The Control of God, by the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ in Acts
A key issue in enlightened narrative reading is to understand “who is in charge?” Who has a vested interest in the success of the plot? It would be easy to emotionally get caught up with dynamic work of Peter, John and later, the Apostle Paul. We could think of Luke’s Acts as story about the apostles.
The following quotes from scripture have been included in this series of lessons to help us keep keenly aware of God’s presence in the action in Acts. It is the beginning story of Deity at work in the evangelism of the world (Col. 2:9). They changed the laws of nature to give validity to the message of the preachers we read about in this great evangelism story (Heb. 2:2-4; Rom. 10:14, 15).
God, the Father, gave the power to Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit but He often took an active role.
1:1. After giving instruction through the Holy Spirit to the apostles.
1:3. Jesus appeared to the apostles for forty days.
1:4. Wait for the gift the Father promised.
1:7 It is not for you to know the times and the dates the Father set by His own authority.
1:10. Two men dressed in white stood beside them.
1:16. Scriptures had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago concerning Judas.
1:24. Lord show us the one you have chosen to take over the apostolic ministry.
2:4. All were filled with Holy Spirit and begin to speak in tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
2:8. Each one heard in their own language.
2:23. Jesus was handed over by God’s set purpose.
2:24. God raised Him up from the dead. V.33. Exalted to the right hand of God.
2:36. God has made this Jesus, both Lord and Christ.
2:39. The forgiveness of sins and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit is promised to all whom the Lord will call.
2:43. Many signs and wonders were done by the apostles.
2:47. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
3:6. Peter said to the lame man at the temple, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. See V. 16; 4:7.
4:12 There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
4:28. They did (killed Jesus) what your (God) power and will had decided beforehand should happen.
4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
5:5. When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. Sapphira, V.10.
5:12. The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. Vs. 15, 16.
5:19. During the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them (apostles) out.
5:31. God exalted Him to His own right hand as Prince and Savior that He might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. V.32. And so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.
5:39. Gamaliel: If their purpose is from God, you will not be able to stop them.
6:6. The Seven: The apostles prayed and laid their hands on them.
6:8. Stephen did great miraculous signs among the people. V. 10. Wisdom and power of the Spirit.
6:15. The Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
7:56. Stephen: I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.
8:6. Philip did miraculous signs in Samara.
8:17. Peter and John laid their hands on the Samaritans who had been baptized. They received the Holy Spirit.
8:26. An angel of the Lord sent Philip to help the Ethiopian eunuch understand Isaiah 53. See V. 40.
9:4. Saul, Saul, Why do you persecute Me. Vs. 5-16.
9:10. The Lord appeared to Ananias in a vision. V. 17.
9:34. Peter to Aeneas: “Jesus heals you.”
9:40. Peter turning to the dead woman: “Tabitha, get up.”
10:3. An angel of came and said, Cornelius, your prayers and gifts for the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Call Simon Peter. Vs. 4-6.
10:11. Peter saw heaven open. Kill and eat.
10:19. The Spirit said three men are looking for you.
10:33. Now we are here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.
10:44. While Peter was speaking the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. They were speaking in
tongues and praising God.
11:21. The Lord’s hand was with them as some from Cyprus and Cyrene preached to the Gentiles in Antioch.
11:28. Agabus stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world during the reign of Claudius.
12:7. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. The chains feel off Peter’s wrist. Wrap your cloak and follow me the angel told Peter. Vs. 8-10, 17.
12:23. Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down and he was eaten by worms and died.
13:2. While the church at Antioch were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Paul for the work for which I have called them.” V. 3. Placed their hands on them. V. 4.
13:11. Paul to Elymas: You are going to be blind and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.
13:52. At Pisidian Antioch the Gentile Christians were filled with the Holy Spirit.
14:3. Miraculous signs and wonders were done at Iconium.
14:8. A crippled man was healed in Lystra because he had faith in what Paul preached.
14:20. After being stoned and left for dead, Paul got up and went back into the city.
14:26. Paul and Barnabas reported all that God had done through them and how He had opened the door of faith for the Gentiles.
15:8. God showed that He accepted the Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit. V.12. Miraculous signs.
15:28. The Letter: It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and us not to burden you.
15:32. Judas and Silas were prophets.
16:6. Paul and his companions were kept from preaching the province of Asia. V. 7. Also to enter Bithynia.
16:9. Paul’s vision: “Come over into Macedonia and help us.”
16:14. The Lord opened Lydia’s heart to respond to Paul’s message.
16:18. Paul to the demon possessed slave girl: “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!”
16:26. Paul and Silas in Prison in Philippi: Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, the prison doors were opened and every body’s chains came loose.
18:9. One night in Corinth the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: Do not be afraid for I am with you.
19:6. Church at Ephesus: When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
19:11. God did extraordinary miracles through Paul; sick healed and evil spirits driven out.
20:10. Eutychus fell out of the window and died. Paul raised him to life.
20:22. Compelled by the Spirit, Paul was on his way to Jerusalem. V.23. The Holy Spirit warns that hardship and prison is waiting.
20:28. To the elders at Ephesus: The Holy Spirit has made you overseers.
21:4. By the Spirit they warned Paul not to go to Jerusalem. Vs. 10, 11. Agabus.
21:9. Philip had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
23:11. The Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”
27:23. Paul in the storm at sea: “ Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you,” V.31.
28:5. Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.
28:8. Paul healed Publius’ father. Plus he healed every other sick person on the island of Malta. V. 9.
Holy Spirit’s Personal Role in Acts
Acts 1:2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he (Jesus) through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen. (All these scriptures are from the KJV; consequently, the translation is “Holy Ghost.”)
Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 1:16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Acts 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Acts 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Acts 5:9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
Acts 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Acts 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
Acts 6:10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake.
Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Acts 8:15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
Acts 8:17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Acts 8:19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Acts 8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
Acts 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
Acts 10:19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Acts 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Acts 11:12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:
Acts 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Acts 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Acts 11:24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
Acts 11:28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Acts 13:4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
Acts 13:9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
Acts 15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
Acts 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
Acts 16:6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
Acts 16:7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
Acts 19:2 He 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.
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Acts 20:23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Acts 21:4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
Acts 21:11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
Acts 28:25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers … .
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