The First Leg of the Race

TEXT: JOHN 20:19-23

SUBJECT: MISSIONS

THEME: God extends to each of us the grand privilege of co-laboring together with him in worldwide missions—the ministry of reconciliation. The four Characters of this passage represent the four legs of the world missions’ relay race, and we will consider their labors through the course of human history on into the future.

INTRODUCTION:

1.  Mission is the work of God, and it began in the Garden of Eden after Adam’s fall into sin. That is correct, missions did not began merely 2 thousand years ago with the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. It began with the entire Godhead as the Father leads.

2.  Now let us consider ourselves in a “Missions Relay Race” with four Participants. John chapter 20 give us another Great Commission passage, and in this instance the entire Godhead is mentioned in relation to Christ’s church. Of course all of this is in the context of advancing and continuing the ministry and mission of God in the world. The four Participants are found in verse 21, “Father,” “Me,” “You” and in verse 22, “Holy Ghost.” Each participant represents another part of missions’ history on into missions’ future. Each time the baton is passed from one participant to the next, we enter another leg of missions.

LESSON:

THE FIRST LEG OF MISSIONS: JOHN 20:21 “Father” (Jn. 5:17)

THE LABOR OF THE FATHER; A WORK OF PREPARATION

John 5:17, But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

According to John 20:21, The Lord Jesus is unmistakably the Son of God sent by Father God—God’s sent One. Jesus is operating in full harmony with the Father’s will and goals, and here as the sent One he commissions his disciples/apostles and sends them into the world to evangelize.

Up to the point when the Son starts His public ministry, the Father is busy preparing, situating, designing, and sovereignly bringing about his great purpose of redemption. Jesus says, “My Father worketh hitherto….” He is organizing and providentially guiding history on a course that provides salvation to humanity—preparation. This is the labor of the Father; His incredible contributions to the plan of reconciliation.

So then, since The FALL in the Garden of Eden, God has been busy about the Ministry of Reconciliation. Christ Jesus executed the critical role of presenting himself as the supreme sacrifice for our sins. And as we preach the gospel we engage in this Ministry of Reconciliation. This statement presupposes several thoughts.

       A.  THE FATHER PREPARED A PLAN (Gen. 3:1-24)

If humanity is to be reconciled to God, it presupposes that the human race had a relationship with God previously. Generally, in principle you can’t restore or reunite total strangers or two that have never been united! Humanity cherished a relationship and fellowship with God in the person of Adam (we were all in Adam). Adam is not only a literal person, but he is both the Federal and Seminal head of the human race. That is, he represented all humanity officially, and we all are biologically connected to him. Humanity’s treasured relationship to the Almighty Creator was changed and this incredible fellowship with Him was severed by SIN when Adam rebelled in the Garden (Gen. 3). Ever since that Fall, we are all born in sin and separated from God. The spiritual connection between God and fallen humanity is utterly shattered and dashed to a trillion pieces. Hence our need to be reconciled; a reconciliation we cannot effectuate ourselves…it depends entirely upon the Lord God’s initiative. Let’s take a look at his great plan.

                 1. The Father’s Plan of Salvation: The Picture of the Salvation (Gen. 3:21)

Genesis 3:21, Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. 

Because of Adam and Eve’s sin, God sprung into decisive action providing a covering for them. This primitive form of atonement involved sacrifice of life—death and bloodshed. When God provided “coats or skins” it prefigure how he would ultimately provide atonement and covering for fallen humanity through a substitute and representative. In essence we have the Gospel and the Father’s plan of Redemption—Reconciliation—in embryonic form:

                         a. The Plan Involves the Grace of God

                         b. The Plan Involves the Shedding of Blood

                         c. The Plan Involves a Covering by Righteousness

                         d. The Plan Involves a Substitutionary Sacrifice (innocent blood)

                         e. The Plan Involves Acceptance of God’s Salvation by Faith

These same principles of salvation are brought to their fullest expression in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this incredible passage the Father foreshadowed them brilliantly!

                 2. The Father’s Plans for a Savior: The Promise of the Savior (Gen. 3: 15)

Genesis 3:15, And I [God] will put enmity between thee [Satan] and the woman [Eve/Mary], and between thy seed and her seed [Jesus]; it shall bruise thy head, and thou [Satan] shalt bruise his heel.

The Protevangelium is declared first by the Father! Though Adam and Eve along with all humanity will suffer greatly under sin’s curse, enslavement and the brutality of Satan, the Father declares the good news that Satan and sin will ultimately be defeated by the “Seed of the woman,” which is the earliest reference to the Lord Jesus in the role of Savior/Deliverer. Again, this portrays God coming to our rescue. Note in detail what is given in Genesis 3:15:

                        a. Satan is exposed as the Enemy of the Human Race

                        b. The Savior will be Virgin Born into the Human Race    

                        c. The Savior will be Victorious over Satan and Sin

                        d. The Savior will die a Vicarious Death by means of Crucifixion

Furthermore, we are informed by the Apostle Peter how the eternal Godhead planned for humanity’s reconciliation before the creation of the universe.

First Peter 1:18-20, Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, (Rev. 13:8; Tit. 1:2-3; 2Tim. 1:9-10; Eph. 3:11)

No, the matter of our reconciliation is not piecemeal, disjointed, willy-nilly, random, or haphazard. It is the very plan of God being pictured, forecasted, and prefigured in such passages. A plan that would unfold over several millennia, but a fully intact strategy with specific outcomes in view—reconciliation to God. What love and grace it must involve to devise such an elaborate and extraordinary plan. Another observation here is irresistible…. God does not merely react to developments; he is a planner, designer, strategists, and manager. Understanding what would happen in the future, he proactively devised an incredible plan for reconciliation. Thus, before there was a world, God had a well thought out plan as to how he will redeem fallen humanity.

       B.  THE FATHER PREPARED A PEOPLE (Gen. 12:1-3)

Genesis 12:1-3,  Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:  2,  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:  3,  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

God in his wisdom and grace selected and used the Nation of Israel to provide to the world the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. This was a tremendous and arduous undertaking to be certain!

                  1.  God Prepared a Man: He Called Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen. 26:1-5; 28:12-15)

                  2.  God Prepared a Nation: He Choose the Nation of Israel/Jacob (Numb. 24:17)  

                  3.  God Prepared a Tribe: He Choose the Tribe of Judah (Gen. 49: 8-10; Lk. 3:33)

                  4.  God Prepared a Family: He Choose the Family Line of David (Isa. 9:7; Lk. 1:32, 33)

                           a. Through David’s son Solomon—Joseph—Foster Father of our Lord Jesus

                           b. Through David’s son Nathan—Mary—Virgin Mother of our Lord Jesus

                 5.  God Prepared His Son:  He Sent His Son into the World (Jn. 20:21; 3:16, 17)

The unique role of the Jewish Nation in God redemptive plan cannot be overstated. All the families of the earth will be blessed by the Seed of Abraham! All of the toil and challenges and struggles with the Nation of Israel to keep them distinct and devoted to Him is a part of the Father’s plan to supply the only hope of salvation the world will ever know. Through the lives, history, struggles, documents, Scriptures and covenants, the Savior’s entrance into the world would not be strange and unanticipated. Through the nation a stage was being set for the Savior to step out on and provide our redemption. How thankful I am to the Father and the Jewish Nation for giving the world the Lord Jesus Messiah.

       C.  THE FATHER PREPARED A PERSON (Jesus Christ, the Son of God)

Hebrews 10:5-7, Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:  6, In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.  7, Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

This is typically what we celebrate at Christmas season, the incarnation of the Son of God. The birth of the Messiah…the coming of the Savior, Lord, and new born King! Through the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit, Mary conceived and the Lord or Glory was placed on earth inside the body of a young virgin name Mary. Yes, the seed of the woman is Jesus and the woman is Mary. As the Scriptures predicted, so our Lord comes to execute the very will and plan of the Father voluntarily. Ultimately, all of the Old Testament animal sacrifices pointed to one singular Sacrifice—the death of Christ at Calvary for all sinners everywhere. The Father sent the Son to be Prophet, Priest, and Potentate:

                 1. This Person is to be The Prophet: He will Proclaim God and the Message of God to the People

                 2.  This Person is to be The Priest: He will Mediate between God and the People and even become the Sacrifice for the People’s Sin                                                            

                 3.  This Person is to be The Potentate: He will Reign as God over the People

This will be developed more fully in the next article in this series. Clearly the Father is a designer, strategic planner and project manager. Throughout his leg of the race we witness extraordinary wisdom, power, grace, love, patience, determination, and hope. The Father is not putting forth a token effort, nor is he casual about worldwide evangelism. He cares deeply and has sacrificed greatly that we sinners might be reconciled to him. All of this preparation and labor is for our benefit and reconciliation to him. 

Listen, preparation is never a waste of time and resources in a worthy cause. Preparation for service to God is still a praiseworthy endeavor. Invest the time, energy and effort to be excellent in your ministry for Christ’s glory. Secondly, anything worth doing is worth doing with your entire being. Throw yourself into service to Christ and the ministry of evangelism because the impact is eternal. It is worth the time and effort to present sinners with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thirdly, give in support of world missions endeavors as one who fully realize you are entering into a grand privilege of co-laboring together with the Almighty. Set aside resources to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the greatest work on earth—reconciling lost humanity to the Lord God Almighty. Fourthly, trust the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior for the forgiveness of sins and to be reconciled to God. It is not through religion, rituals, human relationships, or our performance that we are saved. No, God saves us by his grace through faith purely motivated by his great love for us. Repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins, was buried, and arose from the dead the third day as the Scriptures said he would. That is correct, Jesus Christ is the Son of God and living Savior who triumphed over death, hell, sin, and the grave! Like me, you are guilty of more sins than you can count…you need the Lord…just like me. We all have sinned...we all have lied, stolen, cheated, and put other things before God. Admit to God your sinfulness and ask him for forgiveness. I did this, and God forgave me. He will forgive you also. Turn to Jesus in faith for forgiveness of your sin today. There is no reason to put this decision off any longer. Trust the Lord Jesus Christ.

Since the Son has been born into the world and his mission defined, the Father God now passes the baton to the Son of God. Yes, the Father ran his portion of the race with power, wisdom, determination, zeal, grace, and focus; now he passes the baton to his darling Son. Mid-stride as Jesus takes the baton we enter the second leg of missions.

Faithful Ministers

1THESS. 1:1-4

Subject: A Strong Church

Theme: The Church of the Thessalonians is a positive example because of its leadership, members, teaching, service, and God’s work among them. The Thessalonians provide us with a wonderful model to imitate.

Introduction: 

So what makes for an ideal church or a good model ministry? Though the answer is incomplete, God still uses faithful ministers to build solid churches. There are myriads of ideas surrounding what makes for a good church home, but the Scriptures afford us clear teaching on this matter. The wonderful part is these truths are not culture bound or limited to a certain century or hemisphere of the globe. God has used men and congregations who were truly and deeply faithful to Him in many positive ways. In our brand of Christianity it appears that talent, education, notoriety, connections, and personality are the primary contributing factors to a minister's success or a church’s growth and progress. While these natural factors are good in their place, ministers who strive first to be faithful to God will build strong congregations.

How important is faithfulness? Is this something that is critical in the life of a church, ministry, or Christian organization? While many places in the Word of God could easily be consulted for an answer, my favorite is found in the writings of Paul. The great apostle says, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1Cor 4:2, KJV). Certainly God regards faithfulness as a significant characteristic in His ministers implying they must be men who habitually and actually believe and trust Him.

The church in Thessalonica, established on Paul’s second missionary journey, was a model church. Paul mentions this in the first chapter; “So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia” (1 Thess. 1:7). This church was a testimony to the whole area that we would call Greece today. Paul also speaks of this church as being an example to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 8:1–5.—McGee, J. Vernon: Thru the Bible Commentary

Are we a part of a model church or do we need to be remodeled?

Message:

A Strong Church Has Faithful Ministers.  Vs 1& 2

1Thes 1:1, Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus…  

A. Consider the Caliber of these Servants of God.

      1.  Apostle Paul.

a) Apostle. Paul’s commission was to take the Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; Eph. 3:1–12), but he always started his ministry among the Jews.

b) Missionary/Evangelist (Act 17:1-10, 16; 18:5). It is interesting to study the words Luke used to describe Paul’s public ministry in the synagogue (Acts 17:2–3).

i)                    Reasoned means “to discourse using questions and answers.” Perhaps “dialogue” would be a good synonym.

ii)                   Opening simply means “explaining.” Paul would read a portion of the Old Testament Scriptures and explain their meaning with reference to Jesus Christ and the Gospel.

iii)                 Alleging literally means “to lay beside.” Paul put the Scriptures before them in an orderly manner, showing them how they harmonized.

iv)                 Preach means “to proclaim, to announce.” Paul did not simply teach the Scriptures; he proclaimed Christ and urged his listeners to receive Him by faith.

We can learn much from Paul’s approach to evangelism. He used the Word of God, and he declared the Son of God. He started where the people were and led them into the truth of the Gospel. (When Paul preached to Gentiles, he started with the God of Creation, since they had no knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures. See Acts 14:8–18; 17:16ff.) –Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Com.

c) New Testament Writer.

The Holy Spirit led Paul to pen this inspired letter to meet several needs.

i)                    He encouraged his converts in the faith to persevere despite their persecution (1Thess 2:14-16).

ii)                   He refuted false charges made by the local enemies of the gospel: that the missionaries had preached in order to fatten their wallets and gain other personal benefits (2:1-6); that Paul had left Thessalonica hurriedly and had not returned because he was a coward and a hypocrite (2:17-19).

iii)                 Paul also wrote to correct some errors that had cropped up in the church: an inclination to moral laxity and laziness (4:1-7; 5:4-11), and a tendency not to respect the church’s spiritual leaders (5:12-20).

iv)                 Paul gave instruction too on the subject of what would happen to Christians who would die before the Lord’s return (4:13-18). —Walvoord, The Bible Knowledge Com.

       2.   Missionary Silas (vs. 1, “Silvanus”)

            a) Paul’s Missionary Partner

Acts 15:37-41, And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. 38, But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39, And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; 40, And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. 41, And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

            b) Silas’ Ministry Position

i)                           Paul joins Silas and Timothy with himself in his greeting. Remember that Silas and Timothy had just returned to Paul with their report from Thessalonica (3:1-3). By joining their names with his, the Thessalonians would know they are all in agreement concerning this letter.

ii)                         Also, Paul reveals his humility when he joins these men with himself Silas and Timothy would have been unknown had not Paul associated himself with them. This is a very noble gesture on the part of Paul. He is always identifying himself with the brethren. He was not aloof, separated, and segregated above all the others who were working for the Lord Jesus.

iii)                        This is something we need to remember today in regard to the ministry. Don’t put your preacher on a pedestal; let him be right down among you. Those of us who are ministers are largely responsible for trying to make a difference between the clergy and laity. –McGee, J. Vernon: Thru the Bible Commentary

       3.  Missionary Timothy

            a) Paul’s Missionary Protégé.

Acts 16:1-5, Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: 2, Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. 3, Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. 4, And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. 5, And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

            b) Timothy’s Ministry Position.

Even though Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica was not a long one, it was solid enough to leave behind a thriving church. When he left for Athens, Paul told Timothy and Silas to remain there and help the new church and then to join him later. When they did meet again, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to encourage the Christians and assure them of his love and concern. (He had tried to go back twice, but was hindered; 1 Thes. 2:17–18.) It was when Timothy rejoined Paul at Corinth and gave him the report on the new church that Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians. He wrote 2 Thessalonians just a short time later.

            c) Lessons from this Ministry Team.

All of this background teaches us several helpful lessons.

i)                    Obviously, God uses people. God did not send angels to evangelize Thessalonica; He sent a converted Jewish rabbi and his friends, including a young man who was part Jew, part Gentile. God still uses people—dedicated people who will obey His leading and share His message.

ii)                   Here is a second lesson: the Gospel is still “the power of God unto salvation” (Rom. 1:16). It did not require years to set up a church in Thessalonica. God’s power was effective in changing lives, and a church was founded in less than a month. Paul reminded them that the Gospel came to them not “in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Ghost” (1 Thes. 1:5).

iii)                 Finally, Satan still opposes the Gospel and persecutes God’s people; but persecution can be a means of growth. As we study this letter, we will see that God’s Spirit strengthens and encourages suffering saints as they go through the difficulties of Christian life. –Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary

B. Consider the Concentration of these Servants of God.                                                            

1. They Faithfully Prayed For The Church.

1Thes 1: 2, We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

a)      They Were Thankful to God for Each and Every Member    Vs 2

i.       Only In Dictionary

A businessman said, “People are ingrates. It took me 61 years to find it out. I have 175 employees, men and women. At Thanksgiving, I sent them 175 choice turkeys. Only four thanked me. Two thanked me by notes and two said, “Thank you” when they chanced to meet me in the hall. Because of their thanklessness, I’ve decided never to go out of my way to be nice again.”

Someone has said, “If you want to find gratitude, look for it in the dictionary.”

—Selected, Tan, Paul Lee: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations

ii.      Whenever Paul prayed he mentioned the Thessalonians. (Are we as faithful in remembering our Christian brothers and sisters?) And it was always with thanks that he prayed for them, remembering their work of faith, their labor of love, and their patience of hope. –MacDonald, William: Believer's Bible Commentary
iii.    Paul, Silas, and Timothy rejoiced together in what God had done in their converts’ lives. They continually and frequently gave thanks; the Thessalonians were a constant source of joy to them. Whenever these missionaries prayed for the Thessalonians, they gave thanks to God for them. Rather than being a source of grief these Christians evoked gratitude. In this they served as models for all Christians. –Walvoord, John F.: The Bible Knowledge Commentary

b)      They Counted Each Member as a Gift From God to The Fellowship Vs 2

c)      They prayed faithfully and fervently for this church (3:9-10). They were not only faithful to communicate God’s eternal Word, but they faithfully prayed for the saints.  This is why personal prayer time, prayer meetings, and prayer breakfast meetings are so important!  Do we pray daily for our fellow members? In every strong Church there must be faithful prayer and teamwork among those that minister in the church!

2. They Faithfully Planted the Church.

It was during Paul’s Second Missionary Journey that the light of the gospel first broke in on the darkness of Thessalonica (Acts 17:1–10).

Thessalonica at that time was a strategic city, both commercially and politically. True to form, Paul went to the Jewish synagogue and showed from the OT that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. He then went on to declare that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised Messiah. That lasted for three Saturdays. Some of the Jews were convinced, and took their place with Paul and Silas as Christian believers. Also, many of the Greek proselytes and quite a few of the leading women of the city were converted. Then the backlash started. Those Jews who did not believe rounded up some of the hoodlums from the marketplace, incited a riot, and besieged the house of Jason, where Paul and Silas had been staying. The Christian brethren in Thessalonica decided that it would be wise for the preachers to leave town, so they sent them by night to Berea.

The remarkable thing is that when Paul and Silas departed, they left behind a congregation of believers who were instructed in the doctrines of the faith and who were unmoved by the persecution they endured.   Paul and his team may have spent as long as three months in the city. The apostle’s Letters to them show that the Thessalonians had a broad acquaintance with Christian doctrine... –Adapted, MacDonald, William: Believer's Bible Commentary

So what makes for an ideal church or a good model ministry? Though the answer is incomplete, God uses faithful ministers to build solid churches. There are myriads of ideas surrounding what makes for a good church home, but the Scriptures afford us clear teaching on this matter. The wonderful part is these truths are not culture bound or limited to a certain century or hemisphere of the globe. God has used men and congregations who were truly and deeply faithful to Him. In our brand of Christianity it appears that talent, education, notoriety, and personality are the primary contributing factors to a church’s growth and progress. While these are good in their place, ministers who strive first to be faithful to God will build spiritually strong congregations. 

Dr. MacDonald writes, “A major requirement in stewards is to be found faithful. Man values cleverness, wisdom, wealth, and success; but God is looking for those who will be faithful to Jesus in all things.” (MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary)

The sad reality is so many are committed to themselves, their welfare, popularity, material wealth, and future options that the things or Christ are lost somewhere in the scramble. It is as Paul says in Philppians 2:21, “For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” God uses men who genuinely care about His interests and deeply value the things of Jesus Christ. Certainly this includes Christ’s churches that He died for and is constantly making intercession on behalf of!

Furthermore, when “faithful” (1Cor 4:2) refers to believers it connotes being full of faith and trustful towards God. Obviously, this is more than being worthy of trust or confidence; it does include this element, but it is richly more. Faithful describes the person who trusts God so entirely that they are worthy of the trust of others as a by product (Acts 10:45; 16:1; 2 Cor. 6:15; Col. 1:2; 1 Tim. 4:3, 12; 5:16; 6:2; Titus 1:6; Eph. 1:1; 1 Cor. 4:17). In turn such servants are truly faithful to God, His Word, and the ministry committed to their charge. God uses their confidence in Him and depth of commitment to His plan and ways to bless whatever He gives them. Also bear in mind the blessing is consistent with God’s plan and not our ideas. The principle is God works through trustful servants because their confidence honors Him. 

In light of this article, there are some questions we should all ask ourselves as servants of the Most High God. Consider these for starters:

1. Am I really trusting God as a habit of life and ministry?

2. Has ministry become a routine of strategies and tactics that I have become versed in using or manipulating?

3. Does my confidence in God lead me to embrace strategies that are new to me, but are not new to God?

4. Do I want my outcomes and “fruit” more than God’s outcomes?

5. Am I using man-made metrics to define fruitfulness?

6. Am I trusting traditions because they are familiar and comfortable?

7. Is my faithfulness to a label causing me to reject faithfulness to God?

8. Have I substituted trusting God for popular programs?

9. Am I merely trustworthy when God desires that I be trustful?

10. Am I relying more on naturalistic factors (talent, education, personality, and connections) than supernatural factors (trusting God, the Word, and faithfulness) for effectiveness?

Remember Paul, Silas, and Timothy were men who were full of faith towards God, trustful as a standard, and clearly worthy of being trusted by others. Like God, The Bible, and God’s covenants (Ps. 119:86, 138; Isa. 25:1; 1 Tim. 1:15; Rev. 21:5; 22:6), they were deeply “faithful.”

Fallacies Related to Receiving The Spirit!

There are serious fallacious teachings related to the Holy Spirit’s indwelling of genuine Believers (Acts 1:8; 19:2). This article makes an honest attempt to clarify the biblical teaching to at least reduce the amount of ambiguity on this subject. The content in this article will be difficult for some readers. I ask that you suspend your conclusions until you have examined all the passages and the central arguments I have presented here. My aim is to get to the truth because I know the truth will set each of us free!

In previous articles we observed the facts and explored the functions of the Spirit’s indwelling. We need to now consider the fallacies related to this subject. This fallacy surrounds when the Spirit takes up habitation in the believer. Is it something to be sought and prayed for repeatedly until God give us the Spirit?  Is it dependent upon my life being clean enough and then the Spirit will see fit to indwell me?

Some of the confusion on this issue stems from misunderstanding and misinterpreting the Book of Acts.  Some have even manipulated the Book of Acts to substantiate some rather strange teachings about the ministry of the Spirit of God.  So the best thing to do is to look at some of these very same passages and seek to shed light on this with other portions of the Bible.

1.      Should a believer seek the indwelling of the Spirit today?

                                                   i.      No, I believe a person receives the Spirit immediately upon receiving Christ as Savior.

                                                 ii.      Eph. 1:13-14; Gal. 3:2; 4:4-7; Rom. 8:9.  This is universally true with all believers today, but it was not so during the early years of Christianity.

                                                iii.      There is not even one command to seek the indwelling the Holy Spirit in the NT!

                                               iv.      There was a period of transition from Judaism to Christianity—from Jewish ideas to Christian ideas, from Jewish practices to distinctively Christian practices, from Jews only to Jews and Gentiles together (John 7:38-39; Gal. 3:26-28). 

                                                 v.      God’s people were slow to accept the idea of “world” evangelism; therefore, God used several approaches to confirm His intentions for the gospel and to guide his apostles and the early churches.

                                               vi.      But, why does the Book of Acts seem to teach differently? 

2.      Note the Emphasis and Command of Acts 1:8. 

                                                   i.      This verse is the theme and key verse of the entire Book of Acts.

                                                 ii.      The indwelling Spirit would empower the church to take the gospel to their city, their country, their region of the world, and also the rest of the world.

a.       They like us must receive power—the power of the Holy Spirit. This power is the grand indispensable of Christian witness. A man may be highly talented, intensively trained, and widely experienced, but without spiritual power he is ineffective. On the other hand, a man may be uneducated, unattractive, and unrefined, yet let him be endued with the power of the Holy Spirit and the world will turn out to see him burn for God. The fearful disciples needed power for witnessing, holy boldness for preaching the gospel. They would receive this power when the Holy Spirit came upon them.

b.       Their witness was to begin in Jerusalem, a meaningful prearrangement of the grace of God. The very city where our Lord was crucified was first to receive the call to repentance and faith in Him.

c.       Then Judea, the southern section of Palestine with its strong Jewish population, and with Jerusalem as its chief city.

d.       Then Samaria, the region in the center of Palestine, with its hated, half-breed population with whom the Jews had no dealings.

e.       Then the uttermost part of the then-known world—the Gentile countries which had hitherto been outside the pale as far as religious privilege was concerned. In this ever widening circle of witness, we have a general outline of the flow of history in Acts.

1.       The witness in Jerusalem (Chaps. 1–7)

2.       The witness in Judea and Samaria (8:1–9:31)

3.       The witness to the uttermost part of the earth (9:32–28:31)

                                                iii.      Paul felt obligated, “I am a debtor,” to the entire human race to proclaim God’s good news (Rom. 1:14-15).

a.       It did not matter if they were educated or uneducated, cultured or uncultured, Jew or Gentile; they all need Christ.  He was eager (“I am ready,” Rom. 1:15) to evangelize the world, including Rome, capital of the empire.

b.       Because the Jews were God’s Chosen earthly People (11:1), possessed God’s Word (3:2), and the people through whom Christ came (9:5), they had the first privilege or priority to hear the gospel. Paul characteristically sought out the Jews first in every new city (Acts 13:5, 14; 14:1; 17:2, 10, 17; 18:4, 19; 19:8).

c.       Today evangelism of the world must include the Jews, and Gentiles because the “Jew first” priority was satisfied in the Book of Acts (Rom. 1:14-17).

                                               iv.      Though Christ made this very plain, the believers were slow to accept the idea. But, Christ promised the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth (John 16:13).

3.      Note the Execution of Acts 1:8 Missionary Endeavor.

                                                   i.      Jews in Jerusalem were saved (Acts 2:1-4, 37-41).

a.       The church witnessed with great power in Jerusalem and three thousand Jews were saved initially.

b.       Unfortunately the earlier Jewish churches were very slow to take the gospel to all peoples, therefore God sent persecution to force them out of Jerusalem and into the rest of the world (Acts 8:1).

                                                 ii.      Then Judeans and Samarians were saved (Acts 8:1-12; 9:31).

a.       The Samaritans’ salvation immediately raises the question, “Why the difference between the order of events here and on the day of Pentecost?”

1.       At Pentecost the Jewish people:

                                                                                                                           i.      Repented.

                                                                                                                         ii.      Were baptized.

                                                                                                                        iii.      Received the Holy Spirit.

2.       Here the Samaritans:

                                                                                                                           i.      Believed.

                                                                                                                         ii.      Were baptized.

                                                                                                                        iii.      Had the apostles pray for them and lay their hands on them.

                                                                                                                       iv.      Received the Holy Spirit.

b.       Of one thing we can be sure: they were all saved in the same way—by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the only Way of Salvation.

c.       However, during this transitional time, bridging Judaism and Christianity, God chose to act sovereignly in connection with various communities of believers.

1.       Jewish believers were asked to dissociate themselves from the nation of Israel by baptism before they received the Spirit.

2.       Now the Samaritans must have special prayer and the apostles’ hands laid on them. But why?

d.       Perhaps the best answer is that it was intended to give expression to fellowship between Jews and Samaritans “in Christ.” There was a real danger that the church in Jerusalem might retain ideas of Jewish superiority, and that they might continue to have no dealings with their Samaritan brethren. To avoid the possibility of such prejudice, God sent the apostles to lay their hands on the Samaritans. This expressed full fellowship with them as believers in the Lord Jesus. They were all members of the family of God, through the same Lord Jesus Christ.

                                                iii.      Then Gentiles in Judea, and throughout the Mediterranean world were saved (Acts 8:26-40; 10:43-48; 13:1-5).

a.       The eunuch from Ethiopia was saved (Acts 8:35-38).

b.       Cornelius with his family and friends in Caesarea were saved—these were Romans (Acts 10:43-48).

1.       While Peter was still preaching, “the Holy Ghost fell on” these Gentiles. They all spoke with tongues, praising God. This was a sign (1Cor. 1:22; Jn. 2:18; 4:48; Matt. 12:38-39) to those present that Cornelius and his household had indeed received the Holy Spirit.

                                                                                                                           i.      The Jewish-born visitors from Joppa were astonished to think that Gentiles could receive the Holy Spirit as such, without becoming Jewish proselytes.

                                                                                                                         ii.      But Peter was not bound to the same extent by Jewish prejudices. He sensed immediately that God was making no distinction between Jew and Gentile, so he proposed that the household of Cornelius should be baptized.

2.       Notice the expression, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? These Gentiles had been saved in the same way as the Jews—simple faith. There was no suggestion of law-keeping, circumcision, or any other ordinance or ritual.

3.       Notice, too, the order of events in connection with the reception of the Holy Spirit by the Gentiles:

                                                                                                                           i.      They heard the word, that is, they believed (v. 44).

                                                                                                                         ii.      They received the Holy Spirit (v. 44, 47).

                                                                                                                        iii.      They were baptized (v. 48).

4.       This is the order of events that prevails for Jew and Gentile alike in this dispensation, when God is calling out of the nations a people for His Name.

c.       The gospel went out to the then known world through Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:1-5).

4.      Note that the Spirit’s Indwelling served as a confirmation of salvation to other believers.

                                                   i.      An example of delayed indwelling with the Samaritans (Acts 8:1-25).

a.       Since a deacon and evangelist preached the gospel to the Samaritans, it was needful that the apostles witness what God had done (8:14-17).

b.       The purpose of the Spirit’s delay to indwell these Samaritans was to confirm to the apostles that the Samaritans were genuine converts. 

c.       God wanted to give salvation to Samaritans also.

                                                 ii.      An example of immediate indwelling with the Gentiles (Acts 10:40-45).

a.       Since an apostle preached this message, there was no delay regarding the Spirit’s indwelling. 

b.       God confirmed to Peter and his companions that salvation was for the Gentiles also.

c.       Then Peter had to explain his evangelistic campaign among the Gentiles to the church in Jerusalem (Acts 11:1-18) and they finally realized and accepted what God was doing!

                                                iii.      What about the disciples of Apollos in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-7)?

a.       Apollos preached an incomplete message (Acts 18:25) “the baptism of John” the Baptist which was still anticipating the Christ.  These men seem only partially informed of God’s way of salvation, the ministry of the Spirit, and faith in Jesus Christ.

1.       Paul explained they needed to believe on Christ (Acts 19:4-5).

2.       Then they were baptized before they received the Holy Spirit (19:5).

3.       Afterwards they received the Spirit through the laying on of the hands of Paul (19:6).

b.       When the apostle Paul raised the question of baptism, he found out that these men knew only about John’s baptism. They knew Messiah was at hand, and they had signified their repentance by baptism as a necessary preparation for receiving Him as King. They did not know that Christ had died, had been buried, and had risen from the dead and ascended back to heaven, and that He had sent the Holy Spirit. Paul explained all this to them. He reminded them that when John baptized with the baptism of repentance, he urged them to believe on Christ Jesus (19:3, 4).

1.       When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (19:5). Throughout the Book of Acts the emphasis is distinctly on the lordship of Jesus. Therefore, the disciples of John here were baptized by the authority of the Lord Jesus and as a public acknowledgment that in their lives they accepted Jesus Christ as Lord (Jehovah).

2.       Paul then laid his hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit (19:6, 7). This is the fourth distinct time in Acts when the Holy Spirit was given. The first was in chapter 2, on the Day of Pentecost, and involved the Jews primarily. The second was in Acts 8, when the Spirit was given to the Samaritans through the laying on of the hands of Peter and John. The third time was in Acts 10, at the household of the Gentile, Cornelius, in Caesarea. We have previously pointed out that the order of events leading up to the reception of the Holy Spirit is different in each case.

3.       Here in Acts 19 the order is:

                                                                                                                           i.      Faith.

                                                                                                                         ii.      Re-baptism.

                                                                                                                        iii.      Laying on of the apostle’s hands.

                                                                                                                       iv.      Reception of the Holy Spirit.

c.       By giving the Holy Spirit to John’s disciples through the laying on of Paul’s hands, the Lord forestalled the possibility of a charge being made later that Paul was inferior to Peter, John, or the other apostles.

d.       When the disciples of John received the Holy Spirit they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Such supernatural powers were God’s method of working in the days before the NT was given. Today we know that we receive the Holy Spirit at the time of conversion, not by signs and wonders, or even by feelings, but by the testimony of the NT Scriptures.

                                               iv.      Note that Paul was filled with the Spirit after his conversion (Acts 9:15-18). 

a.       He may or may not have received the Spirit at his conversion, but God sent Ananias to minister to him and he was filled with the Spirit and healed of blindness. 

b.       This was a confirmation to the church in Damascus (Acts 9:11-16, 19-22).  Nobody would have received Paul as a true believer without this confirmation experience.

5.      What is the normal pattern for today? (Acts 10:24-48)

                                                   i.      I believe this is the pattern for today.  The gospel is preach, sinners repent and believe, the Spirit indwells the new believers, and they follow the Lord in believer’s baptism.

a.       The moment a person believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, he is indwelt by the Holy Spirit; he is sealed by the Holy Spirit; he receives the earnest of the Spirit; he receives the anointing of the Spirit; and he is baptized by the Spirit into the Body of Christ.

b.       However, this does not deny that in a believer’s life there are subsequent crises of the Spirit. There is no denying that the Holy Spirit often comes on individuals in a sovereign manner, empowering them for special ministries, giving them great boldness in the faith, and pouring out upon them a passion for souls.

                                                 ii.      Throughout the NT Epistles it is universally assumed, yea even taken for granted, that all believers are indwelt by the Spirit of God without exception.

                                                iii.      We are no longer transitioning from Judaism to Christianity.  The Christian faith is well established today and is afforded guidance through the written Word (NT).

Prayerfully some of the confusion related to when Christians are indwelt by the Spirit of God has been removed.  I realize some will read this article and reject it because they know what happened to them. Others will refuse it because they trust more what they have seen and what people they respect have told them. Some folks are fully convinced what they experience or have witnessed is from God and totally of God. I wish only to say to these that we must measure every teaching by the Scriptures. We have an obligation to try the spirits to determine if they are indeed of God. I am afraid God receives a great deal of unwanted credit for things He has nothing to do with. We must not permit our feelings, denominations, preferences, ideologies, or personal philosophies take precedence over the written Word of God.