God's Holy Fire: 'Witnesses'

Sunday, May 19, 2024

[Peter and the apostles before the Sanhedrin:] "The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him."
— Acts 5:30-32 NLT

Key Thought

An incredible amount of truth is compacted into these few verses. In "God's Holy Fire" today, we want to recognize the role of the Holy Spirit in this truth: The Holy Spirit is the witness to God's work in Jesus, our Prince and Savior, crucified, raised from the dead, and put in the place of honor. Not only is the Holy Spirit the heavenly witness to these truths, but also the Spirit has been given to all who obey God. The witness lives inside us as a witness to us. John also describes the Holy Spirit as the anointing we have received that remains in us, and Jesus says that the Spirit teaches us and guides us into all truth (1 John 2:18-27; John 16:12-15). What incredible gifts and promises to those of us who obey God!

Today's Prayer

O Father, it surely feels like I live in a time when belief in the truth of the good news of Jesus is under constant attack. I thank you for your holy presence, the Holy Spirit, whom you have given me and who lives within me. I thank you for the Spirit's witness to the truth about Jesus that is found in the Scriptures and that resides within me through the Spirit's presence. I offer my thanks for this great gift in the name of Jesus, my Prince and Savior. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 5:30-32 NLT — "The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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