Tag Archives: prophesy

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit – What is the Sign and Purpose?

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Acts 1:8

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

  • What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
  • The initial evidence of the Holy Spirit – Biblical view and denominational view
  • The continuing evidence of the Holy Spirit
  • Some misconceptions of the initial reception of the Holy Spirit
  • Some misconceptions of the reason of and the work of the Holy Spirit in our life
  • Can I speak in tongues or sing in tongues at will?

Acts 1:8 – But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

  • You will receive power
  • You will be witnesses
  • No tongues mentioned

Luke 24:48-49 – And you are witnesses of these things.  Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

  • Were to tarry until endued with power
  • No tongues mentioned

Isaiah 44:3 – For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring.

  • God will pour out His spirit and blessing
  • No tongues mentioned

Joel 2:28-29 – And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.  And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

  • God will pour out His spirit
  • Prophesy – dreams – visions
  • No tongues mentioned

John 14:26-28 – But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.

  • Holy Spirit will be a helper (a comforter)
  • He will teach and bring to remembrance what Jesus has said
  • No tongues mentioned

Zechariah 12:10 – And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication.

  • Spirit of grace
  • Spirit of supplication (prayer)
  • No tongues mentioned

Ezekiel 11:19-20 –  Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh,  that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.

  • New Spirit that will give them a new heart
  • They will then walk in God’s Laws and keep His commandments
  • They will be God’s people

Acts 2:4 – And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

  • They were all filled and they did all speak with other tongues
  • They spoke in tongues “as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Mark 16:17 – And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues.

  • Tongues would be one of the signs of believers

Acts 10:44-46 – While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.  And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.  For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

  • Tongues was an indication to Peter and the other Jews that the Holy Spirit had been given to the Gentiles – the tongues were used to praise God

1 Corinthians 12 & 13 & 14 – entailed use of tongues in the church

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 – But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:  for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

  • Gifts of the Holy Spirit are given for the profit of all
  • Holy Spirit gives as He wills

1 Corinthians 12:30 – Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

Acts 19:2-7 — he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”  So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”  And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?”  So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”  Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.  Now the men were about twelve in all.

  • Spoke with tongues
  • Also prophesied

Acts 4:31 – And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

  • They spoke the word of God with “boldness”
  • No tongues mentioned

Acts 8:16-19 – For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.  And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

  • Obviously something happened that could be “seen” but what is not said
  • No tongues is specially mentioned

Acts 9:17-18 – And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

  • His eyes were healed
  • No tongues mentioned

Acts 13:52 – And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

  • Joy
  • No tongues mentioned

1 Corinthians 14:2-4 – For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.  But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.  He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

  • Tongues improves himself
  • Prophesy improves the church
  • The continuing evidence of the Holy Spirit in your life
  • You will be a witness
    • You will have boldness
    • You will have power over sin
    • You will live a holy life
    • You will have a desire for the Word of God
    • You will have a desire to communicate with the Father
  • Speaking in tongues at will?

Acts 2:4 – And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Galatians 2:20 – And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

  • If Christ lives in me, He is the cause of my speaking.  I am not the one controlling the tongues.  The Holy Spirit is the one who speaks though Me.  He is in charge.
  • Coaxing/encouraging “baby talk”

There are many different ideas of how one becomes “filled with the Holy Spirit.”  People are told to repeat some word over and over.  As they repeat it over and over, faster and faster, it becomes gibberish.  Someone then shouts “Praise the Lord!  They have received the Holy Spirit.”  The individual goes back to their seat filed with unholy gibberish.

Many times people are told to “practice” this gibberish until they become proficient at it.  Can you “practice” the Holy Spirit?  Can you “practice” the other gifts of the Spirit? 

Is there too much obsession with tongues over other manifestations of the Holy Spirit?  What about the fruit of the Holy Spirit?

Galatians 5:22-26 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.  And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Spiritual Gifts

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Ephesians 4:7-16

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

GOD LOVES TO GIVE

  • Gave his Son

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son what whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

  • Gives us faith to be saved

Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”

  • Gives us the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:38 – “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

  • Gives us “all things”

Romans 8:32 – “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

  • The Greek word used in the above scriptures for “gift” is dorea which means a “present or a free gift stressing its voluntary character.”  It is always used in the New Testament of a spiritual or supernatural gift.  With no strings attached, God gives us these gifts.

DIFFERENT KINDS OF GIFTS OF GOD

  • Ministry Gifts
  • Leaders – “Equippers” – Ephesians 4:11 – “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.”
  • Apostle – “A person with the special ability to provide leadership for a cluster of churches.  This often involves the founding of the churches, but may also include giving new direction to the church.”
  • Prophet – “A person with the supernatural ability to interpret the Scriptures in the light of the present situation in the Church giving encouragement, correction, warning and edification.” 
  • Evangelist – “A person who is gifted to present the gospel in such a way that people will respond to the claims of Christ through repentance, conversion and discipleship.  He also has the ability to equip the church to evangelize.”
  • Pastor – Teacher – “A person with the special ability to take responsibility for the nourishment, health protection, and development of a congregation on a

                                          relatively long-term basis.”

  • These “gifts of God” are actually people God has given the church to perfect, prepare and equip the members of the church for their individual ministries. 
  • The Greek word used here for “gift” is domatawhich stresses the concrete character of the gift.  This is the only place in the New Testament where this word is found and it refers to those leadership ministry gifts found in Ephesians 4:11. 
  • Body Ministry Gifts – Romans 12:6-8 – “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”
  • Prophecy – “A person who can spontaneously utter words from the Lord given to the Body for encouragement, edification or exhortation. 
  • Serving – “A person who serves the body of Christ in a supporting role, thus releasing those in leadership roles to carry on their ministries.”  Biblical example:  deacons in Acts 6:1-6.
  • Teaching – “A person who can communicate information relevant to the health and ministry of the Body in such a way others will learn.”  Biblical example:  Priscilla and Aquila in Acts 18:26.
  • Encouraging – “A person who can minister encouragement and hope to other members of the Body.  Biblical example:  Barnabas in Acts 4:36.
  • Giving – “A person who can provide material resources to the Body with liberality and cheerfulness.  Biblical example:  Barnabas in Acts 4:36.
  • Leadership – “A person who is able to organize and direct toward a specific goal in projects that promote the work of God and the growth of those involved.”  Biblical example:  James in Acts 15:3-21.
  • Mercy – “A person who can feel genuine empathy and compassion for those who are suffering and can translate that compassion into deeds that reflect Christ’s

                                    love and alleviate suffering.”  Biblical example:  Epaphroditus in Phil. 2:25-30.

  • Romans 12:5-6 tells us that each member of Christ receives a gift of this nature. 
  • 1 Peter 4:10 tells us each one has a gift and we are to use these gifts to serve others.
  • The Greek word used here for “gift” is charismata and means a gift of grace, a special endowment.
  • Manifestation Gifts – 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 – “For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
  • Wisdom – “God-given supernatural utterance of a specific word, given at a specific time, giving God’s wisdom for a specific situation.”  Biblical example:  Acts 15:28
  • Knowledge – “God-given information which only God may know given to help the Church or members of the Body in a time of need.”  Biblical example:  Acts 5:3-5
  • Faith – “God-given ability to believe in God for a specific need when it seems impossible.”  Biblical example:  Throughout the Gospels and Acts
  • Healing – “God-given healing of physical, emotional, psychological or spiritual needs of persons at a specific time.” Biblical example:  Throughout the Gospels and Acts
  • Miracles – “God-given ability to perform the impossible.” Biblical example:  Acts 28:3-5
  • Prophecy – “God-given spontaneously-uttered word from the Lord giving directions, instruction, encouragement to the Body.  Bible example:  Acts 11:28
  • Discernment – “God-given ability to know what spirit is motivating a person or a situation.”  Biblical example:  Acts 16:16-18
  • Tongues – “God-given ability to speak to the Church in a language which a person does not understand.”  Biblical example:  Acts 2
  • Interpretation of tongues – “God-given ability to give the meaning of what has been uttered in tongues.”  Instructions for this given in 1 Corinthians.
  • The Greek word used here for “manifestations” is phanerosis and means “to lay bare, to unveil.”  It means “to shine forth, to reveal.” 
  • Spiritual manifestations are the supernatural “surprises of the Spirit,” a bursting forth of the energy and power of God whenever there is a need. 

DIFFERENCE IN MINISTRY AND MANIFESTATION GIFTS

  • Ministry Gifts
  • They are permanent – Romans 11:29 – “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”
  • They are related to natural gifts and will be in harmony with natural ability and gifts.
  • They determine the position of an individual in the body of Christ.
  • Ministry gifts are “gifted persons” given to the church.  To receive the gift, we must receive the person – Romans 15:7 – “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.”
  • Each believer is to identify and develop their ministry gift.
  • Manifestation Gifts
  • They are temporary.
  • They have no relation to natural ability.
  • There is little relationship to the position in the body of Christ and the manifestation.
  • The body of Christ is to receive and rejoice in these “surprises” of the Spirit.

PURPOSE OF LEADERSHIP MINISTRY GIFTS

  • Unity in the Body
  • Body to grow in their knowledge of Christ
  • Body to become complete – “grow up”
  • Each person in the body “each joint” to find their proper place in the body and to work to build up the Church.

What’s in a Name?

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1 Peter 1:1-10

1 Peter 1:1- 10 – Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,

The prophecy of this grace.

Isaiah 7:14 – Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

Matthew 1:23 – Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, “God with us.”

Grace – what does it mean?

G     It is a gift – Ephesians 2:8-10 – For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

O     It calls for an offering – Romans 12:1 — I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

D    It caused God to dwell among us – John 1:14 – And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

W   This “Word” is powerful and His life on earth was verified by many witnesses – Hebrews 4:12-13 – For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

1 Timothy 3:16-17 – And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:  God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.

I    Because of this “Word” we have an inheritance – Romans 8:16-17 – The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

T   Because of what God has done, we are His temple.  – 2 Corinthians 6:16 – And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:  “I will dwell in them and walk among them.  I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”

H    It calls for us to be holy in our lives – 1 Peter 1:16 – because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

U    It calls for faith in God.  However, it also tells us when we have doubts we can honestly cry out to God for His help – Romans 11:19-21 – However, it also tells us when we have doubts we can honestly cry out to God for His help – Romans 11:19-21 – You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Mark 9:24 – Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

S  It provides for us a Savior – Luke 2:11 – For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

What’s in a name?  Everything, if the name is the one above every name – the name by which we must be saved!  Introduce your friends to Jesus (God With Us)!!!