“Acts of the Holy Spirit” may be a more appropriate title “acts of the apostles” (as added by the translators)
We know who the apostles were, and these guys were a bunch of goofs. It was the work God did through them that changed people. Same with us. The spirit is moving and changing people. The question is will we get on board and willingly take part in becoming more usefully in what he is doing. Will we follow where the Holy Spirit leads. The acts of the Holy Spirit.
Luke writes this book directly following the book of Luke (also written by him). Collossians 4:14 calls him the great phisician as he was a holy Spirit filled doctor. This book isn't addressed to the church like other letters. Instead he wrote this letter to one man. Luke is sharing the investment of the Holy Spirit with one other person and 2000 years later it has spread to be shared with millions. It is likewise with us. Share the work of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:1-2 NIV
In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.
Notice that they are no longer called disciples because they are now sent out and that is what the word apostle means.
Acts 1:3 NIV
After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
Convincing proofs... We have a measure of logic by which we examine history we were not present for. from the convincing proofs, we can form an accurate picture. Imagine going into a university and saying Galileo never existed. You'd be thrown out. There are convincing proofs we find that show Galileo did what is said of him. It is likewise with our Lord. There are convincing proofs of his existence, death, and ressurection.
Acts 1:4 NIV
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
John 16:7 NIV
But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.
Why do u think he said wait? In the waiting, the apostles joined in prayer. They came together and unified. We didn't have to wait like them, we got the Holy Spirit right away upon only a heartfelt confession and request for His presence as Lord in our lives. Now pray and unite with others.
Acts 1:5 NIV
For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
This is a surrender completely that is evidenced by the changes that occure following the baptism. This is where we stop wandering in the dark being blind and begin following the great Helper. OUR COMFOTER; OUR GUIDE. This Spirit is the Word of Truth and He points us to Jesus Christ. Why would we not emerse ourselves in this spirit?
Acts 1:6-7 NIV
Then they gathered around him and asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.
These guys have got the wrong idea. They here "power" and their minds get greedy. But Jesus responds in gentle rebuke saying paraphrased, "none of your business". When does the power come? When the Spirit is upon you. The Holy Spirit is first with them. Can you look back in your life and see times when the Spirit was with you though you didn't listen.
John 14:15-18 NIV
"If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
Then the Holy Spirit enters them
John 20:19-23 NIV
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
So that there is no confusion be sure that when you first become saved, this occurs. Corinthians teaches that at that moment you become the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:8 NIV
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
And then finally, they yeild to the spirit and are in a state of having the Spirit on them and working through them as willing participants. This is a lifestyle that represents the Gospel.
Without this, our witness fails. There is no power without this change. When we proclaim the Gospel with the Holy Spirit on and in us, there is power.
Must frustration a Christian comes across in their adult walk with Christ stems from knowing what we should do and yet feeling poweess to do it. This is us acting or thinking outside of the Holy Spirit. At some point in that action or thought process we forgot that we can act with the Holy Spirit and not out of our own manipulating spirit. We can treat others right when we act based on the Holy Spirit's presence and power. We fall flat on our faces when we try without.
Acts 1:9 NIV
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
Romans 8:34 NIV
Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Acts 1:10-11 NIV
They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
So He is coming back the same way He left. How do we apply these truths to our life? We have struggles and often our lives are not the testimony we desire them to be. We can trust and make discisions of faith to ask for the power of the Holy Spirit and simply recieve it not just one time, but continuing to pray and live with the presence of the Holy spirit in our lives. Continuing to repent of sins and serve in power.
No comments:
Post a Comment