Back when i was the childrens ministry coordinator at my church, i wasnt thrilled with the curriculum choices for sunday school. Twelftree luke, who allegedly wrote a gospel and the acts of the apostles, has more to say about the spirit than any other biblical writer does. This article shows that these references are integral elements in the narrative of acts, presenting the holy spirit as an active character or participant in the events it reports. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed. As the gospel began to spread to the world, the early church was confronted with spiritual and cultural barriersstrongholdsit had to overcome. The holy spirit in the acts assembly testimony magazine. In the american standard version of acts there are fiftysix references to the holy spirit.
According to lee, the book of acts refers to the formative history of the early church, while establishing luke as a charismatic theologian who demonstrates that baptism in the holy spirit is an experience of empowering to facilitate the mission of the church. Acts 1 english standard version esv the promise of the holy spirit. Tonight were moving into the book of the acts of the apostles, but which more appropriately could be called, the acts of the holy spirit. Acts 2 new king james version nkjv coming of the holy spirit. The holy spirit in the book of acts essay 2476 words bartleby. As you may know if you read my blog regularly, my bible study for last weeks post was a bit too large to fit in one article. Healing scriptures in the book of acts and the epistles. We may now come back to the five cases of receiving the spirit outwardly in the book of acts.
In acts, jesus sends the holy spirit to empower his disciples as they carry. Baptism and the holy spirit in samaria, acts 8 the second incident of the baptism of the holy spirit is in acts chapter eight. Of the about seventy occurrences of the word pneuma in acts, fifty five refer to the holy spirit. The holy spirit in the book of acts essay 2476 words 10 pages. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, receive the. The acts should be seen as a description of the ongoing work of jesus christ by the power of the holy spirit through his apostles and followers. The holy spirit in the book of acts essay 1847 words cram. The book of acts begins with the ascension of jesus and the coming of the holy spirit, and goes on to show how the apostles preached christ.
The holy spirit is the presence of the living lord jesus in spiritual power in the lives of men. The holy spirit in acts how does luke portray the gift and outpouring of the holy spirit in acts. In the beginning, creating, and at the end of the story, tending to us. Baptism and the holy spirit in the book of acts water baptism vs baptized with the spirit and power the book of acts begins with jesus parting words to his apostles before his ascension to the right hand of god the father. Jul 16, 20 acts tells us how the holy spirit came upon the church, and how the gospel spreads from jerusalem to rome. Supposedly the book of acts presents certain stages the believer must go through to. These were the disciples of jesus, the samaritans, the. The 6th installment of a series on the holy spirit.
Often people will speak of the acts pattern for receiving the holy spirit. Healing in the book of acts and the epistles exceedingfaith. The holy spirit is an important figure throughout the bible. Baptism and the holy spirit in the book of acts world wide. Aug 23, 2019 the holy spirit is an important figure throughout the bible. The book of acts tells the story of both the glorious and tumultuous early years of the church. The holy spirit as an active character in the book. In turn, for luke, jesus was a man primarily of the spirit. The holy spirit plays a key role in the acts of the apostles, leading to the use of the titles book of the holy spirit or the acts of the holy spirit for that book of the new testament. Christians should therefore seek to be filled with the spirit on a continual basis.
Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of jesus christ unto the remission of your sins. The holy spirit in the book of acts preaching source. Lukes view of the holy spirit by mark moore, phd in the first century it was not uncommon to entitle a book acts when it featured the noble deeds of ones hero. What is also interesting is that when you see these two things working together you find gods people filled with boldness to do what god has asked them to do. The holy spirit in the book of acts essay 2475 words. Acts tells us how the holy spirit came upon the church, and how the gospel spreads from jerusalem to rome. Take a pen and mark all the references you find related to him, and you will have rich food for study and meditation. The book of acts represents a transitional time during which the old testament age was ending and the new testament church age was beginning. The holy spirit and equality in the book of acts marg mowczko. But for those who read its words more purposefully, they will find blessing and encouragement, as they take in the powerful events that would begin to shape the church into the mighty organism that it is.
And everyone present was filled with the holy spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the holy spirit gave them this ability. The holy spirit as an active character in the book of acts. Note, first of all, the distinction between water baptism in the name of jesus and the reception of the. In the book of acts, we see that the holy spirit brought equality between young and old, between men and women, between rich and poor, and between jews and gentiles in the early days of the church cf. In the book of acts the gift of the holy spirit and the powerful effect of this gift is revealed as jesus promised. Thus some have suggested that the title of this book could well be the acts of the holy spirit. He portrays the spirit as the activity and presence of god but also as an impersonal force or power luke 5. Research paper outline the holy spirit in the book of acts bible 364 july 21, 2017. There were some interesting things out there but they were either really expensive or didnt fit the kids at my church. And everyone present was filled with the holy spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the holy spirit gave them this ability acts 4. After the martyrdom of stephen the disciples scatter from jerusalem. The holy spirit in the book of acts 1849 words bartleby. Sep 03, 2015 the holy spirit in acts how does luke portray the gift and outpouring of the holy spirit in acts.
The writer of acts portrayed the holy spirit as the source of spiritual power 1. It is very instructive to list the occurrences of these references in. A critique of jack deeres surprised by the power of the spirit. One might assume that the heroes of this book are the. So peter wants to know how could he withstand god in not being the baptizer so they might receive what god had promised and giventhe. Why did the holy spirit work differently with four particular groups. The importance of the spirits ministry to the church is evident from jesus command to his disciples that they remain in jerusalem and wait for the baptism of the holy. Aug 28, 2012 in the book of acts, we see that the holy spirit brought equality between young and old, between men and women, between rich and poor, and between jews and gentiles in the early days of the church cf. Holy spirit in the book of acts, part 2 like an anchor. The holy spirit in the book of acts essay 2476 words. It is written by luke as a sequel to the gospel of luke, picking up exactly where luke left off. Sep 20, 2019 the holy spirit in the book of acts september 20, 2019 september 15, 2019 by atozmom, posted in bsf acts 20192020 fun fact. Unfortunately, in some of these traditions, an understanding of the outpouring of the holy spirit in acts is often limited to discussions about speaking in tongues, or. The holy spirit is the presence of the living lord jesus in spiritual power in.
The combined sixtyeight chapters of the synoptic gospels contain only thirtyfour references to the holy spirit. These four groups in the book of acts represent all of humanity. The book of acts illustrates that the holy spirit works his will by filling believers with his presence and power. Actus apostolorum, often referred to simply as acts, or formally the book of acts, is the fifth book of the new testament. At the time the people in that house were regenerated, they all received the holy spirit upon them, and they spoke in tongues acts 10. Among other books, he has written people of the spirit. Baptism and the holy spirit in the book of acts world. They had received the holy spirit in the upper room. These healing scriptures show how healing took place after the gospels continuing jesus healing ministry through the church. In his opening statement jesus promises the holy spirit, and he does this by. Watch our overview video on the book of acts, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Lukes aim is to give an historical record of the early church from its birth in jerusalem to how it reached around. There are less than a hundred references to the spirit in the whole old testament, about 58 references to the spirit by whatever precise name.
In the book of acts christ himself continues his work through the lives of his disciples. Oct 04, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of acts, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The gift of the holy spirit excites christians in certain church traditions. Acts 2 38 repent, peter said to them, and be baptized, each of you, in the name of jesus christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the holy spirit. The importance of the holy spirit in the early days of the church cannot be underestimated. Lynchburg, virginia august 17, 2012 table of contents introduction 2 the coming filling of the holy spirit 2 the holy spirit speaks.
The holy spirit in the book of acts cobb, bradley s. In the first case, all the disciples were powerful on the day of. Deacon philip goes down to samaria, preached christ and preforms miracles acts 8. The holy spirit and equality in the book of acts marg. Lynchburg, virginia august 17, 2012 table of contents introduction 2 the coming filling of the holy spirit 2 the holy spirit speaks through believers 4 the. The disciples of jesus the disciples of jesus were one such group. On pentecost, the holy spirit descends and confers gods power on them, and peter and john preach to many. They received the holy spirit within as life, and at the same time they received the holy spirit without as power. In his opening statement jesus promises the holy spirit, and he does this by distinguishing the coming of the spirit from the baptism. As you study along with elizabeth george, youll learn about. Apr 17, 2020 now when the apostles at jerusalem heard that samaria had received the word of god, they sent to them peter and john, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the holy spirit.
Acts work of the holy spirit bible study resource centre. The book of acts begins with the ascension of jesus and the coming of the holy spirit, and goes on to show how the apostles preached christ to the. Using the book of acts to talk about spiritual gifts standard. Oct 23, 2016 the holy spirit in the book of acts acts 2. Holy spirit is the cornerstone of the acts of the apostles, attributed to the apostle luke.
What this means is that, if you really want to learn about the holy spirit, you would do well to read and study the book of acts. The gospel of luke began with a prologue addressed to theophilus. Acts 2 niv the holy spirit comes at pentecost bible gateway. Water baptism vs baptized with the spirit and power the book of acts begins with jesus parting words to his apostles before his ascension to. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the holy spirit.
Peter wagners complete commentary on the book of acts. However, the holy spirit in composing acts 8 does not mention speaking in. In the many bibles that i have read and worn out, i have marked with a red pen countless references to the holy spirit in both the old and new testaments. Brewster in partial fulfillment of the requirements for bibl364 liberty university online by robert ortiz jr. The holy spirit fell on each new group of believers. Lynchburg, virginia august 17, 2012 table of contents introduction 2 the coming filling. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that luke labels his second volume acts. Brief overview of the book of acts luke wrote the acts of the apostles as a followup to his gospel account of the life of christ. Why did the holy spirit work differently with four. By comparison to other portions of the new testament the special significance of the holy spirit in the book of acts can be demonstrated. Yet, in the book of acts, there are four instances of believers who received the holy spirit in a unique way. All the intro is in last weeks post, so without further. The holy spirit in the book of acts essay 1715 words.
The book of acts demonstrates that the holy spirit leads and empowers the church for growth and service. After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the holy spirit. The book of acts sheds light on the gift of the holy spirit, who empowers, guides, teaches, and serves as our counselor. In fact, the word bold or boldness is used more time in the book of acts than any other book of the bible. The holy spirit in the book of acts spirit of grace. Luke was one of the followers of the apostles and was closed to paul. Holy spirit in acts the book of acts in the holy bible refers to the acts of the apostles and how these acts contributed to the formation of the early church. Now when the apostles at jerusalem heard that samaria had received the word of god, they sent to them peter and john, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the holy spirit.
The scriptures in acts 9 only tell us that the holy spirit came upon saul. Acts 2 nkjv coming of the holy spirit when the bible. Later, the apostle paul said that he spoke in tongues more than others 1 cor. The holy spirit in the book of acts best custom essay. Does the book of acts provide any pattern for believers to receive. The holy spirit in the book of acts about spirit of. Acts likewise opens with an address to theophilus and refers to my earlier book, almost certainly the gospel the apostles and other followers of jesus meet and elect matthias to replace judas as a member of the twelve. Many times, jesus healed all and his healing ministry continued through the church. Since my earliest days in christ i have been fascinated by the holy spirit. And he opened the book and found the place where it was written, the spirit of the lord is upon me, because he anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. Apr 05, 2014 as you may know if you read my blog regularly, my bible study for last weeks post was a bit too large to fit in one article. The holy spirit in the book of acts sermon by john gaston.
It is filled with all the drama, thrills, adventure and suspense. So peter wants to know how could he withstand god in not being the baptizer so they might receive what god had promised and giventhe holy spirit. The holy spirit speaks, leads, and guides in the book of acts. Luke, who allegedly wrote a gospel and the acts of the apostles, has more to say about the spirit than any other biblical writer does. To a multitude assembled on the day of pentecost the apostle peter declared. In preparation for this sundays sermon, meditate on these verses. Reading the book of acts, we are enlightened and encouraged by the power of the gospel as it spread throughout the world and transformed lives. Jan 02, 2020 the book of acts sheds light on the gift of the holy spirit, who empowers, guides, teaches, and serves as our counselor. The book of acts is called acts of the apostles but more aptly it is the work of the holy spirit working through the apostles. Hence, part 2 about the role of the holy spirit as revealed in the book of acts. The book of acts is filled with incredible examples of gods spirit at work in the lives of his people. Water baptism vs baptized with the spirit and power the book of acts begins with jesus parting words to his apostles before his ascension to the right hand of god the father. Luke mentions the holy spirit 57 times in the book of acts.
Role of prayer and the holy spirit in acts kingdom living. Quick outline of acts the gospel spreads among the jews ac 19. The churchs success is vitally tied to its relationship with the spirit. Ananias and sapphira 2 with his wifes full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles feet. The book picks up where the gospels four accounts of jesus life and ministry leave off. The holy spirit in the book of acts a research paper submitted to professor p. And the book of the prophet isaiah was handed to him. From beginning to end, the holy spirit has always been active. Liberty university the holy spirit in the book of acts a research paper submitted to professor p. The holy spirit plays a key role in the acts of the apostles, leading to the use of the titles book of the holy spirit or the acts of the holy spirit for that book of the. Acts 1 esv the promise of the holy spirit in the bible.
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