we do not know who theophilus is

 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me;  for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Acts 1:1-5

 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

We do not know who Theophilus is.

We do not know who Theophilus is.

He is probably a wealthy man.

We do not know who Theophilus is.

He is probably a wealthy man.

Clearly he is interested in Jesus and the history of the church to this point.

 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

Jesus’ ministry marks a starting point.

Jesus’ ministry marks a starting point.

There would be more actionand teaching to come.

 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

Luke briefly asserts that Jesus was alive.

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me;  for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Acts 1:1-5

The disciples had been comingand going from Jerusalem.

Now Jesus tells them to stay put.

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me;  for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Acts 1:1-5

Spirits and the Holy Spirit

Spirits and the Holy SpiritThe ancient world assumed

the reality of spirits.

Spirits and the Holy SpiritThe ancient world assumed

the reality of spirits.The Greco-Roman culture

had an understanding that spiritswere very important.

Spirits and the Holy SpiritThe ancient world assumed

the reality of spirits.The Greco-Roman culture

had an understanding that spiritswere very important.

Of course they believed in the gods,but they also believed in localized

spiritsthat needed to be kept happy.

Spirits and the Holy SpiritThe ancient world assumed

the reality of spirits.The Greco-Roman culture

had an understanding that spiritswere very important.

Of course they believed in the gods,but they also believed in localized

spiritsthat needed to be kept happy.

They oftentimes would be upset if people failed to offer the appropriate

sacrifice.

Spirits and the Holy SpiritYet, the message of Luke-Acts is that

the Holy Spirit has come into the world

and dwells within men.

Spirits and the Holy SpiritYet, the message of Luke-Acts is that

the Holy Spirit has come into the world

and dwells within men.The Holy Spirit is confronting and

overcoming the spirits that used to rule.

Spirits and the Holy SpiritLuke 4:1-13 Jesus is tempted by the devil.

Spirits and the Holy SpiritLuke 4:1-13 Jesus is tempted by the devil.Luke 4:31-37 Jesus cast out a demon.

Spirits and the Holy SpiritLuke 4:1-13 Jesus is tempted by the devil.Luke 4:31-37 Jesus cast out a demon.Luke 8:22-39 Jesus calms a storm and

drives out demons.

Spirits and the Holy SpiritLuke 4:1-13 Jesus is tempted by the devil.Luke 4:31-37 Jesus cast out a demon.Luke 8:22-39 Jesus calms a storm and

drives out demons.Luke 9:37-45 Jesus casts demons out

of a boy.

Spirits and the Holy SpiritLuke 4:1-13 Jesus is tempted by the devil.Luke 4:31-37 Jesus cast out a demon.Luke 8:22-39 Jesus calms a storm and

drives out demons.Luke 9:37-45 Jesus casts demons out

of a boy.Luke 10:1-24 Jesus commissions

the disciples.

Spirits and the Holy SpiritLuke 11:14-28 Jesus teaches about

demons.

Spirits and the Holy SpiritLuke 11:14-28 Jesus teaches about

demons.Luke 22:1-38 Jesus eats the last supper.

Satan enters Judas, and asks

to sift Peter.

Spirits and the Holy SpiritLuke 11:14-28 Jesus teaches about

demons.Luke 22:1-38 Jesus eats the last supper.

Satan enters Judas, and asks

to sift Peter.Acts 8:9-13 Confrontation with Simon

the sorcerer.

Spirits and the Holy SpiritLuke 11:14-28 Jesus teaches about

demons.Luke 22:1-38 Jesus eats the last supper.

Satan enters Judas, and asks

to sift Peter.Acts 8:9-13 Confrontation with Simon

the sorcerer.Acts 13:4-12Confrontation with Elymas

the sorcerer.

Spirits and the Holy SpiritActs 14:8-20Paul and Barnabas mistaken

for gods

Spirits and the Holy SpiritActs 14:8-20Paul and Barnabas mistaken

for godsActs 16:16-40 Paul and Silas cast a spirit

out of a girl.

Luke’s audience would have been impressed by the fact that the Holy Spirit had power over the spirits of

the age.

Luke’s audience would have been impressed by the fact that the Holy Spirit had power over the spirits of

the age.

The Holy Spirit still does have power

over the spirits of the age.

Luke’s audience would have been impressed by the fact that the Holy Spirit had power over the spirits of

the age.

The Holy Spirit still does have power

over the spirits of the age.

We must learn to depend on the empowerment of the Holy Spirit

as we confront these spirits.