Read
Acts 11 (Key verse, Acts 11:24)

Reflect
How open are you to the call of God?
What does it mean to be full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith?

Respond
In chapter 11 Peter reminds the people about the promise of the Holy Spirit. This was the promise Jesus gave them in Acts 1. Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” And that’s exactly what happened.

Jerusalem: Acts 2:4

Judea: Acts 10:44

Samaria: Acts 8:17

Ends of the earth: Acts 19:6

Whenever you start talking about Acts and the Holy Spirit one conversation always emerges; speaking in tongues. I think we miss the point. Before these four moments in Acts the Holy Spirit was unavailable. People accepted Jesus, but operated without any power in their lives. Jesus kept his promise and poured out his Spirit exactly as he said he would. Now that same Spirit and power is available to every Christ follower. Sadly, many Christ followers have forgotten this promise and live powerless, instead of powerful, lives.

So, let me get to the real question on everyone’s mind. Do you or don’t you speak in tongues when the Holy Spirit comes upon you? Wrong question. The right question is, did you receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon you?