Holy Spirit Authority

GETTING STARTED

A forgotten God. Some call him the Holy Ghost, or the thing that is in me, but often he is not regularly talked about more than that. Francis Chan even wrote a book titled, Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit. We often don’t realize the importance and power of the Spirit, and we miss opportunities to follow the Spirit’s leading in our lives. Today’s passage addresses the importance of the authority of the Holy Spirit in our lives, specifically how the Holy Spirit can prepare us for the future.

  • How have you experienced the Holy Spirit working in your life?

READ THE WORD: ACTS 21:7-17 (ESV)

7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. 8 On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
15 After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.

17 When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. Where were Paul and his friends traveling?
  2. What was Paul’s response to Agabus’ statement from the Holy Spirit (vs. 13)?
  3. Where did Paul’s conviction to travel to Jerusalem come from?
  4. In difficult times, how do you discern between God’s call on your life and conflicting messages from your friends?
  5. Has there been a time in your life when you felt the Holy Spirit was preparing you? What was your response? What happened next?

RESPOND TO GOD

Earlier in Acts (20:22-23), the Holy Spirit had made it clear to Paul that he was to travel to Jerusalem and that imprisonment and afflictions awaited him. Here, the Holy Spirit’s message and warnings are vividly demonstrated. Paul’s friends wanted him to heed the warnings and not go to Jerusalem; however, Paul knew that the warnings from the Holy Spirit were intended to prepare him, not to stop him. Paul was obedient to choose God’s will despite the promised sufferings. When we seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the path he leads us on may be difficult. But we can trust his leading, knowing that he has ultimate authority in our lives and God’s plans will prevail.

  • Thank God for giving you his Spirit.
  • Speak to the Holy Spirit about the uncertain things in your future, and ask him to guide your steps.