The Person of the Holy Spirit
Acts (To Be Continued...) • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Please turn to Acts 19:1-7.
Acts 19:1-7.
Please stand as a I read:
Acts 19:1–7 (NIV)
1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples
2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. (that’s John the Baptist)
4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”
5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues (other languages) and prophesied.
7 There were about twelve men in all.
welcome to First Missionary Church
a few points by way of Intro:
I recognize that this passage is controversial and debated
I recognize that it is very likely that there are Christians here in person or online who disagree with each other on the interpretation of this passage. Just remember that if you disagree with me, that I am right and you are wrong. No, I ask for incredible grace and charity.
At the same time, I do believe that doctrine matters. what we believe matters. the interpretation of this passage matters. Our beliefs lead to how we behave. so I ask for a Berean like attitude. Remember the Bereans—chapter 17 of Acts?
11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
If I say something that you disagree with or offends you, make sure you gossip about me behind my back and call me out on social media. no, take a deep breath, relax, let’s talk it out.
finally, I am not picking on anyone with this passage—it is simply the next passage in our series.
The Apostle Paul is on his 3rd missionary journey…spreading the Gospel.
He arrives in Ephesus, which is the location of the letter of Ephesians that he would later write.
and encounters a strange situation.
he meets some disciples, that is literally learner - who had been baptized in John the Baptist’s baptism—John came right before Jesus, encouraging people to be baptized in water to prepare the way for the Messiah.
They knew about Jesus at some level (probably his life, death on the cross, and resurrection—probably), and yet had not heard that there is a Holy Spirit. (which is strange b/c John the Baptist prophesied that one would come—Jesus who would baptize them in the Holy Spirit)
they had not heard that the Holy Spirit had even come like he had in Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost.
So Paul catches up...
re-baptizes them (only place someone is mentioned to be baptized again)
lays his hands on them, and they receive the Spirit, and the proof of it is they speak in tongues—other languages and prophesy.
How do we make sense of this...
remember, the Holy Spirit is an it or a He?…
He is a person, not an impersonal force...
—the 3rd member of the Trinity…Father Son and Holy Spirit.
we believe in one God as to essence but 3 as to persons…Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
do we believe in 3 gods? no—1 God yet 3 persons.
my sermon comes in 3 parts:
Part 1: 2 main views on this passage:
at the risk of over-simplifying what Christians have thought about this passage, there are 2 main views.
View 1: 1 Stage-ers
View 2: 2 Stage-ers
let me start with the 2 stage view—the 2 stager. If you are a 2 stager, you think that these people in Ephesus were already believers in Jesus, already Christians. They have believed at one point, were converted, and then at a later date received the Holy Spirit.
so your Christian experience comes in 2 stages:
one stage - you confess sin, repent, believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord
and 2nd stage - later, after conversion, you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, (some call this baptism in the Spirit or being baptized by the Spirit) and the sign of this will be speaking in tongues or another supernatural spiritual gift.
so you are a 2 stager...the Christian experience has 2 main stages - you believe and later receive the Spirit.
and you might even back this up from Scripture in Acts—saying just look at Act 2. The 120 believers were already followers of Jesus, but later at a 2nd stage—received the Spirit.
or Acts 8—the Samaritans had already believed and received the Gospel of Jesus Christ, only later at a 2nd stage when Peter and John laid hands on them, did they receive the Holy Spirit.
so a 2 stager would say this is normal for today—and should be followed for us.
that’s one view.
a 1 stager would say this is passage is unusual...not normal.
usually, when we believe in Jesus, at that very moment, we receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit—all at 1 stage—not a separate later stage.
but Paul encounters an unusual group. they are disciples…yes…but of John the Baptist—but not really Jesus Christ yet.
Paul, like a good pastor asks good questions. Pastors are annoying about this—we pry into your personal life. and he found things were not right.
vs 2 - did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed.
answer: we have not even heard there is a Holy Spirit.
they only had John’s baptism—which was preparing for Jesus to come and do his work. and who said Jesus would baptize them in the Spirit..
but they didn’t understand that the Holy Spirit has come—in light of Jesus’ work, death on cross and resurrection—Pentecost has happened.
all of us can have the very presence and power of God, the 3rd member of the Trinity indwelling us.
they needed to fully believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord—and then in vs. 5—they were baptized in water. baptism takes on a new significance after Jesus came.
and so they believe and receive the Spirit all in 1 stage—the sign of speaking in tongues and prophesying was just a way of fully showing them that they too are included in God’s people.
so this 2 stager and 1 stager views....
it comes down to this issue in the book of Acts:
Prescriptive vs. Descriptive
this issue applies big time to Acts but also to any stories or narratives in Scripture like in the OT, or the gospels, but Acts is big on this.
when I read a story in Acts is it
prescriptive
or
2. descriptive
prescriptive—looks like the word prescription—is this story I am reading telling me something is normal for today and must be, ought to be repeated? if the doctor gives me a prescription she/he is not giving me a suggestion—no—it’s do this. or get sicker.
2. descriptive describing what happened—that story doesn’t have to be repeated today. it was unique
if you are 2 stager—meaning you believe in one stage and later receive the Spirit—you will think passages like this in Acts are prescriptive—they tell us a pattern that ought to be followed today. You will often see this 2 stage view with our pentecostal or charismatic denominations, brothers and sisters in Christ, sometimes assemblies of God.
if you are a 1 stager—meaning you receive the Holy Spirit the exact moment you believe in Jesus, you will think a passage like this is descriptive. it was unique for that time. it doesn’t have to be followed for today.
so which one is right...
are you a 2 stager..
or a 1 stager...
or the political answer—1.5 stager.
whichever view you support—you are welcome here...
but I would argue that the 1 stage view makes the most sense...
and this takes me to part 2.
Part 2—Reasons for 1 Stage-rs
Reason #1: Immediate Context
I have heard it said when it comes to interpreting the Bible, never only read a Bible verse—read it at least in the paragraph it’s found in, and the surrounding context.
DA Carson, “a text without a context, is a pretext for a prooftext...” in other words, we can make that verse say anything we want it to say.
but if you look at the immediate context—we see why this issue shows up.
back in Acts 18—right before…we learn about the character Apollos
25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.
so Priscilla and Aquilla mentor Apollos—bring him up to speed.
so in chapter 19—it’s like the author of Luke—brings us up to speed with others who were in a similar situation.
remember, they didn’t have the internet or phones.
Paul couldn’t post a YouTube video updating these disciples about what happened on the day of Pentecost—they were quite in this time warp—knew about John the Baptist, knew about Jesus, but not the Holy Spirit and Pentecost.
so the author of Acts—Luke—tells us what is going on with people like this.
and btw—I find this amazing—that we have a God who cares about them so much that He sends Paul to make sure they understand salvation and the true gift of the Spirit.
Reason #2 for 1 stage-rs: The use of “Baptism in the Spirit”
you may have heard this language before.
what do it mean to be baptized in the Spirit?
if you are a 2 stager—you might say that it refers to that 2nd stage—later after conversion—where you finally get the Holy Spirit or more of Him, you may speak in tongues as a sign—and your life results in greater zeal and passion and effectiveness for God. it’s like a 2nd blessing…necessary. and if you haven’t been baptized in the Spirit—you are lacking—big time.
if you are a 1 stager—you might say that it refers to the moment you believe in Jesus—you are baptized in or with the Spirit—you get Him immediately, and you are united to Jesus.
how can we solve this?
the phrase baptism in the Spirit—when we look it up in the NT…guess how many times this phrase occurs.
you guessed it.
7 times.
1. Matthew 3:11
2. Mark 1:8
3. Luke 3:16
4. John 1:33
and all 4 refer to the same thing.
it’s a quote by John the Bapist
8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
who is the he? Jesus… John pointed to Jesus—He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
the next 2 are in the book of Acts:
Acts 1:5
Acts 11:16
and both again refer to what John the Baptist said
5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
so the first 6 times baptism in the Spirit occurs in the NT—refers to John the Baptist describing a time when Jesus would baptize believers in or with the Holy Spirit...
and my question for you…when were these 6 verses fulfilled? when did Jesus baptize His followers with the Holy Spirit
i will give you a hint—it happened in the book of Acts.
answer: Acts 2 Day of Pentecost--
that is when John the Baptist’s words were fulfilled. Jesus had already lived, died, resurrected, ascended to heaven, and on the Day of Pentecost He poured out on believers—all believers the gift of the Holy Spirit—the very promise, presence, and power of God to come on us and in us who believe in Jesus.
now, the 7th passage with baptism in the Spirit—is found in 1 Corinthians 12:13 (Apostle Paul says this)
13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
“baptized by one Spirit”
this passage is unique and is not talking about Pentecost...
some have looked at this and argued for a 2nd stage—later after we are converted and believe in Jesus—we later get baptized in the Holy Spirit...
Notice what Paul says--Kevin DeYoung says, “For starters, the verse emphasizes ALL! ALL were baptized into one body--ALL were made to drink of the Spirit. Whatever Paul is talking about--it’s clear he assumes everyone at Corinth has experienced it.” so it doesn’t make sense to say only some experienced this at a later date. (remember, the Corinthians had a messed up church!)
in addition--Deyoung argues--“Given the larger context--Paul could not possibly be talking about a unique 2nd blessing experienced by only some Christians…because after emphasizing the diversity of the body of Christ, he focuses on the unity of the Corinthians share.. They may all have different gifts, but they all have the same Spirit. they have all been baptized in the Holy Spirit.
ii. so what is baptism in the Spirit? based on the passages--we have seen where this language shows up--it cannot be argued that it is a 2nd experience.
iii. so what is baptism in the Spirit a definition: Baptism in the Spirit is this:
1. it is where the Spirit indwells a believer in Jesus, joins him/her to Christ, and immerses him/her in all the benefits of being a Christian.
2. a shorter way of saying this is that baptism in the Spirit refers to our union with Christ.
when does that happen? it happens at conversion. when you become a Christian. how do I know? doesn’t Acts teach differently? well look at back at 1 Cor. 12:13--it gives us a clue--, “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”
that one body image refers to the church--when did we become a part of the church--when we became Christian at conversion. we are not living at the time of Pentecost--Acts 2-
-we are more like the Christians in Corinth, and certainly a lot of those passages in Acts that show people being baptized in the Spirit--happens after conversion…but that is unusual, which takes me to the 3rd reason.
Reason #3: The Larger Context of Acts
So much of Acts is applicable and normal for us. (it is pre-scriptive)
are we to be bold witnesses like the apostles for Jesus? Yes
are we to be generous and show radical love and hospitality to fellow believers? Yes
are we to preach and teach the Gospel faithfully? Yes
but some of Acts is transitional and unique..and perhaps not normal for today. descriptive...
Acts is a book that transitions believers from the Old Covenant era to the New Covenant era of the Holy Spirit.
i. to give you an example--sometimes we look at all the times the Spirit falls on people--or people are baptized in the Spirit in Acts and try to make a pattern for us today. for instance:
1. for instance, in Acts 2--the disciples gathered had already believed in Jesus. they were praying and waiting, and then some weird stuff happened--there was a rushing wind, tongues of fire came on them, and they were all filled with the HS and spoke in tongues (known languages).
2. but then look at Acts 8--the experience is different from that. The Samaritans had heard Philip preach the Gospel--Acts 8:12 says--they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. and later on--2 disciples are sent--they lay their hands on them and then they receive the Spirit and, most likely, speak in tongues. we don’t hear anything about the rushing wind, or tongues of fire coming on them--in addition, laying on of hands is mentioned here but not Acts 2.
3. or Acts 10:44--while Peter is still preaching--the Holy Spirit falls on them. he didn’t even give an altar call yet or a time or response--it just happens--signaling--that they have believed in and received Jesus Christ. then they are baptized in water. there is no laying on of hands. they speak in tongues
4. or look at Acts 19--in Acts 19-- here they receive water baptism first (vs. 5), and Paul lays his hands on them (vs. 6), and then they speak in tongues and prophesy.
5. so even though the Spirit is at work in all these cases--the pattern of how it happens, the order of events, is all different, so it is difficult to argue for a prescriptive pattern based on the order of these events.
I would argue that the reason the Spirit shows up in such a visible way--is in each of these cases--the Gospel goes to a new people group. and so these visible manifestations of the Spirit signify that this new people group is just as much part of the body of Christ as anyone else.
so confused? me, too
it’s like I am speaking 1 fish, 2 fish, red fish, blue fish (Dr. Seuss)
what do we make of all this...
Part 3: Application:
If you are a 2 stager, we are glad you are here (really!) but don’t make this an area of division.
a. in fact, in 1 Corinthians 12-14, Paul writes to the church and addresses matters of the Holy Spirit, and spiritual gifts, and speaking in tongues, and I think Paul is doing this because that church is divided over this issue. He is trying to bring unity by saying--you are one body, and you need love--and you can have all the gifts in the world from God, but if I have not love, I am nothing Paul says.
i. you see, the danger of believing in 2 stages, you may look around and say--“Which Christians here have the Holy Spirit--and which ones don’t?” and you will try to figure it out. and there may be this arrogance from those that claim to have the Holy Spirit. well, I have the HS, and you don’t. I am a varsity Christian, and you are a JV Christian, (no offense to the JV team)
#2 -- if you are a 1 stager--don’t be arrogant. if you are a 1 stager, like I have argued for. don’t be arrogant. show some humility. one of the dangers of our position is that we sometimes think we can wrap everything into a nice theological bow and that can build confidence (which is good), but we don’t want arrogance.
#3, if you are a 1 stager, don’t try to tame God with your theology.
we can think, “I got this doctrine of the HS figured out...” wrapped up nice and tidy in a theological bow.
don’t do that.
yes the Word gives us so much important info to know.
but look at John 3. Jesus is talking to the Jewish Pharisee Nicodemus.
8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
a. The Holy Spirit is like the wind. Can you control it? can you figure it out completely? can you predict it? no. for people to be born again, become Christians, it is the Holy Spirit’s activity and work--and He is in charge. “God the Holy Spirit must invade our hearts, and awaken us to the vileness of sin, the truthfulness of God’s Word, and the preciousness of Jesus Christ.” It is a supernatural work.
b. In fact, the Greek word for spirit, wind, breath--are the same---pneuma. this suggests action, activity, energy, motion. You can’t tame the Holy Spirit.
63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.
a. one of the benefits about being a 2 stager, even though I disagree is--I think those that have had the 2nd work of the Spirit as they claim, even though I think their terminology and theology is not correct, I think God actually did something. I do. because often times, those who have had the 2nd work, even though I disagree with the terms, they are often more focused on God, wanting to glorify Christ, reading the Bible more, the Bible comes alive, they are sharing their faith, they are praying with eagerness and passion, they are confessing sin and repenting. It is awesome!
So what has happened? maybe a better term is more appropriate. Wayne Grudem says in his massive systematic theology book--that he thinks we should call it a “large step of growth in the Christian life” or a “New empowering for ministry.”
Paul says this in Ephesians 5:18
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,
this is to Christians who already have the Spirit...
it is a command that is ongoing—continually be filled with the Spirit.
don’t get filled with alcohol or other addictions to control you—let the Spirit control you.
we see this in Acts.
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!
and he preaches about Jesus. the disciples are constantly being filled or empowered with the Spirit, and then they do something mightily (they already have Him..but He freshly fills them)
a. but this shows us that being filled with the HS is not a one time event, but is ongoing. You see the real problem I have with 2 stagers--is there are not enough stages. I am ok with a 2nd stage, as long as you allow for a 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10,000th time of being filled with the HS (like a balloon)
if I blow up a balloon, is it filled with air—yes—but can I put more air in it—it is a fuller fullness...
we get, we have the very promise and power and presence of God HImself when we believe—but we are commanded to Let the Holy Spirit have more of us.
a. Final application: Don’t focus on the Holy Spirit--focus on Jesus Christ. if you want to be filled with the Spirit--focus on Christ.
here is what Jesus said about the ministry of the Holy Spirit
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.
b. The Spirit’s role is to point people to the truth--vs. 13--but whose words and truth are they--Jesus. whatever the Spirit hears from Jesus he speaks.
c. and in vs. 14--notice this--He, the Spirit will glorify --Jesus. that’s what the HS wants--he is like a spotlight--highlighting Jesus. (spotlight person at the musical) if you want to be filled with the Spirit ongoing, if you want the Holy Spirit to be involved in you life--then focus on Jesus, especially the truth of Jesus in His Word. that’s what He wants.
d. JI Packer, famous theologian, says this, “The Spirit’s message to us is never, “Look at me, listen to me; come to me; get to know me, but always, “Look at him, and see his glory, listen to him, and hear his word; go to him, and have life; get to know him, and taste his gift of joy and peace.”
e. The Spirit wants you to know Jesus more and more--so you can be sure--when you are getting to know Jesus, the Spirit is like--yeah buddy. when you are exalting Jesus in your life--the Spirit gets behind that--that’s why those are some of the most powerful moments --when you are glorifying Jesus and knowing Jesus in His Word--the Spirit is at work.
f. let’s pray.
resource: Kevin DeYoung - roles of the Holy Spirit
