It was the Lord’s will that Paul should return to Ephesus, a city whose heathen festivals attracted great numbers of people from all of Asia. There Paul was granted a healing ministry through the power of the Holy Spirit, as well as the opportunity to “speak and not hold his peace”.

Upon his return, Paul found twelve disciples of John who knew nothing of the Holy Spirit. He explained to them that John’s baptism was a sign of repentance only, not a sign of new life in Christ. Hearing this, the disciples asked to be baptized in the name of the Lord. As Paul laid hands on them, they were filled by the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other known languages and to boldly preach the gospel.

The disciples were now equipped to assist Paul in establishing the Church at Ephesus. They went with him and had daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. “This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.” (Acts 19:10)

Paul was empowered to exercise miracles in some cities but not in others. Luke, a physician, recorded in Acts 19:11&12 that in Ephesus, “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.” There was no virtue in the cloths; they were only a sign of the supernatural at work, a “vehicle” God used to show His continual compassion, presence, and power.

The Holy Spirit’s power was in the world before His personal presence. His presence witnessed to Jesus as the Son of God. We of the Church Age have both His presence and His power, and this should fill us with His compassion, joy, praise, and thanksgiving.

It is one thing to believe that the Holy Spirit is given to individuals; it is a completely different knowledge to receive the revelation that Jesus Christ gave the Holy Spirit to the world.

The Spirit’s work inspired and guided the apostles to abandon their lives and allow Christ to live in and through them. He filled the apostles like fountain pens and wrote the New Testament through them as they experienced life in Christ’s Spirit.

We, too, can say to the Lord, “Here I am. Take me. Fill me. Use me.” When we tell what God has done in our lives, our testimony will witness to others of His love. Do you have a “Gospel of ____” to put in your Bible?

Choate Baptist Church is located at 6355 State Hwy 239, just 8 miles southeast of Kenedy. We meet Sunday mornings at 9:45 and 11, and Sunday and Wednesday evenings at 7:00. Brother Odom’s message can be heard on Radio KAML 990 AM each Sunday morning at 8:30.

We will meet again to pray for our nation Tuesday, December 15th at 7 p.m. Everyone is invited to this non-denominational, non-partisan time of lifting America in prayer.