May 6, 2012
Morning Service

Acts 19:1-6.

            We are looking at the life, and teachings of the Apostle Paul.  So far in Paul’s life we have seen:

• We met him as Stephen was being stoned.  Paul consented, and even persecuted the church.
• Paul had a great zeal for the things of God.  He was very religious, and later he will tell how that his zeal for God was without true knowledge.
• In Acts 9 we saw the conversion of Paul, and how Jesus told him what his direction, and goals would be in life.
• We have seen him enter the Synagogues, and preach Jesus is the Christ.  Some have received his message, and others haven’t.
• We have seen him, and Barnabas partner on a missionary trip through modern day Turkey.
• We have seen them go before the authority of the church at Jerusalem concerning the teaching of keeping the laws of Moses.  Acts 15.
• We have seen Paul and Silas hook up for another trip through Turkey, and Greece.
• And this is where we left Paul last week.  He just finished his sermon concerning the unknown God, in Athens Greece.
• Paul concludes his message with this thought;

Act 17:29-32 KJVR  Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.  (30)  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:  (31)  Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.  (32)  And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

 

As you can see this would have caused quite a stir, talking about a day of judgment for all men, and someone being raised from the dead to show His authority from God.

 

In chapter 18 of Acts Paul makes this statement;  Act 18:6 KJVR  And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

 

It appears from this statement that Paul is tired of the Jews rejecting, and even forcibly, his message.

 

But before he begins his third missionary trip, a wonderful conversion happens, Crispus, the ruler of the Synagogue, and his household are converted.  This has got to be very rewarding for Paul, and his company.  Then the Lord tells this to Paul;  Act 18:9-10 KJVR  Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:  (10)  For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

 

Paul is accused again by the Jewish Greeks, but the rulers of the city won’t do anything about it because it is concerning Jewish laws, and religion. 

 

Paul leaves Corinth, and sails for Syria, with Aquila, and Pricilla.  When landing at Caesarea he went up and greeted the church at Jerusalem, then went to Antioch of Syria.  This is the fellowship that has encouraged Paul in all of his trips.  This is the end of Paul’s second missionary trip.

 

Now this is said;  Act 18:23 KJVR  And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.  This would be the beginning of ***Paul’s third, and final missionary journey.  He is going back through Turkey where he has established several congregations of believers.  His purpose, to strengthen all the disciples.

NOW OUR ATTENTION IS DIRECTED TOWARD EVENTS THAT HAPPENED IN EPHESUS.

 

Listen to this description of a certain man;  Act 18:24 KJVR  And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.

NOTICE;  Act 18:25 KJVR  This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. “Repent, be baptized, the Messiah is coming.”

• Do you remember the question that Jesus ask the Pharisees?  “John’s baptism, was it from God or of man?”  Their reply, “we cannot tell,” or we don’t know. 
• Let me assure you that John’s baptism was from God.  He baptized in the authority of God Almighty, preparing the way for the Messiah, the Son of God.

 

Now NOTICE:  Act 18:26 KJVR  And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

·                     WHAT COULD THEY HAVE TOLD HIM THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE PERFECT?

·                     WHAT EVENTS HAD HAPPENED SINCE JOHN’S BAPTISM?

John baptized unto the coming of the Messiah, Jesus.  The Messiah has now come on the scene, and has been killed, buried, and resurrected.  WE ARE HIS DISCIPLES, HE HAS ALL THE AUTHORITY FROM GOD ALMIGHTY, AND IT IS IN HIS NAME, OR AUTHORITY, NOT JOHN’S, THAT WE DO ALL THINGS.

NOW NOTICE THIS AMAZING REVELATION FROM THE APOSTLE PAUL:

Act 19:1-6 KJVR  And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,  (2)  He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?

• They had believed what Apollos had said concerning John, and repentance.  They had not heard concerning the authority of Jesus.  Apollos didn’t know this until Aquila, and Priscilla had told him.
• Paul’s question to them was, “have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed”?

And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 

• This is one of the teachings that Apollos did not know, or was able to administer.  If you recall, back in chapter 8 when Philip was preaching that great revival in Samaria, it was said, “that by the laying on of the hands of an Apostle was the Holy Ghost given.” 
• Apollos, who appears to be an Apostle himself, did not realize he had the ability to do this.  He didn’t understand that this is what you are baptized UNTO.  And that is RECEIVING THE HOLY GHOST.

NOTICE WHAT HAPPENS;

(3)  And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.  (4)  Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.  (5)  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  (6)  And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

NOW THE CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER:

1. These were disciples of Apollos.  Had Apollos known the truth concerning Jesus when he made disciples of these people, this action by Paul would not have had to happen.
2. Disciples, taught properly, would understand that since the first Pentecost after the Lord was resurrected, there has been a formula for becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ.  That formula is:   Hear the gospel message concerning the D.B.R. of Jesus Christ.  Believe it.  Repent, turn from your present way of life, and follow the teachings of Jesus.  Be baptized in the Name of, or authority of Jesus Christ.  UNTO the receiving of the Holy Ghost.  Then arise to walk in the new way of life that God instructs us through His Word.

THIS IS THE ONE TRUE CHRISTIAN BAPTISM THAT THE SCRIPTURES TEACH US ABOUT.  EPH. 4. “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.”  WHEN YOU COME TO THE LORD UNDER THIS TEACHING, YOUR ANSWER TO THE QUESTION PAUL ASK, WOULD BE, YES I HAVE RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST WHEN I WAS BAPTIZED.

UPON RECEIVING THIS ONE CHRISTIAN BAPTISM, EACH OF US HAVE RECEIVED A PORTION OF GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT.  THIS IS WHY YOU POSESS ETERNAL LIFE, HE IS THE GIFT OF GOD, FOR YOUR ETERNAL SALVATION.  HE, AND HIS ALONE POSESS IMMORTALITY.  ETERNAL LIFE.