The Glorious Disturbance - Understanding And Receiving The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit

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A GLORIOUS DISTURBANCE INTERRUPTS PENTECOSTAL FESTIVITIES

The "breaking news announcement" at His Farewell Discourse had actu ally caught the apostles by surprise. Jesus had given notice that He would return to the Father and send a personal replacement to help and care for them. Deliberately using the vivid word parakletos (paraclete in English), He had pinpointed the ministry of the Holy Spirit as one of assisting, aid ing, comforting, befriending, helping and strengthening (see John 14-17, Greek text; as explained in chapter 3). Naturally, the astonished disciples wondered how, when and where the heavenly replacement would arrive. For forty days after His resurrection, Jesus amazed them by appearing and giving further directions:The Spirit would come in Jerusalem! As in a game of "Treasure Hunt," the clues were leading to the reward.They were to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the arrival of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 1:4-8). Jesus both urged and assured them: "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). Following this dramatic announcement, Jesus ascended bodily to God in heaven.The awestruck disciples stared at the sight-and the bell-toned words rang in their ears: "John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now" (Acts 1:5). Then, Luke says, they returned to Jerusalem "with great joy" (Luke 24:52; see also Acts 1:12). Ordinarily they would have scattered to their own interests, but now, undermandate, they went quickly to the city.There, they spent the remaining days between an upper room and the Temple courts. It was time to seek the Lord, for the time was short. Jesus had said "not many days from now." A possible five hundred disciples heard Jesus' directive, so a strong group departed for Jerusalem (see 1 Corinthians 15:6). During the ten-dayprayer marathon, wonderful expectancy seized those who persevered. Although total attendance apparently decreased to one hundred and twenty, the fervency and determination of those who remained increased! How else can we explain Luke's statement that they "were continually in the temple praising and blessing God" (Luke 24:53)? These praying disciples had been born again and justified by faith in Christ.They had experienced what we might call NewTestament salvation. WAITING AND PRAYING