The Holy Spirit Empowers

In this teaching session by Jim Dalrymple from Ozark Christian College, the focus is on the empowering role of the Holy Spirit in the context of the Ascension and Pentecost, as depicted in Acts 2:1-41. The Ascension serves as a transitional fade effect in the narrative, concluding resurrection appearances and creating anticipation for the Holy Spirit's promised arrival. It symbolizes Jesus' glorification, enacts the passing of responsibility, and foreshadows His return. The backstory of Pentecost includes its strategic timing, popularity as a feast, and symbolic significance in undoing language division. Drawing parallels with the Luke-Acts narrative, the importance of waiting, descending, dwelling, and empowering through the Holy Spirit is highlighted. The teaching emphasizes the Holy Spirit's role in empowering communication, re-creation, and validation. Peter's sermon underscores the importance of repentance and allegiance to God. Reflective questions prompt consideration of beliefs about Jesus' statement on the Holy Spirit, the Spirit's role in communicating the gospel, and the ongoing call to repentance and salvation.

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The Holy Spirit Empowers

About

The vision of Ozark Christian College is to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and edifying Christians worldwide. The mission of Ozark Christian College is to train men and women for Christian service as a degree-granting institution of biblical higher education.

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Section 01

16:19

The Holy Spirit Empowers

Backstory: The Holy Spirit Empowers

Acts 2:1-41 | Session 2

Jim Dalrymple | Ozark Christian College

The Ascension & Coming of the Holy Spirit = Transitional Fade Effect in the Story:

● The ascension effectively concludes the resurrection appearances (Lk 24:36-53 & Acts

1:1-11).

● The ascension creates an anticipation for the promised coming of the Holy Spirit (Jesus

said – “to your advantage” Jn 16:7).

● The ascension pictures the glorification of Jesus (see Dan 7:13; Ps 110:1).

● The ascension enacts the passing of responsibility (Moses/Joshua & Elijah/Elisha).

● The ascension foreshadows the return of Jesus.

Backstory of Pentecost

1. Timing

● Pentecost is celebrated on the 7th Sunday (50 days) after Passover.

● 40 days of convincing proofs + 10 days of waiting.

2. Strategic

● Popular Feast (especially for those who had to travel further)

● 3 pilgrimage feasts

− Passover (Mar/Apr)

− Pentecost (May/June) [warmer & better for travel]

− Tabernacles (Sep/Oct)

3. Symbolic

● Celebrated first harvest (Ex 23:16, Lv 23:15; Dt 16:9). God-Wink

● Undoes the Language Division

− Reversal of Babel? (Gen 11) [Lks backstory]

− Fulfilled Promises [to Abraham & David]

− Fulfilled Prophecies [Joel 2]

Backstory: Luke-Acts start in a similar way!

1. Waiting

● In Luke, people are waiting on the coming of the promised Messiah.

● In Acts, people are waiting on the coming of the promised Holy Spirit.

2. Descending

● In Luke, the Spirit descends on Jesus like a dove (Lk 3:21-22; 4:14, 18).

● In Acts, the Spirit descends on the disciples like tongues of fire.

3. Dwelling

● In Luke, at Jesus’ birth and beginning of his ministry.

● In Acts, at the birth of the church and the beginning of our ministry.

● God’s desire to dwell with us is our story from Genesis to Revelation!

− The Garden

− The Tabernacle

− The Temple

− Jesus came and “tabernacled” among us (Jn 1)

− The Holy Spirit dwells within us (Acts 2)

− God will dwell with his people (Rev 20-22)

4. Empowering

● The Holy Spirit empowers COMMUNICATION

● The Holy Spirit empowers RE-CREATION

● The Holy Spirit empowers VALIDATION

Peter’s Sermon

1. Peter gives our backstory in his sermon (OT->John->Jesus->Disciples)

2. What should we do?

● Repent = shift our allegiance to follow and dwell with God.

Reflection Questions:

Jesus said, “It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you…”(Jn 16:7). Do you believe Jesus when he says this? Why/Why not?
How does the Holy Spirit empower you to communicate the gospel to all people?
How are you still calling people to remember their backstory so that they are convicted to, as Peter says in Acts 2, “Repent and save themselves from this crooked generation”?