2008-10-05 Ronnie Stevens Acts 1:1-5

"God's Faithfulness in History, God's Faithfulness to History, Part 3"

The book of Acts challenges the emerging popular notion that truth is personal and it doesn't matter.

I.  Apologetics in the Book of Acts

          "...many convincing proofs..."   v. 3

            By apologetics we don't mean "apology."

            By apologetics we mean "defense in the sense of setting forth the case."

All thoughtful people are interested in:

            a)  Origins

            b)   Destiny

            c)   Morality

            d)   Meaning

            To be convinced most thoughtful people require:

            a)   Logical Consistency

            b)   Empirical Adequacy

            c)   Experiential Relevance

                                                            --Ravi Zacharias

In the 18^th century truth was rationalized= MODERNISM

In the 20^th Century truth was privatized= POST-MODERNISM

In the 21rst Century TRUTH is being trivialized=POST-POST MODERNISM

(NEO-NATURALISM?)

II.  The Necessity of the Holy Spirit's Active Presence   1:1, 5, 8

True Confession: If anyone brings the truth of Jesus accurately

it is because of the Holy Spirit.

True Conversion: If anyone receives the truth of Jesus savingly

it is because of the Holy Spirit.

III.  The Two Baptisms   v. 5

John baptized with water                                You shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit

John the Baptist comes before                       The Holy Spirit comes after

     to make a way                                                to make it work

John the Baptist prepared hearts                    The Holy Spirit penetrates hearts

John the Baptist declared the message         The Holy Spirit delivers the message

To be baptized with the Holy Spirit means at least two things:

A transference with respect to sphere

A transformation with respect to life 

Becoming a Christian is not about being good or bad.

Becoming a Christian is about being alive or dead.