"Until The Whole World Hears" Series

Until the Whole World Hears

Pastor Allan Kircher

Shell Point Baptist Church

20 Feb 2011

Acts 1:4-11

We saw last week from verse 1 that the first volume of Luke's two-volume work, the Gospel According to Luke, dealt with all that Jesus BEGAN to do and to teach (Acts 1:1),

which implies that the second volume, the book of Acts, will deal with what Jesus CONTINUES to do and to teach.

The book of Acts is not only the acts of the apostles, but the acts of the risen, living Jesus.

Then we noticed that Luke mentioned three things the apostles needed if they were to be the kind of instruments through which the living Jesus could do his work and speak his Word.

First, they needed a Spirit-authenticated commission or command from the Lord.

So verse 2 says he gave them instruction through the Holy Spirit.

Second, they needed verification that Jesus was really alive and triumphant over death.

So verse 3a says that Jesus presented himself to them alive after his death with many proofs appearing to them for 40 days.

Third, they needed more instruction about the kingdom of God.

So verse 3b says that he spent time during those 40 days between his resurrection and ascension speaking to them of the kingdom of God.

That's where we stopped last week.

But verses 4 and 5 go on to show that there is another utterly crucial thing that the apostles needed in order to be the most effective instruments in the hands of the living Jesus.

They needed to be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

So let’s looks at our text today beginning with verse 4-5, 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Three years earlier John the Baptist had led a brief renewal movement among the Jewish people by calling them to repent and receive forgiveness for their sins and be baptized as a sign of their new relationship to God (Luke 3:3).

But John made it clear that the Messiah was coming soon and would baptize the people not merely in water but in the Holy Spirit.

In Luke 3:16 he says: “I baptize you with water; but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

So Jesus is saying here in Acts 1:5, "This is going to happen in just a few days—you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

John immersed you in water; I am going to immerse you in the Holy Spirit. John drenched you in water; I am going to drench you in the Holy Spirit.

This is the fourth thing you need in order to be effective instruments of my life in the world.

You need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit."

What is Baptism?

The baptism with the Holy Spirit is not a special privilege for some believers, nor are believers challenged and exhorted in Scripture to seek it.

It is not even your responsibility to prepare for it by praying, pleading, tarrying, or any other means.

Baptism by Jesus Christ with the Spirit is entirely a divine activity.

It comes, like salvation itself, through grace, not human effort.

God’s sovereignty pours out the Holy Spirit on those He saves.

The Spirit’s presence, leading and might were absolutely essential if the apostles were to be effective in continuing the Lord’s unfinished work.

They had already experienced His saving, guiding, teaching, and miracle-working power.

Soon they would receive the power they needed for ministry after the Holy Spirit fell on them.

You see, regeneration in Christ changes your disposition from the lawless, godless self-seeking that dominates,

Into a disposition of trust and love, marked by repentance for past rebelliousness, and unbelief

And ready compliance with God’s law.

It enlightens the blinded mind to discern spiritual realities.

And liberates and energizes the enslaved will for free obedience to God.

So let’s continue with our study

Where exactly did they meet?

Well, we know that it was no farther than a Sabbath's day walk from the Mt. Of Olives-about a half mile-

which would put it just inside the Eastern gate of the city, not too far from the Temple.

Luke also tells us that they were meeting in the UPPER ROOM of a house.

Back then it was common for homes to have upper rooms, used for a variety of purposes, and this one must have been part of a large house because it could accommodate 120 people.