Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - May/67

Contributor - Rev. John J. Opmeer

Title - "Did You Receive The Holy Spirit When You Believed?

Topic - Holy Spirit

Sermon on Acts 19 : 2

Today is Pentecost Sunday.

We remember that wonderful day of Pentecost when the disciples were all filled with the Holy Spirit. But, of course, this should not turn into a history lesson or a memorial service. Let us remember in the right way Let us ask ourselves the question:

"Do I know the One that Pentecost is all about?"

This is the kind of question that Paul put to the disciples of Apollos when he came to Ephesus. You find the story in Acts 19.

Something was missing

In this story we meet first of all Apollos. When Apollos came to Corinth he was a Christian, but not quite . . . .

He had a knowledge of the Bible

- you cannot be a Christian without that; he knew and loved the teachings of Jesus - you cannot be a Christian without that either; he had a desire to share his beliefs with others he was well educated, sincere.

Wouldn't you like to have that kind of man in our consistory or as teacher of one of our study groups?

Yet, something was missing and Aquila and Priscilla, that fine Christian couple, noticed it right away.

What was it?

Apollos had only the baptism of John. He did not have the baptism of Jesus. The baptism of John is a baptism of repentance, it is the mark of people who are sorry for their sins, who earnestly desire to serve God, it is a baptism under the law.

The baptism of Jesus is a baptism of union with Christ. It is a baptism into His death and resurrection.

Repentance alone is not enough God must also grant us new power to live. That is what is received in the baptism of Jesus it is a baptism under grace.

The Bible says:

"when Priscilla and Aquila heard him (Apollos), they took him and expounded to him the way of God more accurately." (Acts. 18 : 26) They noticed that he missed something and they told him what it was . . .

"Did you receive the Holy Spirit?"

The story is repeated when Paul comes to Ephesus he had never been there yet "there he found some disciples" (vs. 1) disciples of Apollos. Soon, Paul noticed that something was missing. And like his friends he decided to do something about it; he knew which test to apply and so he asked: "did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"

The disciples of Apollos must have looked at Paul in surprise. They did not pretend to know what they didn't know.

Their honest answer was: No we don't even know what you are talking about we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.

Today, I want you to face Paul's question . . . .

The Churches are filled with people who have something of these disciples. They are Christians, but not quite; they try to live a good Christian life but they miss something; they have the baptism of John, not the baptism of Jesus; they may or may not be "fervent in spirit" (18:25) but they have not received the Holy Spirit.

Many church goers, if honest, must answer:

No we don't really know the Holy Spirit. There may be such people here this morning. Now, we are not going to judge each other.

It took Paul only a little While to discover what was missing in the life of these disciples, but he didn't judge them.

He went right on to explain what he was talking about. And they received the Holy Spirit . . . .

Of course, there is one difference between these people and us.

They could honestly say: "we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit".

But we can't say that; we have heard of the Holy Spirit;

These people did not have the New Testament.

But we do and the New Testament is full of the Holy Spirit, His presence, His power is the mark of the church. It cannot be different today.

A church, unaware of the Spirit, is no church. This church, unaware of the Spirit, is no church but a group that comes together for spiritual exercises.

The disciples of Apollos had not heard of the Holy Spirit.

You have!

Have you also received the Holy Spirit?

A definite gift

Perhaps someone thinks: this has always been very vague to me; the rest I understand, but not this; do you mean that I should have a certain feeling, an emotional experience? I guess I am not the type for that.

Someone else may say: there are so many who claim to have the Spirit. Should I believe them all?

Anyway, what some of them have, they may keep.

A third one may feel that the Holy Spirit is given only to some, who then speak in tongues. The other Christians will have to do without.

You can go on like this; there is no end to the confusion.

The church believes in God the Father give or take the many wrong ideas about predestination or providence.

The church believes in God the Son although many have superficial views of cross and resurrection.

But wait till you come to the Holy Spirit.

Scratch the surface of the church's belief in the Holy Spirit, and often you find nothing.

"Have you received the Holy Spirit?"

I don't know - but I am trying to live a good life. Isn't that enough, then?"

No, not for the church of Jesus Christ, not for you. To be united with Jesus Christ you need more than effort. You need the Holy Spirit. To receive the Holy Spirit is to receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

Paul asked a definite question.

He expected a definite answer, concerning a definite gift, Not vague, not just emotional, not out of this world, but definite, related to real life, a living force uniting a person in fellowship with Jesus Christ.

There is no reason for you to hesitate with the answer.

The Holy Spirit is for the whole church, not only for a few very holy people.

The Holy Spirit is for you and for me.

How does a man receive the Holy Spirit?

This is a question we may not leave aside. There are church goers who must answer Paul's question with "no". How is it changed into a glad and sure "yes"?

The answer is:

There must be a burning zeal to really know Jesus to live in His presence to be united with Him. Such a zeal must be made known to God in prayer the disciples didn't happen to receive the Holy Spirit one day; they were together in prayer they "devoted themselves to prayer" (1 :14) in Toronto, 1966 it must be the same as in Jerusalem in the year 30

Spirit-filled people are praying people.

What was missing in the disciples of Apollos without their knowing it is often missing now but no longer through ignorance but through indifference lack of Bible study lack of prayer.

Jesus said, "if you, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?" (Luke 11:13)

We need the Holy Spirit, friends.

Without Him your life as a Christian will be disappointing without a true conviction of sin without assurance of salvation without obedience, With Him you may share in the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ; With Him you may "trust and obey" and know the joy of life in Christ.

With Him the Gospel becomes an explosive force in the church and the world.

We need the Holy Spirit.

We may receive the Holy Spirit.

If there is anyone here who does not know the Holy Spirit, let him or her be much in prayer about this. And be assured that God the Father desires to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.

"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"

We should all be answering with "yes" on this day of Pentecost, for God's promises are sure. AMEN

Please click the "Back" button of your browser to return to previous page.