SERIES: The Work of the Holy Spirit
SERMON: “The Holy Spirit as Manifested in the New Testament” (Part 3)
PRESENTER: Rev. Dr. JoAnne P. King
DATE: May 21, 2023
In this series so far, we have covered the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament that came upon:
- His Prophets that they might speak the Lord’s words to His people.
- Filled particular individuals with wisdom and understanding that they might perform skilled work in the Lord’s house.
- Came upon certain men that they might serve God as kings and judges over Israel.
- Endued with power as with Samson.
- Directed the prophecies of the Old Testament through holy men of God, so that such prophecies were from God, and not something formulated by men.
Last week we covered scriptures revealing where God promised the coming of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament.
Additionally, it was revealed the change in the administration of the Holy Spirit from the Old Testament and the New Testament.
In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came upon individuals while in the New Testament, the Holy Spirit will indwell the Saints of God. Some refer to being filled with the Holy Spirit to the “anointing.”
Next, we will view the coming of the promised Holy Spirit as explained in the following scriptures related to the coming of the Holy Spirit to dwell in the Lord’s people. After some scripture passages, I will note some significant points. While we have not considered this matter, I want to point out-- just as Jesus came to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel”-Matt. 15:24, and the apostles proclaimed the gospel to the Jews first, then to the Gentiles-Acts 13:46; Ro. 1:16, so also, the Holy Spirit came to the Jews first, and then to the Gentiles.
Acts 2:1-18: “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all those where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
[Sometimes, we read so fast we really don’t pay attention to what we are reading. In the passage we just read, it said that the Holy Spirit appeared unto them in the form of cloven tongues of fire and sat upon each of them. For something to appear means that the attribute or form of the Holy Spirit was visible. So, they were able to see the Holy Spirit sit upon each one of them! After this, they were able to speak with other tongues or (foreign languages to them). John the Baptist was the first person to see the form of the Holy Spirit. Remember, he said that he saw the Holy Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, which was the form of the Holy Spirit and it abode upon him (Jesus). John was told by God the Father when giving him his assignment that when baptizing [the Son of God (Jesus), you will see the Spirit descend and remain.
“And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans?
And how hear we every man in our own tongue [or dialect], wherein we were born? … we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
Others mocking said, these men are full of new wine.”
[How can drinking new wine enable one to speak fluently in a language you do not know?]
The Bible explains the meaning: 1 Corinthians 14:21-22: “In the law it is written, with men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people, and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.”
- In the passage in 1 Corinthians, we are told that tongues are for a sign to them that do not believe. In chapter two of Acts there were devout Jews “out of every nation under heaven,” who heard those on whom the Holy Spirit had come, speak “in our own tongue, wherein we were born.” Hearing these people speak in their own languages was a sign or evidence that the promised gift of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit had come, as explained by the apostle Peter. And, speaking with tongues by those Gentiles at the house of Cornelius was a sign to those Jews who were with Peter, by which they realized that God had given the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles, as previously, He had done for the Jews. Also, speaking with tongues was a sign or evidence to those disciples in Acts chapter nineteen that the promised gift of the Holy Spirit had come.
- The passage in 1 Corinthians informs us that it was prophesied that even though God would speak to His people (Israel) by men of other tongues (languages), they would not hear Him. Thus, God sent tongues for a sign to them that do not believe, while prophesying is directed to those who do believe that they might understand the things of God.
Acts 10:1-47: “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.
He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, what is it, Lord? And he said unto him, thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: [Cornelius who is a gentile saw the Holy Spirit, as an angel of God.]
He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
The Apostle Peter is being prepared for his next assignment:
“On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. [This voice was the Holy Spirit.] But Peter said, not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit [Holy Spirit] said unto him, behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by a holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. [Here the Holy Spirit appears to Cornelius as a holy angel.]
Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. [witnesses]
And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends. As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Therefore, came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? And Cornelius said, four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
[This man in bright clothing was the Holy Spirit.] And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. Immediately, therefore I sent to thee: and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now, therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
But in every nation, he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (He is Lord of all:)
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them, which heard the word.
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.
For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then answered Peter, can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?”
Two reflections on the above passages:
- In the account of Peter’s vision at Joppa, because, as Peter stated at Acts 10:28, it was unlawful for a Jew to company with anyone from another nation. The Lord was showing Peter that He was not a respecter of persons, and that all “that feareth Him” are accepted by God. [The Lord was preparing Peter to take the gospel to the Gentiles.]
- Those Jews (witnesses)who traveled with Peter from Joppa to the house of Cornelius were “astonished” to observe that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out, “also” on the Gentiles. “For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.” While the Jews were convinced that the Gentiles were unclean before God, their receiving of the gift of the Holy Spirit, as evidenced by their speaking with other tongues was a sign to the Jews that God had also accepted the Gentiles.
Other examples of the Holy Spirit filling Believers:
Acts 11:1-18: “And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God.
And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him.
Saying, thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, …
And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
[This is a perfect example of the Holy Spirit bringing things back to Peter’s remembrance of the Word of the Lord (Jesus).]
For as much then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”
Acts 18:24-25: “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.”
Acts 19:1-7: “And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, we have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
And he said unto them, unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, unto John’s baptism.
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. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.”
Two reflections on the above scriptures:
- In chapter nineteen of Acts the apostle Paul encountered certain disciples “who believed, having heard only of the baptism of John the Baptist who was baptizing with water for repentance and proclaiming that the One who was to come after John would baptize them with the Holy Spirit.” While these disciples believed through John’s proclamation, they did not know that the Holy Spirit had come on men. When Paul explained what had occurred regarding the Holy Spirit, these disciples clearly received what Paul had told them, and when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, which was evidenced, in that they spoke with other tongues.
- In the passage in 1 Corinthians, we are told that tongues are for a sign to them that do not believe. In chapter two of Acts, there were devout Jews “out of every nation under heaven.” who heard those on whom the Holy Spirit had come, speak “in our own tongue, wherein we were born.” Hearing these people speak in their own languages was a sign or evidence that the promised gift of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit had come, as explained by the apostle Peter. And, speaking with tongues by those Gentiles at the house of Cornelius was a sign to those Jews who were with Peter, by which they realized that God had given the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles, as previously, He had done for the Jews. Also, speaking with tongues was a sign or evidence to those disciples in Acts chapter nineteen that the promised gift of the Holy Spirit had come.
In the Bible, the Holy Spirit can present himself in one or more of the ten different roles:
- A Dove
- A Fire
- A wind
- As Oil
- As Water
- As a Seal
- As a River
- As Rain
- As Wine
- As Clothing.
Pay attention to your dreams, visions, and prophecies because these are ways that the Holy Spirit can communicate with us. In this way, we receive information and direction for our lives and assignments from God.
Let’s give the Lord a praise offering for presenting so beautifully that He is not a respecter of persons. What He will do for one; He will do for all!