- John 16:13 — Jesus promises His apostles He will send the Holy Spirit to guide them in all truth
- 2 Peter 1:20-21 — The apostles received and spoke the very words of God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit
- Ephesians 3:3-5 — They wrote down these words so that when we read them, we can understand God’s will
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 — All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and it will thoroughly equip us
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
The subject of the Holy Spirit has been one of controversy and confusion.
Genesis 12:3
“I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Matthew 3:11-12
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
(see Isaiah 32:15 & Joel 2:28-32)
Acts 1:4-5
“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’”
THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
- Acts 2:33 (Jews in Jerusalem)
- Acts 10:47-48 (Gentiles in Caesarea)
- Acts 11:13-18, 15:6-11 (Peter confirms what happened in Acts 10)
The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred twice in the Bible (Acts 2 & 10). This is the fulfillment of the promise God made to Abraham. The gospel is for all — both Jews & Gentiles.
Genesis 12:3 & Galatians 3:14
“I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)
“…that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:14)
God’s Plan for Salvation
- Hear… “Faith comes by hearing” (Rom. 10:17)
- Believe… “Believe on the Lord Jesus” (Acts 16:31)
- Repent… “Repent or perish” (Lk. 13:3)
- Confess… “Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus” (Rom. 10:9)
- Be Baptized… “Baptism now saves us” (1 Pet. 3:21; Eph. 4:5)
- Remain Faithful… “He who endures to the end will be saved” (Matt. 10:22)
