Good Friday April tenth as we learn from God’s Holy Scriptures together.
Baptized in the Spirit-
Apollos was a learned man in the scriptures and believed in Jesus Christ. He was schooled in Alexandria, known for their high education. Apollos was an elegant teacher having a great oratory presence and people would come to listen whenever he spoke. Pricilla and Aquila co-laborers with Paul, heard Apollos and asked to meet privately with him and shared the rest of the story, what rest of the story, you see Apollos was only teaching what he had learned and he had not yet learned about The Holy Spirit. Although some may have the gift to speak others have the gift to build up even those with special gifts as Apollos. 1 Corinthians 12:6 “And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.”Let’s read together from Acts 19:1-7 “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.” Paul leaves and goes to Ephesus known today as Turkey. Paul comes across a group who believed in the name of Jesus as Apollos had and asks them this question? “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Many today have a belief in Jesus but do not understand why a person must be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Most of the confusion comes by teachers, that’s right, some who just teach falsely, some maybe themselves being as Apollos just not having the knowledge themselves. Paul asks believers and they answer this way, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” Paul then asks “Into what then were you baptized? “So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” This is a very important teaching to grasp as many today are believers but do not understand the baptisms differences of John the Baptist and the Holy Spirits’ and knowing the truth will open one to know God in His fullness. Now John spoke about repentance and one needed to be baptized to proclaim repentance, now many confess Jesus as Lord having repented, but then stop their like these who knew no difference. Paul shares and these are baptized and empowered that day. Maybe you have confessed and repented and you know you do not have that power within that gives you the joy to go to a bible study, to church or be used by God. Maybe you like being on the bench and not playing in the game where you can’t get hurt? Some do they are the first to buy the letterman jacket with no time on the field. If you want to get in the game you need to get in, get baptized in the Spirit, and get some time into the game. Put me in coach; are you ready to go in? Remnant
