SERIES: UNDERSTANDING POWER PRINCIPLES
THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - POWER PRINCIPLE TWO
OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:
• Give a Biblical reference which reveals the relation of the Holy Spirit to power.
• Identify the main purpose of the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Identify the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
• Give a Biblical reference which lists the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
• List Scriptural Guidelines for receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
KEY VERSE:
And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (Luke 24:49)
Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. (Ephesians 3:20)
INTRODUCTION
Jesus made an important promise to His followers regarding spiritual power:
And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (Luke 24:49)
• The power of the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit are two key principles in understanding the Biblical concept of power.
• Experiencing both is necessary to receive spiritual power.
• You have already learned the importance of the power of the Gospel.
• But there is another vital spiritual experience which you must receive.
• It is the power of the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus.
This lesson discusses this important principle. This lesson is only an introduction to the Holy Spirit. To study this subject in depth, we will cove this in a new series soon.
THE PROMISE OF POWER
Jesus told His followers He would. . .
. . . pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He mayabide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seethHim not, neither knoweth Him; but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you,and shall be in you. (John 14:16-17)
The Spirit of which Jesus spoke is the third person of the Trinity of God, the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit would "endue" or literally "clothe" the Disciples in spiritual power:
And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in thecity of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (Luke 24:49)
THE RELATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO POWER
Note that this great spiritual power was to be experienced after receiving the Holy Spirit:
But yet shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
Power is a spirit:
But God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (II Timothy 1:7)
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about. (Luke 4:14)
That "spirit of power" is the Holy Spirit:
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil;for God was with Him. (Acts 10:38)
PURPOSES OF THIS POWER
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. Acts 8.18 19
The Holy Spirit ministers in many powerful ways in the lives of believers.
The HolySpirit:
a. Dwells in him: (I Corinthians 6:19) We are actually the temple or dwelling place of the Holy Ghost.
b. Unites him in one spirit with God and other believers: (I Corinthians 6:17) There is greatpower in unity as demonstrated in the story of the tower of Babel (See Genesis 11;especially note verse 6).
c. Intercedes for him: (Romans 8:26) This powerful intercessor prays for us according toGod's will.
d. Guides him: (John 16:13) The Holy Spirit enables us to walk in power and not confusion.He guides us to the place of power, the perfect will of God.
e. Imparts the love of Christ to him and through him: (Romans 5:5) You will learn moreabout the power of love in the next chapter.
f. Reveals Biblical truth to him: (I Corinthians 2:10) Powerful spiritual revelation comesthrough the Holy Spirit.
g. Comforts him: (Acts 9:31 and John 14:17, 26) He comforts us in times of grief.
h. Conforms him to the image of Christ: (II Corinthians 3:18) We are powerless to changeourselves into the image of Christ. Self-improvement plans are doomed to failure. Butthrough the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be conformed to the image of Jesus.
i. Teaches him: (John 14:26) The greatest teacher takes up residence within us when we areendued with the power of the Holy Spirit. Knowledge is powerful, and the Holy Spiritimparts spiritual knowledge.
j. Inspires him to true worship: (John 4:24) Praise and worship are powerful spiritualstrategies. In some Old Testament battles they were the main methods used against theenemies of God.
k. Quickens him: (Romans 8:11) The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at workin us to quicken us. This means we are endued with resurrection-like power while yet inthese mortal bodies.
l. Sanctifies him: (II Thessalonians 2:13-14) We do not have to try to live a holy lifethrough self effort. The power of the Holy Spirit sanctifies our thoughts and actions. Heenables holy living.
m. Changes him: (Titus 3:5) Power is necessary to effect change and the Holy Spirit givespower for positive change.
n. Convicts him of wrong: (John 16:8-11) You will learn later in this course that sin resultsin spiritual power failure. The Holy Spirit convicts of wrong and leads us to repentance.
o. This enables the continued flow of God's power.
p. Gives assurance of salvation: (Romans 8:16) Knowing your position gives you power.The Holy Spirit assures your position in God.
q. Gives him liberty: (Romans 8:2) Liberty provides the greatest opportunity for power. TheHoly Spirit gives liberty through Jesus Christ.
r. Speaks through him: (Mark 13:11) We are not limited by our own speaking ability. TheHoly Spirit speaks God's Words of power and authority through us.
s. Demonstrates God's power: (I Corinthians 2:4) The Holy Spirit enables thedemonstration of God's power in every area of life.
t. Strengthens him: (Ephesians 3:16) When you are weak, God’s strength is manifested.
THE GREATEST PURPOSE
These are all important purposes, but there is one main purpose for the power of the HolySpirit. All the purposes of the Holy Spirit are targeted to accomplish this greater purpose.The greatest purpose of the Holy Spirit is revealed in the promise by Jesus:
But yet shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: andye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and inSamaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8) The power to become witnesses for Jesus is the true evidence of the Holy Spirit. It waspresent immediately inthe life of the Apostle Peter. Before the Holy Spirit experience Peter fearfully denied he knew Jesus. After receiving the endument of power of the Holy Spirit, Peter stood and gave a powerful witness to the Gospel that resulted in the salvationof 3,000 people. It was the power of the Holy Spirit in the early church that resulted in the spread of theGospel throughout the world. The book of Acts is a record of the powerful witness whichwas evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit.
THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
This enduement of power comes through an experience called "the baptism of the Holy Spirit." Jesus spoke of this baptism: For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the HolyGhost not many days hence. (Acts 1:5) Peter spoke of this baptism: Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that He said, John indeedbaptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.(Acts 11:16)
What Is The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit?
1. Baptism In The Holy Spirit Is A Full Immersion Into God's Spirit.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is more than just being born again of the Holy Spirit. It is a total infilling of The Holy Spirit. The very word baptism means to be fully whelmed or immersed as in water baptism. In water baptism a person in fully immersed into water and in Spirit baptism a person is fully immersed into the Spirit of God.
It is an experience that is subsequent to the new birth. We find in the scriptures that the disciples were both born of the Spirit and baptized in the Holy Spirit. One example of this is found with the people of Samaria in Acts chapter eight.
Acts 8:4-6 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.
These people were saved, water baptized, delivered of demons, and experienced miracles, yet they did not receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit until the apostles at Jerusalem sent Peter and John to them. The apostles in Jerusalem thought it was so important for them to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit that they sent Peter and John to minister it to them.
Acts 8:14-17 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 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.
THE PHYSICAL SIGN
The true evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is spiritual power, but this experienceis also accompanied by a physical sign.
There are three places in the New Testament where we are told what happened when people were baptized in the Holy Spirit. These include;
• the first giving of the Holy Spirit recorded in Acts 2:2-4;
• at the house of Corneliusin Acts 10:44-45;
• and when the converts at Ephesus received the Holy Spirit as recordedin Acts 19:6.
In comparing these passages, one physical sign is common to all three: Those whoreceived the Holy Spirit spoke in languages other than their native tongue. These were notlanguages they had learned. They were languages given through the power of the HolySpirit. The "tongues" of the Holy Spirit can be in actual languages used on earth:
And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold,are not all these which speak Galilaeans?And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?(Acts 2:7-8)
2. Baptism In The Holy Spirit Is Accompanied By Speaking In Tongues.
The scriptures consistently show that whenever the baptism of the Holy Spirit came to believers, it was accompanied by speaking in tongues.
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.
Acts 2:33 "Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
This experience with tongues as the accompanying sign also happened when the Gentile believers were brought into the church.
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.
Acts 11:16 identifies both this experience and the one in Acts 2 as the baptism of the Holy Spirit that John the Baptist prophesied would happen.
Let's remember that in the gospels the truth of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in other tongues is introduced, but there is no indication of what takes place when it happens. We find now in the Book of Acts that when the disciples experienced this truth that both Jesus and John the Baptist prophesied would happen that it was accompanied with speaking in tongues.
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.
John 7:37-39 Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
The tongues can also be in a language not known to man. This is called an "unknown tongue": For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. (I Corinthians 14:2)
PURPOSES FOR TONGUES
The tongues given by the Holy Spirit serve powerful purposes in the lives of believers.
Some of the purposes for tongues found in I Corinthians 14 are:
a. -Prayer to God: Verse 2
b. -Self-edification: Edification is not exalting self, but means encouragement,improvement, and development.Verse 4.
c. -When interpreted, they edify the Church: Verse 12
d. -Intercession: Verse 14. See also Romans 8:26-27
e. -Praise: Verses 15,17
f. -Fulfillment of prophecy: Verse 21. See also Isaiah 28:11-12
g. -Sign to unbelievers: Verse 22. See also Acts 2
GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Jesus left His followers with a responsibility to extend the Gospel to the ends of the earth: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of theFather, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.(Matthew 28:19-20)
The power of the Holy Spirit was given to help the Disciples fulfill this task (Acts 1:8).
Part of this power of the Holy Spirit is spiritual gifts which the Holy Spirit gives believersto equip them to minister effectively. The task is too great to be accomplished with naturalabilities. These spiritual gifts are not the same as natural talents. Natural talents and abilities are given at the time of physical birth and/or developed by natural efforts. They may also be used in ministry, but they are not the same as spiritual gifts.
Spiritual gifts are powerful abilities given by the Holy Spirit to enable the task of ministry.
Gifts of the Holy Spirit are God-given abilities. . .
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifyingof the body of Christ;Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son ofGod, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness ofChrist;That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried aboutwith every wind of doctrine. . .But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which isthe head, even Christ. (Ephesians 4:12-15)
FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The endument of power of the Holy Spirit also enables you to live a Christ-like life. Thisis accomplished through qualities the Holy Spirit develops in your life. These qualities arecalled spiritual fruit. The fruit of the Holy Spirit refers to the nature of the Holy Spiritbeing evident in the life of a believer. God desires that all the fruit be evident in the life ofeach believer. Here is a list of the fruit of the Holy Spirit:
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,goodness, faith.Meekness, temperance; against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is discussed in detail in the course, "The Ministry Of The HolySpirit." These qualities give you the spiritual power to be like Jesus.
RECEIVING THE ENDUMENT OF POWER
As Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit was given by the Father as the disciples waited in
Jerusalem (Acts 2). The Holy Spirit has already been given, but each believer needs toreceive this power through the personal experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Here are Biblical guidelines for receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit:
REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED:
You must first experience the power of the Gospel by repenting from sin and receiving
Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. It is also suggested that you be baptized in water:
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in thename of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift ofthe Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)
BELIEVE IT IS FOR YOU:
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off,even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2:39)
DESIRE IT:
. . . Jesus stood and cried, saying, if any man thirst, let him come unto me,and drink.He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flowrivers of living water.(But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him shouldreceive; for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yetglorified.) (John 7:37-39)
REALIZE IT IS A GIFT:
The Holy Spirit has already been given. It was given to the Church on the Day of
Pentecost recorded in Acts 2. Because it is a gift, you can do nothing to earn it. Begin to
praise and thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
YIELD TO GOD:
As you praise God for the gift of the Holy Spirit, speak your praises audibly as they did onthe Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. As you praise God audibly you may first experiencestammering lips. Yield your tongue to the Holy Spirit and He will speak through youwords foreign to your understanding. The stammering lips will soon develop into a language as you continue to praise God: For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people.(Isaiah 28:11)And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with othertongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4)
REQUEST THE PRAYERS OF OTHER BELIEVERS:
The Holy Spirit can also be received through the laying on of hands by believers. Acts 8,9, and 19 show how Spirit-filled believers can help you experience baptism in the HolySpirit.
Have You Received The Holy Spirit Since You Believed?
I. Introductory Remarks.
Acts 19:1-2 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"
This is my question to you today? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? Maybe you are like these disciples mentioned here and you are not sure whether this experience is for you or not.
Acts 19:2 …he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit."
My purpose in this message today is to assure you that this is an experience God desires for you to receive and enjoy. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is for you today just as it was for the 120 disciples who received it on the day of Pentecost.
Acts 2:1-4 Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
In this passage we have the record of how the 120 in the upper room first received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It says, "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues." Peter says in verses 38-39 this promise is to everyone to whom the Lord calls, which means it is for you today! God wants you to be baptized in His Spirit.
Acts 2:38-39 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. "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
It is my conviction that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is something that God wants every believer to experience. It is to be major part of our life and fellowship in the Lord Jesus Christ as we are involved in carrying out His will and purpose. We are not complete without it. It is indispensable in our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. We all desperately need it just as much as these early disciples did. It is the baptism of the Holy Spirit that gives us the power to carry out His will in our lives.
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."
There are people here today who have never received this wonderful gift that God wants to pour into you freely. I encourage you now to allow the conviction of the Holy Spirit to stir the desire and faith to receive this wonderful gift today. I will be giving you opportunity following the service today to receive.
III. Why The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit Is Necessary.
As we see from these scriptures, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is something Jesus said all believers should receive – “these signs will follow those who believe...” He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive. What is it about the baptism of the Holy Spirit that makes it so necessary to our walk with the Lord?
1. It Is A Vital Part Of Our Spiritual Foundation.
Hebrews 6:1-3 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.
If we are to grow up and be mature into all that Christ desires for us, we must have this experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. We are a spiritual house that is to come into the full measure of Christ.
2. It Brings Us Into God's Supernatural Power.
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."
Ephesians 1:19 ...and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power... As Christians we are called to do great exploits for God and to wage a spiritual warfare with our enemy, Satan. Without the power that comes forth from the baptism of the Holy Spirit we will find ourselves coming out on the losing end. Our enemy has supernatural power, but God says that He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world - 1 John 4:4. The baptism of the Holy Spirit releases this power in our lives.
3. Baptism In The Holy Spirit Helps To Purify Us.
Matthew 3:11-12 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. "His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." Part of our calling as Christians is to be Holy as God is. We have been called to be holy and blameless. Jesus is coming back for a bride without spot or blemish. In the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus shows us that it is the oil or the baptism of the Holy Spirit that prepares us for this beautiful relationship between Christ and his purified bride.
4. Baptism In The Holy Spirit Builds and Strengthens Our Faith.
Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit... 1 Corinthians 14:4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
5. Baptism In The Holy Spirit Helps Us Pray In God's Will.
1 Corinthians14:2 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.
Although the scripture below isn’t necessarily speaking about speaking in tongues it is talking about a very similar experience when the Holy Spirit takes over. In light of the above Scripture, I believe the same principle is being incorporated when we pray in tongues or in the Spirit. Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us... 1 Corinthians 14:15 What is the result then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
6. It Brings Us Into A Deeper Level Of Intimacy With God.
1 Corinthians14:2 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.
7. It Brings Us Into A Deeper Level Of Revelation Of God's Word.
1 John 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.
1 John 2:27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
8. It Brings Rest To Our Souls.
Isaiah 28:11-12 For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, to whom He said, "This is the rest with which you may cause the weary to rest," And, "This is the refreshing"; yet they would not hear.
IV. Summary & Concluding Remarks.
As we have seen from this lesson today, It is God's desire for each one of us to be filled with His Spirit to the fullness. It is in receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the accompanying sign of speaking in other tongues that continually allows us to be filled by His Spirit. My encouragement today is for those of you who have not received this wonderful gift to do so. As we have seen, it is a vital part of our spiritual foundation, it brings us into God's supernatural power, it helps to purify our vessels, it build us up in our faith, it helps us to pray according to God's will, it brings us into a deeper level of intimacy, it also brings us into a deeper revelation of His word and brings peace and rest to our souls. These are good reasons to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit today.
Dr. Tg Badia
