The Witness of the Holy Spirit Within

John 20:19-31, Acts 5:27-32

Our John account tells of Jesus appearing to the disciples after his resurrection. They are in a locked room due to fear of the Jews – not the Romans. Later in Acts we have Peter openly preaching about Christ’s resurrection even when the Jewish High Priests have told him not to do so. He seems to have no fear now. What’s the difference? In our John passage it tells how Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on them. Now does this differ from the Pentecost account or did the disciples gathered there get a head start? Did Thomas have to wait until Pentecost? The Pentecost event included all of Christ’s followers – so all are given the Holy Spirit.

Now Peter in the Acts account tells how the Holy Spirit is given to those who obey Christ – including those who converted after Pentecost – including contemporary Christians. We are the ones who did not witness Christ’s reappearance or see the nail prints and mark on his side, like Thomas did. Christ commends us future folks saying, “Blessed who those who have not seen but still come to believe.” Even though we were not witnesses of Christ on earth, the Holy Spirit was, so having been gifted with the Holy Spirit we have a witness in us.

In the Acts account Peter gives the greater authority to God rather than human authority. He is following the Great Commission which Jesus gave to all the disciples at Christ’s ascension into heaven. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.” Even though the Jewish leaders prohibited this, Peter and the disciples followed the greater priority.

Some may misinterpret this verse thinking one should neglect all governmental laws. But Jesus said, “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s.” But when it comes to spiritual authority, the greater authority is God even above our Christian spiritual leaders, especially if they have you do something contrary to Jesus’ teaching and example.

What about governmental laws that violate Christ’s teaching? History is full of those who have resisted ungodly laws. An example being Resistance groups during World War II to fight the Nazi laws of persecuting the Jews. Many hid Jews in their homes. These are heavy decisions to make, but with the guidance of the Holy Spirit we can decide which ungodly laws we can protest about and make a stand against remembering we have the witness of the Holy Spirit within.