Category: Acts

Start Your Day Right Devotion

FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN AND FOR ALL / ACTS 2:39

The promise of the baptism in the Holy Spirit was not just for those present on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4), but for all who would accept and follow Christ throughout this age: “for you” (Peter’s audience); “your children”) the next generation); “for all who are far off” (all generations to come).

1. The baptism in the Spirit and the power it provides was not a once-for-all occurrence in the church’s history. It did not cease with Pentecost (Acts 2:38; 8:15; 9:17; 10:44-46; 19:6), nor did it end with the apostolic age (with Christ’s first followers and the early church pioneers). Some people think that this powerful experience, with the evidence of speaking in tongues, was only as a sign to help get the first church started. But the purpose was not just to get people’s attention or prove God’s power. Jesus said the Spirit would provide His followers with ongoing power and guidance in spreading His message (John 16:13). This purpose is just as relevant today because we still need the full empowerment of the Spirit to carry on the church’s mission.
2. It is the right of every Christion to seek, expect and experience the same baptism in the Spirit that was promised and given to the New Testament Christians (Acts 1:4, 8; Joel 2:28; Matthew 3:11; Luke 24:49).

Bible Study Tools I Use

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• King James Bible
• www. biblegateway.com
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• College Ruled Spiral Notebook
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Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

1. WORSHIPING … AND FASTING / ACTS 13:2
2. KEPT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM PREACHING / ACTS 16:6
3. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

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START YOUR DAY RIGHT DEVOTION

(KJV) Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

WORSHIPING … AND FASTING / ACTS 13:2

Spirit-filled Christmas are especially sensitive to the communication of the Holy Spirit during times of prayer and fasting (Matthew 6:16). Fasting involves going without food for a limited time in order to give greater attention to spiritual matters through prayer. The message from the Holy Spirit probably came through a prophetic gift (by which one of the believers spoke a message from God as inspired by the Holy Spirit, Acts 1:1).

FOR THE WORK TO WHICH I HVE CALLED THEM / ACTS 13:2

Paul and Barnabas were called by God into missionary service (to take Christ’s message to other people groups, countries, and cultures) and were commissioned by the church at Antioch (Acts 11:26). The nature of this work is described in Acts 9:15; 13:5; 22:14-15, 21; 26:16-18.

1. Paul and Barnabas were called to preach the gospel (the “good news” of forgiveness and new life through faith in Christ), leading men and women into a personal relationship with Christ. Nowhere in the Bible does it indicate that New Testament missionaries were sent to other regions of the world to do social or political work only. Their goal was to introduce people to Christ (Acts 16:31; 20:21), rescue and free them from Satan’s power (Acts 26:18), invite the Holy Spirit to empower them (Acts 19:6) and establish them in local churches. By the power of the Holy Spirit living in and through them, these new Christians received and used spiritual gifts (God-given abilities for the purpose of honoring Him and benefiting the church, 1 Corinthians 12 – 13). The ministry of the Spirit allowed them, in turn, to carry out God’s life-transforming work in their communities.
2. Christian missionaries today must be devoted to the same kind of activity; to be ministers (servants) of Christ and messengers of His gospel (“good news”). While missionaries may serve many practical needs as well (particularly in cultures that are closed to public preaching of the gospel), their primary purpose must still be to introduce people to Christ; He is the only One who can rescue them from the consequences of sin and rebellion against God and from Satan’s power (Acts 26:18). Beyond that, a missionary’s work involves discipling new believers (training them in the practical disciplines of following Christ and learning from His Word on a daily basis). This includes encouraging them to receive the Holy Spirit and His gifts (Acts 2:38; 8:17) and teaching them to obey all that Christ commanded (Matthew 28:19-20). Along with this ministry should be signs, wonders and miracles – including healing the sick and freeing those oppressed by demons (Acts 2:43; 4:30; 8:7; 10:38; Mark 16:17-18). The primary tsk of preaching the message about Jesus also should include practical and personal acts of love and kindness to those in need (Galatians 2:10). In this way, all who are called to spread Christ’s message will model their ministry on Jesus’ example (Luke 9:2).

Bible Study Tools I Use

• NIV Bible
• King James Bible
• www. biblegateway.com
• Map Pencils
• College Ruled Spiral Notebook
• Ballpoint Pens

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

1. KEPT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM PREACHING / ACTS 16:6
2. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

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START YOUR DAY RIGHT DEVOTION

KEPT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM PREACHING / ACTS 16:6

Every effort to take Christ’s message to other people, lands and cultures must begin with and continue to be guided by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:2-3). This was certainly true of the missionary journeys and ministry missions recorded in Acts (Acts 1:8; 2:14-41; 4:8-12, 31; 8:26-29, 39-40; 10:19-20; 13:2; 16:6-10; 20:22). The Spirit’s guidance may have taken the form of a prophetic revelation (someone speaking a God-given message as motivated by the Holy Spirit), an inner sense of direction to one’s mind or spirit, external circumstances, or visions (Acts 16:6-9). Under the impulse of the Holy Spirit, God’s messengers moved forward to take Christ’s message to those who had not yet heard of Him and were still spiritually lost. The fact that they depended on the Spirit’s guidance did not mean that they waited for an unmistakable sign at each turn. Trusting that God was putting His desires and thoughts of guidance within them, they moved forward in their plans. When God kept them from going in one direction, they would go in another, trusting the Holy Spirit to either approve or disapprove of their plans. The Spirit honored their faithfulness and proved His desires and purposes by opening or closing doors of opportunity, depending on where He wanted them to go.

Bible Study Tools I Use

• NIV Bible
• King James Bible
• www. biblegateway.com
• Map Pencils
• College Ruled Spiral Notebook
• Ballpoint Pens

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

1. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME