Holy Spirit
Church Empowered – Message 2
Perry Duggar
September 27, 2020

Introduction: We continue our survey of Acts called, Church Empowered. (Exodus 23:16; 34:22-23; Acts 1:4-5,13,15; 2:1; Romans 8:9)

Today’s message is titled Holy Spirit.

1. Theme verse: Acts 2:4 (NLT)—And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit…
2. While eating with His apostles in Acts 1:4-5, Jesus told them not to leave Jerusalem until they were baptized with the Holy Spirit.
   
3. Acts 2:1 (NLT)—On the day of Pentecost all the believers [120; Ac.1:15] were meeting together in one place. [upper room; Ac.1:13]
   
4. Pentecost (Gk. means “fiftieth,” N.T. name for the Feast of Week (Ex.34:22-23) or Harvest (Ex.23:16), celebrated fifty days after Passover (when Jesus was crucified).
   
5. On Pentecost, in Jerusalem, Jesus’ followers all experienced the Holy Spirit.

The presence of the Holy Spirit provides…

#1 - Evidence. (Acts 2:2-4; C/R: 1 Corinthians 12:13; 14:21-22; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 5:18)

1. Acts 2:2 (NLT)—²Suddenly [surprise!], there was a sound from heaven [notice source] like the roaring of a mighty windstorm [supernatural act, not natural weather], and it filled the house where they were sitting. [Not praying, not sure what to do.]
   
2. In both Hebrew and Greek, the words for wind and spirit are the same. (Jn.3:8)
   
3. After the sound of a mighty wind, there came a visual display.
   
4. Acts 2:3 (NLT)—Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared [not literal] and settled on each of them. [Everyone present received the Spirit.]
   
5. At Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove (Mt.3:16; Mk.1:10; Lk.3:22; Jn.1:32), which is why a symbol for the Spirit is a dove and flames.
   
6. This baptism of the Spirit (Ac.1:5) on all of them joined them into one spiritual body—the body of Christ, as they shared the same Spirit. (Rom.8:9-11)
   
7. Acts 2:4a (NLT)—And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit…
   
8. Being filled with the Spirit is different from being baptized in the Spirit.
   
9. Baptism [Gk. make fully wet, wash, immerse] with the Spirit (Ac.1:5) is a permanent, unrepeatable, act by which we are born again, justified, adopted into God’s family, made a part of Christ’s church and each other. (Rom.6:4-6; 1Cor.12:13; Gal.3:27-28).
   
10. We are not directed in the Bible to be baptized in the Spirit repeatedly, but believers are instructed to be filled with the Spirit continuously, repeatedly (Eph.5:18).
    
11. Baptism with the Spirit grants the power that the filling with the Spirit unleashes in us.
    
12. Acts 2:4b (NLT)—…and [after being baptized with the Spirit, they] began speaking in other languages [or tongues], as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
    
13. The languages, or tongues (Gk. glōssa = “the tongue”), spoken on the Day of Pentecost were known languages that were unknown to the speakers. (1 Cor.14:21-22)
    
14. The filling of the Spirit brings us into closer relationship with Christ as we repent of sin and yield ourselves to the Spirit’s leading, resulting in greater intimacy with God and producing attitudes and actions such worship, conviction, preaching, thankfulness, love, peace and obedience, but also spiritual gifts for particular situations. (Eph.5:18ff.).
    
15. Speaking in tongues was a supernatural way of inviting all, and also demonstrating, that the church was open to people from all nations, races, languages and cultures.
    
16. APP.: Have you been baptized in the Spirit? Are you being filled? What evidence?

The presence of the Holy Spirit provides…

#2 - Effects (Acts 2:5-11; C/R: Exodus 15:11; Psalm 40:5; 77:11; John 1:45-46)

1. Acts 2:5-11 (NLT)— ⁵At that time there were devout Jews from every nation [where Jews were dispersed] living in Jerusalem. [for Pentecost, one of three major Jewish feasts, Hebrew males were expected to travel to participate in the pilgrimage.]
   ⁶When they heard the loud noise [wind-like sound], everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.
   ⁷They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, ⁸and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! [Galileans spoke Aramaic, considered ignorant and uneducated; Jn.1:45-46; 7:52] ⁹Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, ¹⁰Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome ¹¹(both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” [Today, these places located in Israel, Italy, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Syria, island of Crete, Asia Minor, Egypt and north Africa.]
   
2. After gathering the crowd using the sound of a great wind, the Spirit convinced enabled these followers of Jesus Christ to praising the one true God so that all heard.
   
3. Many thought that Jesus followers were blasphemers of the Hebrew God, but this event showed them, miraculously, that they were devoted to the same God as these Jews.
   
4. This experience displayed that the church was for all the world—regardless of race, nationality or language (beginning fulfilment of the Great Commission).

The presence of the Holy Spirit provides…

#3 - Explanation (Acts 2:12-41; C/R: Psalm 16:8-11; 110:1; Joel 2:28-32; Matthew 13:15-16; 1 Corinthians 1:17-25)

1. Acts 2:12-13 (NLT)— ¹²They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other.
   ¹³But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!”
   
2. Some in the crowd accepted this unusual experience of these Galileans speaking in all of their languages, as a work of God, but others rejected it as the babbling of drunks.
   
3. How could they reject the obvious evidence that something miraculous was occurring?
   
4. Perhaps they were threatened by the display of these Galileans, or heard only babbling?
   
5. The ability to see and hear spiritually is from the Lord (Pr.20:12; Mt.13:15-16; Jn.12:39-40).
   
6. Acts 2:14-15 (NLT)—¹⁴Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. ¹⁵These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that.
   
7. Then Peter declared that this unusual occurrence fulfilled prophecy from Joel 2:28-32.
   
8. Acts 2:16-17 (NLT)—¹⁶“No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:
   ¹⁷‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. … [Peter quoted the entire prophecy which ended with an invitation] ²¹But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
   
9. Then Peter proclaimed the gospel: Acts 2: ²²“People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. ²³But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles [Romans], you nailed him to a cross and killed him. ²⁴But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.
   
10. Peter then quoted David from Psalm 16:8-11 and 110:1 to support Jesus’ resurrection.
    
11. Peter closed at Acts 2:36 (NLT)—³⁶“So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”
    ³⁷Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” [We reply to people’s response to the message.]
    ³⁸Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹This promise [forgiveness of sins and gift of the Spirit] is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”… [The Spirit would continue to be given when saved.]
    ⁴¹Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. [The church was birthed on that day!]
    
    

The presence of the Holy Spirit provides…

#4. Expression (Acts 2:42-47; C/R: John 13:35; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 2 Corinthians 8:13-14; Hebrews 2:3-4; 10:24-25)

1. The Scripture provides a description of how the church, composed of people baptized and filled with the Spirit functioned—and provides a model for us to follow.
   
2. Spiritual fellowship: Acts 2:42 (NLT)—⁴²All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. [Church is composed of saved people who are devoted to studying the Bible, sharing spiritual life in relationships, the Lord’s Supper and prayer.]
   
3. Supernatural power: Acts 2:43 (NLT)—⁴³A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. [Miracles confirmed the apostles as God’s messengers. God still performs miracles in response to His people’s prayers. A church that pursues spiritual practices will experience miracles: salvation]
   
4. Selfless generosity: Acts 2:44-45 (NLT)—⁴⁴And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. ⁴⁵They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. [from merciful kindness, not under compulsion]
   
5. Sincere relationships: Acts 2:46-47a (NLT)—⁴⁶They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—⁴⁷all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. … [Growing together while enjoying the companionship of other Christians.]
   
6. Specific results: Acts 2:47b (NLT)—…And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. [People come to faith when a church is led by the Spirit and practices love for God and others. A healthy church produces spiritual results.]
   
7. APP.: How is the Spirit’s Presence expressed in your life and in our church?

Memory verse: Acts 2:38 (NLT)—Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Spiritual practices: Walking with God depends on sensing the Holy Spirit’s speaking and leading. In what ways have you experienced the Spirit? Begin each day asking God to help you be aware of His Spirit and empower you to do His work.

Ministry Plan vote