The Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts of the Apostles

The Book of Acts dwells immensely on the Holy Spirit and is the basis of the book. Right from the beginning, the reader notified that the Holy Spirit is present in all people and influences the work of Jesus Christ. Acts Chapter 1 verse 2 says that after he was taken up in Heaven, Jesus Christ commanded his apostles through the Holy Spirit he had sent to them. The Holy Spirit is directly connected with baptism, which is one of the most prominent stages in a Christian’s life. Jesus, in his final instruction, tells his disciples, that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit unlike John the Baptist who baptized with water (Acts 1:5). This paper from https://essays-panda.com/response-paper-writing explores the relevance of the Holy Spirit in Christian life as discussed in the book. Baptism The book interprets baptism as a transition in one’s life where one is filled with the Holy Spirit and follow God’s will. The aforementioned verse (Acts 1:5) is highly relevant in the Bible, and one observes that it is repeated in the Gospels Matthew, Mark Luke and John . The meaning of the word ‘Baptism’ is to immerse something or cause the end of something through immersing it. This creates a metaphoric meaning to the word. Baptism in water was a part of a Jewish tradition for entering into Judaism. John the Baptist followed this. It is here one contrasts it with the Messiah’s baptism with the Holy Spirit. The latter is a more powerful event than the former. The filling of the 120 apostles during Pentecost is the first instance of baptism with the Holy Spirit . The two other instances are described in the book of Acts. In Acts 10:44, gentiles were filled with the Spirit and the Jews (described as “those that were of circumcision”) that had come with Peter were amazed. It says, “While Peter yet spoke these words; the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word. They of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.” This happened in Caesarea. The third time that this happened is narrated in Acts 19. Paul encountered some disciples and questioned them of their baptism. They had received baptism of water, but not of the spirit. The apostle insisted that he re-baptized them and in so doing considered them as the original apostles. He placed his hands on them and the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. The Pentecost and the Holy Spirit as a Powerful Enabler The Pentecost is an event that is foretold in the Gospel by Jesus. He (Jesus) describes the Holy Spirit as a helper. This gives a clue that he would enable those who receive him to do miraculous things . Acts 2: 1-4 says that they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they had the power to speak in tongues. The Holy Spirit enabled people to have the power to speak in tongues as well as understand them. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit enabled Peter to speak to the crowd. Acts 2:14 says that Peter stood with other eleven disciples and spoke loudly to the crowd. From then on, Peter speaks as a prophet in verses 17 and 18. He foretold that their children would see visions and the old people would have dreams (Acts 2:17). In the face of it, the Pentecost day is a sign to all people of the witnesses and the prophetic empowerment that they receive from the Holy Spirit. It is a gift for their belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He also describes the Holy Spirit as a leader that empowers the church for service. He also attributes the Holy Spirit to be the source of the Jesus’ ability to teach and train the Apostles. The Holy Spirit also enables the apostles to witness powerfully to the Gospel of Christ. Paul preaches to the Corinthians. The author of Acts also identifies the Holy Spirit as the growth agent of the church. For instance, he enables Phillip to minister to the Ethiopian Eunuch. He also preserved the apostles. He warned Paul of dangers lurking in Jerusalem. The church depended heavily on the Holy Spirit for its success and growth. The case of Ananias and Sapphira is one that serves to shoe the result of irreverence towards the Lord. Manifestation of the Holy Spirit Tongues Tongues, fire, and wind are used in the book of Acts in order to symbolize the presence of the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues is a common experience for many people in the Book of Acts, who are baptized with the spirit. Pentecost is perhaps the most evident of examples, during which many people talked in different tongues, and other thought that they were drunk. This sign is very powerful and it was used to prove to the Jews who had come with Peter that they had the Holy Spirit in them . In Acts 10:45, it is written, “They of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.” The sign is also relevant in the Old Testament. In Numbers 11:25, 70 elders are filled with the spirit and they prophesy. In 1st Samuel 10:9-10, the spirit of the Lord comes over Paul, and he starts prophesying. Closer examination of this sign show that it eludes to the ability and duty of the apostles as well as all those who are baptized to spread the Gospel of the Lord. By spreading the Gospel to all the nations under the sky, they are offered salvation through the Gospel of Christ. In Acts 2:38-39, Peter told all of them to repent and get baptized in the name of Christ, because God promised everyone (their children and those from far) his calling. Wind and Fire Wind is another sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit. The translation of spirit into Greek and Hebrew are also used to mean breath or wind . Drawing from the Old Testament, one can deduce that wind is used to mean regeneration. In the book of Ezekiel, the Lord uses the wind to bring the dry bones back to life. Fire, which appears as tongues of fire on the apostles, is used to show power and approval by the Lord. This is shown in the story of Moses in the burning bush. The gospel of Luke says that the Lord burn the chaff. Baptism and Fillings with the Holy Spirit The Book of Acts has many instances of people getting filled with the Holy Spirit. In this paper, some of them have been described as baptism in the Holy Spirit. In the Book of Acts, it is common to see people who had already received the Holy Spirit. For instance, Peter received the Holy Spirit during the Pentecost yet in Acts 4: 1-21 Paul says that he was filled by the Holy Spirit and was able to reply to his accusers. He was accused of preaching and healing in the name of Jesus Christ. Another instance was in Acts 4: 31-33. It says that the room where they were was filled by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with courage. Lastly, Paul who had been filled with the Holy Spirit was able to chasten Elymas who was a sorcerer. The question here is whether that counts as baptism. Closer scrutiny of the book shows that these subsequent fillings are not baptisms. Paul always refers to them as fillings of the Holy Spirit, but not Baptisms. Secondly, baptism as explained in the introduction involves conversion from different spiritual standings. In the above instances, the people involved received the ability to powerfully and prophetically witness to the Gospel in the face of danger and challenge . These fillings are post baptism and occur occasionally after it enables them to do God’s work. Regeneration and Baptism The Book of Acts shows the regeneration of the people who receive the Holy Spirit in a chronological order. Regeneration here means that people are uprooted in their former ways and inducted into Christian faith . This is common in various people who hear the word of God. However, there are some instances where this is not the only way. Nonetheless, the order is maintained. In Acts 8, the Samaritans receive preaching from Phillip and then John and Peter placed their hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came upon them. Again, Peter preached to Cornelius and his family, and suddenly all those who heard him speak were filled with the Holy Spirit. As this case shows, there is little distinction of the chronological order and separation of regeneration and baptism. Indeed, Cornelius was a strong believer in the Old Testament. In Antioch, the gentiles who heard the word of the Lord and believed were filled with great happiness and the Holy Spirit. In Acts 13:48, it says that the gentiles were pleased with the word of God, and many were converted to the faith of Jesus Christ. Acts 13:52 says that the followers were filled with happiness of the Holy Spirit. The conversion of Paul into Christianity presents a unique occurrence as far as regeneration and baptism are concerned. He receives his deliverance from the Lord. In Acts 9:4-5, it is written,“…and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecute thou me? He said, who art thou, Lord? He said, I am Jesus who thou persecute”. Ananias was then sent by the Lord not to preach to Paul, but to lay hands on him and enable him to receive healing. The subject of regeneration presents the aspect of flexibility in the Book of Acts. Despite the applicability of many things between Book of Acts and other books in both Testaments, Acts of the Apostles shows some significant change . One of these changes is in baptism. This is not a change rather than an enhancement. Water baptism (baptismisfluminis), which is practiced by John the Baptist on Jesus Christ and the church, is complemented by baptism through the Holy Spirit (baptismusflaminis). All the apostles present during the Pentecost had already received the former from John or other apostles, yet they received baptism of the Holy Spirit. The gospel also takes a wider perspective to include those that were despised by the Jews culture . Before ministering to Cornelius, Peter has a vision from the Lord. He sees a sheet and unclean animals, and is commanded to kill and eat them. He objects giving the reason that they are unclean animals. The Lord replies saying what he has cleansed shall not be despised. “A voice came unto him again the second time, what God hath cleansed, make not thou common” (Acts 10:15). It is from here that he preaches to Cornelius, a Roman centurion. The Holy Spirit came upon all those who heard Peter, and they received baptism of water and the Holy Spirit. Indeed in Acts 11:18, it says that when the Jews saw this they believed that even the gentiles were chosen for salvation and they no longer protested. Baptism of the Holy Spirit Today From the above, one cannot help, but ponder on whether the baptism of the Holy Spirit is relevant in modern life. What one can conclude is that this baptism is not normative in the church. This illustrated in the following matters. From the Book of Acts, not everyone who received baptism of water received baptism of the Holy Spirit. Of the nine water baptisms that occurred in the book, six of them did not include baptism of the Holy Spirit. Converts of the Church are baptized of water through the power of the Holy Spirit, and received forgiveness of their sins. This is derivation from the day of Pentecost where the apostles who received baptism of the Holy Spirit baptize 300 people . The Church’s baptism is received as a sacrament while that of the Holy Spirit is unique for people to teach his gospel. Secondly, the works of miracles and challenges that accompany the work of Jesus Christ are the same that accompanied the work of the Apostles. This showed that the work of the latter was pure, and indeed in accordance with the will of God. Moreover, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is attributed to the apostles. In Acts 19:6, it says, “when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied”. They as the beginners of the church and the signs that accompanied their work command the authority of their acts. Finally, Joel foresaw the coming of the Holy Spirit. He mentioned the “earlier and latter rains”. This means that he was alluding to the coming of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the Church . Conclusion The Book of Acts of the Apostles dwells a lot on the Holy Spirit. The book signifies a new page for the Gospel of Christ. It was a time when the church was built driven by the newly selected apostles guided by the power of the Holy Spirit. Baptism takes a new form, which is used to anoint the chosen and include all those previously excluded from salvation. The Holy Spirit emerges as a protector and motivator. He enables the apostles to overcome their humanly fears to challenge and opposition. Through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, he distinguishes them from others. The apostles are approved by the power of God through the Holy Spirit and perform miracles. Consequently, God’s promises of salvation foretold by prophets of Joel are fulfilled. The book of John is a portrayal of the Lord’s love for the world. By sending the Holy Spirit, all who dwell on earth are constantly in God’s presence.