Pointing To Jesus

I’ve been freshly discovering the excellent union of being a people of Word and Spirit.  A fire is being stoked in my heart as I reflect on the truth that the Holy Spirit’s mission and theology are in total agreement with Bible’s centrality of the gospel of Jesus Christ!  We as the people of God are called today to be both full of the Spirit and centered on Jesus, as we see in Acts chapter 2.

The Holy Spirit points to Jesus.

In Acts 2:33 we read that Jesus received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father.  Jesus then pours out the Spirit on His people at the good pleasure of the Father.  The gift of the Holy Spirit is received only through Jesus and by the will of the Father.  (Take note of the honoring that happens within the Trinity:  Father, Son and Holy Spirit working together in unity!)  The apostle Peter makes sure to emphasize that what the people are seeing and hearing (Holy Spirit activity) was poured out by Jesus.

 

Signs and Wonders point to Jesus.

Peter took advantage of the miraculous events of Pentecost to declare the good news of Jesus Christ!  “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).  He also challenged them to “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).  We read a few verses later that about three thousand people responded to the gospel that day!

 

Does pointing to Jesus diminish the role of the Holy Spirit in the church today?

Peter made it clear to everyone that repenting of sin and being baptized in Jesus’ name for forgiveness of sins would result in them receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit as well (Acts 2:38-39)!  Rather than ignoring the Holy Spirit’s powerful ministry, we are encouraged to expect Him to move in and through us as a part of life in Christ!

 

Who was the center of attention at Pentecost?

The Spirit’s outpouring onto, into and out through the church at Pentecost resulted in amazement, but also in some very Christ-centered preaching!  Peter’s words included these statements about Jesus:

1. “Jesus of Nazareth, attested by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs which God did through Him…” (Acts 2:22).
2. “David says, concerning Jesus… ‘Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad … You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence’” (Acts 2:26,28).
3. “This Jesus God has raised up … He poured out what you see and hear!” (Acts 2:32,33).

I’m so glad that Jesus and the Holy Spirit aren’t living in competition with each other for attention!

 

Pointing to Jesus invites the presence of the Holy Spirit!

Scripture points to Jesus as the Messiah, the Savior, the center of the gospel.  When we look at Acts chapter 2 we see the Holy Spirit being more than comfortable with this!  He ministers in power to and through the church, bringing great glory to Jesus, just as Jesus said it would happen:  “’If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’  But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in him would receive…” (John 7:37-39).

 

Don’t just point.  Come and enjoy!

Coming to Jesus and drinking deeply of His life, His love, His grace and the Holy Spirit He gives will result in great fullness and power of the Holy Spirit in and through us as well.  Let’s come and drink deeply today!