Fruit Comes from the Spirit

Peter lived close to Jesus and received His teaching firsthand. His story shows that the Christian life needs the work of God in the heart. He loved the Master, and he also came face to face with his own weakness when he denied Jesus.

In Acts 2:4, Scripture says, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” Peter was there. Jesus’ promise was fulfilled, and that moment marked a new stage in his walk with God. The man who had failed was upheld by God to speak about Christ with courage.

A short time later, Peter stood before the crowd and proclaimed Jesus clearly. God’s presence strengthened his faith and gave weight to his witness. The fruit that appeared in his life came from the work of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus had already taught in John 15:5, “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Spiritual fruit grows from abiding in Christ. The Christian life becomes weak when it rests on personal ability. The heart needs to depend on God in order to live faithfully.

Peter became fruitful because the power of God reached him. The same is true for us. Faith matures as we let go of self-reliance and learn to live by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 ‹I am the vine, ye› [are] ‹the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.›