Its commonly called the acts of the apostles, but perhaps a better title might be the acts of the holy spirit because as we go through this book chapter by chapter thats what we will see, the holy spirit moving in power as the church is born and the word of. Several times when the holy spirit is mentioned in the book of acts, it talks about people being filled with the spirit. Hence, part 2 about the role of the holy spirit as revealed in the book of acts. The holy spirit in the book of acts preaching source. And they were all filled with the holy spirit acts 2. The rest of acts is how the mediterranean area was turned upside down by the preaching of the gospel from people who had received the holy spirit, who had. The holy spirit in the book of acts essay 1715 words. The holy spirit in the book of acts thesis statement the mighty acts of the holy spirit advancing the gospel moving upon and through the.
Acts is the book that reveals the power of the church. All the circumcised believers who came with peter were amazed, because the gift of the holy spirit had been poured out on the gentiles also. And they were all filled with the holy spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the spirit enabled them. By comparison to other portions of the new testament the special significance of the holy spirit in the book of acts can be demonstrated. In this section of the book of acts we see how the holy spirit was. This lesson will summarize the teaching of acts on the holy spirit, emphasizing the spirit s baptism, the spirit s filling, and the spirit s power the holy spirit in acts. Seek him, and he will rest upon you especially in your hour of greatest need. He portrays the spirit as the activity and presence of god but also as an impersonal force or power luke 5. They did not live or act by organization or directions. In the many bibles that i have read and worn out, i have marked with a red pen countless references to the holy spirit in both the old and new testaments. Take a pen and mark all the references you find related to him, and you will have rich food for study and meditation. This article shows that these references are integral elements in the narrative of acts, presenting the holy spirit as an active part five. The same holy spirit upon jesus came upon the apostles and others in the church. The book of acts begins with the ascension of jesus and the coming of the holy spirit, and goes on to show how the apostles preached christ to the.
The holy spirit and equality in the book of acts marg. In the book of acts, we see that the holy spirit brought equality between young and old, between men and women, between rich and poor, and between jews and gentiles in the early days of the church cf. The prominence of the holy spirit in the acts 3 truth. Sep 03, 2015 the holy spirit in acts how does luke portray the gift and outpouring of the holy spirit in acts. Acts 2 38 repent, peter said to them, and be baptized, each 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 holy spirit is both prevalent and essential in the book of acts.
The book of acts shows us that none of the disciples did anything according to rules, regulations, or orders. The holy spirit is the presence of the living lord jesus in spiritual power in the lives of men. Then he breathed on them and said, receive the holy spirit. The holy spirit in the book of acts sermon by john gaston, acts 2. Acts 1 new living translation nlt the promise of the holy spirit. In the early days of the church the holy spirits presence was a great equalizer. The book begins with jesus instructing the believers to wait in jerusalem for the holy spirit.
In preparation for this sundays sermon, meditate on these verses. Luke was one of the followers of the apostles and was closed to paul. The holy spirit at work in believers what to look for in the margins left margins contain numbers for units, chapters, and lessons. Jun 06, 2016 and they were all filled with the holy spirit acts 2. The filling of the holy spirit in the book of acts by. It was the day on which the holy spirit made a unique visit to the earth. Brewster in partial fulfillment of the requirements for bibl364 liberty university online by robert ortiz jr. Unfortunately, in some of these traditions, an understanding of the outpouring of the holy spirit in acts is often limited to discussions about speaking in tongues, or. Jul 16, 20 acts tells us how the holy spirit came upon the church, and how the gospel spreads from jerusalem to rome.
Marg mowczko exploring the biblical theology of christian egalitarianism. Acts is the second book from luke, who also wrote the gospel that shares his name. Cornelius received the holy spirit prior to being baptized acts 10. The life and teachings of jesus christ are established in the four gospel narratives, and the book of acts provides a coordinated account of the beginning and spread of the church as the result of the work of the risen lord and the holy spirit through the apostles. The power to witness the holy spirit what do i need to know about the passage. In the bible a lot is learned about the holy spirit hence books such as this one. Holy spirit in the book of acts, part 2 like an anchor. The apostles gave no indication that healing stopped or ever would. And everyone present was filled with the holy spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the holy spirit gave them this ability. The book picks up where the gospels four accounts of jesus life and ministry leave off. The holy spirit in the book of acts thesis statement the mighty acts of the holy spirit advancing the gospel moving upon and through the church is amazing in its detail throughout this book. The scriptures in acts 9 only tell us that the holy spirit came upon saul. To seek to move in the current of gods will as we serve him always gives.
This is the 6th installment on a series on the holy spirit. It is action packed and so inspiring on how driven those men were to do the will of god. Lynchburg, virginia august 17, 2012 table of contents introduction 2 the coming filling. Acts continues from there on starting with christs resurrection. The book of acts is a narrative about the birth and growth of the early church. The holy spirit speaks, leads, and guides in the book of acts. The holy spirit comes upon the disciples again and again with unusual fullness, the result is supernatural power leading to courageous, lifegiving witness. The churchs success is vitally tied to its relationship with the spirit. Unfortunately, in some of these traditions, an understanding of the outpouring of the holy spirit in acts is often limited to discussions about speaking in tongues, or miraculous manifestations. This is the edited manuscript of lesson 23 in the studies in the book of acts series prepared by robert l. The holy spirit in the book of acts spirit of grace.
The only sin that condemns a man is the continual rejection of jesus christ as lord and saviour john 3. By first noting the various passages which contain spirit filling and then examining the nature, conditions, and results of this filling. Tonight were moving into the book of the acts of the apostles, but which more appropriately could be called, the acts of the holy spirit. In writing the book of acts, luke mentions the holy spirit more than fifty times, indicating his preeminence and power in the progress of the gospel and the development of the church. It is fast moving to a close, when all israel will share in the outpouring of the. It is written by luke as a sequel to the gospel of luke, picking up exactly where luke left off.
In fact, the word bold or boldness is used more time in the book of acts than any other book of the bible. This man knows his bible inside and out, so interesting to see the conclusions he came to, differ from other books ive read on the holy spirit. Twelftree luke, who allegedly wrote a gospel and the acts of the apostles, has more to say about the spirit than any other biblical writer does. And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from. The 6th installment of a series on the holy spirit. The act of opening divine manifestations prophecies concerning christ opening heaven doves the spirit of god moving upwards symbols after being baptized, jesus came up immediately from the water. We should not confuse the holy spirit with the way he might make us feel sometimes, or with the power that he has. The holy spirit as an active character in the book of acts biblical christianity. Peter wagners complete commentary on the book of acts. This article shows that these references are integral elements in the narrative of acts, presenting the holy spirit as an active character or participant in the events it reports. While peter was still speaking these words, the holy spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.
First, cornelius reception of the holy spirit represented a. As we move through the book of acts in these messages, what we are seeing is the fulfillment of this promise. Lukes view of the holy spirit by mark moore, phd in the first century it was not uncommon to entitle a book acts when it featured the noble deeds of ones hero. And everyone present was filled with the holy spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the holy spirit gave them this ability acts 4. In the previous two chapters luke has described the ministry of peter in jerusalem on the day of pentecost and just after that time. Therefore, when a church begins to dwindle, lose its power, and turn dull and drab in its witness, it needs desperately to get back into the spirit, expectation, knowledge and teaching of the book of acts. After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the holy spirit. The act of opening divine manifestations prophecies concerning christ opening heaven doves the spirit of god moving upwards symbols. In this study, we move into the book of the acts of the apostles, but which more. And church history has shown that time and time again, when there is a fresh move of the holy spirit, old prejudices are forgotten, caste systems.
The book of acts is called acts of the apostles but more aptly it is the work of the holy spirit working through the apostles. After being baptized, jesus came up immediately from the water. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that luke labels his second volume acts. The holy spirit is god, not a force christian faith. It continues to be a major festival day in the life of the church nearly 2,000 years later. Latest news book of acts part 23 connection with the holy spirit book of acts part 23 connection with the holy spirit. There is a lot of controversy concerning the role of the holy spirit in christian lifeboth personal and corporate.
Book of acts part 23 connection with the holy spirit. The importance of the spirits ministry to the church is evident from jesus command to his disciples that they remain in jerusalem and wait for the baptism of the holy. Of the about seventy occurrences of the word pneuma in acts, fifty five refer to the holy spirit. Luke, who allegedly wrote a gospel and the acts of the apostles, has more to say about the spirit than any other biblical writer. The importance of the spirit s ministry to the church is evident from jesus command to his disciples that they remain in jerusalem and wait for the baptism of the holy. The book of acts is filled with incredible examples of gods spirit at work in the lives of his people.
Jesus said that the holy spirit would reprove the world of sin because people do not believe in him john 16. Oct 23, 2016 the holy spirit in the book of acts acts 2. The holy spirit and equality in the book of acts marg mowczko. In the first case, all the disciples were powerful on the day of pentecost, and they had the release, boldness, and encouragement. The holy spirit in the book of acts about spirit of. But throughout the book of acts you will discover that the holy spirit himself is in charge of this task. The holy spirit in the book of acts sermon by john gaston. In addition, margins contain two learning toolslesson objectives with their respective numbers and interactive questions that focus on key principles. Written by luke around ad 70, acts is an account of the works of the apostles, the early church, and the conversion of the gentiles through the workings of the holy spirit. According to lee, the book of acts refers to the formative history of the early church, while establishing luke as a charismatic theologian who demonstrates that baptism in the holy spirit is an experience of empowering to facilitate the mission of the church. The holy spirit in the book of acts essay 2475 words. As you study along with elizabeth george, youll learn about.
The holy spirit plays an essential role in taking the raw materials of gospel potential and turning them into the sweet fruit of gospel impact. Healing in the book of acts and the epistles exceedingfaith. In the book of acts christ himself continues his work through the lives of his disciples. The holy spirit in the book of acts hayaprats, gonzalo, elbert, paul, ellington, scott a. The rest of acts is how the mediterranean area was turned upside down by the preaching of the gospel from people who had received the holy spirit, who had the holy spirit. The holy spirit as an active character in the book. Acts 128 nlt the promise of the holy spirit in my bible gateway. I love that we get so much great information from it on the church, church leadership, fellowship, giving, and all kinds of wonderful. Acts 4 peter and the holy spirit in acts 4, peter and john are arrested and brought before the high priest and some of his associates.
As a result, the preaching of the gospel and the witness of the newly formed church sparks a flame that spreads across the roman empire. Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only. The holy spirit plays a key role in the acts of the apostles, leading to the use of the titles book of the holy spirit or the acts of the holy spirit for that book of the. Neither did they live or act according to knowledge or doctrine. If the gospels are a record of the life and ministry of jesus, then the book of acts is a record of the ministry of the holy spirit. Andreas praefcke, wikimedia commons read the introduction one of the most well known events detailed in the book of acts is the pentecost episode and the gift of the holy spirit to the church. The holy spirit as an active character in the book of acts. The promise of the holy spirit in my first book i told you, theophilus, about everything jesus began to do and teach. Baptism and the holy spirit in the book of acts world. The book of acts demonstrates that the holy spirit leads and empowers the church for growth and service. Feb 02, 2018 without the work of the holy spirit, we are helpless. Theme verse of acts but you will receive power when the holy spirit has come upon you. Liberty university the holy spirit in the book of acts a research paper submitted to professor p. Since my earliest days in christ i have been fascinated by the holy spirit.
The writer of acts portrayed the holy spirit as the source of spiritual power 1. What is also interesting is that when you see these two things working together you find gods people filled with boldness to do what god has asked them to do. As the church fulfills its commission to be available, to be willing instruments of the activity and life of the holy spirit, he is at work to preserve the purity of the church. This power and witness begins on the day of pentecost where the holy spirit will fill one hundred and twenty believers gathered in one place. As the gospel began to spread to the world, the early church was confronted with spiritual and cultural barriersstrongholdsit had to overcome. On the day when the lord jesus ascended from the mount of olives he said to his disciples, but you shall receive power when the holy spirit has come upon you. All the intro is in last weeks post, so without further ado filled with the spirit. They did not live or act by organization or directions from man. Role of prayer and the holy spirit in acts kingdom living. Thus, cornelius was a child of god before his baptism. The combined sixtyeight chapters of the synoptic gospels contain only thirtyfour references to the holy spirit.
The holy spirit plays a key role in the acts of the apostles, leading to the use of the titles book of the holy spirit or the acts of the holy spirit for that book of the new testament. The holy spirit in the acts assembly testimony magazine. Holy spirit is the cornerstone of the acts of the apostles, attributed to the apostle luke. Five effects of the holy spirit on christian leaders. In the acts, the holy spirit uses men to accomplish the work whereby the story of. Later, the apostle paul said that he spoke in tongues more than others 1 cor. The book of acts quickly reveals the power and work of the holy spirit in and through believers is for all believers. The gift of the holy spirit excites christians in certain church traditions. Luke, who allegedly wrote a gospel and the acts of the apostles, has more to say about the spirit than any other biblical writer does. Aug 28, 2012 the book of acts is a testament of the holy spirit and equality. The baptism of the holy spirit the book of acts establishes the pattern that the holy spirit is imparted to genuine believers at the time of.
Now when the apostles at jerusalem heard that samaria had received the word of god, they sent to them peter and john, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the holy spirit. The holy spirit in the book of acts essay 2476 words bartleby. The holy spirit is the presence of the living lord jesus in spiritual power in. Joy unspeakable by dr martin lloyd jones, another great read, he differs in his conclusions and considerations on this doctrine. This sin is also the unpardonable sin of blasphemy against the holy spirit because the holy spirit convicts us of sin. The book of acts begins with the outpouring of gods promised holy spirit on the day of pentecost. What this means is that, if you really want to learn about the holy spirit, you would do well to read and study the book of acts. The books of acts is often called the book of the holy spirit or the book of the apostles. The book of acts, then, must be the primary object of study by the man who seeks to understand the ministry of the holy spirit in filling christians. In the book of acts, luke describes how the holy spirit has moved through the prophets of the old testament to define how the holy spirit works. Baptism in the spirit and the book of acts baptismus flaminis the baptism of the spirit is a different type of baptism that, while connected to water baptism, occurs in a few unique instances in acts and the apostolic churches as seen in the epistles, etc.
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