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Isaiah 43v1-7                    God is Israel’s only Saviour.

Acts 8v14-17                    The Samarians receive the Holy Spirit.

Luke 3v15-17,21-22          The Baptism of Jesus

Baptised with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is baptised with the Holy Spirit at the beginning of his ministry. He was already a faithful believer, but here we see a special anointing and empowering for the ministry he is about to begin.

A ministry that he would not have had the courage, stamina, wisdom or power to engage in if he had not been empowered with the Spirit.

To live in the strength of the Spirit is different from living in ones own strength as a Christian.

In the OT we often see a special event in the prophet’s life concerning his calling and empowering for ministry.

Moses – The burning bush.  Exodus 3.

David – Anointed by Samuel. 1 Samuel 16.

Elijah – Fed by Ravens during the drought.  1 Kings 17.

Elisha- His inauguration.     2 Kings 2.

Isaiah – His commissioning. Isaiah 6.

Etc.

The Acts of the Apostles is known as the Acts of the Holy Spirit

The Spirit came upon the disciples at Pentecost. Acts 2

The Spirit comes upon the Samarians Acts 8

Etc.

The torch and the batteries illustration.

·       Some have the outer casing of the torch and the batteries come later.

·       Some actually start with the batteries and the outer casing comes later.

·       However both are needed if the torch is to work properly.

·       And of course some renew their batteries periodically in order to keep the torch working well.

To live faithfully as a Christian daily we need to be Spirit filled.

Keep in the step with the Spirit says Paul.  Gal 5v25

Be filled with the Spirit.  Eph 5v18

This baptism is for all of us.

The Holy Spirit equips all Christians for ministry in Christ. 1 Cor 12. Heb 2v4.

That is why it is important we have a lay ministry structure in the life of the church, the ministry of all the believers, and that we are all involved in a variety of ways for the good of the whole church.

·       Concsiously welcome and invite the Holy Spirit to guide you each day.

·       Take time to listen and reflect on what the Spirit is prompting you throughout the day.

·       Be quick to respond to the Spirit’s promptings throughout the day.

·       Spend prolonged time reading the Scripture and hearing what the Spirit is saying into you life each week.