“The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. God exalted him to his own right hand a Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” (Acts 5:29-31)
The Holy Spirit witnesses everything we do. She smiles when we love one another and when we don’t, She(He) convicts us so we’ll repent. Repentance and God’s forgiveness through Jesus are key to freedom and happiness. Peter desperately wanted Israel to be set free. If the temple leaders obeyed God by repenting and recognizing Jesus as their savior, so would many other Jews. And by obeying God, they would receive the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit gives life, truth, wisdom, help, comfort, support, promotion, solutions, counseling, strength, knowledge, memory, conviction, fellowship, guidance, revelation, love, power, self-control, spiritual gifts, and transformation. She(He) always has our backs. (See John 6, 14, and 16 Amplified Bible translation, 2 Timothy 1:7, 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 4:10-11, and 2 Corinthians 3:18) Like Peter, we should want everyone, even our enemies, to have the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Because when all have received the Holy Spirit by asking Jesus to save them, there will be no enemies.
Dearest Father in heaven, I praise you for sending the Holy Spirit when Jesus ascended to be with You in heaven. Thank you for Her(His) gifts so I can be at peace and have joy in the midst of conflict knowing You will solve it. Help me study, pray about, and use the Spirit’s gifts to make a difference in the lives of others, especially my enemies. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.