Under The Influence—Of The Early Church.
Acts 2:1-4TPT
Could you be accused of being under the influence of the Holy Spirit?
In the New Testament alone there are some 261 passages which refer to the Holy Spirit. He is mentioned fifty-six times in the Gospels, fifty-seven times in the book of Acts, 112 times in the Pauline espistles, and thirty-six times in the remaining New Testament.
The role of the Holy Spirit and His infilling are clearly seen in Acts chapter 2.
One quick thought—Just as the Feast of Passover was fulfilled 50 day’s earlier through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
On this particular day, Pentecost, known also as the Feast of Weeks, or Feast of Harvest was fulfilled. Pentecost meaning, 50.
Again—Just as Jesus’ shed blood fulfilled Passover, the Feast of Pentecost, or the Feast of Harvest, gathered God’s people in one mind and one accord.
The Holy Spirit was given so that God’s people, could walk in agreement and enjoy fellowship one with another.
Acts 2:1-4TPT On the day Pentecost was being fulfilled, all the disciples were gathered in one place. 2 Suddenly they heard the sound of a violent blast of wind rushing into the house from out of the heavenly realm. The roar of the wind was so overpowering it was all anyone could bear! 3 Then all at once a pillar of fire appeared before their eyes. It separated into tongues of fire that engulfed each one of them. 4 They were all filled and equipped with the Holy Spirit and were inspired to speak in tongues—empowered by the Spirit to speak in languages they had never learned!
Just as a pillar of cloud by day led Israel out of bondage, and a pillar of fire by night led them, This pillar of fire on Pentecost would open the way for the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
“This heavenly language inspired all, it also promoted revival.’ ‘The infilling of the Holy Spirit was a game changer!” P.H
Some truth about the Holy Spirit:
He can fill anyone who is His—He has full rights to you.
He gives you a new name and a new voice.
Several things I would like to point out about the fulfilling of Pentecost:
First—people from all over, heard Peter preach and they believed God’s word.
Acts 2:41TPT Those who believed the word that day numbered three thousand. They were all baptized and added to the church.
After Peter’s infilling, He preached two messages that brought 5,000 converts; 5,000 souls emerged out of water!
Two Wednesday’s ago—Brother Steve begun our service, and he read this verse:
2 Corinthians 4:13TPT We have the same Spirit of faith that is described in the Scriptures when it says, “First I believed, then I spoke in faith.” So we also first believe then speak in faith.
As God’s word was believed and spoken—the people’s response was noted by God.
“Revival is simply—men and women, boys and girls believing and responding to the word of God.” P.H
Second, they were devoted to the apostles teaching—Their teaching was sound and brought results.
Acts 2:42TPT Every believer was faithfully devoted to following the teachings of the apostles. Their hearts were mutually linked to one another sharing communion and coming together regularly for prayer.
This devotion linked one another together in communion and prayer. Their sole purpose—Jesus!
The early church shared their spiritual success, for they believed the apostles teaching.
The Prophet Isaiah wrote in, Isaiah 53:1TPT Who has truly believed our revelation? To whom will Yahweh reveal his mighty arm?
God’s arm is a metaphor for His triumphant power. It is said that almost every verse in Isaiah 53, is alluded to in the New Testament in reference to Jesus.
Again, Their faithfulness—produced communion and prayer together.
“When we come together in agreement—when we work together in agreement—when we worship together in agreement—when believed together, God’s revealed word brought demonstration and power!” P.H
Third—Signs and wonders brought an awe! News spread, and momentum gained—Jesus was glorified!
Acts 2:43TPT A deep sense of holy awe swept over everyone, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.
Presently—5,120—converts were on the move—performing many miraculous signs and wonders.
Listen to more from, Acts 5:12-16TPT The apostles performed many signs, wonders, and miracles among the people. 13 And the believers were wonderfully united as they met regularly in the temple courts in the area known as Solomon’s Porch. No one dared harm them, for everyone held them in high regard.
14 Continually more and more people believed in the Lord and were added to their number—great crowds of both men and women. 15 In fact, when people knew Peter was going to walk by, they carried the sick out to the streets and laid them down on cots and mats, knowing the incredible power emanating from him
would overshadow them and heal them. 16 Great numbers of people swarmed into Jerusalem from the nearby villages. They brought with them the sick and those troubled by demons—and everyone was healed!
“Let me remind you that you can’t do any better than when you carry, and lift up the name of Jesus!” P.H
Fourth—the body of Christ shared—All believers were in fellowship, and they share with each other whatever they had out of love and compassion.
Acts 2:44TPT All the believers were in fellowship as one body, and they shared with one another whatever they had.
You see—this is the inner, and outer workings of the Holy Spirit. Inner-man—speaks of deepness, a new cry within. Outer-man—giving, gifting, loving, and serving.
With most, stinginess wasn’t an issue. Out of love they shared. Those who were stingy, or deceitful, or, both, were dealt with, like Ananias and Sapphira.
Fifth—Generosity became natural. It flowed. Those in need were fulfilled by the abundance of others.
Acts 2:45TPT Out of generosity they even sold their assets to distribute the proceeds to those who were in need among them.
In Mark 1:40, Jesus was moved with compassion, In Matthew 14:14, Jesus was moved with compassion for the multitudes.
Yes, out of generosity these pentecostal believers were moved with compassion. This deep movement refers to their bowels, they gave it all. From their innermost heart they shared.
Sixth—The early church met together in the temple courts. They shared meals together, while their hearts were filled with joy, and tender humility.
Acts 2:46TPT Daily they met together in the temple courts and in one another’s homes to celebrate communion. They shared meals together with joyful hearts and tender humility.
They gladly did church together—Psalm 122:1KJV I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.
Last but certainly not least, Seven—They were continually filled with the praises of God.
Acts 2:47TPT They were continually filled with praises to God, enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were coming to life.
Notice, they enjoyed the favor of all the people.
Can I remind you that the blessings of, Deuteronomy 28:1-14NLT, still stand today:
“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. 2 You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God: 3 Your towns and your fields will be blessed. 4 Your children and your crops will be blessed. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed. 5 Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed. 6
Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed. 7 “The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven! 8 “The Lord will guarantee a blessing on everything you do and will fill your storehouses with grain. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. 9 “If you obey the commands of the Lord your God and walk in his ways, the Lord will establish you as his holy people as he swore he would do. 10 Then all the nations of the world will see that you are a people claimed by the Lord, and they will stand in awe of you. 11 “The Lord will give you prosperity in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you, blessing you with many children, numerous livestock, and abundant crops. 12 The Lord will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them. 13 If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom. 14 You must not turn away from any of the commands I am giving you today, nor follow after other gods and worship them.
And then, in Deuteronomy 28:15-68, list the curses for refusing to follow Jesus Christ.
Moreover, those who believe and grow, all the curses of Deuteronomy have been redeemed.
Remember, Paul wrote in, Galatians 3:13TPT Yet, Christ paid the full price to set us free from the curse of the law. He absorbed the curse completely as he became a curse in our place. For it is written: “Everyone who is hung upon a tree is cursed. (Scripture reference—Deut. 21:23).
Acts 2:47bTPT… The Lord added to the church daily those who were coming to life—being saved.
Notice, the Lord added—As He’s lifted up, He adds to His church.
Benediction.
