Prepared for March 18, 2011
The key passage on Spirit baptism is found in 1 Corinthians 12:13-“For by one _____________ are we all _______________ (immersed, placed) into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”
The “one body” spoken of in
this verse refers to the Church.
this verse refers to the Church.
“And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the __________ over all things to the ______________, which is his ___________, the fullness of him that filleth all in all” (Eph. 1:22-23). “And he is the ____________ of the _____________, the _______________” (Col. 1:18). The Church is defined as the body of Christ, and
Christ is the Head of that body.
Christ is the Head of that body.
Spirit baptism is defined in 1 Corinthians 12:13 as that work of God whereby believers are baptized (immersed,
placed) into Christ’s Body, the Church. How then does a believer become a member
of the body of Christ? It is by Spirit baptism.
placed) into Christ’s Body, the Church. How then does a believer become a member
of the body of Christ? It is by Spirit baptism.
Note: Some Baptist groups wrongly teach that 1 Corinthians 12:13 is referring to water baptism. They say that when a person is baptized in water he is then placed into the local church. They interpret “one body” as “the local church” (they deny the existence of a universal Church).
Thus they are saying that water baptism is the means by which a person is placed into the local church (the local church being made up of water immersed believers). However, the verse says nothing about water. It simply says that the believer is baptized or placed into the one body. It does not say he is baptized into water.
This Spirit baptism is something that takes place at the time of salvation, not at the time of water baptism. The Lord adds to the Church daily such as should be saved (Acts 2:47). It doesn’t say that the Lord adds to the Church daily such as should be
baptized.
baptized.
As soon as a person is saved he is added to the Church, the body of Christ. In Acts 5:14 we learn that “believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.”
This again implies that the moment a person believes (not the moment he is baptized in water) he is added to the Lord, and to the Lord’s body, the Church.
This passage thus provides us with the key to unlock the answer to the
important question as to when the Church began. If we can determine when Spirit
baptism first began, then we will know when the Church began.
important question as to when the Church began. If we can determine when Spirit
baptism first began, then we will know when the Church began.
When did God first baptize believers into His body? When were believers first placed into the body of Christ?
To answer this is to determine the day on which the Church began.
Spirit baptism was first predicted by John the Baptist in Matthew 3:11 (and in the parallel passages:
Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33):
Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33):
“I indeed baptize you with ________________ unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the ____________________________, and with fire” (Matthew 3:11 and
compare Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33).
compare Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33).
John’s baptism was a water baptism (“I baptize you with water”); Christ’s baptism would be a spiritual baptism (“He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit”). The “fire baptism” is for the unsaved and involves judgment. This “fire baptism” is yet future (see Matthew 3:12).
Notice the phrase, “He shall baptize you with (Greek-en) the Holy Spirit.” The verb “shall baptize” is in the future tense, indicating that Spirit baptism had not yet
taken place when John the Baptist spoke these words.
taken place when John the Baptist spoke these words.
John was predicting that it would happen in the future, but he did not predict exactly when it would happen. Notice also that Christ is the Baptizer. He is the One who will place believers into the body of Christ. He is the One who will build His Church (Matt. 16:18). Christ is also the Baptizer in 1 Corinthians 12:13, as will be shown later.
In Matthew 16:18 the Lord Jesus said, “I ________ build My Church.” The future tense of the verb indicates, that the building of the church had not yet begun when Jesus said these words. He did not say, “I have built My church.” He did not say, “I am building My church.” No, the building project had not yet begun and thus the
Church was yet future.
Church was yet future.
At the time Jesus spoke the words of Matthew 16:18 the church had not yet begun.
Today Christ is building His church. He is adding to the _______________ daily such as should be ___________ (see Acts 2:47). But the question is, when did this building program first begin?
In Acts 1:5 the Lord Jesus predicted that Spirit baptism was still future:
“For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many ________ hence” (Acts 1:5).
According to our Lord’s prediction, Spirit baptism had not taken place yet, though it would soon take place. No one had yet been immersed into the body of Christ. Thus, the church could not have begun prior to Acts 1:5. When Jesus spoke the words of Acts 1:5 His death and His resurrection had already taken place, and yet Spirit baptism had not yet taken place, the Holy Spirit had not yet come, and the church had not yet been formed.
But the announcement of Acts 1:5 was very significant because Jesus said that Spirit baptism would take place “not many days hence” (not many days from now). This means that it would happen soon, in a matter of days. Indeed, as we shall learn, it happened just 10 days later on the day of Pentecost.
The Day of Pentecost and the unique events that took place on that day are described in Acts chapter 2. In this chapter Spirit baptism is not specifically mentioned. It is not until Acts chapter 11 that we are specifically told that Spirit baptism took place on the day of Pentecost: “And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the ______________________ [on the Day of Pentecost].
Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that He said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be __________________ with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 11:15-16). Based on the clear statement of this passage we know that Spirit baptism first took place on the Day of Pentecost. It was then that believers were first placed into the body of Christ. It was then that the church began.
Not only did Christ place us into His body, but He also immersed us in the Holy Spirit. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:13). We have participated fully in the reception of the Holy Spirit.
“Not by works of righteousness
which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of
regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost which (the word “which” refers to
the Holy Spirit) He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour”
(Titus 3:5-6).
which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of
regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost which (the word “which” refers to
the Holy Spirit) He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour”
(Titus 3:5-6).
“. . .
having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit” (Acts
2:33).“He that believeth
on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly (innermost being) 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.)” (John
7:38-39).
Praise God, the Comforter has
come! The promise of the Father has been given! Spirit baptism began at
Pentecost and continues throughout this present age whenever a person believes
on Christ.
come! The promise of the Father has been given! Spirit baptism began at
Pentecost and continues throughout this present age whenever a person believes
on Christ.
If you have received the Lord
Jesus as your Saviour (John 1:12), are you thankful to be a member of the body
of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27)?
Jesus as your Saviour (John 1:12), are you thankful to be a member of the body
of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27)?
People speak of “going to
church” but have you realized that you are the Church? Seeing yourself as part
of the body of Christ will make a huge difference in your Christian life. God
has joined you in a vital way with your Head, the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph.
5:30-32), and God has joined you in a vital way with every other believer in the
Body. The Church is not an organization; it’s a living organism, pulsating with
the very life of God (Col. 1:27; Gal. 2:20).
church” but have you realized that you are the Church? Seeing yourself as part
of the body of Christ will make a huge difference in your Christian life. God
has joined you in a vital way with your Head, the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph.
5:30-32), and God has joined you in a vital way with every other believer in the
Body. The Church is not an organization; it’s a living organism, pulsating with
the very life of God (Col. 1:27; Gal. 2:20).
The Lord
Jesus, in perfect co-operation with the blessed Person of the Holy Spirit,
accomplished this great work, to the praise of the glory of His grace.
Jesus, in perfect co-operation with the blessed Person of the Holy Spirit,
accomplished this great work, to the praise of the glory of His grace.
|
In Galatians 3:27-28 believers have been placed
or baptized into Christ (with the result that they are IN CHRIST). So also in Romans 6:3. In light of these considerations, it seems best
to regard the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:13 to be the One that Christ the Baptizer uses as His Instrument to place believers into the body of Christ, and this great work first took place on the Day of Pentecost, the birthday of the church. |
Baptized Into Jesus
Christ
Christ
Believers have a glorious position. They are in
Christ. They are in God’s beloved Son: “Therefore if any man be _____
_______________, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all
things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Christ. They are in God’s beloved Son: “Therefore if any man be _____
_______________, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all
things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
“There is therefore now no condemnation (judgment) to
them which are _____ Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
them which are _____ Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
How did believers enter into this position? How does a
saved person get to be positioned in God’s Son? It happens by way of a
spiritual baptism (not a water baptism). It happens the moment a person is
saved. This is when God places the believer in His Son.
saved person get to be positioned in God’s Son? It happens by way of a
spiritual baptism (not a water baptism). It happens the moment a person is
saved. This is when God places the believer in His Son.
Galatians chapter 3:
26: For ye are all the children of God by ___________
in Christ Jesus.
27: For as many of you as have been ________________
(immersed, placed) into Christ have put on Christ.
28: There is neither Jew
nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for
ye are all one ____ Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26-28).
in Christ Jesus.
27: For as many of you as have been ________________
(immersed, placed) into Christ have put on Christ.
28: There is neither Jew
nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for
ye are all one ____ Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26-28).
Romans chapter 6:
3: Know ye not, that so many of us as were
_________________ (immersed, placed) into ___________ ______________ were
baptized into his death?
4: Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into
death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the
Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5: For if we have
been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the
likeness of his resurrection.
_________________ (immersed, placed) into ___________ ______________ were
baptized into his death?
4: Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into
death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the
Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5: For if we have
been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the
likeness of his resurrection.
Water baptism is a symbolic baptism that pictures a real
baptism which took place the moment a person is saved. At the moment of saving
faith, a person is baptized or placed into Jesus Christ, with the result that
the person is now “in Christ.” This real baptism is illustrated below:
baptism which took place the moment a person is saved. At the moment of saving
faith, a person is baptized or placed into Jesus Christ, with the result that
the person is now “in Christ.” This real baptism is illustrated below:
 |
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The
Result:  |
Since the believer has been baptized into Jesus Christ
(Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3), then this means that he has also been
(Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3), then this means that he has also been
1) baptized into His death (Rom. 6:3)
2) baptized
into His burial (Rom. 6:4)
3) baptized into His resurrection (Rom.
6:4-5)
4) baptized into His body, the church (1 Cor.
12:13).
2) baptized
into His burial (Rom. 6:4)
3) baptized into His resurrection (Rom.
6:4-5)
4) baptized into His body, the church (1 Cor.
12:13).
In other words, the believers has been totally
identified with Jesus Christ, so much so that the Lord Jesus could say to Saul
of Tarsus, “Why persecutest thou _____?” (Acts 9:4).
identified with Jesus Christ, so much so that the Lord Jesus could say to Saul
of Tarsus, “Why persecutest thou _____?” (Acts 9:4).
We know that Paul persecuted believers (1 Cor. 15:9).
Why then did Jesus say, “Why are you persecuting Me?”
Why then did Jesus say, “Why are you persecuting Me?”
If the Body suffers, then the Head feels
it!
it!
Water baptism then is to be a picture of this glorious
relationship and position that the believer has IN CHRIST. Thus I (as a
believer) may say the following:
relationship and position that the believer has IN CHRIST. Thus I (as a
believer) may say the following:
| 1) Because I am IN CHRIST I have been identified with Him in His death, burial and resurrection (Rom. 6:3-4) and thus water baptism is to picture the fact that I died with Him (as far as my old life is concerned) and that I now share His resurrected life (Gal. 2:20). 2) Because I am IN CHRIST I am a new creature in Him (2
Cor. 5:17) and thus water baptism is to picture the fact that I no longer want to be living unto myself but unto the One who died and rose again for me (2 Cor. 5:15). 3) Because I am IN CHRIST I am a member of His body,
the Church (1 Cor. 12:13), and thus water baptism is to bear testimony to the fact that I am now a member of the body of Christ and identified with a local assembly of believers (compare Acts 2:41-42). 4) Because I am IN CHRIST I have complete forgiveness
of sins (Eph. 1:7) and thus water baptism is a symbolic picture of the washing away of my sins (compare Acts 2:38; 22:16). 5) Because I am IN CHRIST I am not under condemnation
(Rom. 8:1) and thus water baptism bears testimony to the fact that I am free from guilt and I have a good conscience towards God (1 Pet. 3:21). |
What is the Spirit Baptism?
The first thing that you will need to know is exactly what this
gift is.The Bible tells us that we will all receive the
Holy Spirit at the moment of our salvation with the Lord. The Bible also tells
us that we are “sealed” with the Holy Spirit the minute we accept Jesus Christ
as our personal Lord and Savior.
gift is.The Bible tells us that we will all receive the
Holy Spirit at the moment of our salvation with the Lord. The Bible also tells
us that we are “sealed” with the Holy Spirit the minute we accept Jesus Christ
as our personal Lord and Savior.
So if we have already received the Holy Spirit at the moment of
our salvation with the Lord, then what is this baptism of the Holy Spirit that
I am talking about? The Bible tells us that there is only one
baptism.
our salvation with the Lord, then what is this baptism of the Holy Spirit that
I am talking about? The Bible tells us that there is only one
baptism.
To fully understand what is meant by the baptism of the Holy
Spirit you have to know what the difference is between your body, soul and
spirit.
Spirit you have to know what the difference is between your body, soul and
spirit.
The Bible tells us that we have three, distinct parts to our
being body, soul and spirit. Here is the verse specifically
telling us this:
being body, soul and spirit. Here is the verse specifically
telling us this:
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and
may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of
our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
Your body is your human, physical, flesh body. Your soul is
located on the inside of your body.
located on the inside of your body.
Your soul is who you really are. It is your total personality
it is your mind, will, emotions and intellect. Your soul is spirit in form,
which means it cannot be seen by any natural means. It is completely invisible
to the naked eye.
it is your mind, will, emotions and intellect. Your soul is spirit in form,
which means it cannot be seen by any natural means. It is completely invisible
to the naked eye.
On the inside of your soul is your spirit. The Bible refers to
our human spirit as being our “innermost being.” I believe another word for our
human spirit is “heart.”
our human spirit as being our “innermost being.” I believe another word for our
human spirit is “heart.”
Example:When people refer to having had a
broken heart in a broken romantic relationship, a broken heart is really a
“wounded spirit.”
broken heart in a broken romantic relationship, a broken heart is really a
“wounded spirit.”
I also believe Jesus gives us a clue as to where our human
spirits may be located at in our beings in the following verse. The New King
James Version uses the word “heart”, but the Original King James Version uses
the word “belly.”
spirits may be located at in our beings in the following verse. The New King
James Version uses the word “heart”, but the Original King James Version uses
the word “belly.”
“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his
heart (BELLY) will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the
Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not
yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John
7:38)
When we receive Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior,
the Holy Spirit comes and enters into our human spirits. Our spirits are thus
baptized with His actual presence at the exact moment of our salvation with the
Lord. This is the baptism that the Bible is talking about when it says that
there is only one baptism.
the Holy Spirit comes and enters into our human spirits. Our spirits are thus
baptized with His actual presence at the exact moment of our salvation with the
Lord. This is the baptism that the Bible is talking about when it says that
there is only one baptism.
However, there is a is a second experience where the Holy
Spirit now comes up and enters into your soul.
Spirit now comes up and enters into your soul.
Your spirit has already been baptized with the Holy Spirit at
the moment of your salvation with the Lord, but now God wants to take it one
step further. He now wants to baptize your soul with his Holy Spirit.
the moment of your salvation with the Lord, but now God wants to take it one
step further. He now wants to baptize your soul with his Holy Spirit.
Another word that can be used for the “baptism” of the Holy
Spirit where He will now enter your soul area is the “release” of the Holy
Spirit into your soul. The Holy Spirit will release from your spirit to come up
and enter into your soul.
Spirit where He will now enter your soul area is the “release” of the Holy
Spirit into your soul. The Holy Spirit will release from your spirit to come up
and enter into your soul.
I believe this is what Paul was referring to when he commands us
to be “filled with the Spirit.” Eph 5:18
to be “filled with the Spirit.” Eph 5:18
If our spirits are
already filled up with the Holy Spirit at the moment of our salvation with the
Lord, then what else needs to be filled up? It is our souls.
already filled up with the Holy Spirit at the moment of our salvation with the
Lord, then what else needs to be filled up? It is our souls.
When you have received the releast of the Holy Spirit, you are
now considered “Spirit-filled.” Both your spirit and your soul are now filled
with the presence of the Holy Spirit.
now considered “Spirit-filled.” Both your spirit and your soul are now filled
with the presence of the Holy Spirit.
For those of you who have ever felt “heart pain” in a broken,
love relationship if you will recall, the pain you were feeling was in your
belly area. It feels like there is a knife on the inside of your belly area just
tearing you up.
love relationship if you will recall, the pain you were feeling was in your
belly area. It feels like there is a knife on the inside of your belly area just
tearing you up.
Again, a broken heart is really a wounded spirit, and when your
heart or spirit has been wounded or hurt, you will literally feel physical pain
in your belly area.
heart or spirit has been wounded or hurt, you will literally feel physical pain
in your belly area.
1. Let’s look at the example a house.
Another way to try to understand all of the above is what I
call the house analogy. When you buy a house, you will get two things the house
and the front and back yards. The analogy is that your house is your soul and
your front yard is your spirit.
When you receive God’s free gift of salvation through accepting
Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit enters into your
front and back yards, which is your human spirit. However, He now wants to go
one step further and come into your actual house, which is your soul
area.
Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit enters into your
front and back yards, which is your human spirit. However, He now wants to go
one step further and come into your actual house, which is your soul
area.
Why? Because this is where you really live at. You spend most
of your time in the house as versus being outside in the front and back yards.
Jesus says in the following verse:
of your time in the house as versus being outside in the front and back yards.
Jesus says in the following verse:
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice
and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me.”
(Revelation 3:20)
Jesus is not only telling us that He is literally going to come
into our human spirits at the moment of our salvation with Him, but that He can
also enter into our souls through the Holy Spirit. Even though Jesus is in
heaven, He now lives on the inside of us “through” the Holy Spirit.
into our human spirits at the moment of our salvation with Him, but that He can
also enter into our souls through the Holy Spirit. Even though Jesus is in
heaven, He now lives on the inside of us “through” the Holy Spirit.
Just as Jesus is living on the inside of us and making contact
with us through the Holy Spirit, we likewise can make direct contact with both
Him and God the Father through the Holy Spirit.
with us through the Holy Spirit, we likewise can make direct contact with both
Him and God the Father through the Holy Spirit.
It is “by, in and through” the Holy Spirit that we have direct
access to both God and Jesus who live and dwell in heaven. Here are several good
Scripture verses proving the above points:
access to both God and Jesus who live and dwell in heaven. Here are several good
Scripture verses proving the above points:
a) This first verse tells us that the Holy Spirit literally
lives on the inside of each of us.
lives on the inside of each of us.
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the
Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)
b) Now that we know that the Holy Spirit lives on the inside of
each of us, and that both God and Jesus live in heaven – watch how we make
direct contact with both God and Jesus in heaven, which is through the Holy
Spirit:
each of us, and that both God and Jesus live in heaven – watch how we make
direct contact with both God and Jesus in heaven, which is through the Holy
Spirit:
- “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the
Father.” (Ephesians 2:18)
- “And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom
He has given us.” (1 John 3:24)
These two verses specifically tell us that we can make direct
contact with both God and Jesus who live in heaven “by the Spirit.” The second
verse tells us that Jesus literally lives and abides in us “by the
Spirit.”
contact with both God and Jesus who live in heaven “by the Spirit.” The second
verse tells us that Jesus literally lives and abides in us “by the
Spirit.”
2. Let’s look at the example of a telephone cord
Another analogy to fully understand how we can make direct
contact with God and Jesus in heaven through the Holy Spirit is what’s call the
telephone cord analogy. We can pick up a telephone and call someone 800 miles
away. Even though that person is physically far away from us, we can still hear
their voice as if they were only two inches from our ears. It’s as if that
person is literally in our actual presence.
It is the same way with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Even
though God and Jesus dwell in heaven and do not live on this earth, we can still
make direct contact with the both of Them through the Holy Spirit. It is by, in
and through the Holy Spirit that we can make direct contact with the both of
Them the same way we can make direct contact and talk to someone else 800 miles
away because of the telephone wires that will connect us to the person that we
are talking to.
though God and Jesus dwell in heaven and do not live on this earth, we can still
make direct contact with the both of Them through the Holy Spirit. It is by, in
and through the Holy Spirit that we can make direct contact with the both of
Them the same way we can make direct contact and talk to someone else 800 miles
away because of the telephone wires that will connect us to the person that we
are talking to.
Example: The Holy Spirit is like the “telephone wire”
that enables us to connect to and make contact with both God and Jesus in
heaven. We can talk directly to God and Jesus as a result of having the Holy
Spirit living on the inside of us, and both God and Jesus can also talk directly
to us through the Holy Spirit as well.
that enables us to connect to and make contact with both God and Jesus in
heaven. We can talk directly to God and Jesus as a result of having the Holy
Spirit living on the inside of us, and both God and Jesus can also talk directly
to us through the Holy Spirit as well.
Once the Holy Spirit comes up and enters into your soul as a
result of having received this gift you will be able to hear God much better
and much clearer because the Holy Spirit has now moved up into where you really
live at your soul.
result of having received this gift you will be able to hear God much better
and much clearer because the Holy Spirit has now moved up into where you really
live at your soul.
This is why this gift is so important and so vital for all
Christians to have.
Christians to have.
I will end with all of the incredible benefits and blessings
that you can expect to receive if you decide you want to take the plunge and
receive this gift. These benefits and blessings are powerful and life changing,
and they will all completely change and transform the quality of your
life.
3. Finally
If you have not been able to receive this gift here is very
simple steps that you can take that will help you to be able to properly
receive this gift from the Lord.
However, before I go into each of these steps and exactly what
they will entail, I would like to state one more thing.
In my opinion, this gift is the second greatest gift that you
can receive this side of heaven. The first greatest gift is the gift of eternal
salvation where you accept and receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and
Savior.
There is no greater gift than that. With that gift you are truly born again
into the kingdom of God and you will go straight to heaven when you leave this
life here on earth.
into the kingdom of God and you will go straight to heaven when you leave this
life here on earth.
However, I believe that receiving the baptism or release of the Holy Spirit
to come into your soul is the second greatest gift that anyone can receive while
living down here on this earth.
to come into your soul is the second greatest gift that anyone can receive while
living down here on this earth.
Just stop and think for a minute what is really happening when you do receive
this gift.
this gift.
You receive the Holy Spirit into your human spirit when you get saved.
However, this gift will now take you one step further. This gift will now allow
the Holy Spirit to release from your spirit to come up and enter into your soul.
However, this gift will now take you one step further. This gift will now allow
the Holy Spirit to release from your spirit to come up and enter into your soul.
Your soul is who you really are. The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the
Godhead. He is God and Lord Himself.
Godhead. He is God and Lord Himself.
Once the Holy Spirit releases to come up into your soul, you are going to be
as close to Him, God and Jesus as you possibly can get while living down here on
this earth. You will be truly Spirit-filled when this happens.
For some Christians, this may be a bit too scary. Many Christians are afraid
of God and they would prefer to keep Him at a safe distance.
of God and they would prefer to keep Him at a safe distance.
This gift is really only for the true seekers. This gift is only for the
those who are willing to completely lay down and fully surrender every area of their lives
over to God the Father for whatever His purposes and plans are going to be for
your lives.
those who are willing to completely lay down and fully surrender every area of their lives
over to God the Father for whatever His purposes and plans are going to be for
your lives.
For those of you who do have this fear of God for whatever reason, I can tell
you without any shadow of a doubt, that there is absolutely nothing to fear
about either God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit.
you without any shadow of a doubt, that there is absolutely nothing to fear
about either God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit.
Once you really make direct contact with the three of Them, once you really
feel Their perfect and unconditional love that They really have for you, any
fears that you may have had in the past will completely melt away.
feel Their perfect and unconditional love that They really have for you, any
fears that you may have had in the past will completely melt away.
God will perfectly and gently handle you at your present level of with
Him,
Him,
if you decide that you do want to take this bold step and receive this gift.
God will gradually work Himself and all of His ways into you so as not to scare
or overwhelm you.
God will gradually work Himself and all of His ways into you so as not to scare
or overwhelm you.
Remember brethren since God is totally perfect in His very nature and in all
of His ways, this means you can completely and totally trust Him to perfectly
handle you in your own personal relationship with Him. He has nothing but your
best interests at heart.
of His ways, this means you can completely and totally trust Him to perfectly
handle you in your own personal relationship with Him. He has nothing but your
best interests at heart.
We will continue on March 25, 2011
Lesson #7 Part 2
The Blessed Person and Work of God the Holy Spirit
“How to Receive”
If you are
not willing to go all out for the Lord in this life, then you will be wasting
both your time and His time by asking for this gift.
not willing to go all out for the Lord in this life, then you will be wasting
both your time and His time by asking for this gift.
Once you
realize what this gift entails and that you will have to be willing to fully
surrender to whatever God’s perfect plan and destiny is going to be for your
life then the next step is to take that big leap of faith and fully surrender
everything over to God the Father.
realize what this gift entails and that you will have to be willing to fully
surrender to whatever God’s perfect plan and destiny is going to be for your
life then the next step is to take that big leap of faith and fully surrender
everything over to God the Father.
The Ministry of Fruitful Fellowship 
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