Chapter one verses 4,5: In verse 3 Luke tells us that, following His rebirth and resurrection, Jesus returned to the Father, then later returned to earth where He met with His disciples for 40 days, teaching them “the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God,” which had been His message and the message He had assigned His ministers to speak, write and live. Knowing that the apostles were human as He had been while on earth, Jesus knew that they did not possess the power they would need to preach, teach and live the kingdom life. It is important to understand that while on earth JESUS WAS A MAN, the same as all other men. See Jesus Christ: God, Man or Godman and Born Again. Note that He had neither spoken a message, healed sick person, cast out a demon or performed any other type of miracle before He came to John to be baptized in the Jordan River. It was there that the Holy Spirit came on Him in the form of a dove. It was there that the man Jesus of Nazareth received the power to conduct the ministry God had assigned Him. Knowing that the apostles were not equipped to conduct their ministries, Jesus told them go to Jerusalem and wait for the Father to send the Holy Spirit upon them–to baptize them in His Spirit. In this way the Almighty would impart the spiritual gifts and fruits necessary for conducting His ministry through them.

At this point I will list the gifts of the Spirit and show where they are demonstrated by the apostles as recorded in the first 8 chapters of the Book of Acts. But first I will list the “fruit of the Spirit” as the Apostle Paul presents them in Galatians 5:22: Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. God’s fruit reveals the character traits expressed in and through those who have received God’s Spirit. Now let us examine the gifts of the Holy Spirit which are: Tongues–2:3-11/ Prophecy–2:16-21;3:19-21/ Word of knowledge– 2:3-36;5:3-11;8:22/ Word of wisdom–2:37-40;3:19;4:8-12;5:29-33;6:3-10/ Miracles–2:43;3:6-16;4:22; 5:15; 6:3;8:6-17/ Healings– 3:6-8,16;4:22;5:16;6:8;8:6-13/ Discernment– 5:3-11;8:22/ Faith–3:3-16; 5:9-16;6:8. The gifts of the Spirit reveal God’s power working in and through His people.

At this point I will explain the meaning of the word “baptism” as perceived by the people of the Middle East in days of old. The word “baptize” was used in the art of wool coloring. The wool of sheep was used to make thread which was then formed into fabric which could then be formed into clothing, coverings, etc. A weaver would place wool thread of a specific color on his weaving beam and make a piece of fabric of that color(s). Prior to being made into thread the wool was “baptized”–submerged–in a container of colored liquid, causing it to be colored through and through.

To baptize a convert in water symbolized the total removal of one’s past sins (Rom. 3:25), symbolically changing one’s character “color” into white, representing purity. Being baptized in the Holy Spirit gives one the power to remain white/pure, being controlled by God through His Spirit which He places in the heart/mind of the true convert. It is through God’s Holy Spirit–His power (vs 8) (see Luke 1:35) that His fruit and gifts are manifested in and through true believers. L.J.