The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

Introduction

We’ll be looking at what the book of Acts teaches us about the Holy Spirit

Acts doesn’t give us a theological dictionary definition of the Holy Spirit but a narrative where we see the Holy Spirit at work.

Drawing from Dr. David Phillips course on Acts for SEBTS

Who is the Holy Spirit?

He is a person, not a force.

“We are not talking about an impersonal force. We are not talking about an IT, but a he” - Dr. Philips from SEBTS

Third part of the Trinity

Jesus

God the Father

Holy Spirit

What does the Holy Spirit Do? (13 things)

1. Acts 8:29 Acts 28:25 He speaks

Acts 8:29 CSB

29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go and join that chariot.”

Acts 28:25 CSB

25 Disagreeing among themselves, they began to leave after Paul made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah

In this passage is speaking, but who is he speaking to? (to the prophets in Scripture)

(See Also: Acts 10:19, Acts 11:12, Acts 13:2, Acts 20:23, Acts 21:11, Acts 28:25)

2. Acts 1:16 He Inspires Scripture

Acts 1:16 CSB

16 “Brothers and sisters, it was necessary that the Scripture be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit through the mouth of David foretold about Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.

(See Also: Acts 4:25-26, Acts 28:25-27)

3. Acts 5:3 He can be lied to

Acts 5:3 CSB

3 “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land?

4. Acts 5:4 He is God

Acts 5:4 CSB

4 Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people but to God.”

Annanias lied to the Holy Spirit and who does Peter say he is lying to? To God!

5. Acts 5:9 He Can be Tested

Acts 5:9 CSB

9 Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”

6. Acts 5:32 He is a witness

Acts 5:32 CSB

32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

7. Acts 7:51 He can be resisted

Acts 7:51 CSB

51 “You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit. As your ancestors did, you do also.

8. Acts 9:31 He comforts

Acts 9:31 CSB

31 So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

9. Acts 13:4 He sends

Acts 13:4 CSB

4 So being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

10. Acts 15:28 He decides

Acts 15:28 CSB

28 For it was the Holy Spirit’s decision—and ours—not to place further burdens on you beyond these requirements:

11. Acts 16:6 He forbids

Acts 16:6 CSB

6 They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia; they had been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.

12. Acts 20:22 He compels & constrains

Acts 20:22 CSB

22 “And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, compelled by the Spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there,

13. Acts 20:28 He appoints

Acts 20:28 CSB

28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood.

The Spirit’s Ministry and Salvation

One big question is what is the relationship between the Holy Spirit and the believer? Who has the Holy Spirit? Should we be looking for a second outpouring of the Spirit or a deeper encounter?

A. The Spirit and Believers in Acts

1. Acts 1:5 Baptized with

Acts 1:5 CSB

5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.”

(See Also: Acts 11:6 )

2. Acts 1:8 Come Upon

Acts 1:8 CSB

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

(See Also: Acts 19:6)

3. Acts 10:45 Pour out

Acts 10:45 CSB

45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.

(See Also: Acts 2:17,18, 33)

4. Acts 2:38 Receive

Acts 2:38 CSB

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

(See Also: Acts 8:15,17, 19; Acts 10:47, Acts 19:2 )

5. Acts 8:18 Given

Acts 8:18 CSB

18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,

(See Also: Acts 15:8)

6. Acts 10:44 Fell On

Acts 10:44 CSB

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who heard the message.

(See Also: Acts 11:15)

7. Acts 2:4 Filled with/full of

Acts 2:4 CSB

4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.

These terms are all used to refer to the same reality. We see that most clearly in Acts 10 and Acts 11 with the conversion of the Gentiles.

B. The Conversion of the Gentiles

Acts 10:44 (CSB)

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who heard the message.

Acts 10:45 (CSB)

45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.

Acts 10:47 (CSB)

47 “Can anyone withhold water and prevent these people from being baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

(See Also: Acts 11:15, Acts 11:16)

How does the Holy Spirit interact in the life of believers in Acts?

C. There is an initial reception of the Spirit which marks one out as a believer. This is for ALL Christians. (Romans 8:9)

Romans 8:9 CSB

9 You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him.

(Acts 2:4, 17-18, 33; Acts 8:15, 17-19; Acts 9:17; Acts 10:44-45, 47; Acts 11:15-16; Acts 15:8; Acts 19:2,6)

D. There is the quality of a person who is characterized by the Spirit

Acts 6:3 CSB

3 Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty.

(Acts 6:5, Acts 11:24, Acts 13:52 )

E. There are temporary empowerment by the Spirit for specific moments normally for ministry

Acts 4:8 CSB

8 Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders:

Illustration: The time my dad left the jungle and my mom was home alone with the kids when the rebels came by and she was empowered by the Spirit.

(Acts 7:55, Acts 13:9)

The Spirit’s Ministry to Believers

Since all believers have the Holy Spirit, how will this impact Christians. What does the spirit do in the lives of believers and through believers?

A. Being a witness (declaring the gospel)

Acts 1:8 CSB

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

(Acts 2:1-4; Acts 4:8, 31; Acts 6:10; Acts 7:55, Acts 13:9)

B. Empowering for ministry

Acts 1:2 CSB

2 until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

(Acts 6:3, 5; Acts 10:38; Acts 20:28)

C. Guiding

(Acts 8:29, 39; Acts 10:19; Acts 11:12; Acts 13:2, 4; Acts 15:28; Acts 16:6-10; Acts 20:22-23; Acts 20:28; Acts 21:11)

D. Inspiring Scripture

(Acts 1:16, Acts 4:25, Acts 28:25)

E. Judging

The story of Ananias and Sapphira

(Acts 5:3-6, 9-10)