Transforming Power

A number of years ago, hurricane-force winds battered an American town one night. In the morning, people emerged from their homes and shelters to assess the damage. One of the things they found was a flimsy plastic drinking straw embedded in a telephone pole. The tremendous power of the wind drove the straw into the wood like a spike.

That is what happened on the Day of Pentecost. The power of the Holy Spirit came upon frail, weak men and transformed them so they became powerful witnesses for Jesus Christ. Although Pentecost was a one-time, never-to-be-repeated event, the same power that was poured out on those believers is available for every believer today.

Also, there were many instances in Acts where the Spirit was poured out again on the believers. When Peter addressed the Sanhedrin, we read that Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit as he spoke to them (see Acts 4:8).

When the believers were persecuted for preaching the gospel and were told to stop, they prayed for more boldness. Acts 4:31 tells us, "When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. . . ."

This power came upon Paul when he was trying to preach the gospel, but was being opposed (see Acts 13:9–10).

We need the power of the Holy Spirit. We need the gifts of the Spirit. And we need the working of the Spirit in our lives.

Peter, referring to the Holy Spirit, said, "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call" (Acts 2:39). That is speaking of us. We have been called by God, and this power is available to us.