The Promised Gift of the Holy Spirit
Today’s passage: Acts 1:4–5, along with Luke 24:49
Focus verse: “John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5)
After Luke concludes his introduction to the book of Acts, straightaway he shares a story about Jesus and his disciples. And he quotes Jesus.
Though we think of the words of Jesus as appearing only in the four gospel accounts—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—our Savior’s words also appear in the book of Acts (as well as 2 Corinthians and Revelation).
Jesus instructs his followers to not leave Jerusalem, but to wait there to receive the Father’s promised gift, which Jesus has already told them about (Day 32).
In his gospel, Luke confirms this, writing that Jesus tells his disciples to “stay in the city.” This means they’re already in Jerusalem.
As you may recall, the last time we knew where the disciples were was in Day 26 when they were in Galilee, specifically the Sea of Galilee for the great catch of fish. And we covered Jesus’s instructions to go there in Day 14.
This change in location back to Jerusalem isn’t trivial. It’s seventy miles away (113 kilometers) and would take three to four days to walk.
Just as we don’t know exactly when they left Jerusalem to go to Galilee, we also don’t know when they returned. But at this point in our story, they’re in Jerusalem, and Jesus tells them to wait there.
Next Jesus explains what will happen more fully. “Though John baptized with water, in a few days you’ll be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Water baptism signifies repentance, while Holy Spirit baptism signifies God’s Spirit coming to live in us, something all people experience—to varying degrees—after they believe in Jesus.
John the baptizer also mentions Holy Spirit baptism through Jesus in Mark 1:8. More pointedly, Matthew and Luke write that John the Baptist says Jesus will baptize the people with “the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11 and Luke 3:16).
What does baptism by the Holy Spirit and fire mean?
We can think of fire as a means of judgment, as well as purification.
The prophet Malachi foresaw this when he asks, “Who can stand before him? He will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will refine and purify” (see Malachi 3:2–5).
For those who follow Jesus, he will purify them through the refiner’s fire. Those who don’t follow him will face the fire of judgment.
Questions:
- How well do we react when our Lord tells us to wait?
- What does baptism with the Holy Spirit and fire mean to you?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for baptizing us with the Holy Spirit and fire, purifying us and preparing us to advance the kingdom of God.
[This devotional is taken from the Day 34 reading in The Victory of Jesus.]
Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and his return to heaven in The Victory of Jesus. The Victory of Jesus is another book in Peter DeHaan’s beloved Holiday Celebration Devotionals Series. Get your copy today.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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