Bible Questions Answered:
Pastor, what is the baptism of the Spirit?
Robert/ Russell, Kansas
Bible Answers:l
Text:
(The risen Lord Jesus, instructs His men.)
Acts 1:1-5;8,9;12-14 NLT
1 In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach
2 until the day He was taken up to heaven after giving His chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.
3 During the forty days after His crucifixion, He appeared to the apostles from time to time, and He proved to them in many ways that He was actually alive. And He talked to them about the Kingdom of God.
4 Once when He was eating with them, He commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the Gift He promised, as I told you before.
5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking Him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”
7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After saying this, He was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see Him.
10 As they strained to see Him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them.
11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday He will return from heaven in the same way you saw Him go!”
12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile.
13 When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying.
Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James). 14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
Acts 2:1-47 NLT
1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.
2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.
3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.
4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem.
6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.
7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee,
8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages!
9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia,
10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome
11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!”
12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.
13 But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”
14 Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this.
15 These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that.
16 No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:
17 ‘In the last days,’ God says, I will pour out My Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.
18 In those days I will pour out My Spirit even on My servants—men and women alike— and they will prophesy.
19 And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below— blood and fire and clouds of smoke.
20 The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives.
21 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
22 “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through Him, as you well know.
23 But God knew what would happen, and His prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed Him to a cross and killed Him.
24 But God released Him from the horrors of death and raised Him back to life, for death could not keep Him in its grip.
25 King David said this about Him:‘I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.
26 No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts His praises! My body rests in hope.
27 For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.
28 You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.’
29 “Dear brothers, think about this! You can be sure that the patriarch David wasn’t referring to himself, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us.
30 But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne.
31 David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave Him among the dead or allow His body to rot in the grave.
32 “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this.
33 Now He is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as He had promised, gave Him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.
34 For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said,‘The Lord said to My Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at My right hand
35 until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”’
36 “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”
37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”
Verse 39 KJV
“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”
41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. The Believers Form a Community
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.
44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.
45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.
46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—
47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
The disciples, here that the risen Lord Jesus spoke to, were “Born-Again Believers.”
Yes, the Holy Spirit is received at conversion.
Promised by the Saviour.
John 14:15-18 KJV
15 If ye love Me, keep My commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 15:26,27 KJV
26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me:
27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with Me from the beginning.
John 16:5-15 NLT
5 “But now I am going away to the One who sent Me, and not one of you is asking where I am going.
6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you.
7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate (Comforter) won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send Him to you.
8 And when He comes, He will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.
9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in Me.
10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see Me no more.
11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
12 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.
13 When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future.
14 He will bring Me glory by telling you whatever He receives from Me.
15 All that belongs to the Father is Mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever He receives from Me.’
Romans 8:9 KJV
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.
I Corinthians 12:13 KJV
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Every Christian has been Baptized of the Holy Spirit, that is we have The Holy Spirit living within.
Now once a Christian has been baptized of The Spirit, he may also be (secondly) "endued with power from The Holy Spirit." -
Acts 2:39.KJV
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
That which has been called a second work of grace the power of God The Holy Spirit, "the enduement of power" said by the Lord Jesus, to empower God's people to “witness.”
Luke 24:49 KJV
And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with Power from on high.
Acts 1:8 KJV
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
A little digression:
Years ago, it was not uncommon for foreign missionaries come to the United States, always asking the same question, “Why do you have so many different kinds of churches here?”
Perplexed by America's vast array of different houses of worship, they couldn't understand, why if there is but “one Word and one God” why so many different churches?
Well we know of course, the reason is because of their “different beliefs.”
Which begs the question, why are there so many different beliefs?
And that is a very good question!
Pause here to arrive at your own answer, before going on!
Selah
The answer:
Every church, has there “perfectly trained” doctors of the law, to be sure.
Every church, claims that they know the word.
Every church, claims that they are obedient to the word.
Etc. etc..etc...
What then is the answer?
The answer is at the heart of men.
The Baptist's believe baptism is by immersion.
The Lutheran's believe baptism is by sprinkling.
And this just one example of different beliefs.
Isn't it odd, that mankind always “justifies what it believes to be right.
Men, can always find the scripture to back up almost anything, if they wish to.
(Exegetically incorrect as that surely is!)
We have different “faiths,” because of “different,” personalities.
Based upon many things to be sure, yet the real crux of the matter.
Alright, could it be then that some more highly educated, more socially elite, do not want to stoop to going under the muddy Jordan, for baptism?
Of course, and their theology, obviously reflects those beliefs.
Be this as it may be, the Lord Jesus promised the out pouring of God the Holy Spirit, and His enduement of witnessing power to any and to all who would lovingly receive Him!
Acts 1:8 KJV (Luke 24:49 KJV our Lord's promise.)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 2:39 KJV
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
Now, some today, do not covet this enduement of power by God the Holy Spirit.
And that, as in “different theologies,” has to do with personal temperament, though they will claim it to the death, that it is scriptural!
First of all, may it be said that God is “not,” in the forcing or coercing business!
Please read that again!
We would think that any and all would surely know this.
But, God is not in the coercing business!
When the Apostle Paul, speaks of the gifts of the Spirit, he makes this interesting addendum.
I Corinthians 12:29-31 KJV
29 Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles?
30 Do we all have the gift of healing?
Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages?
Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages?
Of course not!
God never, ever forces, coerces anyone to do anything he or she does not wish to do! Amen!
Knowing this, what do we have known?
Not all choose this extra benefit (Gift) of God the Holy Spirit.
And this by itself, is of course by personal choice.
And yet some individuals will lovingly submit to the Holy Spirit, to become empowered witnesses for Christ.
Now if this were the end of the story, all well and good, but unfortunately it is not!
Matthew 23:13 NLT
What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either.
Some from the group of people who want nothing to do with this “Enduement of power of The Holy Spirit,” belittle those who do!
And this belittlement, oft, nothing less than pure hatred.
Personal experience:
As a pastor, one day I went to the post office, and a ordained clergyman from another church, openly addressed me in a crowd of people there as, “Hello there holy roller!”
When did the Lord Jesus teach His followers to hate or belittle anyone?
When?
Answer, Never! By their fruits, ye shall know them, stated Jesus.
Matthew 12:31,32 KJV
31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
The Homily:
Every one always loves a pastor's personal stories, because they usually involve something revealing about himself, and to get to know him, they thus adhere to his stories.
In the early years of marriage, and college, my wife, Barbara and I purchased a wonderful car, from a local car dealership.
It wasn't new, a few years old, but in pristine condition.
Now, we certainly did not worship a car, any Christian, would know better than that, but we did our level best to take care of it well, because it had to last us for some time.
Having studied mechanics, among other things in high school, I knew very well how the automobile operated, and just what it needed!
I always carried in the car, extra motor oil, extra transmission oil, extra power steering oil, extra anti-freeze, extra brake fluid, etc...etc...etc..
That way, where ever we might be, I could check under the hood, and see if any thing was need, if it was, I would take care of it right there.
Well, all went fine for some time, what a fine car it was.
As time went on as any college student can tell you, finances, some times becomes a bigger and bigger obstacle to overcome.
The dark day came when my wife and I agreed, that our car, must go, go back to the auto dealer, we just no longer could afford it, the payments and that of college expenses, were just too much.
We parked the car at the auto dealers lot, and walked home.
Several days later, we received an irate phone call from the sales man who sold us the car saying, “Now that you've wrecked this car you bring it back, we saw all the oil you had to carry in the trunk," he said.
Pause....
Can you see the scene? We were devastated. The car was actually in much “better,” condition when we returned it, then when we had bought it.
Oh,
the sales man, had misunderstood the oil! (read this three times before passing.)
The oil was not there because of ruin, it was there for regeneration.
Dear friend of the Lord Jesus Christ, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for all Christians.
The Holy Spirit's enduement of power is for those who "tarry,' in faith longing to be witnesses for The Lord.
Do not misunderstand the oil of God's goodness!
Yes, if you want a deeper spiritual life.
Yes, if you want to be an empowered witness for the Master, seek that enduement of power.
Can't you be a witness for Christ, without the enduement of the Holy Spirit?
Yes, but you will never be as “powerful,” a witness, as you could be, with the power of the Spirit!
Jesus called all His people to wait in the upper room for the endument of power from on high.
Interestingly, Mary the mother of Jesus, was among those, needing this special enduement of God the Holy Spirit.
All the disciples, Mary included, as well as one hundred and seven other Christians waited for the promise of the Father.
We all speak in tongues, some of us speak in two or more “languages.”
On the day of Pentecost, Spirit baptized believers, spoke in over some eighteen different dialects.
What was the Spirit saying through them?
Acts 2:4-11 NLT
4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem.
6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.
7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee,
8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages!
9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia,
10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome
11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!”
The Spirit of God, was witnessing to all visitors to Jerusalem, of “the wonderful things God had done!”
And what a witness it was, for the early church added some three thousand souls to it.
Friends, what is the end of this matter?
Prayerfully, with an open heart, let the wonderful Word of God, speak for itself!
Christian, you have been baptized in The Holy Spirit, for many this is as far as they may want to travel in their spiritual journey.
For others, they may wish to follow The Lord's call "tarry ye,..until ye be endued with power from on high." so that they may powerfully fulfill the great commission.
Let each decide.
I John 2:27 NLT
But you have received the Holy Spirit, and He lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what He teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as He has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.
The Apostle Paul, speaks for himself, the author of fourteen books of your New Testament!
I Corinthians 13:1 KJV
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels..."
I Corinthians 14:5,6,18,39 KJV
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues...
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues...
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
Matthew 7:7-11 KJV
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?
James 1:17 KJV
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Amen
Pastor, what is the baptism of the Spirit?
Robert/ Russell, Kansas
Bible Answers:l
Text:
(The risen Lord Jesus, instructs His men.)
Acts 1:1-5;8,9;12-14 NLT
1 In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach
2 until the day He was taken up to heaven after giving His chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.
3 During the forty days after His crucifixion, He appeared to the apostles from time to time, and He proved to them in many ways that He was actually alive. And He talked to them about the Kingdom of God.
4 Once when He was eating with them, He commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the Gift He promised, as I told you before.
5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking Him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”
7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After saying this, He was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see Him.
10 As they strained to see Him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them.
11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday He will return from heaven in the same way you saw Him go!”
12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile.
13 When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying.
Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James). 14 They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
Acts 2:1-47 NLT
1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.
2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.
3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.
4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem.
6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.
7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee,
8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages!
9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia,
10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome
11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!”
12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.
13 But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”
14 Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this.
15 These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that.
16 No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:
17 ‘In the last days,’ God says, I will pour out My Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.
18 In those days I will pour out My Spirit even on My servants—men and women alike— and they will prophesy.
19 And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below— blood and fire and clouds of smoke.
20 The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives.
21 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
22 “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through Him, as you well know.
23 But God knew what would happen, and His prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed Him to a cross and killed Him.
24 But God released Him from the horrors of death and raised Him back to life, for death could not keep Him in its grip.
25 King David said this about Him:‘I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me.
26 No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts His praises! My body rests in hope.
27 For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.
28 You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.’
29 “Dear brothers, think about this! You can be sure that the patriarch David wasn’t referring to himself, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us.
30 But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne.
31 David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave Him among the dead or allow His body to rot in the grave.
32 “God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this.
33 Now He is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as He had promised, gave Him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.
34 For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said,‘The Lord said to My Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at My right hand
35 until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”’
36 “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”
37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”
Verse 39 KJV
“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”
41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. The Believers Form a Community
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.
44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.
45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.
46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—
47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
The disciples, here that the risen Lord Jesus spoke to, were “Born-Again Believers.”
Yes, the Holy Spirit is received at conversion.
Promised by the Saviour.
John 14:15-18 KJV
15 If ye love Me, keep My commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 15:26,27 KJV
26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me:
27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with Me from the beginning.
John 16:5-15 NLT
5 “But now I am going away to the One who sent Me, and not one of you is asking where I am going.
6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you.
7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate (Comforter) won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send Him to you.
8 And when He comes, He will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.
9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in Me.
10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see Me no more.
11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.
12 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.
13 When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future.
14 He will bring Me glory by telling you whatever He receives from Me.
15 All that belongs to the Father is Mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever He receives from Me.’
Romans 8:9 KJV
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.
I Corinthians 12:13 KJV
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Every Christian has been Baptized of the Holy Spirit, that is we have The Holy Spirit living within.
Now once a Christian has been baptized of The Spirit, he may also be (secondly) "endued with power from The Holy Spirit." -
Acts 2:39.KJV
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
That which has been called a second work of grace the power of God The Holy Spirit, "the enduement of power" said by the Lord Jesus, to empower God's people to “witness.”
Luke 24:49 KJV
And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with Power from on high.
Acts 1:8 KJV
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
A little digression:
Years ago, it was not uncommon for foreign missionaries come to the United States, always asking the same question, “Why do you have so many different kinds of churches here?”
Perplexed by America's vast array of different houses of worship, they couldn't understand, why if there is but “one Word and one God” why so many different churches?
Well we know of course, the reason is because of their “different beliefs.”
Which begs the question, why are there so many different beliefs?
And that is a very good question!
Pause here to arrive at your own answer, before going on!
Selah
The answer:
Every church, has there “perfectly trained” doctors of the law, to be sure.
Every church, claims that they know the word.
Every church, claims that they are obedient to the word.
Etc. etc..etc...
What then is the answer?
The answer is at the heart of men.
The Baptist's believe baptism is by immersion.
The Lutheran's believe baptism is by sprinkling.
And this just one example of different beliefs.
Isn't it odd, that mankind always “justifies what it believes to be right.
Men, can always find the scripture to back up almost anything, if they wish to.
(Exegetically incorrect as that surely is!)
We have different “faiths,” because of “different,” personalities.
Based upon many things to be sure, yet the real crux of the matter.
Alright, could it be then that some more highly educated, more socially elite, do not want to stoop to going under the muddy Jordan, for baptism?
Of course, and their theology, obviously reflects those beliefs.
Be this as it may be, the Lord Jesus promised the out pouring of God the Holy Spirit, and His enduement of witnessing power to any and to all who would lovingly receive Him!
Acts 1:8 KJV (Luke 24:49 KJV our Lord's promise.)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 2:39 KJV
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
Now, some today, do not covet this enduement of power by God the Holy Spirit.
And that, as in “different theologies,” has to do with personal temperament, though they will claim it to the death, that it is scriptural!
First of all, may it be said that God is “not,” in the forcing or coercing business!
Please read that again!
We would think that any and all would surely know this.
But, God is not in the coercing business!
When the Apostle Paul, speaks of the gifts of the Spirit, he makes this interesting addendum.
I Corinthians 12:29-31 KJV
29 Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles?
30 Do we all have the gift of healing?
Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages?
Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages?
Of course not!
God never, ever forces, coerces anyone to do anything he or she does not wish to do! Amen!
Knowing this, what do we have known?
Not all choose this extra benefit (Gift) of God the Holy Spirit.
And this by itself, is of course by personal choice.
And yet some individuals will lovingly submit to the Holy Spirit, to become empowered witnesses for Christ.
Now if this were the end of the story, all well and good, but unfortunately it is not!
Matthew 23:13 NLT
What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either.
Some from the group of people who want nothing to do with this “Enduement of power of The Holy Spirit,” belittle those who do!
And this belittlement, oft, nothing less than pure hatred.
Personal experience:
As a pastor, one day I went to the post office, and a ordained clergyman from another church, openly addressed me in a crowd of people there as, “Hello there holy roller!”
When did the Lord Jesus teach His followers to hate or belittle anyone?
When?
Answer, Never! By their fruits, ye shall know them, stated Jesus.
Matthew 12:31,32 KJV
31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
The Homily:
Every one always loves a pastor's personal stories, because they usually involve something revealing about himself, and to get to know him, they thus adhere to his stories.
In the early years of marriage, and college, my wife, Barbara and I purchased a wonderful car, from a local car dealership.
It wasn't new, a few years old, but in pristine condition.
Now, we certainly did not worship a car, any Christian, would know better than that, but we did our level best to take care of it well, because it had to last us for some time.
Having studied mechanics, among other things in high school, I knew very well how the automobile operated, and just what it needed!
I always carried in the car, extra motor oil, extra transmission oil, extra power steering oil, extra anti-freeze, extra brake fluid, etc...etc...etc..
That way, where ever we might be, I could check under the hood, and see if any thing was need, if it was, I would take care of it right there.
Well, all went fine for some time, what a fine car it was.
As time went on as any college student can tell you, finances, some times becomes a bigger and bigger obstacle to overcome.
The dark day came when my wife and I agreed, that our car, must go, go back to the auto dealer, we just no longer could afford it, the payments and that of college expenses, were just too much.
We parked the car at the auto dealers lot, and walked home.
Several days later, we received an irate phone call from the sales man who sold us the car saying, “Now that you've wrecked this car you bring it back, we saw all the oil you had to carry in the trunk," he said.
Pause....
Can you see the scene? We were devastated. The car was actually in much “better,” condition when we returned it, then when we had bought it.
Oh,
the sales man, had misunderstood the oil! (read this three times before passing.)
The oil was not there because of ruin, it was there for regeneration.
Dear friend of the Lord Jesus Christ, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for all Christians.
The Holy Spirit's enduement of power is for those who "tarry,' in faith longing to be witnesses for The Lord.
Do not misunderstand the oil of God's goodness!
Yes, if you want a deeper spiritual life.
Yes, if you want to be an empowered witness for the Master, seek that enduement of power.
Can't you be a witness for Christ, without the enduement of the Holy Spirit?
Yes, but you will never be as “powerful,” a witness, as you could be, with the power of the Spirit!
Jesus called all His people to wait in the upper room for the endument of power from on high.
Interestingly, Mary the mother of Jesus, was among those, needing this special enduement of God the Holy Spirit.
All the disciples, Mary included, as well as one hundred and seven other Christians waited for the promise of the Father.
We all speak in tongues, some of us speak in two or more “languages.”
On the day of Pentecost, Spirit baptized believers, spoke in over some eighteen different dialects.
What was the Spirit saying through them?
Acts 2:4-11 NLT
4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem.
6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.
7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee,
8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages!
9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia,
10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome
11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!”
The Spirit of God, was witnessing to all visitors to Jerusalem, of “the wonderful things God had done!”
And what a witness it was, for the early church added some three thousand souls to it.
Friends, what is the end of this matter?
Prayerfully, with an open heart, let the wonderful Word of God, speak for itself!
Christian, you have been baptized in The Holy Spirit, for many this is as far as they may want to travel in their spiritual journey.
For others, they may wish to follow The Lord's call "tarry ye,..until ye be endued with power from on high." so that they may powerfully fulfill the great commission.
Let each decide.
I John 2:27 NLT
But you have received the Holy Spirit, and He lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what He teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as He has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.
The Apostle Paul, speaks for himself, the author of fourteen books of your New Testament!
I Corinthians 13:1 KJV
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels..."
I Corinthians 14:5,6,18,39 KJV
5 I would that ye all spake with tongues...
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues...
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
Matthew 7:7-11 KJV
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?
James 1:17 KJV
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Amen
