Acts 1-4

Journal.

Losing Jesus but gaining the Holy Spirit. I don’t know how I feel about this. I, of course, have heard this taught on, read it many times and even taught on it once myself but to think of the trade Jesus for the Holy Spirit. Do I see the Spirit as that vital and influential that it is better to have Him than it would be to have Jesus here in the flesh? Of course, I believe Jesus knew what he was doing when he ascended and then sent the Spirit, what is difficult for me isn’t the faith that it’s better, it’s the empathy I have for the disciples, losing their best friend. To be honest, I am jealous that the disciples were able to see Jesus and hear Him and eat meals with Him. What an amazing thing! So emotionally I feel as though having Jesus would be better. However, my mind and faith do believe that the Spirit is better for the church to have right now than Jesus.

We see this over the next two chapters, the Spirit is awesome and powerful! The Spirit comes upon those waiting with fire! Then the Spirit empowers them to preach and three thousand souls are added. Then from there we see the type of community developed that could only be accomplished by Spirit filled people. From there even healing that resembles the ministry of Christ. Lastly the Apostles and all the believers begin to be even bolder in their faith. All in all though it seems to be a poor trade off at first glance the evidence is clear, the Church needs the Spirit!

We see this in the next two chapters, and the Spirit is awesome and powerful! The Spirit comes upon those waiting with fire! Then the Spirit empowers them to preach, and three thousand souls added. Then from there, we see the type of community developed that could only be accomplished by Spirit-filled people. From there even healing that resembles the ministry of Christ. Lastly, the Apostles and all the believers begin to be even bolder in their faith. All in all, though it seems to be an unfortunate trade-off at first glance the evidence is clear, the Church needs the Spirit!

I have often taught that people need Jesus and they do, but what I really mean by that statement is that people need the gospel and salvation. From reading these chapters I find that what people really need is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

I have often taught that people need Jesus and they do, but what I mean by that statement is that people need the gospel and salvation. From reading these chapters, I find that what people need is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

For myself in my journey of church planting this last year I can honestly say I need more of the Spirit and my church needs more of the Spirit! We need the Spirit, because without Him we will not see lost souls come to Jesus, we will not see a thriving selfless community or healing or boldness in faith. We need the Holy Spirit upon us!

For myself in my journey of church planting this last year I can honestly say I need more of the Spirit and my church needs more of the Spirit! We need the Spirit because without Him we will not see lost souls come to Jesus, we will not see a thriving selfless community or healing or boldness in faith. We need the Holy Spirit upon us!