Messages
from the Bible
A Sermon by Dr. Neil Chadwick
In our daily reading of the Scripture, we have now come to what for most Christians is one of the most exciting books of the Bible, the Book of Acts.
You'll notice that in most Bibles, this fifth book of the New Testament is called "The Acts of the Apostles." However, we prefer to call it "The Acts of the Holy Spirit." Yes, in this book we do have chronicled for us the activities of the two most prominent Apostles, Peter and Paul. But it is also very clear that what they did was through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The author, Luke, who also wrote the Gospel that bears his name, starts this second volume with a reference to his first volume when he writes, "In my former book . . . I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach." The inference is that Jesus was not finished with what He came to do and teach; His work and teaching would go on through the Holy Spirit. We already learned from John that the Holy Spirit would carry on the teaching ministry of Jesus, now we're learning that the "acts" of Jesus would also continue through the Spirit.
Right from the beginning, Luke talks about the Spirit. Even the instructions Jesus gives to His disciples just prior to His ascension were given "through the Holy Spirit." In the midst of those instructions, Jesus introduced a new baptism. The disciples were familiar with water baptism, but now there is to be a secondary baptism, baptism with the Holy Spirit. (v.5) At the time of the final conversation Jesus had with His disciples, they were still caught up with the idea of a political kingdom to be set up on earth - they evidently forgot that most of the time Jesus referred to it as the "kingdom of heaven." Jesus quickly changed the subject from "when" to "what"; instead of answering their question as to when the kingdom will come, He talked about what they will be doing in the meantime. They will be moving in ever increasing circles giving testimony concerning Jesus, and this they will do in the power of the Holy Spirit.
So already we see the Acts of the Holy Spirit being involved in three ways - guiding the instructions given to the disciples, baptizing, and giving power for the spreading of the message. Also in chapter one, Peter notes that it was the Holy Spirit who gave a prophetic word through David concerning the betrayer of Jesus, Judas.
However, the epicenter of the Holy Spirit's activity is found in the second chapter of Acts when we are informed about what took place on the "Day of Pentecost." Luke tells us that the 120 disciples who had gathered for a 10 day prayer meeting "were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." This is without a doubt the fulfillment of "the promise of the father," the very baptism with the Holy Spirit Jesus had so recently told them about. When some bystanders made fun of the "tongues talking" disciples, Peter stood up with new found boldness and explained that what was happening was promised by Joel, who centuries earlier had prophesied, "`In the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit on all people.'" (v.17) at the end of his speech, Peter again referred to the Holy Spirit when he proclaimed, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." (vs. 38, 39)
As we continue to read through this book of Acts, we'll see how the Holy Spirit kept acting throughout the early history of the church.
The Holy Spirit emboldens the Apostles after they encountered the first wave of persecution (Chapter 4).
The Holy Spirit reveals the deception of Ananias and Sapphira (Chapter 5).
The Holy Spirit provides wisdom for the leaders of the church (Chapter 6).
The Holy Spirit gives Stephen the ability to stand up and speak boldly prior to his martyrdom, as well as a vision of the Lord Himself waiting to welcome him into heaven (Chapter 7).
The Holy Spirit sparked the revival at Samaria (Chapter 8).
The Holy Spirit told Phillip to speak with the man from Ethiopia, and then took Phillip away after he had finished baptizing this new believer (Chapter 8).
The Holy Spirit filled the new convert Saul when Ananias prayed for him (Chapter 9).
The Holy Spirit encouraged the growth of the churches (Chapter 9).
The Holy Spirit told the slumbering Simon Peter that three men had come from Cornelius's house and that he should go with them and preach to this Gentile seeker (Chapter 10).
The Holy Spirit baptized the new converts while Peter was preaching to them - they also spoke in tongues (Chapter 10).
The Holy Spirit filled Barnabas so that many people came to the Lord in the Roman city of Antioch (Chapter 11).
The Holy Spirit used the prophet Agabus to predict the coming widespread famine (Chapter 11).
The Holy Spirit commissioned Paul and Barnabas to begin their missionary work of planting churches throughout the Roman Empire (Chapter 13).
The Holy Spirit enabled Paul to see through the deception of Elymas the sorcerer (Chapter 13).
The Holy Spirit led the leaders of the church to accept into the fellowship Gentile converts without demanding they first be circumcised as Jews (Chapter 15).
The Holy Spirit kept Paul and his preaching party from going into Asia (Chapter 16).
The Holy Spirit baptized the new believers in Ephesus - they too spoke in tongues and prophesied (Chapter 19).
The Holy Spirit compelled Paul to go to Jerusalem even knowing that he would face hardships (Chapter 20).
The Holy Spirit had selected the church leaders in Ephesus (Chapter 20).
The Holy Spirit again used Agabus to predict the imprisonment of Paul (Chapter 21).
So now can you see that truly this is a book about the Acts of the Holy Spirit?
However, what we want to focus on is this matter of Holy Spirit baptism, spoken of in the very first chapter. Among other things, this is what the Spirit is still involved with today - baptism.
We'll ask these key questions: What is Spirit Baptism? Who is it for? What is it for? How does it happen?
1. What it Spirit Baptism?
According to Acts, Spirit Baptism is three things: immersion (1:5), filling (2:4), and gift (2:38).
We all have a mental picture of water baptism, when a Pastor puts a believer down into the water. Jesus clearly had this idea in mind when He likened the two baptisms. In the case of Spirit Baptism, it is Jesus who is the Baptizer, and it is the Spirit into which He plunges the believer. The picture is one of fully trusting the Baptizer, and being totally overwhelmed by the Spirit. The change of wording from "baptized" to "filled" (2:4) suggests that it really is a matter of the inner person - the Holy Spirit takes full control of the soul and spirit of the person. That's why speaking in another language becomes the appropriate sign. Because, according to James, the tongue is a very powerful yet most difficult member of the body to tame (James 3:1-8), and because language is so directly related to the mind, when the tongue does come under the power of the Holy Spirit, it shows that something miraculous is taking place. In addition, the broadcasting of the Gospel is largely through the use of the tongue, it becomes very important that speech be under the control of the Spirit.
To indicate that Spirit Baptism is a "gift" is to emphasize the important idea that it cannot be assumed as an entitlement or earned by human effort or activity. To say it another way, it is something to be sought or asked for, but not claimed. Think about this in relation to human families; children may have a right to be fed and protected, they do not have a right to privacy, they do not have a right to have a television or computer in their room, or a cell phone, or a car when they turn 17. If their fathers or mothers decide to gift their children with these things, wise children are very grateful and careful how these things are used and not abused. Of course caring parents want to bless their children in healthy and safe ways, and, as Jesus pointed out, the Heavenly Father wants to gift His children with the Holy Spirit - but it always remains that, a gift.
2. The next question is, Who is Spirit Baptism for? First of all, it's reserved for those who believe in Jesus. In the passages we've noted, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was provided to the praying disciples, and notice that these are people who had patiently prayed and waited for ten days.
In his first sermon, Peter wanted it to be known that Spirit Baptism wasn't just for Jews, for he is quick to cite the prophet Joel who clearly said the Spirit would be available to all people (17); this includes sons (men), daughters (women), young and old (17, 18), and servants (common people). He goes on to say it was intended for his contemporaries, and subsequent generations - "you, your children, those far off" (39). This if further evidence that Christianity breaks down all humanly designed separations of age, gender or class. In fact, it seems that as it was with Jesus Himself, so it is with the Holy Spirit. Mark 12:37 tells us that "The common people heard him gladly." And Paul reminds us "that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called." (I Corinthians 1:26) We might say that if God has any favorites, it's the people of the lower classes. Actually, it's not because of God's favoritism, but because the people of the lower classes are more ready to receive the message and follow Jesus. Perhaps this is also what Jesus had in mind when He said, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:23, 24) Yes, Spirit Baptism is for everyone, but those who receive are those who are humble before the Lord.
3. The third question we want to answer is, What is Spirit Baptism for?
Three responses come from the opening chapters of Acts. Holy Spirit Baptism is for praise, power, and prophecy; later we may add a fourth, guidance. Please note that it is not for personal status, entertainment or merely to produce an emotional high; alcohol and drugs can do that. Spirit Baptism is not self serving, but is always oriented toward ministering to God and to others.
When the first 120 disciples were baptized with the Spirit they were packed into an upstairs room, probably in the home of John Mark's mother. After this electrifying experience of fire and the sound of wind, along with the sudden speaking in other languages, they no doubt spilled out into Jerusalem streets and paraded toward the temple court. That day, Jerusalem streets were packed with faithful Jewish pilgrims who were in town for the holiday, the Feast of Pentecost. Suddenly, as this motley mob of jabbering disciples moved along the street, people stopped to take notice, and at once began to recognize words in their own native languages coming from the band of north country disciples. Startled, Jerusalem's tourists looked at each other in wonder because they were hearing from the lips of the unschooled disciples words which were giving praise to God, in languages they knew could not have been learned.
This phenomenon of speaking in another language and being understood by someone brought up or trained in that language is not unique to the first century. Listen to this story, printed in "Spoken by the Spirit."
When she arrived in Davenport, Iowa to study for her B. S. degree in Nursing at Mary Crest College, she began to attend services at the North Pine Assembly of God. Although she had been thoroughly indoctrinated against the Pentecostal view of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, she sensed in the meetings that this might be the answer to her hunger.
Around that time, Evangelist Helen Martin began special services at the church. At first Jeanne felt prejudiced against a woman preacher, but soon responded to the love and compassion she sensed in the evangelist.
"Still," Jeanne says, "I questioned, 'Didn't I have the baptism without the tongues?'" But she continued attending the special services. Finally, she told the Lord she was willing to have the "tongues" experience if that was what He wanted for her.
When the evangelist came to pray with Jeanne during the altar service, she noticed she was hearing some familiar words. With a glow upon her face, the evangelist was looking up and praising God in the Hausa language, the major language of Nigeria. Jeanne Wilson says: "I had cried and prayed over the language to learn it, and here she was using it with no effort of learning on her part."
Then came the clincher. "Three times the Lord asked me a question in the Hausa language, 'Is He Lord?' The first two times in Hausa, I answered right back, 'Yes, He's Lord.' But when it came to me the third time, I felt like Peter - 'Yea, Lord, Thou knowest.'"
"At that point the Lord did a real work in my heart, and I wanted Him to come down in mighty power upon me and baptize me with His Spirit and to grant me the opportunity to praise Him in another tongue." The Lord answered her cry, in a few words that night, then fluently the next morning.
"How very blessed!" she says. "The very depth of my soul was able to cry out to my wonderful Lord. Many a time before I had felt so full of the awesomeness of God, but my mother tongue wasn't able to express my heart's cry, but now my very soul was pouring out to God."
If Holy Spirit is for praise, it is also for power. This is very clear in the familiar verse, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses." While this power included the occasional ability to perform miracles, it was mostly for the purpose of providing boldness and authority in speaking the truth about Jesus and who He was and is the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of all who will believe in Him. Peter is the prime example. Before Pentecost, a mere servant girl at the courtyard fire pit had intimidated Peter into denying he even knew Jesus. Now Peter stands in the open temple court and boldly proclaims the Gospel. When beaten and threatened, and even after the violent death of one of the other church leaders, Stephen, the disciples had the strength to keep going and fulfill the mission given by Jesus. Where did the strength come from to do this? From the Holy Spirit.
This is very much connected with the Spirit's role in enabling these men to speak God's Word, to prophecy. Yes, prophecy has the meaning of predicting the future, and this happened many times in Acts, as has already been mentioned. But prophecy also means to speak under the influence or control of the Holy Spirit. For men and women who have been "blinded by the god of this world" to receive the truth of the Gospel, the Holy Spirit must be involved to bring about conviction of sin and a desire for righteousness. An interesting expression we see in the book of the Acts is this one, "And the word of God increased" (Ac 6:7) and a similar statement, "The word of God grew and multiplied." (Ac 12:24) It is the anointed preaching of the Gospel that brings about the results of the growth of the church of Jesus Christ.
How does this happen? By the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit who enables disciples of Jesus to speak convincingly the truth of the Gospel.
We also suggested that Holy Spirit baptism is for the purpose of providing guidance. At first it seems that the disciples, under the leadership of Peter, were quick to resort to human means of making spiritual decisions - casting lots when they wanted to decide which disciple should fill the vacancy left by Judas. However, that methodology faded as they experienced the inner direction provided by the Spirit, for example when Peter confronted Ananias and Sapphira, or when Paul was directed to travel west toward Greece instead of east toward Asia.
4. Our final question is, How does Holy Spirit baptism happen?
According to the Biblical text, Holy Spirit Baptism happens when these three ingredients come together: repentance, faith and prayer.
The repentance part is related to the understanding that the Spirit of God is a "Holy" Spirit. There must be a willingness to turn away from sinful thoughts, words, and actions, and earnestly seek to please God in everything we think, say or do.
Spirit Baptism is like Water Baptism in that there must be a measure of trust in the baptizer - Jesus is the Baptizer. In Acts 8 we have the story of a man who wanted the power of the Holy Spirit, and although he pretended to believe, the Apostles saw through his pretense and flatly told him that his heart was not right with God. In another chapter (19) it is made very clear that belief precedes baptism when Paul asked the question, "Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?"
As for the praying part, it is too simple - Jesus said, just ask. There's no need for screaming in the ear, passing out, working ones self up by saying "Hallelujah" 100 times real fast. These kinds of antics have been practiced because, unfortunately, some people of Pentecostal persuasion have made it all about the tongues, when it should be about asking for the Spirit, praying, and waiting. Yes, we understand that there may be a delay between the asking and the receiving (the first disciples "tarried" 10 days), but if we are willing to persist, the answer will come, Spirit Baptism will happen.
At the beginning we took the liberty to rename the book, calling it the Acts of the Holy Spirit. The truth of the matter is, the Holy Spirit is still acting today - new chapters are being written every hour of every day. No, new pages are not being added to our Bible, but just because the Bible has a back cover doesn't mean that the activity of the Holy Spirit has ceased.
Today He is still acting through people - if there are people who are filled with the Spirit, Christianity will be viable, attractive, and the lives of men and women will be changed.
On the other hand, if today's church seems to be lacking, or if today's Christians seem to be empty, we must ask the question, what keeps it from happening?
If total personal independence is our goal, it cannot happen, because if we want to retain total control, then that will stand in the way. Also, if there is personal pride - believing that we can figure it all out, the result may be the paralysis of analysis.
Furthermore, what we might call "copycatism" is a problem - when one person is baptized with the Spirit as they come out of the waters of baptism, we conclude that everyone should experience it that way. If it happens for one person while they are weeping at the altar, we think that you've got to cry to get it. Some people think it happens when someone is shouting "Let go!" while others are shouting "Hold on!" However, there is no set pattern - God is a God of diversity. This can be clearly seen in the Scriptural accounts. In the Upper Room there was the sight of fire and the sound of a tornado. In Samaria and Ephesus, Spirit Baptism came with laying on of hands. At Cornelius' house it came as a spontaneous interruption during the preaching of Peter.
The important thing is that we accept the reality that today is the day of the Acts of the Holy Spirit, and that we present ourselves as candidates for the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. That means we place this as top priority on our prayer list. Yes, we will pray for healing and well being. Yes, we will pray for security and protection. Yes we may even pray for financial provision and prosperity. But above all, we will "pray without ceasing" to be filled with the Spirit.
As we continue reading through the pages of the Bible Book of Acts, let's allow the desire for Holy Spirit Baptism to become stronger and stronger, and may we today realize an updated version of Pentecost, so that what we read concerning the first disciples may also be said of us, "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." (Acts 4:31)
1. Which Gospel writer also wrote the fifth book of the New Testament, and what more do we know about him?
2. Although the Book of Acts gives us some history related to two prominent Apostles, whose activity is really chronicled in this book?
3. For what event can we give the title "the epicenter of the Holy Spirit's activity"? Can you describe that event?
4. What are some examples of the Holy Spirit's involvement throughout the book of Acts?
5. How is Spirit Baptism like, and not like, Water Baptism?
6. What are the implications of saying that Spirit Baptism is a gift?
7. Who are qualified as candidates for Holy Spirit Baptism, and why may it be difficult for the "worldly wealthy and wise" to be among them?
8. If Holy Spirit Baptism is not for personal pleasure, what is it for?
9. When the first disciples spoke in tongues inspired by the Spirit, why was it important that actual languages be heard by the people in Jerusalem?
10. What kind of power is made available through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
11. What are some Bible examples of the Holy Spirit providing guidance for decision-making?
12. How do repentance, faith and prayer relate to the receiving of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
13. What may be some of the hindrances to Holy Spirit activity in our lives and the Lord's church?
14. What are we to do to demonstrate that we are candidates for Holy Spirit Baptism?
The Acts of the Holy Spirit
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The Holy Spirit quickens Peter as he gives his defense before the Sanhedrin. (Chapter 3)
In 1969, Jeanne Wilson had been serving for 10 years as a missionary in Nigeria, and returned to America to further her education.
The Acts of the Holy Spirit
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