TRANSFER

Last week was Pentecost Sunday, and I listened to Duncan - he gave an excellent Word on Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit!!!

The week before I spoke of Being the Church, which is another aspect of Pentecost and one more commonly focused on by the non-Pentecostal churches of today.

Today, i want to continue some exploration of Pentecost, but perhaps from a different perspective.

We have made Pentecost into a divisive issue in the church with charismatics and non-charismatics dividing the church between those who believe in the Baptism of the Spirit being for today, discussions over the use of tongues as either a prayer language or as one of the 9 spiritual gifts Paul describes in Corinthians.

There is everything from die hard cessationist beliefs that these supernaturl signs and wonders were only for the early church and apostles, modified beliefs that they are gifts some possess but not all, and extreme beliefs you are not saved if you are not baptized in the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues.

None of these are what we adhere to -

Beyond the birth of the church, beyond speaking in tongues (which is not the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, but the evidence the baptism has occurred)

Is the motivation for the Spirit filled life and WHY does the Bible speak of it and why did Jesus baptize His church...

The Day of Pentecost was a long planned for TRANSFER of SPIRIT POWER from a select few anointed by God as prophets, priests, and kings the last of which on earth was Christ - to become HIS ANOINTED CHURCH fulfilling HIS GREAT COMMISSION!

1. TRANSFER OF POWER IS THE CULMINATION OF CHRIST’S WORK

Frank Macchia, a leading Global Pentecostal scholar today - states that

The culmination of Christ’s work was not the cross and resurrection, but the day of Pentecost.

The cross and resurrection made a way for salvation of all who would believe, but it is the transfer of power of the ANOINTING of the SPIRIT of GOD that enables the GREAT COMMISSION to go forth in our world transforming lives.

The Old Testament is filled with examples of anointed prophets, priests, and kings...

IN fact, when the Lord called someone to be used by him for service or purpose - He poured out His Spirit on them!!! Consistently we see that prophesying that occurred...

Think of Saul when he was anointed King of Israel and how he spent days under the power of the spirit prophesying

1 Samuel 10:1 NLT

1 Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul’s head. He kissed Saul and said, “I am doing this because the Lord has appointed you to be the ruler over Israel, his special possession.

1 Samuel 10:5–7 NLT

5 “When you arrive at Gibeah of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is located, you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the place of worship. They will be playing a harp, a tambourine, a flute, and a lyre, and they will be prophesying. 6 At that time the Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them. You will be changed into a different person. 7 After these signs take place, do what must be done, for God is with you.

The anointing of the Lord for Saul to be King changed him - the Spirit prophesied through him, signs and wonders took place through him.

We also see the anointing of Elijah and the Elisha’s desire to receive that anointing of the Spirit when He is taken to heaven and with a double portion...

2 Kings 2:9 NLT

9 When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.” And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.”

2 Kings 2:14 NLT

14 He struck the water with Elijah’s cloak and cried out, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” Then the river divided, and Elisha went across.

The anointing of the Spirit upon Elijah transferred to Elisha --- and immediately signs and wonders followed...

Even the Lord transferred the anointing on Moses onto the 70 elders who were appointed to serve over Israel...

Numbers 11:25 NLT

25 And the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses. Then he gave the seventy elders the same Spirit that was upon Moses. And when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But this never happened again.

Luke traces the anointing of Jesus in the Gospel of LUke at his water Baptism, when the dove descends on Christ --- we see after that the anointed Christ serving in the prophetic anointing and power of the Holy Spirit...

Luke 3:21-22 (NLT)

Luke 3:21–22 NLT

21 One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”

Luke 4:18 NLT

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free,

A promise was foretold at this baptism that Christ would baptize with the SPirit!

Luke 3:16 NLT

16 John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Luke also records Jesus promise of the empowerment

Luke 24:44–49 NLT

44 Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48 You are witnesses of all these things. 49 “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”

The work of Christ was not finished!!! The price of salvation was completed, SAVING WORK WAS ACCOMPLISHED...

There was a commission yet to be accomplished --- spreading that news throughout the world!!!

Jesus would return to heaven, but promised to give His Spirit in power to accomplish that commission!!!

Acts 1:4–8 NLT

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.”

Acts 2:1–4 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.

In this moment in time

a moment Jesus instructed His followers to wait for…He TRANSFERRED HIS ANOINTING upon HIS FOLLOWERS - HIS CHURCH --- THOSE HE COMMISSIONED and all who would receive that COMMISSION...

Pentecost was the transfer of power to complete the commission of Christ....

If we do not want to be used in that commission, we don’t need to receive that power!

IT was this moment however, and every time a believer receives that anointing of the Baptism of the Spirit - that HIS POWER IS TRANSFERRED INTO OUR LIVES for HIS PURPOSE AND WORK

This advances the KINGDOM to be restored in the earth - what was lost in the Garden of EDEN....

2. Transfer of Power is a Secondary Experience to Salvation

Think of it for a minute...

In the Lord’s prayer we are to pray...

THy Kingdom come, thy will be done!!!

It is the Lord’s will to bring salvation to all who will believe, the price has been paid, but how will they know unless they hear and how will they hear unless we are sent to tell them...

The Lord knew we would need the same anointing Jesus had to spread His Gospel in this earth...

Now, let’s first realize something...

The Baptism of the Spirit comes on those who are already saved!!!

Jesus followers were already HIs followers, they already had faith, they already believed, they were already committed to HIM when the Spirit was poured out...

in fact John records

John 20:22 NLT

22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

This is prior to Christ ascension not after --- it is what Paul refers to as the seal of the promise, or deposit...

Ephesians 1:13 NLT

13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.

This is not the Baptism of the Spirit Luke teaches us!

Luke 11:11–13 NLT

11 “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? 12 Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! 13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

OK, he is talking about children asking their father for the Holy Spirit....

This is not salvation, but the gift of the Spirit poured out on Pentecost...

Samaritans - It happened after they were saved...

Acts 8:14–17 NLT

14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. 15 As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. 16 The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Cornelius and the Gentiles - after saved

Acts 10:1–2 NLT

1 In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment. 2 He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God.

Receiving Jesus was simple - He was God-fearing and obedient already… there was faith there to begin with, then the Holy Spirit fell...

Acts 10:44–46 NLT

44 Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. 45 The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. 46 For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God. Then Peter asked,

The Ephesian believers...

Acts 19:1–7 NLT

1 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers. 2 “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them. “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 “Then what baptism did you experience?” he asked. And they replied, “The baptism of John.” 4 Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.” 5 As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

Let’s talk for a minute...

Many receive Christ as Savior and the deposit of the Spirit...

But how many never surrender to be used for the Kingdom of God...

To work in the Kingdom, to share Christ and be a witness...

At the moment of salvation many are not ready to yield fully their entirety to the Lord..

They want forgiveness of sin and they want eternal life - but they are not prepared to give the Lord their life for HIS PURPOSE IN HIS KINGDOM....

Those in the upper room that day had already been following Jesus, already believed, already committed to Him, now they were being asked to go and be His witness in this world and represent HIS KINGDOM to a hostile environment -

They needed Jesus to transfer His anointing upon them to advance the hope of the Gospel and Kingdom of God!

We are drawn to salvation by the Spirit of God, but we ask for the transfer of Christ’s anointing to be used of God --- ASK, SEEK, KNOCK - He will give it that we may be His witness in this earth!!

3. Transfer to be a His Prophetic Voice and Priests

What was once only for prophets, priests and kings is now available to each of us as His own special people declaring His Word...

1 Peter 2:9–10 NLT

9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 10 “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”

We are chosen by God to be His voice in this world today...

The church has really lost sight of this, and we wonder why His Spirit is not being poured out in our midst...

The early church continuously came back to be filled by His Spirit because they were continually be used for His glory and honor...

Perhaps we need to ask ourselves if we serve His purposes or our own, did we want membership in the Kingdom just for the benefits or to advance His agenda on this earth?

He wants to empower us to fulfill His Commission to go and make disciples of all nations...

CONCLUSION

THe Lord desires to ANOINT HIS CHURCH

Jesus completed the work of salvation on the cross and rising up out of the tomb,

Then - he TRANSFERRED HIS ANOINTING AND POWER

to those who would be His witness on this earth

It is a secondary experience for those who ask for it… after salvation -

For a purpose - TO PROCLAIM THE ONE WHO CALLED US OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS LIGHT