Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me. Acts 1:4 WEB
Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he made this statement to his disciples concerning ‘the promise of the Father.” After his death and resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples many times. Until his ascension into heaven, Christ continued to teach and give instructions to his followers for forty days. One of Jesus’ instructions was for the disciples to remain in Jerusalem until the power of the Holy Spirit came upon them.
The one true God is a triune God. He is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The promise of the Father referred to in this scripture is related to Jesus’ promise that ends the gospel of Matthew. Christ promises in Matthew 28:20, “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. WEB” When Jesus left earth to return to his Father in heaven, the Holy Spirit took his place as guide and comforter.
Another Counselor
Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit is recorded in John 14:16 in which he says, “I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever. WEB” The promise was first given to the Jews as prophecy in the book of Joel.
We read the first portion of the promise of the Holy Spirit in Joel 2:28. It reads, “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. KJV”
The Will of My Father
The final portion of the prophecy recorded in Joel 2:32 reads, “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call. KJV” Jesus clarifies what it means to call upon the name of the Lord. In Matthew 7:21 he says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. WEB”
The promise of the Father is fulfilled and recorded in many passages of the Book of Acts. Specifically, Jesus states what the promise is in Acts 1:5 saying, “For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now. WEB” Acts 2:4 records the fulfillment of the promise of the Father with this famous statement from the day of Pentecost, “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak. WEB”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the promises you keep. Thank you for your Holy Spirit. Open my ears to hear and follow the guidance of the council of your Spirit. Lead me to live my life in a way that is pleasing to you. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Martha Opened Her Home
