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ACTS 19:1-7

"THE NEED OF THE SPIRIT"

I. PAUL'S QUESTION: "'HAVE YOU RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT SINCE YOU  BELIEVED?"
        A. King James translation made before Baptist doctrine became so strong.
                1. Baptist doctrine asserts the fullness of the Spirit is given to the 
                   believer at conversion.
                2. There is no separate or subsequent experience such as "The Baptism  of the
                   Holy Spirit."
                3. The believer only needs to appropriate what he already possesses.
        B. The R.V. reads "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"
                1. Either translation assumes a work of or a relationship to the Holy 
                        Spirit beyond believing faith.
                2. If the receiving of the fullness of the Spirit was automatic with
                        believing faith, question is absurd.
                        a. Paul sould just question "are you believers?"
        C. Note their own subsequent experience.
                1. Verse 5, They were baptized in the name of the Lord, Jesus."
                2. "And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came  on them."

II. WHAT PROMPTED PAUL'S QUESTION?
        A. The text itself does not declare.
        B. Perhaps a lack of spiritual dynamic.
                1. No real spiritual vibrancy.
                2. Faith without fervor.
                3. Jesus told His disciples, "You shall receive power after the Holy
                        Spirit...."
                4. Some believers possess a greater excitement and enthusiasm for the  Lord
                   than others.
                5. I have met some Christians who were very dull. No life, no dynamic.
        C. Perhaps Paul observed a lack of agape love. "For the fruit of the Spirit is  love."
                1. They showed no real love for spiritual things.
                        a. They could get far more excited talking about
                                          scores than talking about Jesus.
                        b. The question, "What have you been doing lately"
                                could generate an explosion of excitement.
                        c. The question, "What has the Lord been doing, in
                                your life lately", produces a strained silence.
                2. Jesus is not the chief interest of their life.
                        a. Their love for the things of the world exceed their Iove for Him.
        D. It could be they were lacking in real joy.
                1. It is one of the marks of agape love.

III. WOULD PAUL BE PRONE TO ASK THAT QUESTION IF HE MET YOU? 
        A. Does your life evidence the fullness of the Spirit?
                1. Is there a torrent of living water flowing forth from your life?
                2. If not, why not?
                        a. Paul took measures to correct the situation.
                        b. You should take measures.