Introduction:

     In our study of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts, it is interesting to note how the resurrected Jesus spoke to His church through the Spirit. The method of communicating His will to His disciples would now change from an earthly presence to a Spirit presence.

Transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant was complete. How necessary it is today to emphasize the importance of listening to the Spirit. As the end-time comes ever closer, His voice must be heard over the clamor of the world, including pulsating religion.

The forerunner, John the Baptist, said the day would come when Jesus would baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire. Little did the disciples know how powerful their witness would be when they received this gift from God. Evangelism cannot take place apart from the baptism of the Spirit. The purpose of this baptism is to empower witness.

Notice please the bold print section of verse 8. Where is this witness to be directed?

Now, in this next passage, we see the Spirit fulfilling prophecy given through David. The Spirit will always bring to mind the Word. Peter quoted from Psalms.

Even the casting of lots to fill the vacancy caused by Judas was directed by the Spirit. The church and the will of the Spirit are never to be separated.

The responsive church was in one place and in one accord and dwelling in prayer and supplication when the mighty wind started to fill the house. Divided tongues of fire sat on each person and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. This baptism was for everybody. The resulting speaking in tongues was for everybody and it still is! Notice, they were speaking in tongues IN the upper room. These were all Jews, having no language barrier. Those denominations who say this was "a foreign language" fail to see that their heavenly language was in the upper room. It is true those on the outside heard the upper room witnesses in their own language, which means the Spirit took their witness and caused a hearing miracle. The reversal of Babel for that moment.

(I have preached under the Spirit anointing where the audience did not speak English, but received the message from the Lord without a translator.)

Simon's sermon began with Scripture. Notice, he was standing with the eleven others, but the Spirit moved him. He did not fear the consequences of denouncing the religious community.

Simon's message was pregnant with meaning. He called attention to the "pouring out of the Spirit" as prophesied. Who were the recipients to be and what was to be the result? The receivers were to be "all flesh," which included their sons and daughters, young men and old men, menservants and maidservants. What was to be the result of this outpouring? Prophecy, dreams, visions, signs in the earth (blood, fire and vapor of smoke) and wonders in the heavenlies (a darkened sun, a moon turned to blood) would be evidence of the Day of the Lord.

Notice please this rounded out the passage quoted in Luke 4, where Jesus described His ministry but did not include the entire passage used in His quote from Isaiah 61:2. He did not include, "and the day of vengeance of our God."

Simon hurried from these truths to a place of invitation where thousands responded.

Little did he know at this time the invitation would include Gentiles, but his words went in power and permeates history to this very hour!

Peter proceeded with boldness and preached Jesus to the religious hierarchy who became incensed by the multitudes of believers who were being converted, but when he and John healed the lame man - that was the occasion for their incarceration. Not the least bit dampened by their imprisonment, they turned up the volume and accused those leaders of crucifying the Son of God.

One of the traits of being filled with the Holy Spirit is holy boldness to testify of Jesus. It is at this point Simon provided posterity with one of the great passages for soul winning, Acts 4:12.

When Simon and John were released from custody and told never to speak of Jesus again on threat of further punishment, they assembled the church to pray for greater boldness.

Their desire for more boldness was to speak the Word of God! With the answered prayer came a sign in the earth - the place of shaken. Later on, Paul would experience a Holy Shaking - in the prison at Philippi. (In the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, following a prayer session, the barn where they were praying was shaken as a sign of the ushering in of a mighty spiritual awakening.)

Extraordinary events accompany the fullness of the Holy Ghost. Acts records the plot of Ananias and Sapphira and the revelation of their secret to Peter and the church.

Some might say that the early church was so saturated with the Spirit that such a plot played out in their presence was the same as lying to the Holy Spirit. ( Could it be the modern church should exhibit the same?) Nonetheless, the result was great fear both in the body and outside the church.

Godly fear did not reach into the darkened hearts of the religious hierarchy who arraigned Peter and John and the other disciples following the supernatural release of Peter from the prison. They used intimidation and threats to coerce them, but it didn't work. These disciples knew the Spirit would give them what to say before magistrates. After accusing them of murder, they offered this appeal.

Notice the last part of the above Scripture "to those who obey Him." In our rush to see people baptized in the Spirit perhaps we need to emphasize this word.

It wasn't long before the sweet spirit of the early church was challenged by its members. The Greek widows complained about not being treated fairly. This turned into a verbal assault and prompted the need for deacons. Again, as in the case of choosing a replacement for Judas, the Spirit led in this pursuit.

Stephen's deaconship was unlike many of those chosen by churches today. Many times, that office is based on popularity or "monetary" considerations. But, alas, Stephen's faith cost him his life.

After delivering one the most powerful doctrinal treaties in the New Testament, on the history of God's dealing with Israel, the authorities of Judaism stoned him to death when he applied error to them.

Why is it that such a reaction has often been re-enacted throughout history? The Roman Catholic church persecuted, raped, pillaged, executed and burned the Reformers and their books.

Stephen's accusers transformed themselves into animals. What Stephen preached tore at their hearts and they raised their lips like angry dogs and gnashed at him with their teeth.

Not only did martyrdom become a reality through Stephen, but was the beginning of church persecution in general. However, the early church continued their witness to Jews as they branched out with the Gospel message to Gentiles and Jewish castaways.

Attention to the conduct of the Apostles caused Simon, the sorcerer, to seek their favor. He requested to have hands laid on him and through that transfer he would energize others.

Peter lambasted Simon when he offered money, saying "if perhaps," thus indicating there may be a possibility of the Lord not forgiving him. The call for repentance from wicked hearts must be strong in the church.

Tolerance of sin and error was not afforded by the early believers, neither was indolence.

Next, we see the good deacon Philip, presiding over a mighty revival in Samaria, after which he encountered an angel visit. Angelic messengers were not uncommon in those days, so Philip responded quickly and chased down the Ethiopian Eunuch. (Philip gave a good example of what it means to follow the prompting of the Spirit. He wasted no time with normal travel preparation, but went immediately to the task set before him.

Notice how the Spirit fine tuned his assignment.

The Holy Spirit has the right to fine tune our tasks. The Spirit talked to Philip. Does He talk to people today? Yes!

I don't know if Philip was ready for what happened next or not. He was supernaturally transported from the Eunuch to Azotus. It did not slow him down, for he preached the Gospel at this new location and all the way home.

Cases of supernatural transfer have been documented throughout history (John Lake had such an experience when he traveled by the Spirit from South Africa to Wales and back). No method of man's ingenuity has approximated such travel to this day.

Because Acts was written later than the Gospel writers, it includes the ministry of Paul, as well as the early Apostles. The next sequence shows the conversion of Paul and the obedience of Ananias.

Ananias' use of the word "Brother" is remarkable, in light of his earlier skepticism. The Holy Spirit does not send someone to do a work without His assurance.

With Saul's conversion there came a time of peace for the church to grow. The Holy Spirit brought comfort and peace to them.

Next, comes a familiar passage about Simon Peter's open vision concerning the inclusion of the Gentiles into the body of believers. Although his vision was about being told to eat unclean and forbidden creatures, the application was an opening for the Spirit.

Does the Spirit speak to you? Do angels instruct you? Is there such a thing as Divine appointment prepared by the Lord? What items would be on the sheet if it was lowered to you? What fears and phobias must you overcome in order to be an instrument of the Spirit? Simon obeyed the Spirit and opened the door for the nations of the world to come freely to Christ Jesus.

When Simon arrived at Cornelius' home, he found a waiting audience who eagerly sought his words. I believe the Spirit must prepare the hearts of the those hearing the Word before they receive it.

This event capsulized every aspect of the gospel. Peter's opening statement was an explosive truth. Inclusion of the Gentiles was a huge leap for what was primarily a Jewish church. Acts 10:38 is perhaps one of the most quoted passages in the book. The ministry of Jesus is proclaimed here in two verses. Following close behind was the bold testimony of Peter and his brethren addressing their responsibility as witnesses. They saw Jesus after He rose from the dead. They heard His last instructions.

Imagine the charged atmosphere on this occasion, as they saw the Holy Spirit fall on the assembly while Peter was speaking. He witnessed the same spectacular baptism of the Holy Spirit fall on the Gentiles as fell on the Disciples in the upper room. They spoke in tongues and magnified the Lord. All this was before they were baptized.

Talk about being able to fellowship in the Spirit, the astonished Jews welcomed their Gentile brothers into their bosom. This, of course, would become "a bone of contention' when Peter and those who were with him arrived in Jerusalem.

Once again, Peter attested the vision from God and the voice of the Spirit.

By obeying the Spirit without trepidation, he testified about the Spirit falling on the Gentiles including a Roman Centurion.

(Thank God for the inclusion in many Anglo churches of Hispanic ministries. It was not always this way. Huge resistance initially greeted those who wished to evangelize migrants, including some of the leaders in large denominations. But God!)

Because of Peter's testimony, the gospel spread like wildfire among the Gentiles. Acts gives glimpses into these forays, specifically revealing the work of those individuals like Barnabas, who traveled with Paul. His credentials were "a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit (11:24)."

Prophets arose among the believers giving direction to the early church. Agabus, by the Spirit, prophesied a great famine would take the land. Offerings were taken to relieve those of faith in Jerusalem. (If only the church today could realize that all the needs of the brethren, worldwide, could be met by listening to the Spirit. What a wonderful time that would be.)

Sending assistance to Jerusalem by Barnabus and Saul was not by happenstance. In Acts 13, we see these two are chosen by the Spirit to do the work of the ministry. While they were away, a great persecution broke out by the hand of Herod, who sealed his death by the hand of the Lord. Herod killed James by the sword and retained Peter in prison. The angel of the Lord freed Peter and God killed his oppressor. "Touch not My anointed nor do My prophets harm."

There is power in this kind of anointing; a power not achieved through any other method. Credentialism today would have blocked this sort of move by the church. When the Holy Spirit does the separation and determines who and what kind of ministry will take place---there is an unction which can be arrived at through no other source. Those chosen persons change the atmosphere wherever they land. Their steps are ordered by the Lord and their witness is unparalleled.

As Paul (Saul) ventured in the Spirit to Seleucia, Cyprus and eventually to Paphos, great numbers responded and the Spirit overshadowed their path. Because a government official summoned the evangelists, in order to learn from them, a sorcerer, a Jew (Elymus) sought to intervene. Paul, through the Spirit, spoke these words to him.

Several things are of note in these Scriptures. First, ask how it is a Jew could be a sorcerer? Did synagogues allow such characters to operate in their midst? Second, Paul is speaking only what the Spirit says. It is a scathing accusation. Third, the proconsul believed, based on what he observed. (Do modern churches have the equivalent of Elymus's today? Do anointed people still speak only by the Spirit today? What would the Spirit say about some who are in the church today? What would occur if government officials witnessed such power?)

Guided by the Spirit, Paul went to Antioch and preached in the synagogue a powerful message incorporating Biblical history and glorifying the Lord Jesus. For this, they ostracized him and actually caused him to turn from established synagogues.

One must ask, at this point, why does the established religious culture often oppose the work of the Spirit? What should be the attitude of those filled with the Spirit in similar situations? Are there situations today where God gives a message to be heard in an area and no pulpit will open?

This next set of verses takes place in Jerusalem on occasion of determining whether the Gentiles would be recognized as true believers. Peter testified how he was chosen to open the first door for their entrance. Strong debate took place and finally James drew the string on the issue with comments followed by further testimony from Paul and Barnabas.

The Jerusalem council did not put circumcision, keeping the feasts or adhering to traditions of the Jews. Although there are some movements today which attempt to require adherence to Judaism.

Notice: The final judgment was approval by the Spirit. What if all church decisions were made by whether the Spirit approved them or not? What about all life decisions?

Notice: the litmus test for the inclusion of the nations was based on the baptism of the Holy Spirit as experienced in the upper room. What if that was the case today?

Next, we learn the Spirit has the right to determine one's steps. Paul and his associates were forbidden to preach in some destinations, while directing them to other places of ministry. It seemed to Paul the logical next step for evangelization should be Asia. Why did the Spirit wall off this vast domain? Even when Paul turned away from Asia and traveled to Mysia and ultimately Bithynia, he encountered the spiritual wall raised by the Spirit and could not enter. Ultimately, he was herded to Macedonia and then to Philippi.

In chapter 15:18, these words explain it all: "Known to God from eternity are all His works." How very important it is for the church to missionize where the Spirit directs. Many are the fruits of labor in the Spirit-directed fields; tragic are the failures when persons go without sanction. Man's logic and determinations must always be subject to Spirit approval. This next passage reveals the hand of the Spirit operating through Paul and his willingness to trust that leadership.

Notice: Paul was compelled by the Spirit. Oh, the wonderful results that come from such compelling! Paul preached and he thought he wasted his breath, for the Jews blasphemed. Even after shaking his garments and vowing to go to the Gentiles---the ruler of the synagogue believed and was baptized.

Comfort came to Paul in a night vision just as he was about to call it quits. The Holy Spirit is our comforter and guide. Little did Paul know how many saints the Lord had in that region. (Similar to Elijah and the 7000 who had not bowed the knee-evidently, bowing the knee was a sign of rebellion and still is.)

Asia had to hear the gospel in a certain manner, which is seen in this next passage.

Take notice of the litmus test, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" Paul preached Jesus to them as the Messiah and they believed and were baptized, but they received the Holy Spirit only after Paul laid hands on them. The result was they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Why is this not the case today? (Those denominations who teach the automatic reception of the Spirit upon belief might have a problem with this verse.)

This is the second mention of "The Way," in defining the church (Acts 9:2 revealed Saul searching out those of "The Way.") However, in the book of Acts from this point on, the believers were defined as those of "The Way (Acts 19:23, Acts 24:14,22)."

Once again, we learn how Paul governed his life by the Spirit. "Purposing in the Spirit" is a hedge against doubt and unbelief, not even a prophet's proclamation could dissuade him.

Nothing daunted Paul's determination to give witness in Rome. The matter was sealed and not even direct contradiction of those speaking through the Holy Spirit could persuade him otherwise, perhaps remembering the Rechabites of old.

In finality of the Spirit passages in Acts, we must double back to another set of Scriptures found in the closing chapters of the book.

These two final passages reflect the heart and soul of the Apostle Paul. The passage in Acts 20 is a tender farewell. The passage in Acts 28 contains his ending of life pursuits.

First, in the above passage one must note three very distinct statements. Paul's innocence of the blood of no man shows what he knew about the grace and mercy of God. He was wiped clean in the stoning of Stephen and the awful and tragic treatment of believers while on assignment for the Jews.

Second, in verse 28, he spells out the ordain-er of overseers and shepherds of the Church is the Holy Spirit. (Oh! This is the credential lacking in the vast majority of congregations.) He cautions them to be vigilant against opposing forces.

Third, he imparted to them his commendation in verse 32 to the "word of His grace." Two facets rise out of this endowment: they would be built up and they would receive an inheritance among those who are sanctified (made holy). Shades of Paul's epistles are in these words.

Paul said in:

Jude said it also:

Then, in this next passage is pictured his final days in Rome. Many Jews came to visit him in his incarceration seeking his wisdom.

Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD.