Luke: Reporter

TEACHING: Luke: Reporter

SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 15, Luke 10, Acts 10

Acts 19:1-2 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."

I could be said that the Gospel of Luke is the Gospel of the Holy Spirit for in Luke, He is mentioned 13 times in the NIV. (5 in Matthew, 4 in Mark, and 3 times in John.) And then in Acts, Holy Spirit is mentioned by name 42 times. Another way to look at it is that in all of scripture, the name "Holy Spirit" is used 94 times and Luke did it 55 of them (in the NIV). [KJV uses Holy Ghost in approximately the same proportions.]

The Greek mind of Luke under the inspiration of Holy Spirit reported on HIS activity -- the third person of the Trinity. We Norwegians have a mindset that is closer to Greek than Hebrew; European rather than Mid-eastern/Oriental. We are probably going to understand Luke before we comprehend John and Matthew. We will look at things logically and scientifically. That is what Luke did.

Luke reported the declaration of the Holy Spirit and then reported the evidence supporting it. Anyone can say, "I am filled with the Holy Spirit of God." What is the evidence? Let’s look at the pattern of reporting Luke did.

JESUS

Luke 4:1-2 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.

ASIDE - If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you will be attacked by the devil.

Luke 4:14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

Filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus, started doing the work of the ministry with signs and wonders following. People were seeing something, not just nice flowery words. They were seeing miracles and the news of him spread through the whole countryside.

But of course there were miracles. This was the Son of God. God can heal the sick, cast out devils, give sight to the blind. God can even raise the dead. And those are the signs of someone who is filled with the power of the Spirit. And -- or but -- HE IS GOD! Luke continues reporting.

Luke 9:1-2 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

These were His disciples -- including Judas. They went out and were doing the same thing Jesus did. They had the same power. But their authority came from Jesus. The Holy Spirit had not yet come. But read what they did.

Luke 9:6 So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.

If you are filled with the Holy Spirit and have the power of God on you, even the dust of your feet has importance.

Luke 9:10-11 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, 11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

But -- that was under the authority of Jesus -- the Son of God. Feeding the thousands, Transfiguration, etc. Luke continues.

Luke 10:1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.

Luke 10:17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."

But of course. They were operating under the power of Jesus, the Son of God. But the "they" included more than just the disciples. Luke continues reporting. Remember, I contend he has an emphasis of the person of the Trinity whose name is Holy Spirit. And there is a danger that actually identifies people who are working in the power of God.

Luke 21:16-19 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 All men will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By standing firm you will gain life.

That’s no fun. And Jesus was crucified for it. And exalted by God. Luke continues quoting Jesus -- the resurrected Jesus.

Luke 24:48-49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

We can rationalize that Jesus did all that He did because He is the Son of God. And He authorized those around Him to do the same because He is the Son of God. But now His words, reported by Luke, suggest something more. He continues in Acts. The other writers of the Gospel don’t. This is the European mindset. This differentiates the cultures around the world. Think about it. Who invented machines. Why is western culture the way it is? What is the difference between Japheth and Shem and Ham? Luke continues his investigative reporting.

Acts 1:5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

Acts 1:7-8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Power is coming and Jesus is going away. And when this power came, things started to happen.

Peter had less foot in the mouth. Peter and John had street healing meetings. Shadows had power. Powerful sermons were resulting in rapid growth. And Jesus was gone. But, as Luke points out, they were filled with the Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit that filled Jesus. The promise is for everyone.

Acts 2:38-39 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call."

Even Samaritans could have that power.

Acts 8:14-17 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

The promise is even for Gentiles -- like Luke. And he reports it.

Acts 10:44-46 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Poured out even on Gentiles. The power that Jesus had was even poured out on Gentiles. Do you see why Luke reported on this?

Paul functioned in the power of the Holy Spirit

Acts 13:8-9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, ...

The same power Jesus demonstrated was in the Apostles, Gentiles, Paul and the Greek, Luke. His reporting made it clear that to be Christian and to do the work of the ministry, Oh Theophilus, requires the power of the Holy Spirit. How does he know? The reporter became part of the story for "they" became "we" in Acts 16.

Acts 16:6-13 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.

13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.

Acts 20:5-8 These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed from Philippi after the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.

7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting.

We need the power of the Holy Spirit to function because as Luke reported, that power is what made the church grow. Most of Christianity -- traditional churches -- deny the power and need of the Baptism of Fire. We can’t. Have you been baptized with Fire?