Depend on the Spirit

Reflection 

Peter and John are released, and they go back to the church who have been praying. Together they all resolve to persevere and to keep going. At that moment, the room they are in is shaken and they are once again filled with the Holy Spirit to proclaim God’s word boldly. Commentator Adam Clarke said this when writing about this incident: “Neither apostle nor private Christian can subsist in the Divine life without frequent influences from on high… God gives grace for the time being, but no stock for futurity, because he will keep all his followers continually dependent on himself.” 

The one outpouring on the day of Pentecost was not enough nor was it meant to be a one-time event, God wants us to continually ask for a fresh pouring of His Spirit to proclaim the word so that we would be continually dependent on Him. 

Prayer

Lord, once again we say, “Come Holy Spirit,” fill us today. Lord, may we be continually dependent on you.

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ACTS 4:23-31

23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,

“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,

and the peoples plot in vain?

26 The kings of the earth set themselves,

and the rulers were gathered together,

against the Lord and against his Anointed’—

27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.