2021.11.14
The Work of God the Holy Spirit
Acts 13:1-3
13:1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Five Preachers / Teachers in the church at Antioch.
Antioch - In Syria, on the river Orontes, about 16 miles from the Mediterranean, and some 300 miles north of Jerusalem. It was the metropolis of Syria, and afterwards became the capital of the Roman province in Asia. It ranked third, after Rome and Alexandria, in point of importance, of the cities of the Roman empire. It was called the “first city of the East.” Christianity was early introduced into it (Acts 11:19, 21, 24), and the name “Christian” was first applied here to its professors (Acts 11:26). It is intimately connected with the early history of the gospel (Acts 6:5; 11:19, 27, 28, 30; 12:25; 15:22-35; Galatians 2:11, 12). (Easton’s)
Source: Wixmp
2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
** “He said,” The Holy Spirit is a person**
- He’s not an abstract force; He is all powerful God.
Three things happened in the worship time of the church in Antioch:
ONE: The Holy Spirit directed the local church to act.
The importance of this can be overlooked.
The Holy Spirit told the local church to do a specific thing.
- He directing the church in very specific ways.
- He was not, is not passive.
Often, people in authority quickly rely on themselves more than God.
How did the Holy Spirit say what he said?
Ways God has communicated with His people
- Lightning thoughts
- Dreams
- Visions
- Thoughts over time
- Through prayer
- Prophets (and teachers)
ILL: Moses the shepherd
- Others may not understand.
APPL:
- How do we hear such things?
- Worship = we will be lead by Him.
- Caution: "God told me to … "
TWO: The Holy Spirit chose the people.
- Barnabas and Saul
- S and B ministries was formed.
- “Set apart two men” The Holy Spirit set apart (makes Holy) people with specific gifts.
ILL
Ephesians 4:11-14
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
APPL:
- You are given a holy ministry. FIND IT!
- You fit there.
- You will find blessings in the ministry God has called you too.
THREE: The Holy Spirit chose the ministry for the local church.
- Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
- In this case a specific ministry.
- Clear call of God on your life.
- He is the person of the Trinity who sends us into the world with confidence.
ILL
How I was called.
S and B were ent out by the Holy Spirit!
He is the one who gives us the confidence to go in to the world.
After fasting and praying—they laid their hands on them.
- Ordination
People ready for an unknown future.
APPL
The local church was worshiping.
- Often we are consumed by the mechanics of ministry instead of God.
- When a local church is in love with God, He leads them in specific way.
- Specific ministries should be directed by the Holy Spirit.
- God knows what is best for our local church to do.
- Our job is not to figure out “what ministry to do” per se
- We need to instead ask God what to do and focus on strengthening our relationship to Him.
Theology Proper
Some theology is Dogmatic: proper theology calls for Trinitarian theology.
Because of the will of the Father, through the ministry of the Son, by the indwelling of Holy Spirit.
- How are we justified?
- How are we sanctified?
- How are we glorified?
As often happens…we over-correct:
- We have down played the Holy Spirit’s ministry in Bible churches to a fault!
- We see the abuse of His ministry on TBN and we end up not participating with the Holy Spirit because of it.
The Holy Spirit is mentioned 88 times in the New Testament.
- (Click here to see all of the reference verses.)
- Acts contains 39 of the references.
A list of some of His work and ministries from the NT (Only one reference verse is cited per bullet point.)
- We are to rely on Him for the words in trials. - Mark 13:11
- Preachers should rely on Him to be used in lesson prep and delivery. - Luke 1:67
- We receive clarity of the word and understanding if the world because of Him. - Luke 10:21
- He is our Helper. - John 14:26
- He is our Teacher and He reminds us of what He has taught us. - John 14:26
- His ministry is at the center of our reconciliation to God. - John 14:26
- Jesus gave commands through The Holy Spirit’s ministry. - Acts 1:2
- The Holy spirit gives us power—God power! - Acts 1:8
- The Holy Spirit brings prophecy to humankind. - Acts 1:16
- He may equip us with supernatural language abilities. - Acts 2:4
- He is a gift to us! - Acts 2:38
- He is a witness to the things of God. - Acts 5:32
- He comforts us. - Acts 9:31
- He saves us. - Acts 10:45
- He makes us holy. - Acts 11:24 / He “sanctifies” us.- Romans 15:16
- He directs our lives. - Acts 13:4
- He gives us joy. - Acts 13:52
- He gives insight into the future. - Acts 20:23
- He chooses our ministries. - Acts 20:28
- He files us with love. - Romans 5:5
- He give us peace. - Romans 14:17
- He gives us hope. - Romans 15:13
- He makes us a temple. - 1 Corinthians 6:19
- He empowers us to say, “Jesus is Lord.” - 1 Corinthians 12:3
- He may commend our actions. - 2 Corinthians 6:4
- He fellowships with us. - 2 Corinthians 13:14
- He seals us unto salvation. - Ephesians 1:13
- He protects the Scripture in us. - 2 Timothy 1:14
- He regenerates us. - Titus 3:5
- He renews us. - Titus 3:5
- He is proof to the world concerning the offer of salvation. - Hebrews 2:4
- He tells the lost to react to the offer of salvation. - Hebrews 3:7
- He teaches us about the present age in relationship to eternity. - Hebrews 3:7
- He wrote the Bible. - 2 Peter 1:21
- He builds us up in the Lord. - Jude 1:20
If we will focus on our relationship to God as a church, He will direct us.
If I focus on my relationship with God, He will direct me.
Bibliography
“Antioch.” Easton’s Bible Dictionary, https://biblehub.com/topical/a/antioch.htm.
“Antioch.” Wixmp, https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/bd32c60c-aa16-47d2-8bc4-a5d035bb529d/d2zb1x3-02b00b64-fb96-4f93-837f-daa31f0845f5.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJpc3MiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwic3ViIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTpmaWxlLmRvd25sb2FkIl0sIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiIvZi9iZDMyYzYwYy1hYTE2LTQ3ZDItOGJjNC1hNWQwMzViYjUyOWQvZDJ6YjF4My0wMmIwMGI2NC1mYjk2LTRmOTMtODM3Zi1kYWEzMWYwODQ1ZjUuanBnIn1dXX0.JF1IL8KX3PkuQpAA5x2wxRlzmoxLtuYt-fpzCHxnqcw.