This may be shocking, but the power of the Holy Spirit comes after rather than during the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:8 the Greek word “come upon” is in the past tense. It says “You will receive power, the Holy Spirit having already come upon you.”
In other words, the Holy Spirit comes upon on us in response to our prayer of faith, but the power comes later after receiving the Holy Spirit. The KJV is more accurate than other modern translations on this text. It reads “Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” This power, connected with witnessing, comes in the act of witnessing. Note this quote:
“None should wait in idle expectancy for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is given for service. As church-members go forth at God’s bidding, the Holy Spirit comes to give efficiency and power. “Every truly converted soul will be intensely desirous to bring others from the darkness of error into the marvelous light of the righteousness of Christ. The great outpouring of the Spirit of God, which lightens the whole earth with his glory, will not come until we have an enlightened people who know by experience what it means to be laborers together with God. When we have entire whole-hearted consecration to the service of Christ, God will recognize the fact by an outpouring of His Spirit without measure; but this will not be while the largest portion of the church are not laborers together with God”( EGW, The Time and the Work p. 16).
This is amazingly good news. It means that we can expect power to attend our prayers and our witness even though we may not feel anything special.
The prophet Isaiah followed a sequence of receiving, believing, confession, cleansing, calling, and going. He received a vision of the Lord high and exalted on His throne (Is. 6:1-4). Then he caught a glimpse of his own condition. He said “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts” (Is. 6:5, NKJV). When he recognized his condition, he then received justification and cleansing. His lips were purged and his iniquity taken away (vs. 6). It was at that point that he received a call to mission “Whom will I send and who will go” (vs. 8) and he responded, “here am I send me” (vs. 8).
A similar sequence unfolds with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit gives us a revelation of our need (conviction of sin), then He gives a glimpse of the cross for cleansing (“He shall testify of me”) then we receive the commission to witness (“you will be witnesses,” “go ye into all the world”). Jesus said “Go ye” because his power, “all power is given unto me”, He gives to us for witnessing with the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
The person who prays only without following on to calling and mission, will likely cease to pray. There is a time to pray and a time get up off our knees and move forward. When the children of Israel saw the Egyptian hosts coming and the sea before them, Moses lifted up his voice in prayer. The Lord said “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward” (Ex. 14:15, NKJV).
Prior to and during the Protestant Reformation there were those who after the manner of Greek philosophers were given primarily to contemplation. However, it was those who added ministry to their devotion that made the greatest impact. (See: https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/2010/11/transforming-prayer).
You may wonder what God’s calling might be for you. Perhaps you are a stay at home mom, or labor night and day to make ends meet to take care of your family. It may be that your calling is right in your own home or on the job. Start by praying individually for those within your oikos (sphere of influence) (see Fires of Pentecost on the Battle Field). Apply the faith that comes from the baptism of the Holy Spirit to your intercessory prayers.
Ask God what He would have you do and say for this day, for the future. As you pray through your list of extended family and friends, and their families and friends, work associates, Sabbath School class members, neighbors, friends, fraternities, ask God to bring to mind any spiritual wearyiness that you might have seen in any person in these areas of your oikos (See the post, Deliverance for the Weary and Oppressed).
People might express fear for the future, concern over health, hurt in relationships, loneliness, frustration, trouble, loss of job, heartache, need for victory over addictions, or other indicators of weariness.
Ask for words to speak at the right time (season) to the one who is oppressed. Make a prayer commitment to speak a word in season when those indicators surface.
Your calling will most often be according to your Spiritual gifts. (see Spiritual Gifts Inventory).Ask for a vision of What God would have you do in Jerusalem (oikos) in Judea (those like believers in your proximity), Samaria (those seekers outside your sphere of influence), and to the uttermost parts of the world (missions to seekers at home and abroad). Your mission may be to associate with others who have a vision (see post Visions and Dreams). Think in terms of a daily baptism of the Holy Spirit, with abiding results. The fruit of the spirit will be manifested in your sphere of influence. You may find searching hearts close at hand. This can be your less defined mission. You may join in joint missions with others in more defined ways.
More defined mission may include, praying for a person to study the Bible with, associating with outreach programs in your local church according to your spiritual gifts, joining a short term mission project, attending community service ministries by your church and looking for people who are spiritually weary. It is good to devote a two hour block of time during the week to specific outreach training and/or mission.
No matter what mission you are called to, you will find that the power to speak a word in season will come in the form of your testimony about Jesus. Tell what He has done for you, why you want to obey Him and how you are enjoying fellowship with Christ and His people.
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