Mims Chapel Church 

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Lesson 2 • Second Week

The Outpouring of
the Holy Ghost

Background Reading                      Devotional Reading
Acts 1:1-8; Luke 12:12; 2                   Acts 1:4-8
Timothy 1:14; Matthew 28:19;
John 20:22; Romans 9:1

Central Verse
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Acts 1:8, KJV

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusa­lem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1:8, NLT


Key Terms
Holy Ghost—The third person of the Holy Trinity; Holy Spirit.

Outpouring—The act of pouring out.

Introduction

The Book of Acts was thought to be written by the disciple Luke to provide history for the early Church. It is sometimes referred to as the Acts of the Apostles, for it tells of the many things that Jesus's disciples did after He left them and went back to His Father. The Book of Acts gives the history of the early Church, how they thrived and survived under severe and trying times. It tells of a people who had to learn how to trust and depend on someone who had left them. They survived on what they had heard, seen, and shared with Jesus who was said to be a fraud.

Acts teaches the believer that when he knows Jesus, he cannot allow the opinions of others to change how he feels nor allow others to interfere with his relationship with God; for he must remain steadfast in his belief. He must hold fast the profession of his faith. As Hebrews 10:23 instructs us, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised)."

Discussion

The first chapter of Acts records the last time Jesus was seen in a bodily form before He ascended back up to Heaven. It was similar to a home-go­ing service of our time; it was the closure for the disciples, who had lived through a very frightening time, watching Jesus being tried and convicted and condemned to death. It was a horrifying experience to watch the man whom they looked to as their Savior being whipped, mutilated, and killed on a cruel cross. They had lived with Him and walked and talked with Him for over three years and now, in this chapter, He violently leaves them. It was a time of instruction as He prophesied to them of the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The first chapter was the beginning of the Apostolic movement for the ear­ly Church. This chapter laid the foundation for the five-fold ministry to be activated after Jesus' ascension. It had been prophesied many times about the coming of the Holy Ghost. And in this chapter, Jesus emphasized the necessity of the disciples receiving the Holy Ghost. He instructed the disci­ples not to leave Jerusalem without receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost. For over three years, Jesus had been with them as their teacher, guide, comforter, instructor, and leader. But since He had to return home to His Father, they would need someone with them to continue to do these things for them.

Being disciples of Jesus was a different way of living for this small group of men and women. Every believer must understand that they cannot live a committed life to Jesus Christ without guidance and help. Jesus had talked about the Holy Ghost several times to His disciples, making them aware that He was concerned about them and that He had made provision for them. He had informed them that the Holy Ghost was so wise that He would let them know when they should speak and what they should say (Luke 12:12).

Jesus always makes provision for His followers by providing protection, direction, and substance. And in this chapter, He's letting them know that He's not leaving them comfortless, for He's providing them with the power of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is the third person in the Trinity. For there are three that bear record in Heaven - God the Father, God the Word (the Son, Jesus), and God the Holy Ghost. The Father draws the sinner; Jesus (the Word) saves the sinner; and the Holy Ghost preserves, keeps, and seals the believer. The Holy Ghost (Spirit) is a part of the three-in-one, or the Trin­ity. They are one but have distinct personalities and administrations. They are like three matches that each have a flame when lit, but when they are put together, a person cannot separate the flame.

Jesus wanted His disciples to know that there would be times when they would have to guard and defend the Gospel committed to them, and they would need help. They would face some dark days, and they would have to defend the Gospel against attacks and challenge the Church as they attempted to lay aside the truth. Guarding their faith must be done with the help of the Holy Spirit. Only receiving the outpouring of the Holy Ghost could ensure this help. The Holy Ghost inspires the infallible truths of Scrip­ture and guides and defends the truths that keep believers' faith intact.

Conclusion

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus gives the Great Commission to all His followers of all generations. This commission states the goal, the responsibility, and commissioning of the Church which involves sending missionaries into ev­ery nation. Their primary task is to make disciples, and this can only be done when believers receive the power that comes through the outpouring and receiving of the Holy Ghost.

Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith, is the only one qualified to give the strong directives that He gives to the disciples and the Church. He is the formula for water baptism. He told the Church to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:19-20).

Questions

1. What was one of the reasons the Book of Acts was written?
2. What is the main focus of the first Book of Acts?
3. How does this chapter connect with what's going on in today's society? 
4. How can each believer help to fulfill Jesus' wishes concerning Acts chapter one?

Essential Thought- "The gift the Father promised is the baptism of the Holy Spirit."

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