John’s Baptism and Holy Handkerchiefs

JOHN’S BAPTISM AND HOLY HANDKERCHIEFS
The Immense Importance of the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ - The Holy Spirit
The Acts (also known as the Acts of the Apostles), the second book written by Luke is not just about the acts of the Apostles but the Acts of The Holy Spirit ; it is the continuing works of Christ through the Holy Spirit and it’s the continuing acts of the Holy Spirit to the Church of Christ and to our own lives. Hence, it is vital to know the NECESSITY and the MINISTRY of the Holy Spirit.
How important is the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life?
You are saved, sanctified, sealed to eternity, given our spirit life, assured that you belong to Christ and helping you cry “Abba Father”, amongst the many gifts God has given you.
The Spirit of God in us gives us deeper appreciation, reliance and experience.
Before we dove into the IMPORTANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, let’s talk talk about the MISUNDERSTANDINGS of the book of Acts.
First, Acts is a TRANSITIONAL BOOK, which means: the Spirit of God was given from transitional to universal and from ethnic to universal. There isn’t a clear definition on men as to when do we receive the Holy Spirit.
In 1 Corinthians 12:13 “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”
Therefore, when we look into the book of Acts for doctrines.
Secondly, the role of the Holy Spirit. Is it possible to live a godly life without the Holy Spirit?
In Romans 8:“12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
1. The NECESSITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
During Paul’s reign third missionary journey, when he arrived back to Ephesus, he met some disciples, claiming to have been baptised into John the Baptist. However, Paul asked them. Acts 19:2 “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Paul noticed that these disciples were lacking something that must be obvious for every believer - the power, zeal, faith, fruit of the Spirit.
In Joel 2:28, the prophets, have spiritual vitality - fervency, power, and experience).
Do you display the marking of the Holy Spirit?
Jesus was full of the Spirit, the apostles have great degree of the power of the Holy Spirit. In the believer’s life, there should be the degree of the Holy Spirit.
Many Christians know the necessity and importance of the Holy Spirit yet they walk in the Baptism of John. Acts 19:
2 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.”
3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?”
So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”
4 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.”
Where Ian the fire for mission? The joy? The peace? The character development in terms of gentleness and self-control?
How can we amplify? WE OUGHT NOT TO PURSUE by simply going after the fruit of the Spirit in our own strength.
THE MEANS is to GO to the ONE - CHRIST our SAVIOUR. It is He where the fruit comes and through Him your fruit increase in measure and be displayed fully.
2. The MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
All that happened in Acts 19, including the hardening of the saved, is the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
The EXTRAORDINARY
IN ACTS 19:19, Handkerchiefs and aprons were used by labourers, the former was to wipe the sweat and the latter to protect their clothing. EVERY MIRACLE IN THE BIBLE IS POINTING TO SOMETHING. A dirty handkerchief and apron was used as a sign of labour. Paul’s labour was as for the sake of the believers. He worked for free that they may be saved from
their sins through the Gospel.
Our HEALING comes from the sweat and dirt. Christ came to the world, and He sweat blood and laboured for us. His work had to be done in order for us to receive the blessing and healing.
The Gospel has come to you and free of charge but Christ had to pay for your sins with HIS SWEAT AND BLOOD.