T HE P ROMISE OF THE H OLY S PIRIT P T 2 Much assistance from Mark Copeland’s “Promise of the Holy Spirit”

I NTRODUCTION Last week we looked at the promise of the Holy Spirit as prophesied by Joel Isaiah Ezekiel Zechariah This week we will take some time to look at the promise of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament

T HE PREACHING OF J OHN THE B APTIST He spoke of one coming who would “Baptize you with the Holy Spirit” Mt 3:11; Mk 1:7-8; Lk 3:16; Jn 1:33 “To be baptized with the Holy Spirit means that the Messiah would send upon the world a far more powerful and mighty influence than had attended the preaching of John. Many more would be converted. A mighty change would take place. His ministry would not affect the external life only, but the heart. the motives, the soul; and would produce rapid and permanent changes in the lives of people.” ( Barnes’ Notes ) “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire - He shall fill you with the Holy Ghost, inflaming your hearts with that fire of love, which many waters cannot quench. And this was done, even with a visible appearance as of fire, on the Day of Pentecost.” ( Wesley’s Notes )

T HE P REACHING OF J OHN THE B APTIST The promise was made to large crowds; and we can only understand its full context within its fulfillment We know this is somehow tied to the events taking place on Pentecost ( Acts 2:1-4 ) Christ Himself makes this known to us ( Act 1:4-5 ) “Our Lord told the disciples the work they were to do. The apostles met together at Jerusalem; Christ having ordered them not to depart thence, but to wait for the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. This would be a baptism by the Holy Ghost, giving them power to work miracles, and enlightening and sanctifying their souls. This confirms the Divine promise, and encourages us to depend upon it, that we have heard it from Christ; for in Him all the promises of God are yea and amen.” ( Matthew Henry )

T HE T EACHING OF J ESUS C HRIST The Spirit would be given to those who ask the Heavenly Father ( Lk 11:13 ) “Observe what to pray for; we must ask for the Holy Spirit, not only as necessary in order to our praying well, but as all spiritual blessings are included in that one. For by the influences of the Holy Spirit we are brought to know God and ourselves, to repent, believe in, and love Christ, and so are made comfortable in this world, and meet for happiness in the next.” ( Matthew Henry )

T HE T EACHING OF J ESUS C HRIST The Spirit would be given as “living water” to all who thirst and come to Him in faith, and drink ( Jn 7:37-39 ) Could this “living water” be “the gift of God” alluded to in Jn 4:10-14 ? “A gift is any thing that is given, for which no equivalent has been or is to be returned: a free gift is that which has been given without asking or entreaty. Such a gift of kindness was Jesus Christ to the world, John 3:16 ; and through him comes the gift of the Spirit, which those who believe on his name were to receive. Christ was not an object of desire to the world - no man asked for him; and God, moved thereto by his own eternal mercy, freely gave him. Through this great gift comes the Holy Spirit, and all other gifts which are necessary to the salvation of a lost world.” ( Clarke’s Commentary ) Consider also the comparison of the Spirit to water in Is 44:3

T HE T EACHING OF J ESUS C HRIST Jesus promised His apostles “The Spirit of Truth” who would Be a helper and abide with them ( Jn 14:16-17 ) “Another Comforter - Jesus had been to them a counsellor, a guide, a friend, while he was with them. He had instructed them, had borne with their prejudices and ignorance, and had administered consolation to them in the times of despondency. But he was about to leave them now to go alone into an unfriendly world. The other Comforter was to be given as a compensation for his absence, or to perform the offices toward them which he would have done if he had remained personally with them. And from this we may learn, in part, what is the office of the Spirit. It is to furnish to all Christians the instruction and consolation which would be given by the personal presence of Jesus, John 16:14. To the apostles it was particularly to inspire them with the knowledge of all truth” ( Barnes’ Notes )

T HE T EACHING OF J ESUS C HRIST Consider also the following points from Barnes to comfort the disciples; to be with them in his absence and to supply his place; and this is properly expressed by the word Comforter. to teach them, or remind them of truth; and this might be expressed by the word monitor or teacher, John 14:26; John 15: to aid them in their work; to advocate their cause, or to assist them in advocating the cause of religion in the world, and in bringing sinners to repentance; and this may be expressed by the word advocate, John 16:7-13. It was also by the Spirit that they were enabled to stand before kings and magistrates, and boldly to speak in the name of Jesus, Matthew 10:20. These seem to comprise all the meanings of the word in the New Testament, but no single word in our language expresses fully the sense of the original. “That he may abide with you for ever - Not that he should remain with you for a few years, as I have done, and then leave you, but be with you in all places to the close of your life. He shall be your constant guide and attendant.” ( Barnes )

T HE T EACHING OF J ESUS C HRIST Bring to their remembrance all that Jesus taught them ( Jn 14:16-17 ) Bear witness of Christ along with the apostles ( Jn 15:26-27 ) Convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment ( Jn 16:7-11 ) Guide the apostles unto all truth, including things yet to come ( Jn 16:12-13 ) Glorify Jesus by taking what is His, and declaring it to them ( Jn 16:14 )

T HE T EACHING OF J ESUS C HRIST Jesus told His disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they received the “promise of the Father” ( Lk 24:49; Acts 1:4-5 ) “And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you,.... By which is meant the promise of the Spirit, called the promise of the Father, because he was promised by the Father to be sent, and poured on the saints in the times of the Messiah, Isaiah 44:3 and because Christ promised to pray the Father for him, and to send him from him; and that the Father should send him in his name, who would fit and qualify them for, and assist them in bearing a testimony for him; since he would teach them all things, lead them into all truth, take of the things of Christ, and show them to them, and bring to their remembrance all things they had seen and heard:” ( Gill’s Exposition )

T HE T EACHING OF J ESUS C HRIST He clearly connects this with baptism of the Spirit spoken of by John At this time, the apostles would receive power, and be eyewitnesses ( Acts 1:8 ) “But ye shall receive power... - Literally, as it is translated in the margin, "Ye shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon you." This was said to them to console them. Though they could not know the times which God reserved in his own appointment, yet they should receive the promised Guide and Comforter. The word "power" here refers to the help or aid which the Holy Spirit would grant; the power of speaking with new tongues; of preaching the gospel with great effect; of enduring great trials, etc. ( Barnes’ Notes ) “But ye shall receive power,.... From on high, with which they were to be endured, Luke 24:49 meaning the power of the Holy Ghost, strength from him to preach the Gospel, and work miracles in confirmation of it, and courage and greatness of mind, amidst all reproaches and persecutions, to face and oppose their enemies, profess the name of Christ, abide by his truths and ordinances, make their way through all opposition and difficulties, and spread the Gospel all over the world;” ( Gill’s Exposition )

T HE P REACHING OF P ETER Peter ties the outpouring of the Spirit to the prophecy of Joel on the Day of Pentecost ( Acts 2:14-16 ) During the course of his sermon Peter Speaks of the outpouring of the Spirit as a promise Jesus received from the Father ( Acts 1:4, 2:33 ) Offers the gift of the Spirit to all who will repent and be baptized ( Acts 2:38 )

T HE P REACHING OF P ETER Teaches that the promise is to them and others as well What promise is he speaking of? What promise would have immediately come to the mind of his hearers Might it not have been the promise he was just alluding to? The promise received by Christ and now poured out by Him ( Acts 2:33 ) The very Spirit which Jesus Himself promised to believers ( Jn 7:37-39 ) "That we are right in referring the word promise, in this sentence, to the promise of the Holy Spirit just made by Peter, is evident from the fact that this is the only promise made in the immediate context." ( J.W. Mcgarvy ) "For the promise... - Of pardon, and the gift of the Spirit." ( B.W. Johnsons ) " Acts 2:39 shows that the gift of the Holy Spirit is to all, Jews and Gentiles, who accept that call of God." ( David Lipsomb )

C ONCLUSION “In view of the promises made concerning the Spirit, we should not be surprised to read of the work of the Spirit in the life of the Christian. Of course, the challenge will be to discern exactly what the Bible reveals, and not read into the Scriptures any preconceived ideas regarding His work.”