Once the training by Jesus had been completed and Jesus had gone back to heaven, the disciples were given the assignment to remain in Jerusalem until they were given the Holy Spirit. So they all went into the upper room there and waited for the Spirit to come. In Acts chapters 1 and 2 we see this whole event take place. The day of Pentecost ushers in phase two of Jesus’ ministry in His disciples’ lives.

Now, I have no doubt that the Holy Spirit entering into Peter on a Spirit-to-spirit level at Pentecost did some awesome things to Peter’s heart. But, I also have no doubt that without Jesus’ challenge to Peter prior to that and all Jesus’ previous ministry in Peter’s life, Peter wouldn’t have been much of a factor in Jesus’ worldwide Christian movement after Pentecost.

Which is more important, Jesus’ training that was recorded in the Gospels or the in-filling of the Holy Spirit that took place at Pentecost? Neither! That is why the Holy Spirit doesn’t speak about Himself. That is why the Holy Spirit takes the things that belong to Jesus and shows them to us.

That is why we have to Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey EVERYTHING I have commanded you.

We and our trainees are not going to be bold enough, in love enough, and obedient enough to suffer persecution and death without ALL of this. We are all going to have to have Jesus’ discipleship training AND the empowerment of God’s Holy Spirit.