01 - The Church Alive (Acts 1:1-8)

Text

Acts 1:1–8 KJV 1900

1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Pray

Illustration:

Jesus completely finished the work of redemption through His death and resurrection, and salvation is eternally settled for all who believe. In His prayer in the Upper Room with the disciples during the Last Supper, Jesus said to His Father, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (). The work of salvation is done, yet Luke speaks of “all that Jesus began,” In fact, notice in verse one a very interesting term. The Bible says, the former treaties have I made oath the awfulness of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.

That is where we the church comes in. The church must come alive and fulfill the commission that God has called us to do. God could have had angels do all of His work here on earth, or He could simply command everything and every person. But instead He chooses to use us in His service, entrusting us with carrying on the work of reaching the world with the gospel and teaching those who believe in Jesus for salvation. This is not a light task—but it is one in which God expects us to succeed.

Speaker 2: (04:57) You see, Luke, the human author of the book of acts is speaking of the fact that he had written before about the works that Jesus had begun, but now in the book of acts, we are going to see those works continuing even as Jesus ascends up into heaven. The work of the Gospel, the establishing of the church is going to keep on keeping on by the ministry. Of the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit himself, and it is in this text. that we hear the last command of Jesus Christ and that command is that ye shall be witnesses. And it is our conviction this morning at the Maluhia Baptist Church, that his last command should be our first priority. The last command of Jesus should be the first priority of the church. The last command was given in another passage, and it's in your notes there, verse 18 which says, and Jesus Gaiman speak unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and earth.

Though we face opposition, God has called and equipped us for the work, and He has big plans for our ministry for Him. Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father” (). In the power given us by God, we can continue to fulfill the calling of God to reach our world for Him.

Speaker 2: (06:04) Go Ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And Lo, I am with you. Always notice that verse number 18 all power is given to me in heaven and in Earth. The word power there is the word [inaudible]. It speaks about God's power over the demonic realms in this world. How many of you know that Satan does not want the Gospel to be spread? Satan interferes the Preaching and teaching of the Gospel, and yet Jesus said, I have all power. I have power over all of the angelic beings over all the fallen angels over all of the Denomic Dumas, all of the demonic powers that will oppress you. Jesus said, I have all power over them, and so based upon that power, he says to us, go ye therefore and teach all nations. Now, one of the great things about being a Christian is that when Jesus commands us to do something, he enables us to do it. With God's calling comes God's enabling. Let's say that together with Gods, some of you in this room has called you to be a Christian husband.

Speaker 2: (07:27) God will enable you to be that man. Some of you, he's called you to be a Christian parent, God will enable you to do that desk. He's called us to give to his work. God will enable us to do that task.

He's called us to be witnesses and he says, I'm going to enable you to be used of me as my witness. Well, this morning we see a wonderful verse, verse number eight, but you shall receive power after that, the Holy Ghost has come upon you and you shall be witnesses unto me.

Notice if you have your outline this morning, the promise of power,

God says, I'm going to give you the power that you need to do the work that I have called you to do and we see in this promise a comforting promise. It is a comfort to me to know that God has promised me his presence and his power. Notice his presence in this vs. 8, “ but you shall receive the power.”

The phrase says, “you shall receive.” This was not something that a Christian could refuse. It was not something that they could take it or leave it later on after believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, but that when someone receives Christ as savior, then the promise of the Holy Spirit and the power of the Holy Spirit is something Jesus said.

Speaker 2: (08:52) You're going to receive this

John 16:7 KJV 1900

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Jesus Christ has departed and is seated at the right hand of God the father physically and Jesus Christ has sent the Holy Spirit of God and he indwells every believers life today. What a comforting promise to know that you and I have in us if you are saved, the Holy Spirit of God. Today, the Apostle Paul said,

1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV 1900

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

seven nevertheless, last, I'd tell you the truth. It is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away, the comforter will not come unto you, but if I depart, listen, I will send him unto you and Jesus Christ has departed and is seated at the right hand of God. The father physically and Jesus Christ has sent the Holy Spirit of God and he indwells every believers life today. What a comforting promise to know that you and I have in us if you are saved, the Holy Spirit of God. Today, the Apostle Paul said, what? No, you not. That your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit of God. This church is not God's Temple. Your body and mind are the residences of God's spirit. He is with all of us today. Isn't that a blessing to know that he goes with us personally?

This church is not God's Temple. Your body and mind are the residences of God's spirit. He is with all of us today. Isn't that a blessing to know that he goes with us personally?

what? No, you not. That your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit of God. This church is not God's Temple. Your body and mind are the residences of God's spirit. He is with all of us today. Isn't that a blessing to know that he goes with us personally?

Speaker 2: (09:47) It is a comforting presence to know that God is with us. Notice not only his presence, but then we see his power.

The Bible says, but ye shall receive power. This word, power is the word Dunemas. It is the Greek word Dunamus from which the English word dynamite comes from. And Jesus says, I'm going up into heaven here in he is ascending up into heaven, but he says, I'm going to leave you with my presence, with my spirit, with my power. And boy, when you read this whole book, the book of acts, it is called the acts of the apostles and it is filled with power. I mean the apostle Paul has been bitten by a poisonious snake and lives, I mean, endin up in jail for preaching the gospel and the jail doors are opened and earthquakes occur and, and people's lives are touched and healed and changed. And, and those that are given to witchcraft and sorcery are freed from it.

Speaker 2: (09:47) It is a comforting presence to know that God is with us. Notice not only his presence, but then we see his power. The Bible says, but ye shall receive power. This word, power is the word Dunemas. It is the Greek word Dunamus from which the English word dynamite comes from. And Jesus says, I'm going up into heaven here in acts chapter one he is ascending up into heaven, but he says, I'm going to leave you with my presence, with my spirit, with my power. And boy, when you read this whole book, the book of acts, it is called the acts of the apostles and it is filled with power. I mean the apostle Paul has bitten by a snake, but lives, I mean of the, the jails are opened and earthquakes occur and, and people's lives are touched and healed and changed. And, and those that are given to witchcraft and sorcery are freed from it.

Speaker 2: (10:39) And throughout the book of acts, you see power, power, power.

By the way, how many of you believe we need to see God's power today?

Lives Change, marriages saved, souls saved.

is in your notes,

Acts 4:31 KJV 1900

31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

And so throughout the book of acts, we see this manifestation of God's power. It was a comforting promise to know that God said, as my son ascends up into heaven, I will not leave you without my presence. I will send My Spirit. But notice secondly, not only a comforting promise, but notice in your notes, a constant presence, a constant presence.

is in your notes, And so throughout the book of acts, we see this manifestation of God's power. It was a comforting promise to know that God said, as my son ascends up into heaven, I will not leave you without my presence. I will sin my spirit. But notice secondly, not only a comforting presence, but PR dramas, but noticing who knows, a constant presence, a constant presence. Now the Bible says here, but you shall receive power after that, the Holy Ghost is come upon you. And what we learn in this passage is that the holy spirit of God would come on the day of Pentecost. He would indwell those who had been the followers of Christ and for all who received Christ thereafter, they immediately received the Holy Spirit of God and his presence is with us. Now, how many of you have noticed that in this world, not very many things are constant. Most of you don't hang with the friends you knew in high school. And for the most part, that's probably a pretty good thing.

Now the Bible says here, but you shall receive power after that, the Holy Ghost is come upon you. And what we learn in this passage is that the holy spirit of God would come on the day of Pentecost. He would indwell those who had been the followers of Christ and for all who received Christ thereafter, they immediately received the Holy Spirit of God and his presence is with us.

Now, how many of you have noticed that in this world, not very many things are constant. Most of you don't hang with the friends you knew in high school.

Speaker 2: (12:03) Friends Change, political offices change

Speaker 2: (12:15) Countries and governments change. How many of you have noticed that economies change?

Speaker 2: (12:15) Countries and governments change. How many of you have noticed that economies change? One man said to his friend, who's watching over your portfolio these days, and he said, I dunno. I think the tidy bowl man has a pretty good view of mine. How many of you notice money comes and goes? Not a lot of things are constant. Let me say to your friends this morning, the presence of God in your life is a constant.

One man said to his friend, who's watching over your portfolio these days, and he said, I dunno. I think the plummer has a pretty good view of mine. How many of you notice money comes and goes? Not a lot of things are constant. Let me say to your friends this morning, the presence of God in your life is a constant.

Speaker 2: (12:42) It is a constant abiding presence and Jesus said, the Holy Spirit of God will come upon you. Notice back in again,

Matthew 28:20 KJV 1900

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Notice back in again, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I've commanded you and Lo, notice this. I am with you all way. Let's say that together I am with you. Listen, you can bank on this fact that if you have been born again, the spirit of the living God has taken up residence in your life and he will never leave you and he will never forsake you. Political offices will change. Finances will change, governments will change. France will change, but Jesus never fails and his holy spirit will never leave you. Oh, what a blessed at thought. in verse five let your conversation be without coverages this and be content with such things as you have for he has said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee, so that we may boldly say the Lord is my helper and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Listen, you can bank on this fact that if you have been born again, the spirit of the living God has taken up residence in your life and he will never leave you and he will never forsake you. Political offices will change. Finances will change, governments will change. France will change, but Jesus never fails and his holy spirit will never leave you.

Oh, what a blessed at thought.

teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I've commanded you and Lo, notice this. I am with you all way. Let's say that together I am with you. Listen, you can bank on this fact that if you have been born again, the spirit of the living God has taken up residence in your life and he will never leave you and he will never forsake you. Political offices will change. Finances will change, governments will change. France will change, but Jesus never fails and his holy spirit will never leave you. Oh, what a blessed at thought. in verse five let your conversation be without coverages this and be content with such things as you have for he has said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee, so that we may boldly say the Lord is my helper and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

in verse five

Hebrews 13:5 KJV 1900

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Hebrews 13:5–6 KJV 1900

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

let your conversation be without coverages this and be content with such things as you have for he has said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee, so that we may boldly say the Lord is my helper and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Speaker 2: (13:45) Now the presence of God, it commences in your life at the moment of salvation, that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that was just born of the spirit is spirit. And if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, then it is because of the spirit of God wooing you and bringing you into the family of God. And the Holy Spirit of God has placed you into the family of God, but also indwells your life. And you were born again by the Holy Spirit of God, but God doesn't want the day you were born spiritually to be the end of everything.

How many of you believe that the new birth should be the beginning of everything? And he says, now that you're saved, I want you to learn how to walk in the spirit. Galatians five and verse 25

Galatians 5:25 KJV 1900

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:26 KJV 1900

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

if we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit and then he says, now that you're saved and you're walking, I want to enable you in your life to serve me more effectively.

Speaker 2: (14:40) First Timothy one verse 11

1 Timothy 1:11–12 KJV 1900

11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

1 Timothy 1:11 KJV 1900

11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

The word enabled means to strengthen, to and do with power from on high. Someone says, Pastor Travis, I can't witness. I don't know how to teach. I don't know what to say. Let me help you with something. It's not about your ability. It's about God enabling and helping you. That's the power for life.

Zechariah 4:6 KJV 1900

6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, Saith the Lord of hosts.

according to the Glorious Gospel of the blessed that God which was committed to my trust, and I thank Christ Jesus, our Lord who has enabled me for that, he can be faithful putting me in the ministry. The word enabled means to strengthen, to and do with power from on high. Someone says, Pastor Chapel, I can't witness. I don't know how to teach. I don't know what to say. Let me help you with something. It's not about your ability. It's about God enabling and helping you. That's the power for life. It's not by might nor by my power, but by my spirit Sayeth the Lord. And so the promise for power found in verse eight but ye shall receive power after that. The Holy Ghost is come upon you. Now notice secondly, not only the promise for power, but notice secondly the purpose of this power. You know, there were people in the Bible who saw the apostle Paul manifesting the power of God and they tried to copy and mimic what he was doing so that they could use this power for their own, uh, their own advanced causes.

It's not by might nor by my power, but by my spirit Sayeth the Lord. And so the promise for power found in verse eight but ye shall receive power after that. The Holy Ghost is come upon you. Now notice secondly, not only the promise for power, but notice secondly the purpose of this power.

You know, there were people in the Bible who saw the apostle Paul manifesting the power of God and they tried to copy and mimic what he was doing so that they could use this power for their own advanced causes.

Speaker 2: (15:49) But here we see that the purpose of the power is not for our cause. It's not for our own selfish resources. It is for the glory of God. Notice what it says in

Acts 1:8 KJV 1900

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

So the purpose of the power, first of all is to testify of the truth.

Ye shall be witnesses. And the pattern of our testifying is by way of giving a witness. Now this is a legal term. It speaks about testifying of something you have seen, heard, or experienced. So Jesus is telling these apostles just before he ascends up into heaven, he is telling them, now I am going to go to heaven to be at the right hand of the father, but I'm going to give to you the holy spirit of God.

Speaker 2: (16:53) He's going to assist you, empower you, and guide you so that you can be witnesses of everything you've seen and heard and experienced so that the church doesn't stop with my ascension into heaven, but it begins to go forward in power because you are going to be my witnesses.

And this is exactly what the Apostle Paul spoke about in second Corinthians four and one.

2 Corinthians 4:1–2 KJV 1900

1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

2 Corinthians 4:1 KJV 1900

1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

2 Corinthians 4:1–3 KJV 1900

1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

Now my friend, God says, I'm going to give you power for a purpose. All right, power for a purpose. And the purpose is that we're to be witnesses. We're to be telling other people what happened to us. You see, I don't know how to tell somebody how to get saved. Are you saved? Tell him what happened to you.

Speaker 2: (18:00) Tell them how you accepted Christ as savior because God says, I'm giving you power for a purpose and the purpose of this church and of your life, and mine is to be a witness. To tell someone else about the Lord Jesus Christ.

And Verse 3 says,

2 Corinthians 4:3–4 KJV 1900

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

So if you're saved and then God says, I'm going to give you power to shine, and the power to shine comes from the Holy Spirit. But God says, if you hide that light, then it's hidden to those that are lost. Now, many churches are hiding the light in different ways. Some churches hide the light when they emphasize Earth Day and other causes more than Jesus Christ.

If our Gospel be hid, it is hit the them that are lost in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them, which believe not less. The Light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine unto them. So if you're saved and then God says, I'm going to give you power to shine, and the power to shine comes from the Holy Spirit. But God says, if you hide that light, then it's hidden to those that are lost. Now, many churches are hiding the light in different ways. Some churches hide the light when they emphasize Earth Day and other causes more than Jesus Christ.

Speaker 2: (18:49) Some Christians hide the light because they never testify. They never pass the Gospel track. They've never been trained in evangelism. They're not testifying for the Lord Jesus Christ. And the Bible says if, if our light is hidden than lost, people who need to know the way can't know the way because we don't know our purpose. We're not fulfilling our purpose and so lost people stay in their loss condition because they do not see the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Illustration: People excited to share something they like

God wants us to testify. You know, I have seen that when people believe in something, they get a little bit excited when they start talking about it. You talk to a Dodgers fan after the Dodgers win a game and they just kinda get excited about it. You talk to the Lakers fan and they're going to tell you about Colby signed a new contract. Well, they kind of get get excited about that. Some people get excited about certain types of perfume or others get excited about home decor. And as some people these days, people get excited about cupcakes. A lot of ladies talking about cupcakes, they get all excited about it and it's just one thing after another, but I believe that a Christian,

Speaker 2: (20:00) but I believe that a Christian,

Speaker 2: (20:03) should be mostly excited about the fact that Jesus saves.

Charles Spurgeon, the great preacher of yesteryear spoke to his church one time. He said, now when you speak of Heaven, let your light and let your face just light up. He said, when you speak of hell, your everyday face will do just fine.

Speaker 2: (20:31) now there are some Christians that need to have their everyday face light up a little bit. As we testify for the glory of God, Ye shall be witnesses. You see, I don't know that God can use me to be a witness by his. You can fulfill

Speaker 1: (20:48) this purpose of being a witness.

That was a boy by the name of Douglas Maher. He was 15 year old boy in Missouri. He had a temperature a few years ago, 103/104 his parents took him into the doctors. They couldn't understand. They began to run a series of tests. The doctors discovered that Douglas had leukemia, so they called his family in for a family conference and they did not hide anything from the family. They were very thorough in the diagnosis and they told the family that does this would need two or three years of chemotherapy. They said, we're going to tell you the honest truth, Douglas, you're going to lose your hair. Your body's going to swell up. There's going to be a lot of side effects. It's going to be a very difficult time. Douglas really struggled with that. They hadn't sugarcoated the news. Douglas went really into a state of depression.

He tried not to be discouraged, but he was very, very depressed. His aunt in another state heard that Douglas was having a hard time and during one of his stays in the hospital, she decided to send him some flowers and the flowers came and Douglas saw them. He saw the note from his aunt and that was all right, but then he saw another note right next to the note from his aunt and that note said, Douglas, I work at green florist. I took your order. I had leukemia. When I was seven. I'm 22 now. My heart goes out to you. Good luck, Laura Bradley.

They said, when Douglas got the little note from Laura, his whole countenance changed. A smile came over his face. Something about that little note changed his outlook. He was in a hospital with millions of dollars of equipment surrounded by doctors with hundreds of years of experience, but a 22 year old girl who made $170 a week by taking a moment to show compassion, touched that man's life.

Speaker 1: (21:46) He tried not to be discouraged, but he was very, very depressed. His aunt in another state heard that Douglas was having a hard time and during one of his stays in the hospital, she decided to send him some flowers and the flowers came and Douglas saw them. He saw the note from his aunt and that was all right, but then he saw another note right next to the note from his aunt and that note said, Douglas, I work at brief florist. I took your order. I had leukemia. When I was seven. I'm 22 now. My heart goes out to you. Good luck, Laura Bradley. They said, when Douglas got the little note from Laura, his whole countenance changed. A smile came over his face. Something about that little note changed his outlook. He was in a hospital with millions of dollars of equipment surrounded by doctors with hundreds of years of experience, but a 22 year old girl who made $170 a week by taking a moment to show compassion, touch that man's life.

Speaker 2: (22:59) I want you to know this morning that you don't have to have a theological degree and you don't have to be a Christian of some 20 years for God to use you to touch someone's life. I want you to know it doesn't matter where you live or how much you make that any one of you in the power of the spirit of God could touch somebody's life for eternity this month.

Speaker 1: (23:19) Someone said, compassion is your hurts in my heart. Instead of getting mad at the neighbors, how about having compassion on them

instead of getting frustrated at the neighborhood? How about trying to tell others about Jesus Christ this month? That's the pattern

Speaker 2: (23:35) you shall be witnesses. This is your purpose in life. Notice again the verse please. Verse 8

Acts 1:8 KJV 1900

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

You notice this and he shall be. It says you shall be. God has created you as a human being. He wants you to be something for him and through him and the main reason he has left us on this planet is that we might be witnesses for him.

Hey, how many of you have lived long enough to figure out as a Christian, it's not all about me, it's all about him.

Philippians one 27 only. Let your conversation be as it become as the gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs that you stand fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel.

Philippians 1:27 KJV 1900

27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Philippians one 27 only. Let your conversation be as it become as the gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs that you stand fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel.

Speaker 2: (24:39) And that verse begins by speaking about our conversation, which is our lifestyle. And in essence, the verse says, our whole lifestyle should be about getting the Gospel out, striving together for the faith of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it is the will of God, especially in this moment in which we live, that we would live every day ready to witness, ready to tell someone about the Lord Jesus Christ. Look in your notes at first Peter Three 15

1 Peter 3:15 KJV 1900

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

God says, I want you to be ready tomorrow on your shuttle bus tomorrow in your workstation tomorrow at the gym tomorrow, wherever you might be at any moment, at any time. I want you to be ready to tell somebody what hope you have in you.

it says, but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. God says, I want you to be ready tomorrow on your shuttle bus tomorrow in your workstation tomorrow at the gym tomorrow, wherever you might be at any moment, at any time. I want you to be ready to tell somebody what hope you have in you.

Speaker 2: (25:36) And I don't know about you folks. The only real hope I have in me is Jesus Christ. And I want you to be ready. He says to tell someone,

that's why we have the teams soul-winning kickoff in a few weeks. That's why we have the big signs in the lobby. Sign up for team. So many so you can learn how to witness. So you can go with someone who knows how to witness. So you can be ready always to give an answer to those that are looking for hope. A few years ago I was preaching down in Houston, Texas, and I preached on Monday night and then I preached on Tuesday morning and before I preached on Tuesday night, the pastor said, brother Chapel, would you like to go with us to visit, uh, the NASA Mission Control here in Houston? He said, we have one of the directors in the church. He'd like to give you a tour.

Speaker 2: (26:20) And I said, that'd be great. And we went into the building and we walked around, saw all the computers, saw the big screens and uh, they were getting ready to track the next shuttle that was going to launch as an orbited earth. And they were telling us all about it. It was fascinating. And while they were talking, I can on the android over to the sidewall and I noticed on the sidewall there was a sign and it said mission statement. And I like to read mission statements. And sometimes I go to a hotel or a place of business, they'll have their mission statement.

I thought this is the mission statement for mission control. This is the granddaddy of all mission statements. I want to read this one. And then went over there. And this is what it said, foundations for mission operations at mission control to always be aware that suddenly and unrepentantly we may find ourselves in a role where our performance has ultimate consequences.

Speaker 2: (27:15) So the engineer's at a, they're there at NASA, we're to have as their mission to always be aware that suddenly and unrepentantly their role, their performance could have ultimate consequences.

In other words, a unrepentantly at a moments notice, they may have to change the direction or set a dial or give a command that they can't undo. They've got to make the right decision at that very moment because the lives of our astronauts depend upon it,

and those engineers are commanded in their mission statement to always be aware of that fact, and we are commanded in our mission statement to always be aware and to always be ready that at any moment, God might put you across the path of somebody who needs you to be what you were created to be, and that is a witness for Jesus Christ. Most churches are not witnessing churches and most Christians are not witnessing Christians, but I say again, his last command should be our first priority, telling others about Jesus Christ.

Illustration

Speaker 2: (28:22) How many of you have a friend and neighbor or relative that has lost and without Christ while you sit in this church this morning? Come on now. All of us need to be better witnesses for Jesus Christ, so we are purposed to testify of the truth. Notice. Secondly, we are purposed to identify Jesus Christ.

Notice specifically again in the verse it says, but you shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you and you shall be witnesses. What are the next two words? Say Unto me You shall be witnesses unto me, so we are a purpose to identify Jesus Christ. Look in your notes, John 1526

John 15:26 KJV 1900

26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

but when the completer has come whom I will send them to you from the father, even the spirit of truth which proceeded from the father, he shall testify of me.

Speaker 2: (29:13) So the Holy Spirit of God is going to help you to glorify and testify of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul said, for we preach, not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord.

Jesus said, you're going to testify of me. That is the purpose of the power that he has given to us. And so we see the promise of the power and we see the purpose of the power that we might be witnesses. And as we close this morning, notice with me the priority of this power. God prioritizes how he wants and where he wants this power manifested.

Notice again in vs8,

Acts 1:8 KJV 1900

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

but ye shall receive power after that. The Holy Ghost has come upon you and he shall be witnesses unto me. Notice this both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Sumeria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Now first of all, we see that we are to be involved in a simultaneous witness.

Speaker 2: (30:11) We see the word both. He says, I want you to be getting the Gospel out where you live and in other places at the same time.

By the way, how many of you are thankful that we have missionaries all around the world preaching the Gospel Right now? Because we couldnt obey without those missionaries partnering with us while we reach Kailua they're reaching other most parts of the earth, and what are we to do and what are they to do? We are to preach Jesus Christ. Acts five 42

Acts 5:42 KJV 1900

42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

, telling others about Jesus. We are to see those that received Jesus baptized in water. The baptism does not wash away their sin, but that baptism is their testimony of faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

and daily in the template and every house, they cease not to teach and preach Jesus Christ, telling others about Jesus. We are to see those that received Jesus baptized in water. The baptism does not wash away their sin, but that baptism is their testimony of faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Speaker 2: (30:59) And after someone is saved and baptized, we are to help them grow in their faith, to be come a disciple of Christ, uh, to learn and grow.

That's why all of our 45 adult Bible classes have people in the class who are ready on a Wednesday night to sit down with you and line upon line and help you get grounded in the word of God because Jesus said, teaching them all things whatsoever I have commanded you.

2 Timothy 2:2 KJV 1900

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

Where the rubber meets the road. The goal of Maluhia Baptist church is to help you grow in the Bible and get to know God and grow in your faith so that you can find someone else and tell them what Jesus Christ has done for you. You see, because we believe that every member here should be in the ministry and that all of us are to be witnesses for Jesus Christ.

Speaker 2: (31:50) A Church that is alive will be like this. That's the will of God for his church, that we simultaneously take the message out right now.

(Might be Awkward)

both in this place and that place at the same time, but notice not only simultaneously, but notice strategically

the strategy of the church simply and profoundly found. In vs 8

Acts 1:8 KJV 1900

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

You could say it this way. I want you to go into your community with the Gospel. The Apostle Paul practice this in acts chapter 20 he went to a city called Ephesus in Asia minor modern day Turkey.

Speaker 2: (32:46) The Apostle Paul as he went there, describes his ministry later on in the Book of acts, Chapter 20 and verse 20 notice what he says

Acts 20:20–21 KJV 1900

20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 20:20 KJV 1900

20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

Someone says, well, house to house doesn't work. Let me tell Ya, it doesn't work if you don't do it, but I'm going to tell you right now, friend, I don't care what your method is. Find a method. Finding a way to tell someone else about Jesus Christ and strategically the Maluhia Baptist Church exists to win as many people in Kailua and Waimanalo and the surrounding area to Jesus Christ as we possibly can.

I want you to know a friend that we intend to reach our Jerusalem with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We take it very seriously. We map out our streets and we look at our mission field and we say, Lord, help us so that no one would come in here on a six month TDY in this community, a time of training or a short spell here and not at least have the opportunity to be saved.

and how I kept back. Nothing that was profitable in the EU, but I've showed you and I've taught you publicly and what does it say from house to house, right? Testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Someone says, well, house to house doesn't work. Let me tell Ya, it doesn't work if you don't do it, but I'm going to tell you right now, friend, I don't care what your method is. Find a method. Finding a way to tell someone else about Jesus Christ and strategically the Lancaster Baptist Church exists to win as many people in Lancaster and Tom Bale and the surrounding area to Jesus Christ as we possibly can. I want you to know a friend that we intend to reach our Jerusalem with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We take it very seriously. We map out our streets and we look at our mission field and we say, Lord, help us so that no one would come in here on a six month TDY in this community, a time of training or a short spell here and not at least have the opportunity to be safe. How many of you believe that everybody deserves the opportunity to have Jesus in their life? We're not going to hide the light here at Lancaster Baptist Church. We are called to testify

How many of you believe that everybody deserves the opportunity to have Jesus in their life? We're not going to hide the light here at Maluhia Baptist Church. We are called to testify to go out

Speaker 3: (34:02) to go out

Today we have a lot of people going out to telling this communiyt, telling our islands many things. Some are innocent fundraising while other are absoluterly spreading a false Gospel

Speaker 2: (35:39) But my question is, where are the Christians who would carry a gospel track at the grocery store or talk to their neighbor or their friend or maybe go across the street just to tell somebody, hey, there's a God in heaven who loves you and his son Jesus died on the cross for you and he rose up again and you can have eternal life through Jesus Christ. That is our purpose in the power of the spirit to preach Christ.

Speaker 1: (36:13) They've got a cause. Do you?

Are you fully engaged in your purpose or are you missing your purpose?

The purpose is to witness.

Reaching out to our Jerusalem, reaching our Jerusalem, reaching our Judea. That's our country reaching Samarria. That's our continent reaching the uttermost parts of the year.

Speaker 1: (37:10) A lot of times on Sunday afternoon, my wife says, honey, why don't you preach that message about Noah that you often use to preach? Much to my surprise, after I preached that message, they asked me to come back and bridge again the next week. I don't know if it was the content of the message or the length of the message, but they asked me to come back and we began to have a ministry out there and later we organize that into a church that still exists to this day.

And as we were getting the church going, I began after we were married, going out on Friday nights and Saturday mornings and we'd do some soul winning. We would go from house to house testifying. We'd find people in the market, in the park, testify to them about Jesus Christ, invite them to the church. And I remember knocking on a fellow's gate waving at him.

Speaker 1: (37:59) He invited me back into his garden area. His name was Carl Houston. Carl was a retired man living in that area. And uh, I don't know, a lot, didn't know a lot at that time about how to get a conversation going, but I knew enough to show an interest in a man's stuff. You know, might be a motorcycle, might be a car. In this case it was a garden. He said, he want to talk to me. You got to come back here to my garden. I'm working in my garden. I said, all right. Went back to his garden. And that man had a beautiful garden. And his, his specialty was onions. I mean, this guy had huge, huge onions. In fact, Carl reached down in the ground. He had plucked out an onion. He washed it off with the goes, this sand grows some of the best dungeons in America. He says, these are so tasty. And he bit it like an apple and just stand there biting at all. And you're like that. And chewing on that onion. And after a few minutes, he said, here, he pulled me up when washed up, said, have, have a bite.

Speaker 1: (38:53) Yeah. Yeah. We were newlyweds. I mean, I'm telling you what I wanted to smell good. I wasn't sure about that, that I took a little nibble on that onion. He said, ah, go ahead and take a big old bite like an apple. I said, all right. I took a big old bite it, Carl and I stood there eating our onions. And, uh, after a little while I said, now, Carl, I appreciate the onion, but I want to talk to you about something. I said, Carl, do you know the Lord? Do you know if you died that you'd go to heaven someday? Carl, have you ever thought about this important matter? It's important to know. And Carl said, I don't really know that I'd go to heaven. And after about 30 minutes sitting on his picnic table there in his backyard, I have the joy of showing Carl how to pray to receive Christ as his savior all.

Well, you see that little spot that says missions. Did you know every time you fill out the envelope and write five or $10 for missions, it helps us to support 202 families around the world. As I stand here preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's not just about money, it's about souls. It's about people that are in Africa and the Philippines, in Europe and people that are in China and people that are all over the world right now. And we get the privilege of strategically partnering with them through our giving and our prayers to get the gospel out. And so Jesus gathers his disciples and look at it.

Speaker 1: (39:42) Listen, Carl made the most important decision of his life that day. Now I smelled like an onion for two weeks after that, I went back to my theology classes on Monday and all the guys around me move their chairs away from me. They said, what is wrong with you? And I said, well, I had to eat an onion to help a guy get saved. But you know what I was doing? I was reaching out to our Jerusalem, reaching our Jerusalem, reaching our Judea. That's our country reaching Samarria. That's our continent reaching the uttermost parts of the year. Hey, I want everybody to take very quickly the little envelope in front of you on the Pew right there, and just pull one out. If there's an envelope there, just take a look at that. You'll find a little spot that says missions on there. You'll see that you see that spot that says, missions.

Now, verse eight his last command, he's about to go up to heaven and he says to them,

Acts 1:8–15 KJV 1900

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. 13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. 15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

Acts 1:8–11 KJV 1900

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

By the way, how many of you believe Jesus is coming back?

but you shall receive power after that. The Holy Ghost is come upon you and you shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem and Judea and Sumeria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things while they be held, he was taken up in a cloud, received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly

So the angel sees these, these men just kind of staring there and and says, look at, don't stand around staring up at heaven. He's coming back. Go out and do what he told you to do and make his last command your first priority.

Speaker 1: (40:28) Talk to me. We don't want to spend too much time talking about money, so you've got to help me here. Get this going quick, right? Well, you see that little spot that says missions. Did you know every time you fill out the envelope and write five or $10 for missions, it helps us to support 202 families around the world. As I stand here preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's not just about money, it's about souls. It's about people that are in Africa and the Philippines, in Europe and people that are in China and people that are all over the world right now. And we get the privilege of strategically partnering with them through our giving and our prayers to get the gospel out. And so Jesus gathers his disciples and look at it. Now, verse eight his last command, he's about to go up to heaven and he says to them, but you shall receive power after that. The Holy Ghost is come upon you and you shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem and Judea and Sumeria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things while they be held, he was taken up in a cloud, received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly

Folks,

Speaker 2: (41:34) toward heaven, as you went up, behold two men stood by them in white apparel, which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why Stan g gazing up into heaven, this same Jesus which is taken up from you and into heaven shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven. By the way, how many of you believe Jesus is coming back? So the angel sees these, these men just kind of staring there and and says, look at, don't stand around staring up at heaven. He's coming back. Go out and do what he told you to do and make his last command your first priority. Folks,

Speaker 1: (42:10) let's not spend the rest of our days just staring at the heavens. If the church is Alive and we are called to be witness, Let's be the witnesses that God has called us to be.

Declaration:

That is where we the church comes in. The church must come alive and fulfills the commission that God has called us to do. God could have had angels do all of His work here on earth, or He could simply command everything and every person. But instead He chooses to use us in His service, entrusting us with carrying on the work of reaching the world with the gospel and teaching those who believe in Jesus for salvation.

Though we face opposition, God has called and equipped us for the work, and He has big plans for our ministry for Him. Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father” (). In the power given us by God, we can continue to fulfill the calling of God to reach our world for Him.

Proposition:

But the question is, “Are we carrying out the work of reaching the world with the gospel and doing what God wants us to do.” A

This is not a light task—but it is one in which God expects us to succeed.

And if you don't know Jesus Christ as your own personal savior, you can't testify about what you've seen heared to know until you receive Christ as your savior and we would encourage you to do that today

Though we face opposition, God has called and equipped us for the work, and He has big plans for our ministry for Him. Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father” (). In the power given us by God, we can continue to fulfill the calling of God to reach our world for Him.

Transitional Sentence:

Acts of the Apostles

Lesson One – Preparation of Evangelism

KJV 1900

Acts 1:1–8 KJV 1900

KJV 1900

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

We begin a study through one of the most exciting books in the New Testament, the Book of Acts. It is a history book that exclusively tells the story of the early church. It bridges the gap between the Gospels and the Epistles. There is so much in the New Testament that would leave us in the dark without the book of Acts to fill us in on what happened after Jesus’ ascension to heaven. One example is that we would be at a loss in identifying who the Apostle Paul was. In acts we learn of his background, his miraculous conversion, and his marvelous transformation. This helps us to better grasp all the books of the Bible God inspired him to write.

1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Pray

Acts is a continuation of the story of Jesus according to verse 1. The writer states that he has already written of “all that Jesus began both to do and teach.” What we will read in Acts is a continuation of the Lord’s work. For this reason many prefer the title, “Acts of Jesus Christ.” We certainly understand their viewpoint because the work of the church is first and foremost the work of Christ. All the way through it is the Savior who is working.

Pray

Acts is a continuation of the story of Jesus according to verse 1. The writer states that he has already written of “all that Jesus began both to do and teach.” What we will read in Acts is a continuation of the Lord’s work. For this reason many prefer the title, “Acts of Jesus Christ.” We certainly understand their viewpoint because the work of the church is first and foremost the work of Christ. All the way through it is the Savior who is working.

Illustration:

In the opening of chapter one the Disciples of Christ are waiting on the Lord to prepare them for ministry.

Illustration:

In the opening of chapter one the Disciples of Christ are waiting on the Lord to prepare them for ministry.

I. The Pen

Jesus completely finished the work of redemption through His death and resurrection, and salvation is eternally settled for all who believe. In His prayer in the Upper Room with the disciples during the Last Supper, Jesus said to His Father, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” ().

Jesus completely finished the work of redemption through His death and resurrection, and salvation is eternally settled for all who believe. In His prayer in the Upper Room with the disciples during the Last Supper, Jesus said to His Father, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4).

Jesus completely finished the work of redemption through His death and resurrection, and salvation is eternally settled for all who believe. In His prayer in the Upper Room with the disciples during the Last Supper, Jesus said to His Father, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” ().

The work of salvation is done, yet Luke speaks of “all that Jesus began,” In fact, notice in verse one a very interesting term. The Bible says,

A. First, we notice the human author of this book is Luke. This is not stated directly, but we learn it indirectly because the author opens up speaking of a “former treatise” that he wrote to a man by the name of Theophilus. The Gospel of Luke is written to the same man. (Read ). Theophilius was probably a high ranking Roman official. We gather this from the high title in which Luke addresses him, “most excellent Theopholis” in . Obviously he was close to Luke.

The work of salvation is done, yet Luke speaks of “all that Jesus began,” In fact, notice in verse one a very interesting term. The Bible says,

Acts 1:1

B. It is most likely that he wrote Acts in the early sixties (around 61 A.D.) since he did not write about Paul’s death (68 A.D) nor the destruction of Jerusalem (70 A.D.). It is unknown where Luke was when he wrote Acts.

the former treaties have I made Theophilus of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.

C. Luke is mentioned only a few times in the New Testament, so we know relatively little about him. We know he was a physician () and Paul’s co-worker (). We know a Luke was with Paul in his imprisonment ().

the former treaties have I made Theophilus of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.

C. Luke is mentioned only a few times in the New Testament, so we know relatively little about him. We know he was a physician () and Paul’s co-worker (). We know a Luke was with Paul in his imprisonment ().

You see, Luke, the human author of the book of acts is speaking of the fact that he had written before about the works that Jesus had begun, but now in the book of acts, we are going to see those works continuing even as Jesus ascends up into heaven.

D. Luke never refers to himself by name in his gospel nor in Acts, and simply uses “we” or “us” when he is involved in Paul’s travels.

You see, Luke, the human author of the book of acts is speaking of the fact that he had written before about the works that Jesus had begun, but now in the book of acts, we are going to see those works continuing even as Jesus ascends up into heaven.

D. Luke never refers to himself by name in his gospel nor in Acts, and simply uses “we” or “us” when he is involved in Paul’s travels.

You see, Luke, the human author of the book of acts is speaking of the fact that he had written before about the works that Jesus had begun, but now in the book of acts, we are going to see those works continuing even as Jesus ascends up into heaven.

E. Luke has the distinction of being the only Gentile writer in the New Testament.

The work of the Gospel, the establishing of the church is going to keep on keeping on by the ministry of the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit himself, and it is in this text, that we hear the last command of Jesus Christ and that command is that ye shall be witnesses.

The work of the Gospel, the establishing of the church is going to keep on keeping on by the ministry of the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit himself, and it is in this text.

The work of the Gospel, the establishing of the church is going to keep on keeping on by the ministry of the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit himself, and it is in this text, that we hear the last command of Jesus Christ and that command is that ye shall be witnesses.

E. Luke has the distinction of being the only Gentile writer in the New Testament.

The work of the Gospel, the establishing of the church is going to keep on keeping on by the ministry of the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit himself, and it is in this text, Acts 1:8 that we hear the last command of Jesus Christ and that command is that ye shall be witnesses.

The work of the Gospel, the establishing of the church is going to keep on keeping on by the ministry of the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit himself, and it is in this text, that we hear the last command of Jesus Christ and that command is that ye shall be witnesses.

And it is our conviction this eveing here at the Maluhia Baptist Church, that his last command should be our first priority. The last command of Jesus should be the first priority of the church. The last command was given in another passage,, 18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

F. In his gospel, Luke writes about all that Jesus began both to do and teach (). Then, in Acts, he records what Jesus continues to do through the Holy Ghost (1:2). Luke makes it clear that God’s work is carried on in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is make abundantly apparent that God’s work cannot be accomplished apart from the power of God.

that we hear the last command of Jesus Christ and that command is that ye shall be witnesses.

And it is our conviction this eveing here at the Maluhia Baptist Church, that his last command should be our first priority. The last command of Jesus should be the first priority of the church. The last command was given in another passage,, 18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

that we hear the last command of Jesus Christ and that command is that ye shall be witnesses.

And it is our conviction this eveing here at the Maluhia Baptist Church, that his last command should be our first priority. The last command of Jesus should be the first priority of the church. The last command was given in another passage,, 18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

F. In his gospel, Luke writes about all that Jesus began both to do and teach (). Then, in Acts, he records what Jesus continues to do through the Holy Ghost (1:2). Luke makes it clear that God’s work is carried on in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is make abundantly apparent that God’s work cannot be accomplished apart from the power of God.

And it is our conviction this eveing here at the Maluhia Baptist Church, that his last command should be our first priority. The last command of Jesus should be the first priority of the church. The last command was given in another passage,, 18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

And it is our conviction this eveing here at the Maluhia Baptist Church, that his last command should be our first priority. The last command of Jesus should be the first priority of the church. The last command was given in another passage,, Matthew 28:18-20 18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

The word power there is the word [dunamas]. It speaks about God's power over the demonic realms in this world.

And it is our conviction this eveing here at the Maluhia Baptist Church, that his last command should be our first priority. The last command of Jesus should be the first priority of the church. The last command was given in another passage,, 18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

The word power there is the word [dunamas]. It speaks about God's power over the demonic realms in this world.

G. Though the ministry of Jesus continues through the power of the Holy Spirit, the apostles whom he had chosen are the channels through whom His power flows (1:2b).

The word power there is the word [dunamas]. It speaks about God's power over the demonic realms in this world.

How many of you know that Satan does not want the Gospel to be spread? Satan interferes the Preaching and teaching of the Gospel, and yet Jesus said, I have all power.

Class Question: According to After His crucifixion, how does Jesus prepare the apostles to spread the Gospel? Answer: First he shows himself alive after “his passion” (the cross), and He teaches them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. For an examination of this teaching please read and note particularly vs. 27, 32, 44, 45. (Note carefully that the resurrection is said to be demonstrated by “many infallible proofs” – no one can argue against it.)

The word power there is the word [dunamas]. It speaks about God's power over the demonic realms in this world.

How many of you know that Satan does not want the Gospel to be spread? Satan interferes the Preaching and teaching of the Gospel, and yet Jesus said, I have all power.

Class Question: According to After His crucifixion, how does Jesus prepare the apostles to spread the Gospel? Answer: First he shows himself alive after “his passion” (the cross), and He teaches them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. For an examination of this teaching please read and note particularly vs. 27, 32, 44, 45. (Note carefully that the resurrection is said to be demonstrated by “many infallible proofs” – no one can argue against it.)

How many of you know that Satan does not want the Gospel to be spread? Satan interferes the Preaching and teaching of the Gospel, and yet Jesus said, I have all power.

I have power over all of the angelic beings

How many of you know that Satan does not want the Gospel to be spread? Satan interferes the Preaching and teaching of the Gospel, and yet Jesus said, I have all power.

I have power over all of the angelic beings

over all the fallen angels

I have power over all of the angelic beings

over all of the demonic powers that will oppress you.

over all the fallen angels

Side Note – Apostles

over all of the demonic powers that will oppress you.

over all the fallen angels

over all of the demonic powers that will oppress you.

Jesus said, I have all power over them, and so based upon that power, he says to us, go ye therefore and teach all nations.

over all of the demonic powers that will oppress you.

(note the following truths regarding Apostles)

Jesus said, I have all power over them, and so based upon that power, he says to us, go ye therefore and teach all nations.

Now, one of the great things about being a Christian is that when Jesus commands us to do something, he enables us to do it.

Jesus said, I have all power over them, and so based upon that power, he says to us, go ye therefore and teach all nations.

Now, one of the great things about being a Christian is that when Jesus commands us to do something, he enables us to do it.

1. Apostles were especially chosen by Jesus – ; ; ; ,

Now, one of the great things about being a Christian is that when Jesus commands us to do something, he enables us to do it.

1. Apostles were especially chosen by Jesus – ; ; ; ,

Now, one of the great things about being a Christian is that when Jesus commands us to do something, he enables us to do it.

Jesus said, I have all power over them, and so based upon that power, he says to us, go ye therefore and teach all nations.

With God's calling comes God's enabling.

Now, one of the great things about being a Christian is that when Jesus commands us to do something, he enables us to do it.

2. Apostles are specifically designated in Scripture – ;

With God's calling comes God's enabling.

2. Apostles are specifically designated in Scripture – ;

Now, one of the great things about being a Christian is that when Jesus commands us to do something, he enables us to do it.

Let's say that together with Gods,

3. Apostles are memorialized in the foundation of the New Jerusalem –

With God's calling comes God's enabling.

Let's say that together with Gods,

3. Apostles are memorialized in the foundation of the New Jerusalem –

With God's calling comes God's enabling.

Let's say that together with Gods,

some of you in this room. God has called you to be a

4. Apostles were required to have seen the risen Lord Jesus to be qualified to be called an Apostle. –

some of you in this room. God has called you to be a

4. Apostles were required to have seen the risen Lord Jesus to be qualified to be called an Apostle. –

some of you in this room. God has called you to be a

Christian husband. God will enable you to be that man.

Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

Christian husband. God will enable you to be that man.

some of you in this room has called you to be a

Christian husband. God will enable you to be that man.

Some of you, he's called you to be a Christian parent, God will enable you to do that task.

Christian husband. God will enable you to be that man.

After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

Some of you, he's called you to be a Christian parent, God will enable you to do that task.

Christian husband. God will enable you to be that man.

After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

Some of you, he's called you to be a Christian parent, God will enable you to do that task.

He's called us to give to his work. God will enable us to do that task.

8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

He's called us to give to his work. God will enable us to do that task.

Some of you, he's called you to be a Christian parent, God will enable you to do that task.

8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

He's called us to give to his work. God will enable us to do that task.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

He's called us to be witnesses and he says, I'm going to enable you to be used of me as my witness.

He's called us to give to his work. God will enable us to do that task.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

He's called us to be witnesses and he says, I'm going to enable you to be used of me as my witness.

Well, this evening we see a wonderful verse, vs. 8, but you shall receive power after that, the Holy Ghost has come upon you and you shall be witnesses unto me.

He's called us to be witnesses and he says, I'm going to enable you to be used of me as my witness.

Well, this evening we see a wonderful verse, vs. 8, but you shall receive power after that, the Holy Ghost has come upon you and you shall be witnesses unto me.

5. Apostles were a special group of men called of God to bridge the gap from the time of Christ on earth to this church age. They were used of God along with other prophets to deliver to us the New Testament Scriptures which are the foundation of our faith.

He's called us to be witnesses and he says, I'm going to enable you to be used of me as my witness.

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Notice if you have your outline this evening, the promise of power,

Well, this evening we see a wonderful verse, vs. 8, but you shall receive power after that, the Holy Ghost has come upon you and you shall be witnesses unto me.

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Notice if you have your outline this evening, the promise of power,

1. The Promise of Power

Notice if you have your outline this evening, the promise of power,

1. The Promise of Power

But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

1. The Promise of Power

But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

1. The Promise of Power

God says, I'm going to give you the power that you need to do the work that I have called you to do and we see in this promise a comforting promise.

6. Therefore no one dare call themselves an Apostle today for these reasons:

1. The Promise of Power

God says, I'm going to give you the power that you need to do the work that I have called you to do and we see in this promise a comforting promise.

6. Therefore no one dare call themselves an Apostle today for these reasons:

It is a comfort to me to know that God has promised me his presence and his power. Notice his presence in this vs. 8, “ but you shall receive the power.”

a. Only the 12 Apostles are especially designated as such.

It is a comfort to me to know that God has promised me his presence and his power. Notice his presence in this vs. 8, “ but you shall receive the power.”

God says, I'm going to give you the power that you need to do the work that I have called you to do and we see in this promise a comforting promise.

It is a comfort to me to know that God has promised me his presence and his power. Notice his presence in this vs. 8, “ but you shall receive the power.”

God says, I'm going to give you the power that you need to do the work that I have called you to do and we see in this promise a comforting promise.

a. Only the 12 Apostles are especially designated as such.

It is a comfort to me to know that God has promised me his presence and his power. Notice his presence in this vs. 8, “ but you shall receive the power.”

A. Comforting Promise

It is a comfort to me to know that God has promised me his presence and his power. Notice his presence in this vs. 8, “ but you shall receive the power.”

b. The Apostles saw the resurrected Lord. Men today have not.

A. Comforting Promise

It is a comfort to me to know that God has promised me his presence and his power. Notice his presence in this vs. 8, “ but you shall receive the power.”

b. The Apostles saw the resurrected Lord. Men today have not.

The phrase says, “you shall receive.”

A. Comforting Promise

c. Only the 12 Apostles are memorialized in the foundations of the New Jerusalem.

A. Comforting Promise

The phrase says, “you shall receive.”

c. Only the 12 Apostles are memorialized in the foundations of the New Jerusalem.

II. The Pause (1:4-5)

This was not something that a Christian could refuse.

II. The Pause (1:4-5)

This was not something that a Christian could refuse.

The phrase says, “you shall receive.”

This was not something that a Christian could refuse.

The phrase says, “you shall receive.”

This was not something that a Christian could refuse.

A. In His post-resurrection appearances, our Lord commands His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation (; ). However, Acts records Jesus also tells them not to leave Jerusalem yet, but to wait for the promise of the Father (1:4).

This was not something that a Christian could refuse.

It was not something that they could take it or leave it later on after believing on the Lord Jesus Christ,

A. In His post-resurrection appearances, our Lord commands His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation (; ). However, Acts records Jesus also tells them not to leave Jerusalem yet, but to wait for the promise of the Father (1:4).

It was not something that they could take it or leave it later on after believing on the Lord Jesus Christ,

but that when someone receives Christ as Savior,

B. This promise is they will be endued with power from on high (). After telling them to wait, Jesus reminds the disciples John baptized with water but they will be baptized with the Holy Ghost in a few days (1:5). They would be indwelt by the Holy Spirit and thus empowered to do his work.

but that when someone receives Christ as Savior,

B. This promise is they will be endued with power from on high (). After telling them to wait, Jesus reminds the disciples John baptized with water but they will be baptized with the Holy Ghost in a few days (1:5). They would be indwelt by the Holy Spirit and thus empowered to do his work.

but that when someone receives Christ as Savior,

It was not something that they could take it or leave it later on after believing on the Lord Jesus Christ,

but that when someone receives Christ as Savior,

then the promise of the Holy Spirit

C. The Holy Spirit indwelling all believers permanently at salvation reflects a change in the Holy Spirit’s ministry from the Old Testament to the New Testament church age. In and 17 we read, “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth.” This was a promise that the Holy Spirit would take up permanent residence in the believer. Obviously this had not yet occurred when this passage was written. states the Spirit was not yet given.

but that when someone receives Christ as Savior,

then the promise of the Holy Spirit

C. The Holy Spirit indwelling all believers permanently at salvation reflects a change in the Holy Spirit’s ministry from the Old Testament to the New Testament church age. In and 17 we read, “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth.” This was a promise that the Holy Spirit would take up permanent residence in the believer. Obviously this had not yet occurred when this passage was written. states the Spirit was not yet given.

then the promise of the Holy Spirit

but that when someone receives Christ as Savior,

then the promise of the Holy Spirit

According to when would this promise be fulfilled?

and the power of the Holy Spirit is something Jesus said you're going to receive this

then the promise of the Holy Spirit

and the power of the Holy Spirit is something Jesus said you're going to receive this

and the power of the Holy Spirit is something Jesus said you're going to receive this John 16:7

and the power of the Holy Spirit is something Jesus said you're going to receive this

According to when would this promise be fulfilled?

and the power of the Holy Spirit is something Jesus said you're going to receive this

KJV 1900

John 16:7 KJV 1900

__________________________________________________________

and the power of the Holy Spirit is something Jesus said you're going to receive this

KJV 1900

and the power of the Holy Spirit is something Jesus said you're going to receive this

__________________________________________________________

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

KJV 1900

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

KJV 1900

D. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit did come upon individuals (see ;; ), and, when displeased, the Spirit would depart (see ). That is why David prayed, “Take not thy Holy Spirit from me.” () Yes, many times the Holy Spirit would come upon Old Testament Bible characters, but He did not abide with all believers in a permanent way.

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

D. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit did come upon individuals (see ;; ), and, when displeased, the Spirit would depart (see ). That is why David prayed, “Take not thy Holy Spirit from me.” () Yes, many times the Holy Spirit would come upon Old Testament Bible characters, but He did not abide with all believers in a permanent way.

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

E. This helps us to understand what Jesus said in , when he promised, “Even the Spirit of truth…dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (note - He that is “with you” shall be “in you”) This was the promise of a new ministry of the Holy Spirit that would permanently indwell believers. Before His ascension, Jesus instructed the disciples to tarry in Jerusalem and wait to be endued with power from on high ( & ).

Jesus Christ has departed and is seated at the right hand of God the father physically

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Jesus Christ has departed and is seated at the right hand of God the father physically

and Jesus Christ has sent the Holy Spirit of God and He indwells every believers life today. What a comforting promise to know that you and I have in us if you are saved, the Holy Spirit of God.

On the day of Pentecost, precisely 50 days after the death of Christ on the cross, the Holy Spirit came down to indwell believers. (note – the Feast of Pentecost was 50 days after the Passover) This was fulfillment of what John the Baptist said would happen in : “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.” Jesus also said this would happen in . “For John baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” To “baptize” means to be immersed in.

and Jesus Christ has sent the Holy Spirit of God and He indwells every believers life today. What a comforting promise to know that you and I have in us if you are saved, the Holy Spirit of God.

Jesus Christ has departed and is seated at the right hand of God the father physically

and Jesus Christ has sent the Holy Spirit of God and He indwells every believers life today. What a comforting promise to know that you and I have in us if you are saved, the Holy Spirit of God.

On the day of Pentecost, precisely 50 days after the death of Christ on the cross, the Holy Spirit came down to indwell believers. (note – the Feast of Pentecost was 50 days after the Passover) This was fulfillment of what John the Baptist said would happen in : “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.” Jesus also said this would happen in . “For John baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” To “baptize” means to be immersed in.

and Jesus Christ has sent the Holy Spirit of God and He indwells every believers life today. What a comforting promise to know that you and I have in us if you are saved, the Holy Spirit of God.

Jesus Christ has departed and is seated at the right hand of God the father physically

the Apostle Paul said,

F. The baptism with the Holy Ghost was the dividing line when the change in ministry of the Holy Spirit took place. From that day forward the Holy Spirit has indwelled every believer at salvation. Pentecost is not to sought or duplicated. Much confusion exists today because of the teaching that somehow we ought to attempt to duplicate Pentecost. The believer is not told to seek a “baptism of the Holy Ghost” as some sort of “second blessing” but rather to be filled with the Spirit. () So when a person is saved today they do not have to have to wait ten days to receive the Holy Spirit. Because Jesus had not yet ascended to the Father, the Holy Spirit had not come to earth. However, since the Holy Spirit has now come on Pentecost the book of declares, ”But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” If a person does not have the Holy Spirit is not saved, but praise the Lord upon being regenerated by the Holy Spirit () every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit (, ) and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Read these verses below:

and Jesus Christ has sent the Holy Spirit of God and He indwells every believers life today. What a comforting promise to know that you and I have in us if you are saved, the Holy Spirit of God.

the Apostle Paul said,

and Jesus Christ has sent the Holy Spirit of God and He indwells every believers life today. What a comforting promise to know that you and I have in us if you are saved, the Holy Spirit of God.

the Apostle Paul said,

F. The baptism with the Holy Ghost was the dividing line when the change in ministry of the Holy Spirit took place. From that day forward the Holy Spirit has indwelled every believer at salvation. Pentecost is not to sought or duplicated. Much confusion exists today because of the teaching that somehow we ought to attempt to duplicate Pentecost. The believer is not told to seek a “baptism of the Holy Ghost” as some sort of “second blessing” but rather to be filled with the Spirit. () So when a person is saved today they do not have to have to wait ten days to receive the Holy Spirit. Because Jesus had not yet ascended to the Father, the Holy Spirit had not come to earth. However, since the Holy Spirit has now come on Pentecost the book of declares, ”But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” If a person does not have the Holy Spirit is not saved, but praise the Lord upon being regenerated by the Holy Spirit () every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit (, ) and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Read these verses below:

KJV 1900

the Apostle Paul said,

Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

KJV 1900

the Apostle Paul said,

Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV 1900

KJV 1900

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

KJV 1900

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

This church is not God's Temple. Your body and mind are the residences of God's spirit. He is with all of us today. Isn't that a blessing to know that he goes with us personally?

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

This church is not God's Temple. Your body and mind are the residences of God's spirit. He is with all of us today. Isn't that a blessing to know that he goes with us personally?

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

This church is not God's Temple. Your body and mind are the residences of God's spirit. He is with all of us today. Isn't that a blessing to know that he goes with us personally?

It is a comforting presence to know that God is with us. Notice not only his presence, but then we see his power.

This church is not God's Temple. Your body and mind are the residences of God's spirit. He is with all of us today. Isn't that a blessing to know that he goes with us personally?

G. So the disciples were commanded to pause and wait for this promise before going out to evangelize that they might be empowered to do so.

It is a comforting presence to know that God is with us. Notice not only his presence, but then we see his power.

G. So the disciples were commanded to pause and wait for this promise before going out to evangelize that they might be empowered to do so.

This church is not God's Temple. Your body and mind are the residences of God's spirit. He is with all of us today. Isn't that a blessing to know that he goes with us personally?

It is a comforting presence to know that God is with us. Notice not only his presence, but then we see his power.

III. The Promise (1:6-8)

It is a comforting presence to know that God is with us. Notice not only his presence, but then we see his power.

III. The Promise (1:6-8)

B. Power

A. Probably the disciples were excited about what Jesus promised, but they were still concerned about when Jesus would establish his kingdom on earth. Remember the Jew were under Roman rule which they hated. They clung to the promises of the coming Messiah King would establish peace on earth and restore Israel to their land. This provoked them to ask a question found in ch. 1:6. What was it?

The Bible says, but ye shall receive power. This word, power is the word Dunemas. It is the Greek word Dunamus from which the English word dynamite comes from.

B. Power

A. Probably the disciples were excited about what Jesus promised, but they were still concerned about when Jesus would establish his kingdom on earth. Remember the Jew were under Roman rule which they hated. They clung to the promises of the coming Messiah King would establish peace on earth and restore Israel to their land. This provoked them to ask a question found in ch. 1:6. What was it?

The Bible says, but ye shall receive power. This word, power is the word Dunemas. It is the Greek word Dunamus from which the English word dynamite comes from.

The Bible says, but ye shall receive power. This word, power is the word Dunemas. It is the Greek word Dunamus from which the English word dynamite comes from. And Jesus says, I'm going up into heaven here in he is ascending up into heaven, but he says, I'm going to leave you with my presence, with my spirit, with my power. And boy, when you read this whole book, the book of acts, it is called the acts of the apostles and it is filled with power. I mean the apostle Paul has been bitten by a poisonious snake and lives, I mean, endin up in jail for preaching the gospel and the jail doors are opened and earthquakes occur and, and people's lives are touched and healed and changed. And, and those that are given to witchcraft and sorcery are freed from it.

And Jesus says, I'm going up into heaven. Here in he is ascending up into heaven, but he says, I'm going to leave you with my presence, with my spirit, with my power. And boy, when you read this whole book, the book of acts, it is called the acts of the apostles and it is filled with power.

B. From one standpoint we could judge the disciples for getting confused about secular nationalistic aspirations over the spiritual directives Jesus had given them, but at the same time remember that they did have these promises in the Old Testament. In addition these promises were connected with promises regarding an outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Consider these prophecies found in the Old Testament ; ; ,

The Bible says, but ye shall receive power. This word, power is the word Dunemas. It is the Greek word Dunamus from which the English word dynamite comes from. And Jesus says, I'm going up into heaven here in he is ascending up into heaven, but he says, I'm going to leave you with my presence, with my spirit, with my power. And boy, when you read this whole book, the book of acts, it is called the acts of the apostles and it is filled with power. I mean the apostle Paul has been bitten by a poisonious snake and lives, I mean, endin up in jail for preaching the gospel and the jail doors are opened and earthquakes occur and, and people's lives are touched and healed and changed. And, and those that are given to witchcraft and sorcery are freed from it.

And Jesus says, I'm going up into heaven. Here in he is ascending up into heaven, but he says, I'm going to leave you with my presence, with my spirit, with my power. And boy, when you read this whole book, the book of acts, it is called the acts of the apostles and it is filled with power.

B. From one standpoint we could judge the disciples for getting confused about secular nationalistic aspirations over the spiritual directives Jesus had given them, but at the same time remember that they did have these promises in the Old Testament. In addition these promises were connected with promises regarding an outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Consider these prophecies found in the Old Testament ; ; ,

And Jesus says, I'm going up into heaven. Here in Acts 1 he is ascending up into heaven, but he says, I'm going to leave you with my presence, with my spirit, with my power. And boy, when you read this whole book, the book of acts, it is called the acts of the apostles and it is filled with power.

And Jesus says, I'm going up into heaven. Here in he is ascending up into heaven, but he says, I'm going to leave you with my presence, with my spirit, with my power. And boy, when you read this whole book, the book of acts, it is called the acts of the apostles and it is filled with power.

C. We see this promise to Israel even in the New Testament. Consider “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:”

Speaker 2: (10:39)

C. We see this promise to Israel even in the New Testament. Consider “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:”

I mean the apostle Paul

Speaker 2: (10:39)

has been bitten by a poisonious snake and lives,

And throughout the book of acts, you see power, power, power.

has been bitten by a poisonious snake and lives,

D. Jesus does not deny the validity of their aspirations, but merely informs them that it is not for them to know the times. God alone knows the time of his coming.

And throughout the book of acts, you see power, power, power.

I mean, endin up in jail for preaching the gospel and the jail doors are opened and earthquakes occur and,

By the way, how many of you believe we need to see God's power today?

I mean, endin up in jail for preaching the gospel and the jail doors are opened and earthquakes occur and,

E. Today, as believers we are excited about Christ’s return, but that excitement should never result in an obsession in end time studies over evangelism.

By the way, how many of you believe we need to see God's power today?

E. Today, as believers we are excited about Christ’s return, but that excitement should never result in an obsession in end time studies over evangelism.

I mean, endin up in jail for preaching the gospel and the jail doors are opened and earthquakes occur and,

Lives Change, marriages saved, souls saved.

G. Jesus does give them a tremendous promise that they might be encouraged in the right direction. He promises them power to witness in verse 8.

Lives Change, marriages saved, souls saved.

and people's lives are touched and healed and changed.

G. Jesus does give them a tremendous promise that they might be encouraged in the right direction. He promises them power to witness in verse 8.

and people's lives are touched and healed and changed.

is in your notes,

And, and those that are given to witchcraft and sorcery are freed from it.

is in your notes,

And, and those that are given to witchcraft and sorcery are freed from it.

1. Power is from DYNAMIS = Greek from which we get our word dynamite

And, and those that are given to witchcraft and sorcery are freed from it.

1. Power is from DYNAMIS = Greek from which we get our word dynamite

2. Witness is from Greek word MARTYS. We get our English word Martyr from

And throughout the book of acts, you see

2. Witness is from Greek word MARTYS. We get our English word Martyr from

And throughout the book of acts, you see

power,

that and indeed as someone has said, “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the

power,

that and indeed as someone has said, “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the

KJV 1900

church.” But the original meaning is someone who shares information based on

power,

church.” But the original meaning is someone who shares information based on

power,

31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

power.

And so throughout the book of acts, we see this manifestation of God's power. It was a comforting promise to know that God said, as my son ascends up into heaven, I will not leave you without my presence. I will send My Spirit. But notice secondly, not only a comforting promise, but notice in your notes, a constant presence, a constant presence.

firsthand experience.

power.

And so throughout the book of acts, we see this manifestation of God's power. It was a comforting promise to know that God said, as my son ascends up into heaven, I will not leave you without my presence. I will send My Spirit. But notice secondly, not only a comforting promise, but notice in your notes, a constant presence, a constant presence.

By the way, how many of you believe we need to see God's power today?

H. Jesus then gives an inspired outline of the book of Acts. They will be His witnesses to the Jews, the part-Jews, and to the Gentiles. (vs. 8)Acts of the Apostles

B. A Constant Presence

By the way, how many of you believe we need to see God's power today?

H. Jesus then gives an inspired outline of the book of Acts. They will be His witnesses to the Jews, the part-Jews, and to the Gentiles. (vs. 8)

B. A Constant Presence

By the way, how many of you believe we need to see God's power today?

Lives Change,

Now the Bible says here, but you shall receive power after that, the Holy Ghost is come upon you. And what we learn in this passage is that the holy spirit of God would come on the day of Pentecost. He would indwell those who had been the followers of Christ and for all who received Christ thereafter, they immediately received the Holy Spirit of God and his presence is with us.

Lesson One – Preparation of Evangelism

Now the Bible says here, but you shall receive power after that, the Holy Ghost is come upon you. And what we learn in this passage is that the holy spirit of God would come on the day of Pentecost. He would indwell those who had been the followers of Christ and for all who received Christ thereafter, they immediately received the Holy Spirit of God and his presence is with us.

Lives Change,

marriages saved,

Now, how many of you have noticed that in this world, not very many things are constant. Most of you don't hang with the friends you knew in high school.

marriages saved,

Acts 1:1-11

marriages saved,

Now, how many of you have noticed that in this world, not very many things are constant. Most of you don't hang with the friends you knew in high school.

marriages saved,

souls saved.

Speaker 2: (12:03)

souls saved.

We begin a study through one of the most exciting books in the New Testament, the Book of Acts. It is a history book that exclusively tells the story of the early church. It bridges the gap between the Gospels and the Epistles. There is so much in the New Testament that would leave us in the dark without the book of Acts to fill us in on what happened after Jesus’ ascension to heaven. One example is that we would be at a loss in identifying who the Apostle Paul was. In acts we learn of his background, his miraculous conversion, and his marvelous transformation. This helps us to better grasp all the books of the Bible God inspired him to write.

souls saved.

Acts 4:31 KJV 1900

Acts is a continuation of the story of Jesus according to verse 1. The writer states that he has already written of “all that Jesus began both to do and teach.” What we will read in Acts is a continuation of the Lord’s work. For this reason many prefer the title, “Acts of Jesus Christ.” We certainly understand their viewpoint because the work of the church is first and foremost the work of Christ. All the way through it is the Savior who is working.

Friends Change, political offices change

KJV 1900

Friends Change, political offices change

31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Speaker 2: (12:15)

In the opening of chapter one the Disciples of Christ are waiting on the Lord to prepare them for ministry.

31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Speaker 2: (12:15)

31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

And so throughout the book of acts, we see this manifestation of God's power. It was a comforting promise to know that God said, as my son ascends up into heaven, I will not leave you without my presence. I will send My Spirit. But notice secondly, not only a comforting promise, but notice in your notes, a constant presence, a constant presence.

Countries and governments change. How many of you have noticed that economies change?

And so throughout the book of acts, we see this manifestation of God's power. It was a comforting promise to know that God said, as my son ascends up into heaven, I will not leave you without my presence. I will send My Spirit. But notice secondly, not only a comforting promise, but notice in your notes, a constant presence, a constant presence.

I. The Pen

One man said to his friend, who's watching over your portfolio these days, and he said, I dunno. I think the plummer has a pretty good view of mine. How many of you notice money comes and goes? Not a lot of things are constant. Let me say to your friends this morning, the presence of God in your life is a constant.

B. A Constant Presence

One man said to his friend, who's watching over your portfolio these days, and he said, I dunno. I think the plummer has a pretty good view of mine. How many of you notice money comes and goes? Not a lot of things are constant. Let me say to your friends this morning, the presence of God in your life is a constant.

A. First, we notice the human author of this book is Luke. This is not stated directly, but we learn it indirectly because the author opens up speaking of a “former treatise” that he wrote to a man by the name of Theophilus. The Gospel of Luke is written to the same man. (Read Luke 1:1-3). Theophilius was probably a high ranking Roman official. We gather this from the high title in which Luke addresses him, “most excellent Theopholis” in Luke 1:3. Obviously he was close to Luke.

B. A Constant Presence

B. It is most likely that he wrote Acts in the early sixties (around 61 A.D.) since he did not write about Paul’s death (68 A.D) nor the destruction of Jerusalem (70 A.D.). It is unknown where Luke was when he wrote Acts.

Now the Bible says here, but you shall receive power after that, the Holy Ghost is come upon you. And what we learn in this passage is that the Holy Spirit of God would come on the day of Pentecost. He would indwell those

Speaker 2: (12:42)

Now the Bible says here, but you shall receive power after that, the Holy Ghost is come upon you. And what we learn in this passage is that the Holy Spirit of God would come on the day of Pentecost. He would indwell those

Speaker 2: (12:42)

Now the Bible says here, but you shall receive power after that, the Holy Ghost is come upon you. And what we learn in this passage is that the Holy Spirit of God would come on the day of Pentecost. He would indwell those

who had been the followers of Christ

It is a constant abiding presence and Jesus said, the Holy Spirit of God will come upon you. Notice back in again,

who had been the followers of Christ

It is a constant abiding presence and Jesus said, the Holy Spirit of God will come upon you. Notice back in again,

C. Luke is mentioned only a few times in the New Testament, so we know relatively little about him. We know he was a physician (Col. 4:14) and Paul’s co-worker (Philemon 24). We know a Luke was with Paul in his imprisonment (2 Timothy 4:11a).

who had been the followers of Christ

and for all who received Christ thereafter,

D. Luke never refers to himself by name in his gospel nor in Acts, and simply uses “we” or “us” when he is involved in Paul’s travels.

and for all who received Christ thereafter,

they immediately received the Holy Spirit of God and his presence is with us.

KJV 1900

they immediately received the Holy Spirit of God and his presence is with us.

E. Luke has the distinction of being the only Gentile writer in the New Testament.

KJV 1900

F. In his gospel, Luke writes about all that Jesus began both to do and teach (Acts 1:1c). Then, in Acts, he records what Jesus continues to do through the Holy Ghost (1:2). Luke makes it clear that God’s work is carried on in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is make abundantly apparent that God’s work cannot be accomplished apart from the power of God.

Illustration: Things Change

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Illustration: Things Change

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Illustration: Things Change

Listen, you can bank on this fact that if you have been born again, the spirit of the living God has taken up residence in your life and he will never leave you and he will never forsake you. Political offices will change. Finances will change, governments will change. France will change, but Jesus never fails and his holy spirit will never leave you.

Now, how many of you have noticed that in this world, not very many things are constant.

Listen, you can bank on this fact that if you have been born again, the spirit of the living God has taken up residence in your life and he will never leave you and he will never forsake you. Political offices will change. Finances will change, governments will change. France will change, but Jesus never fails and his holy spirit will never leave you.

Now, how many of you have noticed that in this world, not very many things are constant.

G. Though the ministry of Jesus continues through the power of the Holy Spirit, the apostles whom he had chosen are the channels through whom His power flows (1:2b).

Oh, what a blessed at thought.

Most of you don't hang with the friends you knew in high school.

Class Question: According to Acts 1:3 After His crucifixion, how does Jesus prepare the apostles to spread the Gospel? Answer: First he shows himself alive after “his passion” (the cross), and He teaches them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. For an examination of this teaching please read Luke 24:13-45 and note particularly vs. 27, 32, 44, 45. (Note carefully that the resurrection is said to be demonstrated by “many infallible proofs” – no one can argue against it.)

Oh, what a blessed at thought.

Most of you don't hang with the friends you knew in high school.

Friends Change,

in verse five

Friends Change,

in verse five

political offices change

Side Note – Apostles

Countries and governments change.

KJV 1900

Countries and governments change.

economies change?

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

economies change?

(note the following truths regarding Apostles)

economies change?

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

economies change?

Not a lot of things are constant. Let me say to your friends this morning, the presence of God in your life is a constant.

Speaker 2: (13:45)

Not a lot of things are constant. Let me say to your friends this morning, the presence of God in your life is a constant.

Speaker 2: (13:45)

Not a lot of things are constant. Let me say to your friends this morning, the presence of God in your life is a constant.

1. Apostles were especially chosen by Jesus – Acts 1:3; I Ti 1:1; 2:7; II Ti 1:1, 11

Now the presence of God, it commences in your life at the moment of salvation, that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that was just born of the spirit is spirit. And if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, then it is because of the spirit of God wooing you and bringing you into the family of God. And the Holy Spirit of God has placed you into the family of God, but also indwells your life. And you were born again by the Holy Spirit of God, but God doesn't want the day you were born spiritually to be the end of everything.

2. Apostles are specifically designated in Scripture – Matt. 10:2; I Cor. 15:7-9

It is a constant abiding presence and Jesus said, the Holy Spirit of God will come upon you. Notice back in Matthew 28:20 again,

It is a constant abiding presence and Jesus said, the Holy Spirit of God will come upon you. Notice back in again,

3. Apostles are memorialized in the foundation of the New Jerusalem – Rev. 21:14

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

How many of you believe that the new birth should be the beginning of everything? And he says, now that you're saved, I want you to learn how to walk in the spirit. Galatians five and verse 25

Listen, you can bank on this fact that if you have been born again, the spirit of the living God has taken up residence in your life and he will never leave you and he will never forsake you.

4. Apostles were required to have seen the risen Lord Jesus to be qualified to be called an Apostle. –

Listen, you can bank on this fact that if you have been born again, the spirit of the living God has taken up residence in your life and he will never leave you and he will never forsake you.

Political offices will change.

1Co 9:1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

KJV 1900

Political offices will change.

KJV 1900

Finances will change,

1Co 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

Finances will change,

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Finances will change,

governments will change.

8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

governments will change.

if we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit and then he says, now that you're saved and you're walking, I want to enable you in your life to serve me more effectively.

Speaker 2: (14:40)

Finance will change,

Speaker 2: (14:40)

9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Finance will change,

but Jesus never fails and his holy spirit will never leave you.

First Timothy one verse 11

but Jesus never fails and his holy spirit will never leave you.

First Timothy one verse 11

5. Apostles were a special group of men called of God to bridge the gap from the time of Christ on earth to this church age. They were used of God along with other prophets to deliver to us the New Testament Scriptures which are the foundation of our faith.

Oh, what a blessed at thought.

Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Oh, what a blessed at thought.

in verse five

Jude 1:17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Hebrews 13 in verse five

in verse five

KJV 1900

in verse five

KJV 1900

6. Therefore no one dare call themselves an Apostle today for these reasons:

11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

a. Only the 12 Apostles are especially designated as such.

KJV 1900

The word enabled means to strengthen, to and do with power from on high. Someone says, Pastor Travis, I can't witness. I don't know how to teach. I don't know what to say. Let me help you with something. It's not about your ability. It's about God enabling and helping you. That's the power for life.

KJV 1900

Hebrews 13:5–6 KJV 1900

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

b. The Apostles saw the resurrected Lord. Men today have not.

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

KJV 1900

Speaker 2: (13:45)

c. Only the 12 Apostles are memorialized in the foundations of the New Jerusalem.

Speaker 2: (13:45)

KJV 1900

Now the presence of God, it commences in your life at the moment of salvation, that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that was just born of the spirit is spirit. And if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, then it is because of the spirit of God wooing you and bringing you into the family of God. And the Holy Spirit of God has placed you into the family of God, but also indwells your life. And you were born again by the Holy Spirit of God, but God doesn't want the day you were born spiritually to be the end of everything.

6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, Saith the Lord of hosts.

II. The Pause (1:4-5)

6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, Saith the Lord of hosts.

Now the presence of God, it commences in your life at the moment of salvation, that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that was just born of the spirit is spirit. And if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, then it is because of the spirit of God wooing you and bringing you into the family of God. And the Holy Spirit of God has placed you into the family of God, but also indwells your life. And you were born again by the Holy Spirit of God, but God doesn't want the day you were born spiritually to be the end of everything.

A. In His post-resurrection appearances, our Lord commands His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15). However, Acts records Jesus also tells them not to leave Jerusalem yet, but to wait for the promise of the Father (1:4).

How many of you believe that the new birth should be the beginning of everything? And he says, now that you're saved, I want you to learn how to walk in the spirit. Galatians five and verse 25

It's not by might nor by my power, but by my spirit Sayeth the Lord. And so the promise for power found in verse eight but ye shall receive power after that. The Holy Ghost is come upon you. Now notice secondly, not only the promise for power, but notice secondly the purpose of this power.

How many of you believe that the new birth should be the beginning of everything? And he says, now that you're saved, I want you to learn how to walk in the spirit. Galatians five and verse 25

It's not by might nor by my power, but by my spirit Sayeth the Lord. And so the promise for power found in verse eight but ye shall receive power after that. The Holy Ghost is come upon you. Now notice secondly, not only the promise for power, but notice secondly the purpose of this power.

How many of you believe that the new birth should be the beginning of everything? And he says, now that you're saved, I want you to learn how to walk in the spirit. Galatians five and verse 25

B. This promise is they will be endued with power from on high (Lk 24:49). After telling them to wait, Jesus reminds the disciples John baptized with water but they will be baptized with the Holy Ghost in a few days (1:5). They would be indwelt by the Holy Spirit and thus empowered to do his work.

2. The Purpose of Power

C. The Holy Spirit indwelling all believers permanently at salvation reflects a change in the Holy Spirit’s ministry from the Old Testament to the New Testament church age. In John 14:16 and 17 we read, “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth.” This was a promise that the Holy Spirit would take up permanent residence in the believer. Obviously this had not yet occurred when this passage was written. John 7:39 states the Spirit was not yet given.

KJV 1900

Galatians 5:25 KJV 1900

KJV 1900

You know, there were people in the Bible who saw the apostle Paul manifesting the power of God and they tried to copy and mimic what he was doing so that they could use this power for their own advanced causes.

KJV 1900

You know, there were people in the Bible who saw the apostle Paul manifesting the power of God and they tried to copy and mimic what he was doing so that they could use this power for their own advanced causes.

KJV 1900

According to John 7:39 when would this promise be fulfilled?

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Speaker 2: (15:49)

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Speaker 2: (15:49)

if we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit and then he says, now that you're saved and you're walking, I want to enable you in your life to serve me more effectively.

But here we see that the purpose of the power is not for our cause. It's not for our own selfish resources. It is for the glory of God. Notice what it says in

if we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit and then he says, now that you're saved and you're walking, I want to enable you in your life to serve me more effectively.

But here we see that the purpose of the power is not for our cause. It's not for our own selfish resources. It is for the glory of God. Notice what it says in

if we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit and then he says, now that you're saved and you're walking, I want to enable you in your life to serve me more effectively.

__________________________________________________________

Speaker 2: (14:40)

D. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit did come upon individuals (see Judges 3:10;11:29; I Sam. 16:13), and, when displeased, the Spirit would depart (see I Sam. 16:14). That is why David prayed, “Take not thy Holy Spirit from me.” (Psalm 51:11) Yes, many times the Holy Spirit would come upon Old Testament Bible characters, but He did not abide with all believers in a permanent way.

First Timothy one verse 11

KJV 1900

First Timothy one verse 11

E. This helps us to understand what Jesus said in John 14:17, when he promised, “Even the Spirit of truth…dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (note - He that is “with you” shall be “in you”) This was the promise of a new ministry of the Holy Spirit that would permanently indwell believers. Before His ascension, Jesus instructed the disciples to tarry in Jerusalem and wait to be endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49 & Acts 1:4-5).

KJV 1900

First Timothy one verse 11

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

On the day of Pentecost, precisely 50 days after the death of Christ on the cross, the Holy Spirit came down to indwell believers. (note – the Feast of Pentecost was 50 days after the Passover) This was fulfillment of what John the Baptist said would happen in Matthew 3:11: “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.” Jesus also said this would happen in Acts 1:5. “For John baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” To “baptize” means to be immersed in.

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

KJV 1900

F. The baptism with the Holy Ghost was the dividing line when the change in ministry of the Holy Spirit took place. From that day forward the Holy Spirit has indwelled every believer at salvation. Pentecost is not to sought or duplicated. Much confusion exists today because of the teaching that somehow we ought to attempt to duplicate Pentecost. The believer is not told to seek a “baptism of the Holy Ghost” as some sort of “second blessing” but rather to be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18) So when a person is saved today they do not have to have to wait ten days to receive the Holy Spirit. Because Jesus had not yet ascended to the Father, the Holy Spirit had not come to earth. However, since the Holy Spirit has now come on Pentecost the book of Romans 8:9b-c declares, ”But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” If a person does not have the Holy Spirit is not saved, but praise the Lord upon being regenerated by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5) every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 6:19, 20) and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Read these verses below:

KJV 1900

So the purpose of the power, first of all is to testify of the truth.

1 Timothy 1:11–12 KJV 1900

So the purpose of the power, first of all is to testify of the truth.

11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

A. Testify of the Truth

11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

2Co 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

A. Testify of the Truth

The word enabled means to strengthen, to and do with power from on high. Someone says, Pastor Travis, I can't witness. I don't know how to teach. I don't know what to say. Let me help you with something. It's not about your ability. It's about God enabling and helping you. That's the power for life.

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

The word enabled means to strengthen, to and do with power from on high. Someone says, Pastor Travis, I can't witness. I don't know how to teach. I don't know what to say. Let me help you with something. It's not about your ability. It's about God enabling and helping you. That's the power for life.

Ye shall be witnesses. And the pattern of our testifying is by way of giving a witness. Now this is a legal term. It speaks about testifying of something you have seen, heard, or experienced. So Jesus is telling these apostles just before he ascends up into heaven, he is telling them, now I am going to go to heaven to be at the right hand of the father, but I'm going to give to you the holy spirit of God.

The word enabled means to strengthen, to and do with power from on high. Someone says, Pastor Travis, I can't witness. I don't know how to teach. I don't know what to say. Let me help you with something. It's not about your ability. It's about God enabling and helping you. That's the power for life.

Speaker 2: (16:53)

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

He's going to assist you, empower you, and guide you so that you can be witnesses of everything you've seen and heard and experienced so that the church doesn't stop with my ascension into heaven, but it begins to go forward in power because you are going to be my witnesses.

KJV 1900

Zechariah 4:6 KJV 1900

G. So the disciples were commanded to pause and wait for this promise before going out to evangelize that they might be empowered to do so.

KJV 1900

He's going to assist you, empower you, and guide you so that you can be witnesses of everything you've seen and heard and experienced so that the church doesn't stop with my ascension into heaven, but it begins to go forward in power because you are going to be my witnesses.

6 ...Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, Saith the Lord of hosts.

And this is exactly what the Apostle Paul spoke about in second Corinthians four and one.

6 ...Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, Saith the Lord of hosts.

6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, Saith the Lord of hosts.

III. The Promise (1:6-8)

And this is exactly what the Apostle Paul spoke about in second Corinthians four and one.

It's not by might nor by my power, but by my spirit Sayeth the Lord. And so the promise for power found in verse eight but ye shall receive power after that. The Holy Ghost is come upon you. Now notice secondly, not only the promise for power, but notice secondly the purpose of this power.

A. Probably the disciples were excited about what Jesus promised, but they were still concerned about when Jesus would establish his kingdom on earth. Remember the Jew were under Roman rule which they hated. They clung to the promises of the coming Messiah King would establish peace on earth and restore Israel to their land. This provoked them to ask a question found in ch. 1:6. What was it?

It's not by might nor by my power, but by my spirit Sayeth the Lord. And so the promise for power found in verse eight but ye shall receive power after that. The Holy Ghost is come upon you. Now notice secondly, not only the promise for power, but notice secondly the purpose of this power.

2. The Purpose of Power

KJV 1900

2. The Purpose of Power

B. From one standpoint we could judge the disciples for getting confused about secular nationalistic aspirations over the spiritual directives Jesus had given them, but at the same time remember that they did have these promises in the Old Testament. In addition these promises were connected with promises regarding an outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Consider these prophecies found in the Old Testament Isa. 32:15-20; Ezek. 39:28-29; Joel 2:28-3:1, Zech. 12:8-10

KJV 1900

2. The Purpose of Power

You know, there were people in the Bible who saw the apostle Paul manifesting the power of God and they tried to copy and mimic what he was doing so that they could use this power for their own advanced causes.

1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

C. We see this promise to Israel even in the New Testament. Consider Ro 11:26 “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:”