Simple Reminders
The primary idea you need to keep revisiting during this Following Jesus Pathway is that we are following and being formed by Jesus. This pathway can be learned simply or in great depth. We trust that you as a leader know your people and the dynamics of your group well enough to adapt and impart this topic with grace and wisdom.
This guide is designed to help you and others follow and be formed by Jesus. Remember to keep it Jesus-Centered.
We pray that you will be Spirit-Led and Spirit- Empowered as you lead and learn together.
Be Baptized in Water and in the Holy Spirit Hand Motion
Researchers have found that moving our bodies and adding actions to our learning significantly increases our ability to remember. Here is a hand action you can add to the command to remember it:
Be baptized in water; Step 1: Take both hands in front of you and close them like you are holding a piece of clothing.
Be baptized in water; Step 2: Move your hands up and down next to your left side (as if plunging an item in and out of water)
Be baptized in the HS; Step 1: Place both hands in front of your chest, palms facing you: interlock thumbs (makes the shape of a bird)
Be baptized in the HS; Step 2: wiggle your fingers/hands
Brief Commentary and Context
Brief Commentary for Acts 18:24-19:7 (New Believers Baptized in the Holy Spirit at Ephesus) Paul’s love for the Lord Jesus sustained his obedience to the Gospel, expanding the reach of the Kingdom to all the world. On his third missionary journey, he returned to Ephesus, where the Lord had already been working powerfully in the hearts of many in the city. Through the ministry of a Jewish man named Apollos several people had turned from their own way and began to follow the teachings of Jesus, and some had already repented and been baptized in water as John the Baptist had taught. As Paul engaged these new disciples, he asked if the Holy Spirit had been revealed to them, for water cleanses, but the Holy Spirit had come to refine and renew, bringing transformation from the inside out. Paul was astounded that these men had not even been told that there was a Holy Spirit. At this, Paul asks that the Promise of the Father would come. After laying hands and prayer, these 12 men were filled with the Spirit of God, and began to declare the mystery and the glory of God, prophesying and crying out in new tongues. We learn from this story how important it is to give people the opportunity not only to repent, believe and be baptized in water, but also to pray that they might be immersed in the gift of the Holy Spirit. Only through the power of the Spirit can we live the new life God has for us in Christ. The Holy Spirit brings our human spirit from death to life, confirms the Father’s adoptive love within us and through us, leads us into all truth and intimate friendship with God, transforms our minds, hearts and behavior into Christ’s image, releases supernatural gifts, and empowers us to bring God’s kingdom in the world! Let us be ever increasingly immersed in and surrendered to the Spirit of God!
Core Truths from the Topic:
Summary Scripture: Matt. 3:11- “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Luke 11:11-13 “ Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
Acts 1:8- But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 2:1-4- When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 10:44-48- 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
1 Cor 2:9-12- 9 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him—10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
1 Cor 12:1-11- 12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
Gal 5:22-25- 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Biblical Stories of Baptism
Acts 2:1-21- Day of Pentecost
Acts 4:29-31- Jerusalem Church all filled with the Holy Spirit
Acts 8:4-17- People in Samaria are baptized in water and the Holy Spirit
Acts 10:1-48- Gentiles (Cornelius’ household) are filled with the Holy Spirit
Resources to help you Prepare
Bible Project: Holy Spirit: On the Holy Spirit
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