Acts 20 Characteristics of the Holy Spirit
Paul had the power of God a complete and total infilling of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was upon him and within him. There is a passage in the old testament which comes to mind, “not by power nor by might but by my Spirit says the Lord” and this is especially true in this Acts 20 passage. The earth is surrounded by atmosphere for breathing and for life, in a similar way Paul is both filled and surrounded by the Spirit of God.
Paul had the strength to travel and teach as directed by the Spirit of God.
Jesus talking about the Spirit teaches in John 14:17 But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you. And in 1 Cor 3:16 we read, “do you not know you are God’s temple and God’s Spirit dwells in you.”
It’s in this passage we see the living example of Romans 8:11 when Eutychus is raised to life. The Holy Spirit has unlimited power.
Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
In order to know God we must look at God. We must observe and learn. Join us in our online Bible Study. Message me for the link. Today we will identify the characteristics of the Holy Spirit we see throughout Acts 20.
ACTS 20
When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. 2 He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, 3 where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. 4 He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5 These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
Characteristic 1 Paul is guided by the Holy Spirit. John 16:13
We see the Holy Spirit through Paul offering encouragement and drawing disciples. It is important to learn the values God is imparting to the believers. The value of making room for the next generation. It is here we see young men like Timothy joining Paul. It is important to do the same. Who is your Timothy?
Eutychus Raised From the Dead at Troas
7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. 9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” 11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12 The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.
Characteristic 2 Paul is speaks by the Holy Spirit.
John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.
Characteristic 3 Paul is full of power by the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 1:8 Jesus told his disciples you will receive power. Paul is full of power similar to Elijah and Elisha. He throws his body on the dead and the atmosphere of the Spirit upon Paul brings the boy to life.
Ephesians 1:17-20 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Characteristic 4 The Holy Spirit through the boy being raised offers direct comfort.
In John 14:26, 15:26 the Holy Spirit is directly called the Comforter.
Watch the live teaching here.
