“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God. The world cannot receive him because it cannot see him or know him. But you know him because he remains with you and is in you.” (John 14:16-17)

I have been blessed to have some very influential people in my life—my parents, grandparents, pastors, teachers. I was able to personally interact with them, work alongside them, learn from them. They have all passed on, and I miss them. When something happens, I want to pick up the phone to tell them or ask them something, only to realize all over again that they are gone. I bet you have had someone in your life like that.

I can imagine how the disciples were in disbelief that Jesus was going away, as he told them repeatedly. They had come to rely on Jesus for companionship and wisdom. He was so kind and compelling. In fact, most of us who have studied the New Testament have some envy for the disciples of Jesus because they had an opportunity to walk and talk with Jesus and have that in-person relationship.

Jesus responded by telling them that when he went away, he would send someone better in his place. Not someone more powerful or more effective or more kind, but someone more available. Where Jesus, in his humanity, could only be in one place at a time, the Holy Spirit is equally available to all believers, no matter how many are calling his Name at the same time, no matter the time of day. Where Jesus, according to plan, died and ascended to Heaven, the Holy Spirit would remain with them at all times, in all places.

Not only that, he promised that the Holy Spirit would also empower them to do things that they would have never dreamed possible. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). And indeed, they achieved incredible results through the Holy Spirit and the church grew by thousands, despite threats of persecution.

“The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.” (Acts 5:12-16)

The New Testament books of Acts and throughout all the Epistles tell of the growth of the church throughout the known world at the time, all by ordinary Christ-followers empowered by the Holy Spirit. The promise of the Holy Spirit is not time-bound—we have that same promise.

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39).

In Christ,

Judy