The New Covenant

After Jesus says all these wonderful things about the Holy Spirit (see the last 2 blog entries), He suffers, dies, and is taken up to heaven. Then, in the first chapter of the book of Acts, Jesus is back with His disciples. And He has more to tell them!

1. He says they will be baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5).
2. He says they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on them (Acts 1:8a).
3. He says they will be His witnesses (Acts 1: 8b).

This is now the New Covenant! Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the law of the Spirit of life sets me free from the law of sin and death!

According to Galatians 5: 19-21, the law of sin and death looks like this:

"sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like."

And the law of the Spirit of life looks like this:

"love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." 

Why wouldn't I want all that the New Covenant promises? Oh, but Jesus told them one more thing...

"but wait for the gift my Father promised."  Acts 1:4b

"but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." Luke 24:49b