And when Paul laid his hands on them,
the Holy Spirit came upon them,
and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
(Acts 19:6)
It is important for us to have a personal connection and empathy in our ministry, and our obligations to God. Our ministry should not be distant or detached. We should take every opportunity to immerse ourselves with people so that we may truly know and understand their struggles and where thay are coming from. To establish and extend the church, there must be evangelizing (preaching the gospel), empowering (through God’s Spirit), and equipping (pastor-teachers must equip the saints for the work of the ministry). In doing so, we cannot just be believing but also receiving the Holy Spirit. This gives us the correct understanding and reception of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
In the heart of ministry, connection is key,
Empathy and understanding, the lock and we the key.
Our obligations to God, a compass in the sea,
Guiding us through waves of life, setting our spirits free.
Not distant, not detached, we stand among the crowd,
Voices in the chorus, humble yet loud.
Immersed in the lives of others, we find our place,
Understanding struggles, each unique face.
Evangelizing, preaching the gospel's song,
Empowering through the Spirit, making the weak strong.
Equipping the saints, for the work of the ministry,
A beacon of light, in a world of mystery.
Belief is not enough, the Spirit we must receive,
A transformative power, if we are to believe.
The Holy Spirit's reception, understanding so clear,
In the heart of ministry, love is always near.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You today with humble hearts. We recognize the importance of having a personal connection and empathy in our ministry, and we acknowledge our obligations to You. We pray that our ministry will not be distant or detached, but instead, deeply immersed in the lives of those we serve.
Help us to truly know and understand the struggles of others, to see where they are coming from, and to meet them there with Your love and grace. Give us the wisdom and courage to take every opportunity to immerse ourselves with people, to walk alongside them in their journey.
We pray for the establishment and extension of Your church. May we be diligent in evangelizing, preaching the gospel to all corners of the earth. Empower us through Your Spirit, that we may be bold in our faith and steadfast in our mission.
Equip us, Lord, to fulfill our roles in the ministry. As pastor-teachers, may we effectively equip the saints for the work of the ministry, guiding them in their spiritual growth and nurturing them in their faith.
We understand that belief is not enough, and we pray for the correct understanding and reception of the Holy Spirit. May we not only believe, but also receive the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Let it guide us in our actions, inspire us in our decisions, and strengthen us in our challenges.
In all things, may we always seek to glorify You and further Your kingdom. We ask all these in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Background and Learning Lessons
Acts 19:1-8 is a part of the New Testament in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Acts, which describes the early Christian church’s growth and the spread of the Gospel. This passage is set in Ephesus, a major city in ancient Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).
In Acts 19:1-8, the Apostle Paul encounters some disciples in Ephesus. He asks them if they received the Holy Spirit when they believed. They respond that they have not even heard of the Holy Spirit. They were baptized into John’s baptism, which was a baptism of repentance. Paul explains that John the Baptist told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, Jesus. On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. There were about twelve men in all. Paul then entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.
This passage encapsulates Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, marked by transformative teaching and the deepening of faith. It reveals the dynamic shifts where the name of Jesus stirs both transformation and tumult. It’s a significant part of the narrative as it shows the impact of the Holy Spirit on the believers and the spread of the Gospel in Ephesus. It also highlights the importance of correct understanding and reception of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.
Acts 19:1-8 offers several important lessons:
The Importance of Correct Understanding and Reception of the Holy Spirit: The disciples in Ephesus were believers but had not received the Holy Spirit. This passage emphasizes the importance of not just believing but also receiving the Holy Spirit.
The Power of the Holy Spirit: When Paul placed his hands on the disciples, they received the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues and prophesying. This shows the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
Evangelizing, Empowering, and Equipping: To establish and extend the church, there must be evangelizing (preaching the gospel), empowering (through God’s Spirit), and equipping (pastor-teachers must equip the saints for the work of the ministry).
Re-Baptism: People who have been baptized wrong, should be “re-baptized” – baptized right. There are some wrong baptisms in the world today. There is only one right baptism.
Personal Connection and Empathy in Ministry: Paul’s ministry was not distant or detached. He ate where they ate and would talk to them as he walked through town. He knew who was struggling, and what their struggles were. He listened to people, learned about them, and asked them questions.
Obligations to God and Interest in Him: Paul showed the disciples their obligations to God and interest in him, as the Creator, by which the kingdom of God was set up. He also showed them the violation of those obligations, and the forfeiture of that interest, by sin, by which the kingdom of God was pulled down.
These lessons remind us of the importance of understanding the full message of the Gospel, the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, and the need for correct teaching and baptism. They also highlight the importance of personal connection and empathy in ministry, and our obligations to God. (Copilot)