Outpouring in Ephesus
Confusion and misunderstanding can rob of us of all that God has for us
Many times, if we are confused or have a wrong understanding on anything concerning God’s word it will directly affect the way we live on a daily basis
We live in a time where the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit is needed on a daily basis
Today we conclude looking at the outpourings of The Holy Spirit in the book of Acts.
Today we look at Acts 19:1-7
While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”
“John’s baptism,” they replied.
4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues j and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
Paul is now on his third missionary journey
This is not Paul’s first rodeo
He has ministered to many at this point
This is important to see that He equates receiving the Holy Spirit at the laying on of hands
The outpouring of The Holy Spirit was on the day of Pentecost
Over the last two weeks we saw the Holy Spirit poured out on the Samaritans and on the gentiles
In both incidence there was a manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit when The Holy Spirit is outpoured
Paul knew the importance of the power of The Holy Spirit to be a witness for Jesus Christ
Paul had suffered greatly for the gospel and wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Paul understands it is only by God’s power and His grace that anything is accomplished for God’s kingdom
As believers in Christ, we have been given The Holy Spirit as our guide, paraclete, and helper
When Paul travels through Ephesus he comes upon disciples
1. They have a wrong understanding of The Holy Spirit
a. If they are referred to as disciples, then most likely these are followers of Jesus Christ
b.Paul asks them a very interesting question
c. “Did you receive The Holy Spirit when you believed”
d.Their response reveals a lot
e. No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
i. They were ignorant of all that was available to them
ii. Today there are some in the body of Christ who are ignorant of who The Holy Spirit
iii. As believers in Christ we receive The Holy Spirit upon saving faith in Jesus Christ
f. It is The Holy Spirit who seals us
i. Ephesians 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory
g. Every person who comes to saving faith in Jesus Christ receives the Holy Spirit
h. But I believe Paul referred here to the fullness or what is known as the baptism of The Holy Spirit
i. This is why we see later in the passage He laid his hands on them
j. If he was simply referring to being sealed by the Holy Spirit there would be no need to lay his hands on them
k. I know first hand that my life was changed when The Holy Spirit filled me
2. These men also had a wrong understanding of baptism and about following Jesus
a. Paul asks them Then what baptism did you receive?”
b. They have received The baptism of John
c. John the Baptist came as the forerunner of Jesus
d. John 1:22-23 22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”
e. He came to prepare the hearts of the people for the coming of the messiah
f. His baptism was merely a baptism of repentance
g. These men have not been baptized into the name of Jesus
h. Paul brings correction to the understanding of these men
i. In verse 4 and 5 it states Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
i. Paul brings forth truth into confusion and misunderstanding
j. The only one who can save us is Jesus Christ
k. John’s baptism was one of simple repentance of one’s sins
l. But in Christ we are not only turning from our sins but in faith we are turning towards Christ
m. It is faith that enables us to receive The Holy Spirit
i. We don’t work to earn the Holy Spirit
ii. We don’t work ourselves up to receive anything from The Holy Spirit
iii. Some today have over thought receiving anything from God
3. At the laying on of Paul’s hands they receive The Holy Spirit
a. The reasons I believe Paul referred to the baptism in the Holy Spirit as receiving The Holy Spirit is because he lays his hands on them
b. If they received all the Holy Spirit at faith in Christ there would be no need to lay his hands on them
c. Paul knew it was vital that these believers be filled with the power and presence of The Holy spirit
d. The coming of the Holy Spirit is demonstrated through these disciples not only speaking in tongues but also prophesying
e. When a person’s life is filled with the Holy Spirit it will result in the gifts of the Holy Spirit being in operation
f. The fullness of The Holy Spirit or baptism of The Holy Spirit makes way for the gifts of The Spirit
g. There is a pattern presented in Acts that when a person is filled or an example is given of someone being filled their tongue is touched
i. Here they both spoke in tongues and prophesied
ii. This could refer to some of them prophesying and some speaking in tongues
iii. Both outward expressions of the Spirit’s work impacted the tongue
iv. 1 Samuel 10:10 When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying.
v. Life and death are found in the tongue
vi. When we are filled with the Spirit of God the gifts of The Holy Spirit will be made manifest
h. We must examine our lives like a vessel
i. Paul tell us that we are temples of The Holy Spirit
j. Whatever we fill our lives with, will be manifest in time
4. Why does the Holy Spirit give us this account of these disciples being filled with The Holy Spirit
a. I believe it is to show us that believers can be filled beyond the day of Pentecost
b. I believe it is to show us that we today can desire to be filled and be used by God
c. These disciples were robbed of what God had for them because of ignorance or lack of understanding of knowledge
d. Hosea 4:6 tells us that God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge
e. This account of the outpouring and being filled with the Holy Spirit is outside of the three previous
i. On the day of Pentecost the Jews were baptized and filled in the Spirit
ii. In Acts 8 The Samaritans were baptized and filled in the Spirit
iii. In Acts 10 The gentiles were baptized and filled in The Spirit
f. Until these disciples came to a right understanding of Christ they could not be filled
5. The fullness or baptism in The Holy Spirit makes way for the gifts of the Spirit to be manifested in the life of the believer
a. The devil’s desire is to rob us of all that God has for us
b. Does the Holy Spirit desire to fill our lives?
c. The answer is yes
d. Ephesians 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.
e. Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
f. Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
g. Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
h. Romans 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
i. Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
The Holy Spirit desires to lead us
He desires to fill us
He desires to empower us
As we draw near each day and develop greater intimacy with Him, He will fill our lives and every purpose and plan God has for us and the body of Christ will be fulfilled.
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