Attitude check: I Corinthians 13:4

How do I know the Holy Spirit is talking to me? (continued)

These promises to the apostles began to be fulfilled in Acts 1-2.

We might wonder if the phrase in Acts 2:38 (“the gift of the Holy Spirit”) means that all people receive some supernatural communication or power from the Spirit.

Numerous examples show that baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit in a miraculous way were two separate things. Acts 8:16-18; 10:44-48; 19:1-7

So, what is the “gift of the Holy Spirit” that is received at baptism?

For centuries, the Holy Spirit had been saying (through prophets) that salvation was coming.

Hebrews 3:7; 4:7

Jeremiah 31:34; Isaiah 53:11; Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21

Salvation was the gift!

I should not be waiting for something miraculous to occur to either produce or confirm my salvation.

So, does God do anything today?

What God does in answer to our prayers is beyond our ability to know.

God is not going to contradict the written word. Galatians 1:6-9

God wants us to pay attention to the revealed gospel. Hebrews 1:1-2; 2:1-4

James 1:5

II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:3; Jude 1:3

Does the New Covenant authorize worship with instruments?

God has always been very strict about keeping His word exactly.

Acts 16:25

Romans 15:9

I Corinthians 14:15

Ephesians 5:19

Colossians 3:16

Hebrews 2:12

Hebrews 13:15

James 5:13

We have zero New Covenant passages authorizing Christians to worship through instruments.

It’s easy to see that singing is authorized, but there is no clear authority for instruments as worship.

Matthew 15:1-9; Colossians 3:17; II John 1:9 – God warns us about staying within what He has specifically authorized.

Deuteronomy 4:2; Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18-19

Are instruments just aids for singing?

When God authorized something, He narrows it down to a certain degree.

Instruments are not just aids – they add a new type of music.