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Knowledge is Freedom
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The Holy Spirit is in search of His Church The most obvious way to start this paper is to make sure everyone that reads it knows who the Holy Spirit is and what His purpose is on Earth, so there is a common understanding. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the God Head. What do I mean by this? God Almighty is a Spiritual being (John 4:24, God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.) He is the Alpha and Omega and is forever on His Throne, the God of all Creation. His Son, Christ the Messiah, known by the World as Jesus of Nazareth, declared by God Almighty as His Word, the Log'os, through whom all things in this World and Universe were made, is the second person of the God Head. Thayer's Greek Dictionary gives the definition of Log'os: 3) In John, denotes the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal wisdom and power in union with God, his minister in creation and government of the universe, the cause of all the world's life both physical and ethical, which for the procurement of man's salvation put on human nature in the person of Jesus the Messiah, the second person in the Godhead, and shone forth conspicuously from His words and deeds. John 1:1-5 1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2. The same was in the beginning with God. 3. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. The Holy Spirit, is just that, God Almighty's Spirit on Earth, here to empower His children who are born of His Spirit, through their repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Changing their spiritual nature from darkness and death to light and life, known as being born again, bought with the high price of Christ's blood, the Holy Lamb of God. Who was beaten, crucified, buried, served our sentence in Hell for the sins of the World, and was resurrected from His grave at the end of the third day. The Holy Spirit always glorifies Christ, for He divested Himself from His Throne and was translated into the flesh, born of a virgin, for the purpose of redeeming man from the curse and the slavery Adam sold us into. So we could once again come boldly before God Almighty's throne of grace, making our petitions known unto Him. Through the body of Christ, His Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, the enemies of Christ are placed under the feet of Christ, His body. Through the Holy Spirit, the power of God Almighty on the earth, the Church operating by faith in the name of Jesus Christ, declaring the Log'os, the Word of God in this World, Christ's government reigns through His body. God's Word, through faith in His Word, translates Christ's victory over the principalities and powers of the air into the physical realm, through His body, the Church. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the God Head, He is here on this Earth as the representative of God Almighty, sent and directed by Jesus Christ as He sits on His Throne, at the right hand of the Father. The Holy Spirit is omnipresent and omniscient, and was sent by Jesus Christ to be His representative on Earth for His Church, His body and His Government, for which there will be no end. Isaiah 9:6-7 John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: Also, John 14:16, John 16:13 The Holy Spirit was sent to give us power to overcome Satan, as Jesus has overcome him, as Jesus is so are we in this World. 1 John 4:17 Before Jesus Began His ministry He had to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:38 Luke 4:18 There is no way you can overcome Satan without being filled with the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit is your power source and teacher. Why should we be filled with the Holy Spirit? Because Jesus had to be, in order to overcome Satan and his demons and to be successful in His ministry. John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 1 Corinthians 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: Galatians 5:16-17 16. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. The following list are just a few purposes the Holy Spirit is here to fulfill, there are others. 1. To teach us all things. 2. Bring all things in rememberence, concerning God's Word. 3. Guides us into all truth. 4. He will show us things to come. 5. Heal the oppressed of the Devil. 6. Go about doing good. 7. Heal the brokenhearted. 8. Preach deliverance to the captives. 9. Recover the sight of the blind. 10. Set them at liberty, those that are bruised. 11. Enable your sons and daughters to prophesy. 12. Enable your young men to see visions and the old men to dream dreams. The following list contains the attributes of God Almighty, and will be the traits of those born again and filled with the Holy Spirit. Do you see yourself in this list? These should be the traits of every Christian, not just those in the ministry as Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Teachers and Pastors. See also: Acts 13:52, 2 Corinthians, Galatians 5:22, 1 Thessalonians, Ephesians 5:9 and Romans 15:13 1. Righteousness. 2. Goodness. 3. Truth. 4. Peace. 5. Joy. 6. Pureness. 7. Longsuffering. 8. Kindness. 9. Love unfeigned. 10. Gentleness. 11. Faith. 12. Wisdom. 13. Hope. Here are the gifts of the Spirit to the Christian, I list tongues last because God's Word does as a matter of importance. 1. Faith, by the same Spirit. 2. The Spirit of wisdom. 3. The word of knowledge. 4. Gifts of Healing. 5. Signs and wonders. 6. Gift of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:4-12 4. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9. To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10. To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11. But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. A majority of the Church, because of their ignorance of God's Word, lack any spiritual understanding concerning the subject of the Holy Spirit. Thanks in large part to theology and men's vain traditions. A majority of the Church is teaching a doctrine not supported by God's Word. This false doctrine has made the Church impotent against the abilty of Satan, and in doing so, sorely grieves the Holy Spirit. The Church teaches that when you are born again (receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior), you are also filled with the Holy Spirit. This is wrong. What is not understood is the Holy Spirit has more than one function. Like a Preacher that is married with children. While preaching he is a husband and father, but he is not functioning as a husband and father while he is preaching. When interacting with his wife he is functioning a husband and not as a preacher or father. When interacting with his children he is functioning as a father and not as a preacher or husband. The doctrine of man teaches that in the below verse to be born again is to be filled with the Spirit, but this verse teaches the opposite. Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. This verse is teaching us the Spirit of God and of Christ are one. However, there are two functions of the Holy Spirit. The first is through the Spirit of Christ as to your rebirth, being born of the Spirit. When you are born again, you are born of the Spirit, you become a new creature in Christ. The second is to be filled with the Spirit, your comforter and power source, sent by Christ after His ascension. The same Holy Spirit working through Christ that enables your rebirth. There is a different function of the same Holy Spirit, the first bringing about your rebirth through conviction, the second gives you the power to overcome Satan, by faith and through the power of God's Word. Ephesians 1:13 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, it is the same Spirit that called you to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, but now the Holy Spirit is the greater one in you and is your source of power and instruction. Jesus said, He must go back to Heaven so the Father would send the Holy Spirit in His name. John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 1 John 5:6-8 5. This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. Jesus himself had to be filled with the Holy Spirit before he could began His ministry. If you remember when John the Baptist baptized Jesus, he saw the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus like a dove. Also, the Apostles were commanded to wait at Jerusalem for the baptism of the Holy Ghost, before they could begin their ministry. Are we any different? Are we so high and mighty today that we do not need to be filled with the Holy Spirit? Did this commandment and blessing come to an end after the Apostles died? No! Today's pastors and theologians say this went out with the early Church. What does Jesus' Word say? Jesus said: Act 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 in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Jesus said through Peter: Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. John 3:5 Could Peter have made it any clearer? First you repent, then you are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. This is water baptism, known as John's baptism. Then a separate event takes place, just as Jesus has declared, you will then receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, if you ask the Father for this gift. Meaning, you are filled with the Holy Ghost, also known as being baptized with the Holy Ghost. There is no way an honest person, could twist being born of the Spirit (receiving Jesus as your Lord and Savior) and being filled with the Holy Spirit into all being done at the same time, the same event. Not by Jesus' Word you can't, but the Church has done just that, with their theology and doctrine. John 7:39 (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.) This theological error puts the Church and the individual Christian at a huge disadvantage, because now you are fighting a spiritual war which has to be fought with spiritual weapons. Your flesh is incapable of fighting a spiritual war without the power of the Holy Spirit. Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Are we still to be baptized with the Holy Spirit today? Yes. Peter makes this clear in the below verse that being filled with the Holy Spirit has not come to an end. Act 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. I ask you, is God Almighty still calling mankind to receive His Son as their Lord and Savior? Yes, of course. Need there be any more proof that the Church is wrong about being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues? No. But there is much more proof. Below is another example of the order of being born again and the baptism with the Holy Spirit as given by Peter Acts 2:38. However, there is a big difference, the men in the verses below were totally unaware of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, just like today's Church. Paul had to correct their error, after hearing them he could tell they had not received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Paul makes it clear in Acts 19:2-6 that everyone needs to be filled with the Holy Spirit, not just the Apostles, evidenced by their speaking with other tongues, also the signs and wonders done by them, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Act 19:2-6 2. He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. Is this the only order you can be filled with the Holy Spirit? No. However, in every case you do have to be born of the Spirit first, meaning you repent and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, because it is impossible for darkness and light to exist together. In other words, the Holy Spirit cannot reside in someone not born again, because prior to accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you serve Satan who is sin and darkness. Only after your being born again, can the Holy Spirit take up residence in your body. Remember the scripture that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost? 1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? In the below verses we see that after these men received Jesus, they were filled with the Holy Ghost, then were baptized with John's water baptism. Act 10:43-48 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47. Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. Some of you might ask: "Were the Apostles born again, as soon as Jesus Christ was resurrected from the grave?" No. However, as Jesus said from the cross, "it is finished", He had accomplished everything needed, not only for the Apostles, but for all those that would receive Him, to be saved. Or, you may ask, "well when were the Apostles born again?", "If you have to be born again before you receive the Holy Spirit, when was their conversion?" After Jesus was resurrected He appeared unto the Disciples and breathed on them in John 20:22, this was their conversion. However, Thomas was not there, eight days later Jesus appeared again, this time Thomas was there and he confessed Jesus as his Lord and Savior John 20:28. John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: To show how you have to rightly divided God's Word, it looks like the Apostles were filled with the Holy Ghost in the verse above when Jesus appeared to them, and breathed on them. No. No one could be filled with the Holy Spirit, until Jesus ascended to His Throne in Heaven and then sent the Holy Spirit to minister on Earth. This is why you really have to watch how you study God's Word. This is why Jesus said, to rightly divide His Word, meaning you could wrongly divide His Word. 2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Acts chapter one and two make it clear that the Apostles were baptized with the Holy Spirit in the upper room. Peter declared that the prophecy of Joel this day has been fulfilled. Again, remember the difference of being born of the Spirit and being filled with the Spirit. Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: So, the function of the Holy Spirit that took place at Pentecost was not the same function of the Spirit that made them new creatures in Christ when they were born of the Spirit, when Jesus breathed on them. Again, did the command of Jesus to be filled with the Holy Spirit ever end as the Church teaches today. No! So, as those present at Pentecost said, "what must we do?". The only way to escape judgement and go to Heaven is through Jesus Christ. You can't buy or work your way through good works into Heaven. You could have gone to Church everyday of your life and still go to Hell. You say you don't believe in Hell. Well, your disbelief has no effect on the reality of Hell or Heaven. You can't see radio waves, but your not being able to see them in no way effects their existence or reality. Jesus Christ is the door you have to walk through, in order for your spirit to reside with the Father in Heaven when your flesh dies. Your spirit lives on, it's just a question of where, Heaven or Hell. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Method of being filled with the Holy Ghost First, and the most widely known way is the laying on of hands by another Spirit filled person, after the person that desires to be filled with the Holy Spirit asks according to Jesus' Word. Acts 4:31, 8:15-17, 19-6 Act 8:17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Act 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. A second way we are shown by scripture that we can be filled with the Holy Spirit is, while the Holy Spirit is being taught to someone. Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. Act 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Act 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. A third way is, God's Word makes it clear that through faith a person can be by themselves and be filled with the Holy Spirit. It depends on your knowledge of God's Word and your level of faith, to first ask then believe you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Luke 11:13 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? The baptism of the Holy Ghost is very important to the body of Christ. Don't reject and deny yourself of the free gift given to us by our Heavenly Father, because of the false teaching of much of the Church today. The gift of the Holy Spirit is to help us be victorious in this life. Without the Holy Spirit, your knowledge of God's Word will be limited, you will not know or understand the importance of bridling your tongue. James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. You will not walk by faith, overcoming evil; you will be overcome by evil by one or more of the following ways. Through fear, uncertainty, poverty, confusion, sickness, disease an unsound mind through demonic oppression, which manifests itself through depression. Defeat in life is so un necessary, Jesus came for you to have abundant life, and our burdens made light, by casting our cares upon Him. So, take advantage of this free gift, to be freed from the burdens of this life, and demonic assaults that come against all of us. Through the power and instruction of the Holy Spirit, we have the ability and authority to declare Jesus' Word over every situation in life and know that it is done and that we are free. For we are set at liberty in Christ. Romans 8:2 1Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1John 5:14-15 14. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15. And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. Speaking in Tongues Since the gift of tongues is one of the reasons there is so much disunity in the Church concerning the baptism of the Holy Ghost, I will now focus on this subject, for it is sorely misunderstood. The disaster of this misunderstanding is that it has turned much of the Church into a form of anti-Christ. What do I mean by this? Due to the ignorance of much of the Church on this subject they have labeled the gift of tongues as being from the Devil. In other words they say that anyone that speaks in an unknown tongue is of the Devil. To call the Holy Spirit which has been given by God Almighty for the edification and power source of the Church, Satanic, is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit and places the person that makes such statements, in danger of eternal damnation. There is no point at getting upset with me for pointing this out, for God Almighty Himself stated this. Mark 3:29 Matthew 12:31-32 Luke 12:10 I realize those that say this do so out of ignorance, but to do so is to call God Almighty unholy. 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. The Church and many of it's Pastors out of ignorance have become anti-Christ and have placed themselves at odds with God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ. What does Jesus' Church do when rejecting the Baptism of the Holy Ghost? It grieves the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. This one issue has made the Church of Jesus Christ unrecognizable and ineffective as Christ's body and representatives on this Earth, as the ambassadors of His Kingdom. Ill prepared to declare and carry out Christ's Word, and wage war against our enemy, Satan and his principalities and powers of the air. Why? Because, in order to reject speaking in tongues, saying this is of the Devil, they also reject the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Saying you can be filled with the Holy Spirit and reject speaking with other tongues, would be like trying to separate the wet which as a maxim of God's natural Law is inseparable from water. In order to try and get scripture to line up they say: "when you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are automatically filled with the Holy Ghost". It is spiritually impossible and biblically unscriptural for both events to take place at the same exact time. After being born of the Spirit, a second later you could technically be filled with the Holy Spirit as a matter of timing, but not at the same time. The Holy Spirit cannot reside in darkness, and up until you receive Christ, your spirit is darkness. Once you are born again you are transformed into a spirit of light, capable of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Other scripture is taken out of context by those prohibiting speaking in tongues, as their proof that we are no longer to speak in tongues, and if anyone does they are of the Devil. I'm referring to 1 Corinthians 13:8-10, where Pastors and theologians say these verses prove tongues came to an end. If they would read these verses in there context with the subject matter of chapter 13 and 14 and not create a doctrine based on their bias, they would see their error. Paul says at the outset, that although he functions in all of the gifts of the Spirit, with perfection, through his full measure of faith and knowledge, if he does not have charity, these gifts of the Spirit amount to nothing. The above referenced scripture does not mean the gifts of the Spirit came to an end with the early Church. Paul says plainly that, "When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away away." Meaning, when Christ returns and we receive our glorified bodies, the gifts of the Spirit will cease. To prove this, once and for all, Paul goes on to say in chapter 14 that the Church as a matter of doctrine, is not to forbid the body of Christ from speaking in tongues. This is a matter of Christ's doctrine, His order and operation for His Church, His body. 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 8. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 1 Corinthians 14:39-40 39. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40. Let all things be done decently and in order. This is where the misunderstanding begins, because the Pastors of today say: "no one speaks today in all the different languages through an unknown tongue, so the gifts of the Spirit went out with the early Church." "Anyone that speaks in tongues today is not speaking in a recognizable language to all nations, so it is of the Devil". Again, the Pastors and Christians that say this or anything like this statement are ignorant of God's Word, concerning the Holy Spirit which is caused by their not being filled with the Holy Spirit, this is a vicious circle that feeds on itself. The Holy Spirit is our teacher, concerning Jesus' Word. If you reject the baptism of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by your saying, "speaking in tongues is of the Devil", you do not have the greater one in you to instruct you. You cannot reject speaking in tongues without rejecting the Holy Spirit. You could on the other hand be filled with the Holy Spirit and choose never to speak in tongues again after the first time, when You received the Holy Spirit. Let me state again, your refusing to be filled with the Spirit does not effect your being born of the Spirit. But simple means you go into battle with no armour, easily wounded or killed by the enemy. Make no mistake about it, when you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you are in a War against evil. You can't just sit on the side lines and hope it will pass you by and leave you alone. God's Word makes it clear that Satan goes about seeking who he may devour and that he came to kill, steal and destroy. It is through the knowledge and power of the Holy Spirit, you obtain the ability to overcome Satan. 1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (How can the Holy Spirit teach you if you reject Him?) I say this with all sincerity and love, the safest thing for you to do, if you refuse the gift of the Holy Spirit is never say privately or publicly that speaking in tongues, the gift of healing or signs and wonders is of the Devil. If you have, I suggest you repent before God Almighty. You can refuse the baptism of Holy Spirit, never speak in tongues, or do any signs and wonders and still go to Heaven. However, you may go tomorrow, though your inability to defend yourself against the assault on your life, because of your ignorance of God's Word and your self destruction through an out of control tongue, not seasoned with the salt of God's Word, or by the wisdom obtained through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Satan, nor his demons have to get involved with the body of Christ's destruction, because much of the Church destroys themselves through their lack of knowledge and out of control tongue. James 3:5-6 5. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. Isaiah 5:13 Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. The below verses make it clear how serious it is to blaspheme the Holy Spirit. Matthew 12:31-32 31. Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Luke 12:10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. So, I implore you, if you reject the baptism of the Holy Spirit, so be it, but do not blaspheme the Holy Spirit. If you reject tongues and think it is of the Devil, bite your tongue, don't say it, the penalty of blaspheme is far to serious. Paul said it very simply: 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Quench not the Spirit. You overcome ignorance and the lack of knowledge of God's Word with teaching, first lets hear what Jesus himself said about speaking in tongues. The below verse could not be any clearer, however, I have many more scriptures to give you, God's Word says, let everything be established by two or three witnesses. Deuteronomy 19:15 Jesus said: Mark 16:16-18 16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18. They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. When Pastors teach the body of Christ that being baptized in the Holy Spirit and speaking with other tongues is of the Devil, they have called Jesus Christ a liar and God Almighty's Spirit evil. Pastors you will suffer sever judgement for this. One reason this doctrine started is because Pastors and theologians do not make the distinction between the Apostles speaking in tongues at Pentecost which was also the gift of signs and wonders in operation. This was not the normal function of tongues we read about so many times in the book of Acts and the writings of Paul. You won't find another example of this special gift of tongues after this initial Holy Ghost revival, where three thousand souls were won to Christ. Pastors and theologians fail to realize by rejecting the very Holy Spirit Jesus sent for them to be filled with, they have rejected the teacher of the Holy Scriptures. God Almighty used this example of signs and wonders at pentecost to show the Church what could be accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit. This miracle of the Disciples speaking in a Holy encoded language understood by all of those present in their different languages, was to glorify Christ, thereby glorifying the Father. Everyone knew these men were Hebrew, and only spoke Hebrew. By this miracle three thousand men received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and were baptized with the Holy Ghost. God's Word could now be shed abroad through all these different Nations, without an interrupter. Just as God Almighty had the Power to disrupt a common language at the Tower of Babel, He did the reverse through this miracle, for the Gospel of His Son Jesus Christ to go out to all Nations through these three thousand ambassadors. Hebrews 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? Romans 15:19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. When the Apostles spoke in tongues at Pentecost they were understood by every person there, no matter their nationality, again this was the operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, through signs and wonders. This misunderstanding and error in teaching concerning the tongues spoken by the Apostles at Pentecost, is unnecessary, because God's Word makes this clear, study the following scriptures. You will see that this type of tongues was a one time miracle done through the power of the Holy Spirit. To establish Jesus Christ Church as a seed, to grow among the many Nations present who witnessed this miracle at Pentecost, for the glory of God Almighty, the edification of Jesus Christ' sibling Church and to greatly increase the faith of those present. 1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. Did you get it? For he that speaks in an unknown tongue, unknown, meaning not understood by anyone from any Nation. This is not the same function of tongues used by the Apostles at Pentecost. When you are by yourself and praying in the Spirit, in tongues, it is not for your understanding, but for the edification of your spirit and for your spirit to speak what is unknown by your flesh "soul" to God Almighty, through the Holy Spirit. Or, if there is a group of Christians and one or two out of the group desire to speak in tongues, then there will always be another in the group that will give the interpretation of the tongues for the edification of the whole group, if not, the persons desiring to speak in tongues are to be silent. 1 Corinthians 14:2-6 2. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. 6. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? 1 Corinthians 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. 1 Corinthians 14:12-14 12. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. 13. Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. To speak in tongues without interpretation is confusion and there is no edification or understanding through confusion. Which brings up another point, where a large majority of Churches reject the baptism of the Holy Ghost and speaking with other tongues, many Churches go to the other extreme, with the whole congregation speaking in tongues at the same time. This practice is also caused by ignorance of God's Word, because God's Word says everything is to be done decent and in order. For the whole congregation to be speaking in tongues at the same time is confusion because there is no interpretation or understanding for those that hear them, thereby no understanding or edification for those present hearing the tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 1Corinthians 14:26-28 26. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 1 Corinthians 14:33. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 1 Corinthians 14:15-19 15. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16. Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 17. For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19. Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. Why do we need to be able to speak with other tongues? Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Though speaking in tongues in private your spirit is edified, also your spirit is praying to the Father. Why? To gain help for your needs. That your flesh "soul" is not aware of, but the Holy Spirit is. Also, to intercede for someone else's infirmities that are unknown to you, but through your groaning in the Holy Spirit who knows all things, they obtain help through Devine intervention. God Almighty has designed His system that a man must ask to receive from Him. The person you have unknowingly been lead to intercede for may be incapacitated or unable to speak for themselves. The gift of tongues is also for revelation and prophetic knowledge through interpretation of tongues, for the edification of the Church and for Doctrine. Other reasons to be filled with the Holy Spirit Spiritual discernment 1John 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 1 Corinthians 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Warning Acts 16:6-7 6. Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7. After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. Acts 21:4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. Acts 21:11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. Word of Knowledge Acts 8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. Acts 10:19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. Direction, Guidance and Instruction Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Luke 4:1 Mark 1:12 And immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness. Acts 11:12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: Acts 13:2,4 2. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 4. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. Witness Hebrews 10:15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: Instruction in what to say Matthew 10:19-20 19. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. Mark 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Luke 12:12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. 1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. Divine metaphysical transportation Act 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 2. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4. How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. John 6:16-21 16. And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, 17. And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. 18. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. 19. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. 20. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. 21. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went. Why would you want to reject the free gift of the Holy Spirit, His super natural power for those that live by faith and are lead of the Holy Spirit? Those led by the Holy Spirit are the sons of God and if you are a son of God you have the right to cry Abba Father. Those born of the Holy Spirit are not under the Mosaic Law, but have the Law written in our hearts and because of this we are set at liberty, for we walk by faith not by sight. We have the right and privilege to make our petitions known to our Father and know that they are answered. 1 John 5:14-15 Romans 2:15 Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. Rom 8:14-15 14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Galatians 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. One problem some Christians have with being filled with the Holy Ghost is getting to close to anything having to do with the word Holy, because then you can't live the way you want to live. You think you have an out, to live the way you want by saying: "I'm human", "I'm not Jesus". Here again is another doctrinal error. Much of the Church believes Jesus ministered on Earth as the Son of God. Jesus was and is the Son of God, but He ministered on Earth as a man, as a prophet. Mat 13:57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. This is why we have no excuse, nor can we cop out, by saying well I can't be like Jesus, He was able to do what He did, because He was the Son of God. Jesus said as you have seen me do ye do also. It would be very unjust of God Almighty to tell us to do some thing it was impossible for us to do. Ask yourself this, if Jesus did the miracles reported in the Bible, and lived without sin because He was the Son of God, and He did. Why did He have to be filled with the Holy Spirit? Why would He need to be filled with himself? Why did Jesus pray and ask God Almighty for anything? If Jesus was ministering as the Son of God, why would He pray to himself? Jesus Christ was and is the Son of God, but in order for him to be tempted in all things as were common to man and be the last Adam, He had to divest himself of His throne and take on flesh to be tempted in all things, yet without sin. Jesus Christ defeated Satan and was victorious over sin, so the body of Christ can be victorious. God's Word says: "God cannot be tempted with sin" James 1:13, so why would Satan try to tempt Jesus when He was in the wilderness? When he knows God cannot be tempted with sin. If it is impossible for God to be tempted by sin; and it is, then Jesus could not be tempted in all things as is common to man if He was ministering as the Son of God. The only way Jesus could be tempted was for Him to be human just like Adam before Adam sinned. Think about it folks, Jesus overcame as a man so we would know we could obey His Word, when Jesus said, as ye have seen me do, ye do also. No, we are not perfect, only Jesus lived without sin. Thank God Almighty perfection is not required of us before we can be forgiven. Jesus Christ ministered for three and a half years so we would have an example of how to live free from sin, and how to be victorious against Satan and his demons, and in every area of life. 1Pe 1:15 "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;" Thank God Almighty, He sees us as we are going to be, not as we are. Thank God we do not have to be perfect before we have the right and ability to come before the mercy seat of the Father and confess ours sins and "know" the blood of Christ remits our sins. This is not a reason to sin. God forbid, but we have an advocate sitting at the right hand of the Father, Jesus Christ, defending us against the accusations of Satan, who comes before our Father continually accusing us. Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 1John 1:8-10 8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Nothing has changed since Jesus Christ said the following: Act 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. In spite of a large segment the Christians rejecting the Holy Spirit, they are members and heirs of the blessing of Abraham. So as Christ did, so they can do, if they will receive the promise of the Spirit. Meaning, to be filled with the Spirit, evidenced by your speaking in tongues, giving you the ability to do signs and wonders. This gift does not manifest through feelings, you don't have to work up a spiritual feeling in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Depending on the person, you may have a feeling when you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but that is not what brings about your baptism in the Holy Spirit. What brings about the baptism of the Holy Spirit is being born of the Spirit by faith, and then asking for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, according to B.I.B.L.E.. The same faith you used when you repented and asked Jesus Christ to be the Lord of your life, is used to ask your Father to be filled with the Holy Spirit. So after you ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit you begin to speak, you initiate the speaking in tongues by the leading of the Holy Spirit. God Almighty is not going to make you speak in tongues, you speak by faith. The Holy Spirit, according to your faith gives you the language when you open your mouth to speak. Don't worry about what it sounds like, it's none of your business. That's between your spirit and the Holy Spirit. Also, you do not have to sound like everyone else that speaks in tongues. There are Churches that say you have to sound a certain way and even give classes on how to speak and sound a certain way. I have news for you, if you are in control of the way you sound, the Holy Spirit is no where to be found. You are operating through the flesh and feelings, which is a slippery slope, inviting all kinds of error. If you are not born again I invite you now to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. It is very simple and you do not have to be in a Church building to be born again. All that is necessary, is: 1. Repent of your sinful nature, you don't have to try and list all the sins you have committed. What if you forget one and leave it out? It is not the individual sins that you ask forgiveness for, but your sin nature, that comes from being a descendent of Adam and the curse brought about by his disobedience being passed on to you. To repent, means to turn from serving your self interests and sin, to now serving God Almighty. 2. By faith, ask Jesus Christ "out loud" to come into your life to be your Lord and Savior. By this request you are changing masters, you are leaving the house hold of Satan and entering the house hold of God Almighty. By faith you receive this atonement and forgiveness of sin. As Jesus said: your sins are cast into the deepest depths of the sea never to be remembered again by God Almighty. Micah 7:19 Hebrews 8:12 You accept by faith that your name is now written in the Lambs book of Life, and that if you died a second later you would go to Heaven, and at the final judgement your sin nature and debt is accounted as paid in full through the blood of Jesus Christ. You now declare and confess "out loud" that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior. You are now born again. As a note: those whose names are not written in the Lambs book of Life, are cast into hell when they die, to suffer the flames of torment forever, to be separated from the Father throughout eternity. Luke 16:24 You can switch the order of 3 and 4 as a matter of timing. 3. By faith you ask for the free gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and either by the laying on of hands by another Spirit filled believer you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or while being taught about the Holy Spirit you are filled with the Holy Spirit, by your request, or you are by yourself and you ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit, according to your faith and knowledge of God's Word. You then speak with new tongues as the Holy Spirit gives you the words. You are now filled with the Holy Spirit. 4. You are baptized with the water baptism, which is a declaration to the World that you are now born again. That you are identified with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It's that simple, there is nothing to be afraid of or intimidated by. You can then fulfill your part of our commission to preach the good news of Christ's Kingdom to a lost and dieing World, as much as you can do, through the guidance and Power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ came to restore us to God Almighty, to save His lost sheep. Gal 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The seed of God's Word is alive, the ground of our Father is fertile and the harvest of souls will be bountiful when the living Word of God, Jesus Christ, is planted in the hearts of men, watered and then called by the Holy Spirit. AMEN Welcome to those that received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and are now members of the body of Christ. For now your name is written in the Lambs book of life. To those now born again, or those already born again, I hope you asked to be filled with the Holy Spirit. If you are still not sure how to receive the Holy Spirit, seek out a Spirit filled Christian to speak and pray with you. Now that you are filled with the Holy Spirit your education can begin. I hope this paper has helped overcome any lack of knowledge where it exists, concerning the baptism of the Holy Spirit. May God bless and protect you during these last days, for the days of great tribulation will soon come upon the World. 3-05-06 James Montgomery |
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