Gtcotr/ss072824
When a preacher refers to “The Gospels” they are talking about the first four books of the New Testament: Matthew; Mark; Luke; and John. Collectively these four books focus on the earthly life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. They span from His birth to His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension back up into heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father. It is often beneficial to read all four accounts of any event when possible to get added details and a greater perspective.
During the 33½ years Jesus lived on the earth there were various identifiable groups of religious people who held differing beliefs. The two primary groups were known as the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
The Pharisees believed in angels, demons, life after death, and the resurrection (Acts 23:8). The Pharisees followed the Law of Moses but also allowed for modern-day, oral interpretation of the scriptures so as to create an evolving God who kept up with the times and the beliefs of the people.
The Sadducees believed that the soul of a person perished with the body and that God punished and/or rewarded each person during the time they were living on the earth. This made them harsh judges who kept the law of Moses and refused the oral law and traditions of the elders of Israel. Jesus warned His disciples to not follow either one of their doctrines.
Jesus used these two groups to remind us to follow the Word of God and not the words and interpretations of men. Just because you believe something to be true, does not make it true. Just because you have been taught something from childhood, does not make it truth. Just because you hear it in Church, does not mean it will save you.
The Word of God is not the Word of God unless it is the Word of God. What do I mean by that? God’s Word is only God’s Word when it means what He meant. We must all be conscious of people using the Bible to support something they want to say instead of what God wants to say. Selective quotes and “cherry-picking” scriptures are dangerous habits.
The Bible tells only One Story. Every passage and each individual verse in the Bible is designed by God in support of the one story He is telling. It is the story of redemption. Believe no other revelation or interpretation.
How can we know that the truth is the truth? God’s Word is truth (John 17:17). We must interpret scripture with scripture. And, we have a gracious guide given to us by God. The Author of the Bible wants to take up His primary residence in your life and provide guidance and direction to help you understand what God meant when He said what He said.
The teacher and guide of whom I speak is none other than the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy Trinity.
I am well aware that like the Sadducees of Jesus’ day, some people and whole denominations today do not believe in the Trinity. However, this does not negate the truth. Truth is not determined by a show of hands.
Read the Bible for yourselves. The whole Bible, from cover to cover, not just the promise parts. And make sure you personally invite the Holy Spirit, who is the Author, Teacher, and Guide to read it along with you.
The Trinity in Brief
Here are the New Testament examples straight from the Bible:
Luke 3:16 John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Acts 2 NKJV
1 ¶ When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Don’t tell me what your denomination has to say about this scripture. Tell me what God has to say about this scripture. You might say, “I don’t know!” Well why don’t you know? Have you given the time and prayer and opened your heart to God to hear what He has to say or, are you sitting secure like the Pharisees and Sadducees in your doctrine. Jesus said to beware of what others tell you … seek the truth for yourselves.
Acts 8 NKJV
14 ¶ Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 10 NKJV
44 ¶ While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,
47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
Acts 19 NKJV
1 ¶ And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples
2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
This is the sad state in which we find much of the Church today. God sent the Holy Spirit to make a dynamic change in the life of every born-again Believer in Jesus but so many Churches never hear a message on being filled with the Spirit and working the works of God.
This Baptism of Fire was offered to Born-Again Believers who had walked the aisle and received Jesus in the great Samaritan Revival led by Phillip the evangelist. As well, Paul offered this Baptism of Fire to these 12 committed disciples at Ephesus. They all said yes!
Acts 19 NKJV
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the presence, the power, and the glory of God living in His Children on the earth today. During the Church age, God is occupying the world and standing against the hordes of hell, and holding the door to heaven open by His Holy Spirit who is dwelling in the souls of men and women who have been Born-Again and filled with that same Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is alive and well. He is active, as active as you will allow Him to be, in and through your life. However, you can be saved because you believe in Jesus but still lack the power to be the witness God needs you to be because you do not invite or allow the Holy Spirit to be active in your daily affairs. It’s like having access to electricity but never plugging in.
Not me, not my denomination, not the preacher I was raised listening to, and not even my mama can override or explain away what the Bible has to say about being filled with the Holy Spirit. Let the Bible speak for itself.
Have you received the Holy Spirit with the Baptism of Fire since you believed?
Luke 11: 13 “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!”
Acts 5:32 “And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
Why not ask God to baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire right now! Pray and obey!
