Jesus taught His disciples many things during His ministry. But there was much they didn’t understand at the time. What Jesus knew-but they didn’t yet-was that He would send the Holy Spirit to them. Later, the Holy Spirit would remind them and teach them what He said.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” John 14:26
Jesus also warned His followers that because the world hated Him, the world would hate them too.
He told them that like He was, they too would be brought before rulers, authorities and synagogues. But Jesus assured them they should not be anxious about how they will defend themselves. He promised them that the Holy Spirit would teach them that very hour what to say. (Luke 12:11-12)
Did all these things come to pass? Absolutely. The book of Acts shows this in action.
The apostles had been given the ability to do signs and wonders after Pentecost. Peter healed a 40-year-old man who had been lame all his life. When the people saw this, they were amazed. This prompted Peter’s second sermon-after which more than 5000 people were saved. (Acts 3)
It caused such a stir that Peter and John were arrested and put in jail overnight. They were in the clutches of the very men who orchestrated the death of Jesus. They were held in jail of the very men who filled them with fear.
On the night Jesus was arrested, Peter was so afraid while in the courtyard that he denied even knowing Jesus.
Now, all fear was gone. It had been replaced by the Holy Spirit.
Peter and John were brought before rulers and authorities the next morning. Just as Jesus told them, the Holy Spirit told Peter and John what to say when questioned.
“By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” asked the priests. (Acts 4:7)
When Peter opened his mouth, he spoke as the Holy Spirit directed him.
No holding back. No hesitation. No fear.
His answer was clear: He declared it was through the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, they man they crucified.
That is the power of the Holy Spirit. He took fearful men and made them fearless.
The Holy Spirit in believers today is the very same as the one who filled the apostles.
He can still speak through us.
No holding back. No hesitation. No fear.
Carla Killough McClafferty