Wait for the Promise, Part 2

Jesus commanded the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father, which would endue them with power from the Spirit of God to continue the work of Christ in the world.

Jesus promised them the power of the Spirit in John 14-16. The basis of the promise was that the Father did the work in Jesus (John 14:11), so the Spirit would do the work in and through the disciples.

The condition that Jesus placed upon the disciples was that the work was to be carried out in Jesus' name—according to His will and Word.

The activity of the promised Spirit was to enable the disciples to be powerful and reliable witnesses to Jesus.

John also promised the coming of the Spirit in baptismal terms. As John baptized in water, Jesus would baptize in the Holy Spirit. That work of Jesus, carried out by the Spirit, would involve both judgment and conservation—gathering the wheat into the barn but burning the chaff with fire.

Outline:
I. The Promise of the Spirit
II. The Power of the Spirit