The Holy Spirit #1: In this episode, I emphasize that the Holy Spirit's primary manifestation is through the action of love. Although the word "love" is absent from the Book of Acts, the Spirit is mentioned 52 times because the apostle's deeds were inherently "love actions". To possess true Spiritual power, one must walk in love, as God is love, and His eternal purpose is to maintain a love relationship with His children. This transformation involves being "born of love" and moving from the kingdom of darkness ". . . into the kingdom of the Son of His Love" (Ephesians 1:13), where believers are empowered to destroy the works of the devil just as Jesus did [1 John 3:8]. Also, I trace the spiritual lineage from Creation in Genesis -- where man was made in God's Spiritual image to have dominion -- through the Fall and the entrance of spiritual death, to the promised "seed" that would bruise the serpent's head [Genesis 1:26; 2:17; 3:15].

A central theme of the message is the vital distinction between being born again and being baptized in the Holy Spirit. I argue that the apostles were born again when Jesus breathed on them in John 20:22, receiving His resurrected life, yet they still lacked the "dunamis" power required for global ministry. His power is the divine ability and strength from God's grace only obtained through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is illustrated as the difference between having water in a glass [salvation] verses placing that glass inside a full pitcher [immersion]. Believers are commanded to wait for this ". . . promise of the Father" (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4) to be endued with power from on high, enabling them to witness with evidence such as healing, casting out devils and miracles (Mark 16:17-18). This baptism allows the Holy Spirit to not only reside within the believer but to completely surround and immerse their entire being, providing the boldness necessary to fulfill the Great Commission [Matthew 28:18-20]. Join me for this power introduction to a 7 part series in the Acts of the Apostles. Selah!

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