Why We Should Welcome Holy Spirit
Subject – Biblical Proof of Why Holy Spirit Should Be Invited
by Rick Welborne
Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV)
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
--Just in the last few weeks I have been challenged both personally and theologically by a few people about why we welcome Holy Spirit into every service and, actually, in every event we have here at Life Church.
--I guess I have been slightly naïve about this because I have always thought every born again believer would want Holy Spirit to come into everything we do.
--I want all of us to always be biblical in our theology, in our preaching, and obviously, in our practice. In other words, we need to back up what we do with God’s Word.
--That being said, I want to caution all of us when we read books other than the Bible. I love to read good Christian books but those books have to be tested by the Word of God.
--When I read books that do not line up completely with my theology or the theology of the Assemblies of God I have learned to eat the meat and spit out the fat. That takes discipline.
--Some people, either reading books or listening to certain speakers, are not mature enough or do not know the Word well enough to make this distinction.
--My purpose today is to share with you biblically why we welcome Holy Spirit into our services here at Life Church and why I welcome Him every day into my life.
1. The Day of Pentecost.
--On the Day of Pentecost the 120 were waiting on the Promise of the Father. These were believers in Christ waiting on the outpouring of the Spirit. They were in unity as they waited and as they welcomed Him to come.
--They also had received Holy Spirit at their conversion but not the fullness of His Spirit. Remember His promise to them:
John 14:16-17 (NIV)
16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--
17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.
16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--
17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.
--Please do not miss this…He is emphatically talking to believers (Christians). How I know that is that He tells them “the world” cannot accept Holy Spirit (Counselor) and He goes on and says, “But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.”
--Let me show you again where Jesus’ disciples receive Holy Spirit at salvation but this too is not the same experience as the outpouring on the Day of Pentecost.
John 20:22 (NKJV)
22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.”
22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.”
--This is salvation and this is before Jesus had ascended to heaven. Nothing is said about being filled with the Spirit. No speaking in tongues. He is in them. He promises these believers He will send Holy Spirit.
John 16:7 (NKJV)
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
--Why would Jesus have to send Holy Spirit to them if all they needed was inside of them? Jesus said it was to their advantage for Him to go away so He could send Holy Spirit. Again, these were believers.
Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV)
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
--This is being filled with Holy Spirit coming upon them!
--Suddenly there came a sound (from where?) from heaven. The Holy Spirit came as they waited and He filled the whole house. The tongues as of fire sat on (not in) each of them.
--Once that happened they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…He came upon them and He filled them.
--The reason I am making a distinction from being in them and coming upon them is because of a teaching that says He is already on the inside of you so He doesn’t have to be welcomed or He doesn’t have to come.
--We want friends and family to be welcomed in our houses and we want Holy Spirit welcomed in Jesus’ house! This makes sense because Jesus said He would send Him to us.
2. The Apostles were under duress.
--These are believers (disciples) who were under persecution from the Pharisees and religious leaders so their response was to get together and pray. This too was after Jesus ascended.
Acts 4:31-33 (NKJV)
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.
--Here are people who were already filled with Holy Spirit (Acts 2) but He came again and re-filled them. They received extra-ordinary power to speak with boldness.
--I am sure, because of their experience on the Day of Pentecost and because of the persecution they were under, that they were begging Holy Spirit to come again. They knew He would come with power.
Acts 1:8 (NIV) 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
--So what happened to them… they were all filled with the Holy Spirit (again), and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Holy Spirit came because they prayed and invited Him or welcomed Him.
--Watch this…And great grace was upon them. They were just filled with Holy Spirit so I guess you could say the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of grace was upon them.
Hebrews 10:29 (NKJV)
29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
3. Simon the sorcerer.
--Simon the sorcerer believed in their message and wanted the power Philip, Peter, and John had.
Acts 8:13-19 (NKJV)
13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.
13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
19 saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
19 saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
--These were recent converts who had been baptized (water) in the Name of the Lord Jesus but not yet received Holy Spirit. Question; why would they have baptized them in Jesus Name if they were not already Christians?
--Peter and John came from Jerusalem and when they arrived what did they do? They prayed for these new believers to receive Holy Spirit for as yet He had fallen upon none of them.
--Why would the Word of God say He had fallen upon (up on) none of them? If the theology is true about Him only being on the inside of us wouldn’t the Word have said, He rose up inside of them instead of upon them?
4. Holy Spirit at Cornelius House.
--Just maybe it is possible that Holy Spirit should be welcomed so He could fall on new folks (unbelievers) who are seeking after God like what happened at Cornelius’ House.
Acts 10:44-47 (NKJV)
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
45 And 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?"
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?"
A beautiful thing happens here. People who were hungry for God and who were seeking for truth so much that they sent for Peter to come preach for them. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word. They believe!
--Holy Spirit fell upon those who heard the word. Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles too. They received the Holy Spirit just as the 120 had received. Holy Spirit comes upon unbelievers for a specific reason.
John 16:7-8 (NKJV)
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
--We welcome Holy Spirit to give the lost the greatest opportunity to get saved. We can’t convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: but Holy Spirit can. Welcome Him to save the lost.
5. Believers at Ephesus.
--Paul comes to Ephesus and finds some disciples (believers).
Acts 19:1-7 (NKJV)
1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples
2 he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit."
3 And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism."
4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus."
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
7 Now the men were about twelve in all.
1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples
2 he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit."
3 And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism."
4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus."
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
7 Now the men were about twelve in all.
--Paul said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" What a great question.
--Again Holy Spirit came upon them (upon believers). Believers who had been baptized in water and who had believed on Christ Jesus. They were saved.
--Yes, He is in us at salvation but when God wants to baptize us with Holy Spirit power, He comes upon us.
Summary: We welcome Holy Spirit so:
A. He will convict sinners (the world) of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.
B. We welcome Holy Spirit so He will come and baptize believers. Jesus said… It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
C. We welcome Holy Spirit so we can speak the Word of God with boldness. You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you shall be my witnesses.
--Of a truth, once we are baptized with Holy Spirit power, we can do what Paul told Timothy to do…Stir up the gift that is within you but we should never stop inviting Him or welcoming Him to come upon us!
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