The Holy Spirit and the Church
Promised by Christ John 14-16, Act 1:8
Another Comforter John 14:16-17
Defined: Comforter is from the Greek word paraklêtos : one called
along side to help.
1) summoned, called to one's side, esp. called to one's aid
1a) one who pleads
another's cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal
assistant, an advocate
1b) one who pleads
another's cause with one, an intercessor
1c) in the widest
sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant
2) of Christ in his exaltation at God's right hand, pleading
with God the Father for the pardon of our sins
3) of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ
with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper
knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable
them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom
His role
Inspiration and Infallibility of Scriptures John 14:26, 16:13
Testify and Glorify Christ John 15:26,16:14
Reprover of the World
John 16:8-11
Empowerer of the Church Act 1:8
Indwelt/Seals Believers
John 14:7, Eph 4:30
Given by Christ John 20:22-23
The Holy Spirit given by Jesus.
Given now so they would not be comfortless until the Day
of Pentecost in 10 days.
Given only to the 11 not the other 120 or more disciples
at large.
The Church Baptized in the Holy Spirit by Christ, Acts 2
Prophesied by Joel
(Acts 2 is a foreshadowing)
Prophesied by John the Baptist Matthew 3:11-12, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33
One baptism with Holy Spirit (Pentecost)
One baptism with Fire
(Judgement)
Prophesied by Christ Act 1:5
Compare to Shekinah Glory of the Tabernacle and the
Temple. (Nu 19:5; 2Chr 7:1)
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit was God's authentication that
the church was now His house of witness and to empower them for that witness.
Misconceptions about Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit does not occur now.
It is not concurrent with the new birth.
It is not a second blessing associated with tongues.
The event only happened once. Similar events took place only two other
times, at Cornelius' (Acts 10) and in Samaria (Acts 8:15-17), for the same purpose to authenticate
these peoples as also belonging in the
church. Though similar they were not the
same. Also see Eph 4:5
The filling of the Holy Spirit was not the same as the
baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Filling still takes place today. (Ephesians 5:18)
Baptism is outward (The room was filled with the sound of
wind), filling is inward. (They were all filled with the Holy Ghost.)
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Act 2)
120 are gathered in the upper room.
A rushing and mighty wind fills the upper room. The wind sweeps from heaven through the city
and to this location. The word for
spirit (pneuma) is the same word for wind or air. This rushing wind is the Holy Spirit, which
fills the room and the church is baptized, immersed in the Holy Spirit.
Tongues of flame descend and alight upon each church
member.
They began to speak in other tongues and to witness to
those in the street who had gathered to the upper room because of the sound of
the wind.
Peter who once had denied Christ to a single servant in the
darkness, now stands before a crowd of thousands and begins to convict them of
the death of the Messiah. This is the
proof of the empowering of the church.
Conclusion
Do you believe that you the same Holy Spirit that was given
on the Day of Pentecost?
Then you must also believe that you have the power that is
needed to be a witness for Christ today as they were then.
Quit worrying about what you don’t have and begin to trust
in what you do have, the indwelling and empowering of God the Holy Spirit. Rely
on Him to lead, guide and fill.
It was Jesus’ promise that He would.
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