JESUS CHRIST: OUR BAPTISER

 LESSON 3

TOPIC: JESUS CHRIST: OUR BAPTISER

MEMORY VERSE: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8

BIBLE PASSAGE: Acts 2:1-21

INTRODUCTION: The period from creation to the birth of Jesus Christ is generally referred to as the age of the Father while from the birth of our Lord to His ascension is the age of the Son. The period from the ascension to the second coming of our Lord is the age of the Holy Spirit. As such, we should not be ignorant of His existence and operation. Jesus Christ is the only baptizer with the Holy Spirit – Mat. 3:11; Mark 1:8. Therefore, in this lesson, we shall study about the baptism. May the Lord baptize us with His Divine Power and make us useful instruments in His hands as we go through this lesson.

Lesson Outlines

1. THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

2. RESULTS OF THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

Baptism with the Holy Spirit is the endowment with power for effective Christian service. Jesus promised His disciples in Acts 1:8 and fulfilled it in Acts 2:1,2 evidenced by speaking in tongues in fulfillment of the prophecy in Joel 2:28-32. This experience took place on the day of Pentecost.

 Baptism with the Holy Spirit is an operation of the Holy Spirit distinct from salvation. A man who is saved (born-again) by the act of the Holy Spirit may not be baptized until he undergoes this experience.

 The divine nature of God is imparted at salvation – 2 Pet. 1:4 – but in baptism with the Holy Spirit, the divine power or dynamo is imparted into the life of a believer for effective and result-oriented Christian service. It makes the believer spirit-filled, spirit-motivated, spirit-controlled and spirit-empowered. How can one receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

1. Repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as the one who will give as He had promised – Acts 2:38; 10:44; Gal. 3:2,5,14

2. Thirsting after God’s righteousness – Matthew 5:6.

3. Earnest prayer of faith and importunity – Luke 11:11-13; Luke 18:17.

4. Absolute surrender in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. God gives the Holy Spirit only to those who obey Him – Acts 5:32.

5. In realization of the fact that the Holy Spirit is for every believer, Jesus promised the Comforter to every believer – John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7. Therefore, do not let the devil rob you by whispering to you that again, you have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. You are only indwelt with the Holy Spirit at conversion but at baptism with the Holy Spirit, you are empowered and energized by the Holy Spirit.

6. Sanctified life. Your heart must be pure and holy – Matthew 5:8; Ephesian 4:24.

RESULTS OF THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

(a) Baptism with the Holy Spirit gives the Christian boldness in service and testimony. The Lord does not give us the spirit of timidity but the spirit of boldness of power and of a sound mind – Acts 4:29, 31, 33.

(b) The supernatural power of God is imparted for effective and efficient Christian service – Acts 1:5,8. Without the baptism, there cannot be power for effective profitable service for the Lord. So, seek for the baptism today – Acts 2:41

(c) At baptism, the Holy Spirit bestows different gifts to believers to make them useful vessels – 1 Cor. 12:4-10 – and unless you are baptized, you cannot know your gifts clearly not to talk of using them for the Lord.

(d) The Holy Spirit empowers a believer to make him have a godly life. He quickens his spirit and produces in him a holy living – John 6:63; 2 Corinthians 3:6.

Conclusion

You may not know the usefulness of the Holy Spirit until you have the power. Ask for the Holy Spirit from the Father today and He will give you as He has promised – Luke 11:9-13; Matthew 7:7. If you have been baptized, are you experiencing the result of the baptism everyday of your life? Ask the Lord to strengthen you with the power of the Holy Spirit so that you can become an effective instrument for Him today. Talk to Him about it now. The Holy Spirit is still available to you today.

Questions

1. Why is it necessary to know about the Holy Spirit today than ever before?

2. What is baptism with the Holy Spirit?

3. How can one receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

 THE EARLY CHURCH:

A MODEL FOR TODAY

MEMORY VERSE: `”And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers”. Acts 2:42.

BIBLE PASSAGE: ACTS 2:42-44 

INTRODUCTION: A close study of the daily life of the first Apostolic church reveals certain peculiarities worthy of note.  This seems to run contrary to some trends noticed in some churches today.  We need to examine what the early church looked like and practice in order to re-align ourselves with the will of God for His church.

LESSON OUTLINES

1. Some short-comings of the present-day church

2. The qualities of the early church

SOME SHORT-COMINGS OF THE PRESENT-DAY CHURCH

(i) Human philosophies and motivational talks have replaced the Apostles’doctrines.1 Cor.2:4; Col. 2:4,8.  

(ii) Monetary rewards and other forms of compensations have replaced selfless services. Acts 20:35; Gal 6:9

(iii) True, genuine and agape love has been replaced by suspicion. 1 John 3:18; Heb. 10:25

(iv) Sacrificial giving is gradually fading away. Acts 2:45; Psalms 69:9

(v) Pride, competition, egoistic tendencies, rivalry among leaders and followers have replaced complementary and submission to one another and God. 2Cor. 10:12; Phil. 2:5. 

(vi) Envy and strife, suspicion and hatred have found their ways to the church. James 3:14, 15

(vii) Gimmicks resulting in fake miracles, lies, exploitation, intimidation, evil packaging, deception etc. 

1Tim. 6:3-7, Eph. 4:14; 2 Cor.12:16-17

THE QUALITIES OF THE EARLY CHURCH

 

(i) Steadfastness in Apostle’ doctrines, fellowship, prayers and breaking of bread from house. Acts 2:42-44

(ii) Warm, truthful and loving fellowship. 2 Cor. 2:13; Phil 4:10

(iii) True signs and wonders were common in early church. Acts 2:43; 4:14; Mark 16:20

(iv) Unity in love and togetherness. Acts 2:44; John 17:21

(v) The early church members were generous. Acts 2:45; 4:34-37

(vi) The early church enjoyed favour with all people. Acts 2:44

(vii) The early church experienced tremendous growth on daily basis. Acts 2:41; 4:4; 5:14

CONCLUSION 

While we cannot rule out the need for innovations and creativities that make the church of God lively today, the present day church must be modeled after the early church.

QUESTIONS

1. Mention four short-comings of the modern days church

2. Mention four qualities of the early-christian church