Category: Christian Living

Three Different Receptions of the Holy Spirit in “Acts”

Three Different Receptions of the Holy Spirit in “Acts”

Three Different Receptions of the Holy Spirit in “Acts”
1. Baptism with

the Holy Spirit

 2. Indwelling of

the Holy Spirit

 3. Laying on of

Apostles’ Hands

WHO? Apostles (1:2,5)

Cornelius+ (11:16)

 All Christians

(2:38,39; cf. Rom. 8:9b)

 Some Christians

(8:14-19)
HOW? From heaven (2:2)

Fell (10:44; 11:15)

 Received at baptism

(2:38; cf. 1Cor. 12:13)

 Apostles’ hands

(8:18)
PROOF? Miraculous

(2:4,8; 10:46)

 Promise, not miraculous

(2:38,39; cf. 8:12-16)

 Miraculous

(19:6)
WHY? God accepts them

(2:32,33;

10:47; 11:17,18)

 Seal (Eph. 1:13f.)

Strengthen (Eph. 3:16)

Intercedes (Rom. 8:26)

 Sign to unbelievers

Edification

(1Cor. 14:22,26)
WHEN? Temporary

(Eph. 4:5; 5:26)

 To the end of the age

(Matt. 28:19,20)

 Temporary

(8:18; cf. 1Cor. 13:8f.)

Lessons

 

  1. No “baptism with the HS” today, despite the claims of the false teachers to the contrary (cf. # 1 above).
  2. But there is indwelling of the HS today (= sealing, strengthening, interceding, etc.) for those who become Christians (cf. # 2 above) – rejoice!
  • Recall Isa 44:3 ‘For I will pour out water on the thirsty land And streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring And My blessing on your descendants;
  1. No miraculous gifts of the HS today (e.g., tongues, prophecy, healings), despite the claims of the false teachers to the contrary (cf. # 3 above).

An Ideal Audience

What makes an ideal audience?

Some audiences are clearly not ideal:
– Acts 13:44-45  Some are full of jealousy, or have other hidden agendas.
– And are we an ideal audience here this morning?

1. “We are all here”
2. “Present before God”
3. “To hear”
4. “All that you have been commanded by the Lord”

Conclusion
An ideal audience says,
– Acts 10:33, 24
1. Let’s all be here always (barring illness, etc.), on time, and with as many others as we can bring.
2. Let’s know that God sees all that we do and strive to please God.
3. Let’s come to listen carefully and not sleep through the message.
4. Let’s hear only the word of God and hear all of the word of God.

Note: We will also do God’s will:
– Matt. 7:24-27
And Cornelius and his friends also did God’s will:
– Acts 10:48

Was Cornelius forgiven BEFORE baptism in water?

Was Cornelius forgiven BEFORE baptism in water?

1. Are tongues/prophecy evidence of salvation?

2. There is one baptism – which is it?

We can only be forgiven of our sins through the blood of Jesus (Rev. 1:5).
But when does that blood become effective in our lives? Jesus said:
 Mk. 16:15-16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
o These are plain words which are easy to understand!
o i.e., Belief and baptism are essential to salvation.
But many today are saying/teaching that baptism is not essential to salvation!
 e.g., Many claim today that Cornelius and the rest were saved before and without baptism in water.

Was Cornelius forgiven BEFORE his baptism in water?

No! Cornelius (and his) spoke in tongues to change the Jews way of thinking about the Gentiles.
 It wasn’t evidence of salvation any more than it was with Balaam’s donkey!
 Cornelius and his were forgiven when they were baptized in water, as Jesus said (Mk. 16:15,16)!

Reflections On Two Recent Funerals

Reflections On Two Recent Funerals

Today I’d like to share some of my reflections on these two funerals.
 Eccl. 7:2 It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is
the end of every man, And the living takes it to heart.
 cf. Eccl. 7:4 The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the mind of fools is in the house
of pleasure.

1. The funeral of an Atheist
2. The funeral of a Christian
3. The proper preparation for death

God’s Intention for Marriage

God’s Intention for Marriage (Hebrews 13:4)

Marriage between a man and a woman has been important to God from the beginning of time Gen. 2:18, Gen. 2:24

1. Marriage should be honoured by all (Heb. 13:4a)
2. The marriage bed should be kept pure (Heb. 13:4b)
3. Judgment is certainly coming (Heb. 13:4c)

 

Whatever Happened To Sin?

Whatever Happened To Sin?

1. Whatever happened to sin?
2. Whatever happened to the penalty for sin?
3. Whatever happened to the remedy for sin?
The world may be ignoring these, but they are real nonetheless!

Where has sin gone today?
 Is there anything in the world today which is considered to be sin?
 Is sin only that which we decide is sin today? (i.e., Sin is being greatly watered down these days)
 As cultures change, does sin really change?

Let’s keep teaching about sin, its penalty, and its remedy – to help those caught in the devil’s trap (like we ourselves once were)

How to Stay Saved

How to Stay Saved

I would like to base today’s lesson on Acts 2:42 for a couple of reasons:

  1. It relates to the beginning of the kingdom/church (cf. Acts 11:15).
  2. It follows directly after the 3,000 were saved (Acts 2:37-41; note the word “saved” in v. 40).
    • e., Verse 38 = how to be saved.
    • Verse 42 = how to stay