A lesson by Pastor John Skaggs

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church

P.O. Box 1447, Claypool, Az. 85532

520-425-8345 or 520-402-9134

Email: pastorjohn@gila.net

Date: 11-28-99

Sermon Number: 003

Text: Acts 2:1-21

TOPICS ADDRESSED IN THIS LESSON

(The Baptism of the Spirit, Being Filled with the Spirit, Tongues and Miracles)

The Baptism of the Spirit

Just prior to His ascension Jesus told His disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. God the Holy Spirit would come upon them and dwell within them giving them all the gifts and power necessary to carry out their mission. That mission consisted of taking the Gospel to the remotest part of the earth. The message centered around Jesus Christ. They were to be witnesses of Him. They must make clear to all who He was and what He has done. He was, of course, the Son of God. He came to save His people from their sins. He accomplished His redemptive work when He gave Himself a sacrifice for sinners. He died so that believing sinners might have everlasting life.

When we were together last week we found the disciples in the upper room waiting for Christ’s promise to be fulfilled. Today we come to that much anticipated moment, the day of Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit came stay. (Acts 2:1-21 NASB) And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. (The twelve and others, 120 in all) {2} And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. {3} And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on EACH ONE of them. {4} And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, (G1100 Strong’s, glwssa, a language) as the Spirit was giving them utterance," i.e., the Spirit was causing them to speak.

First lets talk about when the Holy Spirit came. There is, I think, a very practical reason for God’s choice of Pentecost. He was about to begin His New Testament church. What better day to begin promoting the gospel and introduce the leaders of His church than Pentecost. Jerusalem was filled with worshipers from the remotest part of the earth. Many scholars believe there were in excess of one million people in the city at that time. Beyond the practicality of the day it is significant for another reason. Pentecost means "fiftieth." It is the New Testament name for the Feast of Weeks (Ex. 34:22–23), or Harvest (Ex. 23:16), which was celebrated fifty days after Passover. At Pentecost, an offering of first fruits was made, (Lev. 23:20). The idea of "first fruits" is what we need to focus on. The first fruits of a crop promised the coming of a greater harvest. The first fruits among a man’s beasts spoke of and pointed to the coming of many new animals. The Holy Spirit came on Pentecost and was the first fruits of the believers’ promised inheritance (2 Cor. 5:5; Eph. 1:13–14). The Holy Spirit is a pledge to all believers of more to come. The "more" is increasing and then complete sanctification with a view toward eternity in the presence of God. The Holy Spirit was the first fruits of the complete salvation that was yet to come and, therefore, corresponded to or with the day of Pentecost quite well.

Lets think now about how He came. {2} "And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. {3} And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on EACH ONE of them."

The Spirit was accompanied by a supernatural noise, "from heaven." A great noise like that of a violent, rushing, wind, filled the whole house. Some believe this noise filled the surrounding community as well and was responsible for the great crowd that gathered near the upper room, to whom Peter would soon preach the gospel. At any rate, the sound was that of a great wind. It was not wind, it was the sound of wind. These people did not expereince an indoor strom with things blowing around the room. They merely heard the sound of wind, which is significant when speaking of the Holy Spirit. I say that because the words for wind and spirit are the same. Wind is frequently used to represent the Holy Spirit. We find an example of this in the book of Ezekiel where the prophet had been told to prophesy to a collection of dead bones. (Ezekiel 37:7-9 NASB) "So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. {8} And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew, and skin covered them; but there was no breath (wind, spirit) in them. {9} Then He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life." Later in the section we find that the wind, breath, and the noise, all had to do with the Holy Spirit which brings life to the people of God. (Ezekiel 37:14 NASB) "And I will put My Spirit within you, and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it," declares the LORD."

The same imagery is used in the New Testament as well. (John 3:5-8 NASB) Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. {6} "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. {7} "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' {8} "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." So, the sound of a violent, rushing wind, is the sound of God the Holy Spirit coming to baptize the 120. Those who are born again or baptized into the body of Christ since that day do not experience the sound of wind. That was simply an indicator given by God to identify the moment His promise was fulfilled. The spirit’s coming to all believers has been established and that sign is no longer needed.

Beyond the audible there was a visual manifestation of the Holy Spirit. {3} "And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on EACH ONE of them." These were not flames of literal fire, but visible tokens. Their purpose was to show that everyone present, men, women, apostles, and non apostles, were baptized by the Holy Spirit. It was not just the Apostles but all the believers present. At this point, by the baptism with the Spirit, they were all made into one spiritual body, the body of Christ. Here is the New Testament church being born.

Being filled with the Spirit must be distinguished from being baptized with the Spirit. The apostle Paul carefully defines the baptism with the Spirit as that act of Christ by which He places believers into His body, the church universal.

(1 Corinthians 12:13 NASB) "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit."

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not a second blessing. It is not something that one prays, begs, or tarries for. It is a sovereign, single, unrepeatable, act accomplished by God the Holy Spirit. It does not include an identifiable experience as many claim today. It is the work of God behind scenes working in us bringing us to life so that we will repent and trust in Christ for salvation. The fact that our senses are not aware of the baptism accounts for the "tongues of fire that sat on each person in that upper room." Without those identifying tokens it could not have been known that all had been baptized by the Holy Spirit. Having established on that day that all believers are baptized by the spirit the tokens are no longer necessary. We now know that all believing sinners have been "baptized into one body." (Ephesians 4:4-6 NASB) "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; {5} one Lord, one faith, one baptism, (This is a reference to the baptism of the Holy Spirit.) {6} one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all." The signs and wonders do not accompany the baptism today simply because it has been established as the normal Christian experience. On the day of Pentecost, and for a brief time beyond, signs and miracles accompanied the coming of the Holy Spirit to an individual as proofs of their inclusion into the body of Christ. Since the church has been established, the New Testament written, the point made, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a behind the scenes operation. (John 3:8 NASB) "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is EVERYONE who is born of the Spirit."

Unlike baptism with the Spirit, being filled with the Spirit is something that is commanded, involves us, and should be continuous. It is not a one time event. Peter, with the others, was filled with the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. But we also read in Acts 4:8 NASB of him being filled again. "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of the people, . ." Stephen was a man,"full of faith and the Holy Spirit," yet Acts 7:55 NASB speaks of him being filled again. "But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God;"

There is no command in Scripture to be baptized with the Spirit, but we are commanded to be filled with the Spirit. Look with me at Ephesians 5:15-25 NASB. "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, (The passage is speaking of how the Christian carries himself through this world. It speaks of his behavior, his walk with the Lord. "Be careful how you walk."){16} making the most of your time, because the days are evil. {17} So then, (since this is so important) do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. {18} And do not get drunk with wine, (Do not be under the influence or control of alcohol.) for that is dissipation, ( Strongs, unsavedness, wastefulness) but be filled with the Spirit, (Those who have been baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ ought always to be filled with the Holy Spirit. That is, we should always be giving ourselves over to His influence and direction so that we walk or behave like saved men and women. To do anything less is to waste our time and lives. Now the writer tells us what a spirit-filled or spirit-controlled life looks like.) {19} speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; (The spirit filled person is always worshiping God.) {20} always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; (The spirit filled person is filled with thanksgiving to God and His Christ for all His many benefits.) {21} and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. (The spirit filled Christian is not proud. Rather he/she is humble, willing to submit themselves to God and others by His direction.) {22} Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. {23} For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. {24} But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. {25} Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her;" The spirit filled man/woman relates to their mate in a biblical way, in accord with love.

Consider also the words of Colossians 3:14-17 NASB. "And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. {15} And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. {16} Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. {17} And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. This is what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

After being filled with the Spirit, they began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. We are not left to guess what "speaking in tongues might mean." It was not ecstatic, unintelligible, gibberish. Nor was it the language of angels. The term used is the one for known, human, languages. The context tells us that the Apostles were given the ability to speak in many different languages, languages they had no previous knowledge of. (Consider the words found in verses 8–11.)

This ability to speak in languages came as a result of being filled with the Spirit, not the baptism, as is so often thought today. We be careful here not to conclude from this unique event in history that speaking in languages unknown to us is the normal response or result of being filled with the Spirit. It certainly appears normative on this day however as the book Acts unfolds and as one investigates the rest of the New Testament epistles you find less and less mention of the phenomenon until it is gone from view altogether. Even in the book we now study there are instances recorded where people are filled with the Holy Spirit without this sign. (Acts 4:31 NASB) "And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak the word of God with boldness." The house was shaken, and those who were filled with the Spirit spoke the word of God with boldness, but no one spoke in tongues.

(Acts 9:17-20 NASB) And Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit." {18} And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he arose and was baptized; {19} and he took food and was strengthened. Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, {20} and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." In a text previously considered Paul taught that the filling of the Spirit should result in many things, such as worship, thankfulness, love, submissiveness, and obedience—but he did not site speaking in tongues as evidence of being under the control of the Holy Spirit. (Eph. 5:18ff).

This unique gift of languages initially served as a sign that the Holy Spirit had arrived and had control of these men. It served as an attention-getter and validation that God was indeed behind the Apostle’s message. Beyond that it served as a sign to the Jews that the gentiles were also included in God’s plan of salvation. When they came to faith in Christ and were filled with the spirit SOME of them also spoke in tongues. This was the case with Cornelius and household. (Acts 10:44-47 NASB) While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. {45} And all the circumcised believers (Jews) who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also. {46} For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, {47} "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?" After the fact of gentile inclusion in the purpose of God and the body of Christ was established the sign began to pass away.

Speaking of the events we study today John MacArthur writes; " No doctrinal teaching for today can be established from those incidents. That the true biblical gift of languages no longer exists is clear from the following lines of evidence. First, it was a miraculous gift, and the age of miracles ended with the passing of the apostles. In support of this statement he refers us to Hebrews 2:2-4 NASB. "For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense, {3} how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, {4} God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will." In other words, these things occurred for a specific reason, mainly to validate the apostles words and ministry. When that purpose was accomplished the "age of miracles" as John puts it, came to an end. He continues, "It is significant that outside of Acts the miraculous gifts of the Spirit are mentioned only in the early epistle of 1 Corinthians. Later epistles, such as Ephesians, Romans, and 1 Peter, discuss spiritual gifts but make no mention of miraculous ones. Contrary to much teaching today, the purpose of the gift of languages was not the edification of believers, they were a sign of judgment to unbelieving Israel." (1 Corinthians 14:21-22 NASB) "In the Law it is written, "BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME," says the Lord. {22} So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers, but to those who believe." MacArthur concludes, "The gift of languages was, therefore, a sign of the transition between the Old and New Covenants—a transition completed nearly two thousand years ago." (End Quote)

It is also worthwhile to note that those who spoke the languages at Pentecost did not have to be taught how to do so by reading a book, attending a seminar, or being coached by other people. Yet this is common practice today by those who believe that speaking in tongues should be the normal experience for all Christians. Just two days ago I spoke to a man upon whom these truths are dawning. He said that after having spoken in tongues he realized that he had been taught to do so by another. He also realized that this could not be the GIFT described in the Bible.

By now the one hundred and twenty people in the upper room have moved outside.

{5} Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men, from every nation under heaven. {6} And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because they were each one hearing them speak in his own language. {7} And they were amazed and marveled, saying, "Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? (Galileans were known for their lack of education and refinement.) {8} "And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? {9} "Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, {10} Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, {11} Cretans and Arabs-- we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God." (Here is proof that the languages were real and were used to communicate the truth about the mighty deeds of God.) {12} And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" {13} But others were mocking and saying, "They are full of sweet wine. {14} But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: "Men of Judea, and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give heed to my words. {15} "For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; {16} but THIS IS WHAT WAS SPOKEN OF THROUGH THE PROPHET JOEL:

Did the experiences and events recorded here fulfill the words spoken by the prophet Joel? Peter says they did, yet, there are arguments without end on this point. Why? I do not know. Whether we can explain all the details or not, Peter, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, declares that this event fulfilled the prophecy given by Joel. Here is that prophecy. {17} 'AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,' God says, 'THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT UPON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS; {18} EVEN UPON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT And they shall prophesy. {19} 'AND I WILL GRANT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE, AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BENEATH, BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE. {20} 'THE SUN SHALL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS, AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD, BEFORE THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS DAY OF THE LORD SHALL COME. {21} 'AND IT SHALL BE, THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.'

Peter makes no attempt to support his claim that the present events fulfill Joel’s prophecy. Instead he just makes the declaration and then quotes Joel’s words. Which words serve to bring him to the heart and focus of his mission. The proclamation of Christ. 'AND IT SHALL BE, THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.' It is with these words that we must end this lesson. But not without a presentation of law and gospel.

In these final moments of our meeting I want to expose you to the law of God by reminding you of two separate summations of the law. The first is, "Be holy as I am holy." That is God’s requirement and it is binding on all men. If you have broken that law, if you are not holy as God is holy, you are a sinner. As such you must die the second death which is eternal separation from God in hell forever. There is nothing you can do to rid yourself of the guilt of sin, you are damned. Then we have God’s summed up in these words, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, strength and your neighbor as yourself." Have you done this? Has there ever been a time when you have loved God less than you should? Has there ever been a time wherein you failed to love your neighbor as yourself? If so you have sinned against God and the Bible declares that sinners must die and suffer under the wrath of God forever and ever. That ladies and gentlemen is the law and it consequences. I am sure you agree this is bad news!

The good news is what Pentecost was all about. The good news is what the Apostles were to take to the farthest ends of the earth. The good news is that Jesus Christ the Son of God suffered all that we should suffer for our sins. The gospel tells us that as we trust in Christ to make us clean and acceptable to God we are saved from the penalty of the law. Having trusted in Christ we will not, in the life to come, be separate from God in torment. Rather, the believing sinner will be in heaven with God forever. That is the message of the church that was born on the day of Pentecost. 'AND IT SHALL BE, THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.'