You Shall Receive Power

 

Ac 1:1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach  2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.  3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.  4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

Ac 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Ac 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.  2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

I.WHAT DOES THIS MEAN - WHAT HAPPENED?

A. The church was born - the people of God became a unified living body. Inhabited by God.

Joh 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--  17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

B.  Intimate line of communication was opened between God and mankind - initiated by the blood of Jesus / veil rent in two.

1Co 2:9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" --  10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

C.  A witness to those in Jerusalem that a new day had dawned.  Thousands left Jerusalem different than the way the arrived.

D.  Fulfillment of prophecy

Ac 2:14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.  15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning!  16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:  17 "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.  19 I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.  20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

E. Supernatural ability - gifts, talents, God's life and  touch upon what you do in His name

Ac 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you

Power = dunimis = ability - to make possible

- Old Testament also records the Holy Spirit giving abilities supernaturally.  
 

• To make the tabernacle and it's equipment     Exodus 35:30-33
   

• To lead as King or prophet

1Sa 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. 

- The difference now was that the Holy Spirit was available for all God's people.  Supernatural ability not for just chosen few, but all.

God will give us the tools to do what He calls us to

II. The 5 infillings Documented in Acts Each Teach Us A Lesson About The Purpose Of The Holy Spirit Inhabiting Believers

A. Pentecost Outpouring  Acts 2

1. The response of those who witnessed the disciples filled with the Holy Spirit brought a question:

Ac 2:11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs-- we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"
 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"

2.Peter tells them:
a. Not drunk but fulfilled prophecy
b. Jesus was the Messiah
c. You killed Him - Repent

3. Result was thousands got saved

(Pentecost: A celebration of the grain harvest)

a. Was the Day that God chose to start His harvesting of the earth by empowering the church with the Holy Spirit

Teaches us:

1. that the purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is not our glory - it is salvation of world

Many have written off the working of the Holy  Spirit because they saw fleshly exhibitions based  on self glory rather than love

a.) Foundation for the functioning of the Holy Spirit is love outlined in 1 Cor 13

1Co 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

 B. Acts 4  Outpouring When They Gathered for Prayer After Being Threatened

Ac 4:29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."  31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Teaches us:

1. Need for a continual flow of the Holy Spirit
2. Holy Sprit is a source of courage & strength

C. Gentiles in Samaria and Jewish Hatred Healed By The Outpouring of The Holy Spirit Acts 8

1. Jews hated Samaritans

Pharisees try to insult Jesus
Joh 8:48 The Jews answered him, "Aren't we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?"

Joh 4:7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?") (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.

History of Jews and Samaritans:
- Samaria was north of Jerusalem
- Assyrians planted pagan population among the  Jews there - considered a  mixed breed.
- Samaritans resisted the Jews returning to rebuild
- Samaritan Jews built there own temple
- Samaria invited Antiochus to bring Hellenism.
- Jews in Jerusalem resisted Antiochus and paid a  heavy price.
- Excluded form the Jewish Temple
- Claimed they had superior scriptures
- Were cursed publicly in Jewish synagogue
- Walking through Samaria was considered being contaminated.
-  Samaritans could not be converted to Judaism
-  Declared excluded from the after life.

 God works to bring Jewish Christians and Samaritans together

1. Moves Philip to go to Samaria to preach Act8:5  - He had a Greek background - wisdom of God
2.  They start to come to Christ - Church sends Peter  and John

 Ac 8:14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.  15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,  16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.  17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Peter and John - Bonified Jews
- Miracle Samaria accepted them
- The rest of the Jewish church would see their seal of approval on the Samaritan Christians

3. The result of the infilling of the Holy Spirit is peace.

 D. Gentiles and Jewish Christian Unity and Humility Through The Holy Spirit

- Cornelius was a gentile and a Roman military leader
- God calls Peter to his house to preach to family

 Ac 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.  45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.  46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have."  48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
(NIV)

Later he is called on the carpet by the Jewish Christian leadership of the church.

Ac 11:1 The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.  2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and said, "You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them."  4 Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened:

Peter gives his explanation
Ac 11:15 "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17 So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?" 18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."

The Holy Spirit brings unity - religion often bring strife

If you live in anger towards your brother you are not allowing yourself to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Jas 3:14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.  17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.  18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
(NIV)

Fullness of the Holy Spirit will give the ability to  walk in peace with other believers

 

E.  Disciples From Ephesus in Acts 19

Ac 19:1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples  2 and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."  3 So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied.  4 Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus."  5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.  6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.  7 There were about twelve men in all.

- Paul immediately saw a need for these young guys

• They needed to be taught
• They needed to receive the Holy Spirit

The Passage Teaches Us:

1. Teaching to bring understanding is essential
2. The Holy Spirit infilling is essential

Ro 8:11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

Ro 8:14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

3. Experience with Holy Spirit is available to all

- These guys weren't’t preachers, TV personalities -  simply described as disciples.

Closing:  Three Questions to answer

#1.  Is the baptism in the Holy Spirit and His workings still valid today?

- Some say this experience has ceased
- Based upon: 1 Cor 13:9-12

1Co 13:9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,  10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.  11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.  12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Argument:

Perfect is the Bible
- When Bible came there was no more need for Infilling and Holy Spirit gifting
Answer:

Verse 12 gives us the truth of what the perfect is

v.12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

The Spirit will not function in our lives the way it does now when we get to heaven - when we see Jesus.

The need will be gone - we will see face to face

#2. Is speaking in tongues a valid experience today?

- Can't answer this by feelings, preferences, favorite teacher, doctrinal background…

- Our only source is what the Bible says

Acts 2
Day of Pentecost they spoke in tongues

Acts 4
Prayer for courage - ground was shaken - This was a 2nd infilling

Acts 8
Doesn't say, but something unusual happened to make Simon the sorcerer wanted to purchase the ability to lay hands on people and see them filled.
Probably was referring to tongues

Acts 10
Cornelius and family spoke in tongues when baptized in the Holy Spirit

Acts 19
Ephesian disciple that meet up with Paul spoke in tongue when baptized in the Holy Spirit

The Bible evidence is that tongues does accompany the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

Last Question: How do you receive?

- Salvation first
- Ask God

Lu 11:9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.  11 "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?  12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?  13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

- Laying on hands of another Spirit filled believer
- Key is surrender to God and a desire for Him to have all of you and you to have more of Him..