Summary:

The episode delves into the profound influence of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, particularly following His baptism. Upon emerging from the waters, the Spirit descended upon Him, signifying His anointing and the fullness of divine power, characterized by the phrase "without measure." This event marked a pivotal moment, as Jesus, while fully divine, also embraced the human experience, growing in wisdom and stature. His baptism, an act of humility and identification with humanity, simultaneously affirmed His identity as the Son of God and established His rightful dominion. Through this exploration, we seek to illuminate the dynamic interplay between Jesus and the Holy Spirit, underscoring the essence of His mission and the promises bestowed upon His disciples.

Notes:

After His baptism, he is immediately driven into the wilderness by the Spirit. He was empowered by the Holy Spirit after the Spirit descended upon him at His baptism. He was described as having the Spirit "without measure." While he was God in the flesh, the godhead (three in one) cannot be dissected. The man Jesus grew in stature and favor with God and man. He knew His purpose but experienced the natural "growth" of a human being. Ironically, in identifying with man by accepting and submitting to baptism, he is also revealed to be the Son of God and is granted His rightful position as deity.

The exploration of Jesus' empowerment through the Holy Spirit serves as a profound testament to the divine intricacies of His identity and mission. Following His baptism, wherein the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, Jesus was propelled into the wilderness, illustrating a pivotal moment of preparation and purpose. This event marks the beginning of His public ministry, wherein He was described as possessing the Spirit 'without measure'. Such a characterization underscores the fullness of divine authority and power that Jesus embodied, setting Him apart as both the Son of God and the quintessential example of humanity. In this episode, we delve into the significance of Jesus' submission to baptism, which, paradoxically, affirms His divine sonship while simultaneously fostering His identification with mankind. The discussion navigates the complexities of the Godhead, emphasizing that while Jesus is indeed God in the flesh, He also experienced growth and development in His human nature, thereby illustrating the profound connection between the divine and human experience.

Takeaways:

• The Holy Spirit empowered Jesus after His baptism, affirming His divine mission and identity.
• Jesus, while fully God, grew in wisdom and stature, reflecting His human experience.
• Through His baptism, Jesus identified with humanity, revealing His nature as the Son of God.
• The promise of the Holy Spirit signifies continuity of divine presence and guidance after Jesus' ascension.
• Jesus performed miracles through the Holy Spirit, demonstrating the unmeasured power bestowed upon Him.
• The Holy Spirit was promised to guide and empower the apostles, enabling them to fulfill their mission.

Well, good morning and welcome again to the study that we've begun on the Holy Spirit.

Today we want to talk about the promise of the Holy Spirit.

In the last days, you'll remember that both Jesus and the Holy Spirit came alongside the human beings.

They were the advocate, the paraclete.

And when Jesus promises the coming of the Holy Spirit to the apostles, he states that he's going to send another comforter.

The word translated another has the meaning of another of the same kind.

Jesus and the Holy Spirit are of the same nature.

They performed a similar role of guiding men and women toward heaven's will.

One advocate would leave.

Jesus said he would leave.

In fact, he would have to leave before the other would come.

But the disciples would not be abandoned.

They would not be left orphaned.

Another of the same kind would come alongside to take his place, to take the place of Christ.

Because he was leaving them.

He promises he would return.

But until then, in that interim, he would send the Holy Spirit to them.

Now, when you compare the work of Jesus with the disciples to the work of the Holy Spirit with with the disciples, we recognize some apparent differences.

For example, when Jesus came in person, he took on flesh and blood.

And he declared the Father John 1:18, so that he would say to Philip, when you see me, you see the Father.

John 14:9.

So Christ was the only example of the revelation of God in the flesh.

And therefore he declared the Father through his own life, to be our captain, to be our pioneer, that is, to be our example.

He's the mediator then, between God and man himself.

The man Jesus Christ, on the other hand, the Holy Spirit, he didn't take on flesh and blood, but he was still with the apostles in word and in power.

Both comforters were the guides.

They were the comforters to the apostles, one in body and the other in spirit.

The difference is that Jesus represented not just the power of God, but he accomplished it as a man, to be our mediator and to be our Redeemer, our example.

And so, in talking about the promise of the Holy Spirit in the last days, we want to begin this particular part of the study by looking at the promise of the Holy Spirit that Jesus gives that he that he promises.

I think that we must establish that Jesus was the prophet of whom Moses had spoken in Deuteronomy 18, where the law says in verse 15, the Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen.

You shall listen to him.

And so this prophecy was a well known expectation, as is seen in the Jewish people's reaction as all prophets, the prophet would speak as he is moved by the Holy Spirit.

So Peter wrote in 2 Peter 1:21 when he says, for the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

John 7:40 reads, Some of the multitude, therefore, when they heard these words, said, this is of the truth, the prophet.

And no doubt they were thinking of Deuteronomy 18 when they said that even though they may not have always connected him to the prophecy of Joel 18, some of them certainly recognized him as the prophet.

And even if it wasn't the prophet, others recognize him as being at least a prophet.

Matthew reports this in Matthew's accounting of it.

The crowds going ahead of him and those who followed him were shouting hosanna to the Son of David.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

And when he had entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred saying, who is this?

And the crowds were saying, why, this is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.

So Jesus describes even himself as the Father's mouthpiece.

He says in John 12, for example, verse 49, For I spake not from myself, but the Father that sent me.

He hath given me a commandment what I should say and what I should speak.

In John 15:1 reads, no longer do I call you servants, for the servant knows not what his Lord doeth.

But I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from my Father, I have made known unto you.

And then again, a well known passage in connection with this is Hebrews one.

The first two verses read, this.

God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers and the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds.

So when the man Jesus made his public appearance to fulfill prophetic expectations, he went to John the Immerser to be baptized of him.

At that point he had performed no miracle.

There were no signs given.

There was no evidence given of any kind of miraculous power.

The baptism of water was to fulfill all righteousness.

John asked him, well, I need to be baptized.

If you come, why do you come to me?

And it had to do with Jesus providing, I think, an example of the proper response of submission to the will of God the Father.

I find it interesting that this begins, I think, a series of examples or decisions that Jesus makes to identify with the human race.

I believe that's the point that Hebrew writers making in chapter two.

That he was made like unto his brethren, that he might become a faithful and merciful high priest in things pertaining to God.

Jesus not only became flesh and blood to die on the cross and became the propitiation for sins, but he also became a man because he needed to identify with man so that man could see in him the par excellence the example of what the Son of God and sons of God, how they must live.

And so, while Jesus needed no baptism to wash away sins as he had none to wash away, he certainly confirmed his identity and his approval of the Father when God spoke, this is my Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Hear ye him.

But the text reads, it says, now, when the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized.

And while he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove.

And a voice came from heaven, you are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

John would then testify to not only what he heard, but what he saw.

What did he see?

The Holy Spirit descending upon him.

Now to compare the events of the transfiguration.

Later, Matthew records, and behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with them.

And Peter said to Jesus, lord, it is good for us to be here.

If you wish, I will make three tabernacles here.

One for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.

You can visualize this scene as Peter in his excitement proposes that they build these three tabernacles, one of which would be the Lord's.

And Peter is interrupted by a voice that spoke from a bright descending cloud, saying, this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.

Listen to him.

And I suggest to you that that's the emphasis of that statement.

There would be no other spokesperson for God than his Son.

After the disciples had fallen to the ground with fear, Jesus touches them, encourages them not to be afraid.

The Bible emphasizes.

And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

The statement that this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him, is followed by what immediately transpires as they lift up their eyes.

Elijah's not there, Moses is not there.

Jesus is standing there himself, alone, emphasizing that he alone would be their guide.

He alone would be the prophet.

A true prophet not only would speak the words of God, but his message is confirmed by miraculous powers.

And therefore we're not surprised to read the explanation of Jesus in John 3, where he says, in verse 34, for he whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives not the Spirit by measure.

In other words, Jesus was given the full power of the Spirit.

He didn't get it in pieces or measurements.

The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ wrought his miracles by the Spirit and he wrought his miracles here on earth in the power of.

Of the Holy Spirit.

Now you might say, well, he didn't need the Holy Spirit.

Well, I mean, let me just emphasize this.

We're talking about the Holy Spirit and I want you to realize that it begins in the person.

Well, it doesn't begin in Jesus actually that it started earlier than that with, with Zacharias and in the temple and, and Anna as they spoke.

And of course Mary is also speaks of by the Holy spirit.

I just want to emphasize this for you.

Now this would later fall upon the disciples of Christ when the lord commissioned the 70 to preach to the Jews during his earthly ministry.

And their power appears to have increased when the Lord left them.

And the arrival of the other advocate, the Holy Spirit, certainly it had increased.

But to demonstrate that the power of the Holy Spirit was given to Jesus, just think about some other examples here.

First of all, as already pointed out, at the baptism of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit descended upon him.

And immediately we see evidence of his miraculous power.

He says how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with him.

In Luke's record of the earthly life of our Lord, he introduces the role of the Holy Spirit early on.

In chapter four he explains that Jesus, being full of the Holy Spirit, returned from Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.

And then in Luke 4:14 we read, and Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and a fame went out concerning him through all the region round about.

And so as this increased his opportunity to teach in the synagogues we find Jesus quoting from Isaiah and he says, when he finishes Isaiah 61, verse one, he says, today hath this scripture been fulfilled in your ears.

And all bare him witness and wondered at the words of grace which proceeded out of his mouth.

And they said, is not this Joseph's Son?

Now the scripture that he was reading from in that synagogue was Isaiah 61.

Listen to what it says.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek.

He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound again in Isaiah 11:2.

And the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge, and the fear of the Lord and shall make him a quick understanding in the fear of the Lord and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove.

Later in chapter 42, verse one, I want to point out the Revised Version's translation of that statement.

It says, behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights, I have put my spirit upon him he shall bring judgment to the Gentiles, and so on.

But notice, please, I I have put my spirit upon him.

He writes, and Jesus, perceiving it, withdrew from thence, and many followed him.

And he healed them all, and charged them that they should not make him known that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken through the prophet Isaiah saying, now this is Matthew 12.

So these Hebrew texts show us that the Christ would come to earth and would be given the power of the Holy Spirit.

Now, before John the forerunner had died at the hands of Herod, you remember how he questioned Jesus identity or was wondering if he was the Christ, why was he taking so long?

Why didn't he get down to business?

And although it may be that John was not questioning his identity as much as he was asking why he was taking so long to implement the plan, it does appear to me that John may have had some questions.

In other words, if you're the Christ, what's why aren't we getting this mission on and fulfilled?

And so in other words, what you're waiting on, do what you came to do.

It very well may be that's what John was asking.

I really think that is what he was asking.

But John's question and the proof that Jesus offers him is what I want you to think about.

And Jesus offers in response to his questions.

It is found in Luke 7, and listen to it carefully.

The disciples of John told him of these things.

And John, calling unto him, two of his disciples sent them to the Lord, saying, art thou he that cometh, or do we look for another?

And when the men came unto him, they said, john the Baptist has sent us to thee, saying, art thou he that cometh, or look we for another?

And in that hour he cured many of the diseases and the plagues and the evil spirits.

And on many that were blinded, he bestowed sight.

And he answered and said to them, you can just see this.

After he had performed these great miraculous healings, he said, now you go and tell John the things that you've seen and heard.

How the blind receives their sight and the lame walk and the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good tidings preached to them.

And blessed is he, whomsoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me.

So Jesus points to the prophets and that he is fulfilling the very things that's attributed to the Messiah.

And so the disciples of John saw these things.

They witnessed his miracles, and it says in that hour, so that they could witness to his identity when reporting back to John.

And then, of course, and there's perhaps there's others.

But I want to end on this point.

In Acts, chapter one and verse two, after the resurrection, that is the resurrection of Jesus, the verse reads, until the day in which he was taken up.

After that, he, through the Holy Spirit, had given commandment unto the apostles whom he had chosen.

You see, friends, Jesus was still working in the power of the Holy Spirit, even after his resurrection.

Interesting thought, isn't it?

Well, let's look at Jesus and his apostles and the promise he gave them.

Of course, being the firstborn among many brethren, According to Romans 8, 29, we're not surprised to find this same pattern of power and revelation in those whom he commissioned to carry on his work after his ascension.

Jesus gave the seventy and the twelve apostles the power of the Holy Spirit to guide them in their teaching and to confirm it with miraculous powers.

According to Matthew 28 and Mark 16, when Jesus gave what we typically call the Great Commission, he had given all authority and gave his first marching orders to his apostles.

He told them to go and preach the Gospel to all creation, to all nations, and to confirm it with signs and wonders.

Mark 16 tells us, look at this account with me briefly, verse 17 beginning.

And these signs will accompany them that believe.

Now, these were those who believed the report of the apostles.

You go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, right?

Those were the believers that he picks up in verse 17.

And these signs will accompany them that believe in my name.

They shall cast out demons, they shall speak with new tongues, they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no wise hurt them.

They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

So then the Lord Jesus.

Now this is really my point.

The Lord Jesus, after he had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

And they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the Word by the signs that followed.

You see, the promise of Mark 16 is a promise of the Holy Spirit upon all believers, not just the apostles.

And that accords with the promise of Acts 2:38, which later Peter would say that that the Holy Spirit would be given to them.

Upon having Billy repented and being baptized, he says, repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

It's those who have repented and those who had been baptized.

The signs of their empowerment were not always.

Well, they were not immediate, as the early chapters of Acts demonstrate.

In fact, the early Acts of the apostles demonstrate the power was coming primarily from the apostles.

But still, Luke clearly shows the fulfillment of Jesus prediction that the signs will follow the believers, not just the apostles.

For example, the whole assembly in Jerusalem was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues.

When Peter and John had returned to report what they had suffered at the hands of the Sanhedrin, they all spoke as they prayed and the Holy Spirit fell upon them all.

So that's the first sign.

I think we would suggest that it wasn't just to the apostles.

The list of the signs that are mentioned here in Mark 16, they were number one, casting out devils, two speaking with new tongues, three taking up serpents, four drinking poison without it hurting them, and five, healing the sick.

Now, having been granted all authority from the Father, you know, one might call his empowering them a partnership.

But the text reads that wherever they preached, the Lord was working with them.

How was he doing that?

Confirming the Word by the signs that followed.

You see the transference of the work from Jesus to the apostles.

I find it interestingly similar to Elijah giving his power to Elisha before being taken up into the air.

And in a similar way, Jesus has ascended up into heaven and he gives his power to the apostles before he is taken up.

You'll find this.

Let's just read this second Kings 2, Elijah took his mantle and wrapped it together and smote the waters.

This is verse eight.

And they were divided hither and thither, so that the two went over on dry land.

And it came to pass that when they were gone over that Elijah said to Elisha, ask what I shall do for thee before I am taken up from here.

And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

And he said, thou hast asked a hard thing.

Nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken up, taken from thee, it shall be so unto you but if not, it shall not be so.

And so of course, he was taken up.

And the implication, of course, is that Elisha received that double portion after Jesus had completed his work, as the firstborn among many brethren, subjecting himself to the human experience, learning obedience and learning submission, having the help and guidance of the Spirit, and he passes the torch to the apostles in John 16, verses 14 and following has Jesus describing the work of the Holy Spirit in which he says, he shall glorify me, for he shall take of mine.

We're talking about the Holy Spirit.

He shall take of mine, and shall declare it unto you.

And so, oh, another one.

Therefore said I that he takes of mine, and shall declare it to you before the Lord's departure and his ascension to heaven.

Luke 24 has him promising the apostles that he will send his Father's promise upon them and that they should stay in Jerusalem until they would be endued with power from on high.

That's comparable to Acts 1:4, beginning, where Jesus promises after his resurrection they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Not many days from now, he says, and that they would receive power, but before they acquire this power.

Let's review the promise of the Holy Spirit that Jesus gives his apostles in John chapters 14 through 16.

And this was right before his resurrection, his death actually, and his resurrection actually.

It was right before his death, but clearly after his resurrection.

John 14, Jesus speaks to his disciples.

We'll not be able to finish all of this today, but I do want to introduce it.

He speaks to his apostles in a very intimate manner, very intimate details of his leaving them.

It's only the 12 or the 11 because Judas has already left them in chapter 13.

Now we're in v.

14.

The time is after the Passover meal, immediately before he's betrayed, after traveling to Gethsemane.

And he told them that he was going away as his time had come.

The context of these chapters deals with the promise of the Holy Spirit that would be poured upon the apostles.

And so Luke records the Lord telling them, you are witnesses of these things.

And behold, I am sending forth the promise of my Father upon you, but you are to stay in the city until you be endued with power, or clothed with power from on high.

So let's take the first one.

We'll just read it.

And this is found in John 14.

Now, this is the promise of Jesus during this period of time.

He's in Gethsemane talking to his apostles about his leaving them and sending the Holy Spirit.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also.

And greater works than these shall he do, because I go unto the Father.

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

If ye shall ask anything in my name, that will I do.

If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.

And I will pray the Father and he shall give you another comforter that you may be with you.

That he may be with you forever.

Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, for it beholds him not, neither knows him.

You know him.

For he abides with you and shall be in you.

I will not leave you desolate.

I will come unto you.

And so Jesus is speaking to his twelve apostles before his betrayal of Judas.

This entire period is a private time, very private with his disciples.

He's about to leave them.

And they had left the supper together.

Judas had left them.

He shares these personal details.

First, he shares with them that he's going to the Father and that they would do greater works because he would grant them anything they ask in his name.

Telling them that he's going away sets the stage, though, for the promise of the Holy Spirit coming.

Because he's not going to leave them orphaned.

He's leaving, but he's not going to leave them orphaned.

Second, the explanation for his departure calls to mind the prophecy of Joel that the Holy Spirit cannot come as long as he is with them.

And so he must leave for another comforter to come.

Third, when he comes, Jesus says he will abide with you forever.

Now I think we're going to show that we're not going to be able to do it today.

That forever is a relative term relative to the end of that age.

And during their lives, we find that word found throughout the New Testament, even the Old Testament, Hebrew Bible.

And on occasion we may.

You know, we do the same thing.

We may talk about loving someone forever.

Well, that's limited to the period of our lives.

Obviously, we can't love them after we're dead.

And the Old Testament Hebrew did that also.

And I want to pick up with this thought.

It's a real good point.

I hear people mentioning this word forever, claiming and making the point that the Holy Spirit is still with us because Jesus promised he'd be with us forever.

Well, I want you to hold on to that thought and come back because we're going to look at it together.

Have your Bible open to John, chapter 14.

Thank you so much.

I trust you have a pleasant day and a pleasant week ahead.