What did Jesus tell us about the Holy Spirit?

On one occasion, while he [Jesus] was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4-5

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a gift given to us by God. Jesus said to his disciples that they were not to leave Jerusalem until they had received this baptism. Since Jesus had also told them to go into all the world and preach the Gospel, this baptism of the Holy Spirit was very important if they were to postpone this in order to receive it.

So, what is it about this baptism that was so important? Why was Jesus so determined that the disciples stay put and wait until they received it in order to fulfill Jesus' orders?

Jesus himself described the Holy Spirit this way during his ministry: Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. Mark 13:11

The Holy Spirit gives us courage, wisdom, and power. In the gospels, Peter denied knowing who Jesus was three times— and Peter swore he would die before he betrayed Jesus in such a way! But in Acts, after being baptized with the Holy Spirit, Peter not only claimed Jesus is Lord before the people he had previously denied him before, but he did so with such wisdom and power that 3,000 other people became Jesus' disciples that day.

Jesus also called the Holy Spirit a teacher. “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26 When we come to God through Christ and he fills us with his Holy Spirit, the Spirit teaches us the things we need to know, and reminds us of the things that God wants for us to do, and how he wants us to live. The Spirit infilling us is the key to how to live a godly, righteous life, the way God wishes us to live. If you have not received this baptism, pray that God will fill you with his Holy Spirit now!