a) Main Characters :Jesus and the apostles
b) Explanation :
(i) Here Jesus began to do and teach until the day of His ascension, through the Holy Spirit He gave commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen.
d) Lesson we can Learn :
(i) If Jesus Himself after He had risen, depended on the Holy Spirit and operated through Him, how much more we should depend on the Holy Spirit to fulfill the commandment Jesus gave to us.
(ii) Even now from heaven Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit teaches and gives commandments to His chosen apostles of the Church, so that they can lay and build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ who is the Chief Apostle.
a) Main Character : Jesus and the Disciples
b) Explanation :
(i) Jesus assembled together with the disciples, commanded them not to depart Jerusalem [to preach or spread the good news] without receiving “…the Promise of the Father.”
(ii) When John baptized people were drenched [soaked to the skin] in water, when Jesus baptizes, you will be drenched in the Holy Spirit (Verse 5).
(iii) The word for Baptism in Greek is ‘Baptizo’ which means covered, overwhelmed and immersed.
c) Cross Reference: Matthew 3:11; Joel 2:28
d) Lesson we can Learn :
(i) To get baptized with the Holy Spirit is a privilege, because Jesus requested the Father and He promised Jesus that He will pour out His Spirit on all flesh through Jesus Christ.
(ii) Jesus is the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit.
3) Reference : Acts 1:8
a) Main Character : The Holy Spirit and the Disciples
b) Explanation :
(i) “But you shall receive power [dunamis in Greek] when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…to the end of the earth.”
(ii) Here Jesus uses the Greek root word dunamis which means ‘power’. The English word dynamite is also derived from the same Greek root word [Dynamite-explosive power to blow up with].
c) Cross Reference : Acts 2:1,4; 4:33; 6:8; 8:1,5,14; Luke 24:48, 49
d) Lesson we can learn :
(i) Don’t be a weak testimony and witness with out Holy Spirit power coming upon you, rather be baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. And after these encounters with God through His Spirit, you don’t have to try to be a witness but Jesus Himself promised that you will be a witness in an increased capacity as time goes by.
(ii) When He comes upon you, you will know that you know that you know, because you will experience His power in your daily life [Ex: Bondages will be broken, healing will be experienced in your soul and body, greater faith….].
(iii) Jesus used a conjunctive word between witness and receiving power, and hence has connected the two events.
(iv) You cannot stand against Satan’s kingdom victoriously with out the Holy Ghost Dynamite power (Matthew 12:26-28).
a) Main Character : Disciples, Holy Spirit, David , Judas, Jesus
b) Explanation :
(i) Whatever the Holy Spirit has spoken had to be fulfilled, so we must act according to what the word of God says, which will make us fulfill the will of God for our generation.
(ii) We must understand the word of God by His Spirit and should act together with it in order to fulfill His plans and purposes for our life.
c) Cross Reference : Psalms 41:9; Luke 22:47
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) The Holy Spirit will always speak through His chosen yielded vessels. Ex: David
(ii) He will use our organs if we present ourselves as a living sacrifice on the altar.
5) Reference : Acts 2:4
a) Main Character: Disciples and the Holy Spirit.
b) Explanation :
(i) They [the disciples] were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues.
(ii) ‘And’ is a conjunctive word used between being filled and began to speak with other tongues. It is like two sides of the same coin. One is not valid without the other.
c) Cross Reference : Acts 10:44-46; Mark 16:17
d) Lesson we can learn :
(i) Here we see that they spoke with tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
(ii) The Holy Spirit will give you the utterance [words], you just have to let it flow through you by speaking or breathing [giving vocal voice] it out to God.
6) Reference : Acts 2 :17
a) Main Character : God and His Spirit
b) Explanation :
(i) God said, In the Last Days,"I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh….”. These last days will continue until the end time comes and the church is raptured.
c) Cross Reference: Joel 2:28-32
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) If you are saying, ‘How can I receive this good gift that the apostles received?’. God is saying to you that it is for all including you. It is His promise to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh [i.e. including you]. All you have to do is ask, believe and you will get it. The word of God affirms this by saying in Mark 11:24, "....whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it]." (Amp).
7) Reference : Acts 2:18
a) Main Character : God, Men servants, Maid servants, Holy Spirit
b) Explanation :
(i) Here God has promised to pour out His Spirit on His men and maid servants.
(ii) The outcome or evidence of this event is, they will prophecy.
c) Cross Reference: 1 Cor 14:3.
d) Lesson we can learn :
(i) When the Spirit of God is poured out on His servants, they shall prophecy [i.e. they will exhort, edify and comfort all].
(ii) Prophecy is the natural outcome of the Spirit filled church which is the true church of God(Revelation 19:10).
8) Reference : Acts 2:33
a) Main Character : Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit
b) Explanation :
(i) After Jesus has received from the Father ‘the promise of the Holy Spirit’, He poured out this [measure of the Holy Spirit] which you now see and hear. This was spoken by Peter to a big Jewish audience who were eager to know what was happening with all the apostles and believers who were filled to the brim and looked mystifying to them.
(ii) When the Holy Spirit is poured out in Pentecostal measure, we can surely be able to see and hear it.
c) Cross Reference : Acts 2:1-4; 10:44
d) Lesson we can learn :
(i) The very reason Jesus left us from this earth is because we can have the privilege to experience the power of the Holy Spirit. This was possible only if Jesus receives the promise from the Father [i.e. Eternal priesthood in heavenly the tabernacle (Hebrews 10:21)] and pours out the presence of God continually from the heavenly temple (Heb 6:19, 20; John 16:7).
(ii) When the Holy Spirit is poured out on the believers, we can experience the Holy Spirit tangibly by hearing and seeing His manifestation.
9) Reference : Acts 2 :38-39
a) Main Character : Peter and People
b) Explanation :
(i) When we turn toward Jesus or repent and are baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins; we are qualified to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (v 39).
(ii) The promise of this gift is to,
- You [Believers (Romans 8:30; John 1:12)].
- Your children (Isaiah 54:13).
- To all those who are far off [i.e. to all the believing relatives of your family].
- As many as the Lord our God will call [to all the believers of all ages (John 17:20)].
c) Cross Reference : Luke 24:47; John 20:22; Joel 2:28
d) Lesson we can Learn :
(i) We must be a believer in the name of the Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins in order to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit [This is the only condition that need to be fulfilled before we receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit] (Luke 24: 47; Acts 4:12).
(ii) All those who receive Jesus as their personal savior are called by God, which implies that all can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
10) Reference : Acts 4:8
a) Main Character: Peter and Sanhedrin.
b) Explanation :
(i) Here Peter was again filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them “….” .
(ii) God the Holy Spirit will fill us according to the need of the hour as we depend humbly on Him.
c) Cross Reference : Acts 2:4; Eph 5:17-18
d) Lesson we can learn :
(i) Once we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, we can be filled with the Holy Spirit again and again.
a) Main Character : All the disciples
b) Explanation :
(i) Here they [the disciples] felt the need for boldness to speak God’s word with signs accompanying through the name of Jesus.
(ii) They prayed and God responded by filling them with the Holy Spirit and they became bold.
c) Cross Reference : Acts 2:2, 4
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) God fills us with new repeated fillings uniquely according to our need.
(ii) When they had prayed raising their voice with one accord [desperate seeking is needed in unity of heart and mind to receive corporate anointing from God], God responded.
(iii) Prayer is the key to get filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:21-22; John 1:32).
12) Reference : Acts 5:3
a) Main Character : Peter and Ananias
b) Explanation :
(i) Here we see Peter telling to Ananias, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…?” (V4). Peter also said, “..? You have not lied to men but to God.”
(ii) Peter is affirming the truth that the Holy Spirit is God Himself.
c) Cross Reference: Deut 23:21; Luke 22:3; James 1:15; 1 Cor 10:5
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) When you allow Satan often by entertaining him in your life, he will fill you for his emergency situation to act against God.
(ii) If you ask the question, how is it possible, for what reason? The reason why he is having rights to your life is because you have allowed him to constantly sow his evil seeds in your heart and you have watered it by constantly brooding over it. Your senses will be trained during that time to obey its desires. When the time for harvest comes, Satan will claim his right to harvest what he has sown (Prov 4:23; Matthew 13:38-39).
(iii) Never lie to the Holy Spirit by lying to the man who is the representative of God on earth. If you do, you are lying to the Holy Spirit who has appointed him as overseer over you (Acts 20:28).
(iv) The Holy Spirit knows all your thoughts and your life situation more than you know about yourself, because he is your creator (Psalm 104:30).
(v) When Satan is imposing bad ideas in to your mind, recognize it and take it captive to the obedience of Christ [i.e. ask God to deal with it]. Never conceive it or entertain it if you know it is a lying thought or lustful thought.
a) Main Character : Peter, Sapphira
b) Explanation :
(i) Peter said to her “How is that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord..?”.Here both the husband and wife had already agreed to tell a lie to God the Holy Spirit and test Him.
(ii) It is not wrong for them to give a part of what they have sold to God and also God never pressurizes anybody to give offering to Him with out their heart being stirred up, in fact He loves the offerings of a cheerful giver who worships God through it (Genesis 22:8, 11-12; Exodus 25:2; 35:21-22, 29; 36:5-7; Luke 21:1-4; 2 Cor 9:7). The mistake they made was that they agreed to the give all that they owned to the work of the Lord before the Church and the Apostles, but because of insecurity and covetousness, they agreed together to give only a part of what they have sold and act as though they were giving all of it.
c) Cross Reference : Matt 4:7; Acts 5:3,4
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) When you know that your loved one is planning to do wrong, never agree with them even if they are very close to you or may be in authority over you.
(ii) Always correct them and tell them about the consequences of the wrong thing that they are planning to do, but with love and resist the plan or even if necessary expose it (Matt 16:23).
14) Reference : Acts 5:32
a) Main Character: Peter, High Priest, Council
b) Explanation :
(i) Peter answered to the high priest, “We are witnesses of these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
(ii) Here Peter was saying that because they have seen Jesus alive and well after His death, because He has commanded them to proclaim this good news, they are His witnesses. So is the Holy Spirit who speaks or witnesses what Jesus is right now speaking to us from heaven.
(iii) The Holy Spirit is given to every believer who believes in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. This in itself is obedience to God, but as you obey God more and more you will be given increased measure of the Holy Spirit. God does not cut the Spirit of God in to pieces to give you some of it, but because He is a person and is not a material He cannot be cut in to pieces. God the Holy Spirit fills the heaven and the earth (Jeremiah 23:24). But the more you obey God though His Word, the more the Holy Spirit will quicken that Word, the Quickened Word will reveal God to you in greater measure as a person (Acts 10:19-20; 1 Kings19:8-13 ;Luke 1:17; John 1:31-33). This is what is known as giving of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13-14).Ex: Husband and Wife giving to each other mean more communication and intimacy.
c) Cross Reference: John 15:26-27; 14:15-17; Acts 10:47; 11:17
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) To obey is to believe in Jesus by receiving the forgiveness of sins.
(ii) To obey is to believe the Bible as the absolute truth.
(iii) To obey is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and love one another with the same love (Mark 12:29-31; John 17:23, 26; 1 John 4:21).
(iv) Don’t stop speaking about what you have experienced with God, no matter what the circumstance may be.
15) Reference : Acts 6:3
a) Main Character : Disciples and the 12 Apostles
b) Explanation :
(i) The 12 summoned the disciples to find out men among them [i.e. 7 men of good reputation] full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom the apostles can appoint over God’s business.
c) Cross Reference: 1 Tim 3:7, 8-13
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) We can know a person is full of the Holy Spirit by the wisdom and the smartness which they exert in their daily life (I Sam 18:14, 15; Genesis 41:38-39; Daniel 4:8-9; 5:10-12).
(ii) If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, naturally you will have a good reputation among men.
(iii) Men should be appointed in God’s business [i.e. the church] based on whether they are full of the Holy Spirit and God’s wisdom.
16) Reference: Acts 6:5
a) Main Character: The people of Jerusalem church
b) Explanation:
(i) The people were pleased with the Apostles suggestion because they themselves were men full of the Holy Spirit.
(ii) The people were pleased with the saying and they chose Stephen a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit and Philip…Nicholas [From this verse we can say that people can be filled with various measure of the Holy Spirit.].
c) Cross Reference: Acts 11:24; 8:5, 26; 21:8
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) When we follow God’s standard it will always please the whole multitude of people.
(ii) When a person is full of faith, he will also be filled with full of the Holy Spirit because faith is imparted in to you and is worked through the Holy Spirit [love (1 John 4:8)] who for that reason is called as the ‘Spirit of faith’ (2 Cor 4:13; Galatians 5:6). The amount of faith you have is equivalent to the amount of revelation you have about God in your spirit (2 Tim 1:6, 7).
(iii) When a person is full of faith, wisdom and the Holy Spirit, people can easily identify Him.Ex: Stephen, Philip
(iv) When a person is hungry for more of God and fully Yielded to Him [the Holy Spirit], he will be filled to the full.
17) Reference: Acts 6:10
a) Main Character: Jews and Stephen
b) Explanation:
(i) “They were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke” [God’s wisdom and His Spirit cannot be separated, because He is the Spirit of wisdom (Isaiah 11:2)].
(ii) Here we see God’s operating principle: God operates by His Spirit. Stephen also operated in God’s operating principle: He did not speak, He spoke by the Spirit.
c) Cross Reference: Gen 41:38-44; Zech 4:6
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) They were not able to resist Stephen because the Spirit of God spoke through him. “Can a man resist God and prevail against Him?” (Acts 5:38-39).
(ii) They were not resisting Stephen but God Himself, because Stephen was used as God’s mouthpiece by God the Holy Spirit speaking through Stephen (Mark 13:11; Luke12:12; 2 Samuel 23:2).
(iii) Never oppose the Word of the Lord and His Messengers even when it may come sharply rebuking and cutting right in to your heart as a sharp two edged sword. Instead position yourself rightly in His will by receiving it and humble yourself before the Lord.
18) Reference: Acts 7:51
a) Main Character: Stephen. Sanhedrin council
b) Explanation:
(i) When the heart and ears are uncircumcised, you will become stiff-necked [stubborn].
(ii) The stubborn [proud, religious and self-justified] people will always resist the Holy Spirit even for generations together.
c) Cross Reference: Exodus 32:9; Lev 26:41
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) Never let yourself continue in your bad attitude, if you continue in it then you will begin to resist the Holy Spirit and you will become insensitive to the Holy Spirit.
(ii) Never become a religious person by following rules instead of a relationship with God.
19) Reference: Acts 7:55
a) Main Character: Stephen, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit
b) Explanation:
(i) Stephen full of the Holy Spirit gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
(ii) Here we see the 3 distinct persons of the trinity in action.
c) Cross Reference: Acts 6:5; Exodus 24:17; 33:18;
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) When we are full of the Holy Spirit our spiritual eyes will be opened to gaze into heaven and will be able to see the glory of God. This is when others will be able to see the glory of God upon us like upon Moses whose skin of his face shone while he talked with God and Aaron and people were afraid to come near him and Stephen whose face was seen by others as the face of an angel (2 Cor 3:7- 8; Exodus 34:29-30; Acts 6:15).
(ii) Father was the one who sat on the throne.
(iii) Jesus was the one who was waiting for his [Stephen’s] coming.
(iv) Holy Spirit was the one who was in him and opened his eyes about the reality of heaven so that he could endure the suffering by the power of the Holy Spirit.
(v) The glory of God is the Spirit of God who is called the ‘Spirit of glory’ (1 Peter 4:14). The Spirit of God is present in heaven and also in every believer in the earth (1 John 5:7, 8). The Spirit of God is present in every believer and also in another sense as a sustainer and creator is present in every living being (Genesis 2:7; Psalm 104:29-31).
20) Reference: Acts 8:15-16
a) Main Character: Peter and John
b) Explanation:
(i) After the people received the Word of God (Verse 14), Peter and John were sent to lay hands on people and pray for them so that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
c) Cross Reference: Acts 19:6
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) Once people have the Word of God, they are ready to receive,
- Water Baptism
- Spirit Baptism
(ii) The apostles were sent specifically to impart the gift of the Holy Spirit. See how important it is for apostles to empower the believers with the impartation of the gift of the Holy Spirit!
(iii) In those days after people receive the word of God, it was a standard procedure for them to lay hands on people’s head in order for them to receive the Holy Spirit.
21) Reference: Acts 8:17
a) Main Character: Apostles
b) Explanation:
(i) When the apostles laid hands on them, they received the Holy Spirit.
c) Cross Reference: Acts 9:17-18
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) In those days after people received the Word of God it was a standard procedure for them to lay hands on people’s head in order for them to receive the Holy Spirit.
22) Reference: Acts 8:18-19
a) Main Character: Simon the sorcerer, Peter
b) Explanation:
(i) When Simon saw the supernatural manifestation of the Spirit [God’s power] when the apostles laid their hands, he tried to buy it for money.
(ii) Peter rebuked him and his thought and said that it is the gift of God and it can never be purchased with money.
c) Cross Reference: 1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Chron 28:9; Ps 94:11; Prov 15:26
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) God always sees the heart attitude, if you are thinking wrongly, say to the Lord to change your attitude by committing your work [lustful desire to do something] to the Lord (Prov 16:3).
(ii) Don’t ever try to use your money power to influence or make things happen in the kingdom of God. God hates it.
23) Reference: Acts 8:29
a) Main Character: Philip, Holy Spirit
b) Explanation:
(i) Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake the chariot”.
(ii) Always obey the Holy Spirit when He counsels you, even when at times it may seem so illogical.
c) Cross Reference: Acts 10:19, 20
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) Get acquainted with the Holy Spirit.
(ii) The more intimate you become with the Holy Spirit, the more you can recognize His voice and His guidance.
24) Reference: Acts 8:39
a) Main Character: Ethiopian Eunuch, Philip, Holy Spirit.
b) Explanation:
(i) When both Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch came out of the water after the eunuch was baptized, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away and he [eunuch] saw him no more and he went his way rejoicing.
c) Cross Reference: 1 Kgs 18:12; 2 Kgs 2:16; Ezek 3:12, 14; 2 Cor 12:2
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) When we walk in the perfect will of God, that’s when all things are possible with God.
(ii) Any time God can even transport you bodily from one place to another.
(iii) When we supernaturally minister to people by the perfect guidance and the leading of the Holy Spirit, the result will be rejoicing for both of us.
25) Reference: Acts 9:17
a) Main Character: Ananias, Saul
b) Explanation:
(i) Ananias was sent by God.
(ii) When Ananias met Saul, he laid his hands on him and he prayed for Saul’s eye sight to be restored and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
(iii) For this purpose he was sent forth.
c) Cross Reference: Acts 22:12, 13; 8:17; 2:4; 4:31; 8:17; 13:52
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) God may sometimes send you to a place just for the purpose of praying for people to get them delivered.
(ii) When you go to a place in the perfect will of God healing will happen.
(iii) When God’s healing power manifests, people who get healed may also get baptized in the Holy Spirit at the same time, always expect it.
(iv) God wants every one of his chosen servants to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
26) Reference: Acts 9:31
a) Main Character: Church, Holy Spirit.
b) Explanation:
(i) When peace prevails, the church will be built up.
(ii) The Church walked in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, this is the secret for their multiplication.
c) Cross Reference: Acts 5:11; 8:1; 16:5; Ps 122:6-7
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) When you walk in the fear of the Lord, you will receive the comfort of the Holy Spirit. These are the two sides of the same coin.
(ii) The Church should pray for the peace of our city, nation and nations (Jeremiah 29:7; Psalm 2:8), then the Church will be built up for the glory of God by possessing the city, nation and nations as our inheritance from the Lord.
(iii) When the church walks in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit, there will be multiplication of souls added to the kingdom and the Church will be blessed mightily.
27) Reference: Acts 10:19-20
a) Main Character: Peter, the Spirit of God, Men from Cornelius house
b) Explanation:
(i) Here the Spirit of God instructed Peter to go with the men sent by Cornelius doubting nothing; the Holy Spirit said to Peter that He had sent them.
c) Cross Reference: Acts 11:12; 15:7-9
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) The Holy Spirit is the one who orchestrates all the events in the kingdom of God.
(ii) Here Peter recognized the voice of the Holy Spirit clearly, because of this closeness with the Spirit he was able to be a blessing to many gentiles and thus by revelation from God was able to break the prejudice of his religious mindset.
(iii) Only God’s revelation can break the deceitful religious mindset of prejudice.
(iv) You too can come in to this blessed category of blessing others if only you will be close enough to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit like Peter, as a result of it you will be sent exactly to the place where there is a great need, by God connecting you supernaturally to them (Acts 20:35).
28) Reference: Acts 10:38
a) Main Character: God, Jesus, Holy Spirit
b) Explanation:
(i) God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
c) Cross Reference: Acts 1:8
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) The Holy Spirit is the source of the power of God. He is the Anointing who releases His power when the need arises to break the oppression of the devil. He is the God who was very present with Jesus all the time (Matt 12:29; Luke 6:19; 1 Cor 12:11).
(ii) Because the Holy Spirit is a very sensitive person, we should always be careful not to quench His fire and grieve Him by our selfish greedy life. The Holy Spirit Himself will stay in us and direct our steps when we flow in his Anointing. Jesus was never upset even when the Pharisees directly spoke against Him but when the Pharisees knowingly discredited the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan, Jesus considered it as unpardonable sin (Matt 12:31-32). Jesus was in Love with the Spirit and knew the gentle nature of the Holy Spirit who is symbolically represented as dove which is the most sensitive and guileless bird (Matthew 3:16).
(iii) If Jesus Himself needed the anointing to do good and heal those who were oppressed by the devil, how much more we need the anointing to do His work in this present time.
(iv) Once the Holy Spirit comes upon you, He will bring His power to release in you and through you. When ever the Spirit of God comes upon anyone, He comes with a purpose and power.
29) Reference: Acts 10:44-46
a) Main Character: Peter, Gentiles
b) Explanation:
(i) While Peter was still speaking the Gospel, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the Word.
(ii) All those who hear and receive the word of God, will only be baptized in the Spirit (v46).
(iii) For when the Holy Spirit fell upon all those present, they [Peter and his apostolic companions] heard them speak with tongues.
(iv) Speaking in tongues is the natural outcome of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Only when they heard them speak in tongues, they understood that they also have received the gift of the Holy Spirit like themselves.
(v) From this we can find that it is not only the desire of the apostles to see every one speak with tongues, but also it is the intense desire of the Holy Spirit of God to see every one get baptized in Him and see them speak with tongues, that He did not wait until the sermon get over but fell upon them even after a few minutes after the sermon just started.
c) Cross Reference: Acts 4:31; 10:23; 11:18
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) Even while communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit may fall upon all those who hear the Word.
(ii) Normally the sign or the outward evidence that the Holy Spirit has fallen upon the people is that you will hear them speak with tongues.
30) Reference: Acts 10:47
a) Main Character: Peter
b) Explanation:
(i) Here Peter asks the Question, ‘Can anyone stop them from taking water baptism?’ because they [even though gentiles] have received the Holy Spirit just as we [Apostle Peter and His Jewish apostolic team] have received from God. In other words Peter was saying that God Himself has authorized them by inwardly baptizing in the Holy Spirit and taking them in to the family of God who are we to say no to the outward baptism which is only a outward sign of inward work of God.
(ii) Here Apostle Peter explains that the commoners or the just born believers have received the Holy Spirit just as they have received [i.e. with the outward evidence of tongues] (Acts 2:4).
c) Cross Reference: Malachi 3:6; Heb 13:8
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) Here before getting baptized in the water, they got baptized in the Holy Spirit and received the gift of the Holy Spirit which implies that both can be interchangeable.
(ii) Anybody can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit just from the moment they get born again if only they will be hungry to receive from God as the audiences were in the house of Cornelius.
(iii) God had not changed his dispensation after the 1st century was over with the demise of all the apostles, but has promised us that He will never change this dispensation of the new covenant because it is eternal (Heb 5:9).
(iv) Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Praise the Lord!
31) Reference: Acts 11:12
a) Main Character: Peter, The Holy Spirit, Six Jewish Brethren
b) Explanation:
(i) Peter here explains to the Jewish brethren and apostles why he preached the gospel to the Gentiles, along with the six Jewish Brethrens.
(ii) Peter said to them, “Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing…”
c) Cross Reference: John 16:13; Acts 12:13, 14
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) We see that Peter must have had an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit.
(ii) The person to whom we are closely acquainted with, we can easily recognize or identify their voice.
(iii) Peter identified the voice of the Holy Spirit clearly! Do we?
32) Reference: Acts 11:15
a) Main Character: Peter, Holy Spirit, them-Cornelius household, us- 120 disciples in the upper room.
b) Explanation:
(i) Peter said to the brethren and apostles “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning.”
c) Cross Reference: Acts 2:1-4; 15:7-9; 10:34, 35
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) God is always ready to fill all the yielded and empty vessels without fail.
(ii) The Holy Spirit is not partial to anyone person.
(iii) God is not partial to give the gift of the Holy Spirit to one particular group or person.
(iv) If we walk perfectly guided by the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit will fall upon the audience even while we are yet speaking.
33) Reference: Acts 11:16
a) Main Character: Peter, Holy Spirit
b) Explanation:
(i) Peter the apostle here remembers the words Jesus spoke before his ascension, “John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (V17).
(ii) Peter says that God has given the gift to everybody just as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. The day they followed Christ they believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, but indwelling Holy Spirit’s presence was given to them by Jesus after His resurrection(John 20:21-22) and the gift of the Holy Spirit was given to the 120 disciples only at Pentecost in the upper room where they were waiting and seeking for it (Matt 16:16; John 7:37-39).
(iii) Don’t believe your feelings, but the Word of God.
c) Cross Reference: John 1:26, 33; 14:26; Isaiah 44:3; Acts 10:47; 15:8, 9; Luke 11:13.
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) God gives the gift of the Holy Spirit to everybody.
(ii) The Holy Spirit here brings in to the remembrance of Peter the exact words that Jesus spoke before His ascension to confirm that this is the same experience that they had on Pentecost by receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.
(iii) God the Holy Spirit will always teach you by bringing in to remembrance the words that Jesus spoke to you [Logos – Written Word (Ps 119:89)] for the exact guidance or understanding that you need for a particular situation (John 14:26).
(iv) God always will speak through His word by bringing in to our mind, whether it is for Apostle Peter or to us.
34) Reference: Acts 11:24
a) Main Character: Barnabas, Holy Spirit, the Churches
b) Explanation:
(i) The Word says that Barnabas was a good man full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, because of his encouragement a great many people were added to the Lord.
(ii) We are all compared to the earthen vessels (2 Cor 4:7) and we too have the same Spirit of faith that was in Barnabas (2 Cor 4:13).
(iii) When we are full of the Holy Spirit, we will be full of faith.
c) Cross Reference: Acts 6:5; 5:14; 11:21; 15:8, 9
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) Barnabas was a good man because he was full of the Holy Spirit. No man can be described as a good man unless he is full of the Holy Spirit who is God (Matt19:17).
(ii) When you are full of the Holy Spirit, you will be full of faith because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Faith and our hearts will be purified by faith thus making us completely good in the very image of God.
(iii) It is up to us how much we are filled in our earthen vessel, by thirsting for more of God.
(iv) When we are full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, many people will recognize it and many people will be added to the Church and will turn to the Lord by our encouragement.
35) Reference: Acts 11:28
a) Main Character: Agabus, Holy Spirit
b) Explanation:
(i) Agabus a prophet stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout the world, which happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.
c) Cross Reference: Acts 21:10; 18:2; Rev 19:10; John 16:12-14
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) Always be tuned to the frequency of the Holy Spirit.
(ii) The Holy Spirit will show you all the things to come, including the things that not only will affect your life and your family but the whole world, if only you will be tuned to see what He shows and hear what He says.
(iii) Never neglect the prophetic word or ministry because it will quench the Spirit’s working in your life. For example if Holy Spirit is releasing a word about the things that God has planned for you to do, if you neglect that word you will not be doing what God wanted you to do by faith, instead you will be wasting your time doing some other thing because you are not in the perfect will of God and the Holy Spirit will not be empowering you.
36) Reference: Acts 13:2
a) Main Character: Prophets and Teachers
b) Explanation:
(i) The Bible says “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.”.
(ii) Here the verb ‘minister’ is used as to serve, assist, work, supply, furnish.
(iii) By fasting and praying they were supplying themselves to the Lord for His work.
c) Cross Reference: Galatians 1:15; 2:9; Heb 5:4
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) The more we minister to the Lord the more God will be able to clearly speak to us and give direction for our life.
(ii) When ever we take an important decision or have to make a choice, we should seek the Lord regarding that matter and supply ourselves to Him (Luke 6:12-13).
(iii) Be sensitive to the voice of God’s Spirit or His leadings and take decision according to His plan.
(iv) Always realize that God has a unique calling for each of us, promote the people and support them according to their calling as God wants them to be promoted and supported.
37) Reference: Acts 13:4
a) Main Character: Holy Spirit
b) Explanation:
(i) The Word of God says, “So being sent out by the Holy Spirit….”
c) Cross Reference: Acts 4:36-37; 9:6
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) The only thing that God requires of us is to yield ourselves fully to the work of the Holy Spirit.
(ii) It is the Holy Spirit who calls us to the ministry with a vision and He is the one who supplies or equips us with all that we need and He opens the doors and prepares the place and sends us out to minister to the nations.
38) Reference: Acts 13:9
a) Main Character: Paul, Elymas the sorcerer, Sergius Paulus the proconsul [someone who governed a part of the ancient Roman Empire].
b) Explanation:
(i) When the sorcerer opposed the truth which Paul spoke to the proconsul, “Paul filled with the Holy Spirit looked intently at the sorcerer”. The sorcerer was trying to turn the proconsul away from the faith, God judged immediately through Apostle Paul by sending blindness for a certain period of time.
c) Cross Reference: Acts 2:4; 4:8
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) We should pray that God will move His mighty hand and do signs and wonders along with the message we preach, so that people will believe.
(ii) When we preach the truth in love if anybody opposes it, they are not resisting our message or us personally, but they are resisting God the Holy Spirit who wants to change them and save them from death.
(iii) Even in judgment God is merciful to send blindness only for a certain period of time.
(iv) Always be in an attitude of inward submission, so that God can use you filling you to the brim.
(v) The apostles and Spirit filled persons are used even to judge people’s sin many a times by the Holy Spirit (John 20:21-23; Acts 5:2-11).
(vi) Pray that God might open doors among the politicians of every country so that they can be saved through seeing the demonstration of the Power of God and receiving the Word of God so that we may touch the whole country through it (1 Tim 2:1-4) .
39) Reference: Acts 13:52
a) Main Character: Paul, Barnabas
b) Explanation:
(i) And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
(ii) This kind of unspeakable joy can be felt when we are filled with the Holy Spirit and it is only in the Holy Spirit that we can experience such joy.
(iii) To be filled with joy is a by product or an indication of the presence of the Holy Spirit in one’s life and ministry.
c) Cross Reference: Matt 5:12; John 16:22; Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 13:9; 1 Peter 4:14
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) When you obey the Lord and do His work, you will have troubles and will be persecuted. But when you go through it you will experience great joy, and the Spirit of glory will rest upon you.
40) Reference: Acts 15:8
a) Main Character: Apostles, Elders, us-Apostles, them-people
b) Explanation:
(i) God who knows the heart acknowledged them by giving the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us (v9) and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
(ii) God acknowledges each person with the gift of the Holy Spirit only when he sees that there is an intense desire in the heart of a person to receive it.
(iii) God makes no differentiation between an apostle and a ordinary person as long as both of them desire intensely for more of God.
(iv) Once the Holy Spirit comes in to your life, you will have faith and by that faith your heart will be purified even as you live by it.
c) Cross Reference: Acts 1:24; 2:4; 10:44, 47
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) God makes no distinction between a believer and a apostle but gives to both of them the Holy Spirit as their partner.
(ii) God sees the attitude, motive and desires of the one who seeks the gift of the Holy Spirit and bears witness of their true seeking heart intention by giving them the Holy Spirit.
41) Reference: Acts 15:28
a) Main Character: Apostolic council or Jerusalem council, Gentiles
b) Explanation:
(i) When the Jerusalem council clarified to the gentiles about their faith in God and the requirement to continue based on the doctrine they have decided they said, “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:”
c) Cross Reference: Acts 13:2, 4; John 16:12-14; 14:26
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) The Holy Spirit is the Chief Executive Director of the kingdom of God.
(ii) We see here in the apostles decision, the Holy Spirit was so real in their life as their senior partner, that they said, ‘The decision that we have taken is good to the Holy Spirit and to us….’.
(iii) We too can make Him as our personal senior partner, if we get acquainted with the Holy Spirit intimately.
(iv) If we give ourselves wholly to Him, He will give Himself wholly to us.
42) Reference: Acts 16:6
a) Main Character: Paul, Timothy and the Holy Spirit
b) Explanation:
(i) When Paul and Timothy went through certain regions of Phrygia and Galatia, they tried to enter Asia, but were forbidden by the Holy Spirit.
c) Cross Reference: Galatians 1:1, 2
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) The Holy Spirit is the one who prepares the field and ploughs it before the seed can be sown and results can be seen, the reason He stopped them is because the field was still unprepared. The field is the World (Matt 13:38). The seed is the Word of God (Luke 8:11).
(ii) The Holy Spirit will overrule our decision and direct us, if we are in full submission to fulfill the will of God in our lives.
(iii) Because He is the Lord of Harvest, He only knows the state of the field or ground (Luke 10:2; Acts 13:4).
(iv) Be always alert to the Holy Spirit leading as you go to preach the Word.
43) Reference: Acts 16:7
a) Main Character: Paul, Timothy and the Holy Spirit
b) Explanation:
(i) After they had come to Mysia they tried to go in to Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.
c) Cross Reference: Rev 19:10
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) Paul always worked under the Chief Executive Director of the Kingdom of God and yielded to His will completely, this is the reason the Spirit of God had absolute control over his life. This is the reason why Paul is one of the most successful preacher and teacher of the Word than any other person in the whole world.
(ii) From this verse we can clearly see that the Holy Spirit is the Executive Director of Operations in the Kingdom of God. As He was the Chief He did not permit them and He had complete authority over this Kingdom General Paul and his team of warriors.
44) Reference: Acts 18:5
a) Main Character: Paul and the Holy Spirit
b) Explanation:
(i) Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
c) Cross Reference: Acts 17:14, 15; 18:28; 2 Cor 5:14; John 14:15
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) Paul had love relationship and intimacy with the Holy Spirit.
(ii) When we love somebody we will do certain things compelled by them. In the same way Paul also compelled by the Spirit preached to the Jews because he loved the Spirit absolutely.
45) Reference: Acts 19:2
a) Main Character: Paul, Disciples in Ephesus Church
b) Explanation:
(i) Paul spoke to the disciples, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”. They replied that they have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.
(ii) God says in His Word because of the lack of knowledge my people perish (Hos 4:6), so it is our duty to seek the knowledge of God.
c) Cross Reference: 1 Sam 3:7
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) Because these disciples were seeking the Lord with whatever knowledge they had about Him, God gave them more.
(ii) We cannot live a victorious Christian life and be a witness to others with out the Holy Spirit coming upon us in His power and living His life through us. Here Paul was enquiring these believers seeing their powerless life they were living at that time in the Lord.
46) Reference: Acts 19:6
a) Main Character: Paul, Disciples in Ephesus Church
b) Explanation:
(i) And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
(ii) This is also the fulfillment of what Jesus had spoken in Acts 1:8, “When the Holy Spirit came upon them; they received power and the apostles and the disciples were great witnesses[martyr] to the end of the earth.”
c) Cross Reference: Acts 2:4, 17, 18; 6:6; 8:17; 10:46
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) By this period of time, laying hands on people to receive the Holy Spirit was the standard procedure in the New Testament Church.
(ii) The two main evidence of receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit or being filled with the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues and prophecy.
47) Reference: Acts 19:21
a) Main Character: Paul, Holy Spirit
b) Explanation:
(i) When the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed (19:20), Paul purposed in the Spirit… to go to Jerusalem and then also to Rome.
c) Cross Reference: Rom 1:13; 15:25; Acts 15:22-29; 20:1, 22
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) Always purpose or plan yourself in the Spirit. In other words ask the counsel of the Holy Spirit before you plan for your future or you do anything. Ask Him what He wants you to do and plan your schedule and priorities according to it.
(ii) Always don’t plan a birth [your own will and ideas], but birth a plan [God’s will and His ideas].
(iii) Because Paul was fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit, the purpose of the Holy Spirit became his very own purpose and the desires of the Holy Spirit became his desires.
(iv) The plan of the Holy Spirit is the greatest and the best plan you can ever see or experience in your life.
48) Reference: Acts 20:23
a) Main Character: Paul, Holy Spirit
b) Explanation:
(i) Paul said to the Elders in Ephesus that he is going to Jerusalem bound, controlled and guided by the Spirit in his spirit. He said that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city that chains and tribulations await him.
c) Cross Reference: Acts 21:4, 11
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) The Spirit of God will always confirm a matter in our spirit man again and again before we can finally say yes and position our self in the exact will of God.
(ii) The Holy Spirit will never super impose anything in your life with out your will, but He will always tell the truth of what God wants you to do and He will wait until you say yes. Then He will position you in the center of God’s will for your life.
(iii) The Holy Spirit will never speak superficially or will never lie because He is the Spirit of truth and he will always speak the fact.
(iv) The Holy Spirit will always speak or inform what is going to happen in the future not to make you fearful, but to make your heart ready and strong to go through it with His very own strength.
(v) The Holy Spirit is a gentleman, He will never force anybody to do His will, instead He will give great respect to your decision and your choice even if it is wrong.
49) Reference: Acts 20:28
a) Main Character: Paul, Holy Spirit and Ephesian Elders
b) Explanation:
(i) Paul exhorts Ephesian Church elders to take heed to themselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made them overseers to Shepard the Church of the Lord which He purchased with His own blood.
c) Cross Reference: 1 Peter 5:2; 1 Cor 12:28; Eph 1:7, 14; Heb 9:14
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) Never do anything with out the absolute direction or guidance of the Holy Spirit [don’t place yourself in a ministry position], it will be rejected by God utterly. Always be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit who is the Executive Director of Operations in the Kingdom of God (the Church).
(ii) Here we can clearly see that the Holy Spirit is the one who selects for each posts and operation in the Kingdom of God.
(iii) If you are not connected to the director, you will surely not be doing what God wants you to do, you will end up doing nothing meaningful.
50) Reference: Acts 21:4
a) Main Character: Disciples, Paul, The Spirit
b) Explanation:
(i) The Disciples told through the Spirit to Paul, not to go up to Jerusalem.
(ii) The Disciples had the revelation from the Spirit but did not have the understanding to understand the will of God in Paul’s life.
c) Cross Reference: Acts 21:12; 20:23; Prov 4:7
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) The Word of God says “In all your getting get understanding.”
(ii) When God gives you a revelation, we must ask God to give us understanding to know what it is and how it can be applied.
(iii) When you know that God has told you to do a thing by conviction, never be distracted by all the opinions and voices that come against it.
51) Reference: Acts 21:11
a) Main Character: Agabus, Paul
b) Explanation:
(i) The Prophet named Agabus took Paul’s belt, bound his own hand and feet, and said,“Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver Him in to the Hands of the Gentiles.’”
c) Cross Reference: Acts 20:23; 21:33; 22:25; 1 Cor 13:9
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) The Holy Spirit will always use those people who are yielded and sensitive to His voice to give out His message directly.
(ii) In Verse 33, The Jews did not bind him, but the soldiers [gentiles] bound him with chains. This shows that even though called and used by God, still the vessels that are used by God is imperfect [“We know in parts and prophecy in parts” (1 Cor 13:9)].
52) Reference: Acts 28:25
a) Main Character: The Jews in Rome, Paul and the Holy Spirit
b) Explanation:
(i) Here Paul ascribes the Old Testament scripture of Isaiah 6:9 as being spoken by the Holy Spirit.
c) Cross Reference: Isaiah 6:9, 10; Jer 5:21; Ezek 12:2; Matt 13:14, 15; Mark 4:12; Luke 8:10; John 12:40, 41; Rom 11:8.
d) Lesson we can learn:
(i) Ask God to open your inner heart’s eyes and ears so that you will understand what God says and turn to God, so that He will surely heal your spirit, soul and body.
(ii) Always be sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit, don’t miss God when He speaks to you.
(iii) The Holy Spirit who spoke through the prophets in the Old Testament is still the same who speaks through all the ministers of the 5 fold ministry gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers who are chosen by Him.
(iv) Always agree with what the Word of God says even if it is against your normal routine or tradition of what you have learnt from others. Be established in the present truth.
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