Unstoppable! 'The Spirit Lives in Us' — Acts 2:33-36

Saturday, February 4, 2023

[Peter continued his sermon:] "Now [Jesus] is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God's right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said,
'The LORD said to my Lord,
"Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet. "'
"So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!"
— Acts 2:33-36 NLT

Key Thought

The coming of the Holy Spirit to the disciples of Jesus enabled them to proclaim Jesus to people in their individual languages. The Spirit's coming also signaled that Jesus was now at the place of highest honor alongside the Father and was now pouring out the Spirit to empower his followers. The Spirit's inspiring power emboldened Jesus' followers to proclaim Jesus as Lord and Messiah. However, the Spirit didn't come to just those first disciples. Just a few verses later, Peter declared that the promise of forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit would be given to all who call on the Lord for salvation, turn to him, and are baptized into him (Acts 2:38-39). Yes, that's right; the Holy Spirit comes to live inside those who belong to Christ! Later, the apostle Paul used very similar words to remind Titus, a young minister he was mentoring, that Jesus pours out the Holy Spirit on all who come to him (Titus 3:3-7). What do you need to do so that you can have this confidence of the Spirit's presence in your life?

Today's Prayer

Abba Father, thank you for blessing me with the gifts of Jesus to save me and the Holy Spirit to live inside me and empower me to live for you. While my heart is crowded with many concerns, I trust that as I pray, you not only hear my words, but you also know the yearnings of my heart because, even now, the Holy Spirit is interceding for me as I pray. I thank you, calling on the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Romans 8:14-17, 26-27; Acts 2:38-47
  • 2 Corinthians 3:1-18; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 2:33-36 NLT — [Peter continued his sermon:] "Now [Jesus] is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God's right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said, 'The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet. "' "So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!"

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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