THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE LORD’S CHURCHES

 

Lesson Text: Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

INTRO: Basically, those things mentioned in the previous lesson (WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT) were workings of the Holy Spirit which are timeless. That is, He performed the same offices in both the Old and New Testaments. This lesson deals with something far different from that which was done before, simply because in the Old Testament there were no Churches.
There WAS a type of it in the leadership of Israel by the Pillar of Fire and Cloud. Without that, Israel would probably have milled around in Goshen until Pharaoh rounded them up and put them back to work. Or, each family would have fled in a different direction. The leadership of the cloud gave them direction, unity and protection. The Holy Spirit has done, and is doing the same for the Lord’s Churches today.

I. This baptism empowered them.
Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
A. The source of this power. (FROM ON HIGH)
B. The nature of this power. (DUNAMIS - Inherent power which resides in something because of its nature. A miraculous power.
C. The extent of this power for the Church. (ENDUED- Clothed upon) The entire Church received it.

II It was to be a LONG-LASTING POWER
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

III It was an ENABLING POWER
A. A group with limited education or training was to evangelize and teach ALL nations. Until they acquired the languages needed, they received the gift of tongues.
Acts 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
B. Without a previous education in the Old Testament, they preached it by inspiration..
Mark 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
C. In the absence of the New Testament, they preached New Testament truths and proved them by miracles, as they were empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
D. Three gifts remain with us today, serve exactly the same purpose and they too, are administered by the Holy Spirit.
I Cor. 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
I Cor.13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

1. Love - Enables us to serve and proves our testimony
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
2. Faith - Enables and proves
Mat 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Mat 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people
Rom 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world..
3. HOPE - Keeps us going
Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
I Cor. 9:10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
I Pet 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

IV He provides leadership for the Church;
A. For the Soul-Winner, He will open opportunity
Acts 8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
B. He directs the Church in Mission Work.
Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
C. He leads Missionaries
Acts 16:7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
D. He provides Pastors
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
E. He teaches and guides the Church’s understanding -
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

V. He causes us to bring forth the fruit of the Spirit
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
A. This is done by obedience to the word and commitment to God’s will
Rom 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.