There’s something I can’t shake, and I need you to hear this…
You can know Jesus, walk with Him, believe in His resurrection, and still miss what He called the “Promise of the Father: The Holy Spirit.” That’s not just scary—it’s real. Before Jesus ascended, He didn’t hand out assignments, give church-building blueprints, or send His followers into the mission field. Nope. He told them to wait.
Wait for what?
The Holy Spirit. Everything hinged on that.
Let me tell you what I found. It left me stunned.
Jesus stood among His followers and told them flat-out:
“Don’t leave Jerusalem. Don’t move. Don’t try to do life, preach, lead, teach, or even breathe without this gift first.” (Acts 1:4–6, NKJV)
That’s how urgent and vital it was. He called it the baptism of the Holy Spirit, an immersion, a complete submerging of the soul in power and purpose.
And here’s what hit me the hardest… They already believed. They were already saved. But they still lacked something.
They lacked the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
Don’t Move Without the Power
I found myself wondering: Why would Jesus command something He’d eventually give anyway?
Then I realized: commands protect us. Commands set order. And this command wasn’t about control… it was about victory. You and I don’t fight this life with logic or charisma. We fight with spiritual power, and Jesus knew we’d be useless without it.
So what did the early believers do?
They waited. Or at least, some did.
The Bible says five hundred saw Him after the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:6, NKJV). But when the Holy Spirit finally came, only one hundred and twenty were still waiting in the Upper Room (Acts 2:1–4, NKJV). Where were the others?
I can’t help but feel like they meant to stay. Maybe they did. But doubt creeps in. Distraction calls. The voice of reason says, “You’ve waited long enough.” And before you know it, you’ve stepped out without what Jesus said you must first receive.
I’ve come across this in life, too. So many start strong, but only a few stay long enough to see the Promise fall.
The Holy Spirit Changes Everything
And then… it happened.
They were in one place. One mind. One mission.
And suddenly—a sound like a rushing wind blew through the room. Fire appeared. Tongues followed. People spoke in languages they never learned (Acts 2:2-4). The room, the world, and history changed in a heartbeat.
This wasn’t hype. This wasn’t theatrics. This was the baptism of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised. Power filled their bones. Boldness entered their lungs. And the Church was born.
Here’s the bottom line: The Holy Spirit doesn’t come to impress. He comes to empower.
“But wait—there’s more.”
It’s not about the tongues. It’s about God filling you completely so He can work through you endlessly.
And yes, speaking in tongues was the evidence. But the essence? That was divine power taking over human vessels. It was heaven meeting flesh. It was God moving in so He could move through.
Tongues Are Just Language
Let’s clear the air on this, okay?
When people hear “tongues,” some freeze up. They think of strange sounds, weird feelings, or cult-like behavior. But that’s not what Scripture teaches.
Tongues are languages. Period.
When you speak in tongues, you’re speaking a language that your mind doesn’t know but your spirit does. It’s heaven’s hotline. A supernatural gift. A personal prayer language that goes beyond your thoughts and logic.
Think of it like this: If someone asks what your mother tongue is, they’re asking what language you grew up speaking. It’s normal. It’s natural.
Same with the Holy Spirit’s tongues, it’s your spiritual native language.
Now, don’t overthink it. Don’t try to understand it with your brain. The Bible says it’s your spirit praying (1 Corinthians 14:14–15, NKJV). And trust me, your spirit knows how to cry out to God better than your mind ever could.
Don’t Miss the Upper Room Moment
I’ve come to realize that the most tragic part of the Acts story wasn’t what happened in the Upper Room… it was what didn’t happen outside of it.
Four out of five people walked away. Gone too soon. Missed their moment. Left without power because they left without waiting for the promise of the Father. Of the five hundred who saw Jesus after His resurrection, only 120 remained, waiting steadfastly in the upper room.
Don’t be one of them who left.
You’ve got a calling. A fire. A purpose. But without the Holy Spirit, you’re running on fumes. You need that immersion. That deep dive. That overwhelming presence of God that leaves no part of you untouched.
And here’s something special: the Holy Spirit is not just for them. He’s for you. Right now. Right where you are.
Jesus said it. The Word confirms it. The early Church experienced it. And you can, too.
But it starts with one decision: Will you wait? Will you make space? Will you seek the Promise of the Father like your life depends on it?
Because it does.
You Can Have What They Had
I wouldn’t trade this for anything. I’ve struggled with waiting seasons. I’ve doubted. I’ve felt dry. But I took a moment to reflect on what Jesus said… and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had rushed ahead before receiving what He wanted to give.
And let me tell you—I was amazed to discover how everything shifted when I asked to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
It’s not spooky. It’s not far off. It’s not unreachable.
It’s here.
And He’s here.
The Holy Spirit wants to live in you. Not visit. Not whisper. Not inspire once in a while.
He wants to move in, take over, and transform you from the inside out.
Don’t move forward without Him. Don’t preach, teach, lead, love, or live without this fire burning in your soul.
This is the Promise of the Father. This is the power Jesus said you needed. This is the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
Now It’s Your Turn…
If you’ve been stirred by this, take a moment. Sit with God. Ask for the Holy Spirit. Wait in prayer. Don’t rush the process. Don’t settle for a watered-down version of your faith.
You were made for more, and the Holy Spirit is the key.
I’d love to hear what this sparked in your spirit—drop a comment, and share it with someone you love!
Let’s bring back Upper Room faith. Together.
(Matthew 7:11, NKJV)
“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
You’ve got the invitation.
Now open the door.
