"Body of the Shadows" course

  1. The apostles are immersed with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. They began preaching and performed signs.
"Acts 1:4, 5"

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. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.."

  2. 3000 obeyed the commission by believing and being baptized (in water).
"Acts 2:38-41"

Acts 2 38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. (NKJV)

  3. Eventually seven men are selected; the apostles lay hands on these already full of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 6:6-8
  4. These preach and perform the signs of the apostles.
Acts 6:6-8

Acts 8 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. 8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

  5. One of the seven, Philip, preaches Christ in Samaria and Gaza and baptizes in water.
"Acts 8:12,13; 36-38 "

Acts 8 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. Acts 8 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" 37 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." 38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

  6. The apostles are sent to Samaria to lay hands on the baptized believers so that they might have the Holy Spirit's power.
"Acts 8:15-17"

Acts 8 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

  7. Simon tries to buy the apostles' power. However, he must pray God for forgiveness.
"Acts 8:18-22"

Acts 8 18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit." 20 But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 "You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.