The problem with the Book of Acts is how wayward believers forget the faith and try to fit their supernatural experiences into the Book of Acts to understand it as they want it to be from God, and yet we are called to test the spirits, as in testing all things by the scriptures in according to the faith we have in Christ Jesus. Many believers read inbetween the lines or read the scriptures wrong to justify preaching that one does not always receive the promise of the Spirit when believing in Jesus all because they experienced what seemed like a similar encounter found in the Book of Acts later on in their lives as a believer in Jesus Christ.
By His grace, I hope to cover all the errant teachings in Acts today.
Acts 19: 1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
Certain disciples here are followers of John the Baptist's. The use of the word "certain" should have been enough of a clue to disassociate these disciples from what Paul has been associated with. His two questions below told Paul and us that they did not know Jesus Christ.
2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
There you have it. Unto John' baptism. Paul went on to tell them of Jesus Christ, and if you note, these disciples of John were baptized again by water, but this time, in the name of the Lord Jesus.
4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7And all the men were about twelve.
These certain disciples were not believers in Jesus Christ. They knew "He" was coming as John the Baptist had prophesied to them, but as people come and go, so did these certain disciples as they were obviously not around when Jesus had made His appearance to John the Baptist, nor were they around for His ministry afterwards. Paul had to tell them about Jesus Christ and to baptize in His name before they had received the Holy Ghost as promised by Jesus.
May the Lord cause the increase over this correction on the misinterpretation of scriptures above by many wayward believers.
Next misuse of the Book of Acts is ...
Acts 8:5Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
Now Philip had encountered a people that was beset by unclean spirits.
7For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8And there was great joy in that city.
Now Luke went to the trouble of giving a background to these people and a certain man named Simon, the scorceror.
9But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
Sounds like he is the culprit of many of these people being bewitched by unclean spirits. Notice how these people from the least to the greatest had called Simon in verse 10. He was infamous and feared.
12But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Now we are about to read something that is puzzling and contrary to what we know of the faith and the promise of all those that come to Jesus... but again, it is our lack of understanding. Do keep in mind the background that Luke and may the Lord show you why.
14Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Okay, then. We have read the puzzle. Do we doubt our faith or the promise given by Jesus or do we read on and see the mentality of the people and why God did not care to have them commit the unpardonable sin.
18And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Well, it certainly looks like Simon, the believer in Jesus Christ was stiil off a bit in his approach to God.
20But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Peter just testified that no one had this part nor lot in this matter. Even though he and John just laid hands on them and "prayed" as they did in verse 15, so it was not them that gave these people the Holy Ghost, but the Son.
Remember the people in how they were bewitched by Simon the scrorceror? They, too had the mentality of a person having the ability to impart a spirit unto someone, and if the Holy Ghost had come upon them the moment they had believed with Simon among them, they would have confused the event as to the bewitchings of Simon. God would not save a people just to have them commit an unpardonable sin. Even if it wasn't possible to commit this sin, it still would have confused the new believers and have them flee from the Gospel preached that what receiving of the Holy Spirit was the promise from God and not due to the bewitchings of simon the scorceror. Even Simon had to be corrected for seeking another power to impart "spirits" since he was infamous and feared among the people for doing so.
22Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 24Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
So not only did God cared about the people that were bewitched by Simon, but He cared enough to reach Simon to cause him to repent.
This is why Luke bothered to give the background on Simon and the people of the area so as to be the reason why the Holy Ghost had not fallen on any of them yet when they believed and were baptized in His name. The supernatural was high in that area, and the peace of God is that He is not the author of confusion, but of peace as in "all" churches of the saints, even "newbies" in Christ.
Now contenders would argue that this event alone means that one has to seek after the Holy Spirit to get the Holy Spirit. They would be sore amiss in that the prayers were not plainly directed to the Spirit, were they? Given that the rudiment of Simon the scorceror is to contact spirits and to bewitch people with spirits which is of the world, God would not speak as the world speak, nor have them hear as the world hears in order to have the faith in Jesus stand apart from the world. That is why all invitations points to the Son, and not the Spirit. It is by believing in the Son, we have received the promise by faith.
That is exactly what had happened in Acts 10:34-48. Contenders would argue that we do not know if Peter had addressed the Spirit to come or not, but the exact words were recorded as in why it was written so in verse 44 to avoid those that would add words to the event to justify seeking after the Holy Spirit when it is the Gospel preached that by believing in Jesus brings about the promise of the Spirit. If there be any doubts, read the letters to the churches. The letters are written for our edification and for doctrines, but the Book of Acts is the early history of the christian church, and it is by knowing our faith in Jesus Christ should one read Acts in like manner.
Ephesians 1:12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 15Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
John 3:6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
John 6: 35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Hebrews 11:1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.... 6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Galatians 3:14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me....
15If ye love me, keep my commandments.
What commandments are we to keep in getting the promise of the Spirit? It cannot be everything that He taught cause we need Him in us to live the christian life as His "standard" are higher than the works of the Law. So the commandment He is speaking of in regards to our faith in Jesus are His invitations in approaching God the Father through the Son... and no other way, so as to stand apart from the world on how they seek after other spirits.
16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
The world cannot receive the Spirit for they see Him not, thus they receive other spirits in the world as they see it, but we will know Him for He dwells in us. We need not seek after the Holy Spirit to get the Spirit, but rest in Jesus and His promises to us by faith.
The day of Pentecost in Acts 2 has been used to explain a "baptism of the Holy Spirit" on believers that were away from the assembly and doing other things. One woman went to the pastor to ask what had happened to her, and he went to the Book of Acts. She had always believed in Jesus before, and se was just "reading her Bible" when it happened and she started to speak in tongues. She testified to that moment as when she knew she was saved as she got it all at once, the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. She did not realized that she just changed the testimony of the Gospel as hearers would doubt whethor coming to Jesus and believing in Him was enough to rest in Him, and thus begins that rollercoaster ride with no rest in sight. Upon inquiry, she did not recall what she was reading in the Bible and yet she would testified that other people were doing other things when it happened to them.
She, nor the pastor, nor the others tested the spirits to discern them. The Holy Spirit would not do that to change their testimony. The results of their testimony is to lead people from their rest in Jesus to seek after the Holy Spirit when He is in them as promised. They forget that the Holy Spirit is to bear witness of Jesus and to glorify the Son.
Behold:
Matthew 316And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Mark 1:9-11 & John 1:32-34 testify of the same as the voice from heaven, God the Father spoke of the Son as the Spirit bore witness by descending like a dove on the Son. The Father did not speak of the Spirit to say, "Behold this coming from above. Seek that and ye shall be saved." And yet, the way wayward believers testify, one would think that is the Gospel, and it is not.
John 15:26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
John 16:13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
If the Holy Spirit will not speak of Himself, and all invitations and scriptures points to come to the Son, then why are wayward believers pointing to the Spirit to get the Spirit and the things of the Spirit?
John 5:39Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
Philippians 1:6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 9And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. 11Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
By His grace, I hope to cover all the errant teachings in Acts today.
Acts 19: 1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
Certain disciples here are followers of John the Baptist's. The use of the word "certain" should have been enough of a clue to disassociate these disciples from what Paul has been associated with. His two questions below told Paul and us that they did not know Jesus Christ.
2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
There you have it. Unto John' baptism. Paul went on to tell them of Jesus Christ, and if you note, these disciples of John were baptized again by water, but this time, in the name of the Lord Jesus.
4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7And all the men were about twelve.
These certain disciples were not believers in Jesus Christ. They knew "He" was coming as John the Baptist had prophesied to them, but as people come and go, so did these certain disciples as they were obviously not around when Jesus had made His appearance to John the Baptist, nor were they around for His ministry afterwards. Paul had to tell them about Jesus Christ and to baptize in His name before they had received the Holy Ghost as promised by Jesus.
May the Lord cause the increase over this correction on the misinterpretation of scriptures above by many wayward believers.
Next misuse of the Book of Acts is ...
Acts 8:5Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
Now Philip had encountered a people that was beset by unclean spirits.
7For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8And there was great joy in that city.
Now Luke went to the trouble of giving a background to these people and a certain man named Simon, the scorceror.
9But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
Sounds like he is the culprit of many of these people being bewitched by unclean spirits. Notice how these people from the least to the greatest had called Simon in verse 10. He was infamous and feared.
12But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Now we are about to read something that is puzzling and contrary to what we know of the faith and the promise of all those that come to Jesus... but again, it is our lack of understanding. Do keep in mind the background that Luke and may the Lord show you why.
14Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Okay, then. We have read the puzzle. Do we doubt our faith or the promise given by Jesus or do we read on and see the mentality of the people and why God did not care to have them commit the unpardonable sin.
18And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Well, it certainly looks like Simon, the believer in Jesus Christ was stiil off a bit in his approach to God.
20But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Peter just testified that no one had this part nor lot in this matter. Even though he and John just laid hands on them and "prayed" as they did in verse 15, so it was not them that gave these people the Holy Ghost, but the Son.
Remember the people in how they were bewitched by Simon the scrorceror? They, too had the mentality of a person having the ability to impart a spirit unto someone, and if the Holy Ghost had come upon them the moment they had believed with Simon among them, they would have confused the event as to the bewitchings of Simon. God would not save a people just to have them commit an unpardonable sin. Even if it wasn't possible to commit this sin, it still would have confused the new believers and have them flee from the Gospel preached that what receiving of the Holy Spirit was the promise from God and not due to the bewitchings of simon the scorceror. Even Simon had to be corrected for seeking another power to impart "spirits" since he was infamous and feared among the people for doing so.
22Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 24Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
So not only did God cared about the people that were bewitched by Simon, but He cared enough to reach Simon to cause him to repent.
This is why Luke bothered to give the background on Simon and the people of the area so as to be the reason why the Holy Ghost had not fallen on any of them yet when they believed and were baptized in His name. The supernatural was high in that area, and the peace of God is that He is not the author of confusion, but of peace as in "all" churches of the saints, even "newbies" in Christ.
Now contenders would argue that this event alone means that one has to seek after the Holy Spirit to get the Holy Spirit. They would be sore amiss in that the prayers were not plainly directed to the Spirit, were they? Given that the rudiment of Simon the scorceror is to contact spirits and to bewitch people with spirits which is of the world, God would not speak as the world speak, nor have them hear as the world hears in order to have the faith in Jesus stand apart from the world. That is why all invitations points to the Son, and not the Spirit. It is by believing in the Son, we have received the promise by faith.
That is exactly what had happened in Acts 10:34-48. Contenders would argue that we do not know if Peter had addressed the Spirit to come or not, but the exact words were recorded as in why it was written so in verse 44 to avoid those that would add words to the event to justify seeking after the Holy Spirit when it is the Gospel preached that by believing in Jesus brings about the promise of the Spirit. If there be any doubts, read the letters to the churches. The letters are written for our edification and for doctrines, but the Book of Acts is the early history of the christian church, and it is by knowing our faith in Jesus Christ should one read Acts in like manner.
Ephesians 1:12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 15Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
John 3:6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
John 6: 35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Hebrews 11:1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.... 6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Galatians 3:14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me....
15If ye love me, keep my commandments.
What commandments are we to keep in getting the promise of the Spirit? It cannot be everything that He taught cause we need Him in us to live the christian life as His "standard" are higher than the works of the Law. So the commandment He is speaking of in regards to our faith in Jesus are His invitations in approaching God the Father through the Son... and no other way, so as to stand apart from the world on how they seek after other spirits.
16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
The world cannot receive the Spirit for they see Him not, thus they receive other spirits in the world as they see it, but we will know Him for He dwells in us. We need not seek after the Holy Spirit to get the Spirit, but rest in Jesus and His promises to us by faith.
The day of Pentecost in Acts 2 has been used to explain a "baptism of the Holy Spirit" on believers that were away from the assembly and doing other things. One woman went to the pastor to ask what had happened to her, and he went to the Book of Acts. She had always believed in Jesus before, and se was just "reading her Bible" when it happened and she started to speak in tongues. She testified to that moment as when she knew she was saved as she got it all at once, the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. She did not realized that she just changed the testimony of the Gospel as hearers would doubt whethor coming to Jesus and believing in Him was enough to rest in Him, and thus begins that rollercoaster ride with no rest in sight. Upon inquiry, she did not recall what she was reading in the Bible and yet she would testified that other people were doing other things when it happened to them.
She, nor the pastor, nor the others tested the spirits to discern them. The Holy Spirit would not do that to change their testimony. The results of their testimony is to lead people from their rest in Jesus to seek after the Holy Spirit when He is in them as promised. They forget that the Holy Spirit is to bear witness of Jesus and to glorify the Son.
Behold:
Matthew 316And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Mark 1:9-11 & John 1:32-34 testify of the same as the voice from heaven, God the Father spoke of the Son as the Spirit bore witness by descending like a dove on the Son. The Father did not speak of the Spirit to say, "Behold this coming from above. Seek that and ye shall be saved." And yet, the way wayward believers testify, one would think that is the Gospel, and it is not.
John 15:26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
John 16:13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
If the Holy Spirit will not speak of Himself, and all invitations and scriptures points to come to the Son, then why are wayward believers pointing to the Spirit to get the Spirit and the things of the Spirit?
John 5:39Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
Philippians 1:6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 9And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. 11Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
