The Promise of the Spirit

This Jesus . . . being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:32–33
The miraculous events wrought in Jerusalem by the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost indicated to the disciples that Jesus Christ, the Messiah Savior, had indeed taken His place at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

With Jewish critics all around, Peter lifted his voice and said that all who were in Jerusalem on that day were seeing the fulfillment of prophecy—the words of Jesus that He would send the Holy Spirit after His death and resurrection and exaltation. “Therefore,” Peter cried, “let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).

Many, many have failed to note Peter’s Pentecostal emphasis: The important thing in God’s plan was the fact that Jesus had been exalted in heaven, and that His glorification there had been the signal for the coming of the promised Holy Spirit. What a lesson! The Spirit does not have to be begged—He comes when the Savior is honored and exalted!

Father, Your Spirit dwells in all those who receive Your gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. What a power source we possess! Lord, awaken Your Church to this reality today, I earnestly pray!