The Holy Spirit | Acts 8

Summary

This week, in Acts 8, we looked at a unique moment in the early church where the Spirit is given in a way that highlights the unity of the gospel—that people who were once enemies are now brought together as family. We stepped back to consider who the Holy Spirit is, how he worked in Jesus’ life, and what he is doing in the life of every follower of Jesus. The Spirit is meant to be known, experienced, and enjoyed in an ongoing relationship with him.

Key Takeaways

• Who is the Holy Spirit? He is God, which makes him one of the persons of the Godhead. He isn’t an impersonal force. He speaks, he guides, he can be grieved, and he gives. Jesus refers to him as another helper—one who comes alongside to encourage, to exhort, to correct, and to speak on our behalf.

• What was the Spirit’s role in Jesus’ life and ministry? The Holy Spirit was active in every part of Jesus’ life. Jesus was conceived by the Spirit, led by the Spirit, empowered by the Spirit, and even raised from the dead by the Spirit. There are dozens of references to the Spirit in Jesus’ ministry, showing that Jesus lived in full dependence on him.

• What role does the Spirit play in the life of a believer?

  • Convicts (John 16:8)
  • Regenerates (John 3:5-8)
  • Enables (1 Corinthians 12:3 – 3)
  • Justifies (1 Corinthians 6:11)
  • Adopts (Romans 8:15 – 15)
  • Indwells (Romans 8:11)
  • Illuminates (John 16:13)
  • Intercedes (Romans 8:26)
  • Leads (Acts 16:6-7)
  • Fills (Ephesians 5:18)
  • Empowers (Acts 1:8)
  • Sanctifies (2 Corinthians 3:18)
  • Speaks (Acts 13:2)
  • Unifies (Ephesians 4:1-3)
  • Cultivates intimacy (John 14:23)
  • Glorifies Christ (John 16:14)
  • Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7)

• How to not miss out on the joy that comes from intimacy with the Holy Spirit:

  • Pray and listen to the Holy Spirit. (John 14:14; John 16:13; Romans 8:26) The Holy Spirit is God, so we can talk to him. We can ask him to illuminate truth, reveal sin, give guidance, and lead us throughout our day. And then we give him space to respond—we listen.
  • Witness with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:8) We ask the Holy Spirit to lead us to people he is already preparing. We ask him for boldness to share. We don’t do this on our own—we rely on his power.
  • Serve with the gifting of the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:7) Every follower of Jesus has been given at least one spiritual gift to serve the church. When we aren’t using those gifts, we miss out on the joy of the Spirit working through us.
  • Get baptized as a testimony to the work of the Holy Spirit. (John 3:5–8; Romans 8:11) If the Spirit has made you alive in Christ, baptism is the way you publicly testify to that new life—that you were dead and are now alive.
  • Put your faith in Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. (John 16:8; 1 Corinthians 12:3) If you feel the pull toward Jesus, that is the Holy Spirit working in you. No one confesses Jesus as Lord apart from the Spirit.

Discussion Questions

• Which of the two responses to the Holy Spirit do you relate to more right now—excitement or hesitation? Why?
• Did anything challenge how you’ve thought about the Holy Spirit before?
• How would you answer the question: “What has the Spirit been doing in your life in the past 24 hours?”
• What does it look like for you to actually slow down and listen to the Holy Spirit this week?
• Are you currently using your gifts to serve others? If not, what’s holding you back?
• What is one next step you can take this week to grow in your relationship with the Holy Spirit?