Scripture Reading: Acts 1:1-11
1. Who Is the Holy Spirit? – He Is a Person
- John 14:16-17
- Key Greek Word: Paraklētos
- The Holy Spirit...
- He Has Intellect (Mind): 1 Corinthians 2:10-11
- He Has Emotions: Ephesians 4:30
- He Has a Will: 1 Corinthians 12:11
- He Speaks, Teaches, and Guides: John 16:13
- He Convicts the World: John 16:8
- He Intercedes for Us: Romans 8:26-27
- He Is God: Acts 5:3-4
The Holy Spirit is not a lesser part of God. He is fully God — personal, relational, powerful, and present. He lives inside every believer and longs to fill us, empower us, comfort us, and use us.
2. The Promise of the Spirit - Two Distinct Experiences
A. The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Given at Salvation)
- Receive the Holy Spirit John 20:22
- Romans 8:9
- 1 Corinthains 6:19
- Ephesaians 1:13-14
B. The Baptism / Filling / Empowering of the Spirit
- Acts 1:4-5, 8
- Key Greek Word Study: dynamis
- Acts 2
- Acts 8:14-17
- Acts 19:1-6
Why This Matters for Us Today
1. Every believer has the Holy Spirit living inside them the moment they are saved.
2. Every believer can (and should) be filled with the Holy Spirit with power for witness and service.
3. The promise of Acts 1:8 is still for us today.
Practical Application: You may have the Holy Spirit in you, but are you walking in the power of the Holy Spirit upon you? Jesus still commands us to wait on Him and be filled with His power so we can be effective witnesses.
3. What This Power is For
He said: Acts 1:8 (CSB) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
- What Does "Witness" mean
- Martures - Martyr
Breakdown Acts 1:8
- Jerusalem – right where you are (your home, your church, your city)
- Judea – your region and surrounding area
- Samaria – the people who are different from you, even those you might avoid
- To the ends of the earth – global missions and reaching the unreached
Practical Application for Us Today
This same promise is still active for every believer:
- You don’t have to rely on your own personality, education, or charisma to share Jesus.
- The Holy Spirit gives you dunamis — supernatural boldness, wisdom, love, and effectiveness.
- He empowers you to live a holy life that matches your message.
- He gives you courage to speak to that coworker, neighbor, or family member.
Personal Reflection Questions:
- Are you trying to be a witness in your own strength?
- Have you asked the Holy Spirit to fill you with His power for the specific mission He has given you?
- Who is your “Jerusalem” right now — the people closest to you that God wants you to reach?
Application & Devotion
- Are you waiting on the Spirit? The disciples were told to wait. Are you trying to do ministry, marriage, parenting, or work in your own strength? Jesus still says, “Wait on My power.”
- Do you know the Person of the Holy Spirit? He is not a distant force. He is your Helper, your Comforter, your Teacher. Invite Him to fill you afresh today.
- Will you be His witness? The same dynamis that empowered the early church is available to you. You don’t have to be eloquent or perfect — you just need to be filled.