HOLY SPIRIT IN ACTS
Paul J. Bucknell
Luke, the author of Acts, in Acts 1:1-5, distinguishes between what he wrote in the Gospel of Luke and in the Book of Acts. The gospel deliberately covers what material? What does he hint at discussing in the book of Acts (1:3-5)? The central role of the Holy Spirit sometimes gives the title “Acts” to the book, as “Acts of the Holy Spirit.” This might be a more accurate description.
Observe how the Holy Spirit actively works through the book of Acts.
| Acts |
Holy Spirit in Acts |
| 1 |
- Promise of Spirit
- Waiting for Spirit
|
| 2 |
- Arrival of Spirit (at designated time - planned)
- Change of men and beginning of missions
|
| 3 |
- Same Spirit of healing that Jesus had (Ac 3:16)
|
| 4 |
- Same persecution Jesus received- before leaders (Ac 4:7-8,13)
|
| 5 |
- Lying to the Spirit (5:4-5)
|
| 6 |
- New leaders - full of Spirit (6:3)
|
| 7 |
- Preaching - “always resisting the Holy Spirit” (7:51)
- Stephen martyred - “Full of the Holy Spirit, ...saw the glory of God, and Jesus”
|
| 8 |
- Scatters church but spreads the testimony of Jesus! (8:4-5)
- Passing on the Holy Spirit & counterfeits (8:15-19)
- Spirit directs Philip in missions- come and go (8:29, 39)
|
| 9 |
- Spirit converts greatest persecutor into greatest missionary (9:17)
- Church comforted by the Holy Spirit
|
| 10 |
- Spirit speaks to both Peter the Jew and Cornelius the Gentile (10:19, 44)
|
| 11 |
- Peter convinces Jews that the Spirit is the same as Gentiles (10:15, 16-17)
|
| 13 |
- Sent out by the Holy Spirit (13:4)
- Empowered, literally “filled,” by the Holy Spirit (13:9)
|
| 15 |
- Council of Jerusalem convinced Jew and Gentile receive Holy Spirit (15:8).
|
| 16 |
- Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; closed door (16:6-7).
|
| 19 |
- Holy Spirit in Christ’s disciples otherwise something is wrong (19:2-6).
|
| 20 |
- Holy Spirit has appointed the leaders, specifically the overseers (20:28).
|
| 21 |
- Holy Spirit working in prophets to warn of Paul’s troubled future (21:4, 11)
|
| 28 |
- Holy Spirit rightly remarks concerning the Jews’ response (28:25).
|
Discussion
Let’s now think through the involvement of people in God’s work.
Did you notice the transition from those apostles who personally met Jesus and others who had not had the chance? What is the significance of this?
