jews from various regions to Jerusalem.
The disciples were gathered in a house in Jerusalem (Acts 2:1). Suddenly, a sound like a violent wind filled the house where the disciples were sitting (Acts 2:2). This wind symbolized the powerful and invisible presence of the Holy Spirit.
Tongues of fire appeared and rested on each of the disciples (Acts 2:3). Fire often represents purification and the presence of God, as seen in the burning bush in Exodus 3:2.
The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages as the Spirit enabled them (Acts 2:4). These were known languages understood by the diverse crowd present in Jerusalem for the festival.
The sound of the wind and the commotion drew a large crowd. People from various nations were amazed to hear the disciples speaking in their native tongues (Acts 2:5-6). The crowd was bewildered and questioned the meaning of this miraculous event. Some even mocked the disciples, suggesting they were drunk (Acts 2:12-13)
What happened next?
Peter's Sermon and the Power of the Holy Spirit
Filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter boldly stood before the crowd and explained that they were witnessing the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy (Acts 2:14-21). He passionately shared the story of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ascension, declaring that Jesus was the promised Messiah whom they had crucified, but whom God had raised from the dead (Acts 2:22-36).
Peter's powerful message deeply moved the listeners, and they asked what they should do next. Peter urged them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:37-38).
Incredibly, about 3000 people accepted his message, were baptized, and joined the community of believers that day (Acts 2:41).
This momentous event marks the birth of the Christian Church and the start of its mission to spread the gospel worldwide. It showcased the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit as a helper and guide (John 14:16-17), igniting an exciting new chapter for believers everywhere.
Living in the power of the holy spirit:
At Pentecost, the disciples experienced a dramatic transformation. Previously fearful and uncertain, they were empowered to preach boldly (Acts 2:14-41). This transformation is echoed in 2 Timothy 1:7, where Paul reminds us that the Spirit gives us power, love, and self-discipline.
"for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV.
Just like the disciples received power from the Holy Spirit to speak boldly, you too are empowered to overcome fear and live your faith courageously. The Holy Spirit enables you to love others selflessly, just as the early Christians did when they shared everything they had (Acts 2:44-45). Moreover, the Spirit helps you live a disciplined and righteous life, keeping your focus on God’s mission. Embrace this power, the dunamis to make a difference in your life and in the lives of those around you.
Read Romans 15:13
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Romans 15:13 ESV.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost brought immense joy and peace to the believers, even amidst challenges (Acts 2:46-47). Romans 15:13 shows us how the Holy Spirit fills us with joy and peace, leading to an overflow of hope. Here's how we can apply this to our lives:
Joy
Application: Let the Holy Spirit fill you with joy, just as the early believers experienced in their communal life and worship (Acts 2:46). Engage in activities that foster joy, such as worship, fellowship, and acts of kindness. Allow this joy to shine through in your daily interactions and encourage others.
Peace
Application: Even in difficult times, trust in God's plan and let the Holy Spirit bring you peace. The early church experienced peace amidst persecution by relying on God's promises. Practice surrendering your worries to God through prayer and meditation, and cultivate an inner peace that others can see and feel.
Hope
Application: Be empowered by the Holy Spirit to hold steadfast hope, and confidence in Jesus' promises and the future of the Church. This hope can sustain you through trials and inspire others. Share stories of faith and hope with those around you, and let your hopeful outlook influence your decisions and actions.
By embracing the Holy Spirit's power, you can live a joyful, peaceful, and hopeful life that positively impacts those around you.
Summary:
In today's study, we explored the Power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus explained that His departure was necessary for the Holy Spirit to dwell within the disciples and continue His work on earth.
Acts 1:8 encourages us to embrace the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit provided a permanent source of empowerment, guidance, and transformation, enabling the disciples and future believers to fulfill their calling and spread the gospel globally. This power continues to empower us today. Through the Holy Spirit, we receive the courage, love, and self-discipline needed to live our faith boldly (2 Timothy 1:7). We are also filled with joy, peace, and overflowing hope (Romans 15:13). Seek the Spirit’s power daily, allowing it to transform and guide you in fulfilling God’s mission.
Here are cross-references for further study:
Luke 24:29, Acts 4:33, Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 8:15, 1 Corinthians 2:12, Ephesians 3:16-17, Galatians 5:22-23, Philippians 4:7, 1 Peter 1:8, Isaiah 55:12.
Praying in the power of the Holy Spirit
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Fill us with Your Spirit’s power so we can be bold and effective witnesses for Christ. Guide us to live in a way that reflects Your love and truth to the world. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Who Is The Holy Spirit And What Does He Do? Online Bible Study and Printable Journal
Dive even deeper into this study with our printable journal. This journal is designed to guide you through personal reflections and insights, enhancing your experience as you engage with the Scriptures and listen to the Holy Spirit. Grab your journal HERE.
Here are some questions to consider as you study the person of the Holy Spirit:
What is the most important truth I learned about the Holy Spirit?
Did the Holy Spirit convict me of anything that I need to change in my life?
Come back tomorrow as we study Holy Spirit As Living Water
Thank you for joining me on this journey. May the Holy Spirit continue to lead you into a deeper relationship with God and empower you to live out your faith boldly and effectively.
Resources used in today's study, Power Of The Holy Spirit
Here is a video from Tony Evans that explains it clearly why we need the Power Of The Holy Spirit
You may be encouraged by these resources:
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