You Shall Receive Power

Jesus' promise: Greater things will you do. "I solemnly assure you, the man who has faith in me will do the works I do, and greater far than these." (Jn 1:12)

What an extraordinary promise! How can that be?

• By the power of the same Holy Spirit that Jesus received.
• Jesus can now, through the members of his body, be present with power all over the world, not just in Palestine.
• They remain, of course, the works of Jesus since it is he who works in the Church: "Whatever you ask in my name, I will do." (Jn 14:14)

That is why, before ascending to heaven, Jesus instructed his apostles to wait for the coming of the holy spirit.

• "Remain in the city (Jerusalem)," he said, "until you are clothed with power from on high." (Lk 24:49)
• "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes down on you, and then you are to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, yes, even to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
• Little did the Apostles suspect at that moment what transformation the Holy Spirit would effect in them, but they did as Jesus told them. They stayed in the upper room with Mary, the "brothers of Jesus" (relatives), and some women undoubtedly some of the women who accompanied Jesus and provided for his needs. They waited in prayer for nine days... (the first novena ever made)

So, we read in he Book of Acts: "After that (the Ascension) they returned to Jerusalem - a mere Sabbath’s journey away (a bit more than 1/2 a mile). Entering the city, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying: Peter and John, and James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus; Simon, the zealot party member and Judas son of James (the 11 Apostles). Together they devoted themselves to constant prayer. There were some women in their company, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers (some women and the relatives of Jesus)." Acts 1:12-13

The Pentecost Event

All are gathered in one place: The Apostles, Mary and relatives of Jesus, and some women who had been close followers of Jesus (undoubtedly those mentioned earlier in Luke 8:2-3).

• They were seated quietly: praying, expecting...
• Suddenly, a divine manifestation: noise, like a strong driving wind, heard by all through the house.
• Tongues, as of fire, appeared and came to rest on each one.
• All were filled with the Holy Spirit. "Filled", Like Jesus after his baptism.
• Result - the work of the Holy Spirit:

• They began to speak in foreign tongues
• They made bold proclamations, as the Spirit prompted them (Acts 2:4)
• They were overflowing with Joy and enthusiasm, so much so that many by-standers thought that they had had too much wine (Acts 2:13). To which Peter retorts: These men are not drunk! Why, it's only 9 in the morning. They are filled with the Spirit, just as Joel prophesied: "It shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out a portion of my spirit on all mankind; Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions and your old men all dream dreams. Yes, even on my servants and handmaids I shall pour out a portion of my spirit in those days and they shall prophesy... etc." (Acts 2:17-18).

The Joy that radiates from the Apostles, and fills them with enthusiasm, is a "fruit of the Spirit", (as St. Paul will call it in Gal. 5:22) It is a characteristic of the children of the kingdom, as Paul writes to the Romans: "The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking, but of justice, peace and the joy that is given by the Holy Spirit." (Rom 14:17)

• Peter then makes a speech, telling the story of Jesus:

• "He (Jesus) first received the promised Holy Spirit from the Father, then he poured this Spirit out on us." Acts 2:33.
• The listeners were deeply shaken. "What are we to do, brothers?"
• Peter's reply: Reform (repent) and be baptized, that your sins may be taken away. Then, you shall receive the Holy Spirit."
• Result of his speech: 3000 Jews were converted and baptized! The work of the Holy Spirit.

Another remarkable result of Pentecost: Brotherly love, manifested in communal life.

Acts 2:42-47: They came together to hear the teachings of the Apostles, for the breaking of the bread (Eucharist), and prayers. They shared all things in common, selling their property and goods and dividing all on the basis of each one's needs. They went to the temple area together daily, and shared meals in their homes.

The result of this brotherly love:

• They won the approval of all the people
• Day by day the Lord added to the number of those who were being saved." (Acts 2:47)

Manifestations of Power: Miracles & Healings.

• Cure of a cripple from birth (Acts 3:1-9)

• “In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, get up and walk!"
• Peter makes another speech to explain that it is in the name of Jesus that this man has been cured, made to walk.
• Result of the miracle and Peter's speech: 2000 more believed! Work of the Holy Spirit.

• Peter & John are jailed... Then, brought before the Sanhedrin (high court).

• By whose power, in whose name have men like you cured the cripple?
• Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke up: "In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, whom you crucified, and...whom God raised from the dead. In the power of that name this man stands before you perfectly sound."
• The High Priest & Jewish leaders were amazed seeing the self-assurance of Peter & John, and realizing that they were uneducated men of no standing (neither priests, nor scribes, etc.). The "self-assurance" here is a special gift of the Holy Spirit, intimately bound up with a strengthening of one's faith to proclaim "boldly" the good news of Jesus Christ.
• They forbid the Apostles from ever more speaking about Jesus
• Moved by the Holy Spirit, Peter & John had the ready answer: "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight for us to obey you rather than God? We cannot help speaking of what we have heard and seen", i.e., the Risen Christ.
• Signs & Wonders continue at the hands of the Apostles (Acts 4:12). Conversions continue, too. More and more men and women believe, are added to the Lord.
• A "little Pentecost" in Acts 4:23-31. In the face of persecutions by the Jewish leaders, the believers gathered together, all raised their voices to God in prayer. Then, "the place where they were gathered shook as they prayed. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God's word with confidence."

A second time the Apostles are arrested and brought to trial before the Sanhedrin (Acts 5:17-42)

• Peter's reply to his accusers: "Better for us to obey God than men." (Acts 5:29) "The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you put to death. We testify to this. So does the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those that obey him" (Acts 5:30-32)
• Finally, the Jewish authorities give up - they are making no headway. They have the Apostles whipped and again forbid them to speak about Jesus.
• How did the Apostles feel? Bitter? Disheartened? Oh, no, Scripture says, "The Apostles left the Sanhedrin full of joy that they had been judged worthy to suffer ill-treatment for the sake of Jesus.""

Joy, a fruit of the Spirit. Jesus had that joy too. Christians should rejoice always. The "Acts of the Apostles" have been called, rightly: the gospel of the Holy Spirit. Throughout we see the Holy Spirit leading the Church in its missionary work.

Paul is chosen, baptized, accepted by a word of Prophecy. (Acts 9:1-19)

The same Holy Spirit leads the church today and always, with power. He wants to use everyone of us too. But, first, we must believe, expect the Holy Spirit to act in our lives, to enable us to build the kingdom of God.

Holy Spirit Novena Index