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Day 36 Acts 19:1 Acts 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied. 7 And all the men were about twelve. 8 And he went into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. 9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spoke evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. 10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. Have you ever felt like you didn’t have the whole story, but something was missing, but you couldn’t lay your fingers on it until someone told you the rest of the story, and then you understood? Every day our news stories tell one side of the situation. We’re only told what people want us to know. Yet there are always two sides to every story. You need to search out the rest of the story, so you can understand the truth of the situation. Paul came upon disciples who only understood what John the Baptist told them. They didn’t know the rest of the story of salvation through Jesus Christ. As soon as they understood, they accepted and were baptized in Jesus Christ and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. As Christians, you’ve been given the whole story of salvation through God’s Word. You had the choice to believe, and you accepted God’s truth. However, many Christians stop the story at the point of their salvation. They don’t realize there’s more to the story of salvation than believing Jesus is their Savior. They cut off the power of their salvation by restraining the Holy Spirit who led them to salvation. When asked about their salvation and who led them to faith in Jesus Christ, they will name the person who led them, not giving the credit to the Holy Spirit, and not receiving the full benefit of their salvation. Many Christians believe the power of the Holy Spirit died when the apostles died. However, the power of the Holy Spirit never dies. The Holy Spirit is God and God never dies and His power never dies. The same power early Christians received from the Holy Spirit is available to Christians today with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues is one of the power gifts of the Holy Spirit, He gives to all believers. 1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these works that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. Until Jesus returns for His church, we are to operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Be careful you don’t quench the Holy Spirit in your life. There will come a day when all the gifts will cease in our lives, but that time is not yet because Jesus has not returned. 1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity (love) never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect (Jesus) is come, then that which is in part (the power gifts of the Holy Spirit) shall be done away. Religion says the power gifts have already ceased. They haven’t. You have the power of the Holy Spirit and it is there to help you learn the rest of the story. Paul told the disciples the rest of the story so they would know and understand, gladly receiving the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Not everyone believed, but those who did continued to teach and believe and the Word went throughout Asia for two years. Have you believed the rest of the story? Is the power of the Holy Spirit active in your life? Let’s pray: Father, let Your Holy Spirit fill me with power to spread Your Word to everyone who will listen. Let Your power be in me as You lead me where You will to reach people with Your salvation. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 16 February 2019 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay