https://youtu.be/4IvoYQdppcA

Is There Enough Evidence to Convict You?

Acts 10:44-48 New King James Version (NKJV)

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And [a]those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

The outpouring of the HS falls upon the Gentile believers as at the day of Pentecost (sign of tongues) as a confirmation to Peter and the other Jews that God has indeed accepted these Gentile converts.

Peter then commands them to be baptized and they ask Peter to stay with them and teach them in the ways of Christianity.

This born again experience of the Holy Spirit was long foretold and promised, and as a Jew, Peter would have known this Scripture:

Ezekiel 36:25-27 New King James Version (NKJV)

25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

I am going to inundate you without a lot of knowledge and then ask you a simple question. I want to talk to you about the Holy Spirit- not in the gifts of speaking in tongues and prophesying; these are incredible gifts, but these gifts, although they must be sought after, are not the reasons to be born again. We cannot overcome sin and be God’s people without the promised HS.

It is essential that you recognize the importance of the HS in God’s redemptive purpose. Most Christians have no idea what difference it would make if there was no HS- there would be no creation, no universe, no human race, no Scripture, no power to proclaim the gospel, no faith, no new birth, no holiness, basically no Christians.

The HS is not a mere “influence” or “power”, but He is revealed as a person of the Trinity, He thinks, feels, wills, has the capacity to love and to enjoy fellowship, was sent by the Father and we should treat Him as the infinite God living in us, worthy of worship, love and surrender. HE was given at such a high cost, the death of Christ, that to blaspheme Him (disrespectful, profane talk) is the unforgivable sin.

The HS is the agent of salvation, convicts us of guilt, reveals to us the truth of Jesus, gives us new birth and incorporates us into the Body of Christ- The HS lives in the Church, builds the church, inspires her worship, directs her mission, appoints her workers, gives gifts to the church, anoints her preachers, guards the gospel and promotes righteousness.

The HS sanctifies, cleanses, leads and motivates us into holy living, delivering us from sin’s bondage.

THIS is why we NEED the HS and we MUST be born again-

Here we see a clear example of Jesus words in the book of John:

John 3:5-8 New King James Version (NKJV)

5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh,