Acts 1:8 is a key verse. 

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Ju-dea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. 

This bible verse reveals that the power of the church comes from the Holy Spirit and not from man (see Zech. 4.6).  Man is endowed with a lot of skill, talent and capacity. But nothing of or in man can accomplish or replace the work of the Holy Spirit in God’s work. 

Ordinary people were able to do extraordinary things because the Spirit of God was at work in their lives. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is not a luxury; it is an absolute necessity. 

God’s people in the bible, experienced repeated fillings of the Spirit as they needed His presence in their lives to face new opportunities and obstacles (Acts 2.4; 4.8, 31; 9.17; 13.9). 

The word ‘Witness’ (Acts 1:vs 8)is used many times in the book of Acts. A witness is somebody who can give a firsthand account of something seen, heard, or experienced; for example, a witness to an accident. A witness tells what he has seen and heard (Acts 4:19-20). 

When on a witness stand in court, the judge is not interested in one’s ideas or opinions; he only wants to hear what you have seen or know. 

One is either a witness or not a witness. A witness will have a story different from others 

As a Christian baptized in the Holy Spirit, we should have stories of what we have seen and experienced. Particularly in our private lives. 

There should be testimonies of His guidance, presence, teaching, direction, revelation, healing, bringing things to our remembrance, 

If you have ever drunk a freshly opened Coca Cola drink, you will notice that there is a marked difference between it and one opened days ago, which has gone flat. This in a sense is the difference between a Witness and a Christian who is not baptised in the Holy Spirit. 

It is possible to have a vibrant ‘effervescent like relationship with the Holy Spirit. Remember He is a gift to be received. (Acts.1.4). You cannot earn Him by fasting and prayer (though it helps). You have to wait patiently (not impatiently)-The disciples waited for 50 days – almost 2 months (Acts.2.1) 

One can pray and ask God for the Holy Spir-it, trusting His loving kindness and mercy to be poured on us as individuals and as a Church Family 

Once He comes, there will be a difference. And He will come because the Father does not lie. (Acts.1.4, Matt.7.7-8) 

Looking again at Acts 1.8, it gives, a general outline of the Book of Acts as it describes the geographical spread of the Gospel: from Jerusalem (Acts 1-7) to Judea and Samaria (Acts 8-9), and then to the Gentiles and to the ends of the earth (Acts 10-28). 

This proves that once He comes, our witness will start at home first (Jerusalem), before spreading to the church and places of work (Judea & Samaria). 

After all, there is a proverb that says “Charity begins at home” .

It stands to reason that the outflow of the Ho-ly Spirit will first be seen at home amongst our family members, friends and work colleagues. 

Is that your testimony? 

If not, why not ask for the mercy of God to honour the cry of your heart, as you wait patiently for our God, who hears and answers prayer, to fill you afresh with His Promised Holy Spirit. 

Pastor Femi Popoola