Acts 1:4-5 - "And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Jesus didn't recommend or suggest that the disciples not depart from Jerusalem until the "Promise of the Father" had come, He commanded them. After His resurrection, they had spent many amazing days together, He taught them kingdom principles, and He knew the disciples were eager to share the good news all over the world. But He commanded them not to get started until they had been clothed with the Spirit's power (Luke 24:49).
In 1 Corinthians it says that He gave this command to about 500 people, yet in Acts 1:15 it says there were only 120 men and women in the upper room filled with the Holy Spirit. What happened to the other 380? Perhaps they didn't want to wait. They wanted to get started doing the work of the ministry…without the power of the Holy Spirit!
When God calls us to do something, we need to make sure that we don't get so excited about the task, that we move out ahead of Him. Moving out in our own power and timing will actually interfere with what He wants to do in our lives, and interrupt the process. Our decisions greatly affect the lives of those around us, and the people that God has called us to reach. Slow down! Don't worry, you'll know when the Holy Spirit says to move, and He will empower you for the task at hand. It's worth the wait.
