Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 4:31
31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
Commentary:
4:31 God answered the believers’ prayer. The place where they were gathered was shaken as if by an earthquake, and the Spirit descended upon them in a way they could perceive. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit indicates that people could be “filled” with the Holy Spirit more than once, for Peter was among them and he had already been “filled with the Holy Spirit” (v. 8), and all the disciples present at Pentecost had been “filled” with the Spirit as well (2:4). The Holy Spirit’s power did not come on them automatically but in answer to their expectant, believing prayer.
Questions:
- Clayton explained to us the difference between baptism in Spirit and being filled with the Spirit. Baptism in the Spirit happens at conversion. Paul says in Ephesians 1 that we have been given the full measure of His spirit, giving us every spiritual blessing. This is a one-time event. Being FILLED with the Spirit, however, can and should happen continually. All throughout the book of Acts, people are filled with the Spirit, usually resulting in them proclaiming the Gospel with great boldness. How often do you pray for the Holy Spirit to fill you? How do you know that you were being filled with the Holy Spirit?
- There are times when we are able to get an extra dose of His Spirit in these small, holy moments. It's almost like He gets all of you in that moment, and you are suddenly aware of His holiness, glory and love. Have there been times in your life when you have experienced this? Have you ever been certain that His presence was with you in a special and distinct way? What was it like?
Pray:
- That you would seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
- That you would long for more moments spent in His presence.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
7. How can I trust that the Bible is still God’s Word today? I trust the Bible is still God’s Word today because Jesus rose from the dead proving He was God and said His words would never pass away. Through the Holy Spirit, God inspired the writing of the Scripture, determined the canon of Scripture and protected the copying of Scripture so that we might know Him and worship Him to this day.
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
No Comments