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ISAIAH 43:1-7

ACTS 8:14-17

LUKE 3:15-17,21-22

REFLECTION

The Holy Spirit, the witness is the theme for our reflection. To witness means to show or give proof of something. In other words the Holy Spirit is an evidence or a proof that Jesus is present with us and God’s power is at work in those who have been saved.

In the first Scripture reading, God promised to save His people, Israel. “… now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. (Isaiah 43:1).

Secondly, we see in the third Scripture reading that God fulfilled His promise of Salvation or redemption through Jesus Christ. To proof or give evidence that Jesus is truly the Son of God, the Holy Spirit was the witness or the evidence. “Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-22)

Thirdly, baptism and salvation is incomplete without the power of the Holy Spirit who is the evidence of God’s presence in the life of a believer. This is why in the Second Scripture reading “… when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:14-18). Beloved in the Lord, there is no regeneration or transformation  without the Holy Spirit, the witness.  Without the Holy Spirit we are powerless and cannot prove to the world that we are true disciples of Jesus. In Acts 1:8, Jesus assures us that “… you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

In conclusion,  the Holy Spirit, is the evidence of God’s presence and salvation in those who are saved, the Holy Spirit is the witness that Jesus Christ is present in our lives, last but not the least, the Holy Spirit gives power and regeneration to believers during their baptism so that they can be faithful and effective witnesses of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit contnue to  empower us to remain faithful disciples of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. Amen

Jean-Paul Agidi (Rev)