Many of Jesus’ disciples had listened first to John the Baptist, the preacher in the wilderness. We can assume they were baptized, as John baptized “with water for repentance.” But the prophet spoke of One more powerful than he, who would “baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
We know Jesus approached his cousin and was baptized in the Jordan, and the Spirit of God descended like a dove upon the Holy One. The Spirit then led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After forty days of fasting and resisting his enemy, Christ returned, preaching of repentance and the Kingdom of Heaven. He walked and lived in the power of the Spirit and fulfilled everything his Father desired.
Jesus often talked to his friends about the Promise of the New Covenant. He even made hard-to-believe statements such as: “It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you.” (Jn 16:7) The apostles did not fully understand these teachings of Jesus, but when He died and rose from the grave, everything changed.
On one occasion after the resurrection, John records that Jesus “breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (Jn 20:22) But there were further instructions. Before He ascended, Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem. “You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (Lk 24:48-49)
We know that on the Day of Pentecost God came in power. The disciples were empowered to be witnesses for Christ and thousands put their faith in the Risen One. So what do these ancient stories have to do with us? Is there a pattern we are to follow? We too are to be baptized in water. Jesus offers forgiveness and we all must repent. When we put our faith in Christ we declare that we are no longer trusting ourselves… in fact, we are dead. We are buried in the water and raised to live new lives.
But we must be careful not to simply participate in a baptism like John’s. We want to be baptized by the One who died for us and rose again. We need him to breathe on us and say, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” When we are ‘born again’ we are given new life, and this life is to be marked by the Spirit of God and all of the fruit of Jesus. By faith we hold these promises true and we praise God for his grace and mercy.
But what about Pentecost? Jesus knew his disciples needed power from above to be effective witnesses on earth; do we? I do. The disciples were simply told to wait. We don’t control the timing of God, but I believe He does want us to anticipate his activity. Is this world not in desperate need? Are not the children of God to be effective witnesses today? Surely we should pray: “Come Holy Spirit! Have your way with us. Use us on this earth to bring glory to God.”
“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4-5