Miraculous Elements in First-Century Conversions #1

By Bob Myhan

Because there is so much emphasis placed on miracles in the book of Acts, many think that conversion itself is a miracle. People expect certain things to accompany conversion, today, simply because those things occurred during certain of the conversions in the first century. However, we need to distinguish between what was temporary and what is permanent in conversion.

On Pentecost, the apostles were baptized in the Holy Spirit to fulfill the promise that Jesus made to them ten days earlier.

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem , but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." (Acts 1:4-5)

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. (Acts 2:1-2)

The apostles then received power just as Jesus had promised the same day He promised them they would be baptized in the Holy Spirit. As a result of receiving this power, the apostles spoke in languages other than their own.

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem , and in all Judea and Samaria , and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:3-4)

There is no mention of anyone else being baptized in the Holy Spirit on this occasion. As a matter of fact there is no indication the Holy Spirit directly operated on any of the hearers in order to convict them of sin. He operated indirectly through the words He inspired Peter to utter. The gospel, not a direct operation the Holy Spirit, “is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” ( Rom. 1:16)

It is true that Joel had prophesied that the Spirit of God would be poured out on all mankind, without regard to nationality, age, gender or social position, but this was to be done over a period of years not on just one day. A variety of miraculous, spiritual gifts were given by the Holy Spirit to those on whom the apostles laid hands for that purpose.

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. (1 Cor. 12:4-11)

And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth , that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus . And finding some disciples he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism." Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. (Acts 19:1-6)

The first Christian who was not an apostle, who is said to have power, after Pentecost, is Stephen, who was one of the seven men on whom the apostles laid hands in Acts 6.

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And the saying pleased the whole multitude.

And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch , whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem , and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. (Acts 6:1-8)

The next non-apostle who could perform miracles, after Pentecost, was Philip, also one of the seven on whom the apostles had laid their hands. He had power to cast out demons and heal infirmities in order to confirm his preaching.

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city…. But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit." (Acts 8:5-7, 12-18)

The Samaritans received the Holy Spirit miraculously by the laying on of the apostles’ hands. But this was after their conversion. In their conviction and conversion, the Holy Spirit operated on them indirectly. The instrument He used was the gospel Philip preached, the seed of the kingdom, “the word of God which lives and abides for ever.” (Luke 8:11; 1 Peter 1:22-23) &

Is the Bible Relevant?

By David Watts, Sr. (1945-2001)

How relevant is the Bible in today’s world? Some think it isn’t relevant at all. Many millions of people, however, are still finding the Bible relevant to their lives and problems. That is one reason it is still the bestselling book.

It has been said, “The Bible has not been tried, and found wanting; it has been found difficult, and not tried.” How true that is. The reason some think the Bible isn’t up-to-date is because they dislike its answers. The answers work, but they aren’t always easy an­swers. For some, nothing is relevant unless it is easy, self-indulgent, and self-justifying.

Others just assume the Bible must be out-of-date because it wasn’t recently written. They forget that human nature, and human problems, haven’t changed. They also forget God could foresee modern problems long ago, and give the world a message relevant to any age.

Many do not know what the Bible really teaches. They have heard skeptics, and others, misrepresent the Bible’s teachings. They have seen weird TV “evangelists” exploiting religion by perverting the Bible’s teachings. They may even have opened the Bible at random, and unsuccessfully sought an answer, but they really don’t know the Bible. It isn’t surprising when someone unaware of the Bible’s true teaching doesn’t perceive its value and relevance.

The Bible is actually as up-to-date as tomorrow’s newspaper. Furthermore, it will still be relevant when tomorrow’s newspaper is forgotten. &