Great Doctrines

Lesson 10

Lesson Text—Luke 24:45-48

Luke 24:45-4645 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

Lesson Text—Luke 24:49

Luke 24:47-4947 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.48 And ye are witnesses of these things.49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Lesson Text—Acts 10:44-45

Acts 10:44-4544 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Lesson Text—Acts 19:4-6

Acts 19:4-64 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Lesson Text—Acts 19:4-6

6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Focus Verse—Acts 2:38-39

Acts 2:38-39Then Peter said unto them, Repent,

and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of

the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all

that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Focus Thought

The promise to every hungry believer is, “You shall receive the

Holy Ghost.” The evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost is

speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance.

I. What Must We Do?Introduction

Receiving the Holy Ghost is possibly the most important spiritual event that one will experience in God, and it is also the most thrilling.

Much emphasis has been placed upon receiving the Holy Ghost, and rightfully so, for it is the completion of the new birth. Jesus said, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

I. What Must We Do?There is a great spiritual

awakening and a revival of the receiving of the Holy Ghost by people in many different churches. This has caused many questions to be asked.

• Is the Holy Ghost essential to salvation?• How does one receive the Holy Ghost?• What is the evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit?• Is this experience for all believers today?

I. What Must We Do?These are sincere questions to

which people want answers from the Word of God.

God, in His Word, has not left these questions unanswered—the answers are there for us to search out that we may know the truth of this great experience of Christ dwelling in our hearts by His Spirit. The Holy Ghost is for all believers, as Peter stated at Pentecost: “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:39).

I. What Must We Do?The infilling of the Spirit provides the power to live an overcoming, victorious, Christian life with the joy of God. The Spirit gives us power to overcome the devil, sin, and the world and to become effective witnesses in this wicked generation.

Our lives are transformed by a supernatural experience of Holy Spirit baptism with the evidence of speaking with other tongues.

I. What Must We Do?What Must We Do?

“What must we do?” has been asked by many people, including those who asked Peter on the Day of Pentecost. Let us again ask it and answer it for those who are hungry for God and searching for a better life in the Holy Ghost.

We are not saved by works, but by the grace of God; however, the Scriptures plainly teach that there are things we must do.

James 2:17

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone”

(James 2:17).

I. What Must We Do?We should realize that when

faith is generated in our hearts, it will force us to act on that faith, moving us to obedience of the Word.

A. Believe on Jesus Christ A. Believe on Jesus

Christ

The very first step to salvation is the step of faith. Paul, speaking to the Philippian jailer, explained how he could be saved.

Acts 16:31

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be

saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31).

I. What Must We Do?There is no salvation outside of the Cross of Jesus Christ and His shed blood. Jesus asked the disciples, “Whom say ye that I am?” Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16). “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

I. What Must We Do?If we are to be saved, we must start with believing on the Lord Jesus Christ as the Redeemer of the world—and most of all as our Savior. Faith to believe will come by hearing and accepting the preached Word. For “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).

B. Repentance Is Necessary B. Repentance Is

Necessary

“And that repentance and remission of sins should be

preached in his name” (Luke 24:47).

I. What Must We Do?Bullinger Lexicon states that

repentance is to:• change one’s mind and

purpose, • come to a right understanding, • have a genuine change of heart

and life from worse to better. Repentance is not merely forsaking sin, but changing one’s mind regarding it—to be remorseful for the sin that has ruled one’s heart. Repentance is genuinely changing one’s attitude toward sin and desiring righteousness to reign in one’s heart.

I. What Must We Do?Repentance is the essence of the publican’s prayer: “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13).

Jesus died that the world through Him might be saved from sin. When we, by the Word of God, recognize that we are sinners and enemies of Christ’s cross, and that we need a Savior, we should repent, forsake our sinful acts, and commit our lives to God. Godly sorrow brings true repentance.

I John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I

John 1:9).

I. What Must We Do?To completely and thoroughly repent is important to one’s walk with God, for this is the foundation on which our experience with God is built. Repentance is being honest with God and self; it is confessing one’s guilt and asking God for mercy.

C. Baptism Is Essential C. Baptism Is Essential

“And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name

among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem”

(Luke 24:47).

I. What Must We Do?Remission means “to dismiss, discharge, set free.” This can be accomplished only through the name of Jesus.

On the Day of Pentecost, Peter told the Jews to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission (forgiveness, removal) of sins (Acts 2:38). Jesus had stated “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47).

I. What Must We Do?That is exactly what Peter did in preaching baptism for the remission of sins in the name of Jesus Christ.

Our sins are remitted when we are baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ, making baptism necessary to our salvation. Not only is water baptism necessary, but the formula used in our baptism is of utmost importance, for sins are remitted only through water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.

Acts 22:16

“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord”

(Acts 22:16).

I. What Must We Do?At repentance, our sins are

confessed and our commitment is made to live for God; however, the record of our sins is not removed until baptism. The record of our sins is removed only as we submit to water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they are no longer to be remembered against us.

We see this illustrated in the Tabernacle in the wilderness. The altar represented death where the blood was shed. The laver was for washing, or cleansing (symbol of baptism), before the priest moved on into the sanctuary.

D. Faith for the Promise D. Faith for the

Promise

“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon

you” (Luke 24:49).

I. What Must We Do?It is God’s plan for every believer to receive the Holy Ghost. To receive the Holy Ghost is as normal as repenting and being baptized. It is a supernatural experience that cannot be explained to the carnal man. However, it is God’s promise to all believers.

Acts 1:8

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you” (Acts 1:8).

Acts 2:39

“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God

shall call” (Acts 2:39).

I. What Must We Do?

We are those who were afar off, and we are included in the promise Peter preached at Pentecost. We are to believe God and receive the Holy Ghost.

Joel 2:28

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh” (Joel

2:28).

I. What Must We Do?Joel prophesied of the outpouring of the Spirit, for Peter quoted this verse of Scripture in his sermon at Pentecost. These are the last days, and God is pouring out His Spirit upon all flesh. Those who have faith in God’s promise shall be filled with the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is for all who will believe God and receive it.

A. They Tarried How They Received

the Holy GhostA. They Tarried

“These all continued with one accord in prayer and

supplication” (Acts 1:14).

I. What Must We Do?Tarrying in prayer is certainly one of the sure ways of receiving the Holy Ghost. Many have found it necessary to tarry in prayer for proper preparation of themselves before receiving the Holy Ghost. God will fill the hungry seeker when he meets the conditions that God requires. We sometimes allow obstacles to stand in our way of receiving the blessing.

I. What Must We Do?1. Doubt or Weak Faith. Some

people believe that the Holy Ghost is not for us today, or possibly it is only for certain people. To receive God’s gift, we must believe without doubting.

2. Fear. There are those who have genuine fear of the results of receiving the Holy Ghost—fear of losing their family, husband, wife, or job. They have a fear of being unable to live a Christian life. The enemy magnifies many fears in people’s minds, often causing them to reject God. These fears come from the devil, not from God.

II Timothy 1:7

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of

power, and of love, and of a sound mind ”

(II Timothy 1:7).

I. What Must We Do?3. Pride. Many have failed to receive the Holy Ghost because of pride. They are unable to humble themselves and yield to the Holy Spirit. Fear of embarrassment has hindered others. God’s Spirit will never cause anyone to behave in an embarrassing manner.

Our pride will rob us of great blessings if we allow it to rule us. Therefore, many have found that tarrying in prayer has helped them to overcome their pride.

I. What Must We Do?4. Love of the World. A love for

worldly things has been a problem for some; they have difficulty in giving up sinful and worldly habits. The Holy Ghost will not dwell in an unclean temple. If we have habits that God is not pleased with, it may take much prayer for us to be willing to give up the love of this world. Only then will God allow His Spirit to fill our hearts.

I. What Must We Do?Before receiving the Holy Ghost, we must learn to bring our human wills into obedience to the will of God. We must yield to the Spirit of God and give over to Him our whole being.

We should well understand, however, that one need not tarry long before receiving the Spirit; God is willing to fill every believer immediately. Any delay in receiving the Spirit is on our part, not God’s.

B. They Worshiped B. They Worshiped

“And they worshipped him . . . and were continually in the temple, praising and

blessing God” (Luke 24:52-53).

I. What Must We Do?The Holy Ghost fell at Pentecost in an atmosphere charged with people worshiping and praising God. We must worship in order to receive the Spirit. We should magnify the Lord with praise, song, prayer—lifting ourselves into the spirit of true worship. Then God can move into our hearts and fill us with His Spirit.

I. What Must We Do?The worship was so intense in the Book of Acts that at times the worshipers were completely controlled by the Spirit. They appeared to be drunken, but they were only “drunk” on the spiritual wine of the Holy Ghost. God is able to pour out the Holy Ghost when people lose themselves in His presence.

C. By the Laying on of Hands C. By the Laying on of

Hands

“Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost”

(Acts 8:17).

I. What Must We Do?The revival at Samaria was climaxed by Peter and John laying hands on the believers for them to receive the Holy Ghost.

After John’s disciples at Ephesus were baptized in Jesus’ name, Paul laid his hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost “and they spake with tongues” (Acts 19:6).

I. What Must We Do?There are times when the seeker needs a special touch that only the laying on of the hands of the elders will give. He may need to break through doubt and unbelief before being filled with the Holy Ghost. Many people have received the infilling of the Spirit when a minister laid hands on them in prayer. God honors faith, and faith is often released by the laying on of the hands of God-ordained ministers.

D. When They Heard the Word D. When They Heard

the Word

“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on

all them which heard the word”

(Acts 10:44).

I. What Must We Do?Recorded in Acts 10 is the

account of the household of Cornelius, the first Gentiles to receive the Holy Ghost. They were hungry for God, in a repented condition, and ready to receive the Spirit. While Peter was preaching, they were filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke with tongues.

From the examples given in the Book of Acts, we learn that there is no set pattern or plan on how to receive the Holy Ghost. It is promised to those who repent, are baptized in Jesus’ name, and believe God.

I. What Must We Do?How and when a person is filled

is between the individual and God. Some receive the Holy Ghost at church, others at home, at school, or on the job. Praying, worshiping, and listening to the preached Word prepare an individual, and he may be sitting, standing, lying down, or walking when filled with the Spirit. The Spirit is like the wind—we may not always know where or when the Spirit will come; but our promise is that the Spirit will come.

I. What Must We Do?Our responsibility is to be obedient to God’s Word. Although the time, place, or physical position may differ, one thing is consistent: a person speaks in tongues as evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost.

A. Initial Evidence The Evidence of the Holy GhostA. Initial Evidence

The initial evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost was speaking in other tongues. It was the one common sign displayed in all accounts of the infilling of the Spirit throughout the Book of Acts.

I. What Must We Do?“They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with

other tongues” (Acts 2:4).

It was not just the twelve apostles who spoke with tongues, but the 120 believers spoke in a new tongue as the Spirit gave the utterance.

I. What Must We Do?A. T. Robertson, in Word Pictures in the New Testament comments on Acts 2:4: “Each one began to speak in a language that he had not acquired and yet it was a real language and understood by those from various lands familiar with them. It was not jargon, but intelligible language.”

I. What Must We Do?This same experience is for everyone today. All may receive their own experience of Pentecost, accompanied with the same sign of speaking with tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance.

We are included in the promise of “all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:39).

B. Physical Evidence B. Physical Evidence

When the household of Cornelius received the Holy Ghost, the physical sign was speaking with tongues. It was the sign to which Peter called their attention. “For they heard them speak with tongues” (Acts 10:46).

I. What Must We Do?A. T. Robertson, in Word Pictures

in the New Testament, states: “The fuller statement makes it clear that here it was a new and strange tongue also as in Acts 19:6. This sudden manifestation of the Holy Spirit power on uncircumcised Gentiles was probably necessary to convince Peter and the six brethren of the circumcision that God had opened the door wide to Gentiles. It was proof that a Gentile Pentecost had come. Now the Gentiles had received the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking with tongues.”

C. Universal Evidence C. Universal Evidence

Multitudes are receiving the Holy Ghost in this last-day outpouring. It has fallen over the whole world. God is holding true to His promise to pour out His Spirit on all flesh everywhere. This gift of the Spirit is not confined to just a handful of believers. Believers everywhere are experiencing the Holy Ghost infilling with the evidence of speaking with tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance.

I. What Must We Do?This is God’s time and the church’s opportunity to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and the message of Pentecost.

Acts 1:8 “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in

Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth”

(Acts 1:8)

C. Universal Evidence Conclusion

The sign at Pentecost of the Holy Ghost infilling was speaking with tongues. Both the Jews on the Day of Pentecost and the Gentiles in Caesarea about ten years later experienced tongues. In each case the Holy Ghost was given in a different manner. On the Day of Pentecost it fell during prayer and worship; in Caesarea, the people of the household of Cornelius were filled while the preacher was yet speaking.

I. What Must We Do?The Samaritans and the brethren of Ephesus received the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. However, in each instance the one common sign was that they all spoke with tongues. This is the universal sign that God has chosen to identify the Spirit infilling.

It is not important how or where or in what manner we are filled, but it is important that we all receive the Holy Ghost—and the Spirit will identify His presence in us by our speaking with tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance.