Acts 4:31, The Holy Spirit and the Church
The Holy Spirit and the Church, Acts 4:31
I.
A. Sad thoughts About Jesus and The Holy Spirit
1. Jesus was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not
2. The Holy Spirit was in the church and the church was made by Him and the church knew Him not
B. What about the Holy Spirit and the Church?
1. The Holy Spirit and the Church
a. In the past
He founded it (Acts 2:4)
And fashioned it (Ephesians 2:13, 18-22)
b. At the present
He protects it (2 Thessalonians 2:7)
He promotes it (Revelation 22:17)
In the future
He will complete it (Ephesians 1:10-14)
2. The Holy Spirit’s relationship to the church
a. Greek word for church is ekklesia
b. The meaning is “to call out”
c. But we are called out to be “called together”
3. What does the Holy Spirit want to do for and in us?
4. What if individual members were each filled with the Holy Spirit?
C. Examples form the early Church
II.
A. In the Church, The Holy Spirit Makes Witnesses out of Weaklings (Acts 1:1-8)
1. The death and resurrection of Christ
2. Ascension Day and its questions
a. Will the Kingdom be restored today?
b. Shall we start carrying out the Great Commission today?
3. Witnesses after the Holy Spirit comes
a. This witnessing is done in divine power
b. The word then was wait, then witness.
c. Now it is witness immediately in the power of the Holy Spirit
4. Consider the weakness of the disciples
a. Peter and his denying the Lord
b. Phillip and his weak faith
c. Thomas and his inability to believe in the resurrection
5. This tiny group turned the world upside down
B. In the Church, the Holy Spirit brings fellowship instead of factions (Acts 4:32)
1. The possibilities of divisions among the disciples
a. Peter’s denials
b. Thomas and his lack of belief
c. They all forsook the Lord and fled at the crucifixion
2. Now they are all of one heart and of one soul
3. Their bond is more important than their possessions
4. Some churches where the Holy Spirit is named are divided
5. It is always the work of the Holy Spirit to bring unity among members in the local church, so outreach is unhindered
C. In the Church, the Holy Spirit produces growth without gimmicks (Acts 4:33)
1. Every instance of the Holy Spirit’s power at work in the church brought growth
a. Acts 2:41--3,000 converts
b. Acts 4:4--5,000
c. Acts 5:14--multitudes of converts
d. Acts 6:7--numbers multiplied
2. There are ways to increase numbers with gifts and gimmicks
a. Used often in churches
b. Used often to bring in money to media ministers
3. The use of gimmicks shows the lack of power
D. In the Church, today the Holy Spirit’s functions are
1. He desires to inspire worship and service (Philippians 3:3)
a. Music and singing (Ephesians 5:18-19
b. Anointing the preacher (1 Corinthians 2:4
c. Missionary work (Acts 8:29; 13:2, 4; 16:6, 7, 10)
d. Evangelism programs (Revelation 22:17)
2. He desires to direct the churches' decisions (Acts 15:28)
a. The Jerusalem Council made an important decision about circumcision
b. It serves as a great example of teamwork with the Holy Spirit and the church
c. It must be the goal of the church to be led of the Holy Spirit, in a Theocratic- Democratic effort
3. He desires to appoint the churches' preachers (Acts 20:28)
a. It must be understood the Holy Spirit alone appoints the true undershepherds of Christ
(Ephesians 4:11; Hebrews 5:4; Acts 26:16; Romans 15:16; 1 Timothy 1:12)
b. All too often it is found just like Jeremiah said, 23:21; 29:9
c. And in the last days (2 Timothy 4:1-4)
4. He desires to warn its members (1 Timothy 4:1)
5. He desires to condemn or bless the churches' efforts as needed (Revelation 2:7)