Theme Number 14 Preaching in Acts

1. Peter on the day of Pentecost  Acts 2:14-40

1. He addresses his audience: “ Fellow Jews, and all who live in Jerusalem.” Try to know and understand  those to whom you are speaking.
2. They were all amazed and perplexed having heard the Wonders of God in their own languages. They were from all over the known world.
3. Some said that the new Spirit Filled believers were filled with new wine, so Peter replies, “These men are not drunk as you suppose but “This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel”. They compared the joy of an intoxicated person with a Spirit-filled person. “JOY in the Holy Ghost” -  We need much more of this type of Joy now!!
4. Peter Linked what was happening to the Prophecy of Joel 2:28-32.
5. He preached Jesus.

- Accredited by God by signs and miracles among them.

- You, Jews, put Him to death - according to God’s set purpose and Knowledge by nailing Him to the Cross.

- God raised Him up from the dead - it was impossible for death to hold Him.

- Peter mentioned David’s prophecy about this in Ps 16 :8-11

- You killed Jesus but God raised Him from the dead : to be both Lord and Christ.

• The response of the hearers : They were cut to the heart saying, “What shall we do?
• Peter replies, “ Repent and be baptised for the forgiveness of you sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”

Applications
1. Preach Jesus in the Power of the Holy Spirit.
2. Remember to Link the present Move of God with prophecies of the past.
3. Always preach the True Gospel - The death Burial and Resurrection of Jesus
4. He finished with pointing out their sin and asking for Repentance and Baptism

The Number 13 Healing:The lame man healed at the temple gate.

Lame Beggar Healed by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth

Acts 3:1-11
Note here:
1. He was a well known lame man who begged at the gate Beautiful of the temple.v.2
2. Expecting Money he received more than he ever thought he would.v.6
3. They gave him healing in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth..v6. There is healing in the name of Jesus Christ now.
4. Immediately his feet and ankles became strong.v.7
5. The people recognised the lame beggar  and were filled with wonder and amazement
6. Immediately, Peter turns their attention away from the two disciples, Peter and John, to Jesus.
Act 3:12  Peter, seeing this, spoke to the people. "Israelites," he said, "why do you wonder at this man? Or why gaze at us, as though by any power or piety of our own we had enabled him to walk?
Act 3:13  The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our forefathers, has conferred this honour on His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to let Him go.
Act 3:14  Yes, you disowned the holy and righteous One, and asked as a favour the release of a murderer.
Act 3:15  The Prince of Life you put to death; but God has raised Him from the dead, and we are witnesses as to that.
Act 3:16  It is His name-- faith in that name being the condition--which has strengthened this man whom you behold and know; and the faith which He has given has made this man sound and strong again, as you can all see.

Notes: :They preserved a murderer, a destroyer of life, and thought to destroy the Saviour, the author of life. But God raised Him from the dead, proving that in fighting against Jesus, they were fighting against God. The doctrine of Jesus Christ was thereby confirmed, and the reproach of His sufferings was rolled away.

Other cases of healing in Acts
Act 5:12  Many signs and marvels continued to be done among the people by the Apostles; and by common consent they all met in Solomon's Portico.
Act 5:13  But none of the others dared to attach themselves to them. Yet the people held them in high honour--
Act 5:14  and more and more believers in the Lord joined them, including great numbers both of men and women--
Act 5:15  so that they would even bring out their sick friends into the streets and lay them on light couches or mats, in order that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or other of them.
Act 5:16  The inhabitants, too, of the towns in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem came in crowds, bringing sick persons and some who were harassed by foul spirits, and they were cured, one and all.

Also Philip in Samaria Act 8:5  while Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ there.
Act 8:6  Crowds of people, with one accord, gave attention to what they heard from him, listening, and witnessing the signs which he did.
Act 8:7  For, with a loud cry, foul spirits came out of many possessed by them, and many paralytics and lame persons were restored to health.

Aeneas and Dorcus raised up  Acts  9;32-43

The Cripple at Lystra jumped up on his feet and began to walk. he was lame from birth. Acts 14:8

Applications.
1.  The Gift of healing is still operative today.
2. Seek for faith to be healed as the cripple in Lystra. Acts 14:9
3. Jesus is glorified no man in the healing of cripples and  the demon possessed delivered.

Daniel Kolenda and the woman healed

Theme Number 12. The Resurrection : Three proofs are here given that Jesus Christ arose from the dead.

He's alive!!!!!

Peter on the Day of Pentecost declared :

Act 2:29  "As to the patriarch David, I need hardly remind you, brethren, that he died and was buried, and that we still have his tomb among us.
Act 2:30  Being a Prophet, however, and knowing that God had solemnly sworn to him to seat a descendant of his upon his throne,
Act 2:31  with prophetic foresight he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, to the effect that He was not left forsaken in the Unseen World, nor did His body undergo decay.
Act 2:32  This Jesus, God has raised to life-- a fact to which all of us testify.
Act 2:33  "Being therefore lifted high by the mighty hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out this which you see and hear.
Act 2:34  For David did not ascend into Heaven, but he says himself, "'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND
Act 2:35  UNTIL I MAKE THY FOES A FOOTSTOOL UNDER THY FEET.'
Act 2:36  "Therefore let the whole House of Israel know beyond all doubt that God has made Him both LORD and CHRIST--this Jesus whom you crucified."
Proof no.1. He was seen by the disciples. Act 2:32  This Jesus, God has raised to life-- a fact to all of us testify. They had seen the Evidence and were Witnesses to the fact even unto death.

“That is, the whole 120 saw him after he rose from the dead, and were all  ready, in the face of persecution and death, to attest this great truth. A.C. …....”they having seen him, and heard him, and ate, and drank, and conversed with him since his resurrection; and which was true, not of the twelve apostles only, but of the whole company: or "we are all his witnesses"; either of God, who raised Christ from the dead; or of Christ who was raised by him; and indeed, they bore testimony to the whole of this, to Christ, and to his resurrection, and to its being done by God the Father. J.Gill

2. The Holy Spirit has come upon men, and this promise was conditioned by Jesus upon His resurrection.
Act 2:33  "Being therefore lifted high by the mighty hand of God, He has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out this which you see and hear.
After his resurrection He ascended to heaven, and was exalted in human nature; "to the right hand of God",......an honour that never was conferred on any creature, angels or men, besides: or he was exalted and raised to the high honour and dignity of a Prince and Saviour, of Lord, Head, and King, so as to have a name, dominion, and authority over all, by the mighty power of God, which is sometimes called his right hand; see Psa_118:15.
and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost; which the Father had promised to pour forth in the last days, Isa_44:3 and which Christ had promised to send from the Father, Joh_14:16 and which, upon his ascension and exaltation, He received as Mediator from him; see Psa_68:18 compared with Eph_4:8.
He hath shed forth this; this Holy Spirit, or promised Spirit, these gifts of his; and so the Syriac version renders it, "he hath shed forth this gift"; which expresses both the plenty and abundance of the gifts bestowed, and the liberality of Christ in the donation of them: it is added,
The Coming of the Holy Spirit is proof of the ascension and resurrection of Jesus.

3. The prophecies declared He must not see corruption.
Act 2:31 David,  with prophetic foresight,  spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, to the effect that He was not left forsaken in the Unseen World, nor did His body undergo decay.
Foreseeing (proidōn). Second aorist active participle. Did it as a prophet.
Of the Christ (tou Christou). Of the Messiah. See under Act_2:32. This is a definite statement by Peter that David knew that in Psa_16:1-10 he was describing the resurrection of the Messiah.

The ressurection of Christ is one of the cardinal facts and doctrines of the Gospel. If Christ be not risen, our faith is vain (1Co_15:14). The whole of the New Testament revelation rests on this as an historical fact. On the day of Pentecost Peter argued the necessity of Christ's resurrection from the prediction in Psa_16:1-11 (Act_2:24-28). In his own discourses, also, our Lord clearly intimates his resurrection (Mat_20:19; Mar_9:9; Mar_14:28; Luk_18:33; Joh_2:19-22)

Applications
1.  The Evidence of the 120 and then up to 500 who saw Him and ate with Him is proof enough if you would believe.
2. The Day of Pentecost had come and Jesus had poured out the Holy Spirit as promised.
3. AS David had prophesied in Ps 16 “nor did His body undergo decay”. He arose from the Dead and HE IS ALIVE. This same Jesus is coming to take His waiting people Home.

Theme Number 11 Another Evidence of being Filled with The Holy Spirit - Prophesying

Joel 2:27  And you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Jehovah your God, and no one else; and My people shall never be ashamed.
Joel 2:28  And it shall be afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams; your young men shall see visions.
Joe 2:29  And also I will pour out My Spirit on the slaves and on the slave women;


Notes:  Joel predicts prophecy. This sign was an indication of the coming of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of Prophesying. It was a prediction that the youth would prophesy; the young men and the young women.


Now look at Paul praying for the Ephesian Disciples:
Act 19:6  And as Paul laid his hands on them, Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
This was the first time Paul ministers in Ephesus. These believers had been instructed in the baptism of repentance taught by John the Baptist. Now Paul lays His hands upon them and they are anointed by the Holy Spirit, spoke with tongues and prophesied. 

Paul Praying for the Ephesian Disciples to receve the Holy Spirit

The Meaning of ‘to Prophesy’
To prophesy is to speak out the Mind and Will of God under  the direct Inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

It comes from two Greek words: pro and phaino.Pro means "before," and phaino means "cause to shine." The term is used in relation to the Word of God. So a "prophet," essentially, is one who stands before the Word of God and causes it to shine. Ray Stedman from <raystedman.org>

prophēteuō Thayer Definition:
1) to prophesy, to be a prophet, speak forth by divine inspirations, to predict
1a) to prophesy
1b) with the idea of foretelling future events pertaining especially to the kingdom of God
1c) to utter forth, declare, a thing which can only be known by divine revelation
1d) to break forth under sudden impulse in lofty discourse or praise of the divine counsels
1d1) under like prompting, to teach, refute, reprove, admonish, comfort others
1e) to act as a prophet, discharge the prophetic office.

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14
c. Especially that you may prophesy: Paul spoke of prophecy and the gift of tongues only in the context of the other gifts of the Spirit.  Now, he will focus on the gifts of prophecy and tongues, and how they should function in church body life.  Obviously, in the Corinthian church, there was an over-emphasis on tongues, and an under-emphasis on prophecy.

d. What does it mean for someone to prophesy?  Many who believe miraculous gifts are no longer given by God regard prophecy as simply “inspired preaching,” and not “inspired” in a direct way.

i. Paul will tell us much more about prophecy in this chapter 1 Cor 12.  Yet, we know he does not mean prophecy is identical to preaching, because therre was a Greek word available for “preaching” (kerusso), and Paul did not use this Greek word.

ii. “Preaching is essentially a merging of the gifts of teaching and exhortation, prophecy has the primary elements of prediction and revelation.” (Farnell, cited in Kistemaker)
from <http://www.enduringword.com/commentaries/4614.htm> on 1 Cor 12

Applications
1. Paul told us “1Co 14:1  Be eager in your pursuit of this Love, and be earnestly ambitious for spiritual gifts, but let it be chiefly so in order that you may prophesy. “
2 The Tongues speaker ‘speaks to God’ He utters Mysteries with (by) his spirit.  He edifies himself.
3. The Person who prophesies ‘edifies the church’. Paul says I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy.

Theme Number 10 Another Evidence of Being Filled with the Spirit. - Boldness

Act 4:29  And now, Lord, concern yourself with their threats and grant your slaves to speak your message with all boldness,
Act 4:30  as you extend your hand to heal and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
Act 4:31  And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.


Boldness to speak the Word of God is surely a great Evidence of being Spirit Filled.

Boldness:  παῤῥησία parrhēsia Thayer Definition:
1) freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech
1a) openly, frankly, i.e without concealment
1b) without ambiguity or circumlocution
1c) without the use of figures and comparisons
2) free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance
3) the deportment by which one becomes conspicuous or secures publicity

4:31 And, in consequence of this, they spake the word of God with boldness; a pointed answer to a second part of their request, Act_4:29. A right prayer will always have a right and ready answer. Though these disciples had received the Holy Spirit on the day of pentecost, yet they were capable of larger communications; and what they had then received did not preclude the necessity of frequent supplies, on emergent occasions. Indeed, one communication of this Spirit always makes way and disposes for another. Neither apostle nor private Christian can subsist in the Divine life without frequent influences from on high. A.Clark.


2Co 7:4  My boldness of speech is great toward you; my glorying on your behalf is much. I have been filled with comfort, I am overflowing with joy in all our trouble.
2Co 7:5  For, indeed, coming into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but being troubled in every way, with fightings on the outside, and fears on the inside.
2Co 7:6  But He who comforts the lowly comforted us by the coming of Titus.
2Co 7:7  And not only by his coming, but by the comfort with which he was comforted over you, telling us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced the more.


Eph 3:12  In union with Christ and through our faith in him we have the boldness to go into God's presence with all confidence.  GNB
Comment By A.C. “By whom we, Gentiles, have την παρῥησιαν, this liberty of speech; so that we may say any thing by prayer and supplication, and την προσαγωγην, this introduction, into the Divine presence by faith in Christ. It is only in his name we can pray to God, and it is only by him that we can come to God; none can give us an introduction but Christ Jesus, and it is only for his sake that God will either hear or save us. It is on the ground of such scriptures as these that we conclude all our prayers in the name, and for the sake, of Jesus Christ our Lord.


Php 1:20  according to my eager expectation and hope, that I will be put to shame in nothing, but with all boldness, even now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether through life or through death.


A.C. He had the most confident expectation that God would stand by him, so that he should be enabled, with the utmost liberty of speech, εν πασῃ παρῥησια, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God; and, should he have the liberty of doing so, he was utterly regardless what the issue might be relative to himself. Whether life or death, was to him perfectly equal, and perfectly indifferent, providing Christ were magnified - his person, nature, doctrine, etc., shown to be, what they really are, most noble, most excellent, most necessary, and most glorious


Applications.
1. Has the Infilling of the Holy Spirit given you Freedom to speak for Christ and witness to So Great Salvation?

2. We all have inhibitions and natural inclinations. Let the Power of the Holy Spirit clothe you and use you with Great BOLDNESS of Speech releasing you from personal reticence and restrictions.

Theme Number 9 Evidences of the Infilling of the Holy Spirit

Act 2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them ability to speak out.


First or Initial Evidence
2:4 They began to speak in other languages {tongues] as the Spirit gave them ability to speak out. This has been called the Initial Evidence of the Infilling of the Spirit.

The Initial Evidence by Rueben A. Hartwick#
The Assemblies of God Constitution and Bylaws, Article V, Statement of Fundamental Truths, reads as follows:
Paragraph 8: The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost
The baptism of believers in the Holy Ghost is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4). The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:4-10,28), but different in purpose and use.
Glossolalia
The word glossolalia is made up of two Greek words: glosso meaning “tongues,” and lalia meaning “speech.” Consequently, we use the term, “speaking in tongues.” On the Day of Pentecost what the disciples were saying was understood by about 15 different peoples in their own dialect or language. This was not an ecstatic “out of the body” experience. They were aware of their surroundings. Though an unknown language to the speaker, glossolalia can be a recognized or unrecognized language to the hearers. In 1 Corinthians 13:1, Paul writes, “If I speak in the tongues of
men and of angels. …” He also says of speaking in tongues, “Anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God” (1 Corinthians 14:2). Consequently on the Day of Pentecost, the visitors to Jerusalem heard the newly Spirit-baptized disciples “declaring the wonders of God” (Acts 2:11). Jesus had said in John 16:13-14, “When he, the Spirit of Truth comes, … He will bring glory to me. …” Glossolalia is not used for evangelizing, since later that same day, Peter preached his famous sermon — perhaps inspired speech taking the form of a word of prophecy — in the language that all of them understood (Acts 2:14).

The Infilling of the Spirit
"FATHER" BENNETT, Episcopalian:
...(I) was speaking in an Episcopal church, when a woman came
up and said, 'Father Bennett, I'm so glad you came to explainthese things to us. 
When I was confirmed, many years ago, when
the Bishop put his hands on my head, I just filled up with God,
and began to speak another language. I didn't know what it
meant, and neither did the Bishop.
He told me to stop:' Well, we cannot blame the Bishop too much,
but how sad that the very manifestation that caused the old
sorcerer, Simon Mogus, to offer Peter money to buy the gift,
should have been so forgotten in the church that they create
consternation and puzzlement when experienced, and are
immediately suppressed."
The testimony of AN EPISCOPALIAN PRIEST, as related by "Father"
Bennett:
"I received the Holy Spirit many years ago while in seminary.
There were three of us ready for graduation and ordination. We
knew we didn't have the power of the Gospel, so we went down to
the local Full Gospel Assembly and received the Holy Spirit. We
nearly got thrown out of seminary, but the reality of it has been
with me all my life." Barnett, Donald Lee. "Speaking in tongues." (1989).
Applications.
1. Have you been Filled with the Holy Spirit since you believed? This is the day to be filled.
2. Wait in God’s Presence for the Coming upon or the Anointing of the Spirit with Speaking in Tongues in Your Life today. This is what happened in the early Church.

Theme Number 8 FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

There is a huge difference between being half filled and filled. A full cup is full and running over, not just a few drops in the bottom. On the day of Pentecost. Act 2:4  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them that ability.
Notes :  When speaking of the Overseeing Craftsman of the Tabernacle, named Bezaleel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; the Old Testament says:
Exo_31:3  And I have  filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all workmanship,

Concerning John the Baptist and His Parents Elizabeth, and Zechariah note the following:
Luk_1:15  For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall neither drink wine nor strong drink. And he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.
Luk_1:41  And it happened as Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,
Luk_1:67  And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,
Refer also to Acts 4:8; 4:31;  Acts 13:9

Eph_5:18  And do not be drunk with wine, in which is excess, but be filled with the Spirit,
PNT  “Wine was at that time the usual intoxicating drink. The passage forbids intoxication, which was a common vice of the time.
Excess. "Riot," in the Revision. How true! Enjoyment is not to be sought, as the world seeks it, in wine, but rather be filled with the Spirit. Then your songs will not be bacchanalian.#
There must have been  some similarity in the ecstasy of a Spirit-filled believer and a drunken wine-bibber.  Peter says on the Day of Pentecost, These men are not drunk as you suppose.... but this is that spoken of by the Prophet Joel. No doubt the Infilling of the Spirit of God brought such Joy and emotional release that they wondered what was going on.

Applications
1. Seek the Infilling of Spirit. The Lord Jesus Himself said in John 7 “out of your innermost being would flow rivers of Living Water. This spake He of the Spirit...
2. All were filled on the Day of pentecost. Many in the Bible were Filled and In our day Multiplied  millions of believers have been Filled with the Spirit.