The Missing Spirit
Read Acts 19:1-7.
Sometimes timing is everything.
Do you remember that, on the second missionary journey, Paul wanted to go to Ephesus, but the Holy Spirit (or, as Acts says, "the Spirit of Jesus") would not let him (Acts 16:7)? This time, on his third journey, he finally makes it and once there, he meets some folks who had, apparently, come from Israel to Ephesus. I wonder if the Spirit didn't prevent Paul from coming here the last time just so that he could meet these folks on this journey. Sometimes timing is everything. Had he come when he first wanted to, would he have come back now?
These people, about twelve men in all (19:7), came from Israel, I believe, because they had been baptized by John the Baptist. We don't have any record that John ever left what we know of as Israel, so they must have encountered him there, by the Jordan River in the desert. Were they in the crowd when Jesus came for baptism? Probably not, because their knowledge of what this faith is about is incomplete. Paul asks them about the Holy Spirit, and their response is all too typical: "We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit" (19:2).
Their response could be the same as many in the church today.
Though I grew up singing the Gloria Patri every Sunday in worship (which ends with a reference the "Holy Ghost"), I don't remember hearing much about the Holy Spirit. We sang the song, and (I don't clearly remember, but I'm assuming) baptisms were done in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but I can't recall ever being taught or preached to about the Holy Spirit. I'm sure it must have come up, but for me, the Holy Spirit was a nebulous concept, sort of "in the background" of the Father and the Son. (He was sort of like "Casper, the friendly Holy Ghost.")
The church in general has done better about talking about the Holy Spirit and his work empowering and enabling ministry in the church in the years since the charismatic renewal. While not without its excesses, the charismatic movement at least reminded the rest of the church that we cannot exist without the power of the Holy Spirit enabling us, directing us, even reminding us of what Jesus said (John 14:26). We need the Spirit's presence, for a church without the presence and power of the Holy Spirit is only a gathering of somewhat like-minded individuals.
Now, Luke (the author of Acts) is not suggesting that everyone's experience of the Spirit coming into their lives and their assembly will be the same. This experience in Acts 19 is not normative, but it is one of several possibilities. Read throughout Acts and the other parts of the New Testament and you'll find various ways the Spirit comes and shows up. Jesus told us the Spirit would blow where he will, like the wind (John 3:8). He will show up as he wants to, not as we demand. Our part is to be open to the Spirit, and when we are, as those in Ephesus became, he will come and empower us to be who God has called us to be and do what God has called us to do.
Are you like the Ephesians, having not even heard there is a Holy Spirit? Or are you living in the presence of the Spirit as he guides, directs and strengthens your life?
For Extra Credit, read: John 14:15-31.
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| Streets of Ephesus, 2014 |
Do you remember that, on the second missionary journey, Paul wanted to go to Ephesus, but the Holy Spirit (or, as Acts says, "the Spirit of Jesus") would not let him (Acts 16:7)? This time, on his third journey, he finally makes it and once there, he meets some folks who had, apparently, come from Israel to Ephesus. I wonder if the Spirit didn't prevent Paul from coming here the last time just so that he could meet these folks on this journey. Sometimes timing is everything. Had he come when he first wanted to, would he have come back now?
These people, about twelve men in all (19:7), came from Israel, I believe, because they had been baptized by John the Baptist. We don't have any record that John ever left what we know of as Israel, so they must have encountered him there, by the Jordan River in the desert. Were they in the crowd when Jesus came for baptism? Probably not, because their knowledge of what this faith is about is incomplete. Paul asks them about the Holy Spirit, and their response is all too typical: "We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit" (19:2).
Their response could be the same as many in the church today.
Though I grew up singing the Gloria Patri every Sunday in worship (which ends with a reference the "Holy Ghost"), I don't remember hearing much about the Holy Spirit. We sang the song, and (I don't clearly remember, but I'm assuming) baptisms were done in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but I can't recall ever being taught or preached to about the Holy Spirit. I'm sure it must have come up, but for me, the Holy Spirit was a nebulous concept, sort of "in the background" of the Father and the Son. (He was sort of like "Casper, the friendly Holy Ghost.")
The church in general has done better about talking about the Holy Spirit and his work empowering and enabling ministry in the church in the years since the charismatic renewal. While not without its excesses, the charismatic movement at least reminded the rest of the church that we cannot exist without the power of the Holy Spirit enabling us, directing us, even reminding us of what Jesus said (John 14:26). We need the Spirit's presence, for a church without the presence and power of the Holy Spirit is only a gathering of somewhat like-minded individuals.
Now, Luke (the author of Acts) is not suggesting that everyone's experience of the Spirit coming into their lives and their assembly will be the same. This experience in Acts 19 is not normative, but it is one of several possibilities. Read throughout Acts and the other parts of the New Testament and you'll find various ways the Spirit comes and shows up. Jesus told us the Spirit would blow where he will, like the wind (John 3:8). He will show up as he wants to, not as we demand. Our part is to be open to the Spirit, and when we are, as those in Ephesus became, he will come and empower us to be who God has called us to be and do what God has called us to do.
Are you like the Ephesians, having not even heard there is a Holy Spirit? Or are you living in the presence of the Spirit as he guides, directs and strengthens your life?
For Extra Credit, read: John 14:15-31.
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