October 24, 2021: SOAP #4343:  Job 15; Acts 19-20

SCRIPTURE:  Acts *NIV) 19:1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. 4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

OBSERVATION:  Before coming to Corinth, Apollos had been in Ephesus.  In Ephesus he taught some disciples all he knew about Jesus.  When he arrived in Corinth, Aquila and Pricilla took time to explain things more fully.  However back in Ephesus, Paul found the disciples that Apollos had taught.  As Aquila and Pricilla did for Apollos in Corinth, Paul did for the disciples in Ephesus. 

Paul taught them about the Holy Spirit and prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit.  The ministry of the Holy Spirit and our relationship to Him was very important to Jesus.  He made sure his followers knew about the Spirit and that they should wait in Jerusalem until they personally encountered the Holy Spirit (on the day of Pentecost.)  (Acts 2) 

APPLICATION:  The Holy Spirit draws my attention to the Bible passages He wants me to emphasize in the SOAPs.  Sometimes He gives me understanding when I read the passage, sometimes He opens my understanding as I am writing out the SOAP. 

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, I pray that as you open my understanding while reading the Bible, and while writing the SOAPs…I pray that you do the same for those who read these SOAPs.  But especially do it as they read the Bible.  Reveal to them how the scriptures apply to their personal lives.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!