Another great event took place 50 days after Jesus miraculously arose from the grave.
At 40 days, He ascended into the clouds from the top of Mount of Olives in the presence of His disciples.
Acts 1:9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
So, what happened 10 days later? The disciples were told to go to Jerusalem and wait, (Acts 1:4-5). On the tenth day while they were all together, (Acts 2:1-12, 17-18). The believers and the Apostles were for the first time filled and permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Jesus had promised them a helper if He went away, (John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,).
What an impact it had on their lives. After they were filled with the Holy Spirit and because of the indwelling spirit, they understood who Jesus was and why He came and they clearly understood all that Jesus had been teaching them, (John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.). Now they had the boldness to speak to go wherever no matter what. They also now had the power to overcome the world and the assurance they would one day be with Christ in paradise.
The Holy Spirit does so many things; it makes a very good word study.
That same power is available to every born-again believer, but those that have rejected Christ do not have this Spirit, (John 3:37 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ ( See also John 14:17&19).
This was the birth of the New Testament Church, and no one enters Heaven without the Holy Spirit, (John 6:63-64 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)).
See you in Church next Sunday.