The morning after

So now what?

What a space to be in…filled with the Holy Spirit. What now?

Humanity was and is still fascinated with the mysteriuos, with the Supernatural. We want to be powerful. Want to be superheroes with great powers.

Performing miracles, ability to speak in tongues, driving out demons…its really what people are after isnt it?

Acts 8:18–19 LEB

18 Now Simon, when he saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, offered them money, 19 saying, “Give to me also this power, so that whomever I place my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit!”

Simon represents many people who wants the gift of the Holy Spirit for selfish reasons. Many people love to quote :

Acts 1:8 LEB

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest part of the earth.”

And leave out the last…and you will be my witnessess...

He knew content

Imagine you enter an exam room not knowing content at all. Peter knows the content not because he is smart or intelliegent. He is quoting Joel the Prophet. He is doing Hermeneitics (Explain Scripture). And he is speaking with boldness. Go Peter! Convincing proofs he spoke. When you go to the Doctor, you want him to be able to give you answers. Why do I have this constant headache. You leave the Doctor with some ease when he examines, examines and prescribe. But it was not the high IQ of Peter but it was the PARCLYETE, the Holy Spirit as Teacher enabling Peter to remember content and being able to interpret content. The

John 14:26 LEB

26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name—that one will teach you all things, and will remind you of everything that I said to you.

Isaiah the Prophet was in the same boat.

Not just WHAT but WHO!

It is a good thing to know Scripture. Some people know Scripture from Genesis to Revelation and I can admire that. I dont know the Bible like many people do…some people can quote Scripture like nothing. But here is what make Peter’s knowledge of Scripture so powerful…it was connected to a relationship with the one being spoken about! There was no disconnect.

From the beginning of time peope misused and abused Scripture to their advantage. When poeple want to do something that is they might percieve as big…I can do all tings through Christ who strengthens me…not seekers by the way but people of God. Christ came by the way and made sure that there is clarity. That is why we have these debates about Women in MInistry and all types of tnings because there is a disconnect

To tempt, ad to bamboozle and to confuse and to sow the seed of confusion…people can use Scripture. There is an episode right in the beginning of Scripture…Matthew 4

Matthew 4:1–11 LEB

1 Then Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil, 2 and after he had fasted forty days and forty nights, then he was hungry. 3 And the tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, order that these stones become bread.” 4 But he answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man will not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’ ” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the highest point of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down! For it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will lift you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ” 7 Jesus said to him, “On the other hand it is written, ‘You are not to put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 8 Again the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, 9 and he said to him, “I will give to you all these things, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan, for it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’ ” 11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and began ministering to him.

When I graduated…I understand content, I understand what this is all about. Not information but transformation...

How do we know

Acts 2:42–47 LEB

42 And they were devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers. 43 And fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were being performed by the apostles. 44 And all who believed were in the same place, and had everything in common. 45 And they began selling their possessions and property, and distributing these things to all, to the degree that anyone had need. 46 And every day, devoting themselves to meeting with one purpose in the temple courts and breaking bread from house to house, they were eating their food with joy and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding every day to the total of those who were being saved.

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