Evidence - The Power of the Spirit

 

 

Evidence or proof is important, for anyone can make bold claims, but not everyone can substantiate those claims. This incident, of which we all should take serious note, is recorded in Acts 19: 11 - 17. Paul is still in Ephesus and through the enabling Spirit, God is using Paul’s hands to do some pretty spectacular miracles, in some highly unusual ways. Some Jewish exorcists saw what the Holy Spirit was doing in Paul, through the Name of Jesus and they began to call on the Name of Jesus. Some religious Jews, leaders in the religious community, tried it, to show that they too had the power which Paul had. Paul never said a word to them, for he knew that those who fake truth, will receive their due consequences.

These holy men of God, tried casting out a demon in Jesus’ Name, when the demon responded to them in this way.  Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you? Acts 19: 15b. They paid dearly for their folly. The point is that we must be abundantly clear that we indeed have received Jesus’ baptism and not live as one deceived. 

We have already noted that when the disciples at Ephesus were baptised with the Holy Ghost and with fire – Jesus’ baptism – they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Now, we move from Ephesus and Paul and go to Jerusalem, where the baptism of Jesus holds centre stage, as it were. It is the day of Pentecost itself when the disciples receive their baptism. Acts 2: 4 gives this description. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.  What we see here is the enabling power of the Holy Spirit in all the disciples of Jesus, as they spoke in other languages. They were speaking other human languages, not the Spirit’s tongue, where an interpreter was needed. No! After receiving Jesus’ baptism, these disciples all began to speak, but speak to whom? Have you ever sat and given thought to the fact that scores of Jesus’ disciples are speaking, prophesying or declaring the wonders of God and they have no idea why?

Let us discuss this by faith, in the knowledge that we are being schooled by the Holy Spirit Himself. We are especially thankful for this grace and this mercy, to be granted Pentecostal hearing in this moment. May we receive as those hearers received, from those who were filled with Jesus.   

Power at Pentecost                         

All the disciples were given the Power to witness, as Jesus promised.  They were enabled to do what they could not do in their natural selves.  Their abilities, skills, capabilities, and experiences did not afford them the power to speak in another language. It only came through supernatural power, not natural power; Spirit power and not human power. All I know is that the Holy Spirit gave those whom He filled, power and authority to speak another person’s language. Are you hearing? Do you understand?

When a believer is filled with the Holy Spirit, he or she is enabled to speak the language of another, so that persons will hear the wonders of God and be cut to the heart. Remember, this is all the Spirit’s work and not human works. These Spirit-pierced hearts want to know, Brothers, what shall we do? Acts 2: 37b

Too many of us see the evidence of the power-working of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, as disciples speaking in other tongues, but to stay there, is to be totally ignorant of the outpoured power of the Spirit. The Spirit’s power is seen in speaking and hearing. 

We carry on with this tomorrow.