Holy Spirit at Work in the Book of Acts
The apostle Paul and Silas passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia’s cities, arriving at Thessalonica in Acts 17. The estimated population was 100,000 souls. This city was named after Alexander the Great’s half-sister. It was home to a Jewish community, Greeks, as well as many cults and false religions. Paul arrived here during his second apostolic journey in sync with Holy Spirit.
Per his pattern, if available in the place he arrived, Paul made his way to the synagogue of the Jews first. For three sabbaths, he expounded the scriptures and reasoned with the people there. Deducing and demonstrating as scripture says, that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”
Paul and his companions persuaded several Jews and Greeks. Other Jews who became envious started a mob looking about for Paul and his companions, but they could not find them.
They gave up looking for him they went to a man’s house named Jason. They dragged Jason and some brethren with him through the streets to the rulers of the city. All the while yelling out to the people,
“These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus.”.
World Turners
“These who have turned the world upside down,” perhaps they unwittingly spoke truth without fully being aware of it. In the people’s misguided devotion to Caesar in opposition to Truth, the casual observer may realize that no Jew truly followed Caesar.
Their visceral hatred and contempt for Jesus’ proclamation as the Messiah did perhaps such a statement come about.
Conversely, we see the truth through Acts of the manifested transforming power the day Pentecost brought. That Jesus, not Caesar or any other ruler, is the true Lord and King over all humanity and creation.
The revolutionary nature of Christianity is that we are translated from the darkness into the light. Any man or woman brought unto Christ and is filled with the Holy Spirit has a profound heart transformation. This change in our nature is the only way to change our evil customs throughout the world. Thus, turning the world upside down.
Once, we were dead, now made alive in Christ. Once utterly lost in darkness, now able to see in the Light of Christ. Deaf, dumb, and barren – now able to hear, imbued with wisdom from on High, and full of the fruitfulness of abundance.
Paul, the many apostles, the disciples, and all the children of God turned the world upside down with Holy Spirit. It is Holy Spirit who is with us on earth right now. His work is to prepare the bride for the bridegroom. These brave men and women full of the Holy Spirit brought about transformation at all corners of the earth.
The Kingdom of God is found in Holy Spirit
Paul reveals a stunning revelation, “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Rom. 14:17 NKJV). I’ll plainly say that you will not find the Kingdom of God apart from Holy Spirit. In his letter, Paul wrote to the Thessalonians,
“For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.” (1 Th. 1:5 NKJV)
Paul was able to carry the ability to turn the world upside down because of who he was with. The Spirit of God in him and with him, working with him and through him. Paul goes on to state,
“And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,.” (1 Cor. 2:4 NKJV – Emphasis Added).
It is in the demonstration of who God is that the world will want what we have.
If we are drawing people unto ourselves with good sermons and fancy worship, then it is all for not. I’m not against those things at all. The point is to draw people unto Him.
A community of worshippers that cry out high praise to the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Regardless of how good or not good Sunday morning is. Because ultimately, it’s not about Sunday; it’s about carrying His kingdom into every circumstance of our lives.
Becoming World Turners
Holy Spirit is the one with us to bring about all that Jesus died for. He will always point us to Jesus as well as transform us into His image. Having just the knowledge of him is not faith. If we fall into the trap of thinking because we know a truth, it is dangerous because it is not the same as apprehension of the truth. Manifesting the truth looks like evidence that can be measured, not simply saying, “I believe.”
The soccer mom is devoted to cheering her child on as they race across the soccer field. Is she carrying the power of God with her to bring transformation to the other parents around her? The medical doctor has run out of answers for their terminally ill patient. Does this doctor carry Holy Spirit with him to bring about the healing power of Jesus? The car shop mechanic has a customer facing a tough life issue. Will he be the one to bring wisdom from God to them by listening to what the Spirit is saying over their life?
Read: Where’s A Place that God Can’t See Us?
These are important questions we have to ask ourselves. Perhaps you’re called to the business world on Wall Street, or you’re the local dentist in a small town in the mountains. Wherever you’re called, you have an opportunity in the world to bring heaven to earth as Jesus prayed and displayed.
In the end, what will matter most is our faith and what we choose to engage in with God. The decision has to be ours what we decide scripture will be to us. To settle, He is a close intimate father who has determined good plans and thoughts concerning us. Or some distant all-powerful, omnipresent God who is distant and contained only in a Sunday sermon.
Let’s let the Spirit of Truth come into our lives and teach us the Kingdom and about the King. What He is about so that one day people will say of us, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.”
Keefer is thoughtful and reserved, withdrawn and observant. Upon those strengths he carry’s a measure of authority, and has a voice. He feels passionately about America and the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. His goals are to align his life for long term missionary work abroad in some of the darkest and dangerous places. He owes his life to Jesus and his hope rest only in Christ.
