How to Study the Bible

FIVE FOLD SCRIPTURE PLAN

I.  Essential to all Believers

    A.  Jesus Commanded

         Acts 1:4 "And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart 

                        from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of 

                        me."

    B.  Jesus Explained

         Acts 1:5 "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not

many days hence."

         "The baptism with the Holy Spirit is an operation of the Holy Spirit distinct from, subsequent, and

         additional to His regenerating work."-R.A. Torrey

         Example:  John's Baptism

    C.  Jesus' promise of power to witness after receiving

          Acts 1:8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:  and ye shall be 

                         witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and the uttermost parts of the earth."

II.                   Evidenced by speaking in tongues

A.    Acts 2: 4 "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as

                                           the Spirit gave them utterance."

B.       Acts 8:17-18  "Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy

   Spirit.  When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' 

                 hands, he offered them money."  NIV)

                C.  Acts 9:17  Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said,

                                    "Brother Saul, the Lord-- Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming

                                         here-- has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."  (NIV)

                   D.  Acts 10:44-46  While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard

                               the message.   The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished  

                               that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.   For they

                               heard them speaking in tongues and praising God."  (NIV)

              E.   Acts 19:6  When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in

                                      tongues and prophesied."   (NIV)

III.  Everyone may receive

        Acts 2:39 "For the promise is unto you and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as

                          the Lord our God shall call."

IV.  Inquire of the Lord Jesus Himself

       Luke 11:9-13 "And I say unto you:  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it

                                 shall be opened unto you.  For every one that asketh receiveth;  and he that seeketh findeth;

and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he him a stone?  Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?  Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?"

V.       Emotion of the Baptism explained by Jesus Himself

 John 7:37-39 "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, 'If any man thirst,

                           let him come unto me, and drink.  He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out

   of his belly shall flow rivers of living water'.  (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they

   that believe on him should receive:  for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that

             Jesus was not yet glorified.)"

  Are you not thirsty for a drink of this Spirit from Jesus right now?