Last time, we considered the missing person in the life and ministry of Messiah Jesus, who promised this person would come as another comforter. This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost when the
Holy Spirit came and filled the disciples gathered in waiting at Jerusalem
(Acts 2:1-4). The remaining chapters of
this historical book document His activity through the newly constituted Church
and it could be better named the Acts of the Holy Spirit, instead of the Acts
of the Apostles. The experience of the
early church is foundational to our understanding of the ministry of the Holy
Spirit, but it should be remembered that this is a transitional period. The introduction of a new sphere of divine
operation necessitates a transition from the old to the new and with it some
unique aspects of divine activity.
THE DAY OF PENTECOST
This
signified the beginning of the Spirit's ministry in the new era of the
Church. Associated with His coming were
several physical manifestations, "a noise like a violent, rushing
wind" and "tongues as of fire" (Acts 2:2-3), and also a
supernatural experience of tongue speaking (Acts 2:4). This dramatic entrance of the Spirit
empowered the disciples, especially the apostles, to fulfil their ministries
(cf. Acts 1:8). The previously fearful
followers were transformed into a courageous community who faithfully served
their Lord in the face of life-threatening opposition (e.g. Acts 4:1-31).
There are a
number of extensions of this remarkable coming of the Spirit as the gospel
message reaches new ethnic communities outside of Jerusalem. It is possible that a similar expression of
the Spirit's presence occurred in Samaria although it is not specifically
stated (Acts 8:14-17). Such definitely
occurs in the case of Cornelius (Acts 10) and John the Baptist’s disciples
(Acts 19). The manifestation of tongue
speaking on these two occasions indisputably demonstrates the equal reception
of the Holy Spirit by Gentiles and Old Testament saints. The most critical of which is the Gentile
situation which provides ammunition for Peter to silence his critics and win
the acceptance of Gentiles as full members of the Church (Acts 11:1-18 cf. Acts
15).
THE DISCIPLES' PREACHING
One of
the characteristic effects of the Spirit's presence was the apostles' and
others' powerful preaching. Peter's
first message is clear evidence of this (Acts 2:37, 41) and this precedent
continues (Acts 3:1-26 cf. 4:4, 13; 10:34-48).
Stephen's preaching is also powerful (Acts 6:10) and to this you can add
Philip (Acts 8:4-13), Paul (Acts 9:20-22; 13:9-12, 16-49; and so on) and
Apollos (Acts 18:24-28). Their preaching
is clearly beyond human ability and giftedness.
The only explanation of their success is the accompanying operation of
the Holy Spirit. This is also seen in
the Spirit's enabling of a human response (Acts 11:18; 13:48; and especially
16:14).
THE DISCIPLES' PROOF
Accompanying the preaching ministry
were irrefutable miracles which attested to the authenticity and authority of
this "new message" and messenger (cf. Heb 2:4). The first demonstration of the Spirit's presence
on the Day of Pentecost, tongue speaking, attracted a crowd (Acts 2:6-13). The healing of the lame beggar in the temple
area again captured the attention of the people (Acts 3:1-11). Such signs were multiplied many times over
(Acts 5:12; 6:8; 8:6-7; 9:33-35, 36-42; 13:9-11; 14:8-10; 16:18, 26; 19:11-12;
20:10-12; 28:3-6, 8-9). It is worth
noting that such miracles did not always accompany the ministry of
proclamation. There were many cities
where there was no recorded miracle in this historical record of the book of
Acts. Yet for this transition period,
such miracles were a necessary contribution to the foundation God laid in
establishing His Church (Eph 2:20).
THE DISCIPLES' PRAYER
The Holy Spirit is closely
associated with the prayer life of the early church. It was in conjunction with prayer that He
first came (Acts 2:1 cf. 1:4, 24) and again at a prayer meeting that He
re-energised them (Acts 4:31). Paul was
praying when he was first filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:11 cf.
9:17). It was in the context of prayer
that the Holy Spirit set apart Barnabas and Paul for missionary service (Acts
13:2-4). It is not recorded in every
instance that the Holy Spirit specifically fills the believers when they pray
and there are instances when such filling is stated without reference to prayer
(e.g. Acts 13:9) but the relationship of receiving divine enabling and prayer
is unmistakable. It has been truly said
that every genuine revival has begun with prayer. How’s your prayer life?
THE DISCIPLES' PROPHECY
One unique aspect of the book of
Acts is the specific prophecies of Agabus (Acts 11:27-28; 21:10-11). In both cases, Agabus states that his message
was the expression of the Holy Spirit's communication. With reference to Paul, "the disciples .
. . kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem"
(Acts 21:4). The Holy Spirit is
represented as the one (and only one) who provides insight into the
future. This knowledge is absolutely
accurate and otherwise unattainable. It
is also unique to the apostolic era and with the completion of revelation,
prophecy ceased.
THE DISCIPLES' PLANS
Another key aspect of the Holy
Spirit’s involvement in the early church is guidance. He guides believers in the will of God. This is clearly seen in the book of Acts
where He specifically directs people for ministry:
Philip (Acts 8:29)
Peter (Acts 10:19-20 cf. 11:12)
Barnabas & Paul (Acts 13:2, 4)
Paul & Silas (Acts 16:6-7).
Although we are not privileged to receive direct revelation as our normal means of guidance today, we are still in need of the Holy Spirit’s ministry in this area. He is the one who enlightens our minds as we read the Scriptures and through them can guide us in our decision-making (1 Cor 2:12). As a fruit of the Spirit, we experience peace, which also confirms our decisions (Phil 4:6-7). It is also possible that the Spirit may impress on us the need to act, such as call someone, pray for someone, visit someone, and so on. This is another form of guidance that is not infallible, but when accurately discerned important.
How do you make your plans? Do you ever consult God in advance or just
expect Him to bless what you have arranged?
Do you seek and even more so expect His guidance in your decision-making? A significant result of this approach is the
recognition that God’s will and not mine is the critical issue. I wonder how often it really is!
THE DISCIPLES’ PROGRAMS
As with all churches there were
practical needs to be met in the early church.
One of these was the physical support of widows, which became a point of
tension needing some special attention and leadership (Acts 6:1-7). The question was “who will administer this
powder keg situation?” What qualifications
should these people have to carry out this important task? The answer is once again an indication of the
importance of the Holy Spirit in the life and ministry of the early church.
Acts 6:5 states that their first
choice was Stephen, “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” The Apostles avoided entanglement in this
administrative matter so that they could keep to their priorities of prayer and
preaching, but ensured that the right leadership was appointed to supervise
this necessary ministry. This leadership
needed the power of the Holy Spirit to get the job done to the glory of God.
The Holy Spirit was directly
involved in another kind of program, missionary work. In Acts 13:1-4, we read of the first
missionary team being sent out from the church at Antioch. As the leaders are praying and fasting, the
Holy Spirit directs a new initiative in ministry. He identifies Barnabas and Saul as His choice
for a new work, pioneering church planting.
Both these men are well qualified for the task as is soon evident in
their ministry in Cyprus where Saul is recorded as being filled with the Holy
Spirit (Acts 13:9).
I wonder what qualifications you
think of when you try to fill a leadership position. Is the first one this one? Or do you look for administrative skills,
business acumen, social influence or some other human trait? The church does need leadership and there is
nothing wrong with the aforementioned qualities, but they cannot substitute for
the filling of the Holy Spirit.
CONCLUSION:
All of this
theology is obviously practical due to fact that it is derived from the
experience of the early Church. Not all
of it is equally transferable to the present Church's experience, but there is
much to learn from what the Holy Spirit did in and through the early believers. I hope you can testify to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in your life and ministry.
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