Studies in the book of Acts (Acts 1:1-5)

Our house church was led of the Lord, starting at the beginning of this year, to begin going through the book of Acts. I thought I would simply post my own notes for anyone interested. May the Lord bless you with eyes to see and ears to hear what He is doing in HIS CHURCH, preparing His servants to enter into His presence in the very near future.

Opening thoughts:

Why are God’s people being gathered together out of our numerous divisions/denominations, into a house church setting? Is it simply to “do church” right, or is there a greater reason? (For the answer to these questions, and more, see the Bible study The Reason Why We’re Coming Out.)
We must rebuild the “ancient ruins” of dead religion and useless rituals with a renewed, firm foundation of truth in Christ.
Our divisions/denominations have divided us, not united us, by the differences between our doctrines. The Lord has allowed them for a time, but we will now come together as “one” in Him “that the world may know” that Jesus is the Messiah. Truth is the only thing that can set us free, and prepare us to be made ready to cross over, into His presence. Jesus said, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 17:17)
There will be a deep cleansing process in the final outpouring of the Holy Spirit. (Esther 2:12-13)
The wilderness we have been led out into (Deuteronomy 6:23) is a place of detox, reduction, transformation, preparation, rest and recovery, and separation. It’s a time to be made ready to enter the presence of the Lord. Those virgins who are ready, that possess the oil of the Holy Spirit to light their way, will be the only ones that will be allowed to enter in (Matthew 25:1-13); “and the door was shut.”

Acts 1:1-2

Acts 1:1-2 – I think that because of what the person’s name whom this account was written for means (Theophilus; “friend of God”), it defines who else it’s written for; the friends of God.

1 The first account I composed [the book of Luke], Theophilus [“friend of God”], about all that Jesus began to do and teach,

2 until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders [1781- “to order, command to be done”] to the apostles [652] whom He had chosen [1586- “to select, pick out, to choose for oneself”].

NASU

NT:652 apostolos (ap-os'-tol-os)

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

from NT:649; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ [“apostle”] (with miraculous powers)

KJV - apostle, messenger, he that is sent.

(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

1. a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders (John 13:16)

2. Specially applied to the twelve disciples whom Christ selected (Matthew 10:1-4)

3. In a broader sense, the name is transferred to other eminent Christian teachers; as Barnabas (Acts 14:14)

The Friends Of God (Acts 1:1)

Because of what the person’s name whom this account was written for means (Theophilus; “friend of God”), it defines who else it’s written for; i.e. the friends of God.

James 2:21-24 – James declares that we are justified by works. Paul says what seems to be a contradictory statement in his letter to the Romans, “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” (Romans 3:28) The truth is that the New Testament refers to two different types of works; “works of the law” led by the flesh, and “works of faith” led by the Holy Spirit. (For more clarity on this, see my book Works And Salvation.)

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?

22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;

23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD [proven by his works], AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.

24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.

NASU

James 4:4

4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

NASU

The Chosen Ones Of Jesus (Acts 1:2)

See the Bible study Many Are Called Few Are Chosen.

(Matthew 22:14, 24:22; Acts 1:2; 2 Peter 1:10; Rev. 17:14, Romans 1:6-7)

(The following excerpt is from my book Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen, p.1-2.)

“Jesus shared a parable in Matthew 22 regarding the kingdom of heaven, comparing it to a wedding feast that a king gave for his son. When everything had been prepared, servants were sent out to call those who had been invited to come, but they were unwilling. Not only were they unwilling, but some seized the servants, mistreated them, and even killed them.

One of the definitions for “come” is “to come from one place to another.” Metaphorically it is defined as “to come into being, to arise, to come forth.” There is a call to the called at the end of this age to arise and shine (Isaiah 60:1-3). The Lord is summoning those who have received His invitation, and have ears to hear, to come to the place where He is beckoning us. We must come out from the place we presently stand in and go to the place of His choosing in order to be eternally joined to our Bridegroom and gain His glory.

Unfortunately, like Jesus clearly revealed, many are not paying attention, choosing instead to go their own way. As with the children of Israel in the wilderness, it’s a way of self-inflicted misery, weeping and gnashing of teeth, and inevitable destruction.

Concerning the rejection of God’s invitation, Matthew 22:7-10 declares, But the king was enraged and sent his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and set their city on fire. Then he said to his slaves, “The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.” And those slaves went out into the streets, and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests. How many cities in America, as well as the rest of the world, will burn in the future because of the way their citizens treated the Lord’s servants that were sent to them?

Verses 11-14 go on to say, But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw there a man not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, “Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, “Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.”

A man with an invitation came, choosing not to wear that which he should have for the occasion. So it will be at the end of this age. There will be those who will not “put on the Lord Jesus Christ,” choosing instead, like Adam and Eve, a covering of their own making. They do not want to submit to God’s ways, resisting the work of the Holy Spirit within to change them into the appropriate attire. It will cost them their place with the Lord at His wedding feast.”

Acts 1:3-5

Acts 1:3-5 – Luke’s gospel is the only one that wrote down “what the Father had promised.”

3 To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.

4 Gathering them together [4871- “to gather together, to assemble”], He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem [see the Bible study Back To Jerusalem], but to wait [4037- “to wait for an event, to stay around”] for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me [see Luke 24:46-49 below];

5 for John baptized [907] with water [see Mark 1:4], but you will be baptized [907] with the Holy Spirit not many days from now [see Mark 1:7-8, Matthew 3:11-12, Luke 3:16-17]."

NASU

Our Being Gathered Together (Acts 1:4)

(See Matthew 3:11-12 (Luke 3:16-17), 13:24-30, 22:1-14, 23:37-39; Acts 4:31; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2; and Hebrews 10:23-25.)

2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 – See the note below.

1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together [1997- “a complete collection, a gathering together in one place”] to Him,

2 that you may not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

(NAS)

The Greek word interpreted in this passage as “gathering together” means “a complete collection, a gathering together in one place (see Genesis 1:9-10 below).” This is our coming together in complete unity, as one, that is spoken of in John 17:23 (see the Bible study Unity In The Body) where it says, “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” This is pictured, in type, in Joshua 5:8-9 through the Israelites being circumcised by Joshua, whose name is transliterated into the Greek in the New Testament as Jesus. The final circumcising of God’s people is a picture of the final outpouring/revival of the Holy Spirit so that “the world will know.”

Hebrews 10:23-25 – See the note below.

23 Let us hold fast [2722- “to hold firmly, hold down, keep secure, retain”] the confession of our hope [see Hebrews 3:1] without wavering [186- “not inclining, firm, unmoved”], for He who promised is faithful;

24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds [i.e. good works],

25 not forsaking [1459- “to leaven behind in, to abandon, desert, forsake”] our own assembling together [1997], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.

(NAS)

Verse 25 has been used often to control and manipulate people to come and be a part of a church. It’s interesting that the very ones who use this verse in that matter are usually the ones who will not come together with other brethren unless they are of the same denomination/division. The Greek word used here for “assembling together” is the same one used in the passage above. As we saw, it means “a complete collection.” The Israelites had been told by the Lord, in the Old Testament, to assemble 3 times per year (see Deut. 16:16). All the divisions would come together and celebrate in the Lord, as one. The “day drawing near” is the “great and dreadful Day of the Lord.” If we do not respond to the Holy Spirit’s final call to draw near, before the day of His wrath draws near, we will, to our horror, find ourselves on the outside with all the other foolish virgins who heard, but did not prepare accordingly, inwardly, retaining their “confession of hope.” (See the Bible study Outer Darkness.) We’ll talk further on about the need for the oil of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 9:1-2- A complete collection of the twelve disciples. I believe that the Lord is now gathering together the twelve (i.e. His disciples), in order to give them His power and authority with the intent to send them out “to proclaim the kingdom of God, and to perform healing.”

1 And He called the twelve together [4779- “to call together, assemble”], and gave them power and authority over all the demons, and to heal diseases. [This is an anointing, or enduing after they had already received the Spirit. Regarding “enduing,” see the definition for “clothed” in Luke 24:46-49 below.]

2 And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God, and to perform healing.

(NAS)

The following note is from the Bible study The Third Day Gathering.

Genesis 1:9-10 – See the note below.

9 Then God said, "Let the waters below the heavens be gathered [6960- “to bind together, to collect”; see more below] into one [259- “one (number), first, united”] place [4725], and let the dry land appear"; and it was so.

10 God called the dry land earth, and the gathering [4723- “something waited for, things hoped for, a collected mass”] of the waters He called seas [3220- “a sea or large body of water; seaward, west, westward”]; and God saw that it was good.

NASU

OT:6960 qavah (kaw-vaw')

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

a primitive root; to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figuratively) to expect:

KJV - gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon).

(Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew Lexicon)

1) to wait, to look for, to hope, to expect

a) (Qal) waiting (participle)

b) (Piel)

1) to wait or to look eagerly for

2) to lie in wait for

3) to wait for, to linger for

2) to collect, to bind together; (Niphal) to be collected

OT:4725 maqowm (maw-kome'); or maqom (maw-kome'); also (feminine) meqowmah (mek-o-mah'); or meqomah (mek-o-mah')

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)

from OT:6965; properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

KJV - country, home, open, place, room, space, whither [-soever].

(Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew Lexicon)

a standing place, a place

a) a standing place, a station, a post, an office

b) a place, a place of human abode

c) a city, land, a region

d) a place, a locality, a spot

e) a space, a room, a distance

f) a region, a quarter, a direction

g) give place to, instead of

Dry land appearing is a picture of a firm place to cross over at. The third day of creation and the gathering of the waters into “one place.” It’s interesting that on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out, the Bible says that His followers were “all together in one place.” (Acts 2:1) The Hebrew for “one” is defined as “one (number), first, united.” The definition of the Hebrew for “place” means, “a standing place, i.e. a spot; fig. of a condition (of body or mind).” In other words, they were standing together, united as one body in heart and mind. This united place in Christ creates a “place” for others to cross over safely. The dry ground represents a place for the Lord’s people to cross over (Exodus 14:13-22, Joshua 3:1-17).

Scripture sometimes refers to people as “waters” (Isaiah 17:12-13, Revelation 17:15). This gathering of waters, or people, to one place, in Christ, is necessary for the dry ground to appear. The dry ground represents a place of “sure footing,” so as not to slip and fall (away). In 2 Kings 2:8-14, the mantle, or “spiritual authority” given to Elijah, and then Elisha, was used to part the waters and cross over on dry ground.

While in exile, when Nehemiah heard that Jerusalem was in ruins, he wept and mourned for days, fasting and praying to the Lord, reminding Him of His promise to Moses to re-gather His people who repent;

“We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. Remember the word which You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful I will scatter you among the peoples; but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place where I have chosen to cause My name to dwell.”

(Nehemiah 1:7-9/NASU)

A repentant heart will allow God to gather Repentance brings the chosen people to Histhe chosen place of God.

(The following insight are from the Bible study Back To Jerusalem, p.23-24.)

A New Thing (Lev. 23:16); Gathering Together The Firsfruit Sheaf Of Wheat

In the book of Acts, we are given an insight into what will occur at the end of this age. Again, according to the word of God, we’ll know the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is yet to come (Isaiah 46:10). I believe, therefore, that by examining what occurred at the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, we’ll understand what will happen at the end of this age.

After His crucifixion, and before His ascension, Jesus had given His disciples specific instructions on what to do next;

“Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, ‘Which,’ He said, ‘you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’”

(Acts 1:4-5/NASU)

John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin (Luke 3:3). The water was a symbol of the inner cleansing that occurs when we confess our sins and are forgiven (1 John 1:9). This baptism prepares us for what is next; the baptism of the Spirit with fire (i.e., fiery trials). It is through both that we are allowed to enter into the kingdom of God (John 3:5-6).

For those with eyes to see and ears to hear, Jesus’ gathering together of His disciples outside of the corrupt religious system in His day on earth is happening right now, again. The worship of God at that time had become nothing more than unacceptable, useless rituals led by the will of man. It had become so bad that when the very God they supposedly worshipped stood before them, they were unable to recognize Him, and, in fact, killed Him.

In Acts, chapter two, we are given the account of the prophesied outpouring of the Holy Spirit on those who were gathered together in the upper room. In the beginning of this momentous event, we read that, “When the day of Pentecost had come [4845- “to fill completely, be fulfilled”], they were all together [3674- “with one accord, at the same place or time”] in one place.” (v.1) This gathering as “one” can only be by the Spirit of God, not in the name of a denomination or personality.

By obediently remaining in the place of God’s choosing, the promise was birthed within His disciples; “And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.” (Acts 2:2/NASU) It was at this place, outside of the religious structure of that day, that the Holy Spirit was poured out on a gathered sheaf of “nobodies” who would be used to change the world. It will happen again.

The proclamation of the Lord is going forth at this appointed time. There will be a new thing, a new grain offering of sifted disciples that will be used to do great and mighty things, one last time before the return of Jesus. As with Israel, those among God’s people who were, at one time, given eyes to see and ears to hear, will no longer see or hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. Through continued rebellion against His lordship over them, apathy has now overtaken them. Because they did not receive the love of the truth, preparing their hearts by faith at the end of this age per the instructions of the Holy Spirit so as to be saved, God has sent a deluding influence upon them that causes them to believe what is false (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12).

Waiting On The Lord (Acts 1:4)

Isaiah 64:4 – This verse is our encouragement to keep persevering in our longing for the Lord.

4 For from days of old they have not heard or perceived by ear, nor has the eye seen a God besides You, who acts [6213- “to do or make, to fashion, to accomplish, to press, to squeeze”] in behalf of the one who waits [2442- “to wait or long for”] for Him. [In regards to the Lord pressing and squeezing us, see the Bible study Gethsemane; The Oil Press Of God.]

NASU

Isaiah 49:22-23

22 Thus says the Lord God, "Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations and set up My standard to the peoples; and they will bring your sons in their bosom, and your daughters will be carried on their shoulders.

23 "Kings will be your guardians, and their princesses your nurses. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth and lick the dust of your feet; and you will know that I am the Lord; Those who hopefully wait [6960- def. is right above in Genesis 1:9-10] for Me will not be put to shame.

NASU

(I know about waiting on the Lord. This entry is from My Journal Of Healing which is my journey of being healed from cancer.)

December 9, 2024

Once again, as I opened my Bible software, Spurgeon’s devotional spoke to me;

December 9 AM

"Therefore will the Lord wait that He may be gracious unto you."

(Isaiah 30:18)

God often DELAYS IN ANSWERING PRAYER. We have several instances of this in sacred Scripture. Jacob did not get the blessing from the angel until near the dawn of day—he had to wrestle all night for it. [I have been receiving a revelation from the Lord focusing on Jacob’s experience surrounding this event, and how it applies to the church at the end of this age, right before we enter the presence of our “Elder Brother,” who is Jesus. It’s in a Bible study I titled Jacob And The Dance Of Two Camps.] The poor woman of Syrophenicia was answered not a word for a long while. Paul besought the Lord thrice that "the thorn in the flesh" might be taken from him, and he received no assurance that it should be taken away, but instead thereof a promise that God's grace should be sufficient for him. If thou hast been knocking at the gate of mercy, and hast received no answer, shall I tell thee why the mighty Maker hath not opened the door and let thee in? Our Father has reasons peculiar to Himself for thus keeping us waiting. Sometimes it is to show His power and His sovereignty, that men may know that Jehovah has a right to give or to withhold. More frequently the delay is for our profit. Thou art perhaps kept waiting in order that thy desires may be more fervent. God knows that delay will quicken and increase desire, and that if He keeps thee waiting thou wilt see thy necessity more clearly, and wilt seek more earnestly; and that thou wilt prize the mercy all the more for its long tarrying. There may also be something wrong in thee which has need to be removed, before the joy of the Lord is given. Perhaps thy views of the Gospel plan are confused, or thou mayest be placing some little reliance on thyself, instead of trusting simply and entirely to the Lord Jesus. Or, God makes thee tarry awhile that He may the more fully display the riches of His grace to thee at last. Thy prayers are all filed in heaven, and if not immediately answered they are certainly not forgotten, but in a little while shall be fulfilled to thy delight and satisfaction. Let not despair make thee silent, but continue instant in earnest supplication.

Thank-you Lord for this word of encouragement this morning. In my experience, this has been absolutely true.

(This insight is in the Bible study Gethsemane; The Oil Press Of God.)

James 1:2-4 – In this passage, James encourages us by letting us know why we “encounter various trials.” The testing of our faith is to produce endurance in us. Like a long-distance runner, without it we will not have the spiritual stamina to persevere under trial (see James 1:12 right below), thereby finishing the race and receiving the prize of salvation (i.e. bringing our faith to “completion” per James 2:18-26), the “crown of life.” This is the “perfect result” that occurs when we say as Christ, “yet not as I will, but as You will.” Pentecost was the result of those who, by faith in what Jesus commanded them to do, steadfastly waited in the upper room for His word to happen. By our acting in faith to what we have heard the Lord say to us, we will become “perfectly sound (in body),” “lacking nothing,” not “left behind.”

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials [3986- def. in Matthew 26:41 above],

3 knowing that the testing [1383- “trustworthiness, a testing, a proof, genuineness”] of your faith produces endurance [5281- “steadfastness, constancy, endurance; a patient, steadfast waiting for”].

4 And let endurance [5281] have its perfect [5046- “complete, perfect, brought to its end, finished”] result, so that you may be perfect [5046] and complete [3648- “complete in every part; i.e. perfectly sound (in body); entire, whole (1 Thessalonians 5:23)”], lacking [3007- “to leave, to be left behind, to fail or be absent”] in nothing.

NASU

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials [3986- def. in Matthew 26:41 above],

NASU

The Lavish Banquet Of The Lord Prepared For Those Who Wait For Him

Isaiah 25:6-9 – See the note below for more on the “lavish banquet” of God prepared for all nations.

6 The Lord of hosts [6635- “what goes forth, an army, warfare, a host”] will prepare [6213- “to do or make, to fashion, to accomplish, to press, to squeeze”] a lavish [8081- “fat, fatness, oil, olive oil; fig. richness”] banquet [4960- “a feast, a banquet”] for all peoples on this mountain [Mount Zion; Isaiah 24:23]; a banquet of aged wine [8105- “something preserved; wine matured by resting undisturbed on the lees”], choice pieces [8081] with marrow [more on the significance of marrow further below], and refined [2212- “to purge, refine, purify, strain, distil”], aged wine [8105].

7 And on this mountain He will swallow up [1104- “to swallow, to engulf, to be ended”] the covering [3875- “a veil, a covering, an envelope”] which is over all peoples, even the veil [4541- “a web, a veil, a covering”] which is stretched over all nations.

8 He will swallow up [1104] death for all time, and the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces, and He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; for the Lord has spoken. [See Revelation 21]

9 And it will be said in that day, "Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited [6960- see def. is right above in Genesis 1:9-10] that He might save [3467- “to save, to be delivered, to help”] us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited [6960]; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation [3444- “salvation, deliverance, aid, victory”]."

NASU

The Lord’s army will go forth at His command. They have been fashioned by Him, prepared by Him through the pressure that He has purposely applied in their lives (see the Bible study Gethsemane; The Oil Press Of God). Those who have submitted to the molding process of the Holy Spirit (i.e. sanctification) will be rewarded with the richness of oil and “aged wine” from heaven that will, first, be poured out within them, and then poured out from them to from within them to “all peoples” from every nation who humble themselves and come to the wedding feast of the Lamb. (This is pictured, in type, within John 2:1-11 by the six stone waterpots that were filled by Jesus with water that then miraculously became the new/best wine. It’s a picture of the water and Spirit, washed and then filled with the Holy Spirit in John 3:5 that is necessary for salvation.)

There is much more to say within this passage. I have made it a separate study that is filled with incredible insights from the Lord. It’s called The Lavish Banquet Of The Lord.

(I know about waiting… The following note is from my journal I have been keeping during my journey with cancer.)

December 9, 2024

Once again, as I opened my Bible software, Spurgeon’s devotional spoke to me;

December 9 AM

"Therefore will the Lord wait that He may be gracious unto you."

(Isaiah 30:18)

Thank-you Lord for this word of encouragement this morning. In my experience, this has been absolutely true.

(This insight is in the Bible study Gethsemane; The Oil Press Of God.)

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials [3986- def. in Matthew 26:41 above],

NASU

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials [3986- def. in Matthew 26:41 above],

NASU

The Promise (Acts 1:4, 8)

Luke 24:46-49 – Jesus’ instructions were specific, instructing the disciples what to do, and where to do it. To endue, or be endued (i.e. “clothed”) is “to provide with a quality or power.” Their obedience to His commands would determine whether or not they would be a good or bad witness (see the Bible study Good Report Bad Report), clothed or naked (see Revelation 16:15)..

46 and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day,

47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. [See the Bible study Back To Jerusalem.]

48 "You are witnesses [3144] of these things.

49 "And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay [2523- “to sit down, to settle, to tarry”] in the city until you are clothed [1746- enduo (en-doo’-o) “to put on, to enter into, to wear”] with power [1411- dunamis (doo’-nam-is) “force, strength, ability, power”] from on high."

NASU

Luke 24:49

49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."

NKJV

Acts 2:38-39

38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself."

NASU

John 14:25-26

25 "These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you.

26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

NASU

Ezekiel 36:22-27 – God’s promise of water and Spirit to the house of Israel, changing their heart attitude from one of disobedience to obedience because of the Holy Spirit put within them.

22 "Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord God, "It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went.

23 "I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord," declares the Lord God, "when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight.

24 "For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land.

25 "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.

26 "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

27 "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

NASU

Water And Spirit

John 3:5 – “…no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”

Matthew 3:11 – “I baptize [907] you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize [907] you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor, gathering His wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

(NIV)

Luke 3:21-22 – “Now when all the people were baptized [907], Jesus was also baptized [907], and while He was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, ‘You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.’”

NASU

Exodus 29:1-9 – The order of God for the consecration of the priests; a sacrifice, cleansing, clothing, and anointing.

From p.5: The Lord’s army will go forth at His command. They have been fashioned by Him, prepared by Him through the pressure that He has applied in their lives (see the Bible study Gethsemane; The Oil Press Of God). Those who have submitted to the molding process of the Holy Spirit (i.e. sanctification) will be rewarded with the richness of oil and “aged wine” from heaven that will be poured out from within them to “all peoples” from every nation who humble themselves and come to the wedding feast of the Lamb. (This is pictured in John 2 by the six stone waterpots that were filled by Jesus with water that then became the new/best wine, a picture of water and Spirit, washed and then filled. Without water first, there will be no new wine.)

Studies in the book of Acts (Acts 1:1-5)

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