Quench not the Spirit

Quench not the Spirit

Acts 8:14-17

Peter and John were sent to Samaria to support what God was doing through Phillip. Their foremost concern was the need for believers to receive the Holy Spirit. Today is Pentecost Sunday marking fifty days after Easter. God promised to pour out His Holy Spirit in the last days (Joel 2:28). We live in the last days. The increasing frequency of volcanic activity, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, floods are signs of the last days. The exciting thing is that these signs signify intensified favor of God through his Holy Spirit to bring in a great harvest of souls to his kingdom. Why was the fullness of the Holy Spirit important to Peter and John when they went to Samaria?

Apostolic Priority: Ensure believers experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit

Phillip had brought many to Christ and baptized them in water. When Peter and John arrived, their priority was to ensure that the believers received the Holy Spirit. It was their personal priority to wait patiently and expectantly in the upper room for the Hoy Spirit. And it became a priority in their ministry. The Holy Spirit draws focus and glory to JESUS (John 14). The Holy Spirit alone can do the work of Christ we are seeking to do. The Holy Spirit is God. It is His role to execute the plans/commands of the Godhead – Three in one God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit, 1 John 5:7; Acts 5:3,4). He is the one through whom we experience the Godhead. You cannot live the Christian life and effectively serve God by your own strength (John 4:24).

Believers' Priority: Quench not the Holy Spirit

Once the believers are full of the Holy Spirit their priority is to cooperate with Him. By being passionate about the things He is passionate about and hearing his voice and responding in faith (1 Thessalonians 5:19, Ephesians 4:30).   He is the believer’s eternal companion and competitive advantage. When you are clothed with His power (Luke 24:49) you become useful in the same way gloves are useful in the hands of a person. We can shake bridges with God in the way a fly sitting on an elephant shakes the small bridge with it.  He produces newness of life (John 16:8; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 1:13-14). He gives assurance of salvation (Romans 8:16).  He is our helper/comforter/ teacher/strength in everything (Romans 8:16; John 14:26; 16:12-14). He empowers you to be a witness of Christ and for His service (Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

Church’s Priority/Highest Duty: Ensure the Holy Spirit has freedom to work

No eloquence, no tradition, no action, no commotion, no emotion, no promotion can atone for lack of fire/unction of the Holy Spirit. It is easy to crowd Him out by rushing through programs, limiting him to past experiences, insensitivity to His voice, not creating an atmosphere of consecration, and joyful expectation.  Despise and forbid not miracles, prophesy and speaking in tongues (1 Thessalonians 5:20; 1 Corinthians 14:39).   

How to Receive the Fullness of the Holy Spirit

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is to be controlled and fully influenced by Him (Ephesians 5:18). He is the third person of the Godhead - Trinity. There is one God who has revealed himself as God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit (1 John 5:7; Acts 5:3, 4).  Every believer has the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9) when they receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. There however is a second experience/ blessing for ministry available to every believer (Acts 8:14-17). The promise is for every believer not just the early church (Acts 2:38-39; Acts 5:32; John 14:15-16. The promise can be received by laying-on of hands or any other way when certain conditions are met (Acts 2:4, Acts 10:44, Acts 19:6).

*Be saved (Ephesians 2:8, 9).

*Thirst or desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 5:6; John 7:37)

*Confess any known sin (1 John 1:9).

*Completely surrender body, soul, spirit and all to Jesus (Romans 12:1).  

*Ask in Prayer. Cast away fear and doubt (Luke 11:13; James 4:2, 3).

*Accept a continuous commitment. The fullness of the Holy Spirit is maintained by on going turning from sin, surrendering, thirsting, and asking to be filled (Ephesians 5:5:18, 19).  Just as you, do not let your, car or cell phone, battery run down. 

*RECEIVE BY FAITH. Believe God’s promise and he will fill you and it will show outwardly.  The evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit include concern for the lost (Acts 1:8), the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23, John 15:16a) and the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). Five accounts in Acts had the initial visible evidence of speaking in tongues - supernaturally enabled prayer language. (Acts 2:2-4; Acts 8:6-16; Acts 9:17; 10:44-47; 11:15, 16; 14:18; 19:2-6  

If He is the New Testament Holy Spirit, His work today must produce comparable results. If the coming of the Holy Spirit does not radically change your prayer life, your values, ministry, love and hunger for God and his word you would better check on it. Go back to God and ask for the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Their lives were radically changed. Fearful men were turned to radiant witnesses who changed the course of history. Power, boldness, joy and enthusiasm invaded their lives. My friends hear the word of the LORD – its time to stop scratching the surface. Let us go to the deep.  Meet the above conditions and receive the Holy Spirit by faith today.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa