Baptism of the Holy Spirit “I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high” Luke 24:49

Baptism of the Holy Spirit Lk 3:16-23a What is John here telling the people? I baptize with water but One is coming who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire Do we see what the result of the coming of the One will be? There will be a separating of the wheat and the chaff

Baptism of the Holy Spirit What are we told about Jesus after His baptism by water and the Spirit? See Luke 4:1 He was full of the Holy Spirit and was led by the Spirit Where was Jesus led? Matthew 4:1 Into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil What did Jesus do after this period of trial? Began His public ministry

Baptism of the Holy Spirit Amongst Jesus’ last interactions with His disciples what do we find Him doing? What is He focusing on? Luke 24:44-46 He opened their minds. Focusing on His death, burial and resurrection This is a call to believe, to repent of unbelief

Baptism of the Holy Spirit In Acts of the Apostles p. 36 we read: “As the disciples waited for the fulfilment of the promise, they humbled their hearts in true repentance and confessed their unbelief.” What were they repenting of? What did they not believe in? Their unbelief was in His death, burial and resurrection as the Son of God for their salvation

Baptism of the Holy Spirit Think of what fears cause us to be in unbelief today? Fear of the judgement Fear of condemnation Fear of the second death Guilt If you are not free from condemnation you are in unbelief Step 1: Confess your belief that the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus has paid for your salvation

Baptism of the Holy Spirit What instruction did Jesus give His disciples? See Luke 24: 49 and Acts 1: 4,5,8 Stay/wait in Jerusalem until you receive power from on high For what purpose is this power given? You shall be My witnesses to the uttermost parts of the world The Holy Spirit’s power is always given for ministry Step 2: Confess a willingness to wait for the promise

Baptism of the Holy Spirit What were the disciples doing while they were waiting? Luke 24: 52, 53 Praising God What were they praising God for? Leviticus 19: 23-25 – first fruits offering of praise 1 Chronicles 16:9 – all His wonderful acts Psalm 40: 9, 10 – spoke boldly of all His greatness, character Psalm 61:8 – pay my vows by singing praise Ps 98: 4-9 – shout it aloud God will judge in righteousness Step 3: Confess praise for God’s generosity to me in sending Jesus to take my guilt, shame, 2nd death

Baptism of the Holy Spirit What was the condition of the waiting group? Acts 1:14 All of one mind, devoted to prayer How does this come about? “Putting away all differences, all desire for the supremacy, they came close together in Christian fellowship.” Acts of the Apostles p. 37 If the Holy Spirit is in you, how will you handle differences with your brothers and sisters? If Christ is in you, you can be big enough to LET it GO Step 4: Confess your faults one to another

Baptism of the Holy Spirit When the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the early church, "the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul" (Acts 4:32). The Spirit of Christ made them one. This is the fruit of abiding in Christ. . . . {3SM 20.2} We have need of divine illumination. Every individual is striving to become a center of influence, and until God works for His people, they will not see that subordination to God is the only safety for any soul. His transforming grace upon human hearts will lead to unity that has not yet been realized, for all who are assimilated to Christ will be in harmony with one another. The Holy Spirit will create unity.--Letter 25b, 1892. {3SM 20.3} 21

Baptism of the Holy Spirit Acts of the Apostles p. 37 “The disciples prayed with intense earnestness for a fitness to meet men and in their daily intercourse to speak words that would lead sinners to Christ.” Step 5: Confess your need for a fitness to meet people and be able to speak words that will lead them to Christ

Baptism of the Holy Spirit Step 1: Confess your belief that the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus has paid for your salvation Step 2: Confess a willingness to wait for the promise Step 3: Confess praise for God’s generosity to you Step 4: Confess your faults one to another Step 5: Confess your need for a fitness to meet people and be able to speak words that will lead them to Christ Confess= speak out …

Baptism of the Holy Spirit What do you see?

Baptism of the Holy Spirit Bridges? What are they for? Crossing What do the Bridge and railings represent in the spiritual life? Jesus is the BRIDGE. His Life and Death and what we receive. Railings are teachings we hold to be true. Railings. What are they for? Keeping us safe How would it be crossing the bridge on the railings?