Acts 6:1 (NKJV)
1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
Acts 6:8 (NKJV)
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
Acts 6:8 (NKJV)
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
· The “Baptism in the Spirit” is not a spiritual experience from which we can never lapse.
· Experiencing the “Baptism in the Spirit” doesn’t immediately lock us into a place of spirituality and effectiveness from which we cannot move.
· We have become a grave threat to the enemy- notice what happened to Jesus after the Holy Spirit came upon Him.
Matthew 3:16-4:3 (NKJV)
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
· Is it sad but believers in some cases do lose the blessing of the Holy Spirit’s anointing.
· Example was David’s fear after his escapade with Bathsheba.
Psalms 51:11 (NKJV)
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
· Sampson, one of Israel’s judges once full of the God’s Spirit and power.
Judges 14:6 (NKJV)
6 And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done.
Judges 16:20-21 (NKJV)
20 And she said, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" So he awoke from his sleep, and said, "I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!" But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him.
21 Then the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza. They bound him with bronze fetters, and he became a grinder in the prison.
6 And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done.
Judges 16:20-21 (NKJV)
20 And she said, "The Philistines are upon you, Samson!" So he awoke from his sleep, and said, "I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!" But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him.
21 Then the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza. They bound him with bronze fetters, and he became a grinder in the prison.
· King Saul, Israel’s first King, lost his anointing.
1 Samuel 10:9-10 (NKJV)
9 So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave him another heart; and all those signs came to pass that day.
10 When they came there to the hill, there was a group of prophets to meet him; then the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.
1 Samuel 16:14 (NKJV)
14 But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him.
9 So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave him another heart; and all those signs came to pass that day.
10 When they came there to the hill, there was a group of prophets to meet him; then the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.
1 Samuel 16:14 (NKJV)
14 But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him.
What Is Important Charisma Or Character?
· Charisma: means a gift of grace that emphasizes what we do.
· Character: emphasizes what we are.
Receiving the “Baptism in The Holy Spirit”.
Luke 24:49 (NKJV)
49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."
Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."
Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
The “Baptism In The Holy Spirit” Has No Special Requirement Except The New Birth.
· There is no special standard or performance.
· You are not required to be mature before you qualify.
· You need no specific amount of knowledge.
· You don’t have to reach a special standard of Holiness, or become mature or knowledgeable before you receive the Holy Spirit in Baptism.
Acts 2:38-39 (NKJV)
38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
Acts 8:14-17 (NKJV)
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
· Jesus promised that His heavenly Father would send HIM (The Holy Spirit) and would give the Holy Spirit to those who asked him.
Luke 11:13 (NKJV)
13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
· We must understand clearly how this blessing is to be maintained.
· As we go on living the Christian life, we receive more light (understanding of the truth). God then requires us to walk (conduct our daily lives) in the greater light we have received.
John 1:6-7 (NKJV)
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light that all through him might believe.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light that all through him might believe.
· The process of maintaining;
· As we receive more understanding or revelation from God, then our walk with God will reflect the new revelation that we have received.
· The renewal of the Spirit is not a-once-and-for-all experience. The experience must be renewed day by day.
2 Corinthians 4:16 (NKJV)
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
The Holy Spirit and the Ephesians:
· We are told how the twelve founding members of the church have this experience through the laying on of Paul’s hands immediately following their water baptism.
Acts 19:4-7 (NKJV)
4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus."
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
7 Now the men were about twelve in all.
4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus."
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
7 Now the men were about twelve in all.
· There is no doubt the Ephesian church has such an experience. They had been marked with the Spirit’s seal.
Ephesians 1:13 (NKJV)
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
· What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit?
Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV)
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
· Being filled is connected with the Holy Spirit – to be filled with the Holy Spirit is emphasizing quality rather than quantity.
· When we say that a man is full of the Holy Spirit, we are not describing measure of how much he has of the spirit but rather how much influence does the Holy Spirit have over the man and his daily walk.
· To be Spirit-filled is to be Holy Spirit possessed.
Some questions we can ask of ourselves: What are some characteristic of a Holy Spirit filled individual.
· If a person is not walking with God anymore are they still Spirit-filled?
· Thought they may attend church and participate in meetings, if they are not witness for Christ and if their life lacks power and effectiveness are they Spirit filled?
· If a person engages in many forms of Christian service, but produces little or no lasting fruit, are they spirit filled?
· If a fellow believer is as hard to get along with after they received the baptism in the Holy Spirit as they were before, are they filled with the Holy Spirit?
· If a person emphasizes the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but has little or none of the fruit of the Spirit, are they Spirit filled?
The Corinthian Church Had Received The Power Of The Holy Spirit And Was Moving Strongly In Spiritual Gifts.
1 Corinthians 1:4-7 (NKJV)
4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,
5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,
6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you,
7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Corinthians 3:1 (NKJV)
1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.
4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,
5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,
6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you,
7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Corinthians 3:1 (NKJV)
1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.
· Note* in 1 Corinthians 3:1 Paul says we can receive the Holy Spirit baptism, operate in the gifts and sill be immature. He encourages us to press on into greater gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:31 (NKJV)
31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
1 Corinthians 14:1 (NKJV)
1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
1 Corinthians 14:12 (NKJV)
12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
1 Corinthians 14:1 (NKJV)
1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
1 Corinthians 14:12 (NKJV)
12 Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
· He said reprovingly I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly mere infants acting like mere men.
1 Corinthians 3:1 (NKJV)
1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:3 (NKJV)
3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:3 (NKJV)
3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
The Marks Of A Spirit Filled Person Is Seen In Our Lord Jesus “Jesus, Full Of The Holy Spirit”.
· The Spirit Led Him.
Luke 4:1 (NKJV)
1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
· He does not initiate Christian activity and then ask God to bless it. He lets God do the initiating and He does the responding.
John 5:19 (NKJV)
19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
· After the wilderness temptation, “This Spirit filled man” returned to Galilee “in the power of the Spirit”.
Luke 4:14 (NKJV)
14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went throughout all the surrounding region.
14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went throughout all the surrounding region.
What A Change After The Jordan Experience.
· There are no places in the New Testament where Jesus displayed his power until after the Holy Spirit came upon Him.
Acts 10:37-38 (NKJV)
37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:
38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:
38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
· He had told his disciples….
Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
· The power of God being manifested is an indispensable mark of being Spirit filled.
Acts 9:18 (NKJV)
18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
Acts 9:20-22 (NKJV)
20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, "Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?"
22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
Acts 9:20-22 (NKJV)
20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, "Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?"
22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
· The Fullness of the Spirit must be coupled with the individual’s Character. Power related to anything less than Godliness may produce, but it will not last.
· Any ministry built on personal gifts such as organization skills, personality, musical and oratorical ability, personal experiences or the ability to work and move a crowd will be short lived. Any fruit produced with be short lived.
Jesus said, “I will build my church”!
Matthew 16:18 (NKJV)
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
· We must not judge a man based on his abilities in the pulpit. In his ministry you might see people healed, baptized in the Holy Ghost and miracles related to the gifts of the Spirit. But you must watch his daily walk. How does he treat his wife and family?
· Balaam was a prophet and had a reputation of predicting things that would come to pass but look what happened to him.
Numbers 22:6 (NKJV)
6 Therefore please come at once, curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed."
Numbers 22:29 (NKJV)
29 And Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!"
Joshua 13:22 (NKJV)
22 The children of Israel also killed with the sword Balaam the son of Beor, the soothsayer, among those who were killed by them.
6 Therefore please come at once, curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed."
Numbers 22:29 (NKJV)
29 And Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!"
Joshua 13:22 (NKJV)
22 The children of Israel also killed with the sword Balaam the son of Beor, the soothsayer, among those who were killed by them.
Even As Jesus Demonstrates The Perfect Sprit Filled Life, He Also Reveals The Open Secret Of How It Must Be Maintained.
· You must love righteousness and hate lawlessness.
Hebrews 1:9 (NKJV)
9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions."
9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions."
· All through this earthly course of his life Jesus never deviated from it. He never compromised his convictions.
Luke 3:22 (NKJV)
22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased."
22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased."
· Jesus lived by faith just as you and I are required to do. Look what David who was speaking of the coming messiah said.
Psalms 110:7 (NKJV)
7 He shall drink of the brook by the wayside; Therefore He shall lift up the head.
7 He shall drink of the brook by the wayside; Therefore He shall lift up the head.
· There is a constant supply of the Spirit. This is the supply of the Spirit needed for living as well as for serving.
· He was living out of what He taught the Woman at the well.
· The “Holy Spirit would bring a spring of water a welling up to eternal life”.
John 4:4 (NKJV)
4 But He needed to go through Samaria.
John 7:37-38 (NKJV)
37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
4 But He needed to go through Samaria.
John 7:37-38 (NKJV)
37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
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