Holy Spirit In A Jewish Context - Part B

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The Baptism of the Spirit

A. Matt. 3: First, we want to be impressed with the very beginning message of the gospel:

1. “Repent, the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Of course, we could multiply passages that talked of the coming of the kingdom. We have already noted the passages in connection with the coming of the Spirit that spoke of the restoration of the kingdom.

2. But why the urgency to repent and why John’s strong warning to those who came to be baptized by him? It is because the “axe is laid at the root of the trees.” As we saw in the prophecies, the beginning of the kingdom would also bring judgment on Israel. John warns of this.

3. Now, immediately after John warns of judgment he speaks of the coming of the Messiah who would baptize them with the Holy Spirit and fire. But please! Do not separate verses 7-10 from verses 11-12. Notice who John is talking to! He is talking directly to the Jewish leaders, warning them that judgment is eminent and that the One coming after him would be “clearing the threshing floor.” How would the Messiah do this?

By baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire.
a. With fire: judgment on Israel
b. With the Holy Spirit: the offer of salvation from judgment (remember the promise of the Spirit? What would the Jews be thinking when they heard this? - blessings; restoration of the kingdom and covenant; salvation).

B. John 1:31-33 It is interesting that John announces to everyone that Jesus is the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. For the second time, John has announced this to all the people, not just to the future apostles. This held a significance for everyone and was not a promise only to the apostles.

C. John 7:37-39 Now Jesus promises the coming of the Spirit and again it is not limited to the apostles, it is offered to “anyone” who will come to Jesus and “drink.”

D. John 16:7-15 Jesus speaks of the new revelation that will come through the Spirit. In this case, it is specifically on the apostles. As Paul later points out, the revelation of the word come through the “apostles and prophets” (Eph. 3:3-5).

E. Acts 1:1-8 Notice the progression of thought

1. First notice what Jesus was doing during the 40 days after His resurrection until His ascension: speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.

2. Then the apostles are commanded to stay in Jerusalem until they receive the promise of the Father, which Jesus equated with the “baptism of the Spirit” - which they already had heard would come.

3. Now notice the response of the apostles: “Will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” The apostles are not misguided here; Jesus has been talking to them about the kingdom for 40 days. The restoration of the kingdom is a perfect connection to the promise of the pouring out of the Spirit. They know that when the Spirit comes there will be restoration of the kingdom, the covenant, and renewed blessings. Thus they ask - but Jesus does not reprimand them for the question - He just tells them that the “time” of complete restoration was in the hands of the Father. [Just because the pouring out of the Spirit indicated restoration does not mean that the full restoration would take place in a moment of time (Acts 3:21; 1 Cor. 15:24-27)]

4. Finally, Jesus concludes with: don’t worry about the “time” of the restoration, but you will receive power when the Spirit comes upon you and you will be “witnesses.” The power would mark the coming of the Spirit and enable them to be witnesses - which reminds us of the revelation given when the Spirit was poured out.

F. Acts 2: Again, notice the progression of thought:

1. The apostles were filled with the Spirit and spoke in other languages.

2. Peter says that this is a fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32. (Now what would happen when Joel’s prophecy was fulfilled? Restoration of the fortunes of Israel, but also judgment.) But notice also that the complete fulfillment of Joel does not happen just with the Spirit being given to the apostles. “Pouring out of the Spirit” is much broader than just the apostles receiving miracles and preaching the word.

3. Vs. 32-33 “Exalted to the right hand of God & having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit.” Noticed the connection between enthronement and the promise of the Holy Spirit - which signals restoration of the nation, the covenant, and salvation. And then, “He has poured out this which you see and hear.” - Jesus said He would send the Spirit - see Jn. 7:37-39 - and now He is doing it.

G. Acts 2:37-39 “Now when they heard this” - heard what? Joel’s prophecy is being fulfilled, Christ is enthroned and the promise of the Spirit has been poured out. “What shall we do?” - Repent and be baptized and you will receive the gift of the Spirit, for the promise is for you and your children…” Now when we know what the promise of the Spirit is, and that it was prophesied to the nation of Israel and promised to the whole nation when John came, and that Jesus just “received the promise,” what else could Peter being talking about when he says you will receive the gift of the H.S. for the promise is to you and your children…”

H. Our problem is that we have always equated the baptism of the Spirit with the miraculous abilities of the apostles. But that is not what we see prophesied nor what we see promised in Mt. 3, Acts 1:4, nor in Acts 2.

I. Acts 3:19-26

1. Notice that Jesus reigns in heaven until the “times of restoration of all things.” The “restoration” has been in progress since Jesus ascended. The apostles had asked “when” and now we know that we are in it.

2. Notice in vs. 25 the mention of the covenant to Abraham and now they Jews first (then Gentiles) would be the recipients of that covenant and its blessings.

J. Gal. 3:1-9, 13-14, 26-29

1. Notice that all the Galatians “received the Spirit.” This phrase stands for the receiving of the benefits that come from the “pouring out of the Spirit”: covenant, kingdom, & blessings of salvation.

2. Notice the mention of the “promise” made to Abraham and who those who are of faith receive this blessing/promise.

3. Vs. 14 repeats this fact: the promise of the Spirit through faith.

4. Vs. 26-29 Those who are baptized into Christ are now Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise. Connect this with Acts 2:38-39 - the gift of the Spirit and the promise are one and the same.

K. Acts 11:15-18

1. It is important to notice the numerous similarities between Acts 2 and Acts 10. Peter even calls our attention to it since it is so important. The Spirit is “poured out” with the same miraculous event - speaking in language - as occurred in Acts 2.. This was important in order to make no difference between Jews and Gentiles.

2. Notice Acts 10:45 and the mention of the “gift of the Spirit poured out even on the Gentiles.” This continued to fulfill Joel’s prophecy of “all flesh” and revealed to Peter that the Gentiles are being offered the kingdom.

3. 11:17 the “same gift” - what is that? Miracles? No. The gift of the kingdom, salvation, blessings of the covenant.

4. 11:17 “when we believed” - not, when we spoke in tongues in Acts 2 - when we believed. Who is the “us & we?” Is it “we, apostles”? No, who is the “them?” “Them” - Gentiles; “we/us” - the Gentiles. It is not “us” apostles and them Gentiles. Am I sure? Look at Acts 15:7-11. It is the same “us” and “them” is Jew and Gentile. The miracle of tongues, as in Acts 2, only verified that the Spirit was being poured out just as with the elders of Israel and the Judges, and Saul. But the pouring out of the Spirit is far more than a miracle! The miracle only signaled the pouring out.

Holy Spirit In A Jewish Context - Part A