June 20, 2010
Evening Service

Acts 18:24-28; 19:1-7.

 

Review:

1.       We have just finished with Paul on his second missionary journey, and have begun his third trip.

2.      In his second journey he was called by God to go over into Europe, until this time he was only going into, what we call today Turkey.

3.      In Thessalonica, a city just above Athens Greece, it was said of Paul’s company that they were turning the world upside down with their teaching of this Jesus of Nazareth, and the resurrection.

4.      When heading back to Jerusalem to keep a certain feast, Paul stopped at Ephesus.  He didn’t stay long because he had to make this feast at Jerusalem.

5.      He left behind two fellow workers Aquila, and his wife Pricilla. 

6.      It was at this time we met a man named Apollos, who was from Alexandria Egypt.  The Scripture describes him as being eloquent, and mighty in the Scriptures.  He began teaching at Ephesus.  This is where we want to begin our study this morning.

 

 Act 18:24-19:7 KJVR  And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.  (25)  This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 

• Now first of all we know John’s baptism was of God.  Jesus said this of John;  Mat 11:11 KJVR  Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist:
• John caused quite a stir when he came out of the wilderness looking like a wild man, and preaching “repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  John was preparing the way for the Messiah to come on the scene, and as John pointed Him out, “behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world” it was Jesus of Nazareth.

(26)  And he ( Apollos ) began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 

• The way of God more perfectly.  This is what we hope to bring forth more clearly today.

(27)  And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:  (28)  For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ. 

• Apollos went forth in the power of the Lord preaching Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ of God, the very Son of God.

(19:1)  And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth,

• Paul had already passed through this area preaching the gospel, and now being taught the Word of God more perfectly, Apollos will be teaching the same thing that Paul had taught them.  The importance of the unity of the spirit is so important, that’s why we need to speak where the scriptures speak, and be silent where they are silent.

Now Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus:

• Now if you recall, Paul stopped here briefly, left Aquila, and Pricilla, and proceeded on toward Jerusalem. 

and finding certain disciples,  (2)  He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?

And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.  (3)  And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.  (4)  Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.  (5)  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  (6)  And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.  (7)  And all the men were about twelve.

• Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?  Is this question relevant today?  Do we expect the same results as we see happen in the Scriptures?  Will we have the same abilities, and gifts as the Scriptures show these people have?
• Really good questions, huh?  Remember we are trying to make simple the teaching of the Lord more perfectly.

 

 

 

 

The question Paul ask these disciples of John is, “have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?”

 

What if I ask you today, have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?  Would you have the correct answer, according to the Word of God?

 

In our world today this question is asked more than you probably realize.  I believe it is ask by people that are filled with pride, and contention, and have not been taught the Word of God more perfectly, and are not rightly dividing the Word of God.

 

There are those denominations today that have evolved from, and some still teach it, ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION.  This is a teaching that came from John Wesley. 

Then there are our Pentecostal brethren that would teach us that if we don’t have the evidence of speaking in other tongues, we don’t have the Holy Ghost.  It is essential.

 

You can look both of these teachings up on the internet, and find a lot of information on them.

 

 

But let’s look at what we know from the Word of God, and already events that have happened.

1. Act 1:4-5 KJVR  And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.  (5)  For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Ans:  Act 2:1-4 KJVR  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  (2)  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  (3)  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  (4)  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

2. On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached the first sermon, opening the door to the kingdom of God to the Jewish people, and said this;   Act 2:38 KJVR  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Now there were 3,000 souls added to the church that day, and no mention of speaking in an unknown language.

3. In Acts 3, Peter preaches his second sermon, and about 5,000 believed, and no mention of anyone speaking in an unknown language.
4. Now upon the persecution of the church, after the stoning of Stephen, Philip went into Samaria preaching a great revival.  Many believed the gospel, and this is what happened;

Act 8:14-17 KJVR  Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:  (15)  Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:  (16)  (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)  (17)  Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

            There is no mention of any sign of them speaking in an unknown language, but Simon the Sorcerer saw something that convinced him that he wanted this gift.  Acts 8.

5. In chapter 9 we see the conversion of the Apostle Paul, and he is prayed for by Ananias, who in understanding would have been an Apostle, because he had been sent by God.  This is said;

Act 9:17-18 KJVR  And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.  (18)  And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

            No mention of Paul speaking in any unknown language.

6. In the household of Cornelius, the gentile, this is said;

Act 10:45 KJVR  And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.  46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,  (47)  Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

• We are seeing many converted to Christianity.  Some examples of great emotion, and others that they just obeyed the gospel.

I hate to do this to you, but we will continue tonight our thought, Teaching the Word of God more perfectly.