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Series: The Holy Spirit

Sun am 15 September 2013 – Pastor Kobus Swart 

(John 3:5-8); Exod. 35:30-35; Judges 14:5-6, 19-20; Judges 15:14-15; Ps.51: 11;
(Gen. 1:1-2); Matt. 3:16; Luke 4:18; Acts 10: 38; Acts 1: 8; Acts 2:4; (Joel 2);
Acts 8:4-17; Acts 10: 44-45; Acts 18:24-28; Acts 19:1-6; 1 Cor. 14:18-19; 1 Cor. 12:4-11, 30

God is always adding more insight as the seasons progress. One such area is about the Holy Spirit. The terminology “baptized by or of the Holy Spirit” is usually associated with the born again experience. We cannot be born again without the Holy Spirit (John 3:5-8). The terminology changes when it is an experience after being born again, when it is referred to as being baptized “in” or with” the Holy Spirit, and in many cases there is the evidence of the speaking in tongues.

The Holy Spirit was active and present in the Old Testament. Then Moses said to the sons of Israel, See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding and in knowledge and in all craftsmanship; to make designs for working in gold and in silver and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones for settings and in the carving of wood, so as to perform in every inventive work. He also has put in his heart to teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to perform every work of an engraver and of a designer and of an embroiderer, in blue and in purple and in scarlet material, and in fine linen, and of a weaver, as performers of every work and makers of designs (Ex. 35:30-35). Notice the creativity that follows when he was filled with the Holy Spirit! It seems that you can do better by the anointing of the Holy Spirit if there is an area of gifting God awakened in you.

Do not forget men like Samson. Then Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother, and came as far as the vineyards of Timnah; and behold, a young lion came roaring toward him. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, so that he tore him as one tears a young goat though he had nothing in his hand; but he did not tell his father or mother what he had done(Judges 14:5-6). In a serious crisis we need the Holy Spirit. Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, and he went down to Ashkelon and killed thirty of them and took their spoil and gave the changes of clothes to those who told the riddle. And his anger burned, and he went up to his father’s house (Judges 14:19). The Spirit of God came upon him and he killed thousands.When he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily so that the ropes that were on his arms were as flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds dropped from his hands (Judges 15: 14). What about David: Do not cast me away from Your presence. And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me (Ps. 51: 11).

Let us look at the New Testament.

After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him (Matt. 3:16). the spirit of the lord is upon me, because he anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. he has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed (Luke 4:18). He was the Son of God, but the Spirit was needed for Him to move in His ministry. You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him (Acts 10: 38).

What about believers in the church: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth (Act 1:8).

Then followed the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit (fulfilling the Feast of Pentecost on the Jewish calendar). And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance (Acts 2:4).

The outpouring in Joel 2 says He will pour out His Spirit on all flesh, meaning on all mankind; it was never to be contained only in the Jewish community. More “outpourings” followed. The Samaritans received the Holy Spirit during the ministry of Phillip, John and Peter (Acts 8:4-7 & 14). While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also (Acts 10: 44-45). The Holy Spirit fell on those who feared God; and on those who receive the living word, because the words of Jesus are spirit and life. Even the “circumcised” believers were amazed!. No one has copyright on what they receive from God. In view of the prophecy of Joel 2:28, could it be that Christians will react and became amazed that the Holy Spirit will fall on the “non-churched” and “non-Christians”?

It happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (From this it seems that Paul understood that it was possible that they could have received the Holy Spirit at their conversion.) And they said to him, “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying (Acts 19:1-6).

The speaking in tongues is not the only evidence of having been filled with the Spirit.

Paul had to explain something. There were probably some problems and excesses in the Corinthian church. I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue (1 Cor. 14:18-19). Notice the apostolic ratio of 5:10,000!

Then Paul explains it further: All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? But earnestly desire the greater gifts (1 Cor. 12:30). The implied answer to these questions is clearly a “no”. The Holy Spirit distributes to each one individually as He wills (1 Cor. 12:4-11). No office or gift is an exclusive sign of the Holy Spirit’s manifestation.

The Word this morning must help us to get rid of any old mindset we may still have regarding the Holy Spirit. We all a greater capacity for more of the Holy Spirit. We are spirit, soul and body. I pray that God will bypass our mind with its objections and limitations and stretch us on the inside. It can only happen when there is a deep hunger in our spirit and desire that He comes in whatever way He wishes. The Holy Spirit will only come when we invite Him.

I pray that the Lord will prepare our hearts for the next great visitation. But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit (Isa. 66:2). Make time for the Lord, one-on-one time. Let Him soften you and bring that hunger to the surface.