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General Bible Courses > Living by the Book > Messiah of the Book

Chapter 8: Christ's Present Reign

Overview

  IN THIS CHAPTER, you will discover:  

• The exaltation of Christ.

• The present ministry of Christ.

• The activity of the Holy Spirit.

• How to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  

AS A RESULT, you will be able to:  

• Understand your exaltation with Christ.

• Have confidence in Christ as your heavenly advocate.

• Realize the secret of true holiness.

• Know the transforming reality of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Exalted

Key Scripture: “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11).

Audio Streaming Summary: Paul tells us in the Key Scripture that Christ, after His sacrificial death (v. 8), was “highly exalted” by God. Hyperypsosen, the Greek word for “exalted” in verse 9, literally means “super-exalted” — exalted beyond all imagining. Paul links this exaltation to the reception of a name. Biblically, the name of a person denoted his or her essence, power, or being. Abram and Jacob, for example, both received different names after their encounters with God (Gen. 17:5; 32:28). The disciples were told to pray in Jesus’ “name” (John 14:13); that is, according to His power and will.

The name that Christ received is “Lord” (v. 11). You may recall that kyrios, the Greek word for Lord, is the Septuagint’s translation of the tetragrammaton YHWH. Paul is saying that through His exaltation, Jesus was revealed as Lord in the fullest sense. This is underscored by comparing verses 10-11 with the words of God found in Isaiah 45:23: “Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.” In being exalted, Christ reassumed the full dominion and glory of His divinity. He is again at the “right hand” of the Father — a biblical phrase used to denote power and authority.

Christ’s exalted lordship contains new dimensions because of His incarnation. Since Christ retained His human status in His exaltation, He is able to serve as a priestly advocate for humanity in a unique way. Christ, in a sense, makes us “present” with God by carrying human nature into the Godhead and acting as our intercessor there. In a similar way, Christ takes those who are “in him” into the presence of God, thus making God “present” to them. Paul speaks of this great mystery in Ephesians 2:6: “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ.” The Holy Spirit, who could not be given until Jesus was exalted (John 7:39), is the seal and partial manifestation of our exaltation in Christ. To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to partake of the fullness of Christ, “who fills everything in every way” (Eph. 1:23).
The glory of Christ’s exaltation and the fact of our exaltation with Christ are among the most profound mysteries of the faith. The great apostle and teacher Paul helps us to understand the practical aspects of these truths. In Philippians 2:5-8 he declares that we appropriate our riches in Christ as we practice the same humility and obedience He demonstrated. “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt. 23:12).

Audio Streaming Outline:

I. General Character

• A result of Christ’s obedience and suffering (Phil. 2:8).
• A resumption of His former glory (John 6:62).
• The assumption of a new glory (Phil. 2:9).
• Accompanied by heavenly rejoicing (Ps. 24:7-10).

II. Conditions

• He did not discard His humanity (John 20:20).
• He is seated at the right hand of God (Acts 2:33).
• He is seated in a place of eternal rest (Heb. 10:12).
• He is in infinite glory (Heb. 9:24).
• He occupies the seat of universal power (Matt. 28:18).

III. Purpose

• His ministry and resurrection were certified (1 Tim. 3:16).
• He is preparing a place for us (John 14:2).
• He dwells with all believers through the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:20; John 16:7 ff.).

IV. Christ’s Dominion

• Lord of all beings, earthly and spiritual (Eph. 1:20-21).
• Ruler of the universe (Pss. 8 and 110).
• Ruler of the church (Eph. 1:22-23).

V. Implications

• Our enthronement with Christ (Eph. 2:6).
• Incentive to live a new kind of life (Col. 3:1-3).
• Assurance that we will share Christ’s glory (Col. 3:4).

Textbook Reading: Jesus the Messiah, pp. 347-56.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:33-61; Mark 15:22-37; Luke 23:32-46; John 19:17-37.

Textbook Summary: We finally come to the midnight hour of the gospel accounts — the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Throughout history the dying words of famous people have been preserved as final signatures to their life and work. Traditionally, the utterances of Christ on the cross are known as the “seven words” of Christ. These sayings encapsulate Jesus’ teaching and reveal both His messianic stature and His humanity.

The first of these “words” was a prayer in behalf of His persecutors: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Here we see Jesus exemplifying the forgiveness He taught (Matt. 5:44; 18:21-22). Jesus’ mercy and His compassion as an intercessor are manifest, as is the spiritual blindness of those who killed the Prince of Peace. Jesus’ next saying was a word of salvation to the penitent, dying thief: “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). In these blessed words the pure “gift nature” of salvation is made apparent (see Matt. 20:1-16), as is the glorious destination of all who put their faith in Christ.

Mary never deserted Jesus, for throughout His hour of disgrace she stood by the cross. In two graceful sentences, Jesus provided for His mother’s welfare by entrusting her to John: “He said to His mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother’” (John 19:26-27).

The next two sayings of Jesus had prophetic significance. Jesus’ words, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46; cf. Ps. 22:1), are some of the most mysterious in Scripture. They may imply that God momentarily turned His face from Jesus as He bore the weight of the sins of the world (2 Cor. 5:21). The gospel writers found in Jesus’ agonized statement, “I am thirsty” (John 19:28), an echo of Psalm 69:21.

The cry, “It is finished” (John 19:30), was a word of victory rather than defeat. Jesus had successfully accomplished the task for which He had come into the world (5:36). His last words, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46; cf. Ps. 31:5) were the final expression of Jesus’ continuing awareness of the Father’s providential care and protection.

Key Concepts:

1. At Jesus’ exaltation He received the name “ ____________.” [See above]

2. Christ, in a sense, makes us “present” with God by carrying _____________ nature into the Godhead. [See above]

3. The Holy Spirit is the ___________ and partial manifestation of our exaltation in Christ. [See above]

4. “Golgotha” means “the place of the ___________.” [347]

5. The title placed by Pilate on Jesus’ cross read: _____________________________________. [348]

6. Jesus’ cry “It is finished” meant “It is _______________________.” [352]

7. The blood and water that flowed from Jesus’ pierced side proved He died an actual death in a real ___________. [353]

8. Unlike most who were crucified, Jesus bones remained unbroken, like the Passover _____________. [353]

9. The _________________ before the holy place in the temple tore open at Jesus’ death, signifying a new way of access to the Father. [353]

10. Jesus was buried in the tomb of ________________________________. [356]

Further Study: Read “Ascension of Christ,” p. 97; “Exaltation of Christ,” p. 330; and “Lord,” pp. 599-600 in the NIDB.

Life Application: What do you think about your present exaltation with Christ before God? If your reaction is typical, you are undoubtedly protesting, “I am not worthy.” We know that much in us is impure. However, our sense of impurity should not be understood as condemnation (Rom. 8:1), but as Christ educating our conscience in order to purify us. How do you intend to make this divine truth a part of your Christian experience? As you abide in Christ and have His mind, you will be guided, cleansed, and refined by Christ’s indwelling Spirit.

The Present Ministry of Jesus

Key Scripture: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word” (Heb. 1:3).

Audio Streaming Summary: What is Christ doing now? The Bible has much to say about the heavenly activity of Christ. Our Key Scripture describes how Christ, through whom all things were made, continues to maintain the created order. The laws of the physical universe are not merely scientific laws; they are God’s laws and expressions of His divine Word. It is Christ the Logos who makes cosmos out of chaos. As Paul said, “In him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). In Christ all things “hold together” (Col. 1:17). Were He to withdraw His superintending power, the universe would sink back into the nothingness from which it came.

Christ is sovereign in a special sense over His new creation, the church. Paul compared the relationship between Jesus and the church to that between a head and body. Ephesians 5:29 depicts Christ as He who “feeds” and “cares for” the church. Colossians 2:19 pictures Christ “the Head” as uniting, supporting, and fostering the growth of the church.

Dr. Horner points out additional ways in which Christ functions as the head of the church. He is the source of all sensation, sympathizing with and protecting any injured or suffering member of the body. Through the risen Christ’s words to Paul (then Saul) on the road to Damascus — “Why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4), we can discern how fully Jesus identifies with the individual members of His body. Christ as head of the church is also its leader. The church has been chosen to obey and to carry out Christ’s will on earth. As head, Christ is the seat of power, intelligence, wisdom, honor, glory, and beauty for the church.

Christ also acts as our advocate, or “lawyer,” in heaven. Biblically, Satan is depicted as the “accuser” who lays our sins before God “day and night” (Rev. 12:10). Christ, the “Righteous One,” speaks to the Father in our defense (1 John 2:1). He does not argue our innocence, but pleads the power of His own atoning sacrifice, which has already paid the penalty for our guilt (2:2). Because of the witness of our wonderful heavenly advocate, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Jesus Christ” (Rom. 8:1). As we continue to “walk in the light,” the blood of Jesus “purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

Because Christ is sovereign and active today, we can have freedom from fear. “The helm of the universe is in the hands which were pierced for us on Calvary.” We may not understand all the trials that befall us. Yet, through faith, we can hear the voice of Jesus saying, as He said to His disciples on another fearful occasion, “It is I; don’t be afraid” (John 6:20; cf. Rom. 8:28).

Audio Streaming Outline:

I. Christ’s Sovereignty over Physical Creation

• Gives all things coherence and order (Col. 1:17).
• Upholds and sustains all things (Heb. 1:3).
• Fulfills and consummates all things (Col. 1:20; Eph. 1:10).

II. Christ’s Sovereignty over the Church

• Disciplinarian (John 15:2).
• Chief cornerstone (Eph. 2:20).
• High priest (Heb. 5:10; 7:26; 8:1).
• Bridegroom (2 Cor. 11:2).
• The head of the church (Eph. 5:29-30; Col. 2:19).

III. Christ’s Sovereignty over the Believer

• He is our life (1 John 5:12).
• He is our enablement (Phil. 4:13).
• He is our hope (Col. 1:27).
• He is our advocate (Heb. 9:24).

Textbook Reading: Jesus the Messiah, pp. 357-60.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:62-66; 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18.

Textbook Summary: Guthrie’s explanation of the sequence of events that occurred on Easter morning shows us how the differing gospel accounts can be harmonized. The apparent discrepancies are typical of those that occur when several eyewitness testimonies are compared. These very differences argue for the authenticity of the gospels. Had the authors of the New Testament been fabricating a tale they would have concocted a seamless story with no inconsistencies. They certainly would not have cast three emotionally overwrought women as the first witnesses of the risen Christ, for women were considered second-class citizens in Jesus’ day.

Let us particularly examine John’s account of the empty tomb. In John 19:38-42 the details of Jesus’ preparation for burial are recorded. His body was wrapped in strips of linen. Seventy-five pounds of expensive spices were supplied by Nicodemus. These spices — myrrh and aloe— were either laid in the folds of the bindings to provide a rigid casing for the body, or mixed with oil to form a gum or paste that cemented the strips together. When mixed, the myrrh and aloe acted as a preserving and drying agent. They aromatically masked the odor of corruption as well. Together the bindings and spices would have formed a body cast that would have immobilized a living person (John 11:44). A separate burial cloth was supplied for the head, which the Hebrews felt especially reflected the glory of God.

In John 20:4-8 Peter, followed by John, entered Jesus’ empty tomb. They saw the shell of Jesus’ burial wrappings lying in state, as if His body had simply evaporated. The head covering and body covering were separated by a space equal to the distance between the neck and the upper chest of the deceased. Not only that —the head covering was still “folded up” (v. 7, literally, “wound around”), retaining the shape of Jesus’ head.

We do not know what literal-minded Peter thought. From the order in the tomb he could see that grave robbers were not responsible for Jesus’ disappearance. Perhaps he simply stood there, groping for an answer. We know more about John, however. Faced with the puzzling evidence before him, an incredible conclusion presented itself with increasing urgency. His mind raced back, recalling strange prophesies and sayings of Jesus (John 2:19; 11:25; 16:22). In a dizzying flash of recognition, John realized that the impossible had occurred — Jesus had risen from the dead (v. 8)!

Key Concepts:

1. Paul compared the relationship between Jesus and the church to that between a ______________ and body. [See above]

2. Christ acts as our ________________, or “lawyer,” in heaven. [See above].

3. The chief priests asked Pilate to set a watch over the ___________. [357]

4. Mary Magdalene, ____________ the mother of James, and Salome were the first to visit the empty tomb. [358]

5. The first two disciples to visit the empty tomb were _____________ and _____________. [359]

6. An ______________ reminded the two women at the tomb that Jesus had predicted His resurrection. [359]

7. The first person to see the risen Lord was _________________________.
[359].

8. Jesus told her He was ascending to the ________________ and tried to show her she could not retain Him by __________________ means. [360]

Further Study: Read “Sovereignty of God,” NIDB, pp. 959-60; also see the commentary on 1 John 1:5-2:6, IBC, pp. 1574-76.

Life Application: It is a universal fact that everyone sins. To disobey God and grieve the Holy Spirit are matters of dire consequence. Christians need not despair, for Christ our advocate covers our sins with His grace and mercy. Because of this, Christians can have confidence toward God. We should be on guard, however, against allowing such confidence to become indifference. To do so is to exchange grace for license. Do you maintain an attitude of humble repentance and holy fear before God? This is the key to having a good conscience and walking “in the light” (1 John 1:7).

Jesus Gives the Holy Spirit

 Key Scripture: “But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7).  Key Word: Paraclete.  Audio Streaming Summary: In John 14:18 Jesus promised His disciples: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” This prophecy foreshadowed Jesus’ post-resurrection visitations. It also foretold the advent of the Holy Spirit, who is at once the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ (Rom. 8:9). Jesus called the Holy Spirit “another Counselor.” Allos, the Greek word used in John 14:16 for “another,” means “another of the same kind.” The coming of the Holy Spirit was, in a sense, an extension of Christ’s own presence. The word translated “Counselor” is Paraclete, which signifies a legal advocate, mediator, intercessor, advisor, helper, teacher, and friend. The Holy Spirit functioned in these and other ways for the disciples, for it was through the power of the Spirit that Christ continued and enlarged His ministry after His ascension. Jesus said that after the Holy Spirit came those who had faith in Him would do the works that He had done, and indeed “even greater things” (14:12; see also the Key Scripture). Why did the spiritual presence of the Paraclete confer greater benefit than the physical presence of Jesus? Through the Spirit, Christ can be present universally and continuously to any and all who call on Him in faith. He is able to dwell not only with us, but also within us (14:17). The emptiness of Jesus’ tomb indicates more than the fact that He is not there; it is a sign that He is now everywhere through the Holy Spirit. The New Testament has much to say about the Holy Spirit’s role in inaugurating, maintaining, and perfecting the Christian life. It is the Spirit who enlivens the conscience, convicts the heart of sin’s ugliness, and opens blind eyes to Christ’s saving power. To be born again is to be born of the Spirit (John 3:6-8). The presence of the Spirit in the believer is God’s mark of ownership. It is a pledge, guarantee, and first installment of our future inheritance in heaven (Eph. 1:13-14). Through Him we gain assurance that we are indeed the children of God (Rom. 8:16). The Holy Spirit is God at work in us acting as a “divine gardener,” taming our passions and causing the fruit of righteousness to grow and ripen in our lives. Dr. Horner says that “the greatest single secret of holiness which the New Testament reveals” is that we need not strive to be holy. We need only allow the Spirit to live out the life of Christ in us. In this way we are transformed from within, and receive sanctification, understanding, and divine empowerment for service without. There is no greater need today than for the church and individual Christians to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Audio Streaming Outline:   I. The Holy Spirit’s Role in Christ’s Ministry • “Another Counselor” like Jesus (John 14:16). • Bears witness to Christ (14:26). • Makes Christ’s presence universally available (14:18). • Allows Christ to dwell not only with us but in us (17:26). • Enables Christ to continue His ministry through us (14:12). II. The Work of the Holy Spirit • Conviction of sin and conversion (John 14:8-10, 16:7-11). • Sanctification (Gal. 5:22-23). • Enlightenment (1 Cor. 2:14-15). • Fostering unity among believers (Eph. 4:4). • Empowerment for witnessing and service (Acts 1:8; 1 Cor. 12).  Textbook Reading: Jesus the Messiah, pp. 361-67.  Scripture Reading: Luke 24:13-48; John 20:19-21:25.  Textbook Summary: Our Scripture Reading includes accounts of Jesus’ first post-resurrection appearances to His disciples. Luke 24:13-48. This description of Jesus’ appearance to Cleopas and his companion on the road to Emmaus reveals the utter hopelessness of Jesus’ disciples after the Crucifixion. Their conviction that Jesus would be the one to “redeem Israel” (v. 21) had been shattered by His death. They eulogized Him as a dead prophet. The report of the empty tomb was considered an inconclusive rumor. Apparently the testimonies of the three women at the tomb were discounted as hysterical fancies. Jesus “explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself” (v. 27) in such a way that their downcast hearts burned within them (v. 32). After Jesus revealed Himself to them, they ran the seven miles back to Jerusalem to share the good news with the disciples. Soon after Cleopas and his friend had arrived, Jesus Himself appeared. They were frightened at first, fearing that He was a ghost. Jesus showed them His wounds, even allowing the disciples to touch them. He then ate with them, proving that He was not a phantom. Finally, He commanded them to wait until they were “clothed with power from on high” to be His witnesses (v. 49). John 20:19-29. Jesus revealed Himself to His disciples as they hid behind the locked doors of the Upper Room. He told them, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (v. 21). The Father dwelt within Jesus to empower Him in His mission, and Jesus promised to do the same for the disciples. He “breathed on them” (v. 22), a foretaste of their reception of the Holy Spirit (cf. Gen. 2:7; Ezek. 37:9). John 21. Several disciples, including Peter, decided to go night-fishing. Near dawn Jesus called from the shoreline, telling them to cast their net on the other side of the boat. Those on shore sometimes helped fishermen in boats locate shoals of fish, so this was not unusual in itself. However, the gargantuan size of their catch was unusual. John quickly discerned the significance of the event and cried: “It is the Lord!” (v.7). Peter leaped into the water to greet Jesus. After the boat had landed with its catch of fish, Jesus prepared food for them all. When they had eaten, Jesus posed a question to Peter: “Do you truly love me more than these?” (v.15). By “these” Jesus probably meant the other disciples. It is noteworthy that Peter’s response (v. 15) was more subdued and humble than it had previously been (Matt. 26:33). He did not dare compare himself to the other disciples in light of his repudiation of Jesus on the night of His trial. Jesus repeated His question to Peter three times, a clear echo of Peter’s threefold denial of Jesus. Peter was clearly cut to the heart with each repetition. Yet with each answer Jesus affirmed that Peter was to “feed my sheep.” Jesus’ exchange with Peter was a masterpiece of tenderness. Through it, Peter was both broken and restored, and Jesus was revealed as simultaneously all-knowing, just, and loving.  Key Concepts:  1. Jesus called the Holy Spirit “another ________________.” [See above] 2. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is able to dwell not just with us but _____________ us. [See above] 3. The Greek word _____________________ means a legal advocate, mediator, intercessor, advisor, and teacher. [See above] 4. Using Scripture, Jesus showed the disciples on the road to Emmaus that the ______________ was not a tragedy but a necessity. [362] 5. Jesus appeared to His disciples for ________________ days following His resurrection. [363] 6. Jesus restored Peter by asking him three times: “Do you __________ me?” [364] 7. Tradition indicates that Peter was ________________ upside down. [365] 8. Jesus ate food to prove that He was not an ____________________. [366] 9. After seeing the nail wounds, _________________ addressed Jesus as His Lord and God. [367] 10. Jesus told Thomas that those who __________________ without seeing were doubly blessed. [367]  Further Study: Read “Holy Spirit,” pp. 447-48 and “Occupations and Professions, Fisher,” p. 720 in the NIDB.  Life Application: Scripture is full of rich metaphors that describe the nature and work of the Holy Spirit. He is likened to water, indicating His refreshing, purifying, and cleansing power. He is likened to fire, signifying His penetrating, illuminating, and refining effect. He is likened to oil, illustrating His healing, comforting, beautifying influence. As you study the Holy Spirit and His activities, seek to experience the Spirit at work in you in each of the ways mentioned in Scripture.

Receiving the Holy Spirit

Key Scripture: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18).

Audio Streaming Summary: The previous lesson highlighted many essential roles the Holy Spirit plays in our lives. Without the empowerment of the Spirit, we are unable to know God’s will, to live pure lives, or to love God or our neighbor wholeheartedly. Make no mistake: Christ commands us all to be filled with the Spirit! It is not an optional extra intended only for preachers and missionaries. We are meant to live every day in the conscious company of the divine companion, counselor, and friend Christ appointed for us.

Consider the central role that the Spirit played in Jesus’ ministry. Jesus was conceived through the power of the Spirit. He is identified in each gospel by John the Baptist as the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33). Jesus Himself sought and received the empowerment of the Spirit before He began His ministry. He later declared: “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” — a reference to the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 7:38-39). Before His ascension, He instructed His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promised Spirit. After their baptism in the Spirit at Pentecost, they were empowered to witness for Jesus and to do miracles in His name (Acts 3:6). Their sense of intimacy with Him was increased to the degree that their acts became His, and the love of God made their lives luminous with hope (Rom. 5:5).

If Jesus and the apostles needed the power of the Holy Spirit to be actively present in their lives, can we do without it today? Clearly, the answer is no. Then why don’t we know the reality of the Holy Spirit? One reason is that we mistakenly assume that the days of miracles are past and that the gift of the Spirit was only for spiritual “supermen” like the apostles. This theory is refuted by the frequency with which believers are reported to have been baptized in the Spirit in the book of Acts. Also, in His sermon at Pentecost, Peter said that the gift of the Holy Spirit is “for you and your children, and for all those who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:39).

We miss this blessing from God, not because He has ceased to give it, but because we have ceased to ask for it. Misunderstanding, indifference, timidity of faith, and pride are the most common roadblocks. However, a personal experience of Pentecost is available to any Christian who truly seeks it. Every believer possesses the indwelling Spirit of God “without limit” (John 3:34; cf. Eph. 1:3). The secret to being filled to overflowing with the Spirit (sometimes called baptism “in” or “with” the Holy Spirit) is not getting more of the Spirit, but letting the Spirit have more of us. Repentance, prayer, obedience, and surrender to God are important (Acts 5:32). But all these may finally be reduced to love — the single-hearted desire for God that unifies the mind, emotions, and spirit in longing and submission before Him. Ultimately, we receive the gift of the Spirit in the same way we received the gift of salvation — through faith. Every transaction between God and us involves giving on God’s part and receiving on our part. Scripture tells us plainly that God desires to give us the living water of the Spirit. But we must “come and drink.” Faith must actively receive what the eye cannot see. Begin even now: Offer praise to God in your heart, speak it with your lips, and receive the fullness of His Spirit.

Audio Streaming Outline:

I. The Spirit-Filled Life

• Commanded for all Christians (Eph. 5:18).
• Jesus needed to be filled with the Spirit (Luke 4:1; Acts 10:38).
• The apostles needed the Spirit (Acts 1:4-5).
• New believers received the Spirit (Acts 11:15-16).

II. Reasons We Are Not Filled with the Holy Spirit

• Pride: It is an affront to our “pale orthodoxy.”
• Misunderstanding: We believe it was only for the first-century church.
• Lack of desire.
• Smallness of faith.

III. New Testament References to the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

• “Baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:5).
• “Filled with the Holy Spirit” (2:4).
• “They received the Holy Spirit” (8:17).
• “The Holy Spirit came on them” (19:6).

IV. The Holy Spirit: A Promise for Today

• Jesus’ mission was to baptize with the Spirit (John 1:33).
• Jesus promised the Spirit to all who believe (John 7:38-39).
• Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as “the promise” (Acts 1:4).
• Peter said that “the promise” was for every generation (Acts 2:33, 38-39).

V. Receiving the Holy Spirit

• The Father is willing for you to receive the Spirit (Luke 11:13).
• Jesus invites you to “come . . . and drink” (John 7:37).
• Faith actively grasps the gifts of God (Gal. 3:14).

Textbook Reading: Jesus the Messiah, pp. 367-74.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:16-20; Luke 24:49-53; Acts 1:1-11; 9:1-9.

Textbook Summary: The risen Christ told the disciples: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18). After equipping them with the power and wisdom of His “other self”—the Holy Spirit (JTM, p. 371), He sent them to carry the gospel to all nations. Forty days after the Spirit was given, Jesus ascended into heaven. This departure was necessary so that the disciples might become aware of Jesus’ spiritual presence, rather than focus on His physical form. In this way the Jesus of history became the Christ of faith, available to all. Since then, countless others have become witnesses to the reality of the ever-living Christ. His power and presence are moving and active today, no less so than in the time of the apostles.

Key Concepts:

1. We live without the baptism in the Holy Spirit, not because God has ceased to give it, but because we have ceased to ________________________ it. [See above]

2. At Pentecost ____________ declared that the gift of the Holy Spirit is for “all whom the Lord our God will call.” [See above]

3. Ultimately, we receive the gift of the Spirit in the same way we received the gift of salvation — through ______________. [See above]

4. Christ appeared to a group of more than __________________________ on one occasion. [367]

5. The _______________________ enabled the disciples to recall all that Jesus had taught. [369]

6. The Ascension occurred at ________________. [369]

7. For forty days before His ascension, Jesus instructed His disciples concerning the ________________________. [371]

8. Paul was chosen by Christ to be the apostle to the _________________. [372]

9. The qualification for ___________________ was that they needed to be eyewitnesses to the risen Christ. [374]

10. Before His ascension, Jesus appeared to His brother ______________. [374]


Further Study: Review the scriptures under “Holy Spirit,” especially section E: “The Spirit in our life,” NIVTSB, pp. 74-75; also read the commentary on Acts 1:1-11, IBC, pp. 1270-72.

Life Application: Spend five minutes in prayer simply praising God, without asking Him for anything. You could begin this praise time by reading a psalm aloud to God; for example, Psalm 145. Afterward, confess and repent of any sin God may bring to mind. If you feel led to perform some act of restitution or to ask someone you have wronged for forgiveness, do so. Forgive others toward whom your heart is hardened. Expect God to baptize you in His Spirit — not because of any good works on your part — but because, like the apostles, we are needy, unworthy, and helpless apart from God’s empowerment.

Take the quiz

Quiz Instructions

Review Questions

1. At Jesus' exaltation He received the name ' ____________.'

Lord

Christ

2. Christ, in a sense, makes us 'present' with God by carrying _____________ nature into the Godhead.

Spiritual

Human

3. The Holy Spirit is the ____________ and partial manifestation of our exaltation in Christ.

Seal

One

4. 'Golgotha' meant 'the place of the _____________.'

Hurt

Skull

5. Jesus' cry, 'It is finished,' meant 'It is ___________________________.'

Accomplished

Over

6. The _______________ in the temple tore open at Jesus' death.

Curtain

Pews

7. Jesus was buried in the tomb of ___________________________________.

Joseph of Arimathea

Oldstone

8. Paul compared the relationship between Jesus and the church to that between a ____________ and body.

Head

Spirit

9. Christ acts as our ____________________, or 'lawyer,' in heaven.

Ruler

Advocate

10. The first person to see the risen Lord was _____________________________.

Mary Magdalene

Gardener

11. Jesus called the Holy Spirit 'another _______________________.'

Counselor

Person

12. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is able to dwell not just with us but _________ us.

Within

For

13. Jesus appeared to His disciples for ________ days following His resurrection.

Thirty

Forty

14. After seeing the nail wounds, ________________ addressed Jesus as his Lord and God.

Mark

Thomas

15. Ultimately, we receive the gift of the Spirit in the same way we received the gift of salvation ' through ______________.

Faith

Baptism

16. Christ appeared to a group of more than __________________________ on one occasion.

Two thousand

Five hundred

17. The Ascension occurred at ____________________.

Bethany

Mt. Olive

18. For forty days before His ascension, Jesus instructed His disciples concerning the ___________________________.

Kingdom

Gospel

19. Paul was chosen by Christ to be the apostle to the ___________________.

Gentiles

Jews

20. Before His ascension, Jesus appeared to His brother __________________.

James

John

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