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"Compelled by the Spirit..."

Text: Acts 18:5

A WONDERFUL PERSONAL EXAMPLE

The Apostle Paul is a wonderful example of what it means to be a Spirit-filled servant of God. The following texts help us to understand what it means to be filled with the Spirit of God.

“Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit,
looked intently at him, and said,
‘O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil,
you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting
the straight ways of the Lord?'”
Acts 13:9-10

1. “Saul, who also is called Paul”

a) Paul was with Barnabas on the first missionary journey.

b) He was ministering at Paphos, to Sergius Paulus, an intelligent pro-consul.

c) Elymas, a false prophet withstood Paul, seeking to turn the pro-consul from the truth.

2. “Filled with the Holy Spirit”

a) Paul was a truly Spirit-filled servant of the Lord.

b) The expressions of being Spirit-filled may be seen as follows: –

i) There was the ability to clearly discern who Elymas was.

ii) There was great courage to face Elymas openly and strongly.

iii) There was authority to denounce Elymas.

iv) There was power to cause Elymas to be blind for a season (Acts 13:11).

v) The Pro-consul came to faith when he heard and saw what happened (Acts 13:12).

MINISTRY IN CORINTH

On another occasion, the Apostle Paul went to Corinth for ministry. The following text highlight how the Spirit of God led Paul in ministry.

“When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia,
Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified
to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.”
Acts 18:5

1. “Compelled by the Spirit”

a) The word “compelled” has some interesting connotations.

b) It is a word that describes a person who is surrounded.

2. The appearance of Silas and Timothy illustrates the idea of being “surrounded”

a) Paul was surrounded by two solid fellow-workers.

b) Paul was surrounded (“compelled”) by the Holy Spirit and he found courage to testify of Christ.