The Holy Spirit 4 The Promise, Coming, and Ongoing work of the Holy Spirit (Acts) BtP 7.26.2026

A Number (or two)

Hermeneutical Consideration:

What Motivates an Author?

Descriptive

This happened. 

Corrective

Stop this!

Don’t!

Prescriptive

Do this!

Instructive

Here’s how!

The Promise and the Presence

While the Gospels primarily look at promise the Holy Spirit,  the Book of Acts focuses on the presence of the Spirit

The transition may be only a Chapter but reconciling the promise with the reality gives the book of Acts a sense of tension. .

Coming

Historical Description

Period of Prepared waiting.

Detonation!

Acts Chapter 2

Spirit Comes

Apostles “Act”

Gospel preached

“Normalization”

Continuing empowerment. (Acts 3-5)

Additional Spirit Led Leaders (Acts

Expansion (Acts 7 ff)

Theological Details

Controversy 

Acts 8.17-19

Discovery

The “Gifts” of the Spirit (tongues, interpretation and discernment) are described but not a lot of detail.

Unity amid diversity

Ongoing Work

What should be expected?

What is normal?

What can be taught and commanded?