Acts 18-19 - The Power Of The Baptism In The Holy Spirit (notes)

Acts 18-19 - The Power Of The Baptism In The Holy Spirit

There Are Keys To Unlock The Power Acts

1. The name of Jesus.
2. The Holy Spirit.
3. The Word of God.
4. *Prayer in the Spirit.

Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

• Starts in the latter part of Acts 18; the time period is AD 53 to 57.
• C.P. Wagner says that we can trace our roots back to Pentecost (early 1906), to the Charismatic Movement (early 1960’s), The Third Wave to the New Apostolic Movement.
• The missionary movement can be traced back to the Day of Pentecost and the missionary journeys of Paul and his teams.

When Paul

• Left Corinth he had finished two of the first two Missionary Journeys. Barnabas was Paul’s companion on the first journey where they planted churches in Cyprus, Antioch, Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. While on furlough they returned to their home base of Antioch of Syria where their missionary headquarters was located. After the first journey they returned to Jerusalem for the Jerusalem Council.
• On the second Journey Silas, later Timothy and Luke accompanied Paul.
• On the third Journey they evangelized in Europe, planting churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea and Corinth.

Paul Ministered in Athens and planned a short visit Ephesus before returning to Antioch. Silas & Timothy stayed in Corinth while Paul took Aquila & Priscilla. They remained in Ephesus while Paul visited Jerusalem & Antioch. Paul had desired to go to Ephesus two years earlier but was forbidden by the Holy Spirit.

Paul

• Attended the synagogue and came to know the Jewish leaders in Ephesus. They asked Paul to stay longer but Paul had to leave but promised to return. A Nazirite Vow was a Jewish ritual of thanksgiving.
• Was deeply grateful for the fruit of his second journey, the large church in Corinth and legal victory in Gallio’s court. During the vow Paul let his hair grow & abstained from wine according to Numbers 6:1-5.
• Why did Paul make this vow? He was still a Jew and this was part of his culture.

This Is Why

• Paul would always go to the Jewish Quarter when he arrived in any of the cities where he ministered.
• This also shows the deep desire Paul had to win Jews for Jesus Christ.

Now

• Apollos was from Alexandria, the second largest city of the Roman Empire. There was a large population of Jews there, some historians believe that there were more Jews in Alexandria than in Jerusalem. Ephesus was the third or fourth largest city in the Empire (about 250,000). Antioch was probably larger.
• Ephesus was a city of elegant architecture. It was a free Greek city within the Roman Empire. It handled its own internal affairs under the jurisdiction of a Roman proconsul.
• It was also the principle center of magic for the ancient world.

Ephesus

• Had one of the most powerful churches in the early church. It was a port city with a very vibrant pagan culture. It was a major commerce center in the Roman Empire. It had one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the temple to Diana or Artimus.
• Apollos was at Corinth at the time Paul went to Ephesus. This is where Paul introduces them to the Holy Spirit.

The Baptism in The Holy Spirit

• Is a regular theme in the book of Acts.
• It is a promise of the Father. (Matt. 3:11, Acts 2:38-39)
• The sign of the baptism. (Acts 2:1-4, 4:33, 5:12-16, 19:6)
• Why tongues is important. (I Cor. 14:2-4, Acts 10:46, Rom. 8:26, Jude 1:20)