MEASURES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

INTRODUCTION:  A large number of people believe that miracles are still being performed.  
These are the ones who teach that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for God's children today 
as much as it was for the Apostles in the first century.  All this confusion is a result of 
the majority not having a knowledge of the measures of the Holy Spirit.

I. Christ received the Spirit without measure. (Jhn 3:34)

   A. As a result, he had the power to do all things.
      1. He healed the lame ... gave sight to the blind ... made the dumb to speak ... the 
         deaf to hear ... fed the multitudes ... walked on water ... calmed the seas ... and 
         raised the dead.
      2. Even greater than all of that ... He rose from the dead.
   B. Do you know why?
      1. To confirm the word and to make men believers. (Jhn 20:30,31)

II.What about the Measure of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

   A. There is only two cases of this in all of the New Testament.
      1. First, only the twelve Apostles were baptized with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:4)
      2. Prior to this, Christ had promised them the Comforter who would guide them into all 
         truth. (Jhn 16:13)
         a. Christ was returning unto his Father ... he realized that the Apostles would 
            still need guidance ... He said He would send the Holy Spirit to direct them.
      3. After they were baptized with the Holy Spirit they had the power to speak in other 
         languages ... heal the lame ... make the sick well ... raise the dead ... and lay 
         their hands on others that they might have the power to do miracles, also. 
   B. The second case was Cornelius and his household.
      1. They received the baptism of the Holy Spirit to show that the Gentiles had been 
         accepted of God as well as the Jews. (Acts 10) (Acts 11)
      2. After they received it, they proved it by speaking in other languages. 
      3. Peter then asked a question ... (Acts 10:47)
      4. Peter was later relating the story to the Apostles and other brethren, he confirmed 
         the baptism of the Holy Spirit in (Acts 11:15).
      5. Peter did not say that Cornelius and his household had received the Holy Spirit as 
         all other believers had...
         a. Rather he says that Cornelius and his household had received the Holy Spirit as 
            they had ... speaking of the Apostles.
         b. He said they had received it as the Apostles had in the beginning. (Pentecost)

III.Let's look at the Laying on of Hands Measure of the Holy Spirit.

    A. The Apostles were few in number and there was much to be done.
       1. They (Apostles) laid their hands on various ones that they might have the power of 
          the Holy Spirit.
       2. First, the Apostles laid their hands on the seven. (Acts 6:6)
       3. This gave men, such as Philip, the power to go down to Samaria to perform miracles.
          a. As a result, a number were obedient to the gospel but Philip could not pass his 
             power on to them.
       4. Later, Peter and John, Apostles, were called from Jerusalem and they laid their 
          hands on the people that they might have miraculous power. (Acts 8:14-17)

IV.Finally, we need to look at The Ordinary Measure of the Holy Spirit.

   A. Except for those who received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit Measure, ... and those who
      received the laying on of Laying on of Hands Measure of the Holy Spirit , ... all 
      received the Ordinary Measure of the Holy Spirit.
      1. This assured the receiver of the Holy Spirit ... but not miraculous power.
      2. Peter said to the people on the day of Pentecost ... (Acts 2:38).
   B. Remember that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was promised only to the Apostles.
      1. It was administered by the Lord ... was given to them to guide them into all the 
         truth ... to confirm the word ... and to direct them in the writing of the New
         Testament.
      2. In the case of Cornelius and his household ... they received it before submitting to 
         water baptism.

V. The Laying on of Hands Measure of the Holy Spirit was Administered only by the Apostles.

   A. When the Apostles died ... and those they laid their hands on died ... these miraculous
      measures of the Spirit ceased to exist.
      1. There was no longer a need for them since the New Testament had been given in 
         written form ... and it was designed to lead man into all truth. (Jam 1:25)
         (2 Tim 3:16,17)

VI.What about those today who claim to have been baptized by the Holy Spirit?

   A. They make claims to have the power to perform miracles ... Do they?  Where are the 
      TV and Newspaper coverages of these miracles? An act such as this would be covered ...
      by all networks!
      1. By what authority do they have this ability? ... Not Biblical authority!
      2. Were they one of the Apostles on the day of Pentecost?
      3. Are they one of those to whom the Apostles laid hands on to receive the miraculous 
         power?
      4. Were they there with Cornelius when the Holy Spirit was given to them?
   B. They are deceived ... misguided ... and are impostors ...
      Many of them have already been exposed!
      1. They are out of God's will ... how could the "Spirit" be leading them?
      2. Would the Holy Spirit guide them into churches not found in the Bible ....?
      3. Would the Holy Spirit have them wear names such as ... Reverend ... Priest ... 
         Apostle and others? .... Certainly not.
   C. They do nothing but brag about what they can do ... where is the proof? (Mat 15:14)
      1. If they will only prove it ... I will repent publicly and return to teaching 
         "Pentecostalism" ... TODAY!

VII.What the Church Needs Today is Men Who Will Stand on The Truth and Not Waiver.

    A.  Paul said it best .... (Rom1:16) (Phil 3:17)