Jesus' Followers: True Witnesses or Wishful Thinkers (Holy Spirit) - Acts 1:4-8, 2:1-4, 12-16 - April 19, 2009

Sunday School Lesson – Jesus’ Followers: True Witnesses or Wishful Thinkers? - April 19, 2009

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitles “Gospel Crossroads.”

Our scripture is Acts 1:4-8, 2:1-4, 12-16.

The passion of CHRIST not only paid the penalty for the sins of mankind but also made possible for the HOLY SPIRIT to indwell the human body of believers. At the death of CHRIST, the curtain which separated the Holy of Holies and the sanctuary was split from top to bottom. The Holy of Holies was where only the high priest could enter once per year on the Day of Atonement. The Priest would have to offer a sacrifice first for his own sins and then for the sins of the people. The sanctuary was where the people could go. The splitting of the curtain had a much deeper meaning in GOD’S redemptive plan for mankind through the death and resurrection of CHRIST. It signified that the way to GOD was no longer through a priest but every believer has direct access to GOD through CHRIST. We refer to this as the priesthood of the believer. All believers, since that moment, have direct access to GOD, our FATHER through the atoning death of CHRIST our SAVIOR.

CHRIST’S shed blood removed the sin barrier for all believers. The instant believers accept CHRIST as their SAVIOR, they become children of GOD. In an instant through the miracle of rebirth, they are born into the family of GOD and receive the gift of eternal life to become citizens of heaven and filled with the HOLY SPIRIT.

Why is the HOLY SPIRIT important? There is not enough space or time to answer this question but the short answer is:

- A believer’s assurance of salvation. Romans 8:16 - 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,

- Intercedes for believers. Romans 8:26 26 In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us[15] Some mss omit for us with unspoken groanings .

- Guarantee, security deposit and seal of approval. 2 Corinthians 1:22 - 22 He has also sealed us and given us the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts. The HOLY SPIRIT is GOD’S gift to all believers to guarantee and assure them that what they believe is true and is secured by GOD. This scripture helps us better understand Romans 8:16.

Hold on to your hats because a mighty wind is about to blow.

Let’s read Acts 1:1-8:

Prologue
1 I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day He was taken up, after He had given orders through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen. 3 After He had suffered, He also presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

Doctor Luke was commissioned by Theophilus to research the life, death, resurrection and ascension of JESUS. As a result, he produced the Gospel According to Luke. Theophilus commissioned Doctor Luke to produce another study giving the events following the ascension of JESUS and the arrival of the HOLY SPIRIT. The book of Acts could well be titled “The Acts of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles.”

The Holy Spirit Promised

4 While He was together with them,[1] Or He was eating with them, or He was lodging with them He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “This,” [He said, “is what]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. you heard from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked Him, “Lord, at this time are You restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends[2] Lit the end of the earth.”

This must have been an exciting time and yet a sad time for the disciples of JESUS.
As believers, paying attention and obeying what GOD tells us is critical. JESUS instructs the group with HIM not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the coming of the HOLY SPIRIT. JESUS reminded them that John the Baptist baptized with water but in a few days, they would be baptized with the HOLY SPIRIT. A mighty event was about to happen in a specific place and CHRIST did not want HIS followers to miss it. We learn in Acts 1:15 there are 120 believers gathered in one place in Jerusalem during the celebration of Pentecost waiting for the coming of the HOLY SPIRIT.
While JESUS was still with them, HIS disciples asked HIM a question.
Is this when YOU will establish Your Kingdom? The disciples have ceased to think they know what is about to happen. They are bold enough to just ask. That is what CHRIST wants from believers. Ask if you are unsure. There are some questions no believer will get an answer, such as, “When are YOU coming again?”

JESUS explains that all timing was left to GOD. We see this truth reflected when CHRIST instructed the group to remain in Jerusalem because in a “few days”, the HOLY SPIRIT was coming. HE did not give a specific day or time. All things are in GOD’S timing and according to HIS plan and purpose. JESUS’ followers had a choice – wait or leave. Waiting is hard to do in our fast paced world but there are times the LORD tells us to wait. HE is preparing for the right moment to act.

Knowing the moment this event will happen is not as important as the fact that it will happen. When it happens, believers will receive power and will be empowered to carry the gospel to others. When it happens they will know it and are instructed to share the Good News.

First, believers will witness or share the Good News to those closest to them, you can think of those closest to them – family and friends (Jerusalem), then to those next closest to them (Judea), then to those even further from their present center of influence (Samaria) and then to all the world. This is the Great Commission. Begin witnessing where you are and then move out in ever widening circles from your center of influence as GOD leads you.

Let’s read Acts 2:1-11:

Pentecost

1 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech. 5 There were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 When this sound occurred, the multitude came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 And they were astounded and amazed, saying,[1] Other mss add to one another “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 How is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and • Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and • proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own languages the magnificent acts of God.”

Pentecost in the Greek language is fifty. Pentecost was celebrated fifty (50) days after the Passover. It was a huge celebration and attracted Jews from a wide area and was open to servants, sons, daughters, Levites, the fatherless, the widow and the stranger or foreigner. Do you get the picture? It was a celebration open to all people. JESUS is no respecter of persons, HE is available to all. Pentecost was also a time when family members were taught about GOD’S nature, a time to remind them how GOD had cared for them, it was a time of renewal and recommitment to GOD. It is awesome that GOD chose this moment to send the HOLY SPIRIT to indwell all believers.

GOD’S timing is awesome. JESUS was crucified on Passover. Passover was the time when the Jews were celebrating GOD’S deliverance of the Jews from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. GOD led the Israelites to the Promised Land. JESUS died during the celebration of Passover to free mankind from the bondage and slavery of sin and death. As a result of HIS death, JESUS ushered in a new dynamic of personal relationship between all believers and GOD through Himself. This dynamic relationship will lead all believers to the eternal Promised Land as they journey through life serving the LORD. GOD chose to introduce the HOLY SPIRIT in a dramatic way during the celebration of Pentecost, a celebration open to a wide variety of worshipers.

The HOLY SPIRIT came from heaven into the world making a sound like a violent wind. A violent wind gets the attention of all people in an area. I can imagine the first impulse was for people in Jerusalem to run outside to see what was going on. Wind represents power. Wind comes and goes without humans knowing where it comes from or where it is going. The same is with the HOLY SPIRIT and those empowered by the HOLY SPIRIT.

One hundred and twenty (120) believers were gathered in a house waiting for the coming of the SPIRIT that JESUS said would be coming. Then the HOLY SPIRIT was manifested as tongues like flames of fire. Fire represents cleansing. (Keep in mind the HOLY SPIRIT is a person. HE is the third person in the Trinity.)

Exodus 19:16-19: Fire prepared the way for GOD to come down to the mountain when HE gave the Ten Commandments to Moses and the people.

16 On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud on the mountain, and a loud trumpet sound, so that all the people in the camp shuddered. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the Lord came down on it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently. 19 As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder.

Remember GOD spoke to Moses through a burning bush. Fire represents cleansing. So it is fitting that GOD manifested the HOLY SPIRIT as flames of fire. Fire not only
represents cleansing but also power. These were outward, visible signs of an internal change being brought about within each believer.

As evidence of the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT, believers began speaking in known languages extolling the magnificent acts of GOD. The violent wind had resulted in people coming out into the streets and then they begin hearing this group of people speaking in their mother language.

Further, in the scripture they think those speaking in their mother tongue are drunk. But Peter puts that to rest.

Notice that in verse 4, it speaks of them being “filled” with the HOLY SPIRIT. There is much discussion regarding a believer being “filled.” Is it a onetime filling the moment believers ask CHRIST to forgive them of their sins and to come into their lives or is it an ongoing process?

I believe that the moment we receive CHRIST as our SAVIOR we are filled with the HOLY SPIRIT. As we journey with CHRIST and seek HIM, there will be explosive moments of Spiritual growth which seem like a special filling of the HOLY SPIRIT.
Housed within our earth suit or flesh or earthly body are two (2) powers – the flesh and the Spirit. Both have strong holds on our lives. All believers always have the right to choose. Often, when a believer first accepts CHRIST as his/her SAVIOR, there is a burst of joy, power and confidence. Over time a believer allows the flesh to creep back into the power position, moving the Spirit out of the control position. It is a constant battle taming the flesh and bringing it under the authority of the Spirit. Yielding control of our lives to GOD is hard to do and is often a process.

In my life, I think I became a Christian at about nine (9) years old. (Notice, I think) I had many ups and downs in my Spiritual journey. I wanted to live the Christian life but I lived it in the power of my flesh. It was up to me to live the Christian life. I was unaware of the power that lived within me. But also there was a fear preventing me from giving control of my life to GOD. I had the notion that GOD would want me to be a missionary to Africa and I did not want to do that. I struggled for over thirty (30) years trying to live the Christian life in my own strength. I finally gave up one morning while driving to work and said, “LORD, I just cannot live the Christian life as I think it should be lived. I have tried to clean my life up but I just cannot do it. I will make a deal with YOU. Take my life as it is, the good and the bad and YOU give me the strength to live the Christian life.”

WOW!!! What a moment! From that moment, I have known that I belong to CHRIST. I have not lived as I should but I have known that GOD has been with me every step of the way. That moment was a filling of the HOLY SPIRIT.

I had the HOLY SPIRIT in my life but I had squelched the HOLY SPIRIT from controlling my life. When I released the tight hold I had on the control of my life, it released the power of the HOLY SPIRIT to begin controlling my life. I do not look at the “WOW” moment in my life as a separate filling of the HOLY SPIRIT but me making room in my life to allow the Spirit to rule more of my life. The more I empty of the flesh the more the HOLY SPIRIT can occupy.

I had an experience about five (5) years ago, when I went through “Experiencing God” written by Dr. Henry Blackaby, LifeWay Press. GOD revealed other areas in my life that I had not trusted HIM with. There will be other moments and opportunities for me release more space to the LORD as I continue my journey with HIM.

I have said all of this to say, I think being filled with the HOLY SPIRIT is an ongoing process in the life of a believer. The believer is dying to self as he/she goes through the process of sanctification. The more believers can empty themselves of the desires of the flesh, when they do it makes more room for the HOLY SPIRIT. But a word of caution, this process comes about through relationship as believers get to know GOD and trust HIM to lead and guide their lives. When believers try to decide what they need to do themselves, they will end up a basket case. Seek the relationship first and trust GOD to do a good work in you. This may take a lifetime. Keep in mind believers were not created for time but for eternity.

Let’s read Acts 2:12-16:

12 And they were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What could this be?” 13 But some sneered and said, “They’re full of new wine!”

Peter’s Sermon

14 But Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them: “Jewish men and all you residents of Jerusalem, let this be known to you and pay attention to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it’s only nine in the morning.[2] Lit it’s the third hour of the day 16 On the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

Those hearing and observing all that was going on were astounded and perplexed. Things of the Spirit have to be understood by the born-again Spirit. Some observers thought the believers were drunk. Peter had to set them straight but it gave him the opportunity preach the Gospel.

Peter got their attention and told them that he was going to explain what they had been observing. This likely helped them to focus on what he was about to say.
Peter began his sermon using scripture which was likely familiar to the hearers.
We will have to wait until next week to see how Preacher Peter did with his first sermon.

The fact that the very person, who denied CHRIST three (3) times before HIS crucifixion, has been called to preach the first sermon of salvation shows what the power of GOD can do with a changed life.

Warts and all, GOD has a plan for each believer.

Are you a true witness for CHRIST? If not, why not? Confess it to the LORD and ask HIM to help you be all that you are capable of being for HIS Glory.