RESTORED Week 4 - The Baptism of the Spirit (Free refills for life!)

Watch the Video for Week 4:“The Baptism of the Spirit.”

Scriptures Mentioned Today

• John 16:7
• Luke 11:9-13
• Luke 3:3
• John 1:29
• Matthew 3:11
• Acts 19:1-6
• Acts 1:5
• Acts 2:2-4

Your Notes from the Teaching

As we saw in this week’s teaching, the baptism of the Spirit is a normal part of the life we have in Christ. We were made for his experience of receiving His fresh “breath” into our mortal being – it’s literally what makes us fully human (as originally designed)! Take some time to read through these scriptures about the baptism of the Spirit, and talk them over with your cohort. Build one anothers’ faith about the importance and meaning of this baptism Jesus promised us, and gives to us by His grace. It is truly the first gift for those who believe – let’s unwrap it now and enjoy it with those free refills for life!

• Matthew 3:11
• Luke 11:9-13
• Romans 8:15-17
• Acts 1:5
• Acts 2:2-4, 7-11
• Acts 10:44-46
• Acts 19:1-6
• Mark 16:15-18
• 1 Corinthians 14
• 1 Corinthians 13:1
• Romans 8:26
• 1 Corinthians 12:7-10
• Ephesians 5:18

Use this space to write down your questions and insight for your meeting with your cohort:

Peter provides us of just one of many examples of how the holy Spirit works inside of us, and makes us better able to live the life Jesus imparted to us. We have a strength and power available to us that makes us courageous enough even to risk everything to follow Jesus. Consider this:

On the night in which Jesus was betrayed, Peter famously denied that he even knew Jesus – three times! This was after promising that even if all the other disciples abandoned Jesus, he would never do that. How embarrassing for him, And this was after Jesus had renamed him Peter – a rock. He certainly was not one that night, when Jesus needed a friend the most. He did this because he saw what was happening to Jesus, and was afraid that he would be next. His strength and courage failed, and he denied the Lord.

Fast forward 50 days, and the disciples are waiting in an upper room in Jerusalem for the promised Holy Spirit. Still afraid, but remaining faithful, they fasted and prayed and stayed together like Jesus had said. Suddenly, on the morning of Pentecost, came the Holy Spirit The apostles, now filled with the Spirit, spilled out into the street, where a large crowd was beginning to gather – most of whom were in the same crowd that 50 days prior were shouting, “crucify Him!” when Jesus was presented by Pontius Pilate for trial.

Now, filled with the Spirit, Peter preached a bold, uncompromising message – and he did not mince words. (You can read it in Acts 2). 3000 People responded to his courageous word, and were baptized. From denier to bold witness in one fell swoop. Such is the power of the Holy Spirit in us.

What is different about you since being filled with the Spirit?

I have witnessed thousands of people being baptized in the Holy Spirit, and I have also seen many who refuse even to ask for it. What I have never seen is someone who, having received the Holy Spirit, regretted asking for it. Ask a few people whom you know have been filled with the Spirit about their experience – they will confirm this. (One testimony is included in this week’s materials).

So, what makes us afraid to ask for it? Answers have included: “It seems weird – especially that speaking in tongues stuff.” “I don’t like the whole shaking and falling down thing.” “I had a negative experience where I felt pressured into responding a certain way (I was even physically pushed), and it left a bad taste in my mouth.” “I felt judged because I did not receive the gift of tongues when I thought I was baptized in the Spirit, and now I am confused.” And the number one answer among all of these: “I don’t like it when I am not in control.”

That last one is understandable – I mean, the apostles appeared like a group of drunkards stumbling out of a bar at 1AM after they had been filled with the Spirit. Mind you, in their case, they had all their wits about them, and were experiencing far greater pleasure than being drunk (and with no hangover looming…). But didn’t we surrender our lives to Jesus when we were born again anyway? Maybe it’s time we put some action to that faith by allowing him to actually take the wheel.

Like a bumper sticker I saw says so well: “If God is your co-pilot, switch seats!”

He is better than we could even imagine, more loving than we can fathom, and He is eager for us to receive this gift He gave. Not for any other reason but that it has the power to change us, and make us fully alive to God!

Take time today to contemplate that memory verse for this week: "If you then, being evil, know

how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" The Holy Spirit is a good gift, from a good Father! I pray you will receive it as such.

Sit with God in an honest place, if you have been hesitant to ask for the Holy Spirit, and allow him to bring to your mind whatever is holding you back. Toss those fears and hesitations aside, and get ready to experience what you were made for, as He breathes His spirit into you!