“Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…” Ephesians 3:20
Dear Ones:
The day of Pentecost was both a great announcement, and the accomplishment of a promise. The manner in which it came about is very unusual, and yet, very understandable. As the disciples were gathered together, and praying, in the upper room, waiting for the realization of Christ’s promise of the Spirit, there would come a sound, as of a mighty, rushing wind, filling the house. This would be followed by the appearing of “cloven tongues, like as of fire,” resting upon every individual believer. (Acts 2:2-3) The coming of the Spirit at this time and in this way, was never described as being like this in the prophesy of Joel, and yet, it came in this manner. Why? It was to announce that the “promise of the Father” had come, and the Spirit, which had moved upon the disciples beforehand, had now come to dwell in the hearts and souls of the believers. No longer was there the limited influence of the power of God coming from without, but now, it would come from within. Christ had come to “dwell in the heart by faith.” (Eph. 3:17)
Beyond the matter of the announcement that the blessing had come, would be revealed the accomplishment of the Lord’s words: “And you shall receive power…” (Acts 1:8) The testimony of the Spirit’s presence in the heart, would now manifest itself by the power of God being revealed in and through the soul. The disciples would now come to live by an expanded, and consistently present power, and authority, one where the Author and Finisher was dwelling IN the heart. How would this be revealed in the life, and worked out through the life?
The first result of the outpouring, and indwelling of the Spirit at Pentecost, was the declaring of the “wonderful works of God” (2:11) in different languages, and dialects. Again, the promise of the Father at this time was an announcement, and this time, that the blessing applied to all men everywhere, regardless of nation or language group. This proclamation of these “wondrous works of God” were what Joel called, “prophesying.” It was that act of taking the truths of God, and that which concerned His works, and proclaiming them in the power and demonstration of the Spirit, and of power.
The second result of Pentecost, after that eventful day when over three thousand souls were saved, was the process of learning what the outpouring of the Spirit meant in every day life. The day of Pentecost was for a day. Its effect would be for thousands of years, up until this present day. How then does the truth of the outpouring, the realization of the promise of the Father, and the promise of power by the Lord Jesus, have its expression and usefulness in the hearts of disciples in the present day?
The first thing we need to see is the it is imperative to have a “vision” of Christ’s work on Calvary, and on that day of Pentecost. Paul prays for the believers at Ephesus to this end, that the be given by the Father, “…the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (Christ).” Why does he pray specifically for this? It is because, ONLY the Spirit of God can reveal the things of God, according to the truth of God. Essential to the believer’s faith, and his or her capacity to truly believe God for the full realization of His purpose and will in the life, is the vision of the truth, with regard to Christ and His work.
Secondly, Paul prays that the believers might be strengthened by the same Spirit of God, to believe and grasp the truth, believing that Christ is IN the heart, to meet every need. Without the power to take the truth, and believe God according to the truth, for every need without and within, there will be little overcoming faith. The one who truly believes God, will understand that ALL is possible “according to the power that works within him,” today.
Dear Father, Open our eyes to see Your power in Christ by the Spirit, as our own. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad