How Can You Receive the Transforming Power of God's Spirit?

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After Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, His disciples waited in Jerusalem until Pentecost for the promise of the ages. It transformed them and became the down payment for eternal life. You can receive that Spirit of power, which can change your life, both now and forever!

Out of nowhere, the sound of a rushing, mighty wind filled the place where they were. The astonished group looked around, shocked and surprised. What was going on?

Before they could restore some form of equanimity, other supernatural signs appeared. Flickering tongues of what looked like fire appeared and descended on each of the gathered followers of Jesus Christ. Ordinary thoughts gave way to extraordinary exclamations of fear and bewilderment. What could these strange events mean?

Wind, fire and Spirit electrified the orderly gathering. The wind and fire were symbolic of the Holy Spirit, which brought a third miracle—the inspiration of Christ's disciples to proclaim the gospel fluently in languages they had not known so that all those listening heard the true gospel of Jesus Christ in their own language (Acts 2:1-6 [1] And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
[2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
[3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
[4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
[5] And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
[6] Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

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And these miracles, defying mere physical explanation, were just the beginning of the greatest single miracle on earth—changing the selfish mind and heart of human beings to selfless service of all humankind, through God's Spirit of unlimited power.

Peter's inspired sermon

The amazed Jerusalem visitors asked what this all meant. Some even mocked, "They are full of new wine" (verse 13).

God then used Peter to explain how and why He gave His promised Spirit of power (verses 38-39). His inspired sermon has resonated throughout the world for the last 2,000 years. It remains stirring, meaningful and current today.

Peter, standing up with the other 11 apostles, gave the significance of what had just happened. He quoted the prophet Joel:

"Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams.

"And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved'" (Acts 2:14-21 [14] But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
[15] For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
[16] But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
[17] And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
[18] And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
[19] And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
[20] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the LORD come:
[21] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

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Peter showed those gathered for the Pentecost festival that what was happening was part of what had been prophesied by the prophet Joel, in particular the coming of the long-promised Holy Spirit, its functions and power (Joel 2:28-32 [28] And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
[29] And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
[30] And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
[31] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
[32] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

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God had promised that He would pour out His Spirit on all flesh and that the young men and women would prophesy and see visions. Older men would dream prophetic dreams (verse 28). Beyond this, and of even greater importance, God would provide human beings the opportunity to call on Him and be saved.

Then Peter turned their attention to the great meaning and significance of Jesus' death and resurrection, which provided humankind the miracle of God's Holy Spirit:

"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it . . .

"This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear" (Acts 2:22-33 [22] Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
[23] Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
[24] Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
[25] For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
[26] Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
[27] Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
[28] Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
[29] Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
[30] Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
[31] He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
[32] This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
[33] Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

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Earlier, Jesus told His disciples that it was necessary for Him to die and ascend to God's heavenly throne so He could send them and all who repent and turn to God His Spirit of power (John 16:7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
See All...; compare John 14:12-20 [12] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
[13] And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
[14] If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
[15] If ye love me, keep my commandments.
[16] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
[17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
[18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
[19] Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
[20] At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

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Repent and be baptized

Peter's sermon, inspired by God's Holy Spirit, was so powerful that it resonated in the hearts and minds of many of those who heard it (compare Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
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"Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?' Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.'

"And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, 'Be saved from this perverse generation.' Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them" (Acts 2:37-41 [37] Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
[39] For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
[40] And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
[41] Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

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Remarkably, in one day about 3,000 people were baptized and then received the gift of God's Spirit! When God starts something new, He often does it with grandeur. God firmly laid the groundwork of His Church. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread [sharing meals], and in prayers. Then [godly] fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles" (verses 42-43). 

Transformed and empowered by the Spirit

Transformed and empowered, this small group of believers took Christ's message to the world. They first lived and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in and around Jerusalem. As time passed and persecution arose, they moved beyond the environs of Jerusalem and shared Christ's gospel throughout the Roman world, spreading into Greece and Italy (1 Corinthians 1:2Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our LORD, both theirs and ours:
See All...; Romans 1:7To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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What made the difference with these people? Before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, the apostles had cowered behind locked doors out of fear (John 20:19Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
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Suddenly, miraculously, they now went forward, boldly proclaiming the same message Jesus had given them—the good news of His death and resurrection and that it was through Him and only Him that human beings could enter the Kingdom of God. They had received the transforming power of God's Holy Spirit, which empowered them beyond ordinary human understanding (Philippians 4:7). 

Jesus promised His immediate disciples, and those of us who would later become His disciples, the Holy Spirit, described in Greek as the parakletos —a word that means "Comforter" "Helper" or "Advocate": "Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send [it] unto you" (John 16:7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
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God's Holy Spirit transforms us (Romans 12:2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
See All...) and empowers us to represent God as ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20-21 [20] Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
[21] For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

See All...). God the Father does this in stepwise progression:

First, by calling us to Him, God begins to remove our spiritual blindness and helps us begin to understand His truth (2 Corinthians 4:3-6 [3] But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
[4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
[5] For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
[6] For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

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Second, God through His Spirit begins to work with us to lead us to repentance of our old sinful ways (Romans 2:4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
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Third, He directs that we be baptized in water (Acts 2:38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
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Fourth, God gives us the gift of His Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands by one of His true ministers (Acts 8:14-17 [14] Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
[15] Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
[16] (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
[17] Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

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From this point on, we are transformed by God's Spirit of power, going on to perfection.

Baptism precedes the gift of God's Spirit

Water baptism represents our dying with Jesus Christ so we can be symbolically resurrected to a new life. As the apostle Paul wrote, "Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?" (Romans 6:3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
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Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
See All...). "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him" (Romans 5:8-9 [8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
[9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

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Why be baptized? Baptism symbolizes God washing away our sins so we can become a cleansed temple in which God can place His Holy Spirit.

"For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

"And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance" (Hebrews 9:13-15 [13] For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
[14] How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
[15] And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

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How should one be baptized? The Greek word baptizo means total immersion, not just a sprinkling of water. The full immersion of a human being under water symbolizes both the total burial of the old self in a watery grave as well as total cleansing of sins. It is the only way Christ sanctions water baptism.  

Baptism, then, is vitally important to our salvation. For when we're baptized, we are justified—made "just" or innocent—before God through Jesus' shed blood (Romans 5:9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
See All...). We are also reconciled (verse 10) to God the Father so we then can have direct access to Him (Romans 8:15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
See All...; Hebrews 4:16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
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God will help us to use His Spirit of power wisely; He will complete the work He begins in us (Philippians 1:6). The incredible end of our salvation means that we become sons or daughters of God, younger siblings of Christ Jesus (Hebrews 2:11For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
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You can receive God's Spirit of power!

At times God has overlooked the evil ways of humanity. But no more. "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
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Repentance is a good thing. It is the golden path to all good things of God, which we cannot receive without a transformational change in our lives (Romans 12:1-3 [1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
[2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
[3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

See All...). If you have thought about living God's way but haven't yet taken that first step, now is the time to turn to God and repent and then, believing the gospel message, seek to be baptized. Baptism opens the doors to God's own power to help you walk in His ways through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

After you rise out of the water, a true minister of Jesus Christ who follows the biblical pattern will lay his hands on you and God will give to you the gift of His Holy Spirit. At that very moment, you will become a begotten son or daughter of Almighty God. God, through Christ, will encourage you, teach you and support you through His Spirit—the Comforter and Helper.

God wants to make you into one of His sons or daughters, immortal and divine. That is why you draw the breath of life, why you live on this earth. Your salvation for all eternity begins with water baptism and continues with the gift of God's Spirit of power.

Now is the time to act. May God help you to respond to His divine calling (John 6:65And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
See All...). You can receive the very same Spirit of power that Jesus Christ's followers received on that Feast of Pentecost!  GN