Text: Acts 1:4-8
Intro: The way that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is treated as an option in our Pentecostal Churches today.
The disciples were prepared for ministry by Jesus Himself
In Luke 10 we see where Jesus sent them out to minister
They were successful Luke 10:17 “even the devils are subject unto us through thy name”
Yet – these same successful ministers were told not to minister but to “Wait for the Power” (text)
!This was not a request – It was a command!
They had accomplished great things in there past ministries but now Jesus said they needed to be further equipped
Many today want to make this Upper Room experience a thing of the past
!!!!They go by Reason and so called Personal Experience
Look at what we have done – We don’t need this experience
It is not that important
What an immature attitude to believe that we have, or ever could have, received all that God has to give
No matter how much we have done for God we need more empowerment
Did the apostles think that the baptism was important and needed?
In Ephesus
Acts 10:46,47 “For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? “
At Corinth
Acts 19:1-12 “And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, we have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.”
In Samaria
Acts 8:14-15 “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:”
Important – The disciples did not completely understand what was about to happen to them, they followed His command!
5. No preconceived ideas – Just tarry
6. esus said the (we) need to wait on it!
7. For those of us who have already been baptized in the Holy Spirit - once it is not enough
Titus3: 4-5 “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”