God Conversation

Philip was supernaturally teleported from the desert to Azotus

Acts 8:26

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place.

Philip evangelized this man and he ended up being baptized in water. At the end of the conversation a miracle happened.

Acts 8:39-40 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

What happened to Philip is described by the Greek word harpazo (Strongs #726), which is translated above as “suddenly took”.

Philip’s sudden departure meant that the Ethiopian was unable to thank or reward Philip for his help. Instead of being occupied with the person God used to assist in his conversion, he was occupied with Christ as “he went on his way rejoicing”, which is much more important than Philip’s mode of travel. However this is an amazing miracle of the Spirit of God that “transported” Philip from one place to another.

Philip is subject to a sudden disappearance. The language is indicative of a supernatural exit.

His instant removal makes clearer still that God is at work. It recalls Jesus’ removal in Luke 24:31.

Luke 24:30-31 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.

The western translation adds an angel to the story.

And when they came up out of the water, the Holy Spirit fell upon the eunuch, but the angel of the Lord caught up Philip...’

This type of supernatural transference of a person from one place to another is mentioned elsewhere in antiquity (I Kings 18:12; II Kings 2:16; Bel and the Dragon 36; Fragment Targum on Pentateuch,

Genesis 28:10: “as soon as our father Jacob lifted up his feet from Beersheeba to go to Haran, the earth shrank before him and he found himself in Haran”

Like Elijah, Philip is moved by God to his next point of ministry (I Kings 18:12, 46; II Kings 2:16).

Have you ever arrived at a place without knowing how you got there? Have you ever felt compelled to go somewhere? Is the Holy Spirit guiding your path?

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Acts 3:1-10 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter and John heal a man who was lame from birth

- Over 40 years old (Acts 4:22), he was doubt- less a pitiable sight. It is not unlikely that for 15-30 years he had sat at this spot

- Long since without hope of health—yet the grace of God reaches him even after all these years have passed.

- This miracle was a sign to Israel. It is called a sign by the leaders themselves (Acts 4:16)

Acts 4:16  saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

Amazing Healing

Acts 4:8-12 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

- The lame man asked for money because he had given up the hope of being healthy

- Peter used the same Greek root that can mean both healing (“made whole”) and salvation

- The healing of the lame man is a sign of the spiritual salvation so needed by the nation itself.

Our Miracle

- The lame man sat outside the house of God, just as sinners are outside God’s house (the Church)

- Sinners who are evangelized sit, as it were, at the gate “Beautiful.”

- The cure for sin, illustrated in the beggar, is faith. The faith referred to is the beggar’s because Peter has so little to say of him- self it is hardly likely he would be speaking of his own faith.

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Acts 4:31

And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

The context

- When Peter and John were released from arrest, they went to their friends.

- These friends knew their calling, and so prayed in unison with the apostles for all of them to have boldness to continue speaking in the name of Jesus.

- We should ask God for boldness to do what we are tasked to do.

The Miracle

- The remarkable outcome of the believers’ prayer is that they were so filled with the Spirit and the boldness to speak God’s word that the home they were praying in shook to its core! Prayer can move the earth!

- This was a prayer that brought the presence of God into the building.

The importance of this prayer

- It is important because of the answer that came. God answers the prayers of His people!

Verse 31: "And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness."

- Pentecost was the first great outpouring of the Spirit on the church. And here is another one. In both God gives physical demonstrations of his power.

What Was Asked: Verse 29b–30: "Grant to thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness, while thou stretchest out thy hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of thy holy servant Jesus."

They asked for three things:

1. That God would give them boldness.

2. That he would stretch out his hand to heal people.

3. That he would cause signs and wonders to happen.

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Acts 2:3-4

And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

They were all "filled" with the Holy Spirit

- The word here is filled to capacity. The meaning is to a point of overflow

- This means means to come under the complete and total control of The Holy Spirit

- Speaking in tongues is always manifested when people are filled (baptized) in the Holy Spirit."

They spoke in earthly languages

Acts 2:6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.

- The people heard the disciples speaking in their own language or dialect

- The Greek word heteros, translated “other” in verse 4, means “different” tongues or “different” languages. Acts 2:4 says they spoke with “other” tongues. However in Acts 2:6 it says that each heard in his own “language.”

- This Was the Miracle. In this verse the Greek word is "dialectos" from which the word “dialect” is derived.

Two different types of the manifestation of the Spirit

- A listing of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 mentions wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues

- In this miracle they first started speaking in tongues as they where filled with the Holy Spirit. After that (second) they manifested the gift of interpretation of tongues by speaking in earthly languages.

- There are three occasions in the book of Acts where speaking in tongues accompanied the receiving of the Holy Spirit—Acts 2:4, 10:44-46, and 19:6

Romans 12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us... let [us] use [them] in proportion to [our] faith

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Acts 2:1-3

1When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Receiving the Spirit

- The disciples are together, and something happens that can be explained only by analogy, not from past experience: “Suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind,” and “divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them” (Acts 2:2, 3).

- Luke uses the word “filled” in the sense of filling to capacity

Fire of God

The wind-like sound and the appearance of tongues like fire indicate: both point to the presence of God

1 Kings 19:11–13

11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

- This image of fire in Acts 2 may be compared to the Lord’s appearing to Moses in a burning bush (Ex. 3:1–6)

- The people of Israel as a pillar of fire, leading them at night in their desert journey.

- The fire can also be an echo of Isaiah 6:4–7, where the prophet’s tongue is cleansed with a burning coal.

The presence of God

- The presence of God in Acts 2 is accompanied by an act of God. His presence is confirmed by the direction from which the sound comes: from heaven, the place of God.

- Jesus went into heaven; now the Spirit from heaven will invade the earthly realm, filling the apostles for witness.

- When the apostles receive the Spirit here, this is not the moment they are “saved” or regenerated. In fact, it is not the first time they receive the Spirit. After his resurrection, Jesus appears to the Eleven and breathes on them, saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22).

- The flames on their heads had set fire to the knowledge of God, and turned it into passion.

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Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

The Wind from Heaven

The Verse describes a sound only, not actual wind.

New Living Translation Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting.

Young's Literal Translation. And there came suddenly out of the heaven a sound as of a bearing violent breath, and it filled all the house where they were sitting,

John 20:22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

The power of WIND

In seconds, it can bring devastating destruction, but it also powers windmills that produce energy that generates electricity.  It keeps the air from becoming stagnant and it cools us down.  It propelled the first explorers across the ocean.

Ezekiel 37:9-14 Then He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life.”’” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel; behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.

Wind can't be seen, but its effects sure can be felt and heard

When God made Adam he was lifeless until GOD BREATHED into Him

The Action of the Holy Spirit

The word suddenly in the Greek, means just that, suddenly - they were taken off guard - it was a surprise - it was totally unexpected

The word wind in the Greek text describes a wind SO LOUD that everyone instinctively covers their ears because the noise is so overpowering

The house SHOOK. When The Holy Spirit comes, He pours out unmatched, undeniable power that SHAKES the house, that TRANSFORMS hearts both inside and outside the walls of a church

John 3:8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

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Acts 28:7-9

7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. 9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.

Who was Publius?

He was "the leading citizen of Malta.

According to Doctor Luke, Publius was the wealthiest man of Melita. He was kind, generous, and a fantastic host

The Miracle

The whole island was cured. It says "the rest of the island came to be healed"

He heals the father of a high official and cures the ills of all the sick islanders, then spends the winter with them.

Mark 16:18 NLT

They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won't hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed

We Should Pray for Healing

The New Testament teaches that the Spirit gives this gift (and others) to the church

When God heals someone, he does it for the common good of the church and as a witness to the world.

Paul tells us that healing, like all the spiritual gifts, is given for the “common good” of the church (1 Corinthians 12:7).

The New Testament also makes it clear that healing is a sign to the world that the kingdom of God is invading the domain of darkness under Satan’s rule

Matthew 4:23

And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.

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Acts 28:3-6

3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice[a] has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

The shipreck miracle

Paul was imprisoned and en route to Rome to face trial when the ship he was traveling in hit a sandbar and ran aground

Acts 23:11

The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, ‘Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome

An angel appeared to Paul and he was able to give everyone on board the word from God that all lives would be spared

Paul and a few men had just come ashore in Malta from a shipwreck where the ship was lost but everybody survived. An angel of God had told Paul everybody would be saved.

The Viper attack

Paul is helping gather wood for the fire. As he lays his bundle of sticks in the flames, a viper comes out of the wood and bites Paul, hanging onto his hand

Paul shook the snake off and the people waited to see what would happen to him.

Paul faced a real trial when he was bitten by a poisonous snake. But, God in His mercy, fulfilled His promise

The Miracle

Mark:16:18

These signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them:they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

Of course he didn’t take the venom but the wide promise of protection against poison and snakes is at the core of this promise of Jesus.

Luke 10:19

Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing by any means shall hurt you.

Shake off the snake

As soon as Paul is bitten by the snake, the people of the island begin to criticize him

Neptune, the god of the sea, had not taken him, but Nemesis, the goddess in charge of dispensing justice would!

People are often quick to criticize when they do not understand what they see and hear.

These people were sitting there watching Paul, waiting for him to swell up, fall down and die

Are some vipers attaching themselves to your life? Shake off that snake!

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Acts 20:9-12 CEV

9 A young man by the name of Eutychus was sitting on a window sill. While Paul was speaking, the young man got very sleepy. Finally, he went to sleep and fell three floors all the way down to the ground. When they picked him up, he was dead. 10 Paul went down and bent over Eutychus. He took him in his arms and said, “Don't worry! He's alive.” 11 After Paul had gone back upstairs, he broke bread, and ate with us. He then spoke until dawn and left. 12 Then the followers took the young man home alive and were very happy.

Who was Eutychus?

Eutychus, whose name means “fortunate,” had the misfortune of falling out of a window—and the fortune of experiencing a miracle directly afterwards.

Paul has sailed from Philippi and is on his way back to Jerusalem with a gift for the church there. He spends a week in Troas, and “on the first day of the week we came together to break bread.

Eutychus fell asleep due to the long nature of the discourse Paul was giving, fell from a window out of the three-story building, and died

Luke was a physician (Col. 4:14), and he plainly states that Eutychus was "taken up dead". He died of the fall.

What can we learn from him?

Just because God is protecting us and keeping us safe from the enemy, that doesn't mean we should be careless. Eutychus was there listening to Paul's message alright, but he died because he sat down somewhere he shouldn't have sat, at a time he shouldn't have sat there

The young man died, but He brought Eutychus back to life through the hands of Paul.

God cares about every single thing that we do for Him.

Our Confession

Paul refused to admit or say that the boy was dead. ‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘He’s alive!

After Eutychus was restored to life, the church in Troas had a meal, Paul continued preaching, and, as would be expected, Eutychus’s friends and family were “greatly comforted” to not be planning a funeral

Many times when Jesus performed similar miracles He also said that people that died "where asleep".

2 Corinthians 12:12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.

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Acts 19:1-6

And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland[a] country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.

Paul’s third missionary journey

In approximately AD 52, Paul went through Galatia visiting the churches in Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch in Turkey which he had planted during his first missionary journey five years before

Paul encountered some men who are described as “disciples” who had not yet received the Holy Spirit.

He found some disciples and asked them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ They answered, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

Baptism involves a brief immersion in water. This is how Jesus Christ was baptized. Baptism by immersion is a sacred symbol of the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ;

When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all”

The 12

The “Ephesus Dozen” were still living under the Old Testament economy. They saw the need of repentance and were still awaiting the Messiah. They did not know the Christian message.

These people had not yet believed in Christ. They did not know about Jesus’ saving work (or the Holy Spirit’s indwelling) until they met Paul.

The “Ephesus Dozen,” stopped with John’s baptism only had half the story. They needed more than repentance; they needed faith in Christ. The disciples in Ephesus heard about Jesus from Paul the apostle, Jesus’ representative

1 Corinthians 12:13

For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink

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