THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY GHOST

TEXT: Acts 2: 1-18

KEY VERSE : "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be
witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the
uttermost part of the earth. "Acts 1:8

The ignorance of the place and power of the Holy Spirit is rampant among many believers.

The result is
that they live a dull and ordinary life because of the absence of the exciting and refreshing presence of the
Holy Spirit.

For such believers, there is also the absence of constant revival and daily renewal of the
Spirit.

Yet the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is for every believer. In our text Peter the Apostle, by inspiration,
allured to the prophecy of Joel on the promise and benefits of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2: 17-18, 39.

We cannot possibly be what we ought to be or do what we ought to do, except the Holy Ghost indwell in
us.

John the Baptist, the fore runner of the Lord Jesus Christ, started his ministry of preaching the gospel of
the kingdom, calling people unto repentance, six months before Christ. He spoke of one of the essential
things that Christ would do baptize them in the Holy Spirit.

Matt. 3:11 "I ndeed baptize yoù with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than
I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Jesus Christ Himself did not want His disciples to be ignorant of the promise of the Father. He gave them
the promise of endowment:

Luke 24:49 "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem,
until ye be endued with power from on high.

His disciples were sorrowful as they thought of the great loss resulting from His departure. But Christ
assured them of the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. well as the meaning and significance and
interpretation and things to come.

Moses in the Old Testament expressed the desire for the outpouring of the Spirit upon the Israelites.

Num.11:29 "And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people
were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!"

God's promises of Salvation, Sanctification and Baptism of the Holy Spirit are clearly set forth in the
Book of Ezekiel chapter thirty six.

John 14:16-17 "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide
with you for ever: Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not.
neither knoweth him: but ve know him: for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

A Church or a Christian without the Holy Spirit is likened to the cut in communication between the
Church and the Shepherd.

The Holy Spirit makes it possible for the believer to understand the prophecies of the
Bible, the times and seasons of their fulfilment. as promises are not fulfilled automatically without our
asking. Eze. 36:25-27; Eze. 36:37

Question 1: What is Holy Ghost baptism? Acts 2: 1-11, Acts l0 :44-48, Acts 13:1-12.

Question 2: What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit? I Cor. 12:1-27,
Acts13:1-12, 16:6-10, 16-18, 19:1-7

Question 3: The gifts of the Holy Spirit are sub-divided into three, which are:

Question 4: What is the fruit of the Spirit?
Gal.6:22, Ephe. 5:9

Question 5: What is the work ofthe Holy Spirit in the life of a believer? Acts 1:8

Question 6: How can one walk with the Holy Spirit? I Tim.4:14, 2 Tim 1:6, 14