Acts 19:1-8Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? (Acts 19:2)
That’s a key question, isn’t it? Have you ever stopped to consider what an amazing gift you’ve been given through your baptism? Many people think of baptism simply as the sacrament that wipes away original sin and brings us into the church. It is that, but it is so much more.
Before Jesus came on the scene, his cousin John was baptizing people for the forgiveness of sins. But he also said that someone would come after him who would baptize in the Holy Spirit. And that someone is Jesus, who commanded his followers to baptize people in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As the Catechism of the Holy Catholic Church puts it: “The Most Holy Trinity gives the baptized sanctifying grace, the grace of justification, [and] . . . the power to live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit” (CCC, 1266).
Baptism is meant to be just the beginning of a life lived under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. At its core, baptism is all about coming to know Jesus and experiencing the power of his resurrection in our lives—something only the Spirit can give to us. Only he can bring us to a living encounter with the Lord Jesus. Only he can make us a new creation, adopted children of God, partakers in the divine nature, members of Christ, co-heirs with him and temples of the Holy Spirit (CCC, 1265).
That’s something worth celebrating! If we want to experience these blessings in our lives—and not just be informed about them—we need the Holy Spirit and the gifts that he freely pours out. So today, ask yourself the same question that St. Paul asked the Ephesians: “Into what then were you baptized?” (Acts 19:3). Ask the Spirit to unveil for you the enormous treasure you received on the day of your baptism. You really did receive the Spirit. So ask that Spirit to reveal Jesus to you today in a life-changing way.
“Jesus, your love is amazing! Thank you for giving me your Holy Spirit and giving me a share in the power of your resurrection. Thank you for making me a partaker of your divine life. I love you, Lord, and I want to know you more.”
Psalm 68:2-7; John 16:29-33
That’s a key question, isn’t it? Have you ever stopped to consider what an amazing gift you’ve been given through your baptism? Many people think of baptism simply as the sacrament that wipes away original sin and brings us into the church. It is that, but it is so much more.
Before Jesus came on the scene, his cousin John was baptizing people for the forgiveness of sins. But he also said that someone would come after him who would baptize in the Holy Spirit. And that someone is Jesus, who commanded his followers to baptize people in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As the Catechism of the Holy Catholic Church puts it: “The Most Holy Trinity gives the baptized sanctifying grace, the grace of justification, [and] . . . the power to live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit” (CCC, 1266).
Baptism is meant to be just the beginning of a life lived under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. At its core, baptism is all about coming to know Jesus and experiencing the power of his resurrection in our lives—something only the Spirit can give to us. Only he can bring us to a living encounter with the Lord Jesus. Only he can make us a new creation, adopted children of God, partakers in the divine nature, members of Christ, co-heirs with him and temples of the Holy Spirit (CCC, 1265).
That’s something worth celebrating! If we want to experience these blessings in our lives—and not just be informed about them—we need the Holy Spirit and the gifts that he freely pours out. So today, ask yourself the same question that St. Paul asked the Ephesians: “Into what then were you baptized?” (Acts 19:3). Ask the Spirit to unveil for you the enormous treasure you received on the day of your baptism. You really did receive the Spirit. So ask that Spirit to reveal Jesus to you today in a life-changing way.
“Jesus, your love is amazing! Thank you for giving me your Holy Spirit and giving me a share in the power of your resurrection. Thank you for making me a partaker of your divine life. I love you, Lord, and I want to know you more.”
Psalm 68:2-7; John 16:29-33
With every good wish in Christ,
Ed.......
