Not Just Repentance

Not Just Repentance

2014-04-06

Acts 19:1-7

English Standard Version (ESV)

19 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

Sincere beliefs and feelings can’t take the place of Biblical truth and facts.

·      If 12 become nucleus of Ephesian church they must believe the Gospel.

o   For Paul, the way to determine that was to ask if they received the Holy Spirit.

Apart from the Holy Spirit, there is no salvation.  Acts 19:1-2, Mt 3:11, Jn 6:66, Lk 5:33, 7:18-20,

·      “disciple” means simply a learner of anybody….not necessarily Christ follower.

·      Not Christians, but John the Baptizers’ disciples….this was 30 years after his ministry ended.

o   The 12 knew about the Holy Spirit (John the baptizer proclaimed) but not that the Holy Spirit had been given or was being given. Jn 7:39, Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16; Jn 1:32

Rather than questioning their belief in Jesus they asked “Into what baptized?” Acts 19:3, 4:12

·      John the Baptists’ baptism was a sign of repentance, not a sign of faith or a new life in Jesus Christ.

o   They failed to recognize Jesus, the one whom John the Baptist proclaimed- the promised Messiah.

·     People must transfer faith from Christ to come to Lord Jesus who has come.

o   We not ONLY turn from sin (repentance) but turn to faith in Jesus Christ.  Acts 19:4-5,

Paul taught about Jesus not the Holy Spirit, because if people came to faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit would indwell permanently in fullness; ALL of who He is.

·      There is no gap between salvation & the gift of Holy Spirit….If you don't have Holy Spirit, you're not Christian.   

o   Rom 8:9,16; 1 Cor 3:16, Eph 1:13 Jn 3:34

o   Nor does a person progressively receive the Holy Spirit: ie. part at salvation & later in fullness (2^nd blessing)…in effect a person hasn't received the Holy Spirit at all.

o   It’s either all or nothing…Eph 5:18 Holy Spirit is getting more of us.

§  People without the Holy Spirit use a contradiction in terms like “Jesus is Savior but not Lord". 

·      We do not exalt God when have wrong view of Him, Christ or Holy Spirit.

This is considered the last of four “Pentecosts” in Acts when Spirit came at various times and ways.

·      Common in all: immediate, bold, effective witness for Jesus & God’s greatness.

o   Sometimes salvation is accompanied by GIFT of tongues.

§  No tongues: 3000 believers @ Pentecost (2:41); Ethiopian official (8:38-39); Lydia & her household; Phil jailer/family.

·      Tongues and prophecy are not the emphasis of this or other “Pentecosts” nor central theme of Acts.

o   Acts not primarily doctrinal manual on Holy Spirit (Epistles accomplish that) but a transitional history book describes spread/inclusiveness of gospel

Tongues and prophesy are still gifts the Holy Spirit sovereignly gives to SOME believers to build up body. include 5 gifts sections of scripture on overhead…..1 Cor 12:7, 11, 13, 27-13:1  

·      Scripture no delineation of past, unavailable & present available.

o   But tongues and prophecy can’t be proof of salvation….not every Christian has those gifts. 

·      The enemy uses the misuse of “sign gifts” to cause confusion/division.

o   any spiritual gift hurts the body if love is not foundation for exercising it.

·      Main cause of division is not Tongues and Prophecy but PRIDE on both sides... “Gifts” discussion.

A healthy church should exercise great diversity of gifts that should not lead to fragmentation/division but to greater unity.  i.e. LEFC  

·      Here tongues and prophecy is for unity…God wanted to connect everybody into one Church.

o   Also, to show Paul was God's messenger & equal with other apostles.

·      When you believed you received the gift of the Holy Spirit & He gave you at least one spiritual gift.

o   Are you using your gifts in love to strengthen body & glorify God?