Pastor’s Column 5/19/2024

PASTOR’S COLUMN

“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, 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. The promise is to you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Acts 2:37-39, NIV                                                                                                                  

“A Promise Kept!”

There is no promise the Lord has ever made, where He has failed to deliver on His intent. Unlike us, our Lord is, in the best sense of the term, a “promise-keeper.” Jesus, from the early days of His ministry in the Galilee, made references to His disciples that at a turning point of His earthly-physical presence with them, He would leave; but leaving the disciples did not mean thembeing without One who would accompany them in their continuing ministry. When we read the Scriptures, often the Lord’s message is couched in language the readers may not readily understand. Jesus spoke of the coming of the Holy Spirit to reside in us, as “the promise.” This meant the Spirit’s place in the life of the believer would be permanent and absolute. In earlier times, the Spirit would come and empower people to do great things, but would depart. Saul, the controversial first king of Israel joined the prophets who were rejoicing in dance because the Spirit had fallen on them. Saul “also danced with them in the same Spirit.” But this happening was temporary, as Saul’s misguided conduct and disobedient behavior, caused God to reject him and his descendants as heirs to the throne of Israel. Samson did miraculous work when he obeyed the Spirit, but his disobedience to God caused the Spirit to “leave him.” We know that even David prayed that the Spirit would not “be taken away from Him;” because of sinful acts which contributed to tragedy in his life. While disobedience always carries a penalty; the “promise” Jesus made to the disciples, was that the Holy Spirit would not merely come to the believers, but He would “live in you; be with you.” (John 14:17, NLT). It is in Luke-Acts that we see the Holy Spirit coming 50 days after the death-events of Jesus – to absolutely live in us. Welcome!!