God our Father knows so well how weak His creatures are. That’s why He told His disciples not to leave but to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will Judea my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth”

His disciples obeyed the above command and indeed the Holy Spirit came upon them in a mighty way on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:2 “suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting” From the day of Pentecost, the disciples got courage to preach the gospel without any fear. Peter who used to be timid preached the gospel and three
thousand people were added to their number.

Signs and miracles were also witnessed among the disciples. Acts 3 tells of Peter healing a man who was crippled since his birth. The man went praising God for healing him.
Jesus himself had told His disciples that “apart from Him they can do nothing” [John 15:5]. Paul was indeed a witness to the power of God in his life as he said “I can do everything through him who gives me the strength.” [Philippians 4:13].

All the disciples apart from John died as martyrs during a great time of persecution.
They preached the gospel to the people of their times without any fear even fear of death.
Hebrews 13:20-24, Jesus is referred as the “Great Shepherd of the sheep” and He is the one to equip Christians in everything so that they do God’s’ will and His will is pleasing to Him.

The goal of every Christian is to know and do God’s will. God has given us different gifts so that we do His will. No one should therefore, give an excuse for not doing God’s will because He has equipped us. Mark 16:15-20 speaks of an assignment given to every Christian, “Go into all the world and preach the good News”, It also outlines the signs that will accompany those who believe.
– they will drive out demons
– they will speak in new tongues
– they will pick up snakes with their hand
– when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all.
– they will place their hands on sick people and they will get well.
Indeed all the above shows that God has empowered the Saints. How come that the above signs are rarely seen in our Churches? Have a blessed week.

Rev. Irene Akankwasa
PRIEST IN CHARGE OF FAMILY LIFE

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