God's Great Desires for the Gospel of Jesus Christ

The Book of Acts - Part 66

Acts 19:1-7

Sermon by Rick Crandall

Grayson Baptist Church - December 28, 2014

*In 1 Timothy 2:4-6, the Apostle Paul said that God our Savior:

4. . . desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

5. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

6. who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

*God the Father wants all people to be saved, and His only begotten Son Jesus Christ is the only one who can save us. As Peter said in Acts 4:12, "There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.'' In John 14:6, Jesus also said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

*A lot of misguided people are like the man who said that getting to Heaven was like getting to Boston. There are a lot of roads that will get you there. But a wise Christian told him: "No, getting to Heaven is much more like flying into the Boston airport. The pilot has to land that plane on just the right runway, at just the right speed, at just the right time, at just the right angle. There is only one way to land that plane. And there is only one way to Heaven. It's Jesus Christ!" (1)

1. That's why God wants us to comprehend His gospel.

*In vs. 1-3, Paul met about twelve disciples who had a crucial lack of comprehension about the gospel of Jesus Christ:

1. And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples

2. he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?'' And they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.''

3. And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?'' So they said, "Into John's baptism.''

*These men were disciples. They were followers of John the Baptist. They were sincerely doing their best to follow God, but they were sincerely wrong. They were wrong, because they didn't know the rest of the story about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

*It's not enough to be sincere. And it's not enough to be devoted if your devotion is based on the wrong information. These disciples desperately needed to hear about the cross of Christ, the resurrection of our Lord, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Everybody needs a basic understanding of the good news about Jesus, because everybody needs to be saved! It's urgent and it's crucial.

*Some years ago, Pastor James McCullen went to the hospital to visit a man who had just found out he had blocked arteries. They talked about the fact that he had a sixty percent blockage in one of his heart arteries. Then Pastor James said, "There are probably a lot of people walking around with clogged arteries who don't even know it."

*It turned out that Pastor James was one of those people. He later said: "At that very moment my arteries were more blocked than the patient I was visiting." (2)

*What we don't know can hurt us, for all eternity. So, we must have a basic understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. And God wants us to comprehend His gospel. -- He also wants us to communicate His gospel.

*If everybody needs to know, then everyone who does know ought to help others know. This is exactly what Paul was doing in vs. 2-4, when:

2. he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?'' And they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.''

3. And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?'' So they said, "Into John's baptism.''

4. Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.''

*Paul was faithful, and we all need to be more faithful in communicating the good news about Jesus.

*But why did Paul start the way he did in vs. 2? Paul asked, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" That seems like an unusual way to begin a spiritual conversation with these disciples. But remember that the Holy Spirit is just as much God as the Father and Son are God.

[1] So in this verse God reminds us of the essential work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

*No one has ever been saved without the working of the Holy Spirit in their heart. In John 17:7-11, Jesus explained this work of the Holy Spirit to His disciples. And there the Lord said:

7. "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

8. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9. of sin, because they do not believe in Me;

10. of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;

11. of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged."

*No one has ever been saved without the working of the Holy Spirit in their heart. And no one has ever been saved without receiving the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ. That why in Romans 8:9, the Apostle Paul said this to Christians: "You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His."

*No one has ever been saved without receiving the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ. And no one has ever been born again without God's Holy Spirit. That's why in John 3:5-6, the Lord used these words to explain being born again:

5. . . "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

*The Holy Spirit is the third person in the Godhead who gives us the new spiritual birth of eternal life.

[2] Church: Another reason why Paul focused on the Holy Spirit here in Acts 19 is because it is not enough to be religious.

*It is not enough to just mentally believe in the truths about Jesus. We must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And that relationship can only come through the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. That's why in Colossians 1:27, Paul talked to the believers about "Christ in you, the hope of glory." And Christ in us is the Holy Spirit.

*Salvation is a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross for us. Salvation is a personal relationship with God, made personal by the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of every Christian.

*Our responsibility as believers is to communicate this good news to as many people as possible. We all must help other people come to know Jesus in a personal way.

3. So God wants us to communicate His gospel. -- He also wants us to put confidence in His gospel.

*We must put our confidence in the gospel. We must put our faith in Jesus Christ. That's what happened in vs. 4-5.

4. Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.''

5. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

*When those disciples of John the Baptist heard the good news about Jesus, they "believed on Him." They trusted in the Lord. They received Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Then as a witness to their salvation, "they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."

*They took a public stand for the One who died on the cross for us. It was a testimony of their confidence in Jesus Christ.

4. And God wants us to put our confidence in His gospel. -- He also wants us to have confirmation of His gospel.

*God confirms the gospel to His people, and we see one of the confirmations in vs. 6. Here God's Word tells us: "When Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied."

*Now the gift of speaking in tongues in the Bible is always talking about the Holy Spirit giving someone the ability to speak in a language that they have not learned through natural processes. Verse 6 gives us the third instance of tongue speaking in the Book of Acts. But these were certainly not the only times people spoke with tongues.

*Paul discussed tongues in his first letter to the Corinthian church, starting at the end of chapter 12, but especially in chapter 14. And contrary to what many Pentecostal churches teach, there is no biblical evidence that all believers are supposed to speak with tongues.

*Paul made this truth clear in 1 Corinthians 12, when he asked the question "Do all (i.e. do all Christians) speak with tongues?" Paul asked that question along with several other questions in a way where the obvious answer is "no."

*Paul had been talking about the fact that the Church is the spiritual Body of Christ. And just like our physical bodies, God designed His spiritual Body to function with different parts. So in 1 Corinthians 12: 27-30, Paul said this about God's Church:

27. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

28. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

29. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?

30. Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

*The obvious answer to all seven questions is, "No." Why then do we see the gift of tongues three times in the Book of Acts? -- One reason why is confirmation.

*Every time we see Christians speak in tongues in the Book of Acts, it is to give confirmation of the good news about Jesus Christ. Let's look at all three instances for a few minutes.

*First turn to Acts 2:1-21:

1. Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

3. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.

4. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.

6. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.

7. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?

8. And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?

9. Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

10. Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,

11. Cretans and Arabs we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.''

12. So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever could this mean?''

13. Others mocking said, "They are full of new wine.''

14. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words.

15. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.

16. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17. 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams.

18. and on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.

19. I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath: blood and fire and vapor of smoke.

20. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and notable day of the Lord.

21. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'"

*Speaking in tongues in Acts 2 gave confirmation that the good news had arrived. Another confirmation is in Acts 10, when the Lord led Peter to Cornelius' house. Please turn over to Acts 10, starting in vs. 34:

34. Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.

35. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.

36. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ He is Lord of all

37. that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:

38. how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

39. And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.

40. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly,

41. not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.

42. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.

43. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.''

44. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.

45. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.

46. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,

47. "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?''

48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

*Then in Acts 11:15-18, Peter went back to the church of Jewish believers at Jerusalem and said:

15. "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning.

16. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'

17. If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?''

18. When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.''

*Here God gave confirmation that the good news was for all men, both Jews and Gentiles.

*The third confirmation of the good news is here in Acts 19. But to understand it, we have to go back to Paul's second missionary journey, when they were trying to discover where God wanted them to go. Please look at Acts 16:6-10:

6. Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.

7. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.

8. So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.

9. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us.''

10. Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

*Back in Acts 16, God did not allow them to preach in Asia. But now the time for Asia had come. And in Acts 19:6, God confirmed it the same way He had confirmed it before: "When Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied."

*God confirmed the gospel to them, and He confirms His good news to all believers. Let me quickly give you three of His greatest confirmations to us.

[1] First is the internal witness of His Spirit in our hearts.

*As Paul wrote to Christians in Romans 8:9-16:

9. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

10. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

12. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.

13. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

15. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father.''

16. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

[2] Another great confirmation of the good news is the Word of God.

*As Jesus said in Matthew 24:35: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away."

[3] The third great confirmation of the good news is the love of God's people.

*That's why Paul started 1 Corinthians 13, by saying, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal."

*It's also why in John 13:34-35, Jesus said:

34. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

35. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.''

*Church growth expert George Barna made the following statement about churches: "Most unchurched people figure they have gotten along just fine without church, and until someone gives them reason to feel otherwise, they will remain spiritually unattached."

*Barna went on to explain that "it's not the ministries of the church or the pastor that captures the attention of the unchurched. They are drawn to a church when they see people within that church genuinely caring for one another." (3)

*Again, Jesus said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.'' This is one of the greatest confirmations of the good news, and one of God's greatest goals for our lives.

CONCLUSION:

*The gospel of Jesus Christ has amazing, miraculous power to save our souls and change our lives. That's why God wants us to comprehend the gospel, communicate the gospel, put our confidence in the gospel, and have rock-solid confirmation of the gospel in our lives.

*Thank God for the gospel of Jesus Christ! Would you please bow for prayer.

(1) Original source unknown

(2) Cross & Crown sermon "Only Three Ways to Die" by James McCullen - Luke 23:32-43

(3) GROW YOUR CHURCH FROM THE INSIDE OUT by George Barna, quoted in "Leadership, Spring 2003, p.101" - Source: "In Other Words" - September 2007 #3 - produced by Dr. Raymond McHenry - www.iows.net