Power from heaven Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  Repent.  Be baptized. 1) He has already washed our sins away. 2) He has already transferred us from Satan’s control into God’s kingdom. 3) He has already buried our old sinful nature and raised us up with a new nature, which loves to do the will of God!  Receive the Holy Spirit?? 1Following Jesus: Lesson Four A

1. What will they do without Jesus? IIn the Gospels, the Twelve related to Jesus with their natural senses. IIn Acts, they learn to walk and talk with Him in a totally new way.  Immersion We don’t see Jesus with our natural eyes, so we miss out big time.Yes / No The power of the Holy Spirit is for US just as it was for the Twelve.Yes / Yes 2

2. What did Jesus come to do? 1) Takes away the sin of the world. 2) He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. (John ) 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.” 3Following Jesus: Lesson Four A

3. Who is the Holy Spirit?  The Holy Spirit is the creative power of God.  In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit gave supernatural power to perform miracles or prophesy.  Jesus, the Word of God, was conceived by the Holy Spirit.  The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit acted together at Jesus’ baptism. Jesus was filled with the Spirit and began His public ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is God’s power to heal and cast out demons.  Better than having Jesus in the flesh. Why? 4Following Jesus: Lesson Four A

4. Why be baptized with the Holy Spirit? But you will receive POWER when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my WITNESSES in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 1) Power to DO the will of God. "Eager to obey." 2) The Spirit of Jesus in us. 3) Power to pray in the Spirit and worship freely. 4) Power to understand the will of God, to read His Word and hear Him speak to us. 5) Power to witness – to show others the way. 5Following Jesus: Lesson Four A

The coming of the Holy Spirit is about falling over and having strange experiences. Yes / No The coming of the Holy Spirit is about a new heart and power to do God’s will. Yes / Yes Next week: How to be baptized in the Holy Spirit 6

Memory Verse But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1.8) 7Following Jesus: Lesson Four A