The Work of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:38-39 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
When you read the Book of Acts one thing you cannot miss is the continual reference to the work of the Holy Spirit. There would be no Acts of the Apostles if there were no work of the Holy Spirit. In nearly every chapter you see some facet of the Spirit’s work and what God does with each these. You see:
The gift of the Holy Ghost – Acts 2:38-39 – this is the method by which we are saved [Jn 3:5-6] – the gift of the Holy Ghost happens when you receive Jesus Christ, which is the same time you are baptized by the Spirit into the body of Christ [Acts 11:15-17] – the gift of the Holy Spirit is not some event subsequent to salvation manifested by some spiritual Jewish sign gift like tongues.
The power of the Holy Ghost – Acts 1:8 – this is the method by which we witness [Acts 5:32] – in other words, the power to witness is not based in our soul winning plan or in our eloquence – the power to witness comes directly from the Holy Spirit.
The filling with the Holy Ghost – Acts 2:4 – this is the method by which the apostles spoke in tongues [Acts 2:4] – and by which we:
- Preach with boldness – Acts 4:31 – preachers must be filled with the Spirit.
- Do God’s business – Acts 6:3-5 – workers must be filled with the Spirit.
The ministry of the Holy Ghost – Acts 4:8-13 – this is the method by which we:
- Exalt the name of Jesus – Jn 16:13-14 – which is what the Spirit does.
- Have one heart and one soul – Acts 4:31-32; 1 Pet 1:22; contrast Acts 5:1-4
- Are sent as missionaries – Acts 13:2-4 – not by some method of man.
- Become pastors of a flock – Acts 20:28 – not by some appointment of man.
The leadership of the Holy Ghost – Acts 8:29, 39 – this is the method by which we go God’s direction [Rom 8:14; Acts 16:6-7; contrast Acts 20:22-23, 21:4]. We need to be responsive to the leadership of the Spirit – we need to cut out all the distractions and watch for and listen carefully to his leading through the scriptures.
The comfort of the Holy Ghost – Acts 9:31 – this is the method by which we are edified and encouraged [Jn 14:16-18, 26]. Paul said that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God – thus we need the comfort of the Spirit to handle the problems of living our Christian lives in the world
Conclusion: The Spirit of God was involved in every aspect of the ministry of the apostles – we need to be yielded to the Holy Ghost so that he can do today through us those things that he did through the apostles back then – we need to rely absolutely and continually upon the power, the filling, the ministry, the leadership and the comfort of the Holy Ghost – without these we are useless in the body of Christ.