THE outpouring of the Spirit was predicted by the Prophets of old.
Bishop Colin Nyathi
Joel 2 vs 28 — 29, “And it shall come to pass afterwards, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young shall see visions, and also upon the servants and upon the hand maids in these days will I pour out My Spirit.”
Ezekiel 36 vs 27, “And I will pour out my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them . . .”
- Isaiah 44 vs 3, “And I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground, I will pour My Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring.” The Baptism in the Holy Spirit The main source of evidence is the acts of the Apostles.
- The day of Pentecost Acts 2 vs 1-4,Vs 1, “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” Vs 2, “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.” Vs 3, “Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.”
- Vs 4, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
This is the fullest account we have in scripture. Exactly 50 days after the resurrection of Christ, the promise made by the prophets and Jesus himself was fulfilled.The Holy Spirit came to the company of disciples waiting in Jerusalem.
1. Wind from heaven There was a wind from heaven — a mighty, rushing wind. In both Hebrew and Greek, the word for “Spirit” also means “wind”. Wind speaks of life, power, movement, force, all typical of the Holy Spirit.
2. Flames of fire John the Baptist had foretold Jesus would baptise with “the Holy Spirit and fire.” Fire symbolises purging, purifying, cleansing, burning up the chaff and dross.
3. Speaking in other tongues As the Spirit gave them the words to say. Acts 2 vs 4 says, “They . . . began to speak in tongues as the Spirit gave them the words to say.” There were 120 disciples in the upper room at that time. We are clearly told that they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and all began to speak with tongues.
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4. Boldness Peter was not afraid anymore, so were all the disciples as well as deacons like Stephen.
The Holy Spirit and the believer. 1. He brings conviction that leads to salvation John 16 vs 8 – 11, He convicts, reproves and convinces. Vs 8, “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment . . .” Vs 9, “. . . of sin, because they do not believe in Me . . .” Vs 10, “. . . of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more…” Vs 11, “. . . of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”
2. He produces conversion and regeneration Regeneration means spiritual rebirth, spiritual renovation and restoration. Titus 3 vs 5, “. . . not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit . . .”
Eph 2 vs 1, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins. . .”
3. He liberates us from the power of sin and death Romans 8 vs 2, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”
4. He gives us inward assurance of salvation 1 John 5 vs 6 and 8, Vs 6, “This is He who came by water and blood — Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit Vs 8, “ And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.”
Romans 8 vs 16, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God…” 5. He teaches all things. 1 John 2 vs 27, “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.”
6. He gives life to our physical bodies Romans 8 vs 11, “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
7. He gives us power for service Acts 1 vs 8, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
8. He empowers our prayers Jude 20, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit…”
Romans 8 vs 26 – 27, Vs 26, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings, which cannot be uttered.” Vs 27, “Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
9. He inspires praise and worship to God Acts 2 vs 11, “Cretans and Arabs — we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”
Philippians 3 vs 3, For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh . . .”
Ephesians 5 vs 18 – 19, Vs 18, “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,” Vs 19, “. . . speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord . . .”
10. He produces the fruit of the Spirit in a believer’s life Galatians 5 vs 22 – 23, Vs 22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”Vs 23, “. . . gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
How to receive Him 1. Renounce your sin, confess it 1 John 1 vs 9, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2. Relax The disciples were sitting on the day of Pentecost, (so sit back and relax) don’t be tense. Acts 2 vs 2, “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.”
3. Receive Luke 11 vs 13, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
4. Respond Acts 2 vs 4, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” They all began to speak.
