Preparing to Receive the Holy Spirit

09/25/2024 | Biblical Research Association | Uncategorized

By Lemie McGarity

After Christ’s resurrection, He appeared multiple times to His disciples, teaching and preparing them for the coming of the Holy Spirit. The disciples, having witnessed His ministry and miracles, knew He was the prophesied Messiah. As foretold in Deuteronomy 18:15, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me,” and Isaiah 9:6-7 describes Him as the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

Before appearing to the disciples, Christ first ascended to the Father as the wave sheaf offering, the firstborn from the dead, fulfilling God’s appointed times. These sacred festivals, outlined in Leviticus 23:2, are key memorials representing God’s plan of salvation through Christ.

The weekly Sabbath, as well as God’s annual holy convocations, such as the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread, point to significant spiritual truths. As we now count toward Pentecost, we reflect on the events following Christ’s resurrection, which revealed deeper truths about His mission.

Contrary to popular belief, Jesus did not rise on Sunday but at the end of the weekly Sabbath, as confirmed by Matthew 12:40. After His resurrection, He appeared to Mary, instructing her not to touch Him because He had not yet ascended to the Father (John 20:17). Christ presented Himself as the first fruit offering to God (Leviticus 23:9-14).

Over the next 40 days, Jesus continued to instruct His disciples, as recounted in Luke 24:44-49 and Acts 1:8. They were told to wait in Jerusalem until they received the power of the Holy Spirit. This event, described in Acts 2, marked the beginning of their true understanding of Christ’s teachings.

With the Holy Spirit’s guidance (John 16:13-15), the disciples finally comprehended the depth of Christ’s mission and began to fulfill their roles as His witnesses. Our journey mirrors theirs—being transformed by the Spirit to become like our Teacher, Jesus (Matthew 10:24-25; John 15:20-21).

Now is our time to live and proclaim the truth we profess, as the apostles did after receiving the Holy Spirit. As Peter says in 2 Peter 1:3-4, “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness.” As we await Christ’s return, we strive to grow in knowledge and be faithful, knowing that we will be changed at His coming, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.