The Creeds Ignore Jesus’ Life Between Birth and Death
- Apostles Creed (4th Century) – “born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified…”
- Nicene Creed (4th Century) – “was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate…”
Luke-Acts Report Spirit-Filled Living from Christ and Christians
- Acts 1:1-8 – 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 staying1 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.” So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Jesus’ Extended Family was Spirit-Filled
- Luke 1:15-17 – “[John] will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb [Elizabeth]…and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah…”
- Luke 1:41 – “Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit” [and then prophesied over Mary]
- Luke 1:67 – “Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied” [over his son John the Baptizer at birth]
Jesus’ Immediate Family was Spirit-Filled
- Luke 2:26–27 – It had been revealed to him [Simeon] by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple.
Jesus’ Dad and Mom
- Luke 1:31-35 – [Gabriel says] “behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”
Jesus’ Siblings
- Jude 1 – Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James…
Jesus Knew He Was Fulfilling Isaiah’s Prophecies
- •Isaiah 11:2 – The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
- •Isaiah 42:1 – My servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him
- •Isaiah 48:16 – The Lord God has sent me, and his Spirit.
- •Isaiah 61:1 – The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me.
- •Luke 4:16-21 – And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
7 Ways Jesus Lived by the Power of the Spirit
- Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit – Luke 1:35 – [The angel said] “The Holy Spirit will come upon you.”
- Jesus lived under the Holy Spirit’s anointing – Matthew 3:16 – And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him…
- Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit – Luke 4:1 – Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit…
- Jesus was led by the Spirit – Matthew 4:1 – Jesus was led up by the Spirit in the wilderness
- Jesus did supernatural ministry by the power of the Spirit – Luke 4:14-15 – And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
- Jesus’ emotions were regulated by the Spirit – Luke 10:21 – …he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit
- Jesus cast out demons by the Spirit – Luke 11:20 – If it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you
Jesus Overcame Suffering by the Power of the Spirit
- Hebrews 2:10 – It was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
- 1 Peter 4:12-14 – Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
- Spiritual suffering – Satanic attack (directly, religious leaders, possessed people, Judas)
- Mental suffering – Stress (“deeply distressed and troubled” – Mark 14:33)
- Emotional suffering – Anguish, wept, sweated like drops of blood
- Financial suffering – Poverty
- Relational suffering – Abandonment as thousands walked away, betrayal
- Public suffering – Slander
- Physical suffering – Beatings (“marred beyond human likeness” – Isaiah 52:14)
- Personal suffering – Shame (cross, spat, mocked, beard)
- Total suffering – Crucifixion
Jesus Defeated the Demonic by the Power of the Holy Spirit
- Luke 3:16,21-22 – John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”….when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
- Luke 4:1-2 – And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.
- Luke 4:14-15 – Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
Christ Can Live Through You By the Holy Spirit’s Power
- Ephesians 5:15-21 – Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
