The Promise of the Holy Spirit

In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach

until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.

John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

But 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.”

“Brothers,” he said, “the Scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David.

The Holy Spirit Comes

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.

And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.

In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike— and they will prophesy.

Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.

Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The Believers Form a Community

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead.

The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem.

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people,

So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.

you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying, ‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans?

After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.

Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself.

And Peter said, “How could the two of you even think of conspiring to test the Spirit of the Lord like this? The young men who buried your husband are just outside the door, and they will carry you out, too.”

Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.

So at daybreak the apostles entered the Temple, as they were told, and immediately began teaching. When the high priest and his officials arrived, they convened the high council—the full assembly of the elders of Israel. Then they sent for the apostles to be brought from the jail for trial.

Then someone arrived with startling news: “The men you put in jail are standing in the Temple, teaching the people!”

“We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!”

We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.”