INTRODUCTION:
A. Aim: To discuss the Holy Ghost Baptism in light of today’s many controversies and the scriptures.
B. Pro: To establish that only Peter and the eleven received the Holy Ghost Baptism on the day of Pentecost.
C. Text: Acts 2:1-4, 5-14
D. Outline:
1. Promise of the Holy Ghost:
2. Purpose of the Holy Ghost:
3. Pentecost and the Holy Ghost:
E. Remarks:
1. There has been many promises of the Holy Ghost baptism starting with the prophesy of Joel and culminating with the teachings of Christ. Joel said: "It shall come to pass.." Joel 2:28-29 John the Baptist also announced this great event, in Matt 3:11, "I indeed baptize you with water..." And finally Jesus made his promises concerning this event. To the 12 he said, "And, Behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you, but tarry ye in Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high." Lk 24:49 The HS was always spoken of as a promise; but never as a commandment. Jesus, nor any of his apostles ever commanded a believer to be baptized in the Holy Ghost. If they did not, than we cannot! Promises are to be fulfilled; commandments to be obeyed. Jesus taught in the temple, but not as one that was learned. Jn 7:14-15; The apostles were accused by the learned as of being, "ignorant and unlearned men....been with Jesus."Acts 4:13
2. Next, it is important that we investigate the purpose of this baptism. It was to guide, teach, testify, comfort, and to empower the apostles, to whom alone it was promised. Jesus said unto his apostles: "But ye shall receive power, after 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 parts of the earth." Acts 1:8 The Holy Spirit was to guide the apostles, bring back to their remembrance what Jesus taught them, to comfort them, to testify of Jesus, and to empower them to perform signs, wonders, and miraculous works according to his will.
3. Finally, the day of Pentecost, the first after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus was the time appointed for the fulfillment of this great promise. It was on this day the apostles assembled to receive the anointing of God, and to be empowered to speak and teach his word unto the multitude which had gather at Jerusalem. This baptism consisted to two very important things: 1) first it filled them (the apostles), and 2) it empowered them. They were filled with the Holy Ghost. And were given power from the Holy Ghost to speak with new tongues; and perform signs and wonders before the people. The proof of empowerment are the signs and wonders!
4. Pentecost means fifty; or the fiftieth day after the Passover. See Ex 23:14-17; Lev 23:15-16. "Pentecost - means fifty." Called elsewhere as the "feast of the weeks" because of the seven weeks that intervened between it and the Passover. This was the time that the Jews presented unto God the "firstfruits of their harvest." This feast was a kind of thanksgiving day, a feast of thanksgiving to God for the bountiful crops that was just beginning to be harvested from their field. This was one of the three days that all Jewish men were commanded to return to Jerusalem. Pentecost was the day after the Sabbath, or seven; thus the "first day of the week." The day the church began; and the first gospel sermon was preached under the "Great Commission."
BODY OF LESSON
I. PROMISE OF THE HOLY GHOST BAPTISM:
A. The first promise we will discuss regarding the Holy Ghost baptism is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel. Joel 2:28-29. This by no stretch of the imagination is the first mention of this event or the last. It is however, one of the most important prophecies. Joel said: "It shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions; and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days I pour out my spirit." This promise announces that Jehovah would pour out his spirit on all flesh, both nations; Jew and Gentiles. This outpouring took place once, for all. We’ll see it fulfillment in Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:16-18.
B. Next, the promise of John the Baptist. Mt 3:11 which states: "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." This promise was to both the disciples of John and to others which stood by. I believe John was mentioning one baptism of the Holy Ghost, and one baptism of fire. The disciples of John would receive the baptism of the HG; and the Pharisees shall receive the baptism of fire. John’s disciples would become the disciples of Christ. See also Lk 3:16, where Luke mentions fire. "John answered, saying to all, I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." Baptism of fire. 2 These 1:7-10; and 2 Pet 3:9-13
C. The promise of Jesus. We find his promise in Lk 24:49, where he says: "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." Notice this promise was to the disciples; and they were to tarry in Jerusalem until they be endued with "power from on high." Notice, the power would come with the HS. Jesus states to them in Acts 1:8 "But ye 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." I should stress that in both cases Luke only mentions the apostles, and no one else is promised power and the Holy Ghost Baptism. Mk 9:1 "And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste death; till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power."
D. The apostles are the only promised recipients of the HG baptism. Acts 1:4-5 "And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." The "ye" are the apostles. Time was "not many day hence." We must go beyond this text to include any one else, but the apostles, in either of these promises. I might add the Lord does not mention fire in either promise.
E. Spirit not yet given during the ministry of Jesus. Jesus states: "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified." Jn 7:38-39
Notice John 14:16-17, Jesus said, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter; that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." The idea of "comforter" is also, helper, sustainer, intercessor, mediator, lawyer, guide, teacher and revelator. The Spirit at this time dwelt with them, but would later be in them. Illustrate: Power and no Spirit. Mt 10:1-4; Lk 6:7-13 Spirit and no power! Lk 1:15; Jn 10:41-42 Thus, the purpose of the Holy Ghost Baptism.
II. PURPOSE OF THE HOLY GHOST BAPTISM:
A. The purpose of the HG baptism was to:"guide the apostles, bring back to their remembrance, comfort, testify of Jesus, and shew them things to come, and to empower them."
B. Teach them all things, bring back to their remembrance. Jn 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." HS to remind them of all things. Mt 10:19-20, "But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in the same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." Those empowered with the Holy Ghost do not need to study and prepare for their lesson. He gives them their word without study. But Paul charged the evangelist to: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Tim 2:15 And, "Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." 1 Tim 4:13 Why? So he could: "Reprove, rebuke and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine...." 2 Tim 4:1-5
C. Testify of Jesus. "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning." Jn 15:26-27, See also Acts 1:21-26, "qualifications for apostleship."
D. Guide them into all truth. "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth, for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will shew you things to come." He will guide them; and shew them things to come. Who? the Spirit of Truth. These men would be given the word though revelation. Notice Paul in Gal 1:10-12, "For do I now persuade men or God...But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." How does the church and its leaders receive the revelation today? Notice Paul again, in Eph 3:1-7. Illustrate: Paul received it by revelation, he wrote it down, when we read, we understand!
E. He shall glorify me. But notice the next verses "He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shew it unto you." Any assembly or religious group which glorifies the Holy Ghost, rather than Jesus is not of God. The Spirit was to glorify Jesus and him alone! No assembly which glorify the HS in their worship is giving glory and honor to Jesus Christ!
These are the purposes of the Holy Ghost baptism. The only promise we have not mentioned fully up to this time, is the Holy Spirit’s empowerment of the apostles. They were to receive the Holy Spirit with power. They were to wait in Jerusalem for its arrival. Lk 24:49. Jesus reminded them of its purpose and work in their ministry. Acts 1:4-5,8 "And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem...for John truly baptize with water, but ye shall ...But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." You ask, when did all this happen? The day of Pentecost.
III. PENTECOST AND THE HOLY GHOST BAPTISM:
A. All the prophecies and promises culminated on the day of Pentecost. The first after the resurrection and ascension of Christ into heaven. Notice Acts 1:9-12 "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day’s journey."
B. When the day of Pentecost was fully come. Acts 2:1-14 Pentecost was a great Jewish feast. All manner of people was assembled, from all nations. Verse 5, 9-11
C. Events in order. Let’s look at this event in the order, as Luke presented it. We must first understand that Acts 1:26 must be considered with the verses that follow it. We notice that: "They (the apostles) gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles." Acts 1:26 It therefore must follow, that the "they" and the "them"in the remaining verses must refer to "Matthias and the eleven apostles."
1. They were all with one accord in one place. Verse 1.
2. They were sitting. Verse 2.
3. There appeared unto them cloven tongues-sat upon each of them. Verse 3.
4. They were all filled with the Holy Ghost. Verse 4.
5. They began to speak, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Verse 4.
D. The "they" and "them" did not include the multitude. Notice verse 5-6 "And there was dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language." Therefore, this outpouring did not include the multitude, for they were not in the "one place." They were not "sitting." They did not received the "cloven tongues" to sit upon each of them. They did not receive the "Holy Ghost" nor were they "speaking in tongues." But "were confounded (confused), because that every man heard them speak in his own language." Next: "And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?"
6. They were all Galilaeans. Notices Acts 1:11 "Ye men of Galilee..."
7. They were all men. "And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Notice all which were speaking in tongues were men. Not one woman was speaking in tongues on that day! Verse 8, 11
E. The "they" and "them" did not included 120. In their number were some women. Acts 1:14-15 This event took place in an "upper room" some time before Pentecost. The event on Pentecost took place where more than 3000 could see it, hear it, and respond to the message of the gospel of Christ.
8. We do hear them speak in our tongue. Verse 11
9. These men are full of new wine. Verse 13
10. But Peter standing up with the eleven. Verse 14
11. Therefore, Peter and the 11 were the ones sitting. (Review 1-11).
I therefore conclude, that no one except the apostles on the day of Pentecost received the HS baptism. The multitude didn’t get it, the 120 didn’t get it; and not one of these so called preachers ever got it! There were all in the wrong place, and the wrong time. Bishop Johnson from Philadelphia did not get it, nor does he have it. Neither does Dr. K.C. Price from the CCC, or any other so called holiness preacher today anywhere in the world. These so call Holy Ghost preachers do not have it, cannot legally claim it, nor have they or can they perform one single miracle!
They are all mistaken, and have made false claims. There is no bible authority for their claims of being baptized in the HS. They have no miraculous proofs to confirm or attest to their claims. They are all unable to prove their claims by their miracles or by their messages. It’s all smoke and mirrors! The HG was promised to the apostles, and to them alone. Fulfilled on the day of Pentecost.
The proof of their empowerment are their signs, wonders and miracles. Notice the apostles, Look at Acts 2:43, "And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles." Illustrate: Peter and John’s healing of the lame man at the temple gate. See also Acts 3:1-12, "Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have I give thee; In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk...." Verse 6 The man was healed. Why? Because they had the power. All who were so empowered could perform signs, wonders and miracles. The reason these cannot today, is that they have not been empowered. The miracles of Jesus are sufficient for our faith. Jn 20:30-31 God used the apostles to confirmed his word. See Heb 2:1-4. It alone is sufficient today for our salvation. 2 Tim 3:16-17. I therefore conclude that the apostles alone were promised and received the Holy Ghost baptism on the day of Pentecost.
CONCLUSION:
A. Summarize main points.
B. Peter’s address" "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel..." "This is that!" In other words, when you get a "this is that" that is "the end of that." There can be no more speculation, or no more explanation, or man made interpretation. We do not need another baptism of the HG. Its purpose was accomplished, and its promise fulfilled. Must we have the Holy Spirit? Yes! Rom 8:9 Peter instructs us how to receive him. Acts 2:38, and 5:32. It is given after our obedience to the gospel of Christ. He is our comfort; our guide; and our seal of God’s approval in our life. And if you "walk in the Spirit; yet shall live." "For as many are led by the Spirit of God; they are the sons of God." Rom 8:13-14
C. Invitation. Acts 2:26-41,47
D. Exhortation. "Many other words did he testify and exhort." Acts 2:40
E. Motivation. Let’s stand and sing.
