The Holy Spirit in Acts

Intro

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Holy Spirit, Filling Of

Two Texans were traveling together on vacation. They decided to stop at one of the natural wonders of the world, Niagara Falls. As they took the beautiful drive from Lake Erie to the falls they were filled with admiration and awe at the size and power of the Niagara River. They were particularly impressed with the rapids just above the falls and stopped there to look. From there they could see the massive mist cloud that always hangs over the precipice.

One of the men, having already been there, said, “Come and I’ll show you the greatest unused power in the world.” Taking him to the foot of Niagara Falls, he said, “There is the greatest unused power in the world.”

“Ah, no, my friend, not so!” was the reply of the other. “The greatest unused power in the world is the Holy Spirit of the living God.”665

The book of Acts. The book of Acts is an important source for our understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit.

Some people feel that doctrinal teaching about the Holy Spirit should be based only on the doctrinal statements in the Epistles. But in Acts we see the Holy Spirit in action.

Just as we learn much about the Father by watching Him in action in the Old Testament, we learn much about the Holy Spirit by watching Him at work in the early church.

Any teaching about the Holy Spirit is inadequate if it neglects what we learn about Him in the book of Acts.

Sermon’s outline:

Final Commands of Jesus;

The Pentecostal Outpouring;

A Growing Church;

A Convincing Evidence;

Led By the Spirit.

N.1 - Final Commands of Jesus

1A. The Promise of the Father.

Acts 1:4 NIV

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

Many theories have arisen to try to explain why so much of the church has failed to experience the baptism in the Spirit.

Theories have also arisen to try to relieve people of the responsibility of asking for and receiving the baptism in the Spirit. But the promise still remains for all who will believe.

Quiz:

Acts 1:14 NIV

They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

How did the disciples spend the time between the ascension of Christ and the Day of Pentecost? Prayer, Word of God, Fellowship.

N.2 - The Pentecostal Outpouring

2A. The Wind and the Fire.

Acts 2:2–3 NIV

Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.

Wind: it speaks of power for service;

Fire: The appearance of fire came over the whole group to indicate God’s acceptance of the whole Body as a temple. These signs were not part of the Pentecostal baptism or the gift of the Spirit. They were not repeated, just as the fire came only once on each new sanctuary in Old Testament times.

Quiz:

The sign of fire with tongues distributed on the heads of the 120 was

a) a baptism of fire.

b) a means of cleansing the 120 in preparation for the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

c) a warning of judgment if they rejected the baptism in the Spirit.

d) a symbol of approval and acceptance of the church as the body of Christ and as a new temple, as well as recognizing the individual believers as temples of the Holy Spirit. yes

N.3 - A Growing Church

3A. Fresh Fillings.

Acts 4:8 NIV

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

Acts 4:31 NIV

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

The word fill in these passages is not used merely of a first filling. The form of the verb simply “connotes the idea of a beginning of an action or state” and could be used just as easily of a refilling as of an initial filling (Hurtado, p. 30).

Although Peter and John had been full of the Spirit and full of boldness at their encounter with the Council, it is suggested that afterward they found themselves drained both physically and spiritually.

They sought the company of other believers with whom they might pray for renewed power and boldness—in short, for a refilling of the Spirit—that they might be empowered to do what they knew they must do.

 There is sufficient reason to believe Peter and John could easily have been in need of a refilling.

Ephesians 5:18 NIV

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

The first verb means to get drunk. The people in their former heathen state would get drunk again and again.

Paul says for them to stop getting drunk altogether and keep being filled with the Spirit again and again.

Thus, there are perfectly good grounds for calling people to be filled and refilled with the Spirit.

Quiz:

What result did these fresh fillings have in common?

a) The disciples were capable of performing miracles.

b) The disciples preached the Word with boldness. yes.

c) The disciples were always certain that God would always answer them.

d) The disciples were more cautious in proclaiming the gospel only in protected places.

N.4 - A Convincing Evidence

4A. The Ceasarea’s Pentecost

Acts 10:44–46 NIV

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said,

While Peter was preaching, the Holy Spirit fell on the whole household of the friends and relatives of Cornelius. The six Jewish Christians who were with Peter were astonished because “the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles” (10:45).

The evidence that convinced them was “they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God” (v. 46).

Quiz:

Which of the following statements are true?

a) Peter, as an apostle, did not have as great a prejudice against the Gentiles as did other Jewish Christians.

b) Once Peter was convinced that the Gentiles should be accepted he was sure that the other Hebrew Christians would accept them on his authority.

c) What the Gentiles received at the house of Cornelius was identical to what the 120 received on the Day of Pentecost. yes

d) The evidence which convinced Peter and the other Jewish Christians that the Holy Spirit actually fell on the Gentiles was speaking in tongues. yes

N.5 - Led By the Spirit

5A. Antioch’s Church.

Acts 13:1–3 NIV

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

One of the most important evidences of the work of the Spirit, both in the Church and in the lives of individuals, was the way the Spirit led them.

Several incidents in the lives of Peter and Philip have already been mentioned. But the guidance of the Spirit is even more prominent in the experiences of the apostle Paul.

At Antioch, the Spirit gave the church guidance while the leaders were fasting and praying, but this is not indicated as a requirement for getting guidance.

Quiz:

Which of the following statements are true?

a) The Spirit gave guidance to Paul only when he fasted and prayed.

b) Paul was surprised when the Spirit directed the leaders of the church to send him out to minister to the Gentiles.

c) Sometimes the leading of the Spirit sets boundaries and restraints. yes

Questions

1 = D

2 = A

3 = B

4 = B

5 = B