The "Promise of the Father" is the promise of the Holy Spirit, who would come and help the apostles establish the first church in Jerusalem. They were commanded not to leave Jerusalem, They were not told to go ahead and step ahead of God. But they were told to wait for the Holy Spirit to come, to lead the way in bringing three thousand souls to the Lord on the day of Pentecost.
This is a lesson we need to learn in our churches today. We have a strong tendency to make our programs and efforts more about what we want, than what the holy Spirit directs. It is not the big spectacular programs that we plan and participate in, that make a difference in reaching people for the Lord.
They may be entertaining, but do they accomplish the evangelistic purpose they are meant to achieve?
It seems to me, that like the apostles, we are to be ready with the Word of God, to share simply, and sincerely, the message of hope, the community needs to hear. Let's wait on the Holy Spirit, to enable us, and empower us, with the Word of God, whether it is in song, or in spoken word. Instead of stepping ahead with the spectacular,
let's wait for the Holy Spirit who is the "Promise of the Father" to help us declare the simple, and powerful message of the Gospel; to a world that is lost, and walking without hope! (GP)
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