Sermon Tone Analysis

Who wrote the largest segment of the New Testament?

Luke

Many have always viewed Paul as the author of most of the New Testament.

If you account for his various letters, he has more individual works, but if you look at content supplied - Luke has written the greatest volume of the New Testament.

Many look at the writings of Luke in the Gospel of Luke and Acts (and some believe Hebrews), as Historical Narrative, but there is a thread of Charismatic Theology that runs through the book of Luke and Acts.

In fact, both of these “books” were really epistles or letters to Theophilus - possibly a Roman Governor or appointee whom Luke was presenting the truth of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1.

Actrs 1.1

Luke was writing to this audience of 1 an account of the work of Christ and how the Holy Spirit carried that work out after Christ ascended into heaven.

Who is Theophilus?

Some have suggested that Theophilus (which means “friend or lover of God” was a generic term for those reading the books of Luke… however with the reference to “most honorable” it is more likely it is a singular individual very possibly a Roman Governor.

It has been suggested that Theophilus was the son of High Priest Annas - and the High Priest that actually gave Paul permission to persecute the Christians.

His identity is not confirmed in Scripture or history.

Assurance, Education

References to Holy Spirit in Luke’s Works

There are 111 results in 53 verses to the reference of “The Holy Spirit” in the books of Luke and Acts.

It is important for us to understand the thread of teaching seen in the Books of Luke and Acts that point to our Pentecostal Distinctive in the Assemblies of God - the belief in not just the work of the Holy Spirit, but the:

Secondary Experience to Salvation

Empowerment of the Individual Believer

Baptism of the Holy Spirit (evidenced by Speaking in Tongues)

Luke talks of the Holy Spirit’s role before Christ in his presentation of John the Baptist being filled in the womb, leaping at hearing the sound of Mary’s voice, and Zacharias bringing forth John’s name.

We also see the role of the Holy Spirit in Mary’s conception.

(not physical as we understand the process of conception, but a spiritual experience)

Luke

The THREAD of the BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT and its PROMISE as presented by Luke.

Promise of the Holy Spirit

acts 1.

Disciples (Jews) Receive the Holy Spirit

(secondary experience requiring first the act of repentance (or salvation0

Believers in Samaria receive Holy Spirit...

Gentiles Receive Holy Spirit

Acts 2.

Proof of Holy Spirit as Presented by Apostles

acts 11.

Others Receive the Holy Spirit

Acts 19.26

If you look at the THREAD running through Luke’s writing he connects the dots from the start of Jesus ministry to the ascension of Christ and shows the transition of the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT in the believer’s life to do the WORK OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD in spreading the Gospel of Christ until Jesus returns!

Please note:

Luke focuses on the BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Some also call this the GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT --- not to be confused with the gifts of the HOLY SPIRIT.

The Gift of the Holy Spirit proceeds from CHRIST to the INDIVIDUAL BELIEVER!

The Gift of the Holy Spirit is given to EMPOWER the individual believer to

a. be a witness

b. pray

c. overcome sin

The Gift of the Holy Spirit or Baptism in the Holy Spirit is initially evidenced by Speaking in other Tongues...

not to be confused with the GIFT OF TONGUES

not to be required for salvation

not to be a pre-requisite for fruit of the Spirit to be manifested in one’s life

However, if more of the Holy Spirit is present due to the overflowing power of the Spirit, than these other things are more apt to take place.

TONGUES IS NOT THE GIFT … the HOLY SPIRIT is the Gift!

Secondary Experience

Baptized in Holy Spirit and Fire is a powerful suggestion that after the repentance of sin and putting our faith in Christ (when we identify with the church in baptism in water) there is a secondary experience.

Let’s look at the chain of experience leading up to the day of Pentecost when the Spirit was given.

John

This is truly a moment where Jesus imparts the HOLY SPIRIT UPON HIS BELIEVERS...

Is this the same experience as described in the BOOK OF ACTS?

NO it isn’t.

This is an impartation like everyone who believes receives — a measure of the Holy Spirit.

We all have a deposit of the Holy Spirit given to us in our lives...

Like a bank account that is opened with $20 or $100, or even $1000.

it is a starting place to grow!

It keeps the account opened.

But there is a greater measure promised...

Let’s return to our Charismatic Theologian - Luke...

PROMISE OF BAPTISM!

What does baptism mean --- IMMERSION

To be immersed with the Holy Spirit - to be overflowing.

John records the words of Christ regarding this, because the overflowing comes from within the believer as more of the Spirit is given...

Here is an experience that Jesus spoke of that would be

AFTER HIS ASCENSION!!!!

The disciples believed and received a measure of the HOLY SPIRIT BEFORE HIS ASCENSION --- then they prayed and sought the LORD for a secondary experience — the BAPTISM or IMMERSION in the SPIRIT - gift from Jesus to them.

Baptism in the Spirit is not simultaneous with salvation - it can happen, but is not required for salvation as some Pentecostal groups proclaim, likewise it is not there just because one received the Spirit as a deposit as non-Pentecostals proclaim.

Let’s talk about this immersion… because the Baptism is when the Spirit is overflowing our lives from the innermost parts of our being...

That means in a spiritual sense it is less of us and more of HIM flowing out of our lives.

ILLUSTRATION WITH PITCHER OF WATER AND CUP

We can use up the Holy Spirit - like water evaporates under heat, and gets consumed by need - we have to be tapping into that source daily.

-------------------------

Doesn’t it make sense that God would want us to have a point of identifying that we had received the Spirit???

God chose to show us an initial evidence that this had occurred - (keep in mind people can be really full of the Spirit without this evidence, but this evidence shows it has overflowed their lives)

TONGUES

The all controversial subject.

I believe we have demonstrated already in the thread from Luke the promise, and outpouring of the Holy Spirit and that when Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles received they demonstrated just as they did on the day of Pentecost - speaking in tongues!

The proof they gave to the Council of Jerusalem to receive Gentiles into the family of Christ was that they had received just like they did on that day — the common thread there was TONGUES.

Think of a book analogy where it describes a Holstein cow.

It is white with brown spots or brown with white spots.

Small horns, good for milk.

Every time the book refers to the Holstein cow does it have to describe its appearance again?

No, it was established.

Perhaps when a situation varies the author might give the description again to distinguish it again --- like the Jews, Samaritans, Gentiles and then the Bereans...

spoke in tongues...

WHY?

Why would God choose such a manifestation.

James

I think we all understand how powerful the tongue and language can be - to hurt, encourage, express love, divide, etc.

Language has been the number one factor in dividing culture in the world.

In fact, various cultures grow around language and expression.

This was the intent when man sought to UNITE AGAINST GOD at BABEL!

After the flood man sought in unity to RISE TO THE HEAVENS and unite even against God.

SO God (picture of Trinity here) divided their language and dispersed them throughout the world.

We even see today how man has exalted towers and mighty cities and attempted to unite in spite of language to create ONE WORLD WITHOUT GOD!