April 4th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON ACTS 

THE HOLY SPIRIT FILLED THEM    

Acts 1:1-4 “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”  

Today’s verses give an account of Pentecost. At least four of Apostles were fishermen, one had been a tax collector, and the rest we do not know what their previous occupation had been. What we do know is each of these men had been personally chosen by Jesus to become one of the twelve. We also know that none of them had attended a school of theology or had been trained to speak before large crowds of people.    

Previous to today’s devotional verses, Jesus had told the disciples that after His ascension they were to wait for the Holy Spirit would come upon them. Today, we find in Luke’s writing his account of the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise. . . the Holy Spirit filled them. “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (languages) as the Spirit enabled them.”  

“God our Savior wants all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4) To accomplish this, Jesus chose disciples and then gave them His commission to make disciples of all nations. To do this He filled them with the Holy Spirit to speak languages they had never learned so they could speak the gospel to the people who had assembled in Jerusalem.    

From this singular event, the Holy Spirit has continued to fill disciples with His presence to lead, guide, and bless their proclaiming the gospel to bring more and more people to faith in Jesus Christ. God be praised!  

Prayer: Holy Spirit, fill me with Your presence and lead me to tell people that Jesus is Lord and Savior of us all. Amen. 

Creator Spirit, by whose aid The world’s foundations first were laid,  
Come, visit ev’ry humble mind; Come, pour Your joys on humankind;  
From sin and sorrow set us free; May we Your living temples be. 

O Source of uncreated light, The bearer of God’s gracious might,  
Thrice-holy fount, thrice-holy fire,   
Our hearts with heav’nly love inspire;   
Your sacred, healing message bring To sanctify us as we sing. 

Giver of grace, descend from high; Your sev’nfold gifts to us supply;  
Help us eternal truths receive And practice all that we believe;  
Give us Yourself that we may see The glory of the Trinity. 

Immortal honor, endless fame Attend the almighty Father’s name;  
The Savior-Son be glorified, Who for all humankind has died;  
To You, O Paraclete, we raise Unending songs of thanks and praise.  

Creator Spirit, by Whose Aid // LSB 500