Part IV – The Holy Ghost Received Please note that everyone in the upper room believed in Christ. All accepted the witnesses of His death, burial, and resurrection. Yet faith required them to seek after the promised gift. They were not filled with the Spirit and power upon initial belief. Day after day, they knocked, asked, and sought for the Holy Ghost. Through faith, their prayers were finally answered. Acts 2:4, 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance When the Spirit came, it came just like Jesus promised. They were all speaking with other tongues. A crowd gathered and began to question what they heard. Acts 2:8,12 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?...12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?... Peter stood and answered their inquiries. Acts 2:16-17 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh… What did all of this speaking in tongues signify? It was God fulfilling His promise to pour out His Spirit. Peter continued to preach that Christ was their promised Savior, the Messiah. They became convicted of their sins and cried out. Acts 2:37-39 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Peter told them to act on their belief. Repent, be baptized in Jesus name, and receive the Spirit. This experience is for everyone that is called of God. We find another group of seekers in Acts 8. Acts 8:5-8 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.8 And there was great joy in that city… The people believed the gospel that Philip preached. God responded to their faith with the gift of healing. This brought great deliverance and joy. God was truly doing a great thing. Acts 8:12 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women… They were so fully persuaded that they took the next obedient step of faith. They were baptized in the name of Jesus. Acts 8:14-16 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Initial faith, miracles, joy, and even baptism were not evidence that they had received the Spirit. These were certainly undeserved gifts of grace that they had received by faith, but they had to keep walking the way of faith. They had to keep seeking. Acts 8:17-18 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Notice that there was a definite sign. What changed to convince the seekers, the apostles, and even the witch doctor Simon that these people had received the Spirit? The one consistent sign through each account given is speaking with other tongues. Further evidence is found in the conversion experience of Paul. Acts 9:1-6 9 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do… Paul most definitely was a believer. He had heard God’s voice. He knew who Jesus was. He was so converted that he immediately repented and asked the Lord what He would have Him to do. By faith He responded and obeyed God’s instructions. He was led to a man named Ananias. Acts 9:17 17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. Paul had believed, repented, and obeyed yet, he was not filled with the Holy Ghost. After prayer with Ananias, the Lord filled Paul with the Holy Ghost. It changed Him. He was given power to be God’s witness and of course he spoke in tongues. In Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth, he stated he was thankful for the wonderful experience of the Spirit with evidential tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:18 18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: The Holy Ghost truly converted and filled Paul, a persecutor of the church, in Acts 9. In Acts 10, the Holy Ghost was given to a good religious man. Everyone needs the Holy Ghost. Acts 10:1-6 10 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do… Cornelius was a devout man. He feared God. He prayed. He gave alms. He had an angelic visitation. There were still some things that he needed to do. One in particular was receiving the Holy Ghost. God sent Peter to preach the saving message to Cornelius. Acts 10:44-46 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. The Jews were astonished that Gentiles could receive the Holy Ghost, but they couldn’t deny it because they heard them speaking in tongues. The Gentiles received the Spirit just like the apostles, Samaritans, and millions of believers around the world today. The Spirit witnessed of itself by giving utterances. The last example of Spirit infilling is found in Acts 19. This was a group of believers. They had initial faith. They were disciples of John the Baptist. John declared that Jesus was the Lamb of God. Johns disciples would soon experience Jesus as the baptizer of the Holy Ghost and fire. Acts 19:1-2, 19 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost… Sadly, many Christian churches and believers have never received the Holy Ghost because they don’t know that it is available. Paul quickly encouraged these believers to take the next step of faith. Acts 19:6 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues… Once again, a believer will know when the Holy Ghost comes. God gives a sure sign. The seeker will speak with new tongues and be filled with power from God.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 02:08:28 +0000
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