Baptized by the Spirit - Acts 11-12

Acts 11:15-16 (ESV Strong's)
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

Baptized by the Spirit

Perhaps somewhat lost in the Christian church today is what happened to Peter only a few moments into the churches history ... he “remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with ware, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’”  The church now uses marketing firms, focus groups, community forums, congregational surveys and web site developing.  It is hard to remember that those tools, as good as they are, have only been around for a few years.  The Christian Church started in the Spirit almost 2000 years ago.   Today we tend to be less interested in the Spirit’s work.   Some of that is due to the false teaching about the Spirit.   Much of Christianity has reacted to the over-passionate teaching about the Spirit in the Charismatic Movement and almost completely stopped preaching and talking about the Spirit’s work.    Others have simply found that copying the “growth techniques” of the worlds biggest industry chains   Peter was preaching the Gospel and the Sprit of God moved in their lives.  Would that not be great if that happened every time the Gospel was preached?  Peter, only a few weeks or months into the early church is reminded of the Spirit of God’s ministry in the church.  He will not forget this day.  Note:


1 Peter 1:10-12 (ESV Strong's)
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

The Spirit of God is in the middle of the work of the Christ in the Body of Christ, the Church.  Those that forget may need a reminder by the Spirit, Himself.  Peter did only a few weeks into the Church’s history.