These Signs Will Follow Those Who Believe Devotional

 


“These Signs Will Follow Those Who Believe”


Evidence in the New Testament that prophecy, visions, dreams, tongues, healing, and other supernatural gifts are normal signs of being filled with the Holy Spirit


Opening Prayer


Holy Spirit, the same Spirit who fell on the day of Pentecost, open my eyes today to see what the New Testament truth unfiltered. Remove every tradition or fear that has kept me from expecting Your power. Fill me afresh as I read Your Word, and let these signs follow me because I believe. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


1. The Promise – It Was Never Meant to Stop

Acts 2:17–18, 39 (NKJV)


“And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams… For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”


Peter says the miracles happening right in front of them (tongues, prophecy, boldness) are the direct fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy—and this promise is for every generation (“as many as the Lord will call”) until Jesus returns. These are not apostolic-age-only phenomena; they are “last days” phenomena, and we are still in the last days.


2. The Pattern Every Time the Spirit Is Poured Out  


Acts 2:4 → Filled with the Spirit → spoke in tongues & prophesied  

Acts 8:17 → Samaritans received the Spirit → visible signs so obvious that Simon the sorcerer offered money for the power  

Acts 10:44–46 → Gentiles filled → spoke in tongues & magnified God  

Acts 19:6 → Ephesian disciples → spoke in tongues & prophesied


Every major outpouring in Acts is accompanied by prophecy, tongues, or other dramatic manifestations. The New Testament never shows a “quiet” filling that has no outward evidence.


3. Jesus Said These Signs Would Follow Believers (Not Just Apostles)


Mark 16:17–18

“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues… they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”


Jesus did not say “these signs will follow the eleven apostles.” He said “those who believe.” That includes you and me.


4. Paul’s Clear Teaching – Desire, Do Not Forbid, Do Not Despise


1 Corinthians 14:1, 39

“Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy… Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.”


1 Thessalonians 5:19–20

“Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies.”If prophecy, tongues, and revelation gifts had already ceased (or were about to cease) in Paul’s lifetime, these commands would be cruel and confusing. Instead, Paul expects them to continue in every church he planted.


5. Personal Evidence in the Life of Every Spirit-Filled Believer


Galatians 3:5

“Does God give you the Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?”Paul treats ongoing miracles as normal in a Spirit-filled communities.Acts 4:31


“And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”


(Notice: they were filled again—and supernatural power was the immediate result.)


6. The Fruit AND the Gifts Belong Together


The same Spirit who produces love, joy, peace, and self-control (Gal 5:22–23) is the same Spirit who distributes gifts of healing, prophecy, tongues, and miracles (1 Cor 12:7–11). The New Testament never forces no choice between character and power—both are evidence of the same filling.


Closing Confession (say it out loud)


I believe the promise of the Father is for me today.

I do not quench the Spirit.

I do not despise prophecies.

I eagerly desire spiritual gifts.


Lord Jesus, as I keep being filled with Your Spirit, let these signs follow me: prophecy, dreams, visions, boldness, healing, deliverance, and tongues—because You said they would.


I receive Your power today, not for show, but for the glory of Your name and the advancement of Your kingdom. Amen.Go out expecting. The same Spirit who filled them fills you. And the New Testament says the signs will follow.

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