Let the Holy Ghost Come In

I never tire of reading the book of Acts and seeing how the Holy Spirit was moving in the early church. The book opens with Jesus ascending into heaven. His presence leaves the earth, but He is not gone.

"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you."
John 14:16-17

He kept His promise about sending another helper.

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. Acts 2:1-4

Once the Holy Spirit was upon the church and moving in them, amazing things began to happen. At Pentecost, Peter gives a rousing sermon, explaining through the Scriptures how God sent Jesus to be the Messiah. And look at their response:

Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself." Acts 2:37-39

The Bible goes on to tell us that on that day, THREE THOUSAND people came to believe in Jesus Christ and were baptized. 3,000!!! These people were redeemed from their inbred sin and relieved from every doubt and fear.

The story gets even better:

So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:41-47

The devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship and prayer. Everyone KEPT FEELING a sense of awe. I love that the author makes it clear to us that the people kept feeling a sense of awe - not that they felt it once, but that it was continual.

Many wonders and signs were taking place. The power of the Holy Spirit working through God's people cannot be underestimated!

God gave me the Holy Spirit when I, by faith, put my trust in Him and accepted His plan of salvation. But I don't want to take it for granted. I want the fire of God to fill my soul and His power to make me true and brave. I want to see God adding to the numbers of those who were saved, just like in the early church.

Dear Heavenly Father, send a great revival. And start the work in me.

Let the Holy Ghost Come In
Words by R. F. Reynolds

Would you be redeemed from ev’ry inbred sin,
Have the Holy Spirit constantly within?
Make the consecration, trust in God, and then,
Let the Holy Ghost come in.

Refrain
Let the Holy Ghost come in,
Let the Holy Ghost come in,
Make the consecration, trust in God, and then,
Let the Holy Ghost come in.

Would you have the Spirit in your heart to cheer?
Would you be relieved from ev’ry doubt and fear?
Make the consecration, trust in God, and then,
Let the Holy Ghost come in.

Do you want the “fire of God” to fill your soul,
Burn up all the dross, and sanctify the whole?
Make the consecration, trust in God, and then,
Let the Holy Ghost come in.

Do you want the “pow’r” to make you true and brave,
So that you can rescue those that Christ would save?
Make the consecration, trust in God, and then,
Let the Holy Ghost come in.