The Effect of the Holy Spirit on the Early Disciples Acts 3:10: 11, 6: 4 – 15 – JSS3 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

The effects of the Holy Spirit on the early disciples are the visible changes that followed His coming on them at Pentecost.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. state the effects of the Holy Spirit on the early disciples;
2. describe the trial and death of Stephen as a sign of the disciples’ boldness;
3. explain why the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate is important;
4. list the moral lessons Christians learn from the effects of the Holy Spirit on the early disciples.

What were the effects of the Holy Spirit on the early disciples?

There were eight main effects of the Holy Spirit on the early disciples, and they made it hard for people to deny the power of God.

• New tongues: the disciples received power to speak in other languages, so the crowd was amazed (Acts 2:4).
• Boldness: the apostles defended the gospel openly, even to the point of death.
• Signs and miracles: wonders followed the apostles, such as the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate.
• Endurance: the Spirit helped them to keep their faith and service under opposition and persecution.
• Spiritual gifts: the Spirit gave them different gifts to carry on the work Jesus gave them.
• Church growth: many people gave their lives to Jesus and joined the church.
• Love, peace and unity: the believers shared what they had, so that no one among them was in need.
• Fearlessness: death and authority no longer frightened them, as the trial and death of Stephen show.

What happened at the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:10-11)?

The healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate was a miracle done through Peter, with John present, in the name of Jesus.

• Recognition: the people knew him as the man who used to sit and beg at the temple gate.
• Amazement: they were filled with wonder at what had happened to him.
• Gathering: the healed man held on to Peter and John, and the crowd ran to them at Solomon’s Porch.

Why is the healing of the lame man important?

• Proof of power: it showed that the Holy Spirit was working through the apostles.
• Power of Jesus’ name: Peter healed in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
• Chance to preach: the crowd that gathered heard Peter’s message about Jesus.
• Promise kept: Jesus had promised that the disciples would receive power when the Holy Spirit came.

Who was Stephen?

Stephen was one of the seven men chosen by the apostles to oversee the sharing of food among the believers (Acts 6:1-6).

Why were the seven chosen?

• Complaint: some widows were being overlooked in the daily sharing of food.
• Apostles’ duty: the apostles wanted to give their time to prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4).
• Qualities: the seven had to be men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom.

What did Stephen do and suffer (Acts 6:8-15)?

1. Stephen was full of faith and power and did great wonders and signs among the people.
2. Some men argued with him but could not match his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he spoke.
3. They paid people to tell lies, saying he spoke against Moses, God, the temple and the law.
4. He was seized and brought before the council led by the high priest.
5. The members of the council saw that his face looked like the face of an angel (Acts 6:15).
6. He was found guilty and stoned to death (Acts 7).
7. As he died, he prayed that God would not hold the sin against his killers (Acts 7:60).

What does Stephen’s death teach about the Holy Spirit’s effect?

• Boldness: he spoke the truth before the same council that judged Jesus.
• Calm: he faced death without fear.
• Forgiveness: he followed Jesus’ example by praying for his enemies.

What moral lessons do Christians learn from these effects?

Christians learn five main lessons from the effects of the Holy Spirit on the early disciples.

• Repentance: if Christians repent and allow the Holy Spirit to work in them, God can do in their lives what He did in the lives of the apostles.
• The Spirit is God: the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity, so He is God living among people.
• God keeps His promises: whatever God promises, He will surely fulfil.
• Value of the ascension and the Spirit: Christians should appreciate that Jesus went back to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit.
• Spirit’s help today: the Holy Spirit supports Christians now as He supported the early disciples.

Evaluation

1. Highlight five effects of the Holy Spirit on the early disciples.
2. Who was Stephen, and how did his death show the boldness the Holy Spirit gave?
3. State two reasons why the healing of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate is important.
4. What is the relationship between the work of the Holy Spirit in the early disciples and in Christians today?
5. What is the position of the Holy Spirit in the Trinity?

Assignment

1. Discuss the importance of the Holy Spirit to the early disciples, giving five points.

Further practice

Objective questions

1. The Holy Spirit is not one of the following to the early disciples:
   • (a) comforter
   • (b) teacher
   • (c) adviser
   • (d) prayer warrior
2. The first miracle by the apostles was done by
   • (a) James
   • (b) Peter
   • (c) Paul
   • (d) John
3. The first miracle by the apostles was done on the _______ man at the Beautiful Gate.
   • (a) lame
   • (b) blind
   • (c) deaf
   • (d) epileptic
4. Which of these is not an effect of the Holy Spirit on the early disciples?
   • (a) boldness
   • (b) eloquence
   • (c) courage
   • (d) power
5. The Holy Spirit did not appear as one of the following on the Pentecost day:
   • (a) tongue
   • (b) wind
   • (c) water
   • (d) fire

Theory questions

1. What are the things that stop the Holy Spirit from working among believers?
2. Mention three works the Holy Spirit can do in the lives of believers now.

Reading

• Christian Religious Knowledge for JSS. BK 3*, by T.N.O Quarcoopome et al. Chapter 1, page 22.
• Fundamental of Christian Religious Knowledge for JSS. BK 3*, by Adeyinka, et al. Chapter 1, page 3.