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Leaders Being Filled with the Holy Spirit
Acts 4:8-13 says, “8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people, 9if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well, 10let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11“He is the stone which was rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief corner stone. 12“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” 13Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus…And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.”
It is necessary for leaders to be filled with the Spirit of God! When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, not only do you proclaim the truth with boldness, but other people recognize that you have been with Jesus. The Holy Spirit proves Himself, not based off of an education or training, but by experience!
Acts 6:1-6 says, “1Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3“Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4“But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.”
Leaders should be full of the Holy Ghost, much more than they should have charisma. When recognizing the problem, the early church leaders did not need to be stretched more thin that what they already were, for neglecting speaking, praying, reading, living in and being devoted to the Word of God can never be replaced with serving because being in the presence of the Word is choosing “the good part”.
The unity of the Spirit was seen in this scripture through the congregation backing up the statement and apostles laying their hands on, praying for and appointing these seven deacons. Do not minimize your calling because regardless of how great or small a task is in your sight, you need to be full of the Holy Spirit to accomplish what He has called you to do because He will not allow you to live a life that does not require Him!
Acts 7:55 says, “But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God”. Stephen, even after being appointed in a position of leadership and now suffering persecution for his stance for the cause of Christ, was full of the Spirit and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father. When you stand for God, He will stand for you to! Christ honors you when you honor Him! When you are full of the Holy Ghost, even in the face of persecution, you see the revelation of who Jesus is in heaven!
Acts 9:17-21 says, “17So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; 19and he took food and was strengthened. 20Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?”
When you are filled with the Spirit of God, He brings drastic and tremendous transformation. Paul went from persecuting Christians to preaching this very same gospel! Ananias could only give Paul what he had freely received! The anointing of God is tangible and transferrable! We do not transfer any anointing because we either do not have any or we do not have enough confidence in who we have because we have limited the Holy Spirit to the confinements of a pastor or worship leader on a platform on Sunday morning! It is time to break out of the box because the Holy Spirit was never suppose to be limited to a carnal, religious way of thinking!
Acts 11:19-26 says, “19Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 22Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. 25Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
The hand of the LORD was upon some of these men to preach to the Grecians, of whom a great number believed and turned to the LORD! They went against the tide of tradition, knowing that salvation wasn’t just for the Jewish people, but also the Gentiles. Barnabas knew in this time of discipleship for these new converts, who were people that was trained and educated in Greek philosophy, that Paul was very needed. He was driven home to escape from persecution, but Barnabas, who was full of the Holy Ghost, recognized the gifts in which Paul possessed and created an opportunity where those gifts could be pulled out of him. As a man full of the Spirit, he was man of consolation, and instead of allowing Paul to be isolated in fighting his battles on his own, he called him up by his side and placed Paul in a position where he could succeed! When you are full of the Spirit, you see the value others have before God. *The Holy Spirit allows us to think God’s thoughts towards others!