Holy Spirit 101 pt. 5

Acts-present – God the Holy Spirit – God came to earth to abide (Meno – not to depart/continually dwell) in His followers. He no longer limits His fellowship to certain individuals as He did in the Old Testament. He is not limited by flesh to be in one place at one time as He was in the Gospels. God is presently in the hearts of all believers. God is personally able to teach, comfort, help, and counsel millions of people. There is a close, intimate bond between God and His followers beginning in Acts that continues to today that did not exist prior to Acts. Followers of God today have greater access to God than people who lived before the time of the Books of Acts. Why? The death of Jesus cleansed us of what separated us from God – sin. By taking upon Himself the punishment for our sins, Jesus made it possible for us to have a one-on-one relationship with God through the Holy Spirit.

Scriptures that describe the Trinity working together:
Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-5, 14; John 14:16, 25; John 15:26; John 16:14, 15; Romans 8:9-11.

Today, we acknowledge God in all His manifestations:

God the Father – He is our provider, protector, authority figure, rule maker, enforcer of rules (disciplinarian), teacher.

God the Son – He is our Savior. He came to earth in flesh to free us from the fear of death; to take upon Himself the punishment for our sins; to be the example of how to live life.

God the Holy Spirit –God in us. He is our teacher, comforter, helper, encourager, counselor, and intercessor.

Pentecost - Arrival of the Holy Spirit

Read Acts 1:1-14

11. What did Jesus command his followers? Do not leave Jerusalem until you have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. He will be arriving soon.

12. When His followers receive the power of the Holy Spirit, what are they to do? They were to be Jesus’ witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the rest of the world.

13. What happened to Jesus? Ascended into Heaven.

14. What did the followers of Jesus do afterwards? Went to an upper room where they were staying and prayed constantly/devoted themselves to prayer. Sabbath’s day journey – According to Jewish teachings, a faithful Jew could travel no further than ¾ miles.