August 3, 2019
Acts 10:44-48 (in context)
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
CONSIDER THIS
What if the Holy Spirit is THE GOSPEL?
- Without the Holy Spirit . . . we have baptism without the baptism.
- Without the Holy Spirit . . . we have words without the Word.
- Without the Holy Spirit . . . we have “truths” without the truth.
- Without the Holy Spirit . . . we have an institution but not the Church.
- Without the Holy Spirit . . . we have our lives but not the life.
- Without the Holy Spirit . . . we have our ways but not the way.
- Without the Holy Spirit . . . we have “God” but not Abba Father.
- Without the Holy Spirit . . . we have ideas but not the gospel.
- Without the Holy Spirit . . . we have Jesus without salvation.
- Without the Holy Spirit . . . we have religion without relationship.
What if the Holy Spirit is the gospel?
I think it might change the way we approached BAPTISM, THE WORD, THE TRUTH, THE CHURCH, THE LIFE, THE WAY, ABBA FATHER, THE GOSPEL, SALVATION, AND RELATIONSHIP.
What I’m not saying is that we can isolate the Holy Spirit from the rest of the Trinity (as though somehow the Holy Spirit could have anything to do with or contribute to the gospel apart from Jesus Christ. Clearly, the Holy Spirit points to Jesus Christ, whose life, death and resurrection comprise the heart of the gospel message. My question is, how would you and I even know that apart from the Holy Spirit?
THE PRAYER
COME HOLY SPIRIT!
THE QUESTIONS
Where are you these days in your understanding of and relationship with the Holy Spirit?
For the Awakening,
J.D. Walt
Sower-in-Chief
seedbed.com
Join the Daily Text Facebook group here. Subscribe to get this email in your inbox here.