Wednesday, September 27, 2017

The Church That Jesus Built: 3 Holy Spirit and the Church



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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