Main topic: The reality of the word

Goals
• To help a believer understand the gospel believed?
• To help a believer develop confidence in the written
word.
• To reveal that the message of the scriptures is a person of
Jesus Christ.

Readings: Rom1:16, 1Tim 2:4, Rom 5:8,1Cor15:1- 4, Eph 2:8,

Rom 10:8-10, Rom 10:11-13, 1Pet 2:2, 1Pet 1:23, 2 Tim 3:15-17,
Rom 10:8-10, Mark16:15-16, John 3:16,2 Pet 1:20-21, Heb 6:13-
20, Gal 3:13- 16

About the gospel (Rom 1:16)

Plan of God for mankind (1 Tim 2:4)

1)To be saved
2)to come to the knowledge of truth regarding salvation t

Subtopic: What is the gospel?

The gospel is the message of God's grace demonstrating the

love of God to mankind through Jesus Christ (R o m 5:8, 1Cor
15:1-4).

The message of grace is the death, burial, resurrection of Je-

sus for sin. It is received by faith.
• No man’s effort is required.
• Salvation is through faith in the gospel.
• Salvation is the gift of God.
To receive salvation, we believe in our hearts that God raised
Christ from the dead and confess with our mouth the Lordship
of Jesus.
When we receive the gift of salvation, we are called believ-
ers.

• We need to grow in the knowledge of who God is and

what we received in Christ Jesus.
• We need to know who we are in Christ, and what Christ is
doing through us

Knowledge means having a precise or perfect understand-

ing. Knowledge is a result of salvation.

Scriptures for study:

Eph 1:15-19, Eph 3:14-19, Phil1:6, 2 Pet 3:18, Pet 2:2 , 1Pet1:23

We must develop confidence in the word of God. The word

of God is our reality irrespective of circumstances or experi-
ence we pass through.

Sub topic: Holy scriptures

2 Tim 3:15-17
• Holy scriptures mean sacred writings
• They make us wise unto salvation through faith which is
in Christ Jesus.

Scriptures are inspired by God or God-breathed and were

written by men (2 Pet 1:20-21).

Sub topic: The message of the scriptures

• There is a message in the inspiration of the scriptures.
• The message is a person of Christ (John 5:39-40)
• The Bible is the word of God
• The bible contains the written word which is a person, Je-
sus Christ (John 1:1-4, John 14:6-7).
• To know God we must know Jesus Christ, the way, the
truth and the life.
• Christianity is a relationship & fellowship with God,
found only in Christ Jesus.
• Jesus is the Message of the Scriptures - (Luke 24:25- 27, 44-
47).
• Reading the OT books & the Four Gospels must be be
seen in the light of Christ Jesus. (Heb 1:1-3).

God promised the message to Abraham (Heb 6:13-20, Gal

3:13 – 16)

• Jesus death, burial and resurrection which is the gospel

that we preach, is what God promised to Abraham (1
Cor. 15:1-4, Romans 10:8-10). The promise is already ful-
filled today.

• The reality of God's word is that Christ was raised from the
dead!
• The word has to be taught and preached, to be made
available to us today Titus 1:1-3, Mark 16:15- 20, 1 Cor. 1:21,
1 Cor. 2:4-5).
• The apostles taught and preached from the Scriptures be-
cause salvation is received via preaching.

Three most important things for believers:

• hearing the word,

• reading the word
• believing /receiving the word.
Main topic: The reality of our redemption
The aim is to understand the meaning of redemption.
Scriptures for study: 1 Tim. 2:5, Matt. 26:28, Luke 22:20,
Acts 20:28, Romans 3:23- 25, Gal. 3:13, Titus 2:14, Titus
3:4-7, 1 Cor. 6:19 -20, 1 Cor. 7:23, Eph. 1:7, Col. 1:12-14,
Heb. 9:11- 12, Heb. 7:22, Heb. 7:25

1Tim 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between
God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ran-
som for all, to be testified in due time.

The word ransom means the price paid on our behalf. The
blood of Jesus was the price paid to redeem us from sin. (Mat
26:28, Luke 22:20, Acts 20:28, Rom 3:23-25, Gal 3:13, Titus 2:14, Titus
3:4-7, 1 Cor. 6:19 -20, 1 Cor. 7:23)

We were purchased by the price paid.

Our redemption is in Christ (Eph 1:7, Col 1:14)
We have forgiveness of sins in redemption.

Salvation is based on three facts:

• The death of Jesus
• His burial,
• The bodily resurrection of Jesus & his ascension/glorifica-
tion (1 Cor. 15:17)

Jesus’ resurrection is proof that the price has been paid for
sin.

The resurrection of Jesus confirms the work of redemption.

The resurrection of Jesus puts a final seal on the work of re-

demption

The resurrection of Jesus gives the believer the assurance of

salvation as eternal (Hebrews 5:9 )
Salvation is forever, and Christ is the one that keeps it.

Subtopic: eternal redemption

Important facts to remember:

• Hebrews 7:25: Jesus saves forever because he is risen and

alive today.
• He is our advocate before the Father (1 John 2:1-2).
• The believer is free from condemnation. He will never perish.
(Rom 8:1, John 5:24, John 10:28)
• There is no remembrance of sins in salvation (Heb 8:12,
Heb10:17).
• Our redemption is eternal (Heb 9:11- 12, Heb12:22- 23, Heb
10:12-14)
• The price he paid is once and eternal, meaning forever,
everlasting, something that lasts (Heb 9:15)
• Believers in Christ have received eternal inheritance by
the once for all sacrifice of Jesus.
• The believer is eternally secured in Christ (Mat 28:20, Luke
10:20, Eph 2:19, Phil 3:20, 1Peter 1:18-19)
• The believer's redemption is in the blood of Christ, in the
person of Christ(Rev 5:9).

Main topic: the reality of the new creation

The aim is to help us understand that we are a new creation
in Christ.

Scriptures for reading are: John 3:1-8, Ezek. 36:24- 27, John
7:37-39, 1 Pet. 1:23, 1 Pet. 2:9, 1 John 3:9, 1 John 5:11,
Eph.4:20-24

Understand that the word new creation does not apply to a

new convert only.
When a man is in Christ he is a new creature, a new man in
Christ (2Cor 5:16-17)
Subtopic: what does it mean to be born again?
Being born again is not a change of character, behavior, or
conduct.
To be born-again is to born anew or born from above.
To be born again is to be born of water which is the spirit (
John 3:3-8).

Water is symbolic of the Spirit. It is symbolic of new heart or

newness (Ezek 36:24-27, John 7:37-38)

To be born again is to receive the gospel of Christ by faith

(John 3:16-17).

The born-again spirit of man has the life and the nature of
God (the seed of God), the born-again spirit does not pro-
duce sin- (2 Cor. 5:17-18, 1John 3:9 1Pet 1:23, 1John 5:11-12)

We behold the reality of the new creation) in God's word not

our experiences.
Ephesians 4:20-24 is not an instruction to put on the new man
off the old man.

If we are born-again, we have put off the old man and put
on the new man, a new nature, the nature of God (1 Cor.
6:17).

Out of our new nature, the righteous nature of Christ flows

good conduct (Eph 4:25 -27, Eph 5:1,2)

If love of God which is the nature of God does not find ex-
pression in us and through us, then it is due to lack of renew-
ing the mind with the word (Eph 4:23, Romans 12:2)

Staying under the influence of the word enables us to live and

conduct ourselves in the reality of who we are in Christ Jesus.
Main topic: the reality of our righteousness

Our aim or goal is to understand what righteousness is and

be able to explain it to others.

Righteousness is a gift that is received by faith in Christ Jesus. It is not

a reward for good conduct. Righteousness is by the grace of
God received through faith.

Scriptures for reading: Rom. 10:8-10, Rom. 8:31-34, Psa. 14:1-

3, Rom. 3:19-22, Rom. 3:10, Gen. 15:6, Rom. 4:1-8, Rom.
3:23 - 26, Rom. 5:17-19, 2 Cor. 5:17-21

What is righteousness?

• Righteousness is the ability to stand before God without a

sense of fear, guilt, shame, condemnation or sin-con-
sciousness.

• It is a condition of being blameless and guiltless before

God.

Righteousness is what we received at salvation, it is freely

given in Christ, and we believe in the resurrection of Jesus
unto righteousness (Rom 10:8-10). It is a reality of our salvation.

In Christ, we have received all things freely (Romans 8:31-32).

Anything not freely given is not from Christ.

• As believers, it is important we know the reality of our right

standing with God.

• We were not justified or declared righteous. We were

made righteous by faith in the gospel (Rom 8:33-34)
• Our own righteousness falls short: (Rom 3:10, Psalms, Rom
3:19-22), Verse 22...the righteousness of God is by faith in
Christ Jesus unto all that believe.

• We are justified freely or made righteous by his grace, and

received by faith alone (Rom 3:23-24).

Sub topic: righteousness by faith

Abraham was counted as righteous because he believed
God. (Gen. 15:6, Romans 4:1-8). It was not because of what he
had done. He only believed.

Similarly, we are justified on the basis of the death and resur-

rection of Jesus (Rom 4:25, Rom 5:1)

Righteousness is a gift to those who obey or believe (Rom

5:17-19). The believer is made righteous by the obedience
of Jesus - Rom 5:19.

God made Jesus who knew no sin to be our sin, so we could

be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor 5:21). He
was made sin with our sin.

Note that righteousness comes to the believer as a nature,

the righteous nature of Christ. It does not increase or change.

Subtopic: righteousness consciousness

As believers, we should have a righteousness consciousness,
reflected in a way we sing or worship God, and how we pray.
We don’t sing out of our emotions, but sing from the word: -
• the reality of who we are
• what we have
• we can do in Christ

➢ Awake to righteousness implies to see ourselves in the

light of God's word(1 Cor 15:34).
 ➢ Righteousness consciousness is a function of
knowledge (the knowledge of what Christ has made
available for us at salvation).

➢ We stand right with God, without shame fear, sin, guilt

and condemnation even after we have fallen short.

➢ We stand confident in prayer and in our worship of

God (our Father)!

Main topic: the reality of our fellowship with the

father
Our aim is to know and understand that the believer is in fel-
lowship with the Father 24/7 (as a result of what Jesus has
done).

Scriptures:
1John1:1-4, John1:1, John1:17-18, John 1:3-4, John 1:14.

Fellowship means partnership; or having a common identity.

We have a common identity or fellowship with the Father
and with His son Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:9)

God as our Father, which clearly shows the relationship we

have with Him, in Jesus Christ (1John 1:20). The word Father
means source,( where one comes from). A believer is from /
of God and for that reason God is our Father. We in constant
fellowship with God 24/7 because we are from Him. He is our
source!

In our fellowship with the father, it is important to note that the

fatherhood of God is revealed in Christ.
Subtopic: Christ; the revelation of the father
• God is Father
In the New Testament, God is referred to as the Father.
Jesus is the revelation of God the Father to us (John 14:6-9,
Heb1:1-3).

God is not known outside of Jesus. Jesus is the perfect presen-

tation of God to us.

The redemptive work of Jesus reveals God as a Father to us.

Because of the grace of God (the Father) given to us in Christ

Jesus, we share the same identity with the Lord Jesus (John
20: 17).

God is Christ’s Father, and also our Father, because we are in

Christ! Thus we have fellowship with the Father.

More scriptures for study: Eph. 2:16 - 19, Eph. 3:14-15, Gal.
6: 10, 1 John 3:1, Rom. 8:14-16

Subtopic: the sonship of the believer

Romans 8:14-16 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,
they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit
of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of
adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself
beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of
God:

• Adoption means placement in the position of a son.

• We have received the spirit of adoption, not the Spirit of
bondage again to fear or timidity.
• In our Spirit, we know God as Father!
• We have a relationship with Him as our Father!
• We have God as our common heritage and our Father.
• We are members of the household (faith family) of God
(Eph. 2:16 -19, Eph. 3:14-15, Gal. 6: 10, 1 John 3:1).
10
• A believer is a son by inheritance and a child by birth.
• We have fellowship with God as His sons.
• Fellowship with God is possible because the believer has
the life of God or the spirit of God

• It is on the basis of this life that the believer is in fellowship

with the Father; and Christ Jesus (1 John 5:12, 2 Pet 1:3,
Gal. 4:5-7, Rom 8:14)

The believer is a partaker of the righteous nature of God

(Hebrews 2:11). Fellowship means to partake of the same na-
ture of God (1John 4:17). We carry the DNA of the Father; we
have His life (His Spirit).

Main topic: The reality of the indwelling of the spirit

The goal is to explain that the believer is indwelt by the
spirit of God.

Scriptures for study:

Ezek. 36:26-27, Psalm 51:5-11, John 14:16,17, 1 Cor. 6:16-17, 1
Cor. 12:13, 1 Cor. 3:16, 1 Cor. 6:19-20, Eph. 1:13, Eph. 4:30, Rom
8:10-16

Subtopic: The promise of the spirit

Ezekiel spoke concerning the new birth or salvation in Ezekiel

36:26-27

God's promise of the indwelling of the spirit:

The phrase ’I will put my Spirit within you’ VERSE 27 answers
the cry or plea of David in Psalm 51:5-11

We don’t ask for the indwelling of the spirit if we are born-

again. The Holy Spirit is received at salvation!

11
Jesus explains to Nicodemus that being born again is being
born of the water which is the Spirit (John 3:3-8).
Again, to the disciples,

Jesus further explained what it means to be born of the spirit

in John 14:16-17 John 14:26, John 16:12- 13).

This is the reality of Christianity: The Holy Spirit indwelling a be-

liever.

Mansions mean dwelling places, not a physical building (John

14:2,8)

If we receive Jesus or salvation, we dwell in the Father's house

(John 14:18-23).

neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth

with you, and shall be in you.

Therefore, the reality of our salvation is the indwelling of the

Spirit of God in us.

subtopic the indwelling of the spirit

The spirit indwells the believer forever (1 Cor. 3:16, 1 Cor. 6:19-
20, Eph. 1:13, Eph. 4:30)

The word sealed in Eph 4:30 implies proof of ownership.

When the gospel is preached and a man believes, he is
sealed with the holy spirit of promise or the spirit of God.

The term you are in the spirit in Rom 8:9 refers to the spirit of
life in Christ Jesus; the spirit of God; or the spirit of Christ that
dwells in the believer.

The the spirit is life in Rom 8:2 is the same as the spirit of Christ,
which is the spirit of God, which is the spirit of Him that raised
up Jesus from the dead (Rom 8:11). The same spirit indwells
12
the believer. The word live in Rom 8:13 means to exist, not
walk.

Main topic: The reality of our authority in the

name of Jesus

The aim is to explain that the right of the believer to use

the name of Jesus.

Scriptures for reading:

Luke 9:1-2, Luke 10:19, John 16:23-24, Acts 3:5-7, Acts 3:16,
Acts 4:29-30, Acts 4:12, John 1:12, John 20:31, Romans 10:13.

We received salvation in that name; hence we have the right

to know the authority we have in the name by which we
were saved (Acts 4:12, John 1:12, John 20:31, Romans
10:13)

At salvation we believed in His death, burial and resurrection

for us; same as believing in the authority of His name.

Before the death of Jesus, he gave his disciples delegated

authority (THE POWER OF ATTORNEY) to use His name (Luke
9:1-2; Luke 10:190)

Delegated authority or power of attorney simply was a way

to give disciples the power to do things ordinarily that were
Jesus’s responsibility. This is different from the authority that
was given to believers at the resurrection of Jesus.

Subtopic: The authority in the name of Jesus at his resurrection

Jesus in his resurrection instructed the disciples to preach the

gospel for men to believe to be saved and speaks of the
13
authority. Every believer in Christ has in His name.

• The believer heals the sick and casts out demons because
he has the name of Jesus. Mark 16:15- 17.

• The believer can undo the works of the devil (John 14:12 -
14)
• A believer can command a demonic affliction to cease.
We can cast out devils and heal the sick in the name-
Mark 16:17 - 18.
• The believer must pray in the name in the name of Jesus
(John 16:23)

Many things were done by the apostles and believers in the

name of Jesus (Acts 3:5-7, Acts 3:16, Acts 4:29-30).

What should be the believer's attitude to the name?

The believer must:
• Sing more about the name
• Talk more about the name
• Talk about the mighty deeds in the name
• Defend the name of Jesus

Main topic: the reality of our fellowship with one

another (attending a local church)
The goal is the importance of being committed to a local
church

Scriptures for study:

1 Cor. 12:12-14, Eph. 2:18-19, Heb 2:10-12, Heb. 10:23-25, Heb
12:22- 24, Acts 5:41-42, Acts 2:41-42, Acts 2:47, Acts 4:23,
Acts 6:1-3, Matt 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:47-49

A person becomes a member of the body of Christ when he

believes in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (1 Cor.

14
12:12-14, Eph. 2:18-19).
Christ by His resurrection made believers in Him sons and calls
them brethren; Believers in Him are His church.

The word church means called out ones from death, sin, dark-
ness into a fellowship; a family; assembly or gathering on
earth (Heb 10:23-25, 1 Cor. 14:26) to do good works.

Subtopic: the local church in the book of acts

Acts 1:4, Acts 2:1, Acts 2:41- 47, Acts 4:22, Acts 4:29- 32.
Acts 5:12 -14; Acts 5:41- 42, Acts 2:41-42, Acts 2:47, Acts 4:23
Acts 6:1-3, Acts 8:1, Acts 9:31, Acts 11:21-22, Acts 13:1
Acts 14:21-22

➢ The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch (Acts

11:26)
➢ The church gathered to pray for Peter (Acts 12:5)
➢ The book of Acts focuses a whole lot on gatherings where
people are taught, and equipped for the work of the min-
istry (Eph. 4:12).

.
Main topic: devotion!
Aim: To understand the importance of daily practice of devo-
tion

Scriptures for study:

Phil 1:4-6, 2 Cor. 11:3, Rom12:8, Eph. 6:5, Col. 3:22, 2 Cor. 1:12,
2 Cor. 8:1-2, 2 Cor. 9:11-14.

it is possible to have a Christian whose faith or his sharing of his

faith is not effective (Phil 1:6).

15
Subtopic: can a believer be active or effective at all times?

2 Cor 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent be-
guiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be cor-
rupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
The word simplicity in the above verse has to do with liberal-
ity, single mindedness or generosity. This simplicity is found in
Christ.

• The word simplicity implies that our walk of faith must be

sincere, truthful, pure and consistent.

• We shouldn’t do anything for human applause, or to be

seen and approved of men.

• We should serve God with sincerity and pureness of heart

(Rom12:9, 2 Cor. 6:6, 2 Tim1:5, 1Pet1:22.

There are two necessary daily spiritual activities for believers:

➢ The study and meditation on God's word
➢ Prayer

Subtopic: study the word

We are instructed to enjoy the fellowship of meditating on God's

word (1 Tim 4:15-16, Joshua 1:8, 1Tim 4:16, 1Tim1:10)

what should the believer meditate upon?- sound doctrine!!

1Tim 4:16 , 1Tim1:10

The word meditate was translated from the Hebrew word ha-
gah, which implies to ponder and mutter to oneself.

The words sound doctrine in 1Tim1:10 refers to healthy doctrine.

2 Tim. 2:1-2, 2 Tim 3:10.

16
When the believer meditates on a healthy doctrine, he renews
his mind, unlearns and learns all that he has in Christ.

Subtopic: how often should the believer meditate?

1st Timothy 4:13
Psalm 1:1-2
Joshua 1:8 - says you shall meditate therein day and night.
Meaning regularly, consistently every day.

Subtopic: how to do the word

How to do the word is explained in James 1:21-25

James taught that believers are to give themselves to meditate

on the word, to the end that our mind is renewed by the
knowledge of what God (our Father) has done for us in Christ
(James 1:17-18), which eventually affects our words and actions
towards fellow believers James 1: 19-21.

Subtopic: prayer
Prayer should be a lifestyle to a believer. A believer needs to be
convinced about this.
Luke 18:1 We ought always to pray and faint not also (Matt.
26:11, Luke 15:31).

Prayer should be done in public but more of private devotion to

the Lord. We do not pray for others to notice (Mat 6:1, Mat 6:5-
6 . Our focus should be on God (the Father) not man’s applause
or appraisal.

Subtopic: what is prayer?

Prayer is:
• making known your desire to the father.
• making a strong appeal or a fixed request of what you desire

17
Verses for study:
Mark 11:24, Phil 4:4-6 Rom10:1, Matt 21:22, James 1:5, Luke 21:36.

Jesus instructed us to pray always (Rom 12:12, Eph. 6:18, Col. 4:2,
Col. 4:12, 1 Thess. 5:17)

Prayer should be the constant lifestyle of the believer same as

that of Jesus and his disciples

Examples of people who prayed in the Scriptures:

Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12, Matt. 14:23, Matt. 26:36, Acts 1:12- 14, Acts
2:42, Acts 3:1, Acts 4:23-24, Acts, 4:31, Acts 6:4, Acts 13:1-3, Acts
16:25, 1 Cor. 14:18, Eph1:16, Phil 1:4, 1st Thess 2:13

Subtopic: how do we pray?

We pray in the spirit!
Ephesians 6:18, 1 Cor. 14:2-4, 1 Cor. 14:14.
To pray in the spirit is to pray in tongues! (1 Cor. 14:18, Jude 1:20).
Every believer can pray in tongues (Mark 16:17)

Subtopic: what do we pray for?

• We pray for ourselves and fellow believers, to grow in the
knowledge of God's word. Spiritual growth is in the
knowledge of our salvation Ephesians 6:18, Ephesians- Eph.
1:16- 21.

• We pray for insight for ourselves and fellow believers, to be

strengthened by His spirit within. To be rooted and
grounded in the love of Christ.

• We pray that we should be full of knowledge: Our fellow-

ship becomes more effective only when we have a precise
understanding of who we are and what we have in Christ.

Verses for study: Eph 3:16-20, Php 1:9-11, Col. 1:9-11, Phil 1:4-6,
Heb. 12:20- 21.
18
We don’t pray for power; His power is at work in us

• We pray for believers to grow in every good work, to walk in

God's plan and purpose

• We pray for ministers of the Gospel e.g. pastors, leaders, ush-

ers etc.

Paul consistently asked that believers pray for him (Ephesians

6:18)
.
• We pray for utterance and boldness to speak God's word as
we or they ought to (Acts 4:29, Col. 42-4, Eph. 6:19- 20).

• We pray that their ministry is received without hindrance and

their lives kept safe (Rom 15:30-31, 2 Thess. 3:1-2).

• We pray that signs and wonders be done through our/their

ministries (Roma. 15:19, Acts 4:30).

• We pray for Christian meetings or gatherings (Heb 10:24-25)

• We pray for the ministers, for utterance and boldness (Eph.

6:19, Col. 4:3-4, Acts 4:29)

• We also pray for those handling other aspects of the services

e.g. cleaners, instrumentalists, computer operators, worship
teams etc.

• We pray for wisdom (James 1:5)

• We pray for orderliness of the gathering (1 Cor. 14:40)

• We pray for the participants of the meeting, for insight into

God's word and edification. (Eph 1:17-23, Eph 3:14-20, Phil
1:9-11, Col 1:9-11, Phil 6).
19
 Note: if you do not pray publicly, it is a pointer to the fact that
you do not pray privately. We must build a strong personal cul-
ture of prayer and study of the Word.

Main topic: Baptism of the holy ghost

The aim of this topic is to help the believers understand what the
scriptures teach about the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

Actions from believers include speaking with tongues and

prophesying!

Scriptures for study:

Acts 1:4-5, Luke 24:49, John 14:16-20, Rom. 8:9-11, Eph. 1:13, Gal.
3:14, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:12-21, Acts 10:44-46, Acts 19:6,
Mark 16:17, Isaiah 28:11-12

Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, com-

manded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but
wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have
heard of me.

Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be bap-
tized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. Also Luke 24:49

In Acts 1:8, the word receive means to or to take advantage of

something that has already been provided to be taken from.

The phrase “after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you” is as a
result of the indwelling of the spirit. take a hold of

Were they already born again or not? Does it mean baptism of

the holy spirit is a second and distinct experience?

What Jesus taught in John 14:1-20 has been fulfilled in the be-
liever today. The believer is already indwelt by the Spirit of God
20
 (Rom. 8:9-11, Eph. 1:13, Gal. 3:14).

Peter explained this to his audience in Acts 2:38: the word ‘of
between ’the gift’ and ‘the Holy Ghost’ is absent in the originals,
therefore what Peter said was ’... ye shall receive the gift, that is,
the Holy Ghost.

The gift Peter mention in Acts 2:38 is that of utterance or speak-

ing in tongues

Other verses about receiving the gift: Acts 2:1-4, Acts 8:12 -17
Notice that in Acts 8:14, Luke stated that Samaria had received
the word of God, meaning they had received salvation as per
Acts 8:12. However, in Acts 8:17, Luke spoke about the fact that
after Peter and John laid hands on them (those who had be-
lieved in the gospel, in Verse 12), they received (take a hold of)
the Holy Ghost that had indwelt them.

Peter's response to Simon's words helps us to understand what

Luke meant by they received the Holy Ghost in Acts 8:18-21

The word matter (In verse 21implies speaking or utterance.

Those men (who had believed in the gospel), after hands were
laid on them by Peter and John...they spoke!

The terms “the Holy Ghost fell upon” and “to receive of the Holy
Ghost” were used by the writer of the book of Acts to explain
the believer's action, which primarily is speaking (utterance)-
Acts 10:44-46, Acts 19:6

Subtopic: tongues
Mark 16:17 is a fulfillment of the prophecy by Isaiah (Isaiah 28:11-
12)

Note: they all received of; took hold of; took from what they had
received (the indwelling of the Spirit) at salvation (Acts 10:44- 46,
Acts 19:6, Acts 2:1-4).
21
ALL believers spoke with tongues.
1Cor14:18
1Cor14:5.
1Cor14:23
1Cor14:39

Tongues is a gift in the spirit indwelling every believer 1 Cor. 12:4.

Praying in tongues means to praying in the Spirit. singing in

tongues is singing in the Spirit - 1 Cor. 14:14-15.

Paul taught and instructed believers to pray always in the Spirit-

Eph. 6:18.

When we pray in tongues (in the spirit) we edify ourselves- 1 Cor.

14:4, Jude 1:20.

Everyone (believers) can and should speak in tongues privately,

and corporately 1 Cor. 14:5, 1 Cor. 14:23.

We consciously pray or speak in tongues- 1 Cor. 14:18.

Speaking in tongues consistently is a function of desire.

1Cor. 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with
tongues? do all interpret? (?????)

Vs 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you
a more excellent way

The word covet in 1Cor.12:31 means to go after; to want, imply-

ing that the believer must be willing to speak in tongues and
prophesy consistently.

The word zealous in 1Cor14:12, means to be boiling over with

passion.

22
 The gifts of the Spirit are function of the believer's desire (1 Tim.
4:14, 2 Tim. 1:6.) Desire is preceded by knowledge!

When we come together, we speak in tongues to edify our-

selves. We can further give an interpretation to tongues (proph-
esy) and edify the church.

Subtopic: how to be filled with the spirit

The words: be filled in Eph 5:18 means to be stimulated or to be

inspired

More Scriptures for study:

Acts 2:1-4 Acts 4:28, Acts 4:8 , Acts 6:3 , Acts 7:54, Acts 13:9, Eph
5:18-19 .

Being filled with the spirit is our decision! Paul taught us to desire;
covet to, zealous of, forbid not, neglect not, stir up (1 Cor. 12:31,
1 Cor. 14: 1, 1 Cor. 14:12, 1 Cor.14:39, 1 Tim. 4: 14, 2 Tim. 1: 6).

We are filled with spirit by speaking.

Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spir-
itual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the
Lord

23