unit 2 LESSON 12

May 19, 2024

STUDY TEXT:  Acts 8:5-17; 10:44-48; 11"1-18'19:1-7

CENTRAL TRUTH: God's will is that every believer in Christ be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

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KEY VERSE:  Acts 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, now that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost (KJV).

"Then I thought of the Lords words when he said, 'John baptized with water,

but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit" (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

As Pentecostals, we believe the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift intended for every believer. Peter proclaimed on the Day of Pentecost that the promised gift of the Holy Spirit "is to you, to your children, and to those far away--all who have been called by the Lord our God" (Acts 2:39). The baptism in the Holy Spirit was the normal experience of both Jewish and Gentile believers in the Early Church. We will explore three incidents recorded in the Book of Acts, showing the gift of the Holy Spirit is for all who believe. Three of the accounts of the baptism in the Holy Spirit specifically mention speaking in tongues as evidence (Acts 2:1-44; 10:44-16; 19:1-7). On the other occasions, speaking in tongues is implied (8:14-19). Scripture is clear that speaking in tongues is the initial physical evidence of Holy Spirit baptism.

Key Takeaways from This Lesson: (1). The gift of the Holy Spirit baptism is for all Christians (2). God does not discriminate in giving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. (3). We are called to seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit and to pray for others to receive as well.

  PART 1--Converts Receive the Spirit

Samaritans Receive Christ                  Acts 8:5--6,12

As persecution began to intensify against the Early Church in Jerusalem, Christians started to scatter. During this time of extreme trail, Philip took the gospel to Samaria. As Philip ministered, a powerful move of the Spirit drew people to his words (Acts 8:6). The people of Samaria saw great miracles. Demonic spirits were cast out individuals and many diseases were healed. Amid thus powerful testimony to God's word, men and women repented of their sins, became followers of Christ, and were baptized in water. Miracles can still accompany the preaching of the gospel today. When the prayers of Christians are linked with the moving of the Holy Spirit, lives can be changed. The response to the gospel in Samaria came about because the Early Church prayed and expected the supernatural. As believers today, we should pray for such moves of God in our own communities.

REACT?  What do you think miracles often accompany the proclamation of the gospel--both in the first century and today.

                           Samaritans Receive the Spirit                    Acts 8:14-17

When the church in Jerusalem received word of the move of God in Samaria, they sent Peter and John to encourage these new believers (Acts 8:14). They began to pray for these new believers to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. As they prayed, they laid hands on them, and the people received the Holy Spirit (verse 17). This is the first time in the Early Church someone other than Jews or proselytes to Judaism had accepted the gospel. Considering the bad relationship between Jews and Samaritans, the gift of the Spirit may have helped Jewish Christians see that God would save non-Jewish people, just as Jesus had declared in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). The gift of the Spirit bridged the divide and brought unity into the Early Church. many issues divide people today. But God can bridge every man-made division through the Spirit (Ephesians 4:1-6). Take a moment to examine if you harbor any disunity with other Christians. Pray that God will direct you to act in whatever way you can heal that disunity.  

REACT? Why does the gift of the Spirit unite Christians who might otherwise be divided? 

PART 2- Gentles Receive the Spirit

God Works in Unexpected Ways                             Acts 10:44-48

Peter became the first apostle to take the gospel directly to the Gentiles. While he was delivering his testimony about Christ, a wonderful thing happened. As he spoke, God poured out the Holy Spirit on Cornelius's household (Acts 10:44). This likely came as a surprise to Peter, who struggled to believe these people could even become Christians. But he could not refute that the holy Spirit had been poured out on them. Verse 45 states those who traveled with Peter were astonished God would do this. "For they heard them speaking in other tongues" (verse 46), leaves no room for speculation. By the power of the Holy Spirit, these new believers were glorifying God in other languages. God is not limited by our understanding of how He operates or by our opinion of how He should operate. He knows the right time and place to do His work. We must be willing to be led by the Spirit even when it does not fit with our plans.

REACT? Why is it important to remember God works in unexpected ways--and even in ways we wouldn't choose?

God's Will Is recognized                            Acts 11:15-18

In Acts 11, Peter returned to Jerusalem. The apostles and believers there had heard of the Gentile conversations and criticized Peter's actions. Peter explained the Holy Spirit outpouring he witnessed was like what had occurred on the Day of Pentecost. The Spirit had clearly filled the Gentile believers (verse 15). Peter reminded his Jewish brothers and sisters what the Lord had taught them after His resurrection about the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Hearing Peter's explanation, the Jewish believers praised God for extending the opportunity of salvation to the Gentiles. This was a great unifying moment in the Early Church, God opened the door of unity and Spirit empowerment, and the Church seized the opportunity to march through it and reach out to all nation with good news of salvation. The overwhelming majority of people who come to Christ today have no Jewish heritage, but by faith they have become the people of God.

REACT? What are some ways you can carry out God's will to reach all people with the gospel?

Part 3--Disciples Receive the Spirit

Uninformed Disciples                            Acts 19:1-5

Acts 19 tells of Paul's ministry in Ephesus, an important city on the west coast of what is now "Turkey. When Paul arrived there, he realized that the Christian experience of these believers was lacking. So, he asked them a pointed question. "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" (verse 2). These disciples didn't realize the outpouring of the Spirit had taken place. Paul took the time to explain the good news of Jesus. Before praying with them to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, Paul baptized them in water.

REACT? Is there any Christian teaching you learned after having a Christian for a period of time? How did this teaching impact your life?

                                Spirit-Baptized Disciples                       Acts 19:6-7

After Paul had instructed and baptized these disciples, he returned to the point where his conversations with them began. He laid hands on the believers, and they were baptized in the Holy Spirit with the initial physical evidence of speaking in tongues (Acts 19:6). Every believer should seek to be baptized in the Holy Spirit; it is an important part of the fruitful Christian life. Holy Spirit baptism empowers and emboldens believers, opening the door so God can bless His people and His church with the gifts that are necessary to spread the gospel.

REACT? How would you explain why Christians should seek Holy Spirit baptism?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US?

Many Christians today feel salvation is the only experience with God they want or need. While faith in Christ is the only requirement for salvation and eternal life. God desires more for His people. God has given Holy Spirit baptism to empower us for service and evangelism.

LIVING IT OUT. 

                                    (1). If you have not been baptized in the Holy Spiritm set aside time this week to pray for that gift.

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                       (2). Share with another believer the benefits of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

                                (3). tell your children, grandchildren, or someone in the next generation about the baptism in the Holy Spirit.   

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DAILY BIBLE READING

        Monday: Spirit-Inspired Judge. Judges 6:34-40

                   Tuesday: Spirit-Inspired Levite. 2 Chronicles 20:14-19

              Wednesday: Spirit-Inspired prophet. Ezekiel 11:1-5

      Thursday: Spirit-Inspired Mother, Luke 1:39-

   Friday: Spirit-Inspired Father. Luke 1:67-79

       Saturday: Spirit-Inspired Martyr. Acts 7:54-60

Gospel Publishing House. 1445 N. Boonville Ave. Springfield, Missouri 65802 Volume 105 Number 3. Mar. Apr.  May. 2024