Experiencing the Transformative Power of the Holy Spirit

 

Summary

In the Gospel of John, we find a profound distinction between the baptism of water and the baptism with the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist, who baptized with water, pointed to Jesus Christ, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. This distinction is crucial for understanding the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. The baptism with the Holy Spirit is not merely a theological concept but a dynamic experience that marks a significant change in the believer's life. It is not something that happens automatically upon belief or through human effort; rather, it is a sovereign act of God, a gift given according to His will.

The baptism with the Holy Spirit is characterized by its clear and unmistakable nature. It is an experience that is both conscious and experimental, evident to the individual and those around them. This is not to be confused with regeneration, which is a mysterious and non-experimental act. The baptism with the Holy Spirit is a powerful, often spectacular event that brings about a profound change in the believer's life, empowering them for ministry and witness.

Throughout the history of the church, revivals have been marked by this baptism, where the Holy Spirit falls upon groups of people, transforming them and their communities. These revivals are not the result of human effort or manipulation but are sovereign acts of God. They are characterized by a visible and powerful manifestation of the Holy Spirit, leading to a renewed zeal for God and His work.

The biblical evidence for this is abundant, as seen in the book of Acts and the lives of the apostles. The Holy Spirit's coming was always accompanied by clear signs and wonders, demonstrating the power and presence of God. This same power is available to believers today, calling us to seek a deeper experience of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- The baptism with the Holy Spirit is a distinct and transformative experience, separate from water baptism and regeneration. It is a sovereign act of God, not achieved through human effort or automatically upon belief. [04:39]

- This baptism is characterized by its clear and unmistakable nature, being both conscious and experimental. It is evident to the individual and those around them, marking a profound change in the believer's life. [13:31]

- Revivals throughout church history have been marked by the baptism with the Holy Spirit, where the Spirit falls upon groups of people, transforming them and their communities. These are sovereign acts of God, not the result of human manipulation. [10:14]

- The biblical evidence for the baptism with the Holy Spirit is abundant, as seen in the book of Acts. The Holy Spirit's coming was always accompanied by clear signs and wonders, demonstrating the power and presence of God. [23:32]

- Believers today are called to seek a deeper experience of the Holy Spirit, allowing His power to transform their lives and empower them for ministry and witness. This experience is available to all who earnestly seek it. [37:21]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Baptism with the Holy Spirit
- [01:05] - The Importance of Understanding the Holy Spirit
- [02:28] - The Church's Need for Revival
- [03:16] - Proposition One: Believers Without the Holy Spirit
- [04:39] - Proposition Two: The Holy Spirit's Sovereign Action
- [06:26] - Misconceptions About Receiving the Holy Spirit
- [07:29] - The Given Element in the Holy Spirit's Work
- [09:55] - The Role of Revivals in Church History
- [13:31] - Proposition Three: The Clear and Unmistakable Nature
- [17:11] - Biblical Evidence for the Holy Spirit's Manifestation
- [23:32] - The Book of Acts: A Testimony of the Spirit's Power
- [30:42] - The Experience of the Apostles and Early Church
- [37:21] - The Call to Seek the Holy Spirit Today
- [44:45] - Closing Remarks and Resources

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 1:26, 33 - "John answered them saying, I baptize with water but there standeth one among you whom ye know not... upon whom Thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost."
2. Acts 2:4 - "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
3. Acts 10:44-46 - "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word... For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God."

Observation Questions:
1. What distinction does John the Baptist make between his baptism and the baptism that Jesus will perform? ([00:30])
2. How does the sermon describe the nature of the baptism with the Holy Spirit? What are some characteristics mentioned? ([13:31])
3. According to the sermon, what role do revivals play in the history of the church, and how are they related to the baptism with the Holy Spirit? ([10:14])
4. What evidence from the book of Acts is used in the sermon to support the idea of the baptism with the Holy Spirit being a clear and unmistakable experience? ([23:32])

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the distinction between water baptism and the baptism with the Holy Spirit affect a believer's understanding of their spiritual journey? ([00:48])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is a sovereign act of God rather than a result of human effort? ([06:26])
3. How might the experiences of the apostles in the book of Acts inform our understanding of the Holy Spirit's work in the church today? ([23:32])
4. What implications does the sermon suggest about the relationship between personal revival and the broader revival of the church? ([02:28])

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Have you experienced a moment that you would describe as a baptism with the Holy Spirit? If so, how did it impact your life and ministry? ([04:39])
2. The sermon emphasizes the sovereign nature of the Holy Spirit's work. How can you cultivate a posture of openness and readiness to receive the Holy Spirit's work in your life? ([06:26])
3. Consider the role of revivals in church history as described in the sermon. How can you contribute to a spirit of revival in your own church community? ([10:14])
4. The sermon calls believers to seek a deeper experience of the Holy Spirit. What practical steps can you take this week to pursue a more profound relationship with the Holy Spirit? ([37:21])
5. How can the biblical evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in the book of Acts inspire you to seek and expect the Holy Spirit's power in your daily life? ([23:32])
6. Reflect on a time when you witnessed or experienced a powerful manifestation of the Holy Spirit. How did it affect your faith and understanding of God's presence? ([23:32])
7. The sermon suggests that the baptism with the Holy Spirit is evident to both the individual and those around them. How can you be more aware of the Holy Spirit's work in the lives of others in your community? ([13:31])

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Power of the Holy Spirit
The baptism with the Holy Spirit is a distinct and transformative experience that goes beyond water baptism and regeneration. It is a sovereign act of God, not something that can be achieved through human effort or automatically upon belief. This experience is marked by a profound change in the believer's life, empowering them for ministry and witness. The Holy Spirit's baptism is a conscious and experimental event, evident to the individual and those around them, signifying a new level of spiritual vitality and purpose. [04:39]

Acts 1:8 (ESV): "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the transformative power of the Holy Spirit to empower you for ministry and witness today?


Day 2: The Clear and Unmistakable Nature of the Holy Spirit's Baptism
The baptism with the Holy Spirit is characterized by its clear and unmistakable nature. It is an experience that is both conscious and experimental, evident to the individual and those around them. This baptism marks a profound change in the believer's life, empowering them for ministry and witness. Unlike regeneration, which is a mysterious and non-experimental act, the baptism with the Holy Spirit is a powerful, often spectacular event that brings about a significant transformation. [13:31]

Acts 2:4 (ESV): "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."

Reflection: Can you recall a moment when you experienced a clear and unmistakable move of the Holy Spirit in your life? How did it change you?


Day 3: Revivals as Sovereign Acts of God
Revivals throughout church history have been marked by the baptism with the Holy Spirit, where the Spirit falls upon groups of people, transforming them and their communities. These revivals are not the result of human effort or manipulation but are sovereign acts of God. They are characterized by a visible and powerful manifestation of the Holy Spirit, leading to a renewed zeal for God and His work. The biblical evidence for this is abundant, as seen in the book of Acts and the lives of the apostles. [10:14]

Acts 4:31 (ESV): "And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."

Reflection: How can you position yourself and your community to be open to a sovereign move of God that brings revival?


Day 4: The Abundant Biblical Evidence of the Holy Spirit's Power
The biblical evidence for the baptism with the Holy Spirit is abundant, as seen in the book of Acts. The Holy Spirit's coming was always accompanied by clear signs and wonders, demonstrating the power and presence of God. This same power is available to believers today, calling us to seek a deeper experience of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The experiences of the apostles and the early church serve as a testimony to the Spirit's power and the transformative impact it can have on individuals and communities. [23:32]

Acts 19:6 (ESV): "And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying."

Reflection: What steps can you take to seek a deeper experience of the Holy Spirit's power in your life today?


Day 5: The Call to Seek the Holy Spirit Today
Believers today are called to seek a deeper experience of the Holy Spirit, allowing His power to transform their lives and empower them for ministry and witness. This experience is available to all who earnestly seek it. The Holy Spirit's baptism is not merely a theological concept but a dynamic experience that marks a significant change in the believer's life. It is a gift given according to God's will, and it is characterized by a clear and unmistakable nature, being both conscious and experimental. [37:21]

Luke 11:13 (ESV): "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Reflection: Are you earnestly seeking a deeper experience of the Holy Spirit in your life? What practical steps can you take to invite His presence and power today?

Quotes


The baptism with the Holy Ghost is something that happens to us that is clear surely in all these cases that are recorded in the book of The Acts of the Apostles which is as I tried to show last Sunday our ultimate Authority in this matter it is this history that is taken for granted as background to the teaching of the Epistles. [00:04:51]

The given element what I mean by the given element is this take the terms that are used that he's poured out or that they were filled or that he fell upon them now that's what I mean by the given element here they are they they are the recipients yes but the action is outside it's it's objective if you like it's given it is the Lord that does it. [00:07:49]

Revivals are most important in this matter the difference or if you like the difference between baptism of the Holy Spirit and the Revival is simply one of the number of people affected I would Define a Revival as a large number a group of people being baptized by the holy ghost at the same time or the Holy Ghost falling upon coming upon a number of people assembled together. [00:10:24]

You cannot get a Revival whenever you like you cannot work up a Revival it is wrong to say you fulfill certain conditions you do certain things and a Revival will come so many have said that I've known many who have taught that and who've practiced that who've done everything that they've been instructed to do but the Revival has not come and the answer is that it is in entirely his gift. [00:12:03]

The baptism with the Holy Ghost is always something clear and unmistakable something which can be recognized by the person to whom it happens and by others who look on at this person now this is obviously a most vital and important principle those of course who tend to identify the baptism of the Holy Ghost with regeneration those who say that all who become Christian when they become Christian receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost they naturally minimize this as they must do of necessity. [00:13:31]

The very essence of this is that it is conscious that it's experimental that it's obvious that it's plain that it's clear not only to the recipient but also to those who are familiar with him now this this I regard as in many ways the nerve of the difference of opinion between good Christian people who are all equally genuinely concerned to preach and to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. [00:15:00]

The biblical evidence makes it quite Beyond any doubt that this is something essentially experimental that it involves a mystical experience to use such a term and that it is something that is plain and obvious far from quiet and unobtrusive the whole emphasis upon the instances that we are given in the scriptures and what we deduce again from the teaching of the need of restraint and control in the Church of Corinth and so on all this indicates that far from being something quiet and unsensational it tends to be obvious and patent essentially experimental. [00:17:27]

In the New Testament it was highly spectacular and in the great revivals of religion there has always been a very prominent spectacular element and in the lives and experiences of individuals who talk about this and who testify to receiving this there is invariably something which again you are almost compelled to call a spectacular element to them at inate it was the most spectacular thing that has ever happened to them. [00:18:18]

When this happens you see it is Manifest there is a power given there is an Insight there's an understanding there is an authority there is a speaking loudly boldly this doesn't suggest something quiet controlled almost unobtrusive and unobserved it's the exact opposite but come along those are but the preliminary anticipations we have seen in the case of Our Lord himself that once the spirit had come upon him he begins his ministry he begins to speak and to act and to do his great works. [00:23:02]

The power of God came mightily Upon Us in so much that many cried out for exalting joy and many fell to the ground as soon as we were recovered a little from the awe and amazement at the presence of His Majesty we broke out with one voice we praise thee Oh God we acknowledge thee to be the Lord now you notice what happened the power of God came mightily Upon Us 3:00 in the morning they'd prayed many times before they'd had love feasts very regularly but it was on this occasion it happened in that way. [00:39:15]

A Revival I say is always something plain clear obvious when a Revival breaks out in a church or in a district it's known it becomes a topic of conversation it arouses great curiosity as exactly it did on the day of Pentecost and people come crowding out of sheer curiosity to see what it is that has happened now I'm simply trying to show you that the great characteristic in the first instance of the baptism of the spirit is that it is something obvious manifest plain clear. [00:36:50]

All I've tried to show you this morning is that it's something obvious it's plain it's clear the man himself knows it other people know it about it it is highly experimental may God therefore give us Grace to examine these things examine the scriptures read the history of the church keep your mind and your heart open to the gracious leadings and influences of the spirit of God. [00:44:02]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 25, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?