Acts of the Holy Spirit
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Since I began going to college I have read a lot of books. I haven’t read novels I have read books on the church, on the Theology, ministry, the Christian life. Each time I’ve picked up a book and I even do it to this day, I always read the introduction. Some people think the Intro is a waste to read but the Introduction of a book tells you a lot about the book. The provide for us the purpose for the book, and what the author is attempting to convey to his or her reader. There is at times a reason why the author decided to write this book. They may tell of a question that plagued their minds or a conversation they might have had with a colleague years before or maybe even an observation of something in Scripture or the world that caused them to research it and write about it. Introduction can even tell tune us in to a previous book written by the author and how this new book relates to the previous one. Some people may think Introductions to be boring and mundane but Introductions can actually tell us a lot about the book we are interested in reading.
It is the same when it comes to the introduction to the books of the Bible. This morning we will be looking at an introduction to the book of Acts. In this introductory material we will find details to this book we are about to begin and we will also will have an idea of what the theme of the book is through this introduction. The intro will provide for us the recipient of the letter a summer of events leading to this letter and who this letter is about and what the purpose of the letter is as a whole. We will see this morning that the books of Acts is The Acts of the Holy Spirit in Building up the Kingdom.
The Acts of the Holy Spirit in Building up the Kingdom
The Acts of the Holy Spirit in Building up the Kingdom
We will see this in Acts 1:1-5, Acts 1:1-5
The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
The book of Acts is commonly referred to as the Acts of the Apostels because it is recounts the work of the Apostels after the Ascension of Jesus as the gospel spreads through out the known world. As we begin to dig into this first five chapter you will see these men are instrumental in the spreading of the gospel but the One who truly deserves the credit for the Acts in this book is the Holy Spirit. Look with me at verse 1.”The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach,”
There is no doubt in anyone’s mind this letter is written by Dr. Luke. The same man who wrote for us a detailed account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. The Gospel Luke penned for us was recieved by the same person, Theophilus. Very little is known about this man, Theophilus, we know this is a very common Greek name. We also know that in Luke’s first letter he wrote this;
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us,
just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word,
it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;
so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.
This is Luke’s introduction to his gospel and here Luke provided how he compiled the gospel and why he compiled the gospel. I wanted to draw your attention to the name here, Theophilus is given a title, most excellent Theophilus. This is typically the title of notable men in the world at the time. So when Luke penned the gospel for Theophilus it was to reaffirm what Theophilus had heard and been taught. It seems as though Luke was commissioned by Theophilus to write both of the these letters.
Now if we look back at Acts 1:1 we see the title is no longer there and some commentators believe Theophilus was saved through the reading of the gospel and now that Theophilus is a Christian there is no longer any need for a title. That is very well possible it is also possible they have just become very good friends and there is no longer a need for the titles. Either way we know for sure who the letter is for and the letter is written to Theophilus because Theophilus has heard about Jesus and also Theophilus has been watching and a part of the impact of this teaching. You have to understand this a brand new religion that is spreading through out a world that knew nothing to very little about the Jewish religion and culture and whose god’s were these far off beings with the same characteristics as man, including sinfulness. Here comes this religious that teaches grace and mercy and of a perfect sinless Savior who dies and is resurrected. This is amazing and it cause the people in the world to want to know more. Theophilus is one of these people and Luke has compiled at least two letters for Theophilus. This one is his second.
Luke even summarizes his first account here. The summary statement is, “about all that Jesus began to do and teach.” As we studied Luke’s gospel account we followed along in Jesus’ life, from the promise He was to come was made to Zechariah in chapter 1, to His birth narrative in chapter 2 to his baptism in chapter 3 to the beginning of His public ministry in chapter 4. His ministry was not only teaching God’s word but it was also acts that testified to the power of the Holy Spirit at work in and through Jesus and at work in and through the world. Jesus’ Acts were a proof of the promise of the coming of the Messiah and Luke was very clear in writing about this and demonstrating how the Holy Spirit was working.
Verse 2 Luke provides the duration of this work, “until the day when He was taken up to heaven,” This is a full summer of Luke’s gospel. Luke’s account of the life of Christ began at the promise and went straight to the ascension. Now as we continue in verse 2 we see the One who was also working behind the scenes and who every so often receives a nod or a tip of the hat. He is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was working and the Holy Spirit is working and the Holy Spirit in this book will work and the purpose is to build up the Kingdom of God. Let’s look a little at His passed work.
The Holy Spirit’s Selection
The Holy Spirit’s Selection
In the second half of verse 2 we read, “after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen.” God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit all have worked together to bring about this glorious day. They work in conjunction with one another and each is given the respect and attributed the power they deserve. Jesus took on flesh and never lost His divinity but He also showed us we can’t do anything on our own. Each time Jesus made a dramatic shift in location or when He a decision was to be made Jesus would spend time in deep prayer many times all night long. One of those times is when He chose His apostles.
We find this in Luke 6:12-13
It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.
And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles:
These men were not just selected at random they were prayed over and as Jesus spent time communing with the Father about God’s plan the Holy Spirit working in and through the whole event was the One who chosen them. They were not selected because they were righteous men, they weren’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination. In fact one of the men chosen was Judas who later betrays Jesus. Still it is the Holy Spirit who is given the credit for the selection of these men. That is because these men are the ones who will carry on the doing and the teaching Jesus began. As Jesus walked the earth in His earthly ministry we find Jesus’ actions were driven by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness
And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district.
Luke even tells us the works Jesus had done which were attributed to the Holy Spirit.
One day He was teaching; and there were some Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was present for Him to perform healing.
Luke makes it very clear Jesus and the Holy Spirit work together in a miraculous way to bring about the message of the kingdom of God. The miracles Jesus performed were a testimony to the power of the Holy Spirit working in Him. This is what the Holy Spirit was doing He was working in and through Jesus to build up the Kingdom. Luke attributes the selection of the Apostels to the a Holy Spirit as well because they are an instrument of God’s power to further build up the Kingdom of God.
Now these men who were selected by Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit are to be the witnesses for what the Spirit has done and what Jesus has done. That is why we have verse 3. Verse 3 reads, “To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.”
Here we find this to be the Holy Spirits testimony
The Holy Spirit’s Testimony
The Holy Spirit’s Testimony
There was a reason why those men were selected by the Holy Spirit. There is also a reason why Jesus provided so many proofs of His resurrection. It was so these men could be the witnesses of what Jesus has done and in so doing testify to the power and work of the Holy Spirit. The testimony is for an end goal. That end goal is provided here in verse 3 and this is a major theme of the book of Acts, “the things concerning the kingdom of God.” The Holy Spirit’s testimony is much more then what most people realize and think. Most of the time people will minimize the Holy Spirit’s power and the Holy Spirit’s work in the world. Some will look at the Holy Spirit as only working in their own local church. Some people will see the Spirit as working in the private lives. Some people won’t even attribute anything to the Holy Spirit and take the credit themselves for their leadership roles, their exegetical prowess, even salvation. The Holy Spirit at times is also over emphasized, yes, I said over emphasized. There are many who believe you are not truly saved unless you exhibit some spiritual gift such as speaking in tongues. That is not and never has been a part of the gospel message. Salvation comes by faith and faith alone in the power and work of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit saves you and the Holy Spirit works in you for one purpose so that you can provide the testimony of Jesus having to suffer and die and then provide the proofs of the resurrection.
All of this is to further the Kingdom of God. People coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ is not for a notch in anyone’s belt it is to grow God’s Kingdom. Listen we need to have this mindset, especially in this self absorbed, self gratifying, self indulging world we live in. Look around you and listen to people and really take in what they are saying. People are all about themselves. They are all about what makes them happy and what they deserve. They are all about how they should be treated. Watch the news and you will see people have temper tantrums because they don’t get their way or their opinion is negated by fact. All of this stuff all of this self indulgent selfish tantrums these people are having listen it happens in the church too. The problem is people are allowing this kind of mentality to seep into the church and it is infecting the church.
The people in the church don’t want to focus on the Bible because the Bible will actually tell you what you deserve, hell. The Bible will tell you, you can’t do anything to accept God’s forgiveness. The Bible will paint the picture of truth and people don’t want to hear that because it might offend them. Well good it should offend them.
And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him,
preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.
For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.
Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil;
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.
So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense.
We need to work together and not tear one another apart with adding undue rules and penalties on people. Our lives must be marked with righteousness, peace and joy. If the Spirit is in you that is His testimony of Himself to bring about His Kingdom.
The Father’s Promise