7.3.2026 - Scott Elgersma
Friday July 3, 2026
The Holy Spirit Brings Transformation
Acts 11:15-16
“As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’”
What does this passage teach us about the Holy Spirit bringing us to places of transformation?
A neighboring church that I used to attend with my friends as a teenager had a tradition that, at the time, I thought was a little weird. Funny isn’t it how the things that you thought were weird a long time ago have a profound impact as time passes.
Their tradition was that before every “long” or “congregational” prayer that they would sing a chorus together acapella as a group. Before the pastor or prayer leader would start to pray, they would begin to sing, and everyone would jump in to join them.
“Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.”
Maybe it was just something from the late ‘80s in that part of the world or maybe you had a similar tradition in your context. Either way, I now see that ‘weird’ part of liturgy very differently.
I see it as understanding something important that the Spirit is constantly doing in us through prayer, worship, and, well, just about everything.
The Spirit is transforming us. This community recognized and celebrated that every week. Perhaps we can join that celebration by celebrating the Spirit’s movement in us every day.
That’s what Peter was noticing and naming as he returned to Jerusalem to defend his latest missionary work among Gentiles who became believers. His primary defense for these traditionally unclean interactions is that he saw the change in them like what he and the other disciples had experienced at the 1st Pentecost. The Spirit ‘fell afresh’ on these people. He saw God’s good work and exclaims, “who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”
Peter’s defense teaches us two important things about the Spirit’s transformation in our world.
First, we can remark on the transformation of those around us as movements of the Spirit. I see good things in those who are a part of my community. One person is willing to take a step of faith and volunteer for a new ministry that stretches them a little bit. Another is inviting their friends and neighbors to church activities and other opportunities to learn about Jesus. Yet another is working on spiritual disciplines and growing habits of scripture reading, meditation, and prayer. Those are all things that show the Spirit’s work. They can be noticed, named, and can be fuel for praise.
The second element of Peter’s teaching is that the Spirit is present and doing its work of transformation in each of us. We are vessels of the Spirit being filled, molded, and used by God to proclaim the Good News and give him glory. As we notice the places where the Spirit is at work, we allow the Spirit to have his way, we pursue the sorts of disciplines that foster this growth, and we give God praise as we see the transformation happen.
In my life, I see the Spirit moving in what I speak to others. Traditionally, I have rightfully been accused of speaking too quickly and thoughtlessly. I know that my words have hurt others because I haven’t understood how my words and my presentation might cause pain. I see that changing.
I see the Spirit moving me to consider others more before I speak. I am keeping my mouth closed more often than in the past. Thoughts that would have been voiced are being tested, discerned, and shaped by the Spirit’s presence. I am different than I was before. For that, I give God praise. I also have faith that he will continue that good work in me while starting new works of transformation in my life.
And the Spirit through the grace of Christ is doing that sort of work in you too.
This is the promise of God to us. He will be present always. He will continue his good work in us always. He will put aside the old and dead things and breathe life and energy into those things that are new in us always.
He will do this because he promised he would. He will do it because of just how much he loves us.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn his smile towards you and give you his peace.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
I love you all. Blessings.
Feel free to share this devotion with others.
To contact the author, please email: elgersma@therivercrc.com