But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you. Acts 1:8
The best argument for the Spirit-filled life is those who live it. No illustration is more powerful than the life of Peter. Before Pentecost, he denied Jesus in weakness. After Pentecost, he faced the crowd with boldness and proclaimed that Jesus is Lord. That day, 3,000 were born into God’s family. That’s the power of the Holy Spirit!
Before Pentecost, Jesus gave Peter one of the harshest rebukes in the Word of God, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16:23). Peter was opinionated, critical, and he often spoke without thinking.
But what a difference we find in Peter after Pentecost. Now He is filled and broken. Listen to him: “You should be like one big happy family, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t snap back at those who say unkind things about you. Instead, pray for God’s help for them, for we are to be kind to others, and God will bless us for it” (I Peter 3:8-10, TLB). Is this the same guy? No! He’s the new Spirit-filled model, and he’s the example of what God wants you and me to be today. So, child of God, get into God’s presence today and ask Him to fill you again with His Spirit.
