February 19, Empowered at Ephesus
Today’s Journey Through Acts excerpt is:
Paul was always on the hunt for disciples to... Disciple. The New Testament Church was growing at an exponential rate. Paul left Apollos to continue the work at Corinth while he himself made his way to Ephesus. Upon arrival, Paul cuts directly to the heart of their spiritual experience. His method raises some insight into the process of building a disciple. Specifically, rather than asserting and mandating, a good teacher asks provoking questions. The question, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" gives us as much insight now as it did for him then. There are some important theological implications to the events in the first ten verses of chapter nineteen.
Paul believed that there was more to the Christian experience than just "being a believer." He was pointing them to the same experience that the disciples had on the day of Pentecost. It was also the same empowerment that he experienced at Ananias's house after his conversion, and the same thing that had happened to the Gentiles at Cornelius's house. He knew that these Ephesian believers needed the same baptism in the Holy Spirit that had empowered him. After Paul prayed for them, they too began speaking in tongues and prophesying just as had taken place in Jerusalem in Acts two.
After reading this passage, we can understand a few things. First, we find that salvation, baptism, and Holy Spirit baptism occur here as separate works. These were disciples. They had put their faith and committed their hearts to the Lord. Paul urged them on to follow the Lord in baptism and then prayed that they would receive the Holy Spirit. Secondly, a biblical pattern is happening here. We find that when these disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, they began speaking in tongues. This was the same indicator that accompanied the Holy Spirit encounter in Acts two and on the Gentiles in Acts ten. Lastly, there is no doubt that Holy Spirit baptism was not intended to be a one-time event on the day of Pentecost. The disciples continually preached the infilling and empowering of the Holy Spirit into each new region they came.
As we consider our current-day Church, we must ask ourselves if these same events are taking place in our lives. Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Have you followed the Lord in baptism? Are you operating in the gifts of the Spirit? The New Testament evidence is undeniable - the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 are for current-day believers.
Reflect on the journey:
Have you been filled with the Spirit? Are you operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit? The Bible teaches that believers are to earnestly seek the gifts and fruit of the Spirit. If you have not had an encounter with the Spirit recently, take some time to invite God to fill you afresh.
Through your prayer time today:
In Colossians 1:9-11, Paul prayed specifically for the work of the Spirit in the lives of the believers at Colossae. Read through that prayer and ask God to accomplish those same things in you, as you make the prayer personal.
Colossians 1:9–11 (ESV)
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;
