LUKES GOSPEL AND THE BOOK OF ACTS,
WRITTEN UNDER THE HOLY SPIRITS DIRECTION BY LUKE,
GIVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING
OF THE INFILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
WRITTEN UNDER THE HOLY SPIRITS DIRECTION BY LUKE,
GIVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING
OF THE INFILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Luke was one of the seventy disciples of Jesus, and later joined with Paul in missionary trips. He was an accurate historian, and became a theologian explaining in detail the beginnings of the revival of the early church.
Luke knew of Matthews testimony of John the Baptists ministry, and from the often references to it, he likely was witness to the testimony of John the Baptist and his references to the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 11:16-18 (KJV)
16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Luke had likely heard these words, at least once, from John the Baptist:
Matthew 3:11
"I INDEED BAPTIZE YOU WITH WATER UNTO REPENTANCE; BUT HE THAT COMETH AFTER ME IS MIGHTIER THAT I, WHOSE SHOES I AM NOT WORTHY TO BEAR; HE SHALL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY GHOST, AND WITH FIRE:"
Luke was also one of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and much of what he told those two, is not recorded, but a few verses later we see that the message of Jesus that day included:
Luke 24:49 (KJV)
49 And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
The opening of the book of Acts continues that message.
Acts 1:4-5 (KJV)
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of Me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Then, Luke recalls the promise that this subsequent event of infilling would equip for witnessing power.
Acts 1:8 (KJV)
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
The whole book of Acts is a commentary on the events fulfilling that promise of infilling power of the Holy Spirit. Luke emphasizes the aspects of ministry brought about by the infilling power.
Luke tells us much about the infilling of the Holy Spirit. As we look at his narrative accounts in the book of Acts, we see that the Holy Spirit infilling is subsequent from regeneration.
The first instance of the infilling is found in Acts 2:1-4:
Acts 2:1-4 (KJV)
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
This event was subsequent to the conversion of the disciples.
Luke 10:20 (KJV)
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Had the disciples died prior to the day of Pentecost, they would have gone to heaven. The disciples somewhere before that time had come to a time of conversion, of regeneration, of being born again. Yet, though the Holy Spirit was involved in that event of salvation, there was still a subsequent event that occurred on the day of Pentecost.
The event of new birth had happened to them, as it did right after the resurrection of Jesus, when Jesus:
John 20:22 (KJV)
... breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
The New Testament never uses the expression filled with the Holy Spirit with regeneration, it is always used for persons who were already believers.
Secondly, the Samaritans had already accepted Jesus, accepted the gospel message, believed and were baptized in water.
Acts 8:5-12 (KJV)
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
And there was great joy in that city.
... But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
... Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
The Samaritans were genuine followers of the Lord, they had believed and were baptized. They had accepted the Word of God, which is an expression that is synonymous with conversion.
(Acts 2:41 (KJV)
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 11:1 (KJV)
And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
Acts 17:11 (KJV)
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.)
Then Peter and John arrived, subsequent to these conversions, and they laid hands upon them. This was for them to receive the Holy Spirits infilling. They had already had the Holy Spirit convict them, and immerse them into Jesus, and now they needed a subsequent infilling of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:17 (KJV)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
more proofs from Luke's writings to come...
Upvote
0