2 of 4 Role of the Holy Spirit ib Spreading The Gospel 20140216

2 of 4 The Role of the Holy Spirit in Spreading the Gospel Eastside Church of Christ, Athens, AL Bill Hall February 16, 2014 Link for accessing formatted version with hyperlinks to scriptures: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pOo9hX28yyhABfvfshrVm3fxQ8zaGpPdR4i9k3tVLlE/edit?usp=sharing SUMMARY: This sermon examines the essential work of the Holy Spirit in the ministry of the apostles. Focusing on three key words—Ambassador, Sent, and Witness—the lesson clearly shows how the apostles could not have fulfilled their commission without the Spirit’s enabling power. It covers revelation of truth, imparting spiritual gifts, boldness in persecution, and divine guidance as the gospel spread to all creation in approximately thirty years. Foundational teaching. Listen Here: https://audio.com/eutychus/audio/2-of-4-role-of-the-holy-spirit-ib-spreading-the-gospel-20140216 Listen to original source: https://www.eastside-church.com/library/sermons-only/2014/02/16/what-is-the-role-of-the-holy-spirit Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/7UPhtxYkRFU?si=_kl2eFXiZ0h5wGQa&t=1158 STOP! CAUTION ALL THE FOLLOWING WAS GENERATED USING AI. THERE ARE ERRORS. TRANSCRIPT (SCROLL DOWN FOR OUTLINE AND OTHER RESOURCES) This is an important subject. It's important because I believe that there is a tendency going on in our society, and especially in the church today, to bring in some ideas about the Holy Spirit that I believe can lead us astray. And so our primary purpose is just to go back and get fundamental teaching on the Holy Spirit that I hope will help us to avoid some of the errors that crop up here or there. Glad you're here. This morning we talked about the fact that the primary role of the Holy Spirit was to reveal and confirm God's truth. Now what I want us to do this afternoon is to see the work of the apostles, and that they could not have done their work without the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. And when we talk about the work of the apostles, then there are three words that I would bring to your attention. Remember those three words. 1. Ambassador They were the official spokesmen for the King. 2. Sent That's what the word apostle means—one who is sent. So these men were sent to carry the gospel throughout the world. 3. Witness They were the specially chosen witnesses to convince the world that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, was raised the third day according to the scriptures, and that salvation is to be found in Him. But in doing this work, they had to have the help of the Holy Spirit. So as we study this afternoon, we're going to look a little more in detail into their work and see how the Holy Spirit enabled them to do each one of the things that they were given to do with their role, again, in the redemption that God had planned for His people. Ambassadors of Jesus Christ Let's first of all mention the fact that they were the ambassadors of Jesus Christ. They were the official spokesmen. I think of a king, and he would like to go to another nation for a visit, but circumstances keep him at home, so he sends his ambassador. But when the ambassador speaks, the king is speaking. It's an official message of the king. So it was with the apostles of Jesus Christ. When they spoke, the King was speaking. You remember Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 14:37. If any man thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. They weren't Paul's commandments. They were the commandments of the Lord. He was speaking officially for the Lord. But I especially want you to turn to 2 Peter 3. I use the New King James Version, and I never know exactly how to do this, but I'm going to read first from the New King James Version, but then I want to read from the New American Standard Version. Peter says, verse 2 of 2 Peter 3, that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of the apostles of the Lord and Savior. Now, listen carefully at the New American Standard: that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles. Whose commandment was it? The commandment of the Lord and Savior. Who spoke it? The apostles. So they were the official spokesmen, and when they spoke or when they wrote, it was the message of the Lord. Sometimes people will refer to gospel preachers as ambassadors for Jesus Christ. I'm not sure what they mean by that. But no, if I understand the word, we're not ambassadors, we're not official spokesmen. The apostles were that, and they might add the prophets of the New Testament. I'll tell you what we are—we're more like the anchorman on the 10 o'clock news doing our best to tell people accurately what the apostles said, what the ambassadors said, but we're not the ambassadors ourselves. But here we've got a problem. The King is in heaven. The apostles are on earth. How can they speak officially for the King when they're on earth and the King is in heaven? There needs to be a line of communication between the King and His ambassadors. And of course, that's where the Holy Spirit comes in. He was the means by which they were given the message of the King. Let's go back to the passages we looked at this morning. Look at John 14. These are words spoken to the apostles. These are not words spoken to me. Look at verse 25: These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. I'm not going to trust your memory. You'll have the Holy Spirit to remind you of what I've already taught you and to teach you further. Now, go to chapter 16. He is still speaking to the apostles, same occasion, verse 12: I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. Did you notice He will not speak on His own authority? If you have the King James Version, it says He will not speak of Himself. That is, it won't be His message. The words that the apostles would speak would be the message of the Lord. He would be only the means of communicating to them that message that would come from the King. Look at verse 14: He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. You know, I think sometimes people get this all backwards. You find people who want to glorify the Holy Spirit. Well, maybe in some ways, but the primary purpose of the Holy Spirit was to glorify Jesus Christ, and He is to be the center. He's the King. He's the one with all authority, and what those apostles spoke was the message of the King. Sent to Carry the Gospel Ambassador—now let me give you that second. They were men who were sent, sent to carry the gospel message to the world. We don't need to turn to Mark 16. Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he who does not believe shall be condemned.” But I want you to turn to Luke 24, and what we have is Luke's account of that commission that He gave to His apostles. Look at verse 46: Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Now, you're going to be going to all nations. You're going to be preaching repentance and remission of sins, but don't go yet.” Look at verse 49: “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Now, I'm sending you. I'm sending you to all nations, but don't go till you are endued with power from on high. Now, Acts 1. Look at verse 8: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” So don't go yet. You wait for the power, but the power comes with the Holy Spirit. Now, chapter 2, verse 1: When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. The apostles now have received the Holy Spirit. They have now been endued with power, and they are now ready to begin their work of carrying the gospel throughout the whole world. And on this first day as they preached the message given to them by the Holy Spirit, three thousand of them were converted that day. And the marvelous story is that within approximately thirty years they had carried the gospel to all creation. Think about it. Twelve men plus Paul had carried the gospel to all creation. Turn to Colossians 1. Start with verse 3: We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints, because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth. It's gone to the whole world. Now look at verse 23: if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. That is just fantastic—that in approximately thirty years the gospel could go to all the world when the burden of responsibility lay on twelve men plus the apostle Paul. But what I want us to see is they could not have done it without the Holy Spirit. Let me mention three things that enabled them to do this. 1. Power to impart spiritual gifts They were able to do this because they were given power to impart spiritual gifts to new converts that they met. Let me see if we can illustrate this. Let's suppose we're back in the first century. The apostle Peter comes into Athens. He preaches. He performs miracles to confirm the word that he preaches, and we listen to him and we're converted. But Peter can't stay here. The gospel's got to go. How are we going to be edified, strengthened, built up? Will he give us a New Testament? The New Testament doesn't exist yet. And so Peter, as well as the other apostles, had power to lay hands. Maybe lay hands on this one over here and he can prophesy. This one over here, he speaks in tongues. He lays hands over here and this man can interpret the tongues that the other man speaks. He lays hands on this one and he can heal the sick. And in fact, if you'll turn to 1 Corinthians 12, we have listed some of these gifts. And an interesting statement is made at the end of the listing. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11: But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. I take it from that that when an apostle laid his hands on someone, that the apostle didn't know what gift that person was going to receive. Apparently the Holy Spirit determined what gift that person was to receive. But Peter now has come into Athens. He has preached to us. He lays hands on various ones and through these men and these gifts that are given to them, the church here can be strengthened, and Peter can move on to Birmingham. He might even stop in Hudson. I don't know if he would or not. But he moves on to the next city because the gospel has to be spread. There's a work to be done. But had they not been able to lay hands on people and give them these gifts, then they would have had to stay there, and this would have been a tremendous prevention from the gospel being carried to the whole world within that 30 years. But let's make sure we understand this. Only the apostles were given the power to lay hands on people to pass on these spiritual gifts. Turn with me to the book of Acts 8. Philip has gone down to the city of Samaria. Persecutions come. The apostles say, “He's gone where? To Samaria. I thought the Jews hated Samaritans. What's he doing going down there to Samaria?” I want to tell you the gospel had power, and our Lord set the pace in erasing prejudices. Now, they still are not ready to go to the Gentiles, and we'll talk about that tomorrow night. But here they go. Philip goes down to Samaria. Now, Philip is not an apostle, but he has at least one of these gifts. Look at verse 6-7: And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. There was great joy in that city. And people were being converted, and even that old sorcerer, you remember, Simon, who had been bewitching the people, he was even converted. Now, verse 14: Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Well, obviously, Philip has one of these gifts, but Philip had no power to pass on these gifts to somebody else. If so, it would not have been essential for Peter and John, two apostles, to come down from Jerusalem. So the fact that somebody had one of these gifts through the laying on of the apostles' hands did not mean that they could pass it on to someone else. The apostles only had that power. Well, at this point, Simon, I guess, sees the possibility of kind of being elevated above everybody else like he had formerly been. Verse 18: And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Simon was not wanting one of these spiritual gifts. He wanted the power of the apostles to be able to lay hands on others, and he offered money. Well, the answer was, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money. You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.” And he told them to repent and pray. Go to Acts 19. Paul comes into Ephesus. He's on the third journey. He finds disciples. He assumes that they have been correctly baptized, and he asked them a question. Verse 2: He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Now, as far as I can see from the context, he is asking them, “Has any apostle laid his hands on you to impart to you these spiritual gifts? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?” Well, their answer was, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” Well, that triggered an awareness in Paul. What's wrong with these people? Something's wrong with their baptism. Well, they'd been baptized with John's baptism. Verse 5: When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all. Now, what is enabling these apostles to just keep on moving? Wherever they convert people and a church begins, they're able to impart these gifts that enables the church in the absence of the apostle to be edified, strengthened, and built up, and the apostle can just keep on moving. 2. Power when facing persecution Now, the second thing I would mention, as they go, remember, they are being sent. As they go, they're going to run into persecution. They're going to stand before kings and governors and authorities, and these are not men accustomed to such frightening situations. Turn to Matthew 10:16. Jesus said to them, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” I'm sending you. I'm sending you to carry the gospel, and when you establish a church, you're going to be able to lay hands on people that they will be edified and strengthened through the various gifts that are given. And when you go, don't be surprised when you're brought before kings and governors and authorities, but don't worry about it. Don't be afraid. The Holy Spirit will give you the message. Have you ever marveled at the reply of Peter and John when they're brought before that Jewish council? Turn to Acts 4. I know I'm going to spend a lot of time on this. They had just healed a lame man. Do you remember that? They arrest them. Verse 7: And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” This what? They had healed a lame man. Pretty marvelous, but it's hardly a crime. I guess they thought that these country bumpkins will just be so intimidated before this council that they'll just melt and won't know what to say. Look at verse 8: Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, and then he gives his reply. And whether we marveled or not, that Jewish council marveled. Look at verse 13: Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. Why were they able to answer in such a way that that Jewish council would marvel? They were speaking the words of the Holy Spirit. And then later we see all the apostles standing before the Jewish council, and then Paul stands before Felix and Festus and Agrippa, and then in time before Caesar, and they don't have to be concerned. The Holy Spirit enabling those apostles to do their work. 3. Direct guidance on some occasions Let me give you a third thing. On some occasions, now let me emphasize that term, on some occasions, the Holy Spirit actually directed them as to where He wanted them to go and those to whom they were to speak. Turn to Acts 8. Again, we're dealing with Philip, who is not an apostle, but he's in the city of Samaria and having a great meeting there. Look at verse 26: Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. Now verse 29: Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” The Spirit is bringing Philip to preach to that Ethiopian, and now the gospel is started for Africa. Go to chapter 10. When we get to chapter 10, the gospel has never been preached to the Gentiles, and an angel said to Cornelius, “Send for Simon, whose surname is Peter. He’s lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” And then Peter sees—we're going to get into this more tomorrow—but sees this vision of this sheet coming down with all manner of four-footed beasts and creeping things, and he's learning from that. Now, I want you to notice verse 19: While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing, for I have sent them.” What's the Spirit doing? He's leading to the preaching to the Gentiles. Now go to the 13th chapter of Acts. We have various ones in the church of Antioch, including Barnabas and Saul. Now verse 2: As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” And now here, Barnabas and Saul going out further for the preaching of the gospel. Now go to chapter 16. Now he's on the second journey. Silas has joined him. Verse 4: And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to be kept, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. Now, when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. And then in verse 9, they get the Macedonian call in Troas. What's happening here? Well, the message has now gone down to Africa. The Spirit has had some part of it. The message is now being preached to the Gentiles, and the Spirit has had something to do with that. And now Paul and Barnabas are going out on the first journey, and the Spirit said for them to do that. And here they are not to go this way, not to go this way. They keep on going in a direct way. And at Troas, “Come over to Macedonia” and the gospel reaches European soil. This morning we said that the primary work of the Holy Spirit was to reveal and confirm God's word. Maybe we could add one more thing to that. Not only to reveal and confirm God's word, but to see to it in the first century that that word went to all the world and was written down so that it could be preserved for us in the 21st century. The work of the Holy Spirit. And I'm just suggesting to you there is no way the apostles could have possibly been able to get the gospel to all the world without this work of the Holy Spirit. Witnesses Now, here's the third thing we've talked about. We've talked about ambassadors. They're ones who are sent. And this time, look at the word witnesses. And six times, have you ever noticed this? Six times in the first five chapters of Acts, the word witnesses is found. And it always refers to the apostles as the witnesses. And you might look at chapter 4 in Acts, when Peter and John were standing before that Jewish council, they were told to no longer preach in the name of Jesus. And they say, verse 20: “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” What's a witness? Isn't it somebody that's seen and heard? When they use the term witnesses, we're not talking about men witnessing out here for what Christ has done for me, as I take it, that is used in our day. No, these men were witnesses. They had witnessed the resurrected Jesus Christ, and they're going forth and serving as witnesses of what they have seen and heard. Go to chapter 10 of Acts. As Peter is speaking to Cornelius and those with him, look at verse 39: “And we are witnesses of all things which He did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. Him God raised up on the third day and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.” Specially chosen witnesses who ate and drank with Jesus, who associated with Him while He was on earth, and who saw Him and were given absolute proof that the one standing before them was the same one that had made nails of that Roman cross. And they went forth, the witnesses. And then when the Lord appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus, according to Acts 26:16, He said, “I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a witness…” Witness? Who? The apostles. Did the Holy Spirit have anything to do with their witness? Well, back to Acts 1, look at verse 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.” It's obvious that the coming of the Holy Spirit would have a major role in their witnessing. Now, turn to Acts 5. All of the apostles, I take it on this occasion, are standing before the Jewish council, and they're told, “We said to you, no longer preach in this name.” Look at verse 29: But Peter and the other apostles answered and said, “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” We're witnesses. What is the evidence that these men are obedient to God? Peter said, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Are they obedient? He says, “We're witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit who has been given to those who obey Him.” Yes, we are. We're obeying God rather than men. The very fact that the Holy Spirit is enabling us to do the things that we have done is proof that indeed we're obedient and that our witness is accurate. So as they went forth to witness that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, was raised the third day according to the scriptures, ascended to the Father, and sat down there at the right hand of God, our High Priest, as they witnessed these things, the Holy Spirit acted not only in their witness, but in the miracles that they performed and also confirmed their witness. Ambassadors. What's the line of communication from the King to the ambassadors? The Holy Spirit. Men were sent to carry the gospel throughout the whole world—twelve men plus Paul. How's it going to happen? The Holy Spirit enables them to lay hands on people so that they can edify the church and the apostle can move on and go on and be cared for when they were persecuted and sometimes even on occasions, and I'm emphasizing that term, on occasions, actually given directions by the Holy Spirit as to where they're to go and then they're out there telling people what they've seen and heard. They're the specially chosen witnesses. We're laying a foundation. I hope we're getting it. Now tomorrow night we're going to talk about the work among the Gentiles and the Holy Spirit's part as we see the gospel being preached to the Gentiles and the Gentiles being received among the people of God, and we're going to emphasize that tomorrow night. But in all of this, my purpose is to lay a foundation, and then Tuesday night we'll try to draw some conclusions based upon this foundation that we have been laying so far. You're really listening well, and it's easy to preach. Any of us who preach know how easy it is to preach when people at least are looking at you, whether you're listening or not. I think you're listening, and I see pages turning, and I see notes being taken, and that's really encouraging. And I thank you for your interest, and I hope you can come back tomorrow night and Tuesday night. But let's talk to those of you who are not Christians. Will you do the commandments of the Lord given through the Holy Spirit? Would you obey that today? When you hear the gospel and believe it, repent of your sins, and that's a change of heart, a change of heart that is going to motivate you to change the whole direction of your life. You'll repent, and confessing your faith in Christ are baptized into Christ. You know that's from the Holy Spirit, the descent of our Lord. Why don't you obey the gospel? Scriptures Used in the Lesson 1 Corinthians 14:37 — If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. (NKJV) 2 Peter 3 — that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior (NKJV, v. 2); that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles. (NASB parallel reference) John 14 — These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. (NKJV, vv. 25-26) John 16 — I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. (NKJV, vv. 12-14) Mark 16 — And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (NKJV, vv. 15-16) Luke 24 — Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (NKJV, vv. 46-49, with adjacent v. 48 for context) Acts 1 — 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. (NKJV, v. 8) Acts 2 — When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (NKJV, vv. 1-4) Colossians 1 — We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints, because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth. (NKJV, vv. 3-6); if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. (NKJV, v. 23) 1 Corinthians 12 — But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. (NKJV, vv. 7-11) Acts 8 — And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. (NKJV, vv. 6-7); Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. (NKJV, vv. 14-17); And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” (NKJV, vv. 18-19) Acts 19 — He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” ... When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. (NKJV, vv. 2, 5-6) Matthew 10 — “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” (NKJV, vv. 16-20) Acts 4 — Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them ... Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (NKJV, vv. 8, 13; with v. 7 context) Acts 8 — Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. ... Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” (NKJV, vv. 26, 29) Acts 10 — While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing, for I have sent them.” (NKJV, vv. 19-20) Acts 13 — As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (NKJV, v. 2) Acts 16 — Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. (NKJV, vv. 6-7) Acts 26:16 — “But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.” (NKJV) Acts 4:20 — For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. (NKJV) Acts 10:39-41 — “And we are witnesses of all things which He did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.” (NKJV) Acts 5 — But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” (NKJV, vv. 29-32) Additional Scriptures for Study on the Role of the Holy Spirit (Especially in Relation to the Apostles and the Early Church) These verses provide further insight into the Holy Spirit’s work of inspiration, guidance, empowerment, and confirmation beyond those referenced in the lesson. John 15:26 — But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. Acts 1:2 — until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen. Acts 4:31 — And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Acts 6:3 — Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Acts 6:5 — And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. Acts 11:12 — Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. Acts 13:4 — So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. Acts 20:28 — Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 — And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10-13 — But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 — All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Hebrews 2:3-4 — how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? 1 Peter 1:10-12 — Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into. 2 Peter 1:20-21 — knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. Detailed Outline of the Lesson: The Role of the Holy Spirit (Sermon 2 of 4) Bill Hall – Eastside Church of Christ, Athens, AL – February 16, 2014 I. Introduction and Importance of the Subject The lesson addresses a modern tendency in society and the church to introduce ideas about the Holy Spirit that can lead people astray. The primary purpose is to return to fundamental teaching on the Holy Spirit to help avoid errors. This afternoon’s focus builds on the morning lesson: the apostles could not have done their work without the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. II. Three Key Words Describing the Work of the Apostles A. Ambassador – Official spokesmen for the King (Jesus Christ). B. Sent – The meaning of “apostle”: one who is sent to carry the gospel to the world. C. Witness – Specially chosen witnesses to convince the world of Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and that salvation is found in Him. III. The Apostles as Ambassadors of Jesus Christ When the apostles spoke or wrote, it was the King speaking through them. 1 Corinthians 14:37 2 Peter 3 (NKJV and NASB compared) The King is in heaven and the apostles are on earth, so a line of communication is needed. The Holy Spirit provides that connection by giving the apostles the King’s message. Jesus’ words to the apostles (not to us today): John 14 – The Holy Spirit would teach them all things and bring Jesus’ words to remembrance. John 16 – The Spirit of truth would guide them into all truth, speak what He hears, glorify Jesus, and declare what belongs to Christ. The primary purpose of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Jesus Christ, who holds all authority. IV. The Apostles as Men Who Were Sent Jesus commissioned them to preach the gospel to the whole world. Mark 16 Luke 24 – They were to preach repentance and remission of sins to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem, but first they must wait for power from on high. They received that power on the Day of Pentecost: Acts 1 and Acts 2 – The Holy Spirit came upon them with power; they spoke in tongues and began their work. Three thousand were converted that day, and within about thirty years the gospel reached all creation (see Colossians 1). The apostles could not have accomplished this without the Holy Spirit. Three specific ways the Spirit enabled them: A. Power to Impart Spiritual Gifts to New Converts Apostles laid hands on believers so the church could be edified while the apostles moved on to spread the gospel further. 1 Corinthians 12 – The Spirit distributes gifts as He wills for the profit of all. Only apostles could pass on these gifts (illustrated in Acts 8 with Philip and Simon, and Acts 19 in Ephesus). Without this ability, the apostles would have been forced to stay in each place, hindering the rapid spread of the gospel. B. Power When Facing Persecution They would stand before councils, governors, and kings. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would give them the words to speak. Matthew 10 – “It is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” Examples: Peter and John before the Jewish council (Acts 4); all the apostles; and Paul before various rulers. The council marveled at their boldness despite being uneducated men. C. Direct Guidance on Some Occasions On certain occasions the Holy Spirit (or an angel) directed where they should go or to whom they should speak. Acts 8 – Guidance to the Ethiopian eunuch. Acts 10 – Preparation for preaching to Cornelius and the Gentiles. Acts 13 – Sending Barnabas and Saul. Acts 16 – Forbidden to go to Asia or Bithynia; directed toward Macedonia (European soil). The Holy Spirit not only revealed and confirmed the word but ensured it reached the whole world in the first century and was preserved for later generations. V. The Apostles as Witnesses The term “witnesses” appears six times in the first five chapters of Acts, always referring to the apostles. They were specially chosen men who had seen and heard the resurrected Christ and could testify to what they personally witnessed. Acts 4:20 – “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Acts 10:39-41 Acts 26:16 (to Paul) Acts 1:8 – They would receive power to be witnesses to the ends of the earth. Acts 5 – “We are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit enabled and confirmed their witness through miracles and direct help. VI. Summary and Conclusion The three roles (ambassadors, sent ones, witnesses) all depended on the Holy Spirit: Communication from the King in heaven (revelation of the message). Empowerment to spread the gospel rapidly (gifts, boldness, guidance). Confirmation of the apostolic testimony. The lesson lays a foundation for further study (Gentiles in the next lesson) and calls non-Christians to obey the gospel commands given through the Holy Spirit: hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized. Here are several strong alternate titles for Bill Hall’s lesson (Sermon 2 of 4). They stay true to the content while sounding natural for a Church of Christ Bible class or gospel meeting: Top Recommendations (Most Accurate & Preachable) The Holy Spirit and the Work of the Apostles How the Holy Spirit Enabled the Apostles The Apostles’ Work and the Enabling Power of the Holy Spirit Ambassadors, Sent Ones, and Witnesses: The Holy Spirit’s Role The Holy Spirit’s Work in the Apostles’ Ministry Other Solid Options The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Apostolic Age Without the Holy Spirit: The Apostles Could Not Have Done Their Work The Holy Spirit and the Commission of the Apostles Three Words That Define the Apostles – Enabled by the Holy Spirit Ambassadors Sent as Witnesses: The Holy Spirit’s Enabling Power Slightly More Descriptive / Thematic The Holy Spirit: Revealing, Confirming, and Empowering the Apostles The Essential Work of the Holy Spirit in the Early Church How the Holy Spirit Equipped the Twelve (and Paul) From Heaven to Earth: The Holy Spirit’s Line of Communication to the Apostles The Holy Spirit and the Rapid Spread of the Gospel Short & Punchy Options The Apostles and the Holy Spirit Empowered by the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit in Apostolic Work Here’s a curated list of effective keywords, phrases, and search terms to make Bill Hall’s February 16, 2014 afternoon sermon easy to discover on Google, church websites, audio archives, or sermon repositories. Primary Search Phrases (Best for Exact or Near-Exact Matches) "Bill Hall" "Eastside Church of Christ" "Athens" "Holy Spirit" 2014 "Bill Hall" "Role of the Holy Spirit" sermon "Bill Hall" "Holy Spirit" apostles ambassadors Athens "The Role of the Holy Spirit" Bill Hall February 16 2014 "Eastside Church of Christ" Athens "Bill Hall" "afternoon" OR "pm" "Holy Spirit" "Holy Spirit" "ambassadors" "sent" "witnesses" "Bill Hall" sermon Strong Keyword Combinations (for Broader Reach) Core identifiers: Bill Hall sermon, Eastside Church of Christ Athens AL, February 16 2014, 02/16/2014, 2014 gospel meeting Topic-focused: Holy Spirit apostles, Holy Spirit enabling apostles, Holy Spirit and the work of the apostles, Holy Spirit ambassadors sent witnesses Key sermon elements: apostles ambassadors Holy Spirit, apostles spiritual gifts laying on hands, Holy Spirit direct guidance Macedonian call, Peter John Jewish council Holy Spirit boldness Series context: "Who Is the Holy Spirit" Bill Hall (morning lesson title), Holy Spirit series Bill Hall 2014, sermon 2 of 4 Holy Spirit Long-Tail Phrases (Highly Specific – Great for Ranking) Bill Hall Eastside Athens Holy Spirit apostles could not have done their work Holy Spirit guide you into all truth John 16 Bill Hall sermon apostles endued with power from on high Bill Hall Holy Spirit imparted spiritual gifts only apostles Bill Hall we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard Bill Hall Recommended Metadata / File Naming Suggestions Use these in filenames, page titles, descriptions, or tags: bill-hall-eastside-athens-holy-spirit-apostles-2014-02-16.mp3 The Holy Spirit and the Work of the Apostles – Bill Hall – Eastside Church of Christ Athens AL Sermon 2: How the Holy Spirit Enabled the Apostles – Bill Hall February 16 2014 Additional SEO Tips for Maximum Visibility Include the full date: February 16, 2014 or 02/16/2014 Mention the series: Part 2 of 4 on the Holy Spirit (or “Who Is the Holy Spirit” series) Add related scriptures in text: John 14, John 16, Acts 1:8, Acts 2, 1 Corinthians 12, Matthew 10 Use speaker + location + year together: “Bill Hall Athens AL 2014” Here’s a ready-to-use set of optimized title + description combinations perfect for uploading the transcript, audio, or outline to a church website, YouTube, SermonAudio, SoundCloud, or Google Drive. 1. Recommended Primary Title (Best for SEO + Clarity) The Holy Spirit and the Work of the Apostles – Bill Hall (Eastside Church of Christ, Athens AL – Feb 16, 2014) 2. Alternate Strong Titles How the Holy Spirit Enabled the Apostles – Bill Hall Sermon (Feb 16, 2014) Ambassadors, Sent Ones, and Witnesses: The Holy Spirit’s Role – Bill Hall The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Apostolic Ministry – Bill Hall (2014) Sermon 2: The Holy Spirit and the Apostles – Eastside Church of Christ Athens Optimized Title + Description Combinations Combination A (Best Overall – Recommended) Title: The Holy Spirit and the Work of the Apostles – Bill Hall (Eastside Church of Christ, Athens AL – February 16, 2014) Description: Part 2 of 4 in Bill Hall’s series on the Holy Spirit. In this afternoon sermon delivered at Eastside Church of Christ in Athens, Alabama on February 16, 2014, brother Bill Hall explains the three key roles of the apostles — ambassadors, sent ones, and witnesses — and shows how the Holy Spirit enabled them to accomplish their work. Topics include the Holy Spirit guiding the apostles into all truth (John 14 & 16), imparting spiritual gifts, giving boldness before councils and kings, and directing their missionary journeys. A clear, fundamental study perfect for anyone wanting to understand the Holy Spirit’s work in the first century. Combination B (More Detailed) Title: How the Holy Spirit Enabled the Apostles – Bill Hall Sermon (Eastside Athens AL, 02/16/2014) Description: Bill Hall – Eastside Church of Christ, Athens, Alabama – February 16, 2014 (Afternoon Lesson). This is sermon number 2 in a four-part series on the Holy Spirit. The apostles could not have fulfilled their commission without the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. This lesson covers the apostles as ambassadors of Christ, men sent into all the world, and special witnesses of the resurrection. Hear how the Holy Spirit provided revelation, spiritual gifts through laying on of hands, boldness in persecution, and direct guidance (including the Macedonian call). Excellent foundational teaching. Combination C (Short & Search-Friendly) Title: Bill Hall: The Holy Spirit and the Apostles (Eastside Church of Christ Athens – 2014) Description: February 16, 2014 afternoon sermon by Bill Hall at Eastside Church of Christ in Athens, AL. Focusing on three words — Ambassador, Sent, and Witness — this lesson demonstrates the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in the work of the twelve apostles and Paul. Covers John 14-16, Acts 1-2, spiritual gifts, persecution, and the rapid spread of the gospel to all creation in about 30 years. Shorter Versions (for YouTube, Facebook, or SermonAudio) Title: Holy Spirit Enabled the Apostles | Bill Hall 2014 Description: Part 2 – Bill Hall explains how the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles as ambassadors, sent ones, and witnesses. Suggested Tags: holy spirit apostles bill hall sermon holy spirit apostles role of the holy spirit in conversion spiritual gifts laying on of hands Apostles as ambassadors sent witnesses macedonian call acts of the apostles john 14 16 holy spirit guidance apostolic ministry gospel spread boldness holy spirit first century church holy spirit apostles holy spirit holy spirit enabled apostles role of the holy spirit spiritual gifts apostles laying on of hands ambassadors sent witnesses holy spirit guidance john 14 holy spirit holy spirit boldness apostolic work gospel to all creation first century apostles holy spirit revelation holy spirit confirmation