November 7

In the Christian walk, prayer plus the Holy Spirit equals power from God. No one knew that more than the early followers of Jesus Christ. During his earthly ministry, Jesus had said, “If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him” (Luke 11:13). And Jesus had promised his disciples, “when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative - - and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit - - he will teach you everything and will remind you of every-thing I myself have told you” (John 14:26). So as Jesus prepared to leave his disciples and ascend into heaven, he reminded them, “do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you what He promised. Remember, I have told you about this before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:4&5). For, “when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere” (1:8).
There were a number of believers who got together regularly in the days following Jesus’ ascension into heaven. The Bible says, “they all met together continually for prayer” (1:14). Peter felt it was necessary to replace Judas, who had hung himself after he betrayed Jesus (Matthew 27:1-10; Acts 1:18&19). Two men who met the qualifications for being an apostle (1:21&22) were nominated and again the Bible says, “they all prayed for the right man to be chosen” (1:24). Sometime, shortly after that, the Holy Spirit came just as Jesus promised, and gave many people the miraculous ability to speak in intelligible languages they had no prior knowledge of (2:4-12). When the crowd present asked what was going on, Peter addressed them and said that Jesus was the Messiah sent from God and they had crucified him. When many in the crowd were convicted, they asked what they could do to be forgiven. Peter replied, “Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins (see also Matthew 28:18-20). Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you and to your children, and even to the Gentiles - - all who have been called by the Lord our God” (2:38&39). What took place after that was phenomenal. Armed with the power of the Holy Spirit and prayer, “the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity - - all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of the people.” And the results? “Each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved” (Acts 2:43-47).
Prayer plus the Holy Spirit equals power from God. Jesus taught us to pray and never quit praying (Luke 18:1). He promised us the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives after he left and Peter assured us the Holy Spirit would inhabit every believer in Jesus Christ who turned from their sins and were baptized in him (2:38&39; 5:32). So, if we want to see first century results in Christ’s twenty-first century church, we would be wise to follow the example of our first century ancestors. Prayer plus the Holy Spirit equals power from God.