The Holy Spirit Speaks to Us

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Sermon: “The Holy Spirit Speaks to the Church”                              Jan. 20, 2008                                                  

THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS THROUGH PEOPLE

Acts 1:16

Acts 4:25-26

Acts 11:28

Acts 21:10-11

Acts 28:25

THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS TO PEOPLE

Acts 8:29

Acts 10:19

Acts 11:12

Acts 20:23

THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS TO THE CHURCH

Acts 13:2

Application: Revelation 22:17

The Holy Spirit will speak primarily through the Scriptures. When God the Holy Spirit is speaking to you or through you, what he says will always match the written Word and will always glorify God. 

Sermón: “El Espíritu Santo le haba a la Iglesia”                                

                                               

EL ESPIRITU SANTO HABLA POR MEDIO DE LA GENTE

Hechos 1:16

Hechos 4:25-26

Hechos 11:28

Hechos 21:10-11

Hechos 28:25

EL ESPIRITU SANTO LE HABLA A LA GENTE

Hechos 8:29

Hechos 10:19

Hechos 11:12

Hechos 20:23

EL ESPIRITU SANTO HABLA A LA IGLESIA 

Hechos 13:2

Aplicación: Apocalipsis 22:17

El Espíritu Santo nos habla principalmente por medio de la Biblia. Cuando Dios el Espíritu Santo te esta hablando o esta hablando por medio de ti, siempre dice lo que concuerda con la Biblia y lo que glorifica a Dios.   

THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS THROUGH PEOPLE

Ac 1:16 and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus.   (RVR) Varones hermanos, era necesario que se cumpliese la Escritura en que el Espíritu Santo habló antes por boca de David acerca de Judas, que fue guía de los que prendieron a Jesús,  (VP)  “Hermanos, tenía que cumplirse lo que el Espíritu Santo, por medio de David, ya había dicho en la Escritura acerca de Judas, el que sirvió de guía a los que arrestaron a Jesús.

Ac 4:25-26 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:   "'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.’ (VP) dijiste por medio del Espíritu Santo y por boca de nuestro patriarca David, tu siervo: ‘¿Por qué se alborotan los pueblos? ¿Por qué hacen planes sin sentido? 26 Los reyes y gobernantes de la tierra se rebelan, y juntos conspiran contra el Señor y contra su escogido, el Mesías.’ (RVR) que por boca de David tu siervo dijiste: ¿Por qué se amotinan las gentes, Y los pueblos piensan cosas vanas?

Acts 11:28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) (RVR) Y levantándose uno de ellos, llamado Agabo, daba a entender por el Espíritu, que vendría una gran hambre en toda la tierra habitada; la cual sucedió en tiempo de Claudio. (VP) Y uno de ellos, llamado Agabo, puesto de pie y por inspiración del Espíritu, anunció que iba a haber una gran hambre en todo el mundo, lo cual sucedió, en efecto, en tiempos del emperador Claudio

Ac 21:10-11 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'"  (RVR) Y permaneciendo nosotros allí algunos días, descendió de Judea un profeta llamado Agabo, 11 quien viniendo a vernos, tomó el cinto de Pablo, y atándose los pies y las manos, dijo: Esto dice el Espíritu Santo: Así atarán los judíos en Jerusalén al varón de quien es este cinto, y le entregarán en manos de los gentiles.

Acts 28:25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet: (RVR) Y como no estuviesen de acuerdo entre sí, al retirarse, les dijo Pablo esta palabra: Bien habló el Espíritu Santo por medio del profeta Isaías a nuestros padres, diciendo: (VP) Y como no se ponían de acuerdo entre sí, comenzaron a irse. Pablo les dijo solamente: —Bien habló el Espíritu Santo a los antepasados de ustedes por medio del profeta Isaías, diciendo:

 

 

The Holy Spirit speaks thru Believers & sometimes the Holy Spirit spoke thru nonbelievers:

John 11:49-52 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” 51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. (VP) Pero uno de ellos, llamado Caifás, que era el sumo sacerdote aquel año, les dijo: —Ustedes no saben nada, 50 ni se dan cuenta de que es mejor para ustedes que muera un solo hombre por el pueblo, y no que toda la nación sea destruida. 51 Pero Caifás no dijo esto por su propia cuenta, sino que, como era sumo sacerdote aquel año, dijo proféticamente que Jesús iba a morir por la nación judía; 52 y no solamente por esta nación, sino también para reunir a todos los hijos de Dios que estaban dispersos.

THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS TO PEOPLE

Acts 8:29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."  (RVR) Y el Espíritu dijo a Felipe: Acércate y júntate a ese carro.  (VP) El Espíritu le dijo a Felipe: “Ve y acércate a ese carro.”

Acts 10:19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three men are looking for you. (RVR) Y mientras Pedro pensaba en la visión, le dijo el Espíritu: He aquí, tres hombres te buscan. (VP) Y mientras Pedro todavía estaba pensando en la visión, el Espíritu Santo le dijo: “Mira, tres hombres te buscan.

Acts 11:12 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man's house. (RVR) Y el Espíritu me dijo que fuese con ellos sin dudar. Fueron también conmigo estos seis hermanos, y entramos en casa de un varón  (VP) El Espíritu me mandó que, sin dudarlo, fuera con ellos. Y también fueron conmigo estos seis hermanos. Todos entramos en casa de cierto hombre [sin hacer ninguna distinción]

Acts 20:23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. (RVR)  salvo que el Espíritu Santo por todas las ciudades me da testimonio, diciendo que me esperan prisiones y tribulaciones. (VP) Lo único que sé es que, en todas las ciudades a donde voy, el Espíritu Santo me dice que me esperan la cárcel y muchos sufrimientos.

 

THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS TO THE CHURCH

Ac 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (RVR) Ministrando éstos al Señor, y ayunando, dijo el Espíritu Santo: Apartadme a Bernabé y a Saulo para la obra a que los he llamado. (VP) Un día, mientras estaban celebrando el culto al Señor y ayunando, el Espíritu Santo dijo: “Sepárenme a Bernabé y a Saulo para el trabajo al cual los he llamado.

Rev 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.  

Rev 2:11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.  

Rev 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says  to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.  

Rev 2:29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says  to the churches.  

Rev 3:6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says  to the churches.  

Rev 3:13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  

Rev 3:22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says  to the churches."  

 

APPLICATION:

The Holy Spirit will speak primarily through the Scriptures. When God the Holy Spirit is speaking to you or through you, it will always match the written Word and will always glorify God.

Rev 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. (RVR) Y el Espíritu y la Esposa dicen: Ven. Y el que oye, diga: Ven. Y el que tiene sed, venga; y el que quiera, tome del agua de la vida gratuitamente. (VP) El Espíritu Santo y la esposa del Cordero dicen: “¡Ven!” Y el que escuche, diga: “¡Ven!” Y el que tenga sed, y quiera, venga y tome del agua de la vida sin que le cueste nada

John 7:37-38  On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” (RVR) Y el Espíritu y la Esposa dicen: Ven. Y el que oye, diga: Ven. Y el que tiene sed, venga; y el que quiera, tome del agua de la vida gratuitamente. (VP) El último día de la fiesta era el más importante. Aquél día Jesús, puesto de pie, dijo con voz fuerte: —Si alguien tiene sed, venga a mí, y el que cree en mí, que beba. Como dice la Escritura, del interior de aquél correrán ríos de agua viva.

Isaiah 55:1-3  “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. 3 Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. (RVR) A todos los sedientos: Venid a las aguas; y los que no tienen dinero, venid, comprad y comed. Venid, comprad sin dinero y sin precio, vino y leche. (VP) “Todos los que tengan sed, vengan a beber agua; los que no tengan dinero, vengan, consigan trigo de balde y coman; consigan vino y leche sin pagar nada.

THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS THROUGH PEOPLE

Ac 1:16 and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus.   (RVR) Varones hermanos, era necesario que se cumpliese la Escritura en que el Espíritu Santo habló antes por boca de David acerca de Judas, que fue guía de los que prendieron a Jesús,  (VP)  “Hermanos, tenía que cumplirse lo que el Espíritu Santo, por medio de David, ya había dicho en la Escritura acerca de Judas, el que sirvió de guía a los que arrestaron a Jesús.

Ac 4:25-26 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:   "'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.’ (VP) dijiste por medio del Espíritu Santo y por boca de nuestro patriarca David, tu siervo: ‘¿Por qué se alborotan los pueblos? ¿Por qué hacen planes sin sentido? 26 Los reyes y gobernantes de la tierra se rebelan, y juntos conspiran contra el Señor y contra su escogido, el Mesías.’ (RVR) que por boca de David tu siervo dijiste: ¿Por qué se amotinan las gentes, Y los pueblos piensan cosas vanas?

the disciples saw a fulfillment of Ps. 2:1, 2 which they quoted. Psalm 2 describes the revolt of the nations against the Lord and His Christ. The psalm originally grew out of the crowning of a new king in Israel, perhaps David; but its ultimate message points to the King of kings, Jesus Christ. Whenever a new king was enthroned, the vassal rulers around were required to come and submit to him; but some of them refused to do this. God only laughed at their revolt, for He knew that they could never stand up against His King. The early believers applied the message of this psalm to their own situation and identified their adversaries as Herod, Pilate, the Romans, and the Jews. These enemies had “ganged up” against Jesus Christ and even crucified Him, yet God raised Him from the dead and enthroned Him in heaven. All of this was a part of God’s perfect plan, so there was no need to fear.  Acts 4:25-26 contains a quotation from Psalm 2:1-2, which is prophetic of the Tribulation. In a preliminary sense Peter saw the opposition to the Messiah, God’s Anointed One (Acts 4:27)—predicted by David in Psalm 2—as fulfilled in the early church. The parallels are obvious. Nations (ethnē, Acts 4:25) compare with Gentiles (ethnesin, v. 27); peoples (laoi, v. 25) compare with people of Israel (laois Israēl, v. 27); kings (v. 26) compare with Herod (v. 27); and rulers (v. 26) compare with Pontius Pilate (v. 27). The enemies of God think that they are victorious against God’s church. They crucify Jesus and imprison his apostles with impunity, and yet their actions are futile. As David endured persecution at the hands of Saul but experienced God’s protecting care, so the apostles know that the Lord will not forsake them (Matt. 28:20b). Psalm 2 reveals the utter foolishness of the nations in plotting against God, for all their efforts are thwarted. The kingdom of God’s Son shall last forever. David is a type of Christ. He sees the raging nations of his day conspiring and plotting against God; they oppose the Lord God and have set themselves against his anointed one. David is the king who was anointed by the prophet Samuel, as God instructed. So David is the anointed of the Lord. When the nations conspire against David, they rage against God. When the kings are against David, they oppose the Lord. And all their efforts are utterly futile. David, however, is only a sign that points to Christ. He speaks prophetically about Jesus Christ, who is the King and the Anointed One. The apostles see the fulfillment of this particular psalm (Ps. 2) in Christ, whom God has anointed and installed as king on his holy hill of Zion (Ps. 2:2–6). They had witnessed the initial fulfillment of that prophecy in the city of Jerusalem. The final fulfillment is presented in Revelation 17:9–14 and sets the stage for His second coming revealed in Revelation 19:11–21. Those op-posed to God’s purposes had gathered together against God’s holy servant Jesus, whom God had anointed as His servant. They included Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the people of Israel. All they had accomplished, however, was to do whatever God’s hand and … purpose predestined to occur.

Acts 11:28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) (RVR) Y levantándose uno de ellos, llamado Agabo, daba a entender por el Espíritu, que vendría una gran hambre en toda la tierra habitada; la cual sucedió en tiempo de Claudio. (VP) Y uno de ellos, llamado Agabo, puesto de pie y por inspiración del Espíritu, anunció que iba a haber una gran hambre en todo el mundo, lo cual sucedió, en efecto, en tiempos del emperador Claudio

Agabus, also mentioned again in 21:10-11, prophesied that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. This was actually a series of severe famines that struck various sections of the Roman Empire during the reign of Emperor Claudius (a.d. 41-54.) This same Claudius later expelled Jews from Rome (18:2). 29-30. The Christians at Antioch, each according to his ability (cf. 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:7), sent money to the believers in Judea. This expression of love undoubtedly bound the two churches together (cf. Rom. 15:27). When Barnabas and Saul brought the gift to Judea, they gave the gift to the elders. This is the first mention of church elders in Acts and significantly they received finances. Evidently they had ultimate oversight over all aspects of the ministry. Later Paul and his companions presented the offering of the churches of Achaia, Macedonia, and Asia Minor to the elders of the Jerusalem church. This may have happened when Paul arrived in Jerusalem (Acts 21:18; though this verse doesn’t refer to offering money).Though there is some question about it, this famine visit in 11:27-30 is probably the same one referred to in Galatians 2:1-10.  a. Prophets. The link between the churches in Jerusalem and Antioch appears to be strong, for in time some prophets come down from Jerusalem to visit the believers in Antioch. They are Christian prophets who have the gift of the Holy Spirit (v. 28) and come to strengthen the Christians in their faith (13:1). Even though this is the first time Luke mentions prophets, we know from other New Testament passages that prophets interpreted and preached God’s Word, encouraged the people, and predicted events. They differed from the Old Testament prophets in respect to their function. Old Testament prophets primarily foretold the birth and coming of Christ. But after Jesus’ coming, messianic prophecy had ceased and New Testament prophets preached the gospel and predicted events. Furthermore, Christ’s gospel had been entrusted to the apostles, who filled a primary role in the Christian church. Thus Paul lists the apostles first and then the prophets (see Eph. 4:11). b. Prediction. One of the prophets was Agabus, who predicted that a famine would strike the Roman empire. Agabus merely predicts; he does not prophesy. Likewise, when Paul arrived at Caesarea at the conclusion of his third missionary journey, Agabus came from Judea and predicted Paul’s imprisonment (21:10–11). The fact that this prophet was filled with the Holy Spirit means that God wished to communicate with his people regarding an event in the future. This event touched the lives not only of Christians but of all those living in the Roman empire. The famine that Agabus predicted occurred during the reign of Emperor Claudius, who ruled from a.d. 41 to 54. Luke calls it a severe famine, for in varying degrees it affected the entire Roman empire. Egypt sold grain for the benefit of the people in famine-stricken Jerusalem, Cyprus supplied figs, and the Christians in Antioch sent aid to the believers in Judea (v. 29). Different parts of the Roman empire suffered famines. Therefore, we interpret Luke’s description, “a severe famine all over the Roman world,” not in a literal but in a broad sense. 29. And the disciples, each of them as he was financially able, decided to send help for the relief of the brothers living in Judea. 30. They did this by sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. The purpose for the visit of the Jerusalem prophets was to inform the Antiochean believers that a severe famine would occur in Judea with detrimental consequences for the Christians in that area. The church in Antioch did not receive the message for information but made immediate plans to alleviate the need of the believers in Judea. Luke describes the loving care of the Christians in Antioch in glowing terms: “And the disciples, each of them as he was financially able, decided to send help for the relief of the brothers living in Judea.” The Antiochean Christians decided to establish a relief fund to which each person contributed as much as his resources permitted. On a voluntary basis, the believers donated their gifts to show their love for needy brothers. Indeed, “God loves a cheerful giver” (II Cor. 9:7). The Gentile church broke down the wall of separation between Jew and Gentile by sending famine relief to the Jewish church in Jerusalem. For decades, perhaps as a result of the persecution following the death of Stephen, the Jerusalem church became impoverished. During his missionary journeys Paul asked the Gentile churches for donations to help the poor in Jerusalem. The Gentile Christians wished to thank the Jewish Christians for sharing their spiritual blessings. Returning a kindness, the Gentiles shared material blessings with the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem (Rom. 15:27). In his report, Luke is extremely brief. He does not indicate what kind of help the believers in Antioch sent to Jerusalem and when they dispatched it. We surmise that they entrusted a monetary gift to Barnabas and Paul, who served as their emissaries (see v. 30). Further, we believe that the two envoys arrived in Jerusalem before the famine took effect. We must keep in mind that the prophets came to Antioch for the purpose of informing the Christians about a need among the believers in Judea. When this news reached the Antiocheans, their response was immediate and spontaneous. They commissioned Barnabas and Paul to take a gift to the elders in Jerusalem and thus demonstrated the visible unity of Christ’s church. Two items need a word of explanation. First, the believers in Antioch sent their foremost teachers to Jerusalem to act as their representatives. Barnabas used the occasion to report to the church in Jerusalem about the work he and Paul performed in Antioch (see v. 22). For Paul, this trip was a homecoming of sorts. Years earlier he had left Jerusalem because local Jews were seeking to kill him (9:29–30). He returned not knowing whether his enemies would allow him to stay safely in the city. Was this visit Paul’s return to Jerusalem “fourteen years later” (Gal. 2:1)? We keep this question in abeyance, for it relates to Paul’s visit at the time of the Jerusalem Council (see the commentary on 15:2). Next, verse 30 is the first mention of elders in the Jerusalem church. When Paul and Barnabas established churches in Asia Minor, they appointed elders in each church (14:23; see also 20:17). And when Paul wrote a letter to Titus, who was a pastor on the island of Crete, he instructed him to appoint elders in every town (Titus 1:5). Luke introduces the Greek expression presbyteroi (elders) in connection with the leaders of the Jerusalem church. This leadership was patterned after the Jewish synagogue, in which a council of elders filled a leading role.

Ac 21:10-11 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'"  (RVR) Y permaneciendo nosotros allí algunos días, descendió de Judea un profeta llamado Agabo, 11 quien viniendo a vernos, tomó el cinto de Pablo, y atándose los pies y las manos, dijo: Esto dice el Espíritu Santo: Así atarán los judíos en Jerusalén al varón de quien es este cinto, y le entregarán en manos de los gentiles.

Agabus, a prophet introduced in 11:28, came down from Judea, evidently from Jerusalem, for it was his home and Caesarea was in the province of Judea. Dramatically he illustrated how Paul would be bound in Jerusalem. Prophets often symbolized their predictions (cf. 1 Kings 11:29-31; Isa. 20:2-4; Jer. 13:1-7; Ezek. 4). The fact that Paul would be imprisoned was known by several including Paul himself (Acts 20:23). 12-14. After the people heard that prophecy, they pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem (cf. v. 4). Even Luke joined in the plea, as indicated by the use of we here. But the apostle would not be dissuaded. Though Luke did not say so, apparently one reason this trip to Jerusalem was important to Paul was that he was taking an offering to the Jerusalem believers (cf. 24:17; Rom. 15:25-27; 1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8:13-14; 9:12-13; Gal. 2:10). Paul wanted to make this presentation of money in order to fortify one of his basic doctrines, the unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ (Eph. 2:11-22; 3:6). The distance from Caesarea to Jerusalem is about 65 miles, a two-day journey by horse.

First week Leave Philippi after Easter
Travel to Troas (20:6; five days)
Second week Spend seven days in Troas (20:6)
Third week Travel to Miletus (20:13–16; four days)
Fourth week Travel from Miletus to Tyre (21:1–3; seven days)
Fifth week Spend seven days in Tyre (21:4)
Sixth week Travel to Ptolemais (21:7; one day)
Spend one day in Ptolemais (21:7)
Travel to Caesarea (21:8; one day)
Seventh week Spend several days in Caesarea (21:10, 15)
Travel to Jerusalem (21:15; two or three days)
Arrive in Jerusalem (21:17)

a. “After we had been there several days.” From the data Luke provides in his travel narrative, we can chart how Paul spent the time between Passover and Pentecost: [see chart]

Paul was counting the days prior to Pentecost, for six weeks had passed since he had left Philippi. From Caesarea he would have to travel sixty-five miles to Jerusalem. And this journey would take two, if not three, days. Because of the numerous warnings Paul has received in many places (20:23), he is not interested in arriving early in Jerusalem. He wants to spend his time with Philip (who, incidentally, must have owned a large house to be able to accommodate Paul and his friends). In the meantime, Luke has opportunity to hear from Philip’s lips the accounts of the baptisms of the Samaritans and the Ethiopian official and of his mission work along the coast. b. “A prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.” This is the second time Luke mentions the prophet Agabus (see also 11:28). Why Luke thinks it necessary to introduce this person and his office once more is not clear; perhaps it is because this is the first time Luke meets Agabus. In the preceding decade, Agabus had traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch, where he predicted the coming of a severe famine in the entire Roman world. Paul and Barnabas heard him prophesy in Antioch, and the believers there delegated them to carry gifts to the elders in Judea. Now once again Agabus meets Paul. As a prophet inspired by the Holy Spirit, Agabus comes from Judea, that is, the land of the Jews, with a personal message for Paul. c. “He took Paul’s belt and tied his own hands and feet.” Agabus follows the Old Testament example of the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, who used visual signs to warn the Israelites of their impending exile (see Isa. 20:2; Jer. 13:1–11; Ezek. 4:1–12). Agabus takes the belt that belongs to Paul and deftly ties his own hands and feet with it. The belt presumably was made of cloth and not of leather; a cloth belt would facilitate the process of tying oneself.The difference between Old and New Testament prophets should not be overlooked. While the function of the Old Testament prophets was to reveal the coming of the Messiah, Agabus predicts immediate future events. d. “The Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way, the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man to whom this belt belongs.’ ” The Spirit speaks directly through Agabus and addresses Paul. By this visible sign the Holy Spirit is telling Paul the manner in which he will become a prisoner in Jerusalem. Of course, the facts should not be pushed to their logical extreme; the Jews in Jerusalem did not bind Paul with a belt. Instead, the Jews would have killed Paul if the Roman commander had not intervened. The commander rescued Paul and had him bound with two chains (vv. 31–33). e. “And deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.” With these words, the Holy Spirit is alluding to Jesus, who predicted that he would be betrayed, condemned, and handed over to the Gentiles (Matt. 20:19; Mark 10:33). The Gentiles are the Roman authorities who, influenced by the Jewish hierarchy, crucified Jesus and soon will imprison Paul. Note, however, that the Holy Spirit predicts Paul’s binding and incarceration but not his death. By implication, his gospel ministry will continue even in prison. Though neither of these actions is recorded, both are assumed in what Luke tells us of the Jews’ treatment and the Romans’ handling of Paul (21:30–33; 24:1–9; compare 28:17). We do not need to conclude, as many do, that based on Luke’s report of the arrest, Agabus is mistaken. The prophecy’s wording, especially hand him over to the Gentiles, parallels Jesus’ predictions of his suffering (Lk 9:44; 18:32; 24:7). The theological significance is similar. It is neither the desire nor the just deserts of a righteous person to be given over to the power of enemies (Ps 26[27]:12; 40[41]:3; 73[74]:19; 117[118]:18; 139[140]:9). That is what God has determined as the fate for Israel in punishment for its sins (3 Kingdoms 8:46; 14:16; 2 Chron 25:20). So for this to be prophesied of Paul points to his innocence. As Peter will point out later, Christians are called upon to suffer for the right reason (1 Pet 4:15–16)

Acts 28:25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet: (RVR) Y como no estuviesen de acuerdo entre sí, al retirarse, les dijo Pablo esta palabra: Bien habló el Espíritu Santo por medio del profeta Isaías a nuestros padres, diciendo: (VP) Y como no se ponían de acuerdo entre sí, comenzaron a irse. Pablo les dijo solamente: —Bien habló el Espíritu Santo a los antepasados de ustedes por medio del profeta Isaías, diciendo:

(28:26–27) is a quote from Isaiah 6:9–10. That passage was also quoted by the Lord Jesus Christ as a rebuke of Israel’s hardhearted rejection of the gospel (Matt. 13:14–15; John 12:39–40). Israel’s willful act of rejection was sovereignly confirmed by God; because of continual unbelief, she became unable to believe (John 12:37, 39–40). Obstinate refusal to believe results in calloused hearts, deafened ears, and spiritually blinded eyes. This had happened to Israel both in Isaiah’s day and in Paul’s (Rom. 11:7-10). Interestingly Paul ascribed Isaiah’s words to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:25). 28:23-24 Luke is interested in reporting that Paul preached to a large number of Jews in the capital city. He is true to his purpose in writing the Book of Acts (see 1:8). But in the process he neglects to describe details concerning the size of Paul’s rented quarters, the freedom Paul evidently enjoyed to meet with large numbers of people, and the reaction of the Christians in Rome. These aspects are immaterial to Luke’s purpose. We venture to say that the Jewish leaders encouraged their people to come to Paul’s house on a given day, that permission for this meeting had been granted by the Roman authorities, and that many of the Jews were coming and going. The focus is again on Paul, who takes this opportunity to preach the gospel from morning to evening. We expect this may be from sunrise to sunset. He appears to have boundless energy for speaking for hours without a break (see 20:7, 11). We are reminded of Jesus and his disciples, who at one time were surrounded by a crowd and were not even able to eat (Mark 3:20). Paul teaches the people about God’s kingdom, which is equivalent to teaching them Christ’s gospel. For instance, when Paul taught in the synagogue of Ephesus and in the lecture hall of Tyrannus, he taught the people about “the kingdom of God” and “the word of the Lord” (19:8, 10). In Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesian elders, the phrases gospel of God’s grace and preaching the kingdom signify the same thing (20:24–25). Likewise, in Rome Paul preached “the kingdom of God” to the people and tried to persuade them “concerning Jesus” (see 28:23, 31). Schooled in the Law of Moses and the Prophets, Paul opened the Scriptures for his listeners and tried to explain to them that Jesus of Nazareth is indeed the Messiah. As Jesus opened the Old Testament (the Law and the Prophets) to the men on the way to Emmaus, so Paul tried to persuade the Jews that Jesus fulfilled the messianic prophecies in the Scriptures (compare Luke 24:27). The men of Emmaus believed Jesus’ word when their spiritual eyes were opened, but many Jews in Rome were not to be persuaded.The Jews in Rome were acquainted with and applied the doctrine of works but not the doctrine of grace (compare, e.g., Rom. 4:4; 11:6). When Paul taught the Jews that entrance in the kingdom of God is not by works but by grace, he met opposition and eventual rejection. It was Paul’s desire that his countrymen might be saved and that their zeal for God might be expressed not in terms of righteousness by the law but through faith in Christ (Rom. 10:1–6).Teaching about the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, Paul had to show from the Scriptures that God promised the coming of the Messiah. He introduced the Messiah as the One who would atone for man’s sin; reconcile God to mankind; purchase eternal righteousness; fashion men after the image of God; regenerate his people with his Spirit; make his faithful servants heirs with Christ. To his credit, Paul was able to keep the attention of his audience from morning until evening. Some of the Jews accepted Jesus as the Messiah, but others continued in their unbelief. Throughout his ministry, in places as diverse as Pisidian Antioch, Thessalonica, and Corinth, Paul had experienced the same thing: some believe in Jesus while others reject him (see 13:43–46; 17:4–5; 18:6–8, respectively).25. The Jews did not agree with one another and began to leave after Paul had spoken one last word: “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers.”  a. “The Jews did not agree with one another.” The text implies that the audience is divided on the proper interpretation of the Scriptures. Those who do not believe are at variance with those who do believe. Luke indicates that their disagreement was not of a momentary nature but continued to divide them. Those who disagree with the believers reject not Paul but rather Jesus Christ the Son of God and the Scriptures that testify of him. On the other hand, the Jews who believe become part of the existing churches in Rome and thus strengthen the Christian community. b. “[They] began to leave after Paul had spoken one last word.” Gradually the people begin to depart. Yet Paul wishes to address the unbelieving Jews with a last word from the Scriptures. Hence, not Paul but God himself has the decisive word with the hardened Jews. c. “The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers.” Paul attributes the word he is going to speak, not to the prophet Isaiah, but to the Holy Spirit, who is the primary author of the Scriptures. If the Jews reject the Scriptures, they not only are spurning Isaiah but also are defying the Holy Spirit. In his Word, God has given them the messianic prophecies and has sent his servant Paul to explain to them that Jesus has fulfilled these prophecies. When the Jews have received all the evidence and then refuse to accept the truth of God’s Word, they are defying the living God. For this reason, Paul boldly asserts that the Holy Spirit rightly addressed the forefathers through a word from Isaiah the prophet. The term forefathers allows the Jews to reflect on the historical setting. This word that Isaiah delivered to his contemporaries is now addressed to Paul’s contemporaries in Rome.

 

 

 

 

The Holy Spirit speaks thru Believers: Peter quotes Pss. 69:25; 109:8. Scripture contains no clearer description of divine inspiration. God spoke through David’s mouth, actually referring to his writing. 2 Pet 1:21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.  Psalm 41:9  Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

The Holy Spirit spoke thru nonbelievers: John 11:49-52 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” 51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. (VP) Pero uno de ellos, llamado Caifás, que era el sumo sacerdote aquel año, les dijo: —Ustedes no saben nada, 50 ni se dan cuenta de que es mejor para ustedes que muera un solo hombre por el pueblo, y no que toda la nación sea destruida. 51 Pero Caifás no dijo esto por su propia cuenta, sino que, como era sumo sacerdote aquel año, dijo proféticamente que Jesús iba a morir por la nación judía; 52 y no solamente por esta nación, sino también para reunir a todos los hijos de Dios que estaban dispersos.

APPLICATION: Rev 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.  (RVR) Y el Espíritu y la Esposa dicen: Ven. Y el que oye, diga: Ven. Y el que tiene sed, venga; y el que quiera, tome del agua de la vida gratuitamente. (VP) El Espíritu Santo y la esposa del Cordero dicen: “¡Ven!” Y el que escuche, diga: “¡Ven!” Y el que tenga sed, y quiera, venga y tome del agua de la vida sin que le cueste nada

2 Sam 23:2 "The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his word was on my tongue

MISC

Matt 22:43 He said to them, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him 'Lord'? For he says,      

Mark 12:36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet."'       

Mark 13:11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit

Luke 12:12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."  

2 Pet 1:21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.  

1 Cor 12:3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.      

Rom 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."  

THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS TO PEOPLE (specifically and clearly)

Ac 8:29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."  (RVR) Y el Espíritu dijo a Felipe: Acércate y júntate a ese carro.  (VP) El Espíritu le dijo a Felipe: “Ve y acércate a ese carro.”

27 Ethiopia. In those days, a large kingdom located S of Egypt. eunuch. This can refer to one who had been emasculated or generally, to a government official. It is likely he was both since Luke refers to him as a eunuch and as one who held a position of authority in the queen’s court—that of treasurer, much like a Minister of Finance or Secretary of the Treasury. As a physical eunuch, he would have been denied access to the temple (Deut. 23:1) and the opportunity to become a full proselyte to Judaism. Candace. Probably not a name, but an official title (like Pharaoh or Caesar) given to the queen mothers in that land. 28 reading Isaiah. He knew the importance of seeking God through the Scripture (Luke 24:25–27; John 5:39, 46; Rom. 10:12–15). 32, 33 The place … he read. Isaiah 53:7, 8. 34 whom does the prophet say …? His confusion was understandable. Even the Jewish religious experts were divided on the meaning of this passage. Some believed the slaughtered sheep represented Israel, others thought Isaiah was referring to himself, and others thought the Messiah was Isaiah’s subject. 26. Though Luke gave no record of God’s commanding Philip to preach to the Samaritans (v. 5), God did sovereignly direct Philip toward Gaza 27. The Ethiopian eunuch is described rather fully as an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. “Ethiopia” here refers not to modern-day Ethiopia but to ancient Nubia, the region from Aswan in southern Egypt to Khartoum, Sudan. Candace was a title given to the queen-mother, as Pharaoh was used of the king of Egypt. Governmental power rested in the hands of Candace, for the royal son, worshiped as an offspring of the sun, was therefore above such mundane activities as ruling over a nation. Rulership was therefore vested with the queen-mother. The fact that this eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship is interesting. The Law prohibited eunuchs from entering the Lord’s assembly (Deut. 23:1). However, Isaiah 56:3-5 predicts great blessing for eunuchs in the Millennial Age. Evidently this eunuch was a worshiper of Yahweh though not a full-fledged proselyte. 28-30. The eunuch’s wealth is revealed in the simple description sitting in his chariot. As this finance officer was riding, he was reading from the Book of Isaiah. Since it was customary to read aloud, Philip could have easily heard the portion of Scripture the eunuch was reading (v. 30). Interestingly Philip was guided first by an angel (v. 26) and then by the Holy Spirit (v. 29). The setting in which the call came to Philip to share the gospel with the Ethiopian is noteworthy. This was a time of unusual blessing on the church. To judge from the story, it would even seem that the revival in Samaria was still growing. Philip was an important part of this, being the chief evangelist. Peter and John had been sent to inspect the work, but they had then gone back to Jerusalem to report. Philip was the front-line man. He seemed to be utterly indispensable. Yet it was at precisely this moment when God called him to leave the area. The other striking fact about this call was the area to which the angel sent Philip. He was in a good area, doing a good work, reaching many people. But the angel of the Lord said he wanted Philip to go down to the desert road that stretches south to Gaza on the way to Egypt (Acts 8:26). Isn’t it interesting that God should call Philip at such a time and to such a place? We are not told that Philip objected, and I do not think he did. What God called him to do he did joyfully. But if we were in his place, we might very well have raised objections. I can think of the kinds of objections I might have raised. I might have said, “All right, Lord, but not now. We can get to that region, and no doubt we will—in the proper time. We are in the midst of great blessing here in Samaria, and it would be a great mistake to turn our backs on it. I am the one you sent to do it, through whom, humanly speaking, all this blessing has come.” Or I might have said, “Not me.” I might even have said it humbly. I might have said, “Lord, I’m not the only Christian around. I am involved in work here. Why, look at all those apostles sitting around in Jerusalem. They received the Great Commission too. In fact, they received it from Jesus directly. Why don’t they go? They’re not doing anything except checking up on my work to see if I am doing it right.” Or I could have said, “All right, Lord, but not there. Not to that desert area. Nobody even lives down there. The place to be is where the people are, like right here in Samaria.” But, as I say, I do not think Philip had any of those thoughts at all, because Philip knew something we need to know and that will be very helpful in our lives: God’s ways are not our ways; his thoughts are not our thoughts. How do we know this? We know it because God tells us (Isa. 55:8). This means that although Christianity is not an irrational thing and although none of us are called to be irrational, nevertheless when we are engaged in spiritual work there are always going to be areas we will not fully understand. We will find ourselves asking, “Why does God do that?” Or “Why does he do that rather than something else?” That is just the way it is going to be. Haven’t you ever asked questions like that? I know I have. Take the case of someone who is extremely effective in some particular branch of Christian work. He is the one who gets sick or dies. Do you find yourself asking, “Why that one, Lord? There are all sorts of Christians you could dispense with. Why take the one that is so valuable?” Or we look at a good Christian work. It is spiritual. It is a pioneer effort in some difficult area. But that is the work that does not seem to get the necessary funds to keep going. It struggles and struggles, while other projects that seem weak, superficial, and unnecessary thrive. Don’t you find yourself asking, “Why, Lord? Why are those who work in difficult places struggling?” I can think of some answers to these questions, of course. It is good to struggle. Struggle builds character, just like tribulation builds patience—that sort of thing. But those answers are not always satisfactory.  The real answer from our side of things is that really there is often no answer, at least none that we can comprehend. God’s ways are just not our ways. We just do not know what God is doing. Someday we will know, I think, though it might take us an eternity to find out. We might have to ask God questions one after the other for perhaps one thousand or two thousand years until we get it sorted out. But now we cannot understand it. When Philip was given this call, he did not know what God was going to do with him. I am sure it did not make sense to him to leave what he was doing and go to the desert near Gaza. But that is what God had told him to do; so he did it. Whenever it comes to a choice between our way of thinking and what God says, you know as well as I do that there is no real choice. We must do what God says. If you read the Bible and what you read does not seem to make sense to you but you understand what it is telling you to do, well, you had better do it. That is the only way you or anybody else will find blessing. On the road to Gaza Philip came upon an Ethiopian eunuch. He was part of a history that might have gone back one thousand years. Ethiopia is a name that in ancient times was given to a large area of Africa south of Egypt. Today that land is more limited; it is a smaller country to the southeast of Egypt. But in that day it referred to the whole region of the upper Nile, approximately from Aswan to Khartoum. It is the area from which the Queen of Sheba came in the days of King Solomon. In other words, there had already been a link between that area of the world and Judaism. The Queen of Sheba had been greatly impressed by King Solomon, and Solomon had certainly shared the Scriptures of the Jews with her. Who is to say what may have happened? Over those hundreds of years, who knows what remnant of the true religion may have survived in far-off Ethiopia? We do not have that kind of a history of Ethiopia. But here, in the time of the early church, there was an Ethiopian who for some reason had gotten the idea that in Jerusalem, hundreds of miles away, there was a religion that he should investigate if he was serious about finding God. Perhaps it was something he heard, some tradition that had been passed down to him. So he made the long, long trip to Jerusalem. Another man would not have been able to do it. It was hard to travel in those days, and this was a very long and costly journey. If he had been even a minor official in the court of Candace, he would not have been free to make the journey. But he was an important man, the keeper of the treasury of what was acknowledged by all to be a very rich country. He was free to go because of his position. There is nothing in the story to indicate that he heard anything about Jesus, though it is hard to think that he could be in Jerusalem in those days and get no wind of what was going on. But he was not Hebrew-speaking. He did not know Aramaic. Probably he knew Greek, and it was probably from the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint) that he was reading. Those who study textual matters closely say the way Isaiah 53 is quoted is a clue that this was a Greek Old Testament and not Hebrew. Because the Ethiopian probably did not know Hebrew or Aramaic and because he had been in Jerusalem for what was perhaps a relatively short time, it is possible that he really had not heard about Jesus. But he had certainly entered into the religious life of the Jews. If he was a religious man, as he obviously was, he would have fallen into the category of those the Jews called “God-fearers.” These were people who had not become Jews by circumcision. They could not participate in the formal rites of Judaism. But they could attend the synagogues and discuss religion with the rabbis. This man was a God-fearer; he had reverence for the traditions of Israel. So there was a special place for him. He would have been welcome. Yet I wonder what he found in the religious life of Judaism in those days. We know what Jesus found and what the early apostles were finding. The religious leaders of the nation had great traditions; they had the Old Testament; but they had become hopelessly legalistic. They were more concerned with the jots and tittles of the law than with its spirit. So I suspect that this man from Ethiopia must have been badly disappointed as he confronted Judaism. I suspect too that he found the religion of Israel to be political and disappointing for that reason. If the Pharisees were the party chiefly responsible for the keeping of the law, the Sadducees were the chief political figures. The high priests and his family were Sadducees. They were the ones who had access to the Romans. It is not much different today. People go to churches hungering and thirsting after God, but instead of finding God they find people who are concerned about rules, or politically-minded people. This man had not found God but he had found something. He had found the Scriptures, the religious books of Judaism. Now he was reading them. He was reading from Isaiah, which he had purchased in the city. And now, although he had not found much in the actual religion of the people, he was reading the Word of God. Did he know how valuable the Word of God was? I do not know. Probably that was the very question he was asking, pondering whether this particular religious book, Isaiah, had been worth his long journey. I imagine that he started at the beginning. He had probably read about Isaiah’s call to the ministry: “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple” (Isa. 6:1). He would have read about the seraphim singing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty” (Isa. 6:3). I think if he had come to this chapter, he would have said to himself, Ah, that is what I long for. I want to know God, the holy God. I want a vision of the One for whom my soul is thirsting. As he went on, did he read about the sins of the people and of the fact that sin bars the sinful one from God?Did he read about God’s holiness and his just judgments of human sin?Did he read this great invitation?Come, all you who are thirsty,come to the waters …Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost…… 26. Then an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip and said, “Get ready and go south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is the desert road.) a. “An angel of the Lord.” Luke is rather brief in his report about Philip’s travels. He gives no information about where Philip was when an angel spoke to him. It could be that while he accompanied the apostles to Jerusalem or in one of the Samaritan towns he received the angelic command. Philip’s location is unimportant in the story. What is important is his next assignment, which comes to him through an angel of the Lord. Who is this angel of the Lord? In Acts Luke mentions four actions of the angel: appearing to Moses in the burning bush (Stephen’s speech, 7:30–38), instructing Philip (8:26), setting Peter free (12:7–10), and striking down Herod (12:23). In the case of Philip, Luke reveals that this angel is actually the Spirit of the Lord (vv. 29, 39). Philip is in the service of the Lord, whose Spirit communicates to him through an angel. Whether the angel appeared to Philip or spoke to him in a vision is not known. The message, however, is clear. b. “Get ready and go south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” The Greek text literally says, “Arise.” But because the verb occurs frequently in the New Testament, the context determines its meaning. Here it signifies “get ready.” In other words, the angel instructs Philip to make arrangements for a journey. He tells him the direction he must travel, namely, along the road that winds in a southerly direction from Jerusalem along the Judean hills and then angles westward to the coastal city of Gaza. A traveler could take either of two roads from Jerusalem to Gaza. The first one went straight west to the coastal plains via the village of Lydda and linked with the caravan route between Egypt and Damascus; the other extended southward from Jerusalem to Hebron and then westward to Gaza. Philip’s instructions are to take the second route. In fact, Luke adds an explanatory note and says, “This is the desert road.” It was a road that was not much in use in those days, which indeed made the angel’s command unique. What makes the angel’s command doubly curious is an alternative translation for the expression south in “go south on the road.” This term in Greek can also mean “at midday” (see 22:6). Should this translation be adopted, then the angel would have given Philip the peculiar command to travel at high noon—that is, in the heat of the day—and to take the desert road that was seldom used. The strangeness of this command fits in well with the task that awaits Philip, who is told to travel along a road that leads to Gaza. Translators, however, must determine whether the word desert refers to the road or to the city of Gaza. Strictly speaking, the desert itself begins south of Gaza and extends into Egypt. The term desert could be a reference to the ruins of old Gaza over against the new Gaza. At the beginning of the first century before Christ, the Jews completely destroyed this city. In 57 b.c., by order of the Roman general Pompey, Gaza was rebuilt at a new location along the coast. The ruins of the old city were known as “desert Gaza.” The context, however, seems to favor the translation desert road. The emphasis in the account falls not on cities (Jerusalem and Gaza) but on an Ethiopian official who by reading Scripture becomes a Christian. And Philip meets him along a seldom-traveled road. 27. And he got ready and went. Now an Ethiopian eunuch, who was a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, and her chief treasurer, had gone to Jerusalem to worship. Philip listens obediently to the instructions he receives, gets ready for an extended journey, and travels along the desert road toward Gaza. Because of the unusual direction, Philip realizes that something extraordinary is about to happen. He notices a carriage occupied by a Negro traveling from Jerusalem to Gaza. The traveler is from the African nation of Ethiopia, south of Egypt. Ethiopia stretched from the modern Aswan Dam in the Nile River southward into the Sudan as far as Khartoum. In the Old Testament, Ethiopia is known as Cush (Ezek. 29:10). Its main cities located along the Nile were Meroë, Napata, and Kerma, populated by people of the Nubian race. We assume that Philip is able to identify the Ethiopian because of his race, speech, and dress. And the carriage possibly indicates that it belongs to the Ethiopian royal house. Luke notes that the occupant of the carriage is a eunuch, which normally refers to a keeper of the harem. Such a person was emasculated. However, the term is also used of government officials of that day and perhaps should not be taken literally, for it does not mean that these men were deprived of their male functions. If we understand the word eunuch literally, then we see Christianity removing the barriers that Judaism had erected. A foreigner could become a convert to Judaism, but, because the Ethiopian was a eunuch, he could not fully participate in the temple worship (Deut. 23:1). Although he traveled to Jerusalem for worship, he was still considered a semi-proselyte. Nevertheless, the Old Testament predicted the day when foreigners and eunuchs would no longer be excluded from the fellowship of God’s people (Isa. 56:3–7;  I Kings 8:41–43). We observe that Philip first brings the Samaritans, who were in between the Jew and the Gentile, into the church. Now he leads the Ethiopian, who was a half-convert to Judaism, into the assembly of the Lord. The Ethiopian is a court official of Candace, queen of Ethiopia. (Incidentally, Candace is not the name of a person but the title of the queen mother, who ruled in the place of her son.) The official serves at the royal court as the chief treasurer. He has the prominent position of chancellor of the exchequer, or finance minister, in charge of the royal treasury and national revenue. This Ethiopian man traveled to Jerusalem for worship. He not only worshiped God in his local Jewish synagogue; he also took his religion seriously and went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem (compare John 12:20). Historical records show that numerous Jews had taken up residence in Egypt and Ethiopia. These Jews worshiped Israel’s God and invited the Gentiles to their religious services, with the result that many Gentiles became God-fearers (see also Acts 10:2). 28. As he was returning and sitting in his carriage, he was reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. 29. And the Spirit told Philip, “Go toward this carriage and stay close to it.” In Jerusalem, the official presumably purchases a copy of the Greek translation of Isaiah’s prophecy and, on his way home, passes the time by reading it. In ancient times, people read out loud and thought it strange when a reader would not do so. Indeed, the Jewish rabbis were of the opinion that reading a manuscript aloud was an aid to memorization and silent reading a cause of forgetfulness. The Ethiopian knows that the Word of God will lead him to salvation and is eagerly reading the text of Isaiah’s book. Even though he is unable to understand the full meaning of the text, he is confident that the Jewish people in his homeland will explain it to him. The Holy Spirit now instructs Philip to approach the royal carriage of the official and to stay close to it. Then Philip hears the familiar words of Isaiah from the lips of the Ethiopian and realizes that this man is a God-fearing person who is seeking the way of salvation. In his providence, God is leading Philip to the Ethiopian dignitary just at the time when the official is reading aloud a messianic prophecy from Isaiah’s book. The eunuch who is reading the prophecy is unable to understand Isaiah’s message and needs someone to explain it to him. Furthermore, he is reading from the Greek, which is Philip’s native tongue. This is the point of contact that Philip needs to overcome his initial hesitancy in approaching the royal carriage. 30. Then Philip ran toward it and heard the Ethiopian reading from the book of Isaiah the prophet. He asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31. “How can I unless someone explains it to me?” the official replied. He invited Philip to come up and sit with him. The Ethiopian official had purposely chosen the less-traveled road from Jerusalem to Gaza to allow him time to read the Scriptures. Undoubtedly, the carriage was driven by a servant who was told to travel at a walking speed. Thus, Philip could easily keep up with the carriage and listen closely to what the official was reading. Philip knew the messianic prophecies of Isaiah by heart and immediately recognized the words that were read aloud. What a marvelous opportunity to teach Christ’s gospel! Here is a man who eagerly reads God’s Word but is unable to understand its meaning. Then, guided and prompted by the Holy Spirit, Philip hears the words spoken by this person. He knows that God has placed him here at this moment to lead the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ. Thus he asks the engaging question, “Do you understand what you are reading?” In the Greek, the question has a play on words which is apparent even in transliteration: ginoskeis ha anaginoskeis. The idiom reveals that the conversation is conducted in Greek, the language common to both men. And a possible linguistic barrier has been removed. Philip actually interrupts the reading exercise of the Ethiopian, but he expects that the man will not take offense. On the contrary, with his question, he suggests a readiness to help the reader in understanding the Scriptures. And the official responds affably to what Philip asks. His response is interesting, for he answers Philip with a counterquestion: “How can I unless someone explains it to me?” He openly admits his ignorance and his inability to grasp the meaning of the text he is reading. Differences in rank, race, and nationality disappear when the Ethiopian acknowledges his need for an interpreter. Neither pride nor shame mars the relationship that is developing between these two men. The eunuch turns to Philip, who as a Jew knows the prophecies of Scripture and as a Christian knows how to explain their fulfillment. Jesus Christ is at the core of these prophecies, for he is the one about whom the prophet Isaiah speaks. Christ’s gospel begins with these messianic prophecies and demonstrates that Jesus has fulfilled them. Further, Christ sends out his servants to interpret the message of salvation for people who are ready to receive the Good News. The wording of the official’s question expresses perplexity (“How can I?”) and a need for a guide (“unless someone guides me”). This is “a very obvious metaphor for a teacher, when life is thought of as a road, and the church is called ‘the way.’ ” Philip is ready to open the Scriptures to lead the Ethiopian to Christ. Notice the distinct parallel with the account of the two men on the way to Emmaus when Jesus met them. Jesus explained to them what the Scriptures said about him (Luke 24:27). Moreover, in the upper room Jesus promised the eleven disciples the coming of the Holy Spirit, who would guide them in all truth (John 16:13). But let us return to the Ethiopian eunuch. The visit to Jerusalem has not been a rewarding experience for the Ethiopian official. He has failed to find answers to spiritual questions, and even though he heard the name of Jesus mentioned, he has not come to an understanding of the truth. When Philip offers to interpret the Scriptures for him, the seeker is ready. Philip is invited to come up into the carriage, sit next to the official, and explain the text of the Scripture passage. 32. Now the passage of Scripture he was reading was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who will tell his descendants, because his life was taken from the earth?”

Ac 10:19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three men are looking for you. (RVR) Y mientras Pedro pensaba en la visión, le dijo el Espíritu: He aquí, tres hombres te buscan. (VP) Y mientras Pedro todavía estaba pensando en la visión, el Espíritu Santo le dijo: “Mira, tres hombres te buscan.

Ac 11:12 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man's house. (RVR) Y el Espíritu me dijo que fuese con ellos sin dudar. Fueron también conmigo estos seis hermanos, y entramos en casa de un varón  (VP) El Espíritu me mandó que, sin dudarlo, fuera con ellos. Y también fueron conmigo estos seis hermanos. Todos entramos en casa de cierto hombre [sin hacer ninguna distinción]

In marvelous timing and by the coordination of the sovereign God the three messengers and Peter met. The Holy Spirit, who told Peter about the arrival of the three men, may have been the One whose unidentified voice Peter heard earlier (vv. 13, 15). The vision left Peter greatly perplexed in mind as to what the vision which he had seen might signify. That meaning was twofold. On the negative side, it signified the abolishing of the Old Testament dietary restrictions (Mark 7:14–23; Rom. 14:1–3; Col. 2:16–17; 1 Tim. 4:1–5). Such separating features were now counterproductive, since God was bringing Jews and Gentiles together in the church, not keeping them apart. On the positive side, the vision pictured the inclusion of both the Gentiles, symbolized by the unclean animals, and the Jews, symbolized by the clean ones, into one body. Peter’s perplexity was short-lived. At that very moment, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions for Simon’s house, appeared at the gate; and calling out, they were asking whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there. They arrived while Peter was reflecting on the vision, still trying to figure out what the Lord was saying. The time had come for the encounter that would clear up Peter’s confusion, so the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. But arise, go downstairs, and accompany them without misgivings; for I have sent them Myself.” God not only sovereignly prepared Cornelius and Peter but also sovereignly determined and arranged the timing of bringing them together. 19. While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Three men are looking for you. 20. But get up and go downstairs. Accompany them without hesitation, for I myself have sent them.” Peter is still in deep thought and has not heard any of the conversation between his host and the visitors. The Spirit of God addresses him and tells him that three men are at the door and want to meet him. Luke often records that the Spirit instructs God’s servants to go somewhere or do something ( 8:29, 39; 11:12; 13:2; 21:11). The Spirit informs Peter how many men are looking for him, but not who they are. However, to calm Peter’s mind, the Spirit instructs him to go downstairs and not to show any hesitation. The Spirit assures Peter that he has sent these men to Joppa to meet the apostle. Peter has to overcome at least two causes for hesitation when he meets the men at the gate. First, he knows that they are Gentiles who have traveled and need accommodation. That is, Peter and his host must lay aside the Jewish restrictions on associating with Gentiles. They must feed these men and provide shelter for one night. Second, Peter ought to lay aside any fear of being in the presence of a Roman soldier and two servants of a Roman officer at a time of political tension between the Jews and the Romans. When the Holy Spirit removes Peter’s fears by telling him that God has sent the three men to him, the meaning of the vision becomes clear to Peter. God himself has assured Peter that what he has declared clean, Peter ought not to call unclean. God wants Peter to associate with these Gentiles. And they, in turn, will relate to him the account of the angel of God who visited Cornelius. This is the confirmation Peter receives, namely, to know that God is interpreting the vision for him in terms relating to gospel ministry. 21. So Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What brings you here?” 22. They said, “Cornelius, an officer, a man who is righteous and fears God and is respected by all the Jewish people, has sent us. A holy angel told him to summon you to the house of Cornelius to hear a message from you.” Peter meets the men at the gate and introduces himself as the person they want to see. He asks them why they have come to Joppa and why they want to meet him. Then he hears the details concerning the spiritual and moral life of Cornelius, a Roman military officer in Caesarea. The messengers portray Cornelius as a righteous man who fears God. In other words, they tell Peter that Cornelius worships God in the local synagogue and also in his home. They add that Cornelius has the respect of all the Jewish people, specifically, those residing in Caesarea. This last point is significant, for the Jews would not testify to his godliness if the officer did not worship Israel’s God. Then the men inform Peter about the angelic visit to Cornelius some two days earlier. They relate that in obedience to the message that the centurion received, they have come to meet Simon Peter in Joppa. They describe the angel as “holy.” By respecting the holiness of the angel, they show their sincerity and faithfulness. They also relay the meaningful information that the angel gave to Cornelius, namely, to invite Simon Peter to deliver the gospel message in the officer’s home in Caesarea. Here, then, is the purpose of their mission, and they look to Peter for a reply. Unfortunately, Luke is brief in his account and fails to describe Peter’s reaction. How the apostle must have marveled at God’s guiding care and purposeful design! What a realization it must have been for him that the church was about to enter a new phase of its ministry! To be sure, the vision and the visit of the three men from Caesarea testify to the changes that are about to happen.

Ac 20:23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. (RVR)  salvo que el Espíritu Santo por todas las ciudades me da testimonio, diciendo que me esperan prisiones y tribulaciones. (VP) Lo único que sé es que, en todas las ciudades a donde voy, el Espíritu Santo me dice que me esperan la cárcel y muchos sufrimientos.

 

22 bound in the spirit. Paul’s deep sense of duty toward the Master who had redeemed him and called him to service drove him onward despite the threat of danger and hardship (v. 23). 23 Holy Spirit testifies. Paul knew he faced persecution in Jerusalem (cf. Rom. 15:31), though he would not know the details until he heard Agabus’ prophecy (21:10, 11). 24 my race … the ministry … received from the Lord Jesus. Cf. 2 Tim. 4:7. gospel of the grace of God. An apt description, since salvation is solely by God’s grace (Eph. 2:8, 9; Titus 2:11). 25 you all … will see my face no more. Aware that he faced severe opposition in Jerusalem, Paul did not anticipate ever returning to Asia Minor. Though he may have done so after his release from his first Roman imprisonment, he could not at this time have foreseen that possibility. 22. Here Paul began to describe present circumstances (vv. 22-27). The NIV words, compelled by the Spirit, are literally, “bound in the Spirit” (dedemenos . . . tō pneumati). Probably this refers to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in the apostle’s life (Luke 2:27; 4:1; Acts 8:29; 10:19; 11:12; 16:6-7). Paul’s reason for going to Jerusalem, though not stated, evidently was to take the offering from churches to the poor saints in Jerusalem (24:17). 23. Already Paul had been warned by the Holy Spirit—that is, evidently by people with the Spirit-given gift of prophecy—that prison and hardships awaited him in Jerusalem. He anticipated troubles in Jerusalem when he wrote Romans 15:30-31. Yet he was determined to go there (Acts 19:21; 20:16). As an excellent servant of Jesus Christ, Paul had a single-minded devotion to his one life’s purpose. He described himself as bound in spirit by his strong compulsion to fulfill his ministry. Deō (bound) is commonly used to refer to physical binding with chains or ropes (cf. Matt. 14:3; 21:2; 27:2; Acts 9:2; 12:6; 21:11). It is used figuratively to speak of the powerful tie of the marriage bond (Rom. 7:2; 1 Cor. 7:27, 39). Paul’s sense of duty and responsibility to his Master drove him on his way to Jerusalem, not knowing specifically what would happen to him once he arrived there. He did know, however, that the Holy Spirit solemnly testified to him in every city he visited that bonds and afflictions awaited him ( Rom. 15:31). It was revealed to Paul that he faced persecution in Jerusalem, though what that specifically would entail had not yet been disclosed. That would later be made clear to him by the prophet Agabus when he arrived in Palestine (21:10–11). Paul’s response to the situation reveals his sacrificial spirit: I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, he told them, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. Only one thing mattered to Paul: to finish the work God had given him to do. What happened to him was of no consequence (21:13) when compared to the unique nature of his calling from Christ Himself—on which all the accusations against him hinged. It must be noted that the message the apostle preached and all preachers echo is called the gospel of the grace of God. The clear emphasis is on grace, the unmerited favor of God by which He forgives undeserving sinners the totality of their sins and freely, mercifully gives them the complete righteousness of Jesus Christ. Paul successfully fulfilled his ministry to the very end of his life. As his death drew near, he wrote triumphantly to Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). And after he paid the ultimate price for his devoted, loyal service to Jesus Christ, he no doubt heard from his beloved Master the words “Well done, good and faithful slave …enter into the joy of your master” (Matt. 25:21). It should be the goal of all Christians to complete successfully the ministry God has given them. To do so requires that they maintain a proper perspective of their ministry as it relates to God, believers, unbelievers, and themselves. To do less is unworthy of the Lord who graciously called them into His service. 22. “And now, I am compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, though I do not know what will happen to me there, 23. except the Holy Spirit has told me that in every city imprisonments and afflictions await me.” After reminding his audience of the work he had performed among them in earlier days, Paul in the second part of his speech tells them why he is on his way to Jerusalem. a. “And now, I am compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem.” The Ephesian elders knew of Paul’s desire to travel to Jerusalem, for while he was still teaching in the lecture hall of Tyrannus he had expressed a desire to proceed to that city (19:21). Probably they were amazed that instead of going south and east toward Palestine, Paul instead went north and west to Macedonia and Greece (20:1). The reason for sailing to Jerusalem, according to the nuances of the Greek text, was that for some time already Paul was bound, that is, under obligation to make the trip. Was it a desire within Paul’s human spirit or was Paul prompted by the Holy Spirit? We try to answer this question by looking at the broader context. In Acts, Luke shows that the Holy Spirit worked in many people. Thus, the Spirit induced  Philip to approach the Ethiopian official (8:29), Peter to accompany the men sent by Cornelius (10:20; 11:12), the church in Antioch to commission Barnabas and Paul (13:2), and Paul to bypass the regions of Asia and Mysia (16:6–7). At times, Luke uses the word spirit when he refers to the human spirit (18:25). Often he shows precision when in Greek he delimits this word with a possessive adjective (my or his spirit; see Luke 1:47; Acts 17:16). In verse 22, Luke appears to indicate that he is alluding to the Spirit, especially when in the following verse (v. 23) he explictly writes, “the Holy Spirit.” Conclusively, Paul is driven by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem. b. “Though I do not know what will happen to me there.” The Holy Spirit compels Paul to journey to Jerusalem, but Paul has not been told what awaits him there. Paul himself has no innate knowledge of future events. But he experiences that the Spirit is revealing details to him as he continues his travel. During the course of his voyage (to be precise, in both Tyre and Caesarea), Paul receives additional information. In Tyre, the Christians warn him not to continue to Jerusalem (21:4). And in Caesarea, the prophet Agabus reveals to Paul that in Jerusalem he will be bound and delivered to the Gentiles (21:10–11). Three days after Paul’s conversion, Jesus said to Ananias in Damascus that Jesus would show Paul how much he would have to suffer for the sake of Christ’s revelation (9:16). Even though Paul had endured much suffering (2 Cor. 11:23–29), he knows that he will be imprisoned and will suffer adversities in Jerusalem and elsewhere. As Paul himself says, “the Holy Spirit has told me that in every city imprisonments and afflictions await me.” The closer he comes to Jerusalem, the more clearly the Spirit speaks to him about his impending sufferings. The text gives no evidence that Paul delayed his journey to postpone or avoid the afflictions that await him. He does not resist the Spirit but obediently listens and permits him to govern his life. Hence, Paul explicitly states: 24. “However, I do not consider my life worthy of any account; I wish to finish the race and fulfill the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, namely, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.”  Both in the presence of the believers in Caesarea and in his writings, Paul declares that he is ready to yield everything, including his life, to Jesus Christ (21:13; II Cor. 12:10; Phil. 1:20–21; 2:17; 3:8). Paul states that he is running a race to fulfill his ministry, a metaphor he repeats in his last epistle, which he wrote before his death: “I have finished the race” (II Tim. 4:7). Paul’s conversion experience was the beginning of that race, which he now expects to end. He knows that the purpose of this race is to complete the work Jesus has given him to do, namely, the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace (compare II Cor. 5:18). c. Intention. Paul’s words should not necessarily be understood to mean that he expected his life’s task to come to a speedy end in Jerusalem. Earlier he expressed his desire to travel to Rome (19:21), and in his epistle to the church in the imperial city he writes that he wishes to go to Spain (Rom. 15:24, 28). He saw his task expanding in widening circles from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth (1:8). The gospel itself discloses God’s grace to his people. In his farewell address, Paul uses this concept once again when he commends the elders to God and to the word of his grace (v. 32). Correspondingly, at the Jerusalem Council Peter said that the Gentiles are saved through the grace of Jesus (15:11). Salvation is God’s gift of grace, which the sinner appropriates in faith.

THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS TO THE CHURCH

Ac 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (RVR) Ministrando éstos al Señor, y ayunando, dijo el Espíritu Santo: Apartadme a Bernabé y a Saulo para la obra a que los he llamado. (VP) Un día, mientras estaban celebrando el culto al Señor y ayunando, el Espíritu Santo dijo: “Sepárenme a Bernabé y a Saulo para el trabajo al cual los he llamado.

Revelation 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.  

Revelation 2:11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.  

Revelation 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says  to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.  

Revelation 2:29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says  to the churches.  

Revelation 3:6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says  to the churches.  

Revelation 3:13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  

Revelation 3:22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says  to the churches."  

 

13:1 Chapter 13 marks a turning point in Acts. The first 12 chapters focus on Peter; the remaining chapters revolve around Paul. With Peter, the emphasis is the Jewish church in Jerusalem and Judea; with Paul, the focus is the spread of the Gentile church throughout the Roman world, which began at the church in Antioch. prophets. These had a significant role in the apostolic church (1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 2:20). They were preachers of God’s Word and were responsible in the early years of the church to instruct local congregations. On some occasions, they received new revelation that was of a practical nature (cf. 11:28; 21:10), a function that ended with the cessation of the temporary sign gifts. Their office was also replaced by pastor-teachers and evangelists (Eph. 4:11). Barnabas. See 4:36. Simeon … called Niger. “Niger” means “black.” He may have been a dark-skinned man, an African, or both. No direct evidence exists to equate him with Simon of Cyrene (Mark 15:21). Lucius of Cyrene. Not the Lucius of Rom. 16:21, or Luke, the physician and author of Acts. who had been brought up with. Can be translated “foster-brother.” Manean was reared in Herod the Great’s household. Herod the tetrarch. Herod Antipas, the Herod of the gospels (Matt. 14:1). 13:2 ministered. This is from a Grk. word which in Scripture describes priestly service. Serving in leadership in the church is an act of worship to God, and consists of offering spiritual sacrifices to Him, including prayer, oversight of the flock, plus preaching and teaching the Word. fasted. This is often connected with vigilant, passionate prayer (Neh. 1:4; Ps. 35:13; Dan. 9:3; Matt. 17:21; Luke 2:37), and includes either a loss of desire for food or the purposeful setting aside of eating to concentrate on spiritual issues (Matt. 6:16,17). 13:1. The church at Antioch now became the base of operation for Saul’s ministry. Jerusalem was still the mother church, but the missionary church was Antioch on the Orontes River. Furthermore, Peter was no longer the central figure; Saul became that. The diversity in the backgrounds of the leaders of the church at Antioch shows the cosmopolitan nature of the church. Barnabas was a Jew from Cyprus (4:36). Simeon was also a Jew, but his Latin nickname Niger not only indicates he was of dark complexion but also that he moved in Roman circles. He could be the Simon of Cyrene who carried Christ’s cross (Matt. 27:32; Mark 15:21), but this is highly debatable. Lucius was from Cyrene in North Africa (cf. Acts 11:20). Manaen had high contacts for he had been reared with Herod the tetrarch, actually Herod Antipas, who beheaded John the Baptist and who treated the Lord so shamefully at His trial (see the chart on the Herod family at Luke 1:5). One in that court (Manaen) became a disciple; the other (Herod) an antagonist! At the end of the list, for he was last on this scene, was Saul, a Jew trained in Rabbinical schools. Despite their variegated backgrounds, these men functioned as one. Perhaps the name of Barnabas appears first in the list because as the delegate from the mother church in Jerusalem he held the priority position.  13:2. Evidently God made His will known by means of the “prophets” in the church (v. 1). Frequently in Acts the Holy Spirit gave directives to God’s leaders (8:29; 10:19; 13:4). Here He directed the five, while they were worshiping . . . and fasting, to set apart for Him Barnabas and Saul. Once again the principle of two men working together is underscored. The verb “set apart” (aphorizō) is used of three separations in Saul’s life—at his birth he was separated to God (Gal. 1:15); at his conversion he was set apart for the gospel (Rom. 1:1); and in Antioch he was separated for a specific service (Acts 13:2). 13:3. The church leaders placed their hands on Barnabas and Saul and sent them off. The laying on of hands identified the church with their ministry and acknowledged God’s direction for them (Ananias’ identifying himself with Saul by laying hands on him, 9:17). Two of the choicest were sent on this significant mission.

Acts 11 introduced a leadership and a congregation that God used to make things happen—the Antioch church, the first beachhead of Christianity in the pagan world. That church had an impressive beginning. Acts 11:21 records that “a large number who believed turned to the Lord” under the ministry of Hellenistic Jews who fled Jerusalem following Stephen’s martyrdom (11:19–20). The Antioch church grew dramatically under the capable leadership of Barnabas and Saul (11:26). It was in Antioch that the name Christians was first given to the followers of Jesus Christ (11:26). Although it was intended as a derisive term, the believers wore it as a badge of honor. Members of this largely Gentile church showed their love for their Jewish brethren by sending them famine relief (11:27–30). But of all the factors that made the Antioch church strong, the most significant was its submission to the Holy Spirit. Both the leaders (11:24; 13:9) and the congregation (13:2, 4) of the Antioch church were Spirit-filled. They were utterly dependent on the Spirit, who energized every phase of their ministry. What marks a Spirit-filled church? A Spirit-filled church may be defined simply as one whose members walk in obedience to the will of God. Since God reveals His will in Scripture, a Spirit-filled church must be deeply committed to the Word of God. Indeed, a comparison of Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3 reveals that being filled with the Spirit and letting the Word richly dwell in one’s life produce the same effects. Therefore they are the two sides of the same spiritual reality. Chapter 13 marks a turning point in Acts. The first twelve chapters have focused on the ministry of Peter; the remaining chapters focus on Paul. Until now the emphasis has been on the Jewish church in Jerusalem and Judea; chapters 13–28 describe the spread of the Gentile church throughout the Roman world. And it was from the dynamic, doctrinally sound, growing, Spirit-controlled church at Antioch that the flag of Gentile missions was unfurled. It had spiritual leaders, with a spiritual ministry, who went on a spiritual mission, faced spiritual opposition, and experienced spiritual victory.

Spiritual Leaders Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. (13:1) Effective, strong churches inevitably have godly leaders, and the church at Antioch was no exception. God has always put a premium on spiritual leadership (Acts 6:3; 1 Tim. 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9; cf. Hos. 4:9; Matt. 9:36). These five men were the heart of the ministry at Antioch. Luke describes them as prophets and teachers, two important New Testament terms. Prophets played a significant role in the apostolic church (cf. 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 2:20; 3:5; 4:11). Like the apostles, they were preachers of God’s Word and were responsible in the early years of the church to instruct the local congregations. Sometimes they received new revelation from God, as in Acts 11:28 and 21:10–11. Both of those incidents record that the prophets, in contrast to the apostles, received practical, not doctrinal revelation. The prophets’ function as receivers of divine revelation ended with the cessation of the temporary sign gifts. Even their office, like that of the apostles, was replaced by pastor-teachers and evangelists (cf. Eph. 4:11–12), who were the elders and overseers (1 Tim. 3:1ff.; Titus 1:5–9). The prophets edified the saints by preaching expositions of existing revelation (cf. 1 Thess. 5:20). Although prophets of that unique kind no longer exist, the similar gift for preaching the Word of God remains. It is given to pastors and evangelists, who proclaim what Peter called “the prophetic word” (2 Pet. 1:19) and is still vital to the spiritual health of the church (cf. Rom. 10:14–18). All the way to the return of the Lord, the “spirit of prophecy” continues to be “the testimony of Jesus” (Rev. 19:10). Teachers are critical in today’s church (1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11; James 3:1). Theirs is the ministry of giving others a clear understanding of biblical truth. The distinctive of the ministry of teachers is its emphasis on pedagogy rather than on proclamation. That they are somewhat different from preachers seems apparent in texts that discuss both, though the same gifted man can sometimes perform both functions, as Acts 15:35 indicates. Antioch had five men who were both preachers and teachers of God’s Word. It was through their ministry that the church was built up in the faith. Barnabas has already appeared several times in Acts. From 4:36 we learn he was a Levite from the island of Cyprus. His birth name was Joseph, but the apostles named him Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement”—an apt description of this gentle, loving man. It was Barnabas who convinced the skeptical and suspicious believers at Jerusalem that Saul’s conversion was genuine (9:27). The Jerusalem fellowship sent him to investigate the rumors that Gentiles had been saved in Antioch (11:22)—a sign of the high esteem in which the Jerusalem church held him. He brought Saul from Tarsus and got him involved in the ministry in Antioch (11:25–26). Barnabas, along with Saul, carried the Antioch church’s contributions for the relief of the Judean church to Jerusalem (11:30). Little is known about Simeon, Lucius, and Manaen. Luke’s note that Simeon was called Niger (which means “black”) may suggest that he was a dark-skinned man, an African, or both. While some identify him with Simon of Cyrene, who carried Jesus’ cross (Mark 15:21), there is no direct evidence for that identification. Lucius, but not Simeon, is identified with the city of Cyrene in North Africa. There is nothing to link him with the Lucius whom Paul greets in Romans 16:21 and certainly no evidence to identify him (as some have argued) as Luke the physician. Manaen was notable, Luke records, because he had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch (Herod Antipas, the Herod of the gospels). Suntrophos (had been brought up with) can be translated “foster-brother.” He had been reared in Herod the Great’s household along with Herod Antipas. Saul, or Paul, needs no introduction. Through his tireless efforts the gospel spread throughout the Gentile world. These were the shepherds who led the flock to effectiveness and impact. Spiritual Ministry And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, (13:2a) The responsibility of spiritual shepherds is spiritual ministry. Unlike many in the ministry today who are busy with shallow activities and programs, the leaders at Antioch understood their spiritual mandate clearly. They patterned themselves after the apostles, who, according to Acts 6:4, devoted themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. Those are ever the priorities for the man of God. Ministering is from leitourgeō, a word that originally meant “to discharge a public office.” It was “used of the Attic orators who served the state at their own cost” The leaders of the Antioch church faithfully discharged the office God called them to and fulfilled their ministry (2 Tim. 4:5). In Scripture, however, leitourgeō means more than public service; it describes priestly service. In the Septuagint it described the priests who ministered in the tabernacle (Ex. 28:41). Serving in a leadership role in the church must be viewed as an act of worship to God. Such service consists of offering spiritual sacrifices to Him (Heb. 13:15–16), including prayer, oversight of the flock, studying, and preaching and teaching the Word. Their ministering was not to the congregation but to the Lord. It is crucial to understand that God is the audience for all spiritual ministry ( Acts 20:19–20). Those whose goal is ministering to people will be tempted to compromise to achieve that end. Making the Lord the object of ministry obviates the need for compromise. Like the Macedonian believers, those in ministry must give themselves first to the Lord and only then to other believers (2 Cor. 8:5). They are to “be diligent to present [themselves] approved to God,” not to men (2 Tim. 2:15). The man of God, like every believer, does his “work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,” because “it is the Lord Christ whom [he serves]” (Col. 3:23–24). The Bible frequently connects fasting with times of vigilant, passionate prayer (cf. Neh. 1:4; Ps. 35:13; Dan. 9:3; Matt. 17:21; Luke 2:37; 5:33; Acts 14:23). Believers may become so concerned with spiritual issues that they lose the desire to eat, or they set aside food to concentrate on intense intercession. Those who know little of fasting perhaps know little about such concern. Scripture nowhere commands believers to fast, but Jesus assumed His followers would do so (Matt. 6:17; Luke 5:33–35). In sharp contrast to the showy, hypocritical fasting of the Pharisees, believers’ fasting is for God’s eyes only (Matt. 6:16–18). Spiritual Mission the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. And when they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their helper. (13:2b–5) Spiritual men with effective spiritual ministry will see God extend their spiritual mission. God chooses for further ministry those already actively serving Him. He is not likely to take idle Christians down from the shelf, dust them off, and entrust them with important work. Saul and Barnabas were deeply involved in ministering to the Lord when their call to further service came. God chose experienced, proven men for the vitally important mission to the Gentiles. The truth that all ministry is to be done for the Lord is here reinforced by the Spirit’s command to set apart Barnabas and Saul for Himself. They were His men, to use as He would and send wherever He desired. Another principle that flows out of this text is that God sovereignly calls men to the ministry. The church did not choose Saul and Barnabas. Indeed, they would probably have been the last two chosen, since they were the best the church had. Nor did Saul and Barnabas volunteer. Instead, the Spirit sovereignly called them to full-time missionary service. A final principle to be gleaned from this text is the importance of waiting for God’s timing. The Antioch church did not concoct schemes or map out strategies to reach the Gentile world. Instead, it concentrated on carrying out the ministries God had already entrusted to it. An important feature in discerning God’s will for the future is to do His will in the present. How the Holy Spirit communicated to the church is not revealed. Presumably He spoke through one of the prophets. However the message was communicated, the church’s response was instant obedience. There was no grumbling or resentment; the Holy Spirit demanded the church’s best, and Antioch joyously provided Saul and Barnabas. After they had fasted and prayed, no doubt for the success of Saul and Barnabas’s ministry, the leaders laid their hands on them. The laying on of hands neither granted Saul and Barnabas the Holy Spirit nor ordained them to ministry. Both had already received the Spirit (Acts 9:17; 11:24) and had been serving in the ministry for many years. The laying on of hands simply signified identification, confirmation, and unity in their upcoming mission (cf. Num. 8:10; 27:18–23). Having prayed for Saul and Barnabas and having publicly identified with them, the Antioch church sent them away. A better translation of apoluō (sent them away) might be “they let them go,” or “they released them.” It is clear from verse 1 that the Spirit, not the church, sent out the two missionaries. Since He had already sent them, all the church could do was cut the cord and let them go. That truth is repeated in verse 4, where Luke relates that the missionaries were sent out by the Holy Spirit.

In the first three verses of this chapter, Luke continues the account about the church in Antioch and portrays it as an important center of the Christian faith (11:19–30). One of its first ministries was to send relief to the famine-stricken believers in Jerusalem (11:27–30). Antioch next gained prominence when the church sent missionaries to the Gentile world, initially to Cyprus and Asia Minor and later to Macedonia and Greece. Luke mentions Antioch fourteen times, while Paul refers to it once (Gal. 2:11). As the church develops, Luke calls attention to Antioch instead of Jerusalem as the center of activity. He decisively places the church in Antioch on the same level as the church in Jerusalem when he relates the principal names of those who gave leadership in the Antiochean church. 1. In the church at Antioch were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

a. Church. In the first twelve chapters of Acts, the word church consistently refers to the gathering of Christians in Jerusalem. But when the believers in Antioch received instruction from Barnabas and Paul, Luke refers to them as a church (11:26). The Christians in Antioch became a church when they regularly heard the gospel preached, received instruction in the faith, appointed church leaders, and implemented their vision for mission to the world. However, we know that the church is one body even if its members gather in different places and countries. The believers in Antioch, therefore, belonged to the same church as those in Jerusalem.

b. Office. The church at Antioch had a number of prophets and teachers. From the Greek we are unable to discern whether the words prophets and teachers signify two separate offices or if a person can be both prophet and teacher. Paul, for example, speaks of “pastors and teachers” (Eph. 4:11); in his view, a person fills one office that has a dual function. Further, he places the prophets in a separate category, which is listed after that of apostleship. We must conclude that the New Testament reveals a difference between prophets and teachers. “Whereas teachers expound Scripture, cherish the tradition about Jesus and explain the fundamentals of the catechism, the prophets, not bound by Scripture or tradition, speak to the congregation on the basis of revelations” (see I Cor. 14:29–32). Luke describes both Barnabas and Paul as teachers in the Antiochean church (11:26), but in the list of five names (13:1) he refrains from specifying who is a teacher and who is a prophet and thus leaves the matter unresolved.

c. Names. Of the five church leaders, Barnabas is listed first. This is understandable, because the Jerusalem church commissioned him to minister to the spiritual needs of the believers in Antioch (11:22). The next person listed is Simeon called Niger. We assume that others bore the name Simeon, so that further identification became necessary. The word niger (Latin: black) undoubtedly refers to Simeon’s complexion and descent. Because Luke lists him with Lucius of Cyrene, the possibility is not remote that Simeon also was a native of North Africa. We are unable to ascertain whether Simeon is the same person as Simon of Cyrene, who carried Jesus’ cross (Matt. 27:32), or if Lucius is the one for whom Paul extended greetings to Rome (Rom. 16:21). Both men probably were among those refugees who, having fled Jerusalem because of the persecution following the death of Stephen, came as far as Antioch and were originally from Cyprus and Cyrene (11:19–20). Manaen is next. His name is a Greek form of the Hebrew word Menaḥem, which means “comforter.” Luke describes him as a man “who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch.” This description denotes that Manaen was a foster brother of Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea (4:27; Matt. 14:1–12; Mark 6:14–29; Luke 3:1). Manaen, an influential person of royal descent and a Christian in Antioch, provided Luke with information about Herod Antipas and possibly about other members of the Herodian family.

The last person is Paul, here listed with his Hebrew name, Saul. At the invitation of Barnabas, he had come to the Antiochean church as a teacher when the work became too taxing for Barnabas (11:25–26). “Among the veterans at Antioch, with remarkable modesty, he was content with the lowest place.” 2. As they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3. Then after having fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them away.a. “As they were worshiping the Lord and fasting.” The term worship, a typical Old Testament religious term, formerly described the service of the priests at the temple in Jerusalem (Luke 1:23). But in verse 2 Luke for the first time applies the word to Christian practice. By his use of the word worship Luke shows continuity with the past but also subtly indicates a different, spiritualized emphasis. In the new form of worship, we see not the priests at the altar but every believer at church in prayer.In these verses Luke also indicates that the Christians in Antioch combined prayer with the Jewish custom of fasting; the two practices were linked only on special occasions (see 14:23).The immediate context of verses 2 and 3 seems to restrict the reference to worship to the five prophets and teachers Luke has mentioned (v. 1). But there are at least three objections to this interpretation. First, a worship service is meant for all the believers in the church. Next, the entire Antiochean church was involved in commissioning Barnabas and Saul, for upon their return the missionaries reported to the church what God had done (14:27). And last, the Holy Spirit moves the church and not merely five people to engage in mission work.

b. “The Holy Spirit said, ‘Appoint for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ ” While the church prayed, the Holy Spirit spoke through the prophets and made his will known. Through his Spirit God enlarges the church and appoints his servants to the tasks he gives them. God, then, appoints Barnabas and Paul as missionaries. Jesus had called Paul to be an apostle to the Gentiles, but both Barnabas and Paul had been teaching in the Antiochean church. Now the Holy Spirit called the believers to appoint these two men to a specific task: to proclaim the Good News to the world. For the church in Antioch this meant that these believers, by commissioning Barnabas and Paul, would lose two able teachers; that they would promise prayer support for the missionaries; and that Antioch would continue to be a mission center.

Both Paul and Barnabas had been called to be apostles to the Gentiles. In fact, when Luke refers to these men on their first missionary journey, he calls them “apostles” (14:14; and see I Cor. 9:1–6). The work that the Holy Spirit assigns to Barnabas and Paul is to acquaint the world with Christ’s gospel and to extend the church to the ends of the earth (compare 1:8). c. “They laid their hands on them and sent them away.” After a period of fasting and prayer, leaders of the Antiochean church placed hands on Barnabas and Paul. In Damascus, Ananias had laid his hands on Paul and thus Paul received the gift of the Holy Spirit (9:17). Although both Barnabas and Paul had taught Christ’s gospel for many years, the church in Antioch officially ordained these two men to be missionaries to the Gentiles. After God called them to the special task of proclaiming the gospel to the Greco-Roman world (compare Gal. 1:16), the Antiochean church conducted the external ceremony of ordaining Barnabas and Paul. The ordination service plainly denotes that the missionaries and the church are united in mission work.

APPLICATION:

The Holy Spirit will speak primarily through the Scriptures. When God the Holy Spirit is speaking to you or through you, it will always match the written Word and will always glorify God.

Rev 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. (RVR) Y el Espíritu y la Esposa dicen: Ven. Y el que oye, diga: Ven. Y el que tiene sed, venga; y el que quiera, tome del agua de la vida gratuitamente. (VP) El Espíritu Santo y la esposa del Cordero dicen: “¡Ven!” Y el que escuche, diga: “¡Ven!” Y el que tenga sed, y quiera, venga y tome del agua de la vida sin que le cueste nada

John 7:37-38  On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” (RVR) Y el Espíritu y la Esposa dicen: Ven. Y el que oye, diga: Ven. Y el que tiene sed, venga; y el que quiera, tome del agua de la vida gratuitamente. (VP) El último día de la fiesta era el más importante. Aquél día Jesús, puesto de pie, dijo con voz fuerte: —Si alguien tiene sed, venga a mí, y el que cree en mí, que beba. Como dice la Escritura, del interior de aquél correrán ríos de agua viva.

Isaiah 55:1-3  “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. 3 Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. (RVR) A todos los sedientos: Venid a las aguas; y los que no tienen dinero, venid, comprad y comed. Venid, comprad sin dinero y sin precio, vino y leche. (VP) “Todos los que tengan sed, vengan a beber agua; los que no tengan dinero, vengan, consigan trigo de balde y coman; consigan vino y leche sin pagar nada.

OTHER

John 15:26 "When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.  

John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.  

John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  

John 16:15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.      

1 John 5:6 This is the one who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.  

Revelation 14:13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."   

Hebrews 3:7 So, as the Holy Spirit says:     "Today, if you hear his voice,  

Hebrews 10:15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:      

Romans 8:27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.  

Galatians 4:6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."  

Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.  

Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  

Luke 10:21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.      

Ezekiel 11:5 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon me, and he told me to say: "This is what the LORD says: That is what you are saying, O house of Israel, but I know what is going through your mind.  

Matthew 1:20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  

Nehemiah 9:30 For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you admonished

them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you handed them over to the neighboring peoples.  

Luke 2:26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.  

Luke 2:27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,  

1 Corinthians 2:10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.  

1 Corinthians 2:13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.  

1 Corinthians 12:8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,  

Ephesians 3:5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.  

1 Peter 1:11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.  

Ac 1:2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

Ac 1:5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

Ac 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Ac 1:16 and said, "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus--

Ac 2:4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Ac 2:17 "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

Ac 2:18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days,

and they will prophesy.

Ac 2:33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

Ac 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

None in Acts 3

Ac 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people!

Ac 4:25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:     "'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

Ac 4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.  

Ac 5:3 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

Ac 5:9 Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."

Ac 5:32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."

Ac 6:3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them

Ac 6:5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.

Ac 6:10 but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.

Ac 7:51 "You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!

Ac 7:55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

 

Ac 8:15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,

Ac 8:16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

Ac 8:17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Ac 8:18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money

Ac 8:19 and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

Ac 8:29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."

Ac 8:39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

Ac 9:17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Ac 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.  

Ac 10:19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Simon, three men are looking for you.

Ac 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

Ac 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.

Ac 10:45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.

Ac 10:47 "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have."

 

Ac 11:12 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man's house.

Ac 11:15 "As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning.

Ac 11:16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'

Ac 11:24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

Ac 11:28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)

NONE in Acts 12

Ac 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."

Ac 13:4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.

Ac 13:9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said,

Ac 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.  

Ac 15:8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.

Ac 15:28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:

Ac 16:6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.

Ac 16:7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.

NONE in Acts 17 - 18

Ac 19:2 and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."

Ac 19:6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Ac 20:22 "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.

Ac 20:23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.

Ac 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

Ac 21:4 Finding the disciples there, we stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.

Ac 21:11 Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, "The Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.'"

NONE in Acts 22 - 27

Ac 28:25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet:

Genesis 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.      

Genesis 6:3 Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years."      

Genesis 41:38 So Pharaoh asked them, "Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?"      

Exodus 31:3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts--  

Exodus 35:31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts--  

Numbers 11:17 I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone.      

Numbers 11:25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took of the Spirit that was on him and put the Spirit on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did not do so again.      

Numbers 11:26 However, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but did not go out to the Tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied in the camp.  

Numbers 11:29 But Moses replied, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD's people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!"  

Numbers 24:2 When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him  

Numbers 27:18 So the LORD said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him.  

Deuteronomy 34:9 Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses.      

Judges 3:10 The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, so that he became Israel's judge and went to war. The LORD gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him.  

Judges 6:34 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.  

Judges 11:29 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah. He crossed Gilead and Manasseh, passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from there he advanced against the Ammonites.  

Judges 13:25 and the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him while he was in Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.  

Judges 14:6 The Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done.  

Judges 14:19 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power. He went down to Ashkelon, struck down thirty of their men, stripped them of their belongings and gave their clothes to those who had explained the riddle. Burning with anger, he went up to his father's house.  

Judges 15:14 As he approached Lehi, the Philistines came toward him shouting. The Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power. The ropes on his arms became like charred flax, and the bindings dropped from his hands.  

1 Samuel 10:6 The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.  

1 Samuel 10:10 When they arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he joined in their prophesying.  

1 Samuel 11:6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he burned with anger.  

1 Samuel 16:13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.  

1 Samuel 16:14 Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.      

1 Samuel 16:23 Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.  

1 Samuel 19:20 so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came upon Saul's men and they also prophesied.  

1 Samuel 19:23 So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even upon him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth.  

2 Samuel 23:2 "The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his word was on my tongue.  

1 Kings 18:12 I don't know where the Spirit of the LORD may carry you when I leave you. If I go and tell Ahab and he doesn't find you, he will kill me. Yet I your servant have worshiped the LORD since my youth.  

1 Kings 22:24 Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah went up and slapped Micaiah in the face. "Which way did the spirit from the LORD go when he went from me to speak to you?" he asked.      

2 Kings 2:9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?"     "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.      

2 Kings 2:15 The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, "The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha." And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.  

2 Kings 2:16 "Look," they said, "we your servants have fifty able men. Let them go and look for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has picked him up and set him down on some mountain or in some valley."     "No," Elisha replied, "do not send them."      

1 Chronicles 12:18 Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said:     "We are yours, O David! We are with you, O son of Jesse! Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you."  So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands.      

1 Chronicles 28:12 He gave him the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the LORD and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated things.  

2 Chronicles 15:1 The Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded.  

2 Chronicles 18:23 Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah went up and slapped Micaiah in the face. "Which way did the spirit from the LORD go when he went from me to speak to you?" he asked.      

2 Chronicles 20:14 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.      

2 Chronicles 24:20 Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, "This is what God says: 'Why do you disobey the LORD's commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has forsaken you.'"      

Nehemiah 9:20 You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst.  

Nehemiah 9:30 For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you admonished them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you handed them over to the neighboring peoples.  

Job 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.  

Job 34:14 If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath,  

Psalms 51:11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  

Psalms 104:30 When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.      

Psalms 106:33 for they rebelled against the Spirit of God, and rash words came from Moses' lips.      

Psalms 139:7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?  

Psalms 143:10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.      

Ecclesiastes 12:7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.      

 

Isaiah 4:4 The Lord will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; he will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire.  

Isaiah 11:2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD--  

Isaiah 28:6 He will be a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, a source of strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.       

Isaiah 30:1 "Woe to the obstinate children,"     declares the LORD, "to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin;  

Isaiah 32:15 till the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest.  

Isaiah 34:16 Look in the scroll of the LORD and read: None of these will be missing, not one will lack her mate. For it is his mouth that has given the order, and his Spirit will gather them together.  

Isaiah 42:1 "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations.  

Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground;  I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.  

Isaiah 48:16 "Come near me and listen to this:     "From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret; at the time it happens, I am there." And now the Sovereign LORD has sent me, with his Spirit.      

Isaiah 59:21"As for me, this is my covenant with them," says the LORD. "My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever," says the LORD.  

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,     because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,  

Isaiah 63:10 Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.      

Isaiah 63:11 Then his people recalled the days of old, the days of Moses and his people-- where is he who brought them through the sea, with the shepherd of his flock? Where is he who set his Holy Spirit among them,  

Isaiah 63:14 like cattle that go down to the plain, they were given rest by the Spirit of the LORD. This is how you guided your people to make for yourself a glorious name.      

Ezekiel 2:2 As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.      

Ezekiel 3:12 Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me a loud rumbling sound--May the glory of the LORD be praised in his dwelling place!--  

Ezekiel 3:14 The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me.  

Ezekiel 3:24 Then the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet. He spoke to me and said: "Go, shut yourself inside your house.  

Ezekiel 8:3 He stretched out what looked like a hand and took me by the hair of my head. The Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and in visions of God he took me to Jerusalem, to the entrance to the north gate of the inner court, where the idol that provokes to jealousy stood.  

Ezekiel 11:1 Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the gate of the house of the LORD that faces east. There at the entrance to the gate were twenty-five men, and I saw among them Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, leaders of the people.  

Ezekiel 11:5 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon me, and he told me to say: "This is what the LORD says: That is what you are saying, O house of Israel, but I know what is going through your mind.  

Ezekiel 11:19 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.  

Ezekiel 11:24 The Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the exiles in Babylonia in the vision given by the Spirit of God. Then the vision I had seen went up from me,  

Ezekiel 18:31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel?  

Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  

Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.  

Ezekiel 37:1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.  

Ezekiel 37:14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.'"  

Ezekiel 39:29 I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the house of Israel, declares the Sovereign LORD."  

Ezekiel 43:5 Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.      

Daniel 4:8 Finally, Daniel came into my presence and I told him the dream. (He is called Belteshazzar, after the name of my god, and the spirit of the holy gods is in him.)      

Daniel 4:9 I said, "Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no mystery is too difficult for you. Here is my dream; interpret it for me.  

Daniel 4:18 "This is the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now, Belteshazzar, tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me. But you can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you."  

Daniel 5:11 There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. King Nebuchadnezzar your father--your father the king, I say--appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners.  

Daniel 5:14 I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom.  

Joel 2:28 'And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.  

Joel 2:29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.  

Micah 2:7 Should it be said, O house of Jacob: "Is the Spirit of the LORD angry? Does he do such things?" "Do not my words do good to him whose ways are upright?  

Micah 3:8 But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin.  

Haggai 2:5 'This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.'      

Zechariah 4:6 So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.      

Zechariah 6:8 Then he called to me, "Look, those going toward the north country have given my Spirit rest in the land of the north."  

Zechariah 7:12 They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the LORD Almighty was very angry.      

Zechariah 12:10 "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.  

Matthew 1:18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.  

Matthew 1:20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  

Matthew 3:11 "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  

Matthew 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.  

Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.  

Matthew 10:20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.      

Matthew 12:18 "Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.  

Matthew 12:28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.      

Matthew 12:31 And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.  

Matthew 12:32  Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.      

Matthew 22:43 He said to them, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him 'Lord'? For he says,      

Matthew 26:41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."      

Matthew 27:50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.      

Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  

Mark 1:8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."  

Mark 1:10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.  

Mark 1:12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert,  

Mark 2:8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things?  

Mark 3:29 But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin."      

Mark 12:36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: "'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet."'       

Mark 13:11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit

Luke 1:15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.  

Luke 1:17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

Luke 1:35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.  

Luke 1:41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  

Luke 1:67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:      

Luke 2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  

Luke 2:26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.  

Luke 2:27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,  

Luke 3:16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  

Luke 3:22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."      

Luke 4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert,  

Luke 4:14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.  

Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,  

Luke 10:21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.      

Luke 11:13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"  

Luke 12:10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.      

Luke 12:12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."  

Luke 23:46  Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.      

John 1:32 Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.  

John 1:33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'  

John 3:5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.  

John 3:6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.  

John 3:8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."      

John 3:34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.  

John 4:23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  

John 4:24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."      

John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.  

John 7:39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.      

John 13:21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."      

John 14:17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.  

John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  

John 15:26 "When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.  

John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.  

John 16:15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.      

John 19:30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.      

John 20:22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.  

Romans 1:4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.  

Romans 2:29 No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.  

Romans 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.      

Romans 7:6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.  

Romans 8:2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.  

Romans 8:4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.      

Romans 8:5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  

Romans 8:6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;  

Romans 8:9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.  

Romans 8:11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.      

Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,  

Romans 8:14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  

Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."  

Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.  

Romans 8:23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.  

Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.  

Romans 8:27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.  

Romans 9:1 I speak the truth in Christ--I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit--  

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,  

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Romans 15:16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.      

Romans 15:19 by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.  

Romans 15:30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.  

1 Corinthians 2:10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.  

1 Corinthians 2:11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.  

1 Corinthians 2:12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.  

1 Corinthians 2:13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.  

1 Corinthians 2:14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.  

1 Corinthians 3:16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?  

1 Corinthians 5:4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present,  

1 Corinthians 6:11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.  

1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;  

1 Corinthians 7:40 In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is--and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.  

1 Corinthians 12:3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.      

1 Corinthians 12:4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.  

1 Corinthians 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.  

1 Corinthians 12:8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,  

1 Corinthians 12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,   

1 Corinthians 12:11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.  

1 Corinthians 12:13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.      

2 Corinthians 1:22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.      

2 Corinthians 3:3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.      

2 Corinthians 3:6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.  

2 Corinthians 3:8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?  

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  

2 Corinthians 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.  

2 Corinthians 5:5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.      

2 Corinthians 6:6 in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;  

2 Corinthians 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 

Galatians 3:2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?  

Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?  

Galatians 3:5 Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?      

Galatians 3:14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.  

Galatians 4:6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."  

Galatians 4:29 At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.  

Galatians 5:5 But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.  

Galatians 5:16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  

Galatians 5:17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.  

Galatians 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.      

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  

Galatians 5:25  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  

Galatians 6:8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.  

Ephesians 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,  

Ephesians 1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.  

Ephesians 2:18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.      

Ephesians 2:22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.  

Ephesians 3:5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.  

Ephesians 3:16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  

Ephesians 4:3  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  

Ephesians 4:4  There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called--  

Ephesians 4:30   And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  

Ephesians 5:18  Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.  

Ephesians 6:17   Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  

Ephesians 6:18  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.      

Philippians 1:19  for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.  

Philippians 2:1  If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,  

Philippians 3:3  For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh--  

Colossians 1:8  and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.      

1 Thessalonians 1:5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.  

1 Thessalonians 1:6   You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.  

1 Thessalonians 4:8  Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.      

2 Thessalonians 2:13  But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.  

1 Timothy 3:16   Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.   

1 Timothy 4:1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.  

2 Timothy 1:14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you--guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.      

Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,  

Hebrews 2:4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.  

Hebrews 3:7 So, as the Holy Spirit says:     "Today, if you hear his voice,  

Hebrews 6:4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,  

Hebrews 9:8 The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing.  

Hebrews 9:14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!      

Hebrews 10:15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says:      

Hebrews 10:29 How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?  

1 Peter 1:2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood:     Grace and peace be yours in abundance.  

1 Peter 1:11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.  

1 Peter 1:12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.  

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,  

1 Peter 4:14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.  

2 Peter 1:21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.  

1 John 3:24 Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.  

 

1 John 4:2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,  

1 John 4:6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.  

1 John 4:13 We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.  

1 John 5:6 This is the one who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.  

1 John 5:8 the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.  

Jude 1:19 These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.      

Jude 1:20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.  

 

Revelation 1:10 On the Lord's Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,  

Revelation 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.  

Revelation 2:11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.  

Revelation 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says  to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.  

Revelation 2:29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says  to the churches.  

Revelation 3:6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says  to the churches.  

Revelation 3:13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  

Revelation 3:22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says  to the churches."  

Revelation 4:2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.  

Revelation 14:13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."  

Revelation 17:3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.  

Revelation 19:10 At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."  

Revelation 21:10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.  

Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.      

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