By Peter Biggs

Receiving the gift of the Spirit - is de-emphasized in the church - why?

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Introduction:
We join the story of Jesus just after he had left this world wonderfully alive... resurrected. Last week we left the disciples waiting...

They'd been told to wait
Acts 1:4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

They had to wait 10 days before something happens. Waiting is tough, it tests faith. They started their wait with one accord...
Chapter 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer

and they finished their wait with one accord... (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2&version=NIV)
Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

Interesting to note that they were SITTING not STRIVING.

After 10 days you've prayed your best prayers, and they really had no idea what would happen or when.

When the waiting was over God himself came... in a most dramatic way.
3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

Are WE to expect such visitations? Is this to be normative to the Christian life? Yes and No.

Unique
No, in that this was THE pouring out of the HOLY SPIRIT. Pentecost was the unique first impartation of the promised Holy Spirit. (The same experience was so of the initial out pouring of the Holy Spirit upon Gentiles in Acts 10:44-46).

Normative and visible
Yes we can expect the direct visitation of the Spirit. Although Pentecost (and Acts 10) were unique, elsewhere in Acts the impartation of the Spirit was intentional, normative and interestingly something that was somehow visible.

As we read Acts, it appears Spirit filled people could be 'seen'. The seven "deacons" were to be chosen as men "full of the Holy Spirit" - obviously something obvious.

Simon the sourcerer in Acts 8, could see the gift of the spirit being imparted, through Peter's ministry. Other references to people receiving the gift of the Spirit or being filled (or RE-filled) by Him are decisively noted. (eg Acts 4:31).

Acts 9:17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here -- has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Not predictible!
If there is nothing vague about His presence and impact, there is also nothing predictable...

God saves us in ways unique to every individual, he may saturate our beings in different ways too.

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'Baptism of the Spirit' means a drenching. The whole person impacted. The deepest recesses touched. This can and does happen in an infinite number of ways.

At Pentecost people were drenched in a 'thunder storm' if you will. At the Lake District in England, you may walk in a fine mist hardly perceivable, and yet over a day get just as drenched. Our focus should be on the result not the means!

The question is not how, but if, we have we have received the gift of such depth. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is important because His presence produces FIRST LOVE.

Sometimes the Baptism of the Spirit accompanied conversion, sometimes it was after. Sometimes it accompanied water baptism, sometimes (as in the Gentile "Pentecost") it preceded it. Sometimes He came upon people through the laying on of hands, sometimes not.

One thing I do know, in recent years the western church has de-emphasized the person, the baptism and infilling, together with the discerning of the Spirit.

The challenge - to discern
Jesus' earthly ministry was (in a tangible sense) visible and finite. We have its written record. The mind can comprehend it.

The ministry of the Spirit on the other hand is mostly invisible. Furthermore it is a work in progress, brokenness and inner renovation requires us to discern Him.

Many evangelistic efforts do not even mention the Spirit, much less expect all believers to receive him in a way that is clear and experiential.

We can "give up" on discerning the Holy Spirit's dealings with us. (Walking in the Spirit) Sadly many 'charismatics' and Penecostals of the past no longer emphasize the need of experiencing the Spirit.

All inclusive
Lets be clear whatever the way and time we receive HIm, he is the gift for us ALL... Look at the all inclusive promises... (boldface mine) male, female, young and old - near and far.

2:17 "`In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days
2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."

Every one is included... there are no exclusions. Repent of sIn, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The promise of being infilled - empowered - motivated

May I conclude with a question...
Have you known times of refreshment and blessing far more than now in your life?
Are you spiritually dry within?
Has your Joy ebbed?
Would you receive a gift?

Remember the blessing for not to simply bless us, but to bless others through us... Becoming witnesses.
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Luke 11:13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
... ASK!

January 13/2010