RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT
Acts 8:14-17
I. The Authority of the Apostles v. 14
A. The Official Christ-Designated Witnesses Acts 1:8
B. The Authority to Establish Doctrine
1. By Preaching and Teaching Acts 2:14-36
2. By Clarifying Controversy Acts 15
3. By Writing Scripture 2 Peter 3:15-16
C. The Authority to Pioneer New Frontiers
Acts 1:8; Acts 8:14; Acts 10:34-35
D. The Authority to Authenticate New Christian Converts and New Christian Communities Acts 1:8; Acts 8; Acts 10:47
II. The Procession of the Holy Spirit vv. 15-16
A. The Historical Situation
B. The Theological Controversy
C. The Ministry of the Holy Spirit Today
III. The Possibility of a New Spiritual Reality Coming Through Physical Media
A. The Trees of Eden Gen. 2-3
B. The Hair of Samson Judges 16:22
C. The Hands of the Apostles Acts 8:17
IV. The Holy Spirit in the Church Today
A. The Terminology
1. Receiving
2. Baptizing
3. Filling
4. Anointing
B. Receiving Christ/Receiving the Holy Spirit
1. When we Receive Christ we Receive the Fullness of God Col. 1:19
2. When we Receive Christ we Receive Everything we Need
Eph. 1:3; 2 Peter 1:3; 1 Cor. 12:13, 30
V. Practical Considerations
A. Receiving the Holy Spirit means someone Personal
Eph. 2:22; Col. 1:27; Eph. 4:6
B. Receiving the Holy Spirit means someone Powerful
Eph. 3:16, 20
C. Receiving the Holy Spirit means someone Permanently
1 Peter 1:4; Rom. 8:29-30; Heb. 13:5