A Child of God - Part 5

Now that one has become born again, that is, has experienced new birth, they begin their wonderful adventure as a a child of God, having been legally adopted into the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:15-16). When Jesus was about to leave His disciples and return to the Father, He promised that He would send the Holy Spirit into the world to become their Teacher, Guide, Helper and Comforter. (John 14:15-18, 15:26-27, 16:12-15) The Holy Spirit was going to have charge of the ministry and the work of the Church. He was going to guide the Church as a whole, as well as, guide the many members individually. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit came upon certain people for a period of time to accomplish the work of God, but now He is to dwell with and in the heart, the spirit, of all who are born again.  

Before we go any further, we need to understand that the Holy Spirit is not an "it" an "ism" nor is He some mystical force. The scriptures refer to Him as a person by using personal pronouns, such as, He, Him, etc. In the scriptures referenced above, Jesus gives the Holy Spirit the same place, the same personality, and the same honor that He gives to the Father and to Himself. The Apostle John reveals this fact this way, "For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one." (1 John 5:7) Notice that John clearly reveals that the Holy Spirit co-exists, is co-equal, is co-eternal, that is, one with the Father and the Word (the Son). Although the Holy Spirit is one with the Father and the Son, scripture clearly reveals that He is also distinguished from the Father and Son. The Apostle Paul shows us this very thing, "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all." (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)  

The Holy Spirit has the guidance and the plans for the church. Paul shows us, "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills." (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) In doing these things, the Holy Spirit does not operate independently from the Father and Son. Jesus tells us, "When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you." (John 16:13-15) 

The Holy Spirit's place of activity today is on the earth. Some of the things He is doing are, convicting the world of sin, (John 16:8), holding back the powers of darkness, (1 John 4:4), recreating sinners, (2 Corinthians 5:17), indwelling the new believers body (John 14:17), empowering believers for ministry (Acts 1:8) and bringing them into the Family of God. (Romans 8:15-16). Since the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit's home is the body of those who are born again. "...do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God..." (1 Corinthians 6:19) However, He could not make His home in the human body until man had been recreated, born again. This could not take place until Christ had come and paid the penalty of sin, taken His seat as Mediator, and given eternal life to all who would confess Him as Lord and take Him as Savior.  

Not only does the Holy Spirit indwell the believer at the very moment he is born again, but He also fills the believer. First and foremost, to enter the family of God, people need regeneration, new birth, being born again, but they also can receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which is subsequent to the regeneration experience. For the lack of space we will view a portion of scripture as evidence that shows the regeneration experience (indwelling of the Holy Spirit) and the pouring out and receiving of the Holy Spirit (infilling or being Baptized with the Holy Spirit) are two separate experiences. “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.” (Acts 8.5-6) We read further, “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.” (Acts 8.12)  

The Samaritans heard the gospel and believed. They had experienced regeneration, but it is apparent by the following scripture that there was more than just believing and being water baptized. “Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8.14-17) There is no doubt that these new converts were saved and had the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. However, the Holy Spirit had not fallen upon them (filled them as on the Day of Pentecost) until Peter and John laid their hands on them. (Also see Acts 19:1-7) 

The Apostle Paul also tells us, “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18) A literal translation of the verb would read "be being kept filled." The idea is one of keeping themselves constantly filled and being filled with the Holy Spirit, as you yield moment by moment to His leading. "Be filled" is actually in the passive voice and indicates that the action of the Holy Spirit is continuously filling the believer. It is simply another facet of being a child of God and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Holy Spirit allows the believer to have daily, moment-by-moment effectiveness and fulfillment in their Christian life as a child of God. Not just in the character of Christ, but also in the realm of the supernatural. "These signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18) "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." (John 14:12) Isn't it absolutely wonderful to be a child of God? PTL

Life In The Spirit

Everyone likes to receive gifts. When we receive a gift, it should never be received in a prideful way as though we are somehow deserving of such. A gift is something that is given freely, voluntarily and without compensation. So, due to what a gift is, we should receive it humbly because they are meant to be a blessing. On the day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter preaches his first open air message to the crowds that had gathered in Jerusalem. Toward the end of this message he is asked by many of those who listened, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37) Peter responds by saying to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)

Responding to the call to repentance and being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ has opened the door for receiving "The Gift of the Holy Spirit." Titus tells us,  "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit." (Titus 3:5) The Greek word for regeneration means "to be birthed again." This is what Jesus had spoken to Nicodemus concerning what one must do to see the kingdom of God, "Jesus said to him, assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)  Therefore, it is vitally important that believers be equipped with the Word of God so that they fully understand why they are given the gift of the Holy Spirit. The following will shed some light on this.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2) "that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man." (Ephesians 3:16) The Holy Spirit is given to liberate the believer from the power of sin and death. The believer is no longer limited to natural power in order to live up to God's standard, but rather, God has placed within the believer the Holy Spirit. Now the believer has the very ability of God dwelling within. 

"In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14) The Holy Spirit constantly bears witness of our relationship with God that we are born again and He is the believers guarantee of this inheritance.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) The moment that one is born again and receives the gift of the Holy Spirit, their human spirit is supernaturally recreated. The recreated human spirit is instantly filled with these nine endowments which when depended upon by the believer keeps them from living in the old nature and walking in the lusts of the flesh. Walking in the Spirit simply means to walk in the fruit of the recreated spirit.

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) The Holy Spirit equips the believer for service in fulfilling the Great Commission. 

"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." (Romans 8:26) The Holy Spirit makes it possible for the believer to communion with God through prayer; "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24) and also through worship. 

"However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." (John 16:13) The Holy Spirit will guide the believer into all truth. Jesus said, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." (John 17:17) This is one of the vital functions of the Holy Spirit in the believers life. Knowing God's Word will build the believers faith and assure the believer that all of the other attributes of the Holy Spirit shown above are indeed true. So let us give thanks to the Father for drawing us to Jesus (John 6:44); Give thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ for bringing us to the Father (John 14:6) and let us give thanks to the Holy Spirit for being with us and in us (John 14:17) even until the end of the ages. Amen (Matthew 28:20) 

Need Help

As Jesus was giving His disciples some instructions before His departure from earth and return to heaven, one of the things He tells them, "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:16-18) The word "Helper" is also "Advocate and Comforter" which means, "someone who is called in alongside to help." We see this also revealed in this way, "My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (1 John 2:1) As we can see, the scripture unfolds a beautiful truth, that is, believers have two advocates. We have Jesus Christ, the Son, at the Father's right hand, and we have the Holy Spirit on earth. Having two such helpers, advocates, how could we ever lose a case?

So, let us look at these verses a little closer, "the Father, and He will give you another Helper, "that He may abide with you forever."." We need to understand the importance of the word "another." It actually indicates a person. In a way, Jesus is saying, "I'm a person who has been your Helper. However, I am going away and when I go, another person will come to be your helper. Do not be heartbroken because the one coming in My place will never leave you." Jesus also tells them, "for He dwells with you and will be in you." In other words, "this advocate, comforter, helper, is not only going to be with us, but He is going to live in us. What a most wonderful promise. The Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit will come and set up His residence in every believer.

Finally, Jesus says, "I will come to you." This is very important. Jesus tells His disciples that He is coming back to them in the Holy Spirit. While He was on earth in His body, Jesus could only be in one place at one time and could only talk to one person at a time in one conversation. He was limited by time and space. Now, when He comes back to His people in the Holy Spirit He is completely free
from the limitations of time and space. Now, for instance, through the Holy Spirit He can be in Australia, talking to a believer and at the same time, He can be in the United States anointing a
preacher or even somewhere in the deserts or the jungles of Africa, strengthening or healing a
missionary. He is not limited. He has come back, and is no longer subject to the limitations of time
or space.

Continuing in His instructions to His disciples Jesus tells them, "But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you." (John 16:5-7) Jesus is saying, "As long as I am with you, in person on earth, the Holy Spirit has to stay in heaven. But if I go away, then, the Holy Spirit will come and take my place." In other words, there will be a exchange of divine persons. He also tells them, "It is to your advantage that I go away." This is quite a statement. Jesus is saying we are better off with Him in heaven and the Holy Spirit on earth than we would be with Jesus on earth and the Holy Spirit in heaven. Few people realize that. Many time believers will say, "If only I could have lived in the days when Jesus was on earth" or "I wish Jesus were still here on earth., but Jesus says, "you are better off if I go."

Finally, the Day of Pentecost came where the disciples were filled with the very Helper, Comforter, Advocate, that Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit. The results of this experience is evident. First, they understood the plan of God and the ministry of Jesus far better than they had ever understood it while Jesus was on earth. The fact is, they had been very slow and limited in their understanding while Jesus was with them, but, the moment the Holy Spirit came, they had a totally different comprehension of the ministry and the message of Jesus. Second, they became extremely bold. Even after the resurrection, they still hid away behind locked doors for fear of the Jews. (John 20:19) They were not willing to stand up to preach and proclaim the truth. However, the moment the Holy Spirit came, that all changed. (Acts 2:14-38) Third, they had supernatural confirmations. The moment the Holy Spirit came, miracles began to take place. (Acts 3:1-10) It was just like Jesus being back with them in person.

The reality is, Jesus is still with us, "The Lord is the Spirit..." (2 Corinthians 3:17) as the Holy Spirit. It is to our advantage that the Holy Spirit has come, so that we believers can continue the ministry that Jesus began here on earth for His glory, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20) " And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18) "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." (John 14:12)  

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all...

We Are Not Alone

During Jesus' last days on earth as the Son of Man, He gave His disciples some final instructions prior to His departure concerning their future relationship with Him, "If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:15-18) "The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." (John 14:26) "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me." (John 15:26) and...

 "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you." (John 16:7) "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you." (John 16:12-15) "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8)

Jesus promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit would come after His departure to take His place on earth. Not only would the Holy Spirit be with them, but He would be in them. We see this fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:1-4) Notice that the Holy Spirit not only filled the whole house where they were sitting, but also notice that they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. 

Unfortunately, various creeds and doctrines have either limited or prevented people from this wonderful experience. When the disciples exited the upper room and took to the streets of Jerusalem,  Peter explains what was taking place by quoting the prophetic scriptures that pointed to this event. He continues to tell them that what they were witnessing was a result of Jesus being raised from the dead and exalted to the right hand of God, which then released the promise from the Father, the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2: 5-33) Finally, Peter tells the people that God has made Jesus whom they had crucified both Lord and Christ. In response the people say to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2.37) "Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2.38-39) 

Not only was the Holy Spirit poured out upon the apostles and those that were present in the upper room, but also we see that anyone who would be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Looking further into this experience, we note, "to your children" is a reference from the Prophet Joel, "your sons and daughters" (Joel 2:28); "to all" refers to, the whole race; not limited to Jews, "who are afar off" refers to, "those in other lands" and "as many" refers to, all those who hear the gospel and respond to it. There is no indication whatsoever that the pouring out of the Holy Spirit was or is limited to a dispensation of time or a specific people group on the earth.

That very day, the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit entered them and recreated them. They were now new creatures. (2 Corinthians 5:17) What a miracle it is to have God the Holy Spirit immediately come into the person who confesses the Lord Jesus Christ and takes Him as their Savior. How wonderful it is to become instantly recreated becoming a partaker of the Divine Nature. (2 Peter 1:4) This means that we have the same creative ability of God in us, (Ephesians 3:20) and the same love of God also in us (Romans 5:5) No wonder the Apostle John tells us, "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4)

There is so much that can be shared concerning the Holy Spirit, but for now, take some time and meditate on the truths above as well as the following. The Holy Spirit who is in us, is the same Spirit who participated in creation. (Genesis 1 - 2) The Holy Spirit who is in us, is the same Spirit who was in Jesus when He walked on the sea in Galilee. (Matthew 14:22-33) The Holy Spirit who is in us, is the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. (Ephesians 1:19-21) The Holy Spirit who is in us, is the same Spirit that enables the believer to do the same works that Jesus did and even greater. (John 1:12) Although we may not have taken advantage of the riches of grace that belong to us, it does not change the fact that the same Holy Spirit who did these things is with and in us, "For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13 AMP)

The Holy Spirit longs to be loosed in us to continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth today through each and every believer, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16:17-18) So remember, we are not alone. God Himself, that is, the Holy Spirit, is with us and in us, "strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure." Hallelujah...      

The Greater One In Me

One evening, a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, came to speak with Jesus. Though he was a religious leader, what Jesus tells him seemed to shock him. Jesus said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born? Jesus answered, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, you must be born again. The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." (John 3:1-8) 

This has become known as being "born again" or becoming a "new creation in Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:17) This deals with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit which happens immediately when one confesses the Lord Jesus Christ and receives Him as Savior. Concerning the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, Jesus says this, "I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:16-17) I want to focus our attention on the phrase, "for He (the Holy Spirit) dwells with you and will be in you."

Being born again is not just an experience, but rather, it is being completely transformed, given a recreated spirit and receiving the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, who comes to make His home in every one who confesses Christ as Lord and receives Him as Savior. There is no need for any believer ever to feel helpless or hopeless. Christ's purpose in sending the Holy Spirit was to come and live in us, taking the place of Jesus, who is at the right hand of the Father. The New Testament gives us three relationship levels that God sustains toward believers; God is for us; God is with us; God is in us. God being for us, guarantees our success; With God on our side, we are sure to win in life. If God is for us, and we know that He is for us, we become utterly fearless in life, no matter how difficult the situation may be and no matter how dark the clouds that hang upon the horizon of life may be, we are calmly assured that we win in every circumstance, no matter what, simply because God is for us.

The Bible tells us that we have a better covenant (the New Covenant) established on better promises (Hebrews 8:6), than the people of Israel under the Old Covenant. Under the Old Testament, God was for Israel and with Israel, but He was not in Israel, that is, in their physical bodies. However, in the New Covenant, God is for us, He is with us, but even far greater, He is in us. God is actually making His home in our bodies as His Temple. Of all the great truths in connection with our redemption, this truth is most likely the apex of the reality of our redemption. The Apostle Paul tells 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)
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19) No longer does God dwell in the earth-made Holy of Holies made with mans hands, but in fact He dwells in the believers body which has become His Temple. PTL

Under the Old Covenant, God's Presence was kept enclosed in the Holy of Holies or occasional given to a select number of people, such as judges, kings, priests and prophets, for a particular purpose and time. However, on the Cross just before Jesus died, He said, "It is finished" (John 19:30). He was not referring to the New Covenant, but the Old Covenant being finished or completed in Him. The New Covenant wasn't instituted and ratified until Jesus was raised from the dead, ascended on High and entered into the heavenly Holy of Holies with His own blood. (Hebrews 1:3, 10:12) Once Jesus obtained eternal redemption for us, as the writer of Hebrews records, then and only then were the terms of the New Covenant consummated and ratified.

Also note, that when Jesus died on the cross, Matthew records that the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, (Matthew 27:21), also signifying that the Old Covenant was finished and that God's Presence would no longer be kept shut up in the man-made Holy of Holies. Notice that the curtain was not torn from the bottom to the top, as what might have happen if the curtain were torn by a person or persons. This indicates that the curtain was not torn with human effort, but through divine intervention. When that happened, God's Presence which had been kept in the Holy of Holies, moved from there to take up residence in His New Temple, the born again believer.

The Apostle John tells us, "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4) The Greater One, God Himself, in the person of the Holy Spirit, is in you if you are born again. All that God could possibly be to His children and do for His Children, the Holy Spirit through His indwelling Presence is to you, for you and in you. As believers become more conscious of the Greater One in us, every bit of fear, of the devil, sickness, disease, poverty or any such thing will flee. We will walk in the assured confidence that God is with us, for us and in us, that the Holy Spirit in us is everything that the Scriptures says He is and that He will do everything in and through us the Word says He will do. So, let us make a daily confession of our faith by stating with confidence, "He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world."  

Are You Resting or Wrestling

The word rest is defined as, to cease from work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength; relaxing or ceasing to engage in strenuous or stressful activity. The word wrestle is defined as, to take part in a fight, that involves grappling with one's opponent; to struggle with a difficulty or problem. As we can see by definition, these two words are in complete opposition to one another. The Apostle Paul tells us, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh." (2 Corinthians 10:3) Since Paul still has a body and soul, he walks in the flesh and yet, though the nature of the flesh is so corrupt, he does not war according to the flesh. In other words, he walks in the flesh, but he does not walk by the flesh. Why is that or how does he not permit his flesh to dominate him? 

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 
casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Corinthians 10:4-6) Paul tells us that the weapons available to believers are not carnal or fleshly, but his weaponry derives from God alone. In the natural realm, warriors go into battle depending on their own might and on the wisdom and skill which plans the battle. However, the believers warfare is not from his abilities, plans or wisdom, but his total dependency upon God. He has no hope of victory except in God. Without his dependency upon God, he is sure of inevitable defeat.

The purpose of these weapons is to strike down strongholds, fortresses, or strong fortification which are designed to oppose the believer and God's Word. All these strongholds deal with sins or works of the flesh and the wickedness of the world, both having their roots in the kingdom of darkness. Believers are to use God's weapons to cast down arguments, reasonings of the mind, that is, the various systems of false philosophy and vain imaginations. Believers are also to crush every exalted opinion; all the pride of the human heart and of the intellectual understanding; as well as everything else that is opposed to the knowledge of God, that is, the Word of God. Believers are to bring into captivity, subdue, all these things, all the plans and purposes of the flesh, the reasonings, the imagination, and all the powers of the mind, and to bring them all under the authority and triumph of Christ. All the plans of life should be controlled by the will of Christ, formed and executed under his control, as captives are led by a conqueror. The sense is, that it was the aim and purpose of Paul for the church to accomplish this through the weapons that are mighty in God. The strongholds of philosophy, paganism, and sin should be destroyed and all the opinions, plans, and purposes of the world become subject to Jesus Christ. 

This is the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer. However, to the degree that a believer receives and acts upon revelation of God's Word by the Holy Spirit and the direct work of the Holy Spirit in the believer revealing the corrupt condition of the flesh, is the extent of how he uses God's weaponry.  Although the believer may agree mentally with God's Word concerning the corruption of the flesh, he nevertheless may lack the clear spiritual insight which in turn may lead him to oppose the flesh with his own strength. During such a time as this, the believer wages war by trying to improve or discipline his flesh. He prays, he searches the scriptures, and even sets up many rules. The Apostle Paul revealed this to us and asks why we would do such a thing, if we had died with Christ. (Colossians 2:20-23) Believers who engage in such practices, do  not comprehend that such treatment is useless. In actuality, this will assure the believer to experience more defeats than victories until finally it seems to him that complete victory over the flesh is impossible. 

However, if a child of God faithfully and honestly believes God's Word and sincerely yields to the Holy Spirit to reveal God's holiness to him so that he may know his flesh in light of God's holiness, he will no longer strive against the lust of the flesh. He will also be spared from the many sufferings that living by the flesh presents. He will come to live out the fact that, "For he who has died has been freed from sin (the works of the flesh)." (Romans 6:7) He will then come to appreciate true freedom that Christ has provided for all who truly believe. Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32) So, let us stop wrestling with the flesh, but instead, cease from trying to fix the lust of the flesh on our strength, and rest by faith in Jesus Christ. Let us completely yield to the working of the Holy Spirit and live in the victorious life that we have in Christ. Amen?...

Survival of the Fittest

"Survival of the fittest" is a phrase first used by Herbert Spencer after reading Charles Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" in which he drew parallels between his own economic theories and Darwin's biological ones, writing, "This survival of the fittest, which I have here sought to express in mechanical terms, is that which Mr. Darwin has called natural selection, or the preservation of favored races in the struggle for life." In Christian terms, in a sense, we can term survival of the fittest as the struggle between the spirit and the flesh. The Apostle Paul reveals a very important point concerning these two entities, "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish." (Galatians 5:17)

When the Bible uses the word flesh, it indicates the combination of the body and soul (mind, will and emotions). (Genesis 6:3; Romans 7)  Although at the moment when a person confesses Christ as Lord and receives Him as Savior the Holy Spirit takes up residence, many believers are still controlled by the flesh as though it did not die with Christ and was raised up again in Him. (Romans 6:4-5) The problem comes because they have not truly believed in the accomplished fact of Christ's death and resurrection for them. This does not mean that they are not saved, it simply means that they have not acted upon the Word of God and the call of the Holy Spirit to follow the principle of death and resurrection, that is, "walk in newness of life." According to the finished work of Christ, at the moment of regeneration all believers have died and have been resurrected with Christ. Accordingly, it is every believers responsibility to die to self and live to God. (Romans 6:11)

This condition is nothing new to the church. The Apostle Paul confronted this very issue with the church at Corinth, "And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?" (1 Corinthians 3:1-4) We see that the Apostle Paul divides believers into two categories; spiritual and fleshly or carnal. Today, many view the spiritual believer as abnormal or even fanatical, yet he is actually normal. It is the
fleshly or carnal believer who is abnormal. The church at Corinth were believers, but they were fleshly, not spiritual.

When we speak of regeneration, it is a birth by which the innermost part of man's being, as the Apostle Peter says, "the hidden person of the heart" (1 Peter 3:4), that is, the hidden spirit of a person, is renewed, recreated, and indwelt by the Spirit of God. When regeneration occurs, it requires time for the power of this new life to penetrate the flesh and bring it into dominion to the recreated spirit. Therefore, we cannot expect to find the strength of "the young men" nor the experience of "the fathers" manifested in the life of a newly born child of God. (1 John 2:12-14)  No matter how much the new believer may love the Lord or love the Truth, the facts is, he may not understand just how strong his flesh is. So, what are the reasons why many believers do not grow from babes? 

I believe it stems from three main reasons. One is that church leaders (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, or Teachers) neglect to disciple them properly, that is, "teaching them to  observe (hold fast; continue in) all things" commanded by Christ (Matthew 28:20). This lack prevents the believer from moving beyond intellectual or theoretical knowledge, to experience, believing and acting on the Word of God. Secondly, it may be that the believer has convinced himself that spiritual advancement is not necessary. This is shear ignorance of coming to the reality of "that which is flesh is flesh and that which is spirit is spirit." (John 32:6) Thirdly, the believer is just unwilling to grow in their faith. This is a reflection of one who is stubborn and unteachable. No matter what the case, all are schemes of the devil to keep believers complacent and lethargic. It is not God's intention that believers remain babes "who are tossed two and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting." (Ephesians 4:14) 

Although the Bible does not expect a new believer to be spiritual instantaneously, however, if they should remain as a babe after several years, their situation is sad to say the least. Paul himself points out to the Corinthians that he had treated them as carnal, fleshly, because they were new born babes in Christ, but at the writing of his epistle to them, they should have grown into manhood. They had instead, wasted away their lives by remaining as babes, and were thus still fleshly. Although the church at Corinth was established in a sinful, hedonistic society, it does not necessitate as much time as we think then or today for one to be transformed from the fleshly into a spiritual believer.  It is apparent that Paul thought the same about the church at Corinth.

Two things that are necessary for believers to act upon daily, to break away from the works of the flesh are laid out in the Romans. Paul tells us, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:1-2) We see what believers are to do concerning the body and the soul, that is, the flesh. This is an act of ones will, as well as the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit. As believers resist the flesh by an act of their will and yielding to the Holy Spirit, there recreated spirit will eventually have dominion over their flesh and the Christian experience will become more challenging and exciting. To sacrifice, means that something has to die, the flesh. To renew the mind is to fill it with the Word of God. 

If you struggle with the works of the flesh, begin to apply what Paul tells us in Romans 12:1-2 as well as asking the Lord to give you the grace to separate you from the struggles that you face in this life that try to steal your peace and joy. Remember, Jesus said, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) So, grab a hold of Jesus, let faith arise, be led by the Holy Spirit, and experience the abundant life that He has given.

Child of God - Part 5

Now that one has become born again, that is, has experienced new birth, they begin their wonderful adventure as a a child of God, having been legally adopted into the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ. When Jesus was about to leave His disciples and return to the Father, He promised that He would send the Holy Spirit into the world to become their Teacher, Guide, Helper and Comforter. (John 14:15-18, 15:26-27, 16:12-15) The Holy Spirit was going to have charge of the ministry and the work of the Church. He was going to guide the Church as a whole, as well as, guide the many members individually. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit came upon certain people for a period of time to accomplish the work of God, but now He is to dwell with and in the heart, the spirit, of all who are born again. 

Before we go any further, we need to understand that the Holy Spirit is not an "it" an "ism" nor is He some mystical force. The scriptures refer to Him as a person by using personal pronouns, such as, He, Him, etc. In the scriptures referenced above, Jesus gives the Holy Spirit the same place, the same personality, and the same honor that He gives to the Father and to Himself. The Apostle John reveals this fact this way, "For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one." (1 John 5:7) Notice that John clearly reveals that the Holy Spirit co-exists, is co-equal, is co-eternal, that is, one with the Father and the Word (the Son). Although the Holy Spirit is one with the Father and the Son, scripture clearly reveals that He is also distinguished from the Father and Son. The Apostle Paul shows us this very thing, "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all." (1 Corinthians 12:4-6) 

The Holy Spirit has the guidance and the plans for the church. Paul shows us, "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills." (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) In doing these things, the Holy Spirit does not operate independently from the Father and Son. Jesus tells us, "When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you." (John 16:13-15) 

The Holy Spirit's place of activity today is on the earth. Some of the things He is doing are, convicting the world of sin, (John 16:8), holding back the powers of darkness, (1 John 4:4), recreating sinners, (2 Corinthians 5:17), indwelling the new believers body (John 14:17), empowering believers for ministry (Acts 1:8) and bringing them into the Family of God. (Romans 8:15-16). Since the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit's home is the body of those who are born again. "...do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God..." (1 Corinthians 6:19) However, He could not make His home in the human body until man had been recreated, born again. This could not take place until Christ had come and paid the penalty of sin, taken His seat as Mediator, and given eternal life to all who would confess Him as Lord and take Him as Savior.

Not only does the Holy Spirit indwell the believer at the very moment he is born again, but He also fills the believer. First and foremost, to enter the family of God, people need regeneration, new birth, being born again, but they also can receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit which is subsequent to the regeneration experience. For the lack of space we will view a portion of scripture as evidence that shows the regeneration experience (indwelling of the Holy Spirit) and the pouring out and receiving of the Holy Spirit (infilling or being Baptized with the Holy Spirit) are two separate experiences. “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.” (Acts 8.5-6) We read further, “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.” (Acts 8.12) 

The Samaritans heard the gospel and believed. They had experienced regeneration, but it is apparent by the following scripture that there was more than just believing and being water baptized. “Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8.14-17) There is no doubt that these new converts were saved and had the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. However, the Holy Spirit had not fallen upon them (filled them as on the Day of Pentecost) until Peter and John laid their hands on them. (Also see Acts 19:1-7)

The Apostle Paul also tells us, “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18) A literal translation of the verb would read "be being kept filled." The idea is one of keeping themselves constantly filled and being filled with the Holy Spirit, as you yield moment by moment to His leading. "Be filled" is actually in the passive voice and indicates that the action of the Holy Spirit is continuously filling the believer. It is simply another facet of being a child of God and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Holy Spirit allows the believer to have daily, moment-by-moment effectiveness and fulfillment in their Christian life as a child of God. Not just in the character of Christ, but also in the realm of the supernatural. "These signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 
they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18) "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." (John 14:12) Isn't great to be a child of God?

Denied - Part 1

Ice hockey is a fast paced contact sport that was developed in Canada in the 19th century. In short, ice hockey has two teams of six skaters, who attempt to drive a small solid rubber disk (the puck) into the opposing goal with a stick that has a hooked or angled end used to move the puck along the ice and for making goals. The sport has not changed much except today it is played in an ice rink. One of the things that I remember when at a ice hockey rink watching a game, was when the goalie, (a player who guards his teams net to prevent the opposing team from scoring a goal) would block a shot from an opposing team player from entering the goal net. When this happened, the screen on the score board which hung from the ceiling of the rink above the players in the center of the rink would have big flashing letters that said, "DENIED."

In my travels in ministry, as well as reading various media by Christian authors and viewing online videos of various ministries concerning the church today, has cause me to grieve at what is going on in the church, what the church has accepted as truth (which isn't), the twisting of God's Word with liberal New Age influence interpretations of scripture and what it refuses to do concerning building the church up spiritually. I not only believe, but I also see the very thing that General William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army said over 100 years in full swing today in the church. I quote, “I consider that the chief dangers which confront the coming century (meaning the 20th century, we are now in the 21st century) will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and heaven without hell.” Let's not be naive. This statement is true in most sectors of the church whether Catholic or Protestant. This should grieve every believer and should move us to change.  

The fact is, we are being "denied" or actually denying ourselves of the wonderful blessings, gifts and callings that the Lord has given to the church. Let us not be deceived with large numbers in congregation thinking that God is somehow blessing us when the spiritual maturity of the church is that of carnal Christianity. (1 Corinthians 3:1-4) Let us not be taken by our large congregations when we are not building according to God's Word and being led by the Holy Spirit. There are numerous organizations with large numbers of people who are anti-Christ and anti-church.

One of the things that should grieve us most is our lack of love for one another especially when Jesus, our LORD, commanded us to "love one another." In reality, the early church also had its share of problems, but it had leaders that were willing to confront the issues with God's Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit, not the opinions, thoughts and intellect of man. For instance, Acts 15 reveals a situation between the Jew and Gentile believers that arose and could have split the church completely apart. The issue was over the necessity of the Gentile believers as to whether they should be circumcised or not. However, the outcome came down to who had the preeminence in the church, the apostles and elders or the Holy Spirit? In making this crucial decision we need to notice the order of things, "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us..." (Acts 15:28) It seemed good to the Holy Spirit above the opinions, thoughts and intellect of these mighty men of God. They submitted to the Apostle James' answer because they recognized the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking through him. If it was only James' word, they would not have been in agreement. But they submitted to the Holy Spirit speaking through James and submitted to one another.

Let's be honest, if church leaders are truly being led by the Word of God and what the Holy Spirit is speaking, there will be no division in the church, only submission to one another in the Lord, as it should be. However, this will not be accomplished without "...Faith working through love." (Galatians 5:6) which begs another question. Are church leaders truly letting faith work through love? Without faith working through love the church will be denying itself of all the blessings that are for her through Jesus Christ.  

I believe one of the reasons why the church has lost much of its glory, power and influence which we have not experienced as a whole for nearly 1700 years is due to its lack of dependency on God's Word and the Holy Spirit. This has led the church into the "Dark Ages" for 1000 years which brought on what is called the "Protestant Reformation." Though the protestant reformation which started in 1571 by Martin Luther with his work entitled, "The Ninety-Five Theses" was meant to bring reformation and restoration to the church, it also caused division and disunity from those who refused to return to the Word of God and the voice of the Holy Spirit. But even now, especially among the Protestant churches the division and disunity continues to spread. I am not trying to paint an ugly picture of the Body of Christ, but to bring us to the reality of where we are. Until we are able to admit our faults to one another and turn away from them, have a true love for Christ, His church (all believers), God's Word and to be led by the Holy Spirit we will not bring hope to a lost world. 

As I progress through this series, I will address what I believe is the major cause of our falling away from true Christianity as we see recorded in the scriptures, into a religion that blends with the other world religions. We will also look at the reformation and restoration that is going on in the church today, that is bringing the glory and power of Lord back to His church. I believe that the Body of Christ in many sectors will begin experience incredible things that have not been seen since the inception of the church. PTL          

Receive the Gift

Everyone likes to receive gifts. When we receive a gift, it should never be received in a prideful way as though we are somehow deserving of such. A gift is something that is given freely, voluntarily and without compensation. So, due to what a gift is, we should receive it humbly because they are meant to be a blessing. On the day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter preaches his first open air message to the crowds that had gathered in Jerusalem. Toward the end of this message he is asked by many of those who listened, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37) Peter responds by saying to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)

Responding to the call to repentance and being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ has opened the door for receiving "The Gift of the Holy Spirit." Titus tells us,  "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit." (Titus 3:5) The Greek word for regeneration means "to be birthed again." This is what Jesus had spoken to Nicodemus concerning what one must do to see the kingdom of God, "Jesus said to him, assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)  Therefore, it is vitally important that believers be equipped with the Word of God so that they fully understand why they are given the gift of the Holy Spirit. The following will shed some light on this.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2) "that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man." (Ephesians 3:16) The Holy Spirit is given to liberate the believer from the power of sin and death. The believer is no longer limited to natural power in order to live up to God's standard, but rather, God has placed within the believer the Holy Spirit. Now the believer has the very ability of God dwelling within. 

"In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14) The Holy Spirit constantly bears witness of our relationship with God that we are born again and He is the believers guarantee of this inheritance.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) The moment that one is born again and receives the gift of the Holy Spirit, their human spirit is supernaturally recreated. The recreated human spirit is instantly filled with these nine endowments which when depended upon by the believer keeps them from living in the old nature and walking in the lusts of the flesh. Walking in the Spirit simply means to walk in the fruit of the recreated spirit.

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) The Holy Spirit equips the believer for service in fulfilling the Great Commission. 

"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." (Romans 8:26) The Holy Spirit makes it possible for the believer to communion with God through prayer; "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24) and also through worship. 

"However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." (John 16:13) The Holy Spirit will guide the believer into all truth. Jesus said, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." (John 17:17) This is one of the vital functions of the Holy Spirit in the believers life. Knowing God's Word will build the believers faith and assure the believer that all of the other attributes of the Holy Spirit shown above are indeed true. So let us give thanks to the Father for drawing us to Jesus (John 6:44); Give thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ for bringing us to the Father (John 14:6) and let us give thanks to the Holy Spirit for being with us and in us (John 14:17) even until the end of the ages. Amen (Matthew 28:20) 

Do You Know Him? Part 7

Now that we have seen the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus and the believer, in the final part of this series, we will now see the Holy Spirits work in the church, the Body of Christ. When Jesus said, "I will build my church" we need to understand that it was the Holy Spirit who was send by the Father and Son to be the builder. The Holy Spirit is the agent of the Godhead (three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, yet one God indivisible) who came to earth to build the church through the cooperation of every believer. This is a very important point. Every believer is to cooperate with the Holy Spirit so that Christ can build His church, not churches. We also saw that the out pouring of the Holy Spirit on believers reveals quite a difference between the Old and New Testament saints.  The major aspects of the work of the Holy Spirit in the church include...

• The Holy Spirit filled the believers on the Day of Pentecost forming and empowering the church (Acts 2:1-4)
• The Holy Spirit is the governing Agent directing the government of the church (Acts 15:28)
• The Holy Spirit formed the church to be the new and living temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16)
• The Holy Spirit brings gifts and graces to the church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Romans 12:6-8)
• The Holy Spirit produces fruits in the church to counteract the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:22-23)
• The Holy Spirit brings anointing and illumination o the church (1 John 2:20, Ephesians 1:17-18)

Jesus while in His ministry as the Son of Man for three and one half years was fully dependent upon the Holy Spirit's workings. During this entire time, the Holy Spirit was able to operate through Him freely and uninhibited. This is exactly how the Holy Spirit should be permitted to work throughout the entire Body of Christ, through every believer. He should have the freedom to operate through every believer unimpeded so that He can build the church correctly. You might be thinking, "Well He is building the church correctly." This is only true to a certain extend. If He were permitted to build the church His way, then the only thing that the "Protestant Reformation" should have brought to the church would have been 'Reformation" not division that continues happening today!

Before His crucifixion, Jesus gave the disciples instructions concerning what was to come, especially concerning the Holy Spirit who would be sent in His place. (John 14:16-17, 26, 15:26-27, 16:7-15) After His resurrection, He met with His disciples and gave them further instruction which we call "The Great Commission."  
"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)

"And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." ( Mark 16:15-18)

"Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:46-49, with Acts 1:4-8)

As we can see, the Holy Spirit was to be the source of the church's success. However, it would require full cooperation on the part of all believers not the apostles only. Many in the church today must let go of fear, doubt and unbelief and permit the Holy Spirit to rule and reign. Every believers must step aside, let simple faith rise up and permit Him to have full access to our lives. As we have seen in this seven part series the many workings of the Holy Spirit in both Old and New testament, I pray that you will honestly trust God's Word and move forward into the wonderful work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit not only indwells the believer, but He fills and empowers all believes to fulfill the work that Jesus started during His ministry time on earth. The lost world is depending on us, the entire church! Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. 

Do You Know Him? Part 6

We saw that on the Day of Pentecost that the Holy Spirit was poured out on all flesh fulfilling what was spoken by the Prophet Joel. (Joel 2:28-29) If we look at the scriptures and contrast the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus with the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer and also the church, we would discover that the ministries are almost identical. As Jesus was the example of the unhindered workings of the Holy Spirit in the early church, He should still be the same today, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8) If the Head of the Body has not changed, then neither should the Body or its members. Every believer as a son or daughter of God and member of the church should follow in His steps and submit themselves to the Holy Spirit and His workings.

If Jesus the Son of God depended on the Holy Spirit, how much more should the believer also depend on Him. All that God has for us and desires to do through us will only be done by the workings of the Holy Spirit in and through our lives. Every believer needs to open their heart and permit the Holy Spirit to manifest Himself. When Jesus commissioned the twelve to go out before Him, His instructions to them were based on what He Himself had openly performed before them. Scripture shows us that He sent them out to do the same. "And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease...And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:1, 7-8)

This had taken place before the death, resurrection and glorification of the Lord so the Holy Spirit had not yet been poured out on all flesh. However, the commission that Jesus had given them was surely the work of the Holy Spirit. Remember, there were many in the Old Testament that were used of God to do remarkable things that were the works of the Holy Spirit. We also see the work of the Holy Spirit on seventy other disciples that Jesus sent out to replicate His ministry. "After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go...And heal the sick there, and say to them,'The kingdom of God has come near to you...Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10: 1, 9, 19)

Again, this also took place before the death, resurrection and glorification of the Lord, but was certainly the work of the Holy Spirit. The following although not all inclusive are examples of the Holy Spirits work in the life of the believer.

• New birth is brought about by the Spirit (John 3:5-6)
• The Spirit enables the believer to worship (John 4:23-24)
• The Spirit imparts life (John 6:63)
• The Spirit teaches the believer and guides them into all truth (John16:13)
• The Spirit empowers the believer to witness (Acts 1:8)
• The Spirit fills the believer with Himself (Acts 2:4)
• Through the infilling of the Spirit, the Spirit enables the believer to speak in unknown languages (Acts 2:4)
• The Spirit speaks to the believer (Acts 8:29)
• The Spirit gives a calling to the believer for service (Acts 13:2-4)
• The Spirit guides the believer into their ministry (Acts 16:6-7)
• The Spirit indwells the believer’s spirit (Romans 8:9)
• The Spirit enables the believer to put fleshly deeds to death (Romans 8:13)
• The Spirit leads the believer (Romans 8:14)
• The Spirit give assurance of salvation (Romans 8:16)
• The Spirit enables the believer to pray (Romans 8:26-28)
• The Spirit opens the believer’s understanding to the things of God (1 Corinthians 2:12)
• The Spirit imparts spiritual gifts to the believer (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)
• The Spirit will bring about the resurrection and immortality to the believer’s body (1 Corinthians 15:47-51)
• The Spirit produce fruit in the believers recreated spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
• The Spirit strengthens the believers inner being (Ephesians 3:16)
• The Spirit brings about renewal (Titus 3:5).

With the exception of a few (those that pertain specifically to salvation), the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer is a direct reflection of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ and the disciples prior to and even greater after the Day of Pentecost. This should tell us that the work of the Holy Spirit through the believer and the entire Body of Christ has not been limited to some dispensation. If we believe that His work has stopped and is only involved in regeneration, then we need to address the following questions. We need to have honest answers that are backed by scripture, especially for the last question that we will see. Question; why would God send the Holy Spirit upon certain people in the Old Testament to do incredible works? Why would thw Word become flesh being led by the Holy Spirit to do incredible works when His main purpose was to die for mans sin? Why would Jesus commission at least eighty two disciples that we know of, to replicate Him ministry through the working of the Holy Spirit prior to His death? Why would God prophecy that His Spirit would be poured out on all flesh rather than a limited few? Why would the early church need to be filled with the Holy Spirit and replicate the ministry of Jesus? Finally, why would God perform all the miracles, signs and wonders for thousands of years and stop them now?

The fact is, looking at the above list of the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer tells us that His mighty works have always been and will continue to manifested through the church until Jesus Christ returns. Unbelief, in many people in the church will not stop His work. Believing in man's doctrines over God's Word will not stop His work. His work will continue as long as Gods people exercise faith, believe and act upon His Word. We must fully believe that Jesus is the Word Who became flesh and that He (the Word) is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) If we can embrace these truths, then God is able to perform what He says, yes, even today through the church, The Body of Christ. PTL   

Do You Know Him? Part 5

Now that we saw the release of the Holy Spirit upon all flesh which began on the Day of Pentecost, it is vitally important to understand that this could only be fulfilled through The Lord Jesus Christ. His death, burial, resurrection, ascension and glorification is the foundation for the releasing and work of the Holy Spirit. So, before we proceed forward with the Holy Spirit working through the lives of the believers in the early church and the believer today, let's look at His work through the Life of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus sets the example for all believers through His three and one half years of ministry as the Son of Man.

The Angel Gabriel and the Apostle Paul reveal some important things concerning the Incarnation. "Behold, you (The Virgin Mary) will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus...The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:31, 35)
"...Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself..." (Philippians 2:5-8) In short, though Jesus was fully God, He was also fully man. For His mission on earth, although He did the work of deity, He chose to "empty Himself" of His deity and work out His mission through His humanity. We see this very thing at the beginning of His ministry. 

"Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him...When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him." (Matthew 3:13-16)
In John the Baptist witness concerning Christ, he tells us, "For He (Jesus) whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure." (John 3:34) So, we see clearly that Jesus' ministry would set the example for all who would follow Him. We see Him being filled with the Holy Spirit. It would be this infilling of the Holy Spirit that Jesus would rely upon to fulfill His mission by not doing His will, but the Father's Will. (John 6:38) Although Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit without measure and the believer is not, we will see the similarities of the Holy Spirit's work in Jesus to that of the believer. The Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus... 

• He was led by the Spirit (Matthew 4:1)
• He cast out demons by the Spirit (Matthew 12:28)
• He was born of the Spirit (Luke 1:35)
• He was empowered by the Spirit (Luke 4:14)
• He was anointed by the Spirit (Luke 4:18)
• He spoke and taught by the Spirit (Luke 4:18)  
• He healed the sick by the Spirit (Luke 4:18)
• He was filled with the fullness of the Spirit (John 3:34)
• He gave commandments to the disciples by the Spirit (Acts 1:2)
• He was baptized and empowered the church by the Spirit (Acts 1:5-8)
• He was resurrected by the Spirit (Romans 8:11)
• He was justified by the Spirit (1 Timothy 3:16)
• He was offered up on Calvary by the Spirit (Hebrews 9:14)    
• He governs and directs the church by the Spirit (Revelation 2:7-11)

Although this list is not all inclusive, we do see the workings of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus. Jesus' entire life was governed by the Holy Spirit. If the Son of God depended on the Holy Spirit, how much more should believers depend on Him. All that our Heavenly Father has for us and everything He desires to do through us will only be accomplished as believers yield more of their lives to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is available to every believer 24/7 and if we want more of Him, then it requires less of us. For those readers who are born again, you have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. However, as Jesus set the example of the infilling of the Holy Spirit, do not hesitate to ask the Father for the Holy Spirit's infilling. Jesus said to those around Him, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:13) All you have to do is ask and believe that you have received, "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." (Mark 11:24)

For all the readers who have been filled with the Holy Spirit and desire more of Him then act upon the wisdom of God spoken through Solomon, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."  (Proverbs 3:5-6) Either way, let us all, "Be imitators of God as dear children." (Ephesians 5:1) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always...

Do You Know Him? Part 4

In the Old Testament the working of the Holy Spirit happened only to chosen people of God who were equipped for a particular divine service. However, as we will see, there is a definite difference in these experiences of the Holy Spirit for the New Testament believer. Not only was this to be the fulfillment of what was spoken by the Prophets Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:31-34), Ezekiel (Ezekiel 36:25-27) and Joel (Joel 2:28-29) but Jesus Himself mentioned this very thing to His disciples (John 14:15-17, 26, 15:26, 16:7-15) However, we see in Luke's gospel just prior to Jesus' ascension something interesting concerning the coming Holy Spirit, "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:49) The work endued means to "to put on oneself, be clothed with." The Holy Spirit was to come upon believers in such a way that, as Jesus said, "He dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:17)

Ten days after the ascension of Jesus on the Day of Pentecost, the wonderful work of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament believer begins, "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:1-4)

Notice what was taking place here. First, the Holy Spirit came as a "mighty rushing wind." Jesus had mention this very thing concerning the Holy Spirit in His conversation with Nicodemus, "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." (John 3:8) Another thing to take note of  is the Holy Spirit "filled the whole house where they were sitting." This is actually baptism in the Holy Spirit. Remember, Jesus said the the Holy Spirit would come and "He dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:17). To be baptized or to receive baptism mean, "to dip; to immerse; to submerse." When a person is water baptized although they are immersed, completely covered in water, they are not filled internally with water, it only surrounds them. This is what happened when the Holy Spirit came. He surrounded them, He immersed them, He "filled the whole house where they were sitting."

Next, "Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them." This is what was spoken of John the Baptist, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." (Matthew 3:11) Throughout the Bible, fire is revealed as a symbol of presence; burning judgment of God; purifying; testing and or God's Holiness. The Holy Spirit appeared to them as divided tongues as of fire which symbolizes a purifying of their speech to speak the gospel unimpeded, or as the apostle Paul said, "And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power." (1 Corinthians 2:4)

The next thing that happened was, "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit." Not only were they immersed (baptized) in the Holy Spirit, but now the Holy Spirit took up residence within them and as Jesus said "endued with power from on high." I also want to note that being filled with the Holy Spirit with power from on high, is subsequent to regeneration, that is receiving Jesus as your Lord and Savior. (Acts 8:5-17, 9:1-9,  17, 19:1-7) Not only is being filled with the Holy Spirit subsequent to regeneration, but the believer is to continued being filled, "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18 with Acts 4:31)

Finally, they "began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." When we look into what we call "speaking in other tongues" we find that there are basically two kinds of tongues mentioned in the New Testament, 'speaking with tongues of men and of angels." (1 Corinthians 13:1) First, as it was on the Day of Pentecost, "And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language." (Acts 2:5-6) As we see, the Holy Spirit gave these disciple the power or ability to speak in the articulate language of the numerous travelers who were present in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, the tongues of men. The other kind of tongues spoken of by the apostle Paul is called the "manifestation or gift of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:4-10), and is referred to as "the tongues of angels" or an "unknown tongue," "For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries." (1 Corinthians 14:2)

The point is, what had taken place on the Day of Pentecost was the beginning of the wonderful, supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers in the service of  the Lord Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, in many sectors of the church there are doctrines that reject the work of the Holy Spirit in the way He worked through the believers of the early church. The thoughts behind this are basically, what God did in one dispensation He does not do in another and or, the church has the canonized scripture and therefore has no need of such things. Yet one only has to logically look at the state of what we call the church in the USA to realize that it is erroneous teaching like this that keeps believers safely behind the walls of church building never experiencing "The Gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)

The apostle Paul revealed in his letters to Timothy that this very thing would be permitted to happen in the church in the future. By future, I mean after the first three hundred years of the church. Paul warned Timothy, "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons." (1 Timothy 4:1) He tells Timothy, "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

Even though reformation has come upon the church, and the church has experienced various revivals (to bring back to life) still many church leaders today work at disguising apostasy with various terms and doctrine. It still all comes down to rejecting the work of the Holy Spirit due to "having a form of godliness but denying its power" of  Christ(ianity). I pray for all of you who have fallen prey to teaching that deny the Holy Spirit from working in the church as He did in the early church to trust that the Bible is clear in saying, "For I am the LORD, I do not change;" (Malachi 3:6), "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8). If God has not changed and Jesus is the same, then God's Word has also not changed, because Jesus is the Word (John 1:1, 1 John 5:7, Revelation 19:13)

In part 5 of this series we will discover the wonderful works of the Holy Spirit and what it means to believers today. Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ...