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Holy Spirit & The Apostles

Matthew 10.16-26

Introduction: Jesus sent out His disciples in what is called the limited commission. They went only to the household of Israel . They came back talking about what they had done and the miracles they were able to perform, Matthew 10 and Luke 10. However, this was nothing compared to what they were to do in the future.

Jesus was going to die and the 12 Apostles were going to be left to teach about Jesus. They were going to be persecuted and hated for the name of Jesus. Imagine being one of the twelve and what they must have been thinking at the cross of Jesus.

How were they to know what to teach? After all Jesus had been with them three years but He did not leave them a written code of conduct or book of philosophy. How would they remember what Jesus said and when? What if they contradicted each other? Where would they go? Who would listen to them? What method would they use? Where would it all start?

I) Jesus Promised them the Holy Spirit

A) First time we see this promise was from John the immerser, Matthew 3.11

1. Not something John could give.

2. Notice this was in the future tense. John 20.22

B) Not a command but a promise

1. No one was ever told to be baptized by the Holy Spirit

2. It was a baptism that was promised and administered by Jesus.

3. When was it fulfilled?

            a. On the Day of Pentecost the Apostles received this baptism, Acts 2. The word baptism means to be immersed or be overwhelmed by.

            b. Cornelius and his household, Acts 10.44; 11.15.

4. No where else do we read of any one else receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

II) They Associated the Holy Spirit and His coming with the Kingdom

A) Jesus identified the time and events of the establishment of His kingdom, Mark 9.1

B) The Spirit would come with power, Acts 1.8

1. Otherwise how would they know the spirit came?

2. What signs or exhibits of power were there? Sound of wind, tongues of fire, and speaking in tongues.

3. The kingdom and the Spirit came at the same time, Acts 2.3,4.

4. This was the beginning, Acts 11.15; 2.47

III) The Holy Spirit Would Abide With Them, John 14.16

A) Comforter – to call to one’s side; counselor, advisor, legal advocate

1. He would abide or remain with them.

2. Sent by Jesus after His death so they would not be alone, John 14.17-18

B) Therefore, the Apostles spoke by inspiration and wrote by inspiration, 1 Corinthians 7.40

IV) He Would Convict the World of Sin, John 16.8-11

A) To convict means to prove or declare guilty of an offense.

1. To be guilty there must be a law; for without law there be no sin.

2. To be guilty one must have violated the law.

B) The Holy Spirit came to impress with the sense of guilt

1. On the day of Pentecost the Jews realized they had killed the Son of God. They were convicted of their sin. “Men and brethren what shall we do” Acts 2.37

2. The people at Ephesus worshipped idols; they burned their books of magic as they turned to God. Acts 19

3. The book of Acts shows the ability of the Gospel to convict the sinner. Acts 3.14-15

4. Some were lead to Christ and others rebelled against Him but they were convicted.

5.  The Apostles also had the special ability to read the hearts and minds of people.

C) Of righteousness – the will of Jesus

1. They came to preach the Law of Christ and not Moses, Acts 13.38-39.

2. Righteousness is inherent in God’s word; in Jesus.

D) Satan has been judged by God

1. That judgment awaits us all, Hebrews 9.27

V) The Holy Spirit Would Give Them Perfect Remembrance, John 14.26

A) They would remember the events during Jesus’ ministry

1. Think of all the parables, and miracles of Jesus

2. Think of His teachings, John 2.19-21 (Many things they did not understand until after Jesus’ death)

B) This would have been lost without the Holy Spirit

1. We often have trouble remembering what we said last week.

2. Multiply that by 12 people

VI) Guide Them Into All Truth, John 16.13-14

A) The Holy Spirit revealed to them what to say and what to do, 1 Corinthians 2.10-16

1. Since the Holy Spirit disclosed the mind of God, and God is infallible; the scriptures are infallible.

2. This was give to all the Apostles and not just one or two, Galatians 1.16-17

            a. Unfortunately some have elevated Peter to the position of Pope; being the head of the church. Such was never given to Peter; Jesus is the head of His church.

            b. Unfortunately some want to read only part of what was written and not all that was written.

B) To reveal all truth means there is no more to be revealed

1. No one can add to or subtract from what has been revealed, Jude 3

2. We have only one Gospel because we have only 1 God; 1 Holy Spirit; and 1 law.

VII) He Guided Their Travels

A) The spreading of the Gospel was not by accident.

1. They were told it would start at Jerusalem , then go to Judea, then Samaria , and then to the rest of the world. Acts 1

2. We read of the Gospel being preached at Jerusalem ; then Judea; then Samaria , and then the rest of the world. Acts 15.36; 16.6-10; 27.23-25

VIII) The Word Was Confirmed, Hebrews 2.3-4

A) What proofs would the Apostles provide to prove they were preaching the word of God

1. they quoted O.T. prophecies; they appealed to the empty tomb of Jesus

B) They had the ability to work miracles, Acts 5.14-15

1. Such miracles were obvious to all that saw them, Acts 19.11-13

2.  Such miracles could not have been duplicated, Acts 19.14ff

C) They had the ability to impart those miraculous gifts to others.

Conclusion: The Holy Spirit and did what Jesus promised. He worked through the Apostles to reveal the mind of God. This did not make them infallible in conduct, or above pain and fear, or immune to death and diseases, nor did it prevent them from harm. What it did do was reveal the mind of God; which we have today.

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