NT Fire Starters – Day 187: Acts 18:24-19:7
READ: Acts 18:24-19:7
THINK: The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift God wants us to have. A person can be “born again” or “saved” spiritually-which means that the Holy Spirit lives within them-but still not be baptized in the Spirit. The primary purpose of the baptism is to immerse a Christian’s life in the boldness and power of God’s Spirit so that he or she can accomplish Jesus’ purposes with His authority. This spiritual power ultimately is aimed at making Christ’s followers effective in spreading His message. The Holy Spirit makes Jesus’ presence, power and purposes a reality within His followers. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is not just a matter of speaking in tongues or having a “deeper” spiritual experience. Christ’s followers are to use the Spirit’s power to share Jesus with those who do not know Him.
RESPOND: While it’s fairly obvious that Apollos knew God’s Word, believed in Jesus and had accepted Him as Savior and Lord, what had he not yet experienced that would help him grow deeper and be even more effective in ministry? (See 18:25 note.) Although the disciples at Ephesus had not yet experienced the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, what indications do we have that they were true believers in Jesus prior to this point? (See 19:1 note, 19:2 note, sub point 1, and 19:5 note.) What does the sequence of their experience reveal about the baptism in the Spirit, who can receive it, when they can receive it and how it relates to spiritual salvation? (See 19:2 note.) What happened when the Holy Spirit came on them and why is that significant? (See 19:6 note.) What does this situation indicate about the outward evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit and the ongoing validity of speaking in tongues?
PRAY: Give God thanks for His gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank Jesus for sending the Spirit to baptize His followers. And thank the Spirit for guiding and empowering you to serve God’s purposes and communicate Jesus’ message.
ACT: If you’ve been baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, pray in your heavenly language, allowing the Spirit to strengthen and inspire you to serve God more passionately and effectively. If you haven’t received this gift since accepting Christ, spend time worshiping God and waiting for His power to fill you. Read the articles on Baptism in the Holy Spirit, p. 1508, and Speaking in Tongues, p. 1514 for insight in receiving this gift.