This sermon explores the transformative power of belief, the significance of baptism, and the active role of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives.
Welcome, beloved friends, to this gathering of hearts and souls, unified in our shared love for our Lord Jesus Christ. We are here, not by coincidence, but by divine appointment. We have been called together to dive into the richness of His word, to find nourishment for our souls, and to strengthen our faith. In the words of the great Charles Spurgeon, "Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years."
Let’s turn our attention to the book of Acts, chapter 19, verses 1 through 7:
And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' So they said to him, 'We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.' And he said to them, 'Into what then were you baptized?' So they said, 'Into John’s baptism.' Then Paul said, 'John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.' When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all.
In the passage we read, we see a group of disciples who had been baptized into John's baptism. They had taken the step of repentance, turning away from their old ways. Yet, they were unaware of the Holy Spirit. When they encountered Paul, their understanding of faith took a significant leap forward. They learned about the baptism of Christ, and they embraced it wholeheartedly.
The baptism of Christ is more than a symbolic act. It's a profound declaration of faith. It signifies our identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. When we are baptized in the name of Jesus, we are saying to the world that we have died to our old selves and have been raised to new life in Christ.
This new life is not something we achieve by our own efforts. It's a gift from God, made possible by the work of Christ on the cross. It's a life marked by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. The disciples in Ephesus experienced this power when Paul laid hands on them. They spoke in tongues and prophesied, demonstrating the reality of the Spirit's work in their lives.
Their experience raises an important question for us: Have we received the Holy Spirit? Have we experienced the power of God in our lives? If we have been baptized into Christ, the answer should be a resounding yes. The Holy Spirit is not an optional extra in the Christian life. He is essential. He is the one who empowers us to live as God's people, to speak His word, and to serve His purposes.
Yet, receiving the Holy Spirit is an ongoing relationship. The Spirit continues to work in us, shaping us into the image of Christ. He convicts us of sin, comforts us in sorrow, guides us in truth, and empowers us for service. He is our constant companion, our divine helper, our source of strength and joy.
In the light of this, let us not be like the disciples in Ephesus who had not even heard of the Holy Spirit. Let us be people who are filled with the Spirit, who walk in the Spirit, who live by the Spirit. Let us be people who bear the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
The baptism of Christ is not just about water. It's about the Spirit. It's about a life transformed by the power of God. It's about a faith that is alive, active, and vibrant. It's about a relationship with God that is real, personal, and dynamic.
As we continue our reflection on this passage from Acts, we find ourselves drawn into the heart of the Christian experience ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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