PART 1: SPIRIT + FIRE

The Sequel• Authorship: Luke• Part II from his Gospel account.• Written to Theophilus (“Lover of

God”)• Gospel: “The Acts of Jesus”• This book:–The Acts of the Apostles–The Acts of the Holy Spirit

"The people were waiting expectantly and were all

wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the

Christ. John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to

untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor

and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." And with many other

words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to

them.

Luke 3:15-18

Baptism• What are the three forms of

baptism that John mentions in this passage?–Water–Spirit–Fire

• We’ll talk about The Spirit today. What about the baptism of fire?

After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs

that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty

days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

Acts 1:3

Sovereign and Suffering• Why did Jesus need to

provide “convincing proofs” that He was alive?• The disciples apparently

needed help reconciling a suffering Messiah and a sovereign God. Do you?• How did the focus of Jesus’

speaking shift during these 40 days?

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave

them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised,

which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized

with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the

Holy Spirit.”

Acts 1:4-5

A New Baptism• From an experiential

perspective, what are the major differences between water baptism and baptism of The Spirit?• According to Jesus, what will

this baptism bring?• And for what purpose?• What else does it do?

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate,

the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name,

will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I

have said to you.

John 14:25-26

For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given

the one Spirit to drink.

1 Corinthians 12:13

Empowerment• “you will receive power”!–To be witnesses to the ends of the earth.–To receive His advocacy.–To receive words and recollection.–To learn and understand.–To be identified as parts of His body.

• …just the start of the list…

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you

at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Acts 1:6

The Big Question• Was this a “disappointing”

question on behalf of the disciples?• How could this have been

short-sighted?• How could this have been

“long-sighted?”

he says: “It is too small a thing for you

to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel

I have kept. I will also make you a light for

the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach

to the ends of the earth.”

Isaiah 49:6

Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does

this mean?”

Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had

too much wine.”

Acts 2:12-13

Amazed and Perplexed• The crowd demonstrates

beautifully the world’s ongoing reaction to the power of the Gospel.–Some seek deeper understanding.–Some find it amusing spectacle.

• Would you have been willing to walk around naked for 3 years?

Personal Application• What stage of baptism have

you experienced in your walk with Christ?• Do you view baptism as a

one-time event or an ongoing experience?–Empowerment–Conversion–Identification

Personal Application• Are you completely

comfortable with the plan?–Can you wait?–Can you accept the gift?

• Truly…how willing are you to appear as a fool to this world to connect with an earnest searcher?