Lesson 1

Lesson 1 - Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth

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Key Verse - II Timothy 2:15
According to the Word of God, we know that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. He created man and breathed into him the breath of life, and he became a living soul (Genesis 2:7). After this creation, man sinned and was separated from a righteous relationship with God. The Bible is the story of how God revealed Himself to mankind, and made known unto us His redemptive plan of Salvation. The greatest love story ever told! Today, the church is the guardian of this great revelation and truth.
According to the Bible, we all come into the world as sinners (Psalms 51:5) and are in need of a Savior. We know that we are not automatically saved because Jesus died on the Cross. He died to give the world a plan of redemption, that would restore our fellowship and relationship with our Creator. That is what is meant by being saved.
If we are to be children of God, we must be born into God's family. Jesus said that the "New Birth", was a birth of water and Spirit (John 3:5). There is a lot of misunderstanding about this. What does it mean to be born again? How do we know if we have been born again? We will address these questions throughout these lessons.

Key Verse
2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Rightly divide the Word of Truth
The word "divide" comes from a Greek word meaning, "to cut a straight line or to dissect correctly." The Bible has division and order. We must study to know how to properly apply the Truth of God's Word. We go to different parts of the Bible to address specific subjects. Just as in any other book, different sections address specific areas of study.
This lesson will show that the redemptive plan of God unfolded over a long period of time and that we now live in the day of God's complete revelation. What that revelation is, and how it relates to us, is what these lessons are about.
Below are several things to keep in mind when you study the Bible.
THE OLD AND THE NEW TESTAMENT
The Bible is divided into the Old and the New Testaments. Another word for "testament" is "covenant". A covenant is an agreement or contract between two or more parties, which sets forth certain terms and conditions.
The Old Covenant was in force until the death of Jesus at Calvary. The death of Christ fulfilled and completed the terms of the Old Covenant, and brought about certain changes that greatly affect us today. For more information on this, read Hebrews chapters 8-12.
It is obvious that the Old Testament is very important to us today. Some reasons are listed below.
The Old Testament is the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
2 Peter 1:20-21, "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost "
The Old Testament is revealed truth. Once the truth of God's Word is established, it is always truth! Truth cannot be destroyed or thrown away, but it can be fulfilled. There are many truths in the Old Testament that still apply to us today. The moral laws of God, as set forth in the Old Testament, will always stand. The New Testament develops out of the Old Testament.
Types and Shadows. There are many things in the Old Testament that are "types" of what the Church enjoys today in reality. We also see many things "hidden" in the shadows of the Old Testament writings that have been brought into full light in the New Testament. EVERYTHING the Church possesses today is found in some form in the Old Testament. This helps us to validate what is real. (Read Colossians 2:17, Hebrews 8:5, 10: 1).
The Old Testament is written for our admonition and example. The record of events surrounding many Old Testament people are related to us for examples.
I Corinthians 10:6-7, "Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play."
I Peter 2:4-6, "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly. "
THE FOUR P'S OF BIBLE STUDY.
1. Who is the PERSON writing that particular Bible book?
2. To what PEOPLE is it directed?
3. For what PURPOSE was it written?
4. To what PERIOD of time is it being written?
Not all Scripture is directed to everyone. Sometimes God is talking to Jews, Gentiles, sinners, or believers. At times, He is talking about things that will happen or have already happened. He may be referring to the days of some past or future dispensation.
The plan of God for redeeming lost humanity has been unfolding for millions of years. The New Testament Church has been in the works since the beginning of time.
Isaiah 28:10, "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:"
Hebrews 1: 1-3, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;"
In God's wisdom, He revealed Himself and His redemptive plan of salvation to us a little at a time. His plans unfolded over a period of thousands years, until He completed His work and brought His plans to maturity.
We know, according to the Bible, that God is a Spirit. He did not have flesh and blood. In the Old Testament, God manifested Himself to mankind by what is called a "theophany". A theophany is a manifestation or appearance of God, such as when God revealed Himself to others as an angel, a pillar of fire, a burning bush, or some other form visible to man.
The price demanded for sin required that blood be shed (Hebrews 9:22). In the Old Testament, God had a plan whereby the blood of certain animals was shed for the sins of the people. However, this did not remit sins, it only rolled them ahead a year and required the High Priest to make yearly sacrifices. We also know that God did not have pleasure in these offerings, and desired to come Himself as the perfect Lamb of God to offer sacrifice for our sin, once and for all (Hebrews 10).
Again, God, being a Spirit, did not have flesh and blood. Therefore, He had to prepare for Himself a body with flesh and blood. Thus, we read the story of how Jesus came into the world and became the Lamb of God, and was offered for our sins.
I John 3:8, "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."
In the above passage (Hebrews 1:1-3), we see that Jesus is the last expression of God. We do not have "theophanies" today, because God is finally come in the flesh of Jesus.
(Note: Isaiah 9:6, 2 Corinthians 5:19, Matthew 1:23, 1 Timothy 3:16)
Consequently, there will be no further revelations of his Godhead to man. He has finally completed His revelation to us in the form of Jesus Christ. God's revelation of His Godhead and deity, His plan of redemption, and the New Testament Church is now completely manifest!
God still speaks and reveals Himself to mankind, but He does not come in the form of a theophany! He has revealed Himself to the world -- in Jesus Christ.
THE DISPENSATIONS
People that study the Bible understand the importance of dispensations. A dispensation is the specific period of time during which God revealed Himself and related to man in a specific way. Those living during a particular dispensation were responsible to obey the revelation or the "light" that God gave during that time. Each dispensation brought a little more revelation or knowledge of God and His plan for man-kind.
The word "dispensation" comes from a Greek word meaning, "management." This is where we get the English word, "economy."
In the dictionary (Random House College Dictionary) the meaning of dispensation is, 1) a specified order, system, or arrangement; administration or management, 2) a divine ordering of the affairs of the world, 3) something that is distributed or given out."
Therefore, we see two things that relate specifically to our subject. First, we see that God has arranged things, and revealed them to us, in a divine order. Secondly, when He came in the flesh, this was the final step in God's plan of bringing Himself down to our level. He was broken on the cross, His flesh and blood given for our sin. He came back in Spirit form to live in our hearts. This is how God "dispensed" Himself to us!
From the heavens above, to the cross, to the empty tomb. He came out of the grave, ascended on high, came back in Spirit on the day of Pentecost, now He lives in the heart of man!
Most Bible scholars agree that there are seven dispensations of time. Five of them are past, we are presently living in the sixth, and there is one more to come. After that, we will be with Jesus in the new heavens and the new earth (2 Peter II - 14).
THE SEVEN DISPENSATIONS OF TIME

1.DISPENSATION OF INNOCENCE. This dispensation began with the creation of man (Adam in the garden of Eden) and ended when Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden.
2.DISPENSATION OF CONSCIENCE. This dispensation began with the fall of man, and ended with Noah's flood.
3.DISPENSATION OF HUMAN GOVERNMENT. This dispensation began with the flood and ended with the covenant God made with Abraham.
4.DISPENSATION OF PROMISE. This dispensation began with Abraham and ended when God gave Moses the Law on Mount Sinai.
5.DISPENSATION OF LAW. This dispensation began when God gave Moses the Law and ended with Jesus at Mount Calvary.
6.DISPENSATION OF GRACE. This dispensation began with the death and resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Ghost and will not end until the rapture of the Church. We are living here now. This dispensation is also known as "The Times of the Gentiles", and the "Church Age".
7.DISPENSATION OF THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM. This is also known as "The Thousand Years of Peace" that we read about in Revelation chapter 20. This is the last of the ordered ages regulating human life on earth.
THE NEW HEAVENS AND THE NEW EARTH. This is the final stage in the plan of God. This is a place where time is no more, and we live with Christ for eternity in the New Jerusalem He has prepared for us. So shall we ever be with the Lord!
One important note on the dispensations is that they did not butt end to end. There was a period of overlapping while the terms of the new covenant was being put into place. One example is the thief on the cross next to Jesus in Matthew chapter 27. He was not saved under "Law" or "Grace". He was a law breaker and the Holy Ghost had not yet been given.
So we see that God revealed and dispensed Himself to man over a period of several thousand years through the dispensations and theophanies.
There will be no more revelations of His Godhead and deity. God has completed the revelation and dispensation of Himself to the world and there is no more to come.
Please note one final observation concerning the revelation of God to us: We also have the complete revelation of God to us in the Bible, the Word of God. There will not be any further revelation of God apart from the Word of God. In the Bible, we find all we need to know pertaining to life and Godliness (2 Peter 1:1-4). So with the coming of Jesus Christ and the written Scripture, we have the complete revelation of God today! David said the Word of God was forever settled. (Psalms 119:89) Nothing overshadows the Word of God. No dream or vision, no new revelation, nothing takes the place of the Word of God. IT IS FOREVER SETTLED!
TYPES AND SHADOWS
We also know that many things in the Old Testament are a foreshadowing of things to come. We call these "types and shadows." The Old Testament gives us the "shadow" of things that we enjoy today in reality -- for instance, the Sabbath Day. In the Old Testament the Sabbath day was a day set aside to honor God and to rest from any labor. In the New Testament, the Sabbath is not a day, but a place or an experience in God. It is a spiritual rest. (Colossians 2:16-17, Hebrews chapters 3 & 4)
It is also important to point out that the Old Testament is the old covenant between God and man. The New Testament is the new covenant. It was brought into force by the death of the testator. We will see what changes the New Testament brought about.
Matt 26:26-28, "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."
Hebrews 9:15-16, "And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator."
Those of us alive today enjoy the fullest revelation of God that the world has ever known. We are blessed to be alive today. It means that we know more about God and have seen more of Him than anyone living before us. We also have the complete plan of salvation.
The plan of God for the salvation of mankind is not a new development. In fact, it is millions of years old.
Rev 13:8, "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world,"
The reference to the Lamb slain is a reference to Jesus, the Lamb of God, who died at Calvary. So we can see that Jesus dying for our sin was in the plan of God -- even before the foundation of the world!
So, if God has taken thousands of years to completely reveal Himself to mankind through dispensations, theophanies, types and shadows, the Old and New Testament, and finally Jesus Christ himself, what do we have that the Old Testament church did not have? What do we know about God that they did not know? How does our plan of salvation differ from theirs? That is what this study is about.
PROPER DIVISION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
It is extremely important that we properly divide the New Testament. If you were to study addition, you would not go to a chapter on subtraction. You certainly would not go to a science book. You have to study the right material to get the correct information.
DIVISION ONE: THE FOUR GOSPELS - The books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are the four Gospels. They record the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. They record some of the words and teachings of Jesus. You will see where Jesus planted the seed for the New Testament Church in the hearts of the Apostles.
We read about the life of John the Baptist in the four gospels. John said that the people should believe on Him who was to come (Jesus) and that He would baptize them with "Holy Ghost and fire". (Matthew 3:11).
John the Baptist did not start the Church. He was the forerunner of Christ. The Church actually was born into the world on the day of Pentecost. The Church as we know it today did not exist until the day of Pentecost as described in Acts chapter two. We are presently living in this "Church Age".
DIVISION TWO: THE BOOK OF ACTS - The book of Acts records the birth of the New Testament Church. This was the outpouring of the Spirit of God as prophesied in Joel 2:28. Peter confirmed this in Acts 2:16.
In the book of Acts we follow the early preachers, from city to city, as they preach Christ and establish Churches, in cities that did not know about Christ. To name a few, they went to: Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Thessalonica. Later, they wrote "epistles" or "letters" to these Churches instructing them in the ways of God and the affairs of the Church.
THE BOOK OF ACTS TELLS US HOW TO GET SAVED. Read the book of Acts to find what the Apostles taught concerning the New Birth of water and Spirit as Jesus defined it in John 3:1-6.
DIVISION THREE: THE EPISTLES - An "Epistle" is a letter. The Epistles go from the book of Romans to the book of Jude. These are letters written by the Apostles to Churches they established in the book of Acts. Some letters are written to individuals.
The Epistles are letters of instruction, from the Apostles, to the Churches instructing them how to walk with God, grow in Grace, order the affairs of the Church, and the Spiritual Gifts, to name a few.
No Church was started in the Epistles. No new plan of Salvation was preached in the Epistles. You do not read from the Epistles to tell someone how to be born again. You turn to the book of Acts for that. You read from the Epistles to help people perfect their faith and to grow in God.
Example: Suppose a man of God went to a city that did not know Jesus, and established a Church. The first thing he will do is lead them to salvation. He teaches them, like the Apostles did; to repent, to be baptized in Jesus Name, and filled with the Holy Ghost. Assume that he leaves that Church and moves to another city. He decides to write a letter to them concerning their walk with God. This letter is not to tell them how to be saved, He has already done that! They already know what I teach concerning salvation.
This is what the Apostles did. They brought the plan of salvation to people and established Churches. Later, they wrote letters to these Churches to encourage and instruct them in the ways of God, not to tell them how to be saved.
The Epistles are written to "saved" people -- to the Church. When sinners read the Epistles, they are reading someone else's mail! Of course it is OK for anyone to read the Epistles, but we first need to be "saved", or get into the Kingdom of God. Only then we can start to perfect our walk with God.
DIVISION FOUR: THE BOOK OF REVELATION - This is a book of end-time prophecy. It tells some things about the rapture of the Church, the Tribulation period, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, etc. We read Revelation to find out about end-time events.
Taking the above things into consideration, the following points become clear:

◦We must rightly divide the word of God in order to get the right answers.
◦We are living in the last of the ordered ages. The Bible predicts no more dispensations to come. We are out of time!
◦We are living in the time of the most complete revelation God has ever given to mankind.
◦We must obey the revelation of God concerning salvation in this dispensation.
◦God's redemption plan has unfolded over a long period of time.

Lesson 2 – Hidden Things Revealed

Lesson 2 – Hidden Things Revealed

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Key Verse – Colossians 1:26-27
There can be no doubt that we enjoy a relationship with God that is different from that of the Old Testament saints. The difference of course, is that they had God with them, and we have God in us. God revealed to the Old Testament prophets a few things concerning the New Testament plan of Salvation, but some things were a mystery to them.
This lesson will show that God had hidden some things concerning the New Testament plan of Salvation (the Church Age).
Have you ever wondered how our experience with God today differs from that of the Old Testament Church? The Old Testament saints believed God and had faith in Him. God communicated with them and moved on them. In fact, there were many notable miracles done by people of God in the Old Testament.
However, if we have an experience with God that the Old Testament people did not have (and that angels desire to look into [I Peter 1:12]), what is it? How does our salvation differ from theirs? If we only believe in God, have faith in Him, or just live for Him -- we do not have anything different than they had. First, lets look at the mystery...
THE MYSTERY HIDDEN FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT CHURCH
I Pet 1-9-12, "Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into".
The Prophets saw a salvation or an experience with God that was not for them, but us. It is a Gospel now preached to us with the "...Holy Ghost sent down from heaven..."
Romans 16:25-26, "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:"
Again, we see a mystery hidden from the Old Testament Church that had been kept secret since the world began, but is not made apparent to all nations.
PAUL: THE APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES
The Apostle Paul also talks about this secret kept hidden from the Old Testament Prophets. He reveals to us what that mystery is.
First, let's look at the importance of the teachings of the Apostle Paul, and why they are so important to the Gentiles during the dispensation of Grace. Paul is the Apostle specifically called by God to bring the Gospel light to the Gentiles.
Romans 11: 13, "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:" Would you not agree that whatever Paul has to say to us takes on a double significance? We are the Gentiles that Paul is talking to.
Ephesians 3:1-10, "For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,"
Let's take a quick look at what we learn here. God gave Paul the revelation of the mystery, which in other ages was not known by men. He revealed it to his Prophets and Apostles that the Gentiles would make up the body of Christ along with the Jews (we will see the significance of this in the next lesson). The point here is that God anointed Paul to preach to us the meaning of the mystery.
Ephesians 6:19, "And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,"
PAUL TELLS US SPECIFICALLY WHAT THAT MYSTERY IS
Colossians 1:24-27, "Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Again we see Paul telling us that God had given him the meaning of the mystery hid from ages and generations, but now is made known unto us, which is ... CHRIST IN YOU!
Three words sum it up--CHRIST IN US. The difference in our experience with God and theirs is that God was with them, but He is in us. This is the experience of the baptism of the Holy Ghost! We will see more about this as these lessons unfold.
We must remember the importance of the words of Paul to us Gentiles. We must obey the "light" that he sheds on this subject.
2 Corinthians 4:3-7, "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
What is this treasure in earthen vessels? The Spirit of God in these fleshly bodies! Because the Spirit dwells in us, we become the temple of God.
1 Corinthians 3:16, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
I Corinthians 6:19, "What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye Have in God, and ye are not your own?
The New Testament Church!
“…Upon this rock I will build my church…”
- Jesus Christ
It is obvious that the Church is God's idea. He had specific guidelines to outline its reason for existence, its purpose, how to manage it, how to get in it, its standards, and what its future is. There are also many promises and prophecies concerning the power, ministry and future of the Church.
Obviously, there is a Church in the world today that is clearly identifiable and recognizable. We should love and cherish it with all our heart and life. We should also support it with our money, time, talents, and ability.
The church is the agency, through which, Jesus Christ has chosen to save mankind. We cannot be saved outside the church, which is the body of Christ. The church is to the world today, what the Ark was to people in Noah's day: Our refuge, our safety, a way to escape the judgment of God upon the world. It is the church, which is also His bride, that Christ intends to return for someday soon!
It is important that we understand that God declared His intentions to build the Church, and to preserve and protect it, against the powers of hell.
Matthew 16:18, "And I (Jesus) say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
WHAT or WHO IS THE CHURCH?
In our vocabulary, the word church is usually understood in two ways: a) the building people gather in to worship God, b) the people who make up the Church. But this is not the Biblical concept of the word.
Actually, the word church comes from a Greek word meaning, "a calling out'. This is a reference to those whom God has called, chosen, and filled with HIS Spirit. We call them saints (Romans 1:7). We also refer to people, truly in the church, as being saved Being saved, means that we have been rescued, from a life of sin, and the judgment of God against sin.. It means that we have been justified and reconciled to God.
As we will see in the following Scriptures, the Bible, does not look at the building as the Church, nor does it consider people who not saved or born again, as being the church.
In a Biblical sense, the church is a reference to the people of God (Hebrews 4:9), the children of God (Romans 9:26), the elect of God (Colossians 3:12), the chosen of God (Ephesians 1:4), the redeemed of God (Galatians 3:13), the saints of God (Romans 1:7), those who are filled with His Spirit (Romans 8:)!
JUST CALLING YOURSELF A CHRISTIAN IS NOT ENOUGH!
The word Christian means to be like Christ. It means to be Christ man. A Christian is not a Christian just because they profess to be one. You can call yourself a car, but that want make you one! A Christian is one who endeavors to follow the teachings of Christ. How can we call Him Lord, unless we obey the things He says (Luke 6:46)?
Jesus taught us to repent, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish "(Luke 13:3).
Jesus taught us to be baptized in His name, "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47).
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. " (Matthew 2 8 -.19).
Jesus taught us to be filled with the Holy Spirit, "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49).
John 7:37-40, "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified" (John 7:37-39).
The teachings of Jesus concerning the infilling of the Holy Ghost will be covered in more detail in lesson three.
THE CHURCH IS LITERALLY THE BODY OF CHRIST!
Jesus Christ alone is not the Church. Without God, we are not the Church. The Spirit of God in us (not just with us), makes us the Church! If you have the Spirit of God in your heart, you are the church! There is nothing we have that God needs except a body, heart and soul, He can live in. He has to have us, in order to have a Church.
The Old Testament church did not have God in them as we do today. God was simply with them. This is why the church, as we know it today, was a mystery to them. This is the only difference between our salvation and theirs. Christ in us, is the hope of glory!
"Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" (Colossians 1:26-27).
CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH.
Scripture reveals to us that Christ is the head of the Church, and the church is the body of Christ. "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all" (Ephesians 1:22-24). Also read Ephesians 1:22, 5:23).
Colossians 1:18, "And he is the head of the body, the church..." Remember --- Christ only has one body (Romans 12:5), the church, and a body without a head is a freak!
As the body of Christ, the Church is a living organism. There is a built-in life force that guarantees its growth and continuation (Isaiah 9:6-7 - Acts 2:47). It has principles of life, which if followed, will produce a growing and living people, called the church!
The following shows us how Christ feels about His church. "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church" (Ephesians 5:23, 25-27, 29-32).
HOW DO WE GET IN THE CHURCH?
You get in the church by being born into God's family. Signing a church roll or shaking the preacher’s hand does not make us a member of the body of Christ! We can only be part of God's Kingdom by the New Birth.
John 3:5,7, "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Marvel not that I say unto you, ye must be born again"
How are we born again? By obeying the Gospel of Christ. The Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. In Acts 2:37 the people asked the Apostle Peter what they needed to do. He said, "...Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
In that verse, we see the three elements of the Gospel. Repentance is a type of our death, dying out to the things of the world (Galatians 5:24, Romans 6:6-8), Baptism is a type of our burial (Colossians 2:12), and the in-filling of the Holy Ghost is a type of our resurrected, born again, new birth experience (Romans 6:4-8).
HOW CAN WE IDENTIFY THE TRUE CHURCH?
As with any enterprise, the church has certain characteristics, principles, standards, and doctrines that identify it to the world.
The true church of Christ today is one that believes and obeys the gospel, which is the plan of salvation. This study, The Promise of an Experience With God, lays this out in complete detail.
The church recognizes the Bible as the infallible Word of God, and preaches, teaches, and lives the same. The Word of God is the final authority and is not superseded by any thing else. The true church of God, preaches the whole word of God.
The church today is a holy church, living a Godly and holy life. It is a church that believes in the power of God to heal, deliver and save the souls of mankind.
If you want to find the true church in the world today, do not pay any attention to the organization, the name over the door, or the popularity of its preacher. Find one that teaches the Apostles Doctrine (Acts 2:42), the New Birth through salvation by faith, believing and obeying the Gospel of Christ. Namely, repentance, baptism in the Name of Jesus, the infilling of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2, 10, 19), and true holiness, "...without which no man shall see the Lord..." (Hebrews 12:14).
GOD'S PURPOSE FOR THE CHURCH
God wants His people to model and reveal, God Himself to the world. We are His body, His hands, feet, and mouth. The only way some people will ever see God is through us. We are ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).
"Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart" (2 Corinthians 3:2-3). That is why we should live Godly, holy, and righteously in this present world (Titus 2:11, 1 Peter 1:15).
We are to live our life in such a way, as to win others to Christ. "...To seek and to save..." the lost is the purpose of God for coming into the world.
God intends for the world to discover the treasures and riches of Christ through His church........ I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable Riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:" (Ephesians 3:8-11).
WHAT WE FIND IN THE CHURCH.
The church is to receive and administer, to the world, the grace and power of God. In the church you will find healing for sick bodies, minds, and spirits (Luke 4:18, James 5:14), deliverance from sin and the powers of darkness Colossians 1: 13), salvation for the soul (Luke 19: 1 0), as well as the love, peace, and joy of God (Romans 14:17).
This was the ministry of Christ, and it has been committed into the hands of the church to administer to others. (2 Corinthians 5:18).
God has also given the church special gifts to help administer the things of God to the church. This is the five-fold ministry. Ephesians 4:8,11-13, "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists, and some, pastors and teachers;". Each of these ministries has a specific and unique purpose in the church.
Ephesians 4:12-13 tells us what these reasons are, "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: "
WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH?
God did not intend for the church to endure on the earth, as it is today, forever. He had a plan and purpose for the church, and when it is accomplished, He will return and bring it to Himself. The future of the church is bright!
Ephesians 5:25-27, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
I Thessalonians 4:15-17, "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

Lesson 3 – The Foundation of the Church

Lesson 3 – The Foundation of the Church

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Key Verse – Ephesians 2:19-22
Ephesians 2:19-22, "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God- And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of Godthrough the Spirit.
The word "Church" means to be "called out". The church is also the "Bride" of Christ and the "body" of Christ. Today, the Spirit is seeking out a people called by His name.
Acts 15:14, "Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name."
Jesus Gives the Apostle Peter the Keys to the Church
Before Jesus ascended into the heavens, He gave instructions to the Apostles concerning the establishment of His church. In fact, He gave Peter the "Keys to the Kingdom" and Peter would be the Apostle that would preach the Gospel and open the "door of the Church" to the Jews (Acts 2) and to the Gentiles (Acts 10).
Throughout this lesson we will see that three elements (repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost in-filling) of salvation continue to come up in the teachings of the apostles.
Repentance
Baptism
Holy Ghost
Matthew 16:17-19, "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
There is a true church, or body of Christ, in the world today that is identifiable by its doctrines, teachings, and power. Any movement or organization has a clearly defined vision, purpose, bylaws, slogan, logo, or set of teachings that give the company its identification and recognition.
The Bible tells us that there would be many false prophets and teachers who handle the Word of God deceitfully, to build their kingdom of power and money (Matthew 7:15-16, 24:11-12 & 24, 2 Corinthians 4:2, 2 Peter 2:1-4). We can identify a false teacher if they teach any other Gospel or doctrine than the founding fathers of the church taught.
Gal 1:8-9, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospelunto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."
The same is true with the church today. We can identify the church today by it's doctrines, purpose, and practices. We do this by going back to the New Testament to see what the "first" church believed and taught about salvation and living for God. That is the purpose of this lesson. We will establish what they taught, and compare it to what the church is teaching today. We should teach the same message they did.
You must be born again... (John 3:1-5), Jesus taught that we must be born again and that through this "new birth" we would become the habitation of God, through the Spirit. The Spirit of God actually dwells in us! This is what the church is all about.
I Corinthians 6:19-20, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
This will change the way we live. We will live, think, act, and talk differently than before. We are now the temple of the Holy Ghost and we should model true Christianity to the world. The word "Christian" actually means to be Christ-like.
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new". We will discuss more concerning this "New Birth" of the water and Spirit in a later lesson.
There is one more critical point to note before moving further into this lesson: The coming of the Messiah, His suffering, resurrection, and the "Church Age", was foretold by the Prophets. They did not see the church in full, but they did see certain aspects of it.
God told the Prophets certain things concerning the coming of Christ, so those alive during that period of time would recognize Him when he arrived. In other words, God pre-announced His coming and gave them enough details that they should recognize Him.
One example of this is when John the Baptist was in prison. John sent word by his followers to ask Jesus if He was the one (Messiah), "...that should come, or do we look for another?" Jesus did not answer by just simply saying that He was the One that should come. He could have said that, but it would not be proof to John. So Jesus said unto them, "...Go and show John again those things which you do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them." (Matthew 11: 1-5)
The things they saw and heard were the evidence that Jesus was the Messiah, because He did those things prophesied by the prophet. (Isaiah 6 1: 1)
Not only would pre-announcing His coming give evidence to them of His arrival, it would also prohibit an impostor from assuming the role of a false Messiah. So we can see that God has also given us word, by the prophets, things concerning Christ and the Church so we will be able to identify the true church.

Prophets

Apostles

Jesus Christ

THE EXPERIENCE IN THE WORDS OF THE PROPHETS
We have already seen in lesson two things about the New Testament Church that the Prophets did not see. They did tell us that there was coming an experience with God that was different than theirs. They foretold what they did not completely understand.
THE PROPHET ISAIAH
Isaiah 28:10-12, "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear." That this pertains to the New Testament Church is clear. In Acts 2:4, we see the fulfillment of this and another reference in I Corinthians 14:2 1. (Also Read Isaiah 40:3 -5 & Mark 1: 1-8, John 1:23)
Also, a study of the book of Hebrews will reveal that the "rest" of the New Testament Church is an experience with God or a place we can reach in God. Note that the Prophets spoke of "another day" in which we would find rest in God. (Hebrews 3, 4: 1 -11)
THE PROPHET JOEL:
Joel 2:28-29, "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit."
This is fulfilled in Acts 2:14-18. Peter plainly said, "...this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel."
THE PROPHET JOHN
Matthew 3:1-3, "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." (Note Isaiah 40:3-5, Luke 7:28)
Matthew 3:1 1, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: "
Luke 7:28, "For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."
The Old Testament Church believed in God. God was with them, but He was not in them, as He is in us today. If all we do is believe, we do not have any more than the Old Testament people, nor do we have more than the devil had; "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." (James 2:19) As we will see, there is an experience, past believing, that we can have today.
THE EXPERIENCE ACCORDING TO THE APOSTLES
The Apostles took the Gospel to the whole known world (Acts 19:10), establishing churches everywhere they went. When we read the words of the apostles, we find out what they told people about the Gospel, WHO HAD NEVER HEARD IT BEFORE. In other words, they went to people who did not know Jesus, and told them how to be saved.
In Acts one, we read that about 120 followers of Christ (including His mother and brothers) went to the upper room, at the demand of Jesus, to wait for the "Promise of the Father." (Luke 24:49). Acts chapter two tells us what happened when the Holy Ghost came.
Before the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, no one had ever received the in-filling of the Holy Ghost like they did then, or like we do today. Only those in the New Testament Church are Spirit-filled. Nor will anyone receive the Holy Ghost after the Church is gone.
Acts 2:1-4, "And when the day of Pentecost was 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 all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance- "
Many people did not understand what had happened. Some even thought that they may be drunk! So they questioned the Apostles about it.
THE EXPERIENCE ACCORDING TO THE APOSTLE PETER:
Acts 2:14-18, "But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel, (Joel 2:28) And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy."
Right off, we notice that Peter said that what had just happened fulfilled the prophecy of Joel. He also said that it was the outpouring of God's Spirit. What just happened was God's work, so it had to be God! How could it be bad or evil, if it was from God?
Acts 2:33, "Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear."
Peter also said that the initial outpouring of God's Spirit was something that was seen and heard. What did they see? Tongues of fire and a demonstration of worship.
What did they hear? A sound of a rushing mighty wind and speaking in tongues AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE!
Acts 2:37-39, "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."
We need to remember at this point that Jesus had given Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. That is why the Apostle Peter first preached to the Jews--he had the keys that unlocked the door to the church! (Matthew 16:18-19)
That is also the reason Peter preached to Cornelius in Acts 10, who was the first Gentile to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 10 tells us how God brought Peter and Cornelius together. As instructed by God, Peter went and preached to the household of Cornelius. This happened thirty-three (33) years after the day of Pentecost in Acts 2.
Acts 10:44-46, "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God."
Note that verse 45 says that they received the Holy Ghost and verse 46 tells us how they know--- "...for they heard them speak with tongues."
Until Cornelius received the Holy Ghost, no Gentile had ever received it. At first, the Jews did not want to accept that Gentiles would receive the same promise as they would. So they called Peter on the carpet in Jerusalem to give an account of what had happened.
Acts 11:1, "And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God "
Peter called what he told Cornelius and his household, "the Word of God." What did he tell them? Repent, be baptized in Jesus Name, and filled with the Holy Ghost! If it was the word of God then, why isn't it the word of God now? Of course, it is.
Acts 11:13 -14, "And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved."
Acts 11:15, "And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning." When was the beginning? On the day of Pentecost in Acts 2. Note what happened then.
Acts 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord (Jesus), how that he (Jesus) said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Peter said that what had happened to Cornelius was the fulfillment of the words of the Prophet John! They were baptized with the Holy Ghost. Jesus said this would happen!
Here again, how can something Jesus did be wrong or evil?
Acts 11:17, "Forasmuch then as God gave them (Gentiles) the like gift as he did unto us (Jews), who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?"
Note here that Peter called it the "gift of the Holy Ghost." Please read Acts 2:38, 10:45. What is the gift? The Holy Ghost! Surely, no one would refuse a gift from God.
Acts 11:1 8, "When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life"
It was not until after they had received the gift of the Holy Ghost that it was said that they were, "...granted repentance unto life." That means before they received the Holy Ghost, they were spiritually dead! There are only two options here--alive or dead!
Remember that in Acts 10:1, we read that Cornelius was a devout man, a praying man, a giving man, and he feared God. Was he a believing man? Yes. Did he love God? Yes. Did he receive the gift of the Holy Ghost? Yes.
Acts 11:14 tells us that even though Cornelius was a believing man before he received the Holy Ghost, he was a lost man. Acts 11:14: Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved." If you are not saved, you are lost. Right?
So we see that beforehe received the Holy Ghost he was spiritually dead, or in other words he was in a lost condition. Afterhe received the Holy Ghost, he was saved.
In Acts 15 we find this matter being debated again and Peter is explaining one more time what happened:
Acts 15:6-8, "And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;"
Why was Peter the one God chose to preach to the Gentiles? He had the keys! Peter also called what he preached to Cornelius the Gospel. What did he preach? Repentance, baptism in Jesus Name, receiving the Holy Ghost. If that was Gospel then, why isn't it the Gospel now? Of course, it is. According to Scripture, we must obey the Gospel in order to be saved. (2 Thessalonians 1:8, 1 Peter 4:17)
Note also that they received the Holy Ghost after they believedPeter pointed out that God have them the Holy Ghost like He did the Jews. Showing us again that there is an experience past believing.
THE EXPERIENCE ACCORDING TO THE APOSTLE PAUL:
Acts 19:1-6, "And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. "When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied." When they heard this, they wanted it.
Again note that Paul found disciples or believers in Corinth, but they were not filled with the Spirit. Paul re-baptized them in Jesus Name and they received the Holy Ghost and spake with tongues.
NOWHERE in the Bible do the Apostles ask anyone if they have accepted Christ as their personal Savior. That is not a Bible question concerning salvation. But Paul did ask them, "Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?"
If Paul came to preach in our Church today, what question do you think he would ask us about our salvation? Would he preach a different message? Would he ask you if you have accepted Jesus as your personal Savior?
It is highly doubtful that he would change his message or ask a different question. If we did not have the Holy Ghost, he would want us to receive it.
Gal 1:8-9, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."
How did Paul know to ask them if they had received the Holy Ghost? Was that a question he made up on the spot, or did he have a reason for asking it? We will find the answer to this in the words of Jesus. (Luke 24:49)
THE EXPERIENCE ACCORDING TO PETER AND JOHN.
In Acts 8, we find that Philip went to Samaria to preach to people there. We will see that he preached baptism in Jesus Name baptism and, receiving the Holy Ghost.
Acts 8:12, "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized,both men and women."
Acts 8:14-17, "Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
So what has happened these people so far? They believed and were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus.
Again we see that they were believers but they were not Spirit filled. Peter and John prayed for them that they "..might receive the Holy Ghost."
Acts 8:15-17 "Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost."
THE EXPERIENCE ACCORDING TO JESUS CHRIST.
Luke 24:44-48, "And he (Jesus) said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved 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 among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.And ye are witnesses of these things."
First we see that Jesus reaffirms that His Gospel was foretold by the prophets. Then He said that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name to all Nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
There is a difference in forgiveness and remission of sin. Jesus said that repentance and remission of sin, should be preached.
When we confess and repent of our sin, we are forgiven. I John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Jesus also said, "...except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). Repentance is a subject that continues to come up through out the New Testament.
The word "remission" means "to pardon". To have our sins remitted, means that we do not have to pay the penalty for our sin. Our sins are forgiven at repentance, they are remitted at baptism. Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
An example to show the difference in forgiveness and remission might be someone who breaks the law of the land. For instance, if you rob a bank, you could clear your debt to society by going to prison. You are forgiven, but you had to pay the penalty.
But God forgives our sin when we repent, and he remits our sin, or pardons us, when we are baptized in Jesus' name. This means that we do not pay the penalty for our sin. Jesus paid the debt for us at Calvary.
So we see that according to Jesus, we should repent to have our sins forgiven, and that we would be baptized to have our sins remitted.
Beginning at Jerusalem
Jesus said that, "...repentance and remission of sin should be preached "in His name" to all nations "...beginning at Jerusalem "
Acts chapters one and two give us the record of what started at Jerusalem. It was at Jerusalem that people firstspoke in tongues when they filled with the Spirit, and were baptized in Jesus name.
Jesus had said in Luke 24:49, "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem,until ye be endued with power from on high."
That is why believers could not receive the Holy Ghost before the day of Pentecost. That is also why no one received the Holy Ghost as we do today during the earthly ministry of Jesus or John the Baptist. It had not yet been given!It was not even available to be received, until the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two.
Those who were saved beforethe day of Pentecost, such as the thief on the cross, were saved before the Holy Ghost was given. Today, the Holy Ghost has been given and should be received by all believers.
Jesus spoke of a time to come when we would receive the Holy Ghost
John 7:37-39, "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive:for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
So we see in the words of Jesus that He tells us about something we should receive afterwe have believed. Please note that Jesus said "should" not "could."
The Holy Ghost was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. In other words, He had not yet died and rose again, so the "Comforter" could come. Jesus had promised us a Comforter, which He said was the Holy Ghost (John 14:26). But, He said, the Comforter cannot come, except, '...I go away." (John 16:7)
A ghost is the spirit of a departed one. You cannot be a "spirit" or "ghost" until you die. So the Comforter could not come until Jesus was crucified, rose again, and ascended on high. The Holy Ghost came afterJesus ascended.
Jesus is the Comforter, the Holy Ghost!
Jesus also had this to say about the indwelling of His Spirit in us ... John 14:16-18, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 14:26, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
In the book of John, Jesus makes another reference to receiving the Holy Ghost, "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost" (John 20:21-22).
This is called "promised prophecy" because Jesus had not yet been glorified, so the Holy Ghost had not yet come. This prophecy would be fulfilled in Acts 2.
THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER:
Jesus is the first one to tell His disciples to go to Jerusalem and receive the "Promise of the Father". What is the "Promise of the Father"? How do we know if we have received it? Should we receive it today? These are important questions.
There are many promises of God given to mankind. However, there is only ONE PROMISE of the FATHER! This is the promise of the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which is Christ in us! Let's take a look at it...
The Promise given by Jesus:
Luke 24:49, "And, behold, I send the promise of my Fatherupon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
This prophecy of Jesus (Luke 24:49), and John the Baptist (Matthew 3:1 1), was fulfilled in Acts 2 when they received the Holy Ghost!
The New Testament Church is built upon the foundation of the prophets, the apostles, and Jesus Christ.. the Chief cornerstone!
The Promise received on the Day of Pentecost:
In the first part of Acts, the writer Luke, is telling us about the events immediately after the resurrection of Christ. He reminded them of the words of Jesus... (Acts 1:4-5) "And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."
We must remember that they are in Jerusalem because Jesus told them to go there and wait for the promise - He also said that they had heard that of Him. Where had they heard that? In Luke 24:49.
He had told them (Luke 24:49) that something would happen in Jerusalem that would give them power--Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
So we see that what happened on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) was the fulfillment of the words of Jesus. It was the "Promise of the Father." It was not said that they had power until after they received the Holy Ghost.
We also know that there were 120 in the upper room, which included the Apostles, Mary, and the brothers of Jesus. It would be safe to say that they were believers! We see that they received the Holy Ghost afterthey believed.
Evidence that the Promise had come:
After the Holy Ghost came, the Apostle Peter said... "Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost,he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear" (Acts 2:33).
What did they see? People praising and worshipping God! There was such a demonstration that some people thought they were drunk (Acts 2:13). They saw cloven tongues like as of fire, sit upon each of them.
What did they hear? A sound from heaven like a rushing mighty wind! They heard people speak in tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance!
The Promise is for you and me:
Acts 2:39, "For the promise is unto you, and to your children,and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."
Many people say that the Holy Ghost baptism is not for us today; but we see that in Luke 24:49, Jesus promised it. In Acts 2, the PROMISE came. In Acts 2:39, Jesus said that the Promise is for you and me. From Jesus, to Pentecost, to us!
LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THE WRITER LUKE HAD TO SAY.
Acts 1: 1-3, "The former treatise have I made, 0 Theophilus, of all that Jesusbegan both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God"
Luke says he is writing about things (Luke and Acts) that JESUS STARTED -- things Jesus did and taught. The outpouring of the Holy Ghost, speaking in other tongues, baptizing in Jesus Name, were things Jesus started. If Jesus started it, how can it be bad or evil? How can we reject it?
Luke also said these were things that pertain to the Kingdom of God. Isn't that what we are trying to be part of?
The events recorded in Acts chapters one and two, fulfill the prophecy of Jesus (Luke 24:49), "And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me."
The events of Acts 2, fulfill the prophecy of the Prophet John... "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence" (Acts 1:5, Matthew 3:11).
The bottom line is that Jesus started all of this! We could not have known about receiving the Holy Ghost if Jesus had not mentioned it.
Romans 3:3-4, "For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar..."
BELIEVE, THEN RECEIVE THE EXPERIENCE:
According to the Scriptures, we are not Spirit filled at the moment we believe. In fact, the gift of the Holy Ghost is an experience to be received after we believe.
Jesus said in John 7:39, "(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"
Paul said Acts 19:1-2, "And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost."
We also see in the Scripture mentioned before that the Apostles prayed for people that had already believed to receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 2, 8, 10, 19). If they were filled with the Holy Ghost when they believed, why did they pray for believers to receive it?
Ephesians 1: 13, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, "
We must also remember that Jesus said in John 7:38, "He that believeth on me as the scripture hath said.. " So when we believe as Jesus has said, we will go on to receive the Holy Ghost, or God's Spirit, which is Living Waters.
This study has shown us that our experience differs from that of the Old Testament people in that we have God in us, through the baptism of the Holy Ghost, while they only had God with them. What a difference!
Receiving "The Experience" is something that happens, not just imagined
Something happens when you receive the Holy Ghost. You do not have to guess so or hope so--you will know. It is more than a mental exercise!
Acts 2:4, "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receivethe gift of the Holy Ghost."
Acts 4:3 1, "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness."
Acts 5:32, "And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him "
Acts 8:15, "Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:"
Acts 8:17, "Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost."
Acts 9:17, "And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost."
Acts 10:44-46, "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God."
The Gospel: The Death, Burial, and Resurrection ofChrist
The word "Gospel" means "good news." There is no doubt that what the Apostles preached to the unsaved was the Gospel. They were not promoting a product or organization. They preached a Gospel that would save.
The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is the Gospel, a type of our own Born Again experience. It does not do us any good if Jesus died and rose again, if we do not die and rise again. In other words, the Gospel is a plan to be followed and not just believed-
John 3:3-6, "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdomof God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
Jesus is not talking about natural birth at all. He plainly says that he is talking about spiritual things. The birth of the water is baptism, the birth of the Spirit is the infilling or baptism of the Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ diedfor our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried,and that he roseagain the third day according to the scriptures:"
Romans 6:3-5, "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life - For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:"
Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Death is a type of repentance. Baptism is a type of burial. Infilling of the Holy Ghost is a type of resurrection.
REPENTANCE A TYPE OF DEATH..
Luke 13:3, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
Luke 24:47, "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Gal 5:24, "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."
Romans 6:6-8, "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:"
When we repent, we die out to the "old man" of sin. We also receive forgiveness of sin when we repent... I John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
BAPTISM, A TYPE OF BURIAL...
Romans 6:4, "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life,"
Colossians 2:12, "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."
I Pet 3:21, "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"
When we are baptized, our sins are remitted ... Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Luke 24:47, "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
We baptize in Jesus Name because that is where we receive remission of our sins. Remission means to "remit" or to do away with the penalty. You can be forgiven for a crime and still be expected to make restitution.
However, God forgives our sin when we repent and remits them, or does away with the penalty, when we are baptized.
RESURRECTION, A TYPE OF THE HOLY GHOST..

Romans 6:4-8, "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:"

Lesson 4 – The Evidence of the Experience

Lesson 4 – The Evidence of the Experience

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Key Verse – Acts 2:4
If you have been with us in the last few lessons, you are aware that there are several things that have become evident. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is an experience that the New Testament Church enjoys that the Old Testament people did not have.
It is also clear that if all we do today is believe, than we do not have anything different than the Old Testament saints had. The main difference in our salvation and theirs is the experience of the Holy Ghost. Something has happened to and in us! We have had an experience with God that has changed us and made us "new creatures."
So if the Holy Ghost is something that we are to be filledwith, or to receive, how do we know we have received it? This is a very important question. The matter of our soul's salvation is too important to us to leave to speculation. God has given us a way in which we can know we have received the Holy Ghost.
It is also made clear in the last lesson, that we are NOT filled with the Holy Ghost when we believe. This is something we receive after we believe.
FIRST, WHAT / WHO IS THE HOLY GHOST?
The Holy Ghost is nothing less than the Spirit of God. Some people prefer to call it Holy Spirit. However, the term "Holy Ghost' is used in the Bible. We do know that God's Spirit is supposed to live in us and that we become the habitation of God through the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:22, "In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit " I Corinthians 3:16, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"
Ephesians 4:30, "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
I Thessalonians 4:8, "He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit."
Acts 2:17, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I Willpour out of my Spirit upon all flesh... " Our body becomes the receptacle to receive the Spirit of God. Paul said, "...we have this treasure in earthen vessels..." (2 Corinthians 4:7).
John 4:24, God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."
IS IT NECESSARY TO RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST?
Obviously, the answer is yes! Why would God take millions of years to bring to us a salvation that we can refuse if we wish to? If Jesus had to die, so he could go away and send the Comforter to us, then it is necessary to receive it.
Some people ask if it is necessary to receive the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues to be saved. The answer is yes. This lesson will deal the reasons, though, the essentiality of receiving the Holy Ghost should not be the problem. The Holy Ghost is a gift God has for us! Who would turn down a gift from God? How could we turn down such a precious gift and not offend God?
Ephesians 5:18, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; " This is a commandment.
Romans 8:9-1 1, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. "
We also know that Jesus "commanded" His followers to go to Jerusalem to receive the "Promise of the Father." (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4)
SO HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST?
In a previous lesson, we learned that the book of Acts is a history of the beginning of the first Church. The Apostles took the commandments of Jesus (Acts 1:1-8) concerning the Church and went into a world previously untouched by this wonderful Gospel. So we find in the book of Acts the only record of what the Apostles taught concerning salvation.
We must follow the pattern established by the Apostles. Acts 2:42, "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." In order to keep the Church the same as it was in the beginning, we must continue to use the same pattern as used in the original Church.
Remember also in the last lesson that we took Ephesians 2:19-20 and saw that the New Testament Church is built on the "...foundation of the Apostles, and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief comer stone."
We follow the Apostles steps from Jerusalem, where the Holy Ghost first fell, to Samaria, Thessalonica, Corinth, Ephesus, Rome, and other cities scattered around. Remember that the book of Acts tells us how to get "saved." The Epistles are letters written back to these Churches started in the book of Acts. The Epistles tell us how to stay "saved", how to order the affairs of the Church, about the Spiritual Gifts, to name a few.
The Apostles would not have written back to Churches that they preached the plan of salvation to in the beginning, with a different plan. The letters do not tell them again how to get saved -- they took care of that in the beginning.
THE JEWS RECEIVE THE EXPERIENCE OF THE HOLY GHOST.
Acts 2:1-4, "And when the day of Pentecost was 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 all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. Andthey were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
This fulfilled the prophecy of Joel. Joel 2:28-29, "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit."
This event caused such a stir in the city that it drew the attention of many people. Some people were amazed, some mocked, others thought they were drunk (Acts 2:5-13).
Since Peter had the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 16:16) he was the one selected by God to preach the first message to those gathered in Jerusalem. Peter said...
Acts 2:14-18, "But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:"
We can see that what has happened so far is the work of God as foretold by the Prophets and reaffirmed by the Apostles.
Acts 2:33, "Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hathshed forth this, which ye now see and hear."This was the fulfillment of Jesus' prophesy in Luke 24:49, John 20:22.
Acts 2:37-39, "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."
Acts 2:41-42, "Then they thatgladly received hisword were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continuedstedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."
Acts 2:46-47, "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved "
It was not said that they were, "...added to the Church..." until after they received the Holy Ghost. If you are not added to the Church, that means you are excluded from the Church. Mary, the mother of Jesus, His brothers, the Apostles, about 120 in all were followers of Jesus before Pentecost. They were believers, but they still needed the Holy Ghost to be added to the Church. When God brings in a new dispensation, we must obey the light He gives us at that time.
How did they know they had received the Holy Ghost? Whathappened that gave themevidence? There must be some kind of sign given them so they would know. We cannot know our own heart, or the heart of another. We cannot know for sure what goes on inside the heart and soul. Therefore, God must be able to give us some outward sign, so we can know.
As you will see in each example of Salvation, the common denominator is speaking in tongues. In some cases it says they also prophesied or glorified God. But the one thing common to all, is that they spoke in tongues.
Consider this, if we are not Spirit filled when we believe or by simply saying a prayer, how would believing or praying again do it? If all we do is pray to God, or believe in Him, we do not have anything more than the Old Testament Church had. Something has to happen to give us a sign that the Spirit has come into our heart.
How did they know to "add" these new converts to the Church? What was different about their experience? They were filled with the Holy Ghost!
THE HOLY GHOST EXPERIENCE COMES TO SAMARIA:
Acts 8:5-8, "Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city."
They believed, miracles happened, but they still needed something else! Read on...
Acts 8:14-15, "Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John - Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost."
They have received the Word of God from Philip and believed. But they are not filled with the Holy Ghost yet. Evidently, we do not automatically receive the Holy Ghost when we believe.
We do know that before Peter and John got to Samaria, they had already been baptized in Jesus name. Acts 8:16, "For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. "
Acts 8:17, "Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost."
It does not specifically say that they spoke in tongues. But how else would they have known? Something had to happen to let the Apostles know that they had received the Holy Ghost. I believe Peter heard the same sign as he had seen when Cornelius received the Holy Ghost (Acts 10:46). Something evidently happened that was miraculous because Simon the Sorcerer wanted to buy the power to replicate it (Acts 8:18-20)!
In each case we see that believers received the Holy Ghost afterthey believed. So we know that receiving the Holy Ghost is not just praying or believing a second time. It is more than just making a confession of faith. Something different had to happen so the Apostles would knowthey had received the Holy Ghost.
The Apostle Peter said, "...that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost -- For they heard them speak with tongues... " Acts 10:45-46).
We also know what happened because we know the pattern that was established in Acts 2:38. The pattern does not change. Once we have an example of the pattern used, we do not need to wonder if it has changed, each time we use it.
THE GENTILES RECEIVE THE EXPERIENCE OF THE HOLY GHOST
Thirty-three years after the day of Pentecost, God brought Peter and Cornelius together in a miraculous manner. We read about that in Acts 10. Here again, it was Peter that God sent to open the door of the Kingdom of God to the Gentiles--because he had the keys!
First, let's look at the spiritual condition of Cornelius...
Acts 10: 1-2, "There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway."
Cornelius was a believer by any standard. He was a good man who loved and feared God. He was a moral and a just man. He was doing all he knew to do. But we are not saved or lost because of our works. Just being good does not equal salvation. Good people need to be born again. We all need to experience salvation.
Even though Cornelius was a good man that loved and feared God, he was a lost man!We know this because God said he was lost...
Peter explains what happened to Cornelius, "And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved " (Acts 11:13 -14) If he was not saved, then he was lost!
What happened to move Cornelius' name from the lost to the saved column? He received the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues. Tongues is the only thing different from before.
Acts 10:44-45, "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision (Jews) which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Acts 10:46-47, "For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?"
How did Peter knowthey had received the Holy Ghost? It had to be more than the fact that they believed again, confessed again or that they simply said another prayer. He knew because he heard them speak in tongues!
Peter knew the Gentiles had received the same experience as the Jews (Acts 11:15). The only difference between before and after was that they spoke in tongues. If they had not spoken with tongues, they would not have received anything different than they had to start with.
PETER GIVES EVIDENCE TO THE ELDERS IN JERUSALEM THAT THE GENTILES HAD RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST
On the day of Pentecost, only Jews had received the Holy Ghost. There was some contention as to whether the Gentiles would also be included in this outpouring of the Holy Spirit for the last days. We know that that is part of the mystery that God had revealed to Paul (Ephesians 3:5-6).
The Jews despised the Gentiles and considered them less than dogs. It is also good to note that when the elders saw this prejudice in themselves and realized it was going against the workings of God's Spirit, they accepted what God was doing.
So Peter goes to Jerusalem to discuss the matter with the elders in Jerusalem. He tells them how God had brought him and Cornelius together and what had happened.
Acts 11:1-4, "And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them, But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them..."
Acts 11:13 -14, "And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house,. which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved."
Then note what Peter says next. When he saw Cornelius receive the Holy Ghost and heard him speak in tongues, he said..
Acts 11:16-17, "Then remembered I the word of the Lord (Jesus), how that he (Jesus) said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?"
Peter plainly tells us that what happened to Cornelius fulfilled the prophecy of Jesus Christ Himself! How could receiving the Holy Ghost be bad or evil? It is the work of God!
Peter also said that God gave the Gentiles the "like gift" as he had given to the Jews. What gift? The gift of the Holy Ghost! Here again, they received the Holy Ghost after they believed. It was an experience separate and apart from believing.
Peter said this was God's work and that he could not stand against it. When the elders heard this, they accepted it as the work of God.
Acts 11:18, "When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life- "
That is another reason we know the Holy Ghost is essential to salvation. It was not until after the Gentiles received the Holy Ghost that it was said God granted to them, "...repentance unto life. " They did not have spiritual life until after receiving the Holy Ghost, so we know that before they were spiritually dead!
Ask yourself this question again: What happened that took Cornelius' name off the "lost" column and put it into the "saved" column? He received the Holy Ghost!
In Acts 15, we find that this same subject is being discussed again...
Acts 15:5-9, "But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith."
Here again we note that God selected the Apostle Peter to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. Remember that Peter had the keys. Also note that what Peter preached, he called the Gospel, We are saved by obeying the Gospel.
Then James got into the act...
Acts 15:13-14, "And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. "
Acts 15:15, "And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written..." Remember that we are built upon the foundation of the Apostles, and Prophets. The words of the Apostles, the Prophets,. and Jesus have to agree!
Acts 15:16-17, "After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things." When is the name of Jesus called over us? At baptism! (Acts 2:38, 22:16)
We would see an example of this in the life of the Apostle Paul when he was first saved.
Acts 22:16, "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." The phrase "calling on" means to "invoke."
THE PHILLIPIAN JAILER GETS SAVED
Acts chapter 16 tells us about Paul and Silas being put into prison for preaching the name of Jesus. A jailer has been put in charge of them. In that day, to let a prisoner escape would result in the death of the jailer.
So the jailer was greatly upset when Paul and Silas prayed and sang at midnight and an earthquake came and opened the prison doors.
Acts 16:3 0-3 1, "And (the jailer) brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." But that did not settle the issue. They did not declare him saved and go on.
Acts 16:32-34, "And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and he was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house."
So we see that Paul and Silas went home with them and preached the "word of the Lord" to them. As a result, they were baptized. So we know they did more than just believe.
We can also know that they received the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues. How can we know that? Because we know the pattern that the Apostles followed.
For example, if a minister pastors a Church in a certain city, and the parishioners have heard him preach the plan of salvation, they know what he believes. He does not have to announce this every week. They already know what he preaches! If he goes to another city to preach a revival and his own parishioners at home hear that a certain number of people got saved, they do not have to wonder how they got saved. They already know what he preaches.
The same is true with the Apostles. We have the plan specifically laid out by the Apostles in Acts 2, 8, 10, & 19. One example of it not being spelled out, does not mean the plan has changed! We can be sure that the plan stays true to pattern.
Paul would preach the same message everywhere he preached. He would not change it to fit a certain location of people.
SO WHAT DID PAUL PREACH?
Acts 19:1-2, "And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples (believers), He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed.?And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost."
Nowhere does anyone in the Bible ask, "Have you accepted the Lord as your personal savior?" That is not a valid Biblical question concerning salvation. But what Paul asked them is. "Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?" If Paul were here today, he would ask us the same question.
These believers had not received the Holy Ghost because they had not heard that it had come. But, as followers of John the Baptist they knew the Holy Ghost had been promised. In fact, they were waiting on these prophesies to be fulfilled.
Acts 19:3 -6, "And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized.? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied."
Would the Apostles preach the same message today as they did back then? Why wouldn't they? We have to wonder why so many people today do not baptize in Jesus' Name nor receive the Holy Ghost like the Apostles preached. Where, when, why, and who changed it?
Paul sums it up very well ... Galatians 1:8-9, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed "
Jesus got it all started. The Apostles took commandments straight from Jesus and established the Church. They went everywhere preaching repentance, baptism in Jesus Name, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost.
No where in the Bible do we read that the infilling of the Holy Ghost, with the evidence of speaking in other tongues, is not for the Church today. In fact, Peter said in Acts 2:39, "For the PROMISE is unto you and to your children, to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."
It took the death of Jesus Christ to bring into being such a wonderful experience. In the beginning, God was a Spirit, but He was not a "ghost" until after He rose again. After He ascended on high, he came back in Spirit form to live in our hearts. Since Jesus has come into our heart by the Holy Ghost, we are the temple of the Holy Ghost!
Now, ask yourself this question: "Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?
WHY DID GOD CHOOSE TONGUES?
IT IS THE SOUND OF THE NEWBORN.
When a child is born, the doctor must hear the baby cry. If the baby does not cry, they know there is a problem. When a child is born into God's family, the Church, which is the Mother of us all (Galatians 4:26), hears the sound of a baby speaking in a heavenly language.
In John 3, we find Jesus talking to Nicodemus about the New Birth.
John 3:1-2, "There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
John 3:3-4, "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?"
John 3:5-7, "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh- and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." Jesus was talking about a spiritual birth, not a natural one.
John 3:8, "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
In the Bible, wind is a type of the Holy Spirit. Like the wind, the Spirit blows. You do not know where it came from nor where it is going, but you feel, see, and hear the effects of it.
Acts 2:1-4, "And when the day of Pentecost was 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 all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance- "
Note the word "utterance" in the Acts 1:4, It is a word listed in Strong's Greek Concordance (from 575 and 5350) meaning... "to enunciate plainly, i.e. declare--say, to speak forth."
When they received the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, God put the cry of the Newborn into their mouths. The Spirit gave them utterance. You cannot speak in tongues with human ability. The Spirit must give the utterance.
GOD HAS ABSOLUTE CONTROL OF THE BODY
James 3:2-8, "For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."
It is a truth that no man can tame the tongue. It takes the Spirit of God to control the tongue. When God controls you to the point you speak in a language you have not learned, you are completely surrendered to God's Spirit. The spirit that controls the tongue, controls the body.
A SUPERNATURAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRES A SUPERNATURAL SIGN
The salvation of our soul is the most important matter on the face of the earth. When God breathed the breath of life into us, we became a living soul (Genesis 2:7). After death, the soul will be at peace with God, or go to a place of eternal torment (Matthew 22:13, 24:51).
God needed some way to let us know, that without a doubt, we have been filled with His Spirit. He did not want us to have any doubt. He also wanted a way to confirm to the believer and to the Church, that a person has received the Holy Ghost.
The work of God's Spirit is a work of the heart. This happens in the unseen part of man. Unless there is some outward sign, how could we know what happened inside the person?
What other method could God have chosen that everyone has the capability of doing, and which cannot be controlled by human ability? The tongue is a human organ that comes under control of God's supernatural power.
Mark 16:17, "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues... "
Why do we think it strange or weird that God could take control of a person's tongue and speak through him? It is God that made the tongue and gave us the ability to speak any language at all. Speaking in tongues is simply God speaking through us.
For everything God has that is real, the devil has a counterfeit. Some people have misused tongues, or simply do not understand it. There is an experience with God that you and I can have that will allow the Spirit of God to totally take over our bodies, and speak through us in a heavenly language.
Nothing God does is ever embarrassing, unseemly, or out of order. When God is in control, everything will be right.
We should be thankful to God for giving us a way to know without a doubt, that we have been filled with His Spirit!
Acts 2:4, "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. "
Acts 10:46, "For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God..."
Acts 19:6, "And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied."
The Evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost is more than a feeling!
It is so important for us to receive the Holy Ghost, that God wanted us to have a sign so we would KNOW we have received it. This would be a sign, not only to us, but to the Church, that we have received the Holy Ghost. The Church is the mother of us all (Galatians 4:26), and she should also know when a child has been born to her.
We cannot tell what goes on inside of a person, even if we are ministers. When we hear someone speak in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance (Acts 2:4), it gives us the assurance that they have been filled with the Holy Ghost.
Many people think they have received the Holy Ghost when they believed or repented, because they "felt good". However, feelings are not a reliable sign to us, that we have been filled with God's Spirit. We can have good feelings, or even weep and rejoice, over many things that happen to us.

We do not need to be saved in order to have good feelings, cry, feel like jumping or running. We can do all of that in the natural, without the help of God's Spirit.
When Philip took the Gospel to Samaria we read that they had "great Joy" (Acts 8:8). However, verses 15-17 reveal to us that they were later baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost.
The Apostle Peter said that he knew the Gentiles had received the Holy Ghost, "For they heard them speak with tongues..." (Acts 10:45-46).
Why is it important to know that we have received the Holy Ghost?
Romans 8:9-1 1, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. "
According to these verses, we MUSThave the Spirit of Christ IN us in order to belong to Him, and to be resurrected from the dead. This in filling of God's Spirit is too important to leave to a feeling or a mental exercise.

God wanted to give us a sign that was so miraculous, that we could not doubt that we have been filled with the Holy Ghost!

Lesson 5 – Who Should Receive the Experience?

Lesson 5 – Who Should Receive the Experience?

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Key Verse – Acts 2:38,39
When the Apostle Peter went to Cornelius household to preach the Gospel (Acts 10), God gave the Gentiles the Holy Ghost like He had given to the Jews in the beginning (Acts 11:15). "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." (Acts 10-34-35).
"For the promise is unto you and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:38-39).
CLERGYMAN & CHURCH LEADERS NEED THE HOLY GHOST
As you will recall, Jesus had commanded His followers to go to Jerusalem and wait for the Promise.
Acts 1:4-5, "And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."
Acts 1:12-13, "Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day's journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. "
Acts 1:14-15, "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
Acts 2:1-4, "And when the day of Pentecost was 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 all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. "
These were Apostles, key men in the plans of Christ. In fact, Peter had the keys to the Kingdom. This was a very select group of leaders, chosen by Jesus Himself. It would stand to reason that if God had something to give that would give power (Acts 1:8), surely the leadership of the Church needs it! Who wants powerless Clergy?
WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE LIKE APOLLOS?
Acts 18:24-26, "And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. "
Apollos is like a lot of good preachers in the world today. They love God and have a powerful ministry. Look at Apollos-- "mighty in Scripture", "fervent in spirit", "taught diligently the things of the Lord". What more could he have asked for? What more did he need? Evidently, God had more for him. Aquila and Priscilla took him aside and ... expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
He knew only "...the baptism of John". John was the forerunner of Christ. He said there was one coming that would baptize them with Holy Ghost and fire. John baptized unto repentance (Acts 19:2). He did not baptize in Jesus Name, nor were his converts filled with the Holy Ghost, because the Holy Ghost had yet been given. The new dispensation had not yet begun.
Later, when the disciples of John heard that the Holy Ghost had come, they were re-baptized in Jesus' Name, and filled with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 19)
The story of Apollos is recorded in Acts 18. In the next chapter (19) we find that Paul brings to the disciples of John the complete, revealed plan of salvation.
PEOPLE FAVORED & BLESSED BY GOD NEED THE HOLY GHOST
Luke 1:26-31, "And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thouamong women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS."
Can anyone doubt that Mary was chosen for a very special purpose? She would be the earthly mother of Jesus.
Acts 1:14, "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren."
Acts 2:4, "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
OUR FAMILY MEMBERS NEED THE HOLY GHOST
The natural family of Jesus was in the Upper Room and received the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:13-14, "And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. " God is not respecter of persons. What He does for one, He will do for all. What He requires of one, He requires of all.
PEOPLE DELIVERED / HEALED BY GOD NEED THE HOLY GHOST
Acts 8:5-8, "Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city." These people accepted Jesus and were baptized. God worked miracles of healing and deliverance among them. But we know they still needed the Holy Ghost!
Acts 8:14-17, "Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
RELIGIOUS ZEALOTS NEED THE HOLY GHOST
Many people hold very strong beliefs about God, the Church, or salvation. They may even be fanatical. It is possible to have a "zeal of God, but not according to knowledge." (Romans 10:2) Saul of Tarsus, later known as the Apostle Paul, would certainly fit in this category. He approved the stoning of Stephen (Acts 8:1), as well as persecuting other followers of Christ. The verses below prove the point!
Acts 8:3, "As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison."
Acts 9:1-2, "And Saul, yet breathing out threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem."
Acts 9 records the details of Saul's conversion. God had chosen Ananias to preach to him the plan of salvation. Paul recounts his story in Acts 22.
Acts 9:17-18, "And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized."
This verse does not specifically say that Paul spoke in tongues. However, we know from previous lessons what Paul taught (Acts 19:1-6). He would not have encouraged others to have an experience he did not have. According to Paul's own words, we know he spoke in tongues (I Corinthians 14:18).
We also know he was baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. Acts 22:16, "And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. " If Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, needed the Holy Ghost, so do we!
DEVOTED, RELIGIOUS PEOPLE NEED THE HOLY GHOST
Acts 10:1-2, "There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway."
Cornelius was certainly a devoted, religious man. He was a believer! On the basis of his life, he would qualify for membership in most churches today. However, Cornelius was not saved!
Acts 11:13 -14, "And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved."
Acts 11:15 -17, "And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fellon them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost." Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believedon the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?"
We read the actual account of this in Acts 10:44-48, "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fellon all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.Then prayed they him to tarry certain days."
THE DISCIPLES OF JOHN NEEDED THE HOLY GHOST
Acts 19:1-6, "And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized?And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues,and prophesied."
WHY BAPTISM OF JOHN WAS NOT ENOUGH.
In reading the book of Acts, and after completing the previous lessons, you will have noticed that the Apostles would bring the disciples of John into a more complete work of the Holy Spirit. There were two differences: 1) they would re-baptize them in Jesus Name, 2) they would be filled with the Holy Ghost.
If the disciples of John were OK as they were, why was it important to the Apostles to expect anything further from them? If these two things were not needed, why take them there? Evidently, it was needed to fulfill their salvation experience, the New Birth.
Earlier in this lesson we read about Apollos who was a man mighty in the Scriptures and greatly used of God. However, he knew "...only the baptism of John". Aquila and Priscilla took him aside and expounded the word of God more perfectly. What he knew was right, it just was not enough (Acts 18:25-26)!
John the Baptist was a forerunner of Christ. He plainly said that they should believe on Him who was to come after him (Matthew 3:1-6, 11). John only prepared them for the coming of Christ and the complete work of the Gospel.
It is important to remember that the Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. This is a type of our own salvation experience. When we are "born again" of water and Spirit; we also die (repentance), are buried (Baptism), and rise again (Newness of life) (Romans 6:1 -11).
So it is evident that John the Baptist prepared his followers for the complete plan of salvation that would unfold with the ministry of Jesus and the Apostles. He did not bring them far enough. There was more for them!
THE ROAD TO FULL SALVATION.
The plan of salvation caused Jesus to follow a path that would lead to death, burial, and resurrection. It is a road that all of us who experience salvation must follow. As you travel the road to your salvation, note the following signs and landmarks. Make sure you pass them all!
ONE WAY !!
Death + Burial + Resurrection = Salvation
Repentance + Baptism + Holy Ghost = Salvation
The followers of John the Baptist could follow him only as far as he went. John lead them through repentance and baptism. It would take the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, to complete their salvation journey.
The Holy Ghost was given on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2. The upper room experience marked the day when believers were first filled with the Holy Ghost.
Have you been past the cross, the grave, and the upper room? If not, your journey to salvation is not complete. Please do not stop between the grave and the resurrection. It is important that you go past Pentecost! CALVARY MADE PENTECOST POSSIBLE!
THREE ELEMENTS OF SALVATION -- BLOOD, WATER, AND SPIRIT
Blood is necessary to life in the flesh. The blood of Christ is necessary to life in the Spirit. Hebrews 9:22, "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood- and without shedding of blood is no remission."
I Pet 1:18-19, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"
Water is also essential to natural and spiritual life.
John 3:5, "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
John 4:14, "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
Revelations 21:6, "And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."
Water is also a type of washing in the Spirit. Acts 22:16, "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."
1 Peter 3:20, "...days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water."
Water baptism is a type of burial.Colossians 2:12, "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."
The SPIRIT There are three spirits in the world. God and the good angels, Satan and the fallen angels, and the human spirit. When we speak of God's Spirit we call it the Holy Spirit or the Holy Ghost.
Man is a spiritual being. The human spirit can respond to God's Spirit, or Satan's spirit. True salvation is when the Spirit of God comes into a person's life and heart. In other words Christ lives in us. Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me-. and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
John 3-5-8, "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit." In the Bible, wind is a type of the Spirit of God.
WHAT HAPPENED AT CALVARY?
Simply put, at Calvary, Jesus did a work for us. When we are "born again" a work is done in us.
Sin separated us from God. Sacrifices were offered in Old Testament times to remove the sin of the people. Blood was the price demanded. Jesus came into the world as the sinless Lamb of God, to take away our sin (John 1:29, 1 John 3:5).
The blood of Christ satisfied the price demanded for sin, and made atonement for us.
I John 2:2, "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." Propitiation means "atonement". Atonement means to "satisfy, to make amends, to compensate."
At Calvary, Jesus destroyed the works of Satan. I John 3:8, "He that comitteth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. "
The death of Jesus at Calvary, brought the New Covenant into being. Hebrews 9:16-17, "For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth."
Jesus had to die, before the Spirit of God could come into the world. Jesus had to die and rise again before the Holy Ghost could come. Someone has to die before they can be a ghost. God is a Spirit, but He did not have a ghost, until He died, rose again, and ascended on high. That is why Jesus said the Comforter could not come until He went away (John 16:7).
John 7:38-39, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified "
John 16:7, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. "
The fact that Jesus did die on Calvary does not automatically equal our salvation. Nor does just believing on Him assure our salvation. We know that the devils believe (James 2:19), but they are not saved. We also know the Apostles taught an experience with God that went beyond simply believing. That is an issue these lessons have dealt with.
We must believe and obeythe Gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:8, 1 Peter 4:17) if we will be saved. Jesus said we must believe on Him, "... as the Scripture hath said.. " (John 7:3 8).
SO WHAT ABOUT GRACE?
Many people feel that we are saved by the Grace of God and that no action is required on our part. That is not true. We are saved by the grace of God, but we must work out our own salvation, with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). We also know that faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
If you want to remain lost--then do nothing! However, if you want to be saved, you must take action. Not only must we believethe Gospel, we must also obeythe Gospel. When we obey the Gospel, we submit ourselves to following the Spirit of God into full Truth.
Obedience to the Gospel is essential to our salvation.11 Thessalonians 1:8-9, "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospelof our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;"
I Peter 4:17, "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?"
So what does grace do? It provides a way for mankind to find peace with God. It allows us to approach God. Grace is also a teacher... Titus 2:11-12, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvationhath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; "
The fact that we are saved by the grace of God does not mean that we are saved just by believing. Grace is not a "free ticket" to sin, without fear of judgment. We must obey the Gospel if we wish to be saved. Obedience requires action on our part!
Anyone who has ever been saved, in any dispensation, has been saved by the grace of God! We cannot save ourselves, nor could we ever "deserve" salvation. We are not saved by works, nor are we lost by works. We come into the world in an unsaved condition, because we are born in sin, and all of us have come short of the glory of God. So if we are going to be saved, we must take action and obey the Gospel. "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus"(Romans 3:24).
Grace comes to us through Jesus Christ. Just because we are not saved by works does not mean that nothing is required. For instance, we are required to obey the Gospel, to repent, to live a Godly and righteous life here on earth (Titus 2:11-12).
It is even required that we have faith before we can receive His grace. Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this gracewherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
It is also the grace of God that brings the gift of the Holy Ghost to us. "But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification" (Romans 5:15-16): Grace is not the gift Paul is referring to here. It is the Holy Ghost! The grace of God brings us the Spirit of God.
Paul also teaches us that the grace of God only reigns in our hearts through righteousness. "That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousnessunto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 5:21). Grace is not applied to the unrighteous heart.
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"
The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ made the full plan of salvation possible. Today, God lives in our hearts through the infilling of His Spirit. This fulfills the meaning of the mystery as given to the Apostle Paul for us Gentiles.

Colossians 1:27, "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory!

Lesson 6 – Why We Need the Experience

Lesson 6 – Why We Need the Experience

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Key Verse – Acts 2:38,39
By now it is quite evident that we need to be filled with the Holy Ghost. Jesus died so we could have it. The mother and brothers of Jesus, along with the Apostles, needed the Holy Ghost. Therefore, there must be a reason for it.
WE NEED THE HOLY GHOST FOR POWER
Acts 1: 8, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
The question might be asked, "Power for what?" First, we do not need the power of God to work miracles or see people healed. When we exercise faith in God's word, He is bound to perform it. Neither are miracles a sign that a person walks in the fullness of truth or is saved.
The Old Testament people saw miracles, as did the Apostles in the New Testament, before they received the Holy Ghost. We cannot assume a person is born again, or is a true preacher of the Gospel based on their ability to see healings and miracles.
Matthew 7:21-23, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Jesus did not deny their claim to miracles, but he did deny that He even knew them.
John 3:5-7, "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." The New Birth is what puts us into God's family.
WE NEED POWER OVER OUR FALLEN NATURE
We are born in sin and shapen in iniquity (Psalms 51:5). We all come into the world with a fallen, sinful nature.
Romans 8:4-9, "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."
It is evident that the "fleshly" or "carnal" man cannot even please God, much less be saved. We have to become new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17Galatians 6:15) in Christ.
Take another look at verse 9. We are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit (capital S) ifso be, that the Spirit dwelleth in you. We need the Spirit of God in us to be a new creature. Without the Spirit of God in us, none of us could ever please God.
We need the Holy Ghost to belong to Christ
Romans 8:9, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. "
Galatians 4:4-7, "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."
WE NEED THE HOLY GHOST FOR RESURRECTION POWER.
Romans 8:10-11, "Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. "
Please note that God's Spirit must be in us when we die. It is God's presence in us, that will bring us out of the grave. That is why Paul says that "Christ in us" is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27)! (Read I Corinthians 15:35-58).
THE HOLY GHOST IS CHRIST DWELLING IN US
John 14:17-18, "Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
I John 4:13, "Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. "
Ephesians 2:20-22, "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief comer stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. "
I Corinthians 3:16, "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"
I Corinthians 6:19-20, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body,and in your spirit, which are God's."
THE HOLY GHOST IS OUR LEADER AND TEACHER.
Romans 8:6-7, "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmityagainst God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."
Romans 12:1-2, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
John 14:26, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
It is God's Spirit in us that lets us know the voice of God regarding right and wrong. The natural mind cannot understand the things of the Spirit. It is the Spirit that gives us this understanding.
I Corinthians 2:13-16, "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ."
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT COMES WITH THE HOLY GHOST
Galatians 5:22-25, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."
Romans 5:5, And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. "
Romans 14:17, "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost "
THE HOLY GHOST IS THE SEAL OF OUR SPIRITUAL INHERITANCE.
When we believe and obey the Word of God and are saved, we enter a covenant relationship with God. The Covenant includes certain terms and conditions which we agree to. It is like entering a contract together.
A "seal" is a signature which makes the contract binding, or something given as a means of security.
2 Corinthians 1:20-22, "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us,and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."
Ephesians 1:9-14, "Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth - even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, "which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."
Please, note the phrase "earnest of our inheritance." The word "earnest" is a word of Hebrew origin (728 arrhabon (ar-hrab-ohn', [61621); which means "a pledge, i.e. part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest:"
In other words, God gives us His Spirit which is like a down payment, with a promise to give the rest at a later date.
We say, God and I will stay true to each other, keeping the terms of the covenant, until the day He comes for us. At that time, we will enter into the full inheritance God has reserved for us as His children.
I Corinthians 6:19-20, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
I Peter 1: 18-19, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"
Ephesians 4:30, "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
The word "sealed" is from a Greek word (4972 sphragizo (sfrag-id'-zo; from 4973), which means "to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation."
We should remember also that when we are "Born Again", we become a child of God. As a child of God, we are in line for an inheritance.
Romans 8:16-17, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ- if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."
THE HOLY GHOST MAKES US NEW CREATURES
WITH NEW HEARTS I MIND
We know that when we are born into this world, we are born sinners. We come into the world with evil hearts and sinful natures. Our "natures" are inclined to sin and evil. In order to become a child of God, we have to be made new creatures.
The heart and mind must be transformed (metamorphosed) to think and act like Jesus. When we are born again of water and Spirit, we take on new natures.
Romans 12:1-2, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing (regeneration) of your mind,that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
Galatians 6:15, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature- "
Ezekiel II: 19-20, "And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God."
Ezekiel 36:26-27, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them."
2 Corinthians 3:3, "Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart."
Ephesians 4:22-24, "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
The Holy Ghost gives us the power to overcome the flesh and live Godly in this present world. It allows us to live and walk in the Spirit. The indwelling Spirit of God renews our hearts and minds, so we can think and act in a way that would be pleasing to God (Romans 8:1-9, Galatians 5:16-26). We are led by His Spirit.
The Holy Ghost allows us to stand in the righteousness of God (Romans 3:21-26). Our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). In our flesh, there is no good thing (Romans 7:16-2 1). We are saved by His righteousness, not ours.
It is also the Spirit of God living in us, that will bring us out of the grave to meet the Lord in the air, so shall we ever be with the Lord!
Through the Spirit, we become the Habitation of God!
Ephesians 2:19-22, "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundationof the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief comer stone; In whom all the building fitly framed togethergroweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."
I Corinthians 6:19, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"
God does not live in houses made of wood or stone, nor does he live in houses made with hands (Acts 17:24). But He lives in us! (2 Corinthians 3:3). We are His workmanship (Ephesians 2: 10) and it is he that has made us (Psalms 100:3).
Our Body, Heart, and Soul are Receptacles of God's Spirit..
In the Bible, oil and new wine is a type of the Spirit of God. Oil and wine are not self contained. They must be put within something. That is why God needs us.
It would be appropriate to view our body, heart, and soul, as a container or a receptacle, capable of holding something. When we are born, we come into the world as a dirty (sinful) vessel. Naturally, the Spirit of God will not come into a sinful heart.
2 Corinthians 4:7, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."
We become clean through repentance and baptism, and are then ready to be filled with God's Spirit. In fact, we are instructed to be filled with the Spirit of God.
Ephesians 5:18, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the spirit;"
New Wine is a Type of the Spirit of God..
Following this analogy of the body as a container, Jesus had this to say: "Neither do men put new wine into old bottles:else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles,and both are preserved" (Matthew 9:17).
This is a reference to the Spirit of God making us New Creatures (bottles), and not just some patched, flawed, leaky vessel (2 Corinthians 5:17).
After the 120 received the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two, some accused them of being drunk. But the Apostle Peter had this to say: "For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh ... ( Acts 2:15-17)" Peter said they were not "drunken as ye suppose". He did not deny they were drunk, but instead inferred they were acting strange because they had been filled with the Spirit of God.
Oil is a Type of the Spirit of God.
Matthew 25:1-12, "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oilwith them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not."
Please note that all of these virgins were the same except they had no oil in their vessel. It is safe to assume that all of them were believers, looking and waiting for the coming of the bridegroom. Here again we see the importance of being filled with the Spirit after we have believed. It is also important we stay full of the Holy Ghost and not let it leak out.
Why did Jesus deny that he knew them? Because they did not have His Spirit in them. We must remember that we do not belong to Christ except through the in-filling of His Spirit.
Romans 8:9, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. "
So we can see that through the Spiritwe actually become "an holy templein the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. " 1 Corinthians 6:19, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"

Lesson 7 – How to Receive the Experience

Lesson 7 – How to Receive the Experience

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Key Verse – Acts 2:38
The Holy Ghost is the gift of God's Spirit He wants to give to each of us. It is important that you realize that the Holy Ghost is something you need and should have. We usually seek what we desire or need.
YOU MUST BELIEVE.
Hebrews 11: 6, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarderof them that diligently seek him."
Mark 9:23, "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe,all things are possible to him that believeth."
John 7:37-39, "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"
Acts 8:12, "But when they believed Philippreaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."
YOU MUST HAVE FAITH
Hebrews 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
Matthew 9:29, "Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto YOU."
Matthew 17:20, "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief. for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
YOU MUST ASK.
Matthew 7:7-8, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:, For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."
This is another way of saying we must have a desire for the Holy Ghost. We must hunger for it. If we want it that badly, we will seek it. We talk to God through prayer.
Matthew 21:21-22, "Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. "
Luke 11:13, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"
James 4:2-3, "Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."
YOU MUST REPENT
Luke 13:3, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luke 24:46-47, "And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preachedin his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Repentance cleans the heart and prepares it for the presence of God to come into. When a person repents, he has a clean, empty heart, ready for the Holy Ghost (Matthew 12:43-45). God will not live in a dirty, sinful heart! He wants a clean house!
I John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
YOU MUST WORSHIP I PRAISE I MAGNIFY GOD.
Anytime we approach God, we come before Him with worship and praise. He loves, desires, and inhabits the praise of His people. Worship prepares the heart for God's presence. Worship and praise are the ways we offer sacrifices to God.
Jeremiah 33:11, "The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD."
Hebrews 13:15, "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to Godcontinually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."
The Bible says that they "spoke" in other tongues as the "Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 1:4). Peter knew the Gentiles had received the Holy Ghost for he "heard them speak in tongues and magnify God" (Acts 10:46).
By these accounts, those who received the Holy Ghost spoke in other tongues. We must open our mouth and speak words of praise to God. God will not do for us what we can do for ourselves. I cannot speak in tongues without God's utterance, but I can speak words of praise and worship. When I do what I can do, God takes over and does the rest!
We do not need to "know how" to pray in order to seek the Holy Ghost. We should use simple words of praise such as "Hallelujah" or "Thank you Jesus".
When we seek the Holy Ghost, we pray with our heart. It is not important that we say any certain words. As you pray, the Spirit will start to move on you and you will began to stammer (Isaiah 28:11) and then you will speak words you do not know, as the Spirit gives you utterance.We cannot speak in other tongues under our own inspiration and it be real. The Spirit must give the utterance. Do not worry what it sounds like, you will not understand it anyway!
If God can speak through a burning bush (Exodus 3:2-6) or a donkey (Numbers 22:21-28), surely He can speak through us!
Mark 16:16-17, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; "
YOU MUST BE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.
Mark 16:16-17, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe- In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;"
Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
In the Bible, we find some examples of people receiving the Holy Ghost and being baptized (Acts 10:44-48). In other cases, they were baptized and then they received the Holy Ghost (Acts 19:1-5). So we can conclude that you can be baptized before or after receiving the Holy Ghost.
We do know however that baptism in Jesus Name is essential to our salvation experience. God forgives our sin at repentance, but he remits (pardons/absolves) our sin at baptism. Repentance and baptism serve two different purposes.
Luke 24:47, "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and bebaptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
YOU SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST
John 7:37-39, "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me,as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"
Acts 2:38, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. "
If you believe the Holy Ghost is a gift God has for you, and if you follow the above Biblical steps, you can expectto receive the Holy Ghost shortly. The Holy Ghost was poured out on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2, and is still in the earth today.
You do not have to beg for the Holy Ghost. You simply believe, obey, and receive! You should claim this promise of God by faith. Today!
In these seven lessons, we have studied the experience of receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost. It is for you today!
To this agree the words of the Prophets, the Apostles, and Jesus Christ Himself.

Ephesians 2:19-22, "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints ', and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

Author's Conclusion

Author's Conclusion

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The bible study you have just concluded, "The Promise of an Experience with God", is written by the pastor of Calvary Pentecostal Church, Rev. Cecil Daniels. The subject of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and the full bible plan of salvation is one in which Pastor Daniels is very well versed.
Undoubtedly his favorite subject on which to preach, the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is an essential concept. We must grasp it, which is the reason Pastor Daniels has delivered hundreds of messages from his pulpit on the subject, and the reason for his writing this comprehensive study.
Following are his closing thoughts:

Key Verse – I Corinthians 13:8-10

It is impossible to put into one study everything that relates to this wonderful experience. After many years, I still find nuggets of Truth that relate to this subject when I teach these lessons. We never know all we can know about God and His Word.

Questions concerning our salvation go beyond any one group of people or organization. What our family or friends believe is not important -- it is what the Word of God teaches. After all, the Word of God is the final authority and is the book by which we will all be judged. In conclusion, I want to reference a few questions that arise from time to time.

TRUTH AND THE WAY OF TRUTH.

Much is said in the Bible concerning Truth and the way of truth.Those that worship the Father, must "...worship the Father in spirit and truth..." (John 4-23). We simply cannot believe and worship a lie and be saved.

Matthew 22:16, "And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men."

First then, we see that Truthis a person--Jesus Christ! John 14:5-6, "Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." To reject truth, is to reject Jesus!

Jesus said, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free " (John 8:3 2).

Proverbs 23:23, "Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding."

WE MUST LOVE, BELIEVE AND OBEY THAT WHICH IS TRUE.

Ephesians 1: 13, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise," We hear the truth, we believe, we receive!

11 Thessalonians 2:10-12, "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."

Romans 2:8, "But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath."

Galatians 3: 1, "O, foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth,before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
Galatians 5:7, "Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?"

ONLY ONE WAY?

I have heard many people say that it does not matter what you believe, as long as we all believe in God. They say we are all going to the same place anyway. However, the Word of God refutes that idea and consistently emphasizes that there is only one Gospel.
Ephesians 4:4-6, "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling- One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

Matthew 7:13-14, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadethunto life, and few there bethat find it. "
Galatians 1:8-9, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach anyother gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so I say now again, Ifany man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." We must believe and obey THE Gospel!

In spite of what some may believe, all roads do not lead to heaven! It takes more than just believing and confessing faith in Christ.
James 2:19, "Thou believest that there is one God, thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."

If you need the Holy Ghost in order to be resurrected, to meet the Lord in the clouds (Romans 8:10), then at some point you must be filled with the Holy Ghost! What you believe is extremely important.

WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW?

It is important that we carry the Gospel to the whole world because the Bible tells us, "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost' (2 Corinthians 4:3). Lost people must hear, believe, and obey the Gospel in order to be saved!

In fact, Jesus came, "to seek and to save that which was lost' Luke 19:10). People are lost without Christ and obeying the Gospel of Christ! If a lost person is saved; without hearing, believing and obeying the truth, don't ever tell them the truth, because then they will be accountable for what they know!(Luke 12:47-48).

Romans 10: 13-15, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" Why go and preach the Gospel if they are OK without it?

THE DANGER OF IGNORANCE

There is an old adage that we like to repeat that says, "What you don't know want hurt you." That is simply not the truth. We have often been hurt by what we did not know. Sometimes we say, "Well, if I had only known." When it comes to the matter of our soul's salvation, we must hear, believe, and obey the Gospel
Acts 17:30, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent."

Ephesians 4:17-18, "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorancethat is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:"

I Peter 1:13-14, "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance"
What you don't know about the Gospel, could cause you to be lost.
IS SALVATION FREE?

Salvation is free because the Holy Ghost (the Spirit of God) is a gift that is given to us (Acts 2:38, 8:19-20, 10:4511:16-17). But we have already seen that we must believe and obey the Gospel if we are going to reap its blessings. Obedience to God's plan is essential to salvation! Obeying God is not considered works!

We must obey the commandments of Christ. Jesus said we must believe and be baptized (Mark 16:6) and that we must repent (Luke 13:3). Jesus also said that, "If you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15).

WHAT ABOUT WORKS?

It is true that we cannot earn our salvation by good works. We do not deserve to be saved because we are good.

We are not lost because we are bad, neither are we saved because we are good. We are lost because we are born in sin (Psalms 51:5), we are saved by obeying the Gospel. This is not a matter of how "good" or "bad" we may be.

However, we must take action if we want to be saved. We are born sinners, lost without God. If we do nothing, then we will be lost! God did not force anyone to get on board the Ark in Genesis chapter six. Noah had to get on board the Ark for himself. We must take action. It is not considered "works" to be obedient.

The writer James put it in perspective for us. "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was" (James 1:22-24).

James 2:17-20, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, 0 vain man, that faith without works is dead?

James 2:21-22, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?"

James 2:24-26, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

I am not saying that we will ever be good enough to earn or deserve salvation. We are saved only by the Grace of God. However, that does not mean that we do not have to obey God, and that He does not expect anything out of us.

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CLEARING UP SOME MISUNDERSTANDINGS CONCERNING TONGUES.

Speaking in tongues is a subject that has caused a lot of misunderstanding and confusion. However, we do know that God is not the author of confusion (I Corinthians 14:33). It is also very clear that speaking in tongues is a subject spoken about in the Bible.

The ONLY reason I am addressing the subject of tongues, is because the Bible does. The New Testament Church and the Apostles spoke in tongues. How could anyone say it is evil or wrong?

Some people think that we are some kind of cult, which could not be further from the truth. We are ordinary people, just like everyone else. We only practice that which is set forth in the Word of God. As Paul said in Acts 24:14, "But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets."
We must also remember that it is necessary to "rightly divide the Word of Truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). If you remember from an earlier study, we looked at the proper division of the New Testament.

The four Gospels(Matt, Mark, Luke, John) record some details about the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ. We also read some of His words and teachings. No Church was started here.

The book of Actsrecord the birth of the Church and what the Apostle taught people about salvation. This is the only book that tells us how to be saved or born again.

The Epistles (Romans through Jude) are letters written by the Apostles to Churches they had established in the book of Acts. They are not writing back to tell them how to be saved -- that was done when they first started the Church. The Epistles tell us how to live for God, how to order the affairs of the Church, and other matters pertaining to living for God.

Therefore it is important that we put the matter of tongues in proper Biblical order. What are tongues for? Who should speak in tongues? When? Where? Why?

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THE THREE USES OF TONGUES IN THE BIBLE.

1.) TONGUES IS A SIGN OF THE INITIAL INFILLING OF THE HOLY GHOST

Everybody must be born again and filled with the Holy Ghost! This is what we call the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38, 8:19, 10:45, 11:16). Lesson four covers this in detail. All believers should receive the Holy Ghost. It is the gift of God.

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2.) TONGUES IS ONE OF THE NINE SPIRITUAL GIFTS

In I Corinthians chapters 12 through 14, we find Paul teaching about the operation of spiritual gifts in the local church. These gifts are given to specific individuals as God sees fit. Please take the time to read these chapters in the Bible.

There are nine spiritual gifts given for the edification of the body of Christ. Not everyone has one of these gifts. This has nothing to do with the born again experience. Each of these gifts are listed below with the specific purpose for which they are given.

The Nine Spiritual Gifts Are:

Revelation - To Know Utterance - To Speak
Power - To Act

Word of Wisdom
Divers kinds of Tongues
Faith

Word of Knowledge
Interpretation of Tongues
Gifts of Healings

Discerning of Spirits
Prophecy
Working of Miracles

Are these gifts for the Church today? Of course! If God did not want us to use them, why did He give them to us? We are told, in the Word of God, that we should not ignore the gifts and that we should seek to possess them.

I Corinthians 12: 1, "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant." I Corinthians 14: 1, "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts..."
I Corinthians 12:3 1, "But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way."

The gifts are not given to the Church to be used to control or dominate people. The gifts MUST ALWAYS operate in LOVE! Love is the more excellent way.

Consider the following questions:

Why would God give the spiritual gifts if we are not to use them?

Why would the Bible even address the subject if the gifts are not for us?

Why would Paul teach us how to identify and use the gifts if we are not to use them? Why are we told to "desire" and "covet" the gifts if we are not suppose to have them?
Nowhere in Scripture are we told that spiritual gifts are not for us. We are only told how the gifts should be used and for what purpose they are.

Please remember that the "gifts of the Spirit" and the "gift of the Holy Ghost" are two different things. The "gift of the Holy Ghost" is for EVERYONE and is needed for salvation! The "gifts of the Spirit" are only given to certain individuals, and are used for the edification of the body of Christ.
Two of the spiritual gifts that operate in the Church are tongues and interpretation. One person may have the gift of tongues and another the gift of interpretation, or one person may have both gifts.

Paul makes it clear that the gift of tongues is of no benefit to the listener unless someone also gives the interpretation. That is why Paul said that he would rather speak five words with the understanding, than ten thousand words in tongues.

However, Paul also made it clear that he spoke in tongues (I Corinthians 14:18)! Nowhere does Paul say that tongues is not for the Church today.

Nowhere does he say that it is wrong or evil to speak in tongues. In fact, the whole discourse of Paul is how to use the gifts of tongues in the Church!

I Corinthians 1:7, "So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:" Paul said that we should use the gifts until Jesus comes. Paul also said that we should "desire spiritual gifts" (I Corinthians 14:2).

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3.TONGUES AS PERSONAL EDIFICATION OR INTERCESSORY PRAYER.

I Corinthians 14:1-2, "Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him- howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries."

Romans 8:26-27, "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

1 Corinthians 14:13-15, "Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also."

It is clear that "praying in the Spirit" is speaking in other tongues, because that is when we pray without the understanding. So we see that God allows us to speak in tongues as a matter of personal edification and intercession for the needs of others.

WHAT DID PAUL MEAN ABOUT TONGUES CEASING?

I Corinthians 13:8-10, "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

The first thing that is obvious about this is that Paul would not spend three chapters telling us how to use spiritual gifts, if they had ceased and were not for us today.

The second thing is that he said prophecy and knowledge would also cease. This is a reference to the operation of the nine spiritual gifts.

When the Church is taken away and is no longer in the earth, all of the spiritual gifts will cease operation, not just tongues.When we are actually with Jesus, the Perfect One, we will no longer need spiritual gifts.

Today, even with the nine spiritual gifts, we only know in part. But there will come a day when Christ, the Perfect ONE, will come and take His Church out of here. When that happens, we will be able to see and understand things a lot more clearly.

I Corinthians 13:12, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."

The phrase that says, "when that which is perfect is come" is a reference to the second coming of Christ. Thayers Greek-English Lexicon, Page 618 interprets this phrase from the Greek word "to Teleion", meaning, "The perfect state of all things, to be ushered in by the return of Christ from heaven."

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CLOSING REMARKS

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I want to thank you for taking part in this study. I trust that it has been a means of teaching and revelation to you. I am sure that you have come to realize, throughout the course of this study, that the infilling of the Holy Ghost is an experience God has for you. Too many wonderful things are said about it in the Bible, for it not to be true. Also, Jesus paid too high of a price on Calvary to make this wonderful gift possible, for us to refuse it.

Speaking from personal experience and many others I have talked with through the years, there is no experience that compares to the infilling of the Holy Ghost! It brings a measure of joy, peace, power, and assurance that nothing else can produce.

I sincerely hope that you will come to know the joy of receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost for yourself. Then you will understand why the Apostle Paul said, "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:8-9)

So I will end by joining with the Apostle Paul in asking you this most important of questions, "Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?" (Acts 19:2)

This study uses the King James Version of the Bible and makes no attempt to change the archaic language used therein. For more information on the New Birth experience, or any related topic, please feel free to contact:

Rev. Cecil Daniels
Calvary Pentecostal Church
6811 Woolworth Rd. - Shreveport, LA 71129
318-687-8271