Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 12, 2022: SOAP #4454:  Leviticus 18-19; Psalm 13; Acts 19

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: Paul had the same emphasis as Jesus.  Jesus did not begin His ministry until the Holy Spirit descended on Him when He was baptized in water by John. (Luke 3:21-22)   Jesus told His disciples to go into all the world, but before He ascended into heaven, He told them not go anywhere until they had received the Holy Spirit.  (Acts 1:4-5) 

Paul received the empowering Holy Spirit when Ananias laid his hands on Saul (Paul).  Here Paul is concerned that these new believers in Ephesus also receive the same Holy Spirit.

If I am going to be like Jesus, then I need to be filled with the Holy Spirit and learn to rely on the Holy Spirit.   

APPLICATION:  In Jesus command and again here in the actions of Paul, I see that God is not depending on my strength and wisdom.  He already knows that without Him I can do nothing. (John 15:5)   But he also knows that with Him I can do all things! (Ephesians 4:13)  I need the empowering of the Holy Spirit!  God needs me to be filled with the Holy Spirit!  The world needs Leon to be filled with the Holy Spirit!

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you knew what I would need to be like Jesus.  You are not depending on me to accomplish your will.  You are depending on me to be filled with the Holy Spirit and submit myself to his guidance. Holy Spirit, I surrender to you and receive what you have for me.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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