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Lesson 3: The Holy Spirit

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Lesson 3: The Power of the Holy Spirit

Scripture Memorization

Begin memorizing Acts 1:8 “But you shall 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 1:4-5 —On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus did not want His disciples to immediately begin telling others about Him. He told them to wait for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, because He knew the POWER they were to receive was essential for the task ahead of them. In this lesson, you will learn.

  1. Who the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for.
  2. What the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for.
  3. How to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

BAPTISM means to be immersed or dipped into something.

So that you will not become confused, you need to know that there are several terms which refer to “The Baptism of the Holy Spirit” and that they all mean the same thing.

  • Acts 2:4 –“Filled with the Holy Spirit.”
  • Acts 2:33 –“The promise of the Holy Spirit.”
  • Acts 2:38 –“The gift of the Holy Spirit.”
  • Acts 11:15 –“Holy Spirit fell (came) on them.”
  • Luke 24:49 –“The promise of My Father.”

Journal

  • Who does the Bible say the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for? (Acts 2:38-39)
  • Has God called you to salvation?
  • Is this promise for you?
In John 14:16-17, Jesus told His disciples that the Spirit had been WITH them and would soon be IN them. The Spirit came inside them in John 20:22. After Jesus had been resurrected, He spoke to them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Before we are saved, the Holy Spirit is WITH us calling us to Jesus. When we are born again, the Spirit comes INSIDE us to teach and guide us. All true believers have the Holy Spirit living inside them. But Jesus went on to tell His disciples in Acts 1:8 that the Spirit would also be ON or UPON them.
  • What did Jesus tell His disciples they would receive when the Holy Spirit came ON them? (Acts 1:8)

The Greek word for POWER is “dunamis,” where we get our words “dynamite” and “dynamic.” It is also translated strength, ability, authority, and might. Jesus knows our weaknesses and that we do not have the strength we need to continually follow Him or do things for Him, so He supplies us with the POWER (dunamis) we need. We do not have to do it on our own!

  • The Father strengthens us through the power of His Spirit in our inner being for what purpose? (Ephesians 3:16-19)
  • After the disciples received this power, what would it give them the ability to be? (Acts 1:8)

WITNESS–to be a witness, means to testify that something is true. The disciples went out testifying that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the World.

  • When Peter and John were released from jail, they gathered together and prayed. What did theypray for the Lord to enable them to do? (Acts 4:29)
  • The Lord answers Peter and John’s prayer almost immediately. What did the Lord do to give them the boldness they asked for? (Acts 4:31)
  • When Saul (later his name was changed to Paul) was filled with the Holy Spirit, what did he begin doing right away? (Acts 9:20)

Another aspect of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is that the Holy Spirit wants to give each of us “spiritual gifts’’ or supernatural abilities to EDIFY (build up faith or strengthen) ourselves and other believers. The Bible refers to believers as the “body of Christ.” Jesus is the head and each of us is given a gift (or gifts) that empower us to function as a part of that body.

  • Who decided which spiritual gifts each of us will have in the body of Christ? (1 Corinthians 12:18)
  • What are some of the gifts that the Spirit gives to different parts of the body? (1 Corinthians 12:8-10)
  • What should we desire to do with our spiritual gifts? (1 Corinthians 14:12)
  • When all the spiritual gifts are working properly in the body of Christ, what will the body do for itself? (Ephesians 4:16)
  • How can we be filled with the Holy Spirit? (Luke 11:11-13)

If you want to know more about the Body of Christ, read Romans 12:4-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:1-31.

The Holy Spirit is like a wall outlet in your house. The power is always there, all you haveto do is plug into it. With the power of the Holy Spirit, your “plug” is sincere faith and obedience to God. When you ASK, believe God will answer your prayer, and you will plug into His power.

In Ephesians 5:18 the Bible commands us to “be filled with the Holy Spirit.” It is better translated, “be continually being filled with the Holy Spirit.” It is not just a one time filling, but we are continually in need of God’s power. To be filled continually with the Holy Spirit, you must abide in Christ (Read John 14:21).

  • How do we abide in Christ? (Luke 11:11-13)

If you have not already been filled with the Holy Spirit or if you need a refill, just pray a simple prayer like this, “Father, my power is not enough. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and give me the power I need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

In your journal, write out the verse you memorized for lesson 3.

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