Biblical Living 101 - The Holy Spirit - Part 2

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Published: 19 August 2019

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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: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.’ ” - John 20:21–23 (KJV)

" 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.“ - Acts 19:1-6 ( KJV )

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Biblical Living 101 - The Holy Spirit - Part 2
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Last week' study/post was a fairly eye opening introduction to the Third Person of the Trinity! If you haven't read it, please do, you will instantly be better than Paul's Ephesian converts who said in effect, "Huh? ... What Holy Spirit?"

He IS fully God .. To realize that, just consider - sinning against him with our tongue ( by lying about Him, attributing His works to the devil etc., in short... blaspheming Him) is a sin that is not forgiven... ever.. !!! (Even we, writing, need to be careful not to misrepresent Him or His work or we are done forever!) Though that might sound scary, Christ tells His disciples, "be at peace" - because He is here to help you not condemn you!

Well, last week we saw WHO He is, and WHAT He does in the world (7 works- check it out!) - this week we will look at WHY He is here, and that will help us understand HOW....

....How can I get some of that Holy Spirit power? How do I even know I have it? Am i giving consent to being possessed? ... this feels kind of weird....are you guys a cult? Far from it, in fact, lets just ground our discussion right now by saying....

- Jesus was the most Spirit-filled person that ever lived, and there is not one record of Him indulging in any weirdness or rituals or shaking when healing people or doing miracles. In fact, the same is true of the disciples... no fanfare or fuss, just a simple prayer/Word of faith and then -God- does the miracle!

So if someone is twitching uncontrollably when the “Holy Ghost hits...”... its probably self induced, self deluded or outright fake. Yes we said it! I needed to be said!

On the Day of Pentecost -the VERY first, highly significant and major major- manifestation of the Spirit, the disciples spoke ... very clearly, in control, lucidly, and rationally in other languages- causing people who DIDN’T understand the language being spoken to —assume— that they were drunk! Absolutely not. This was not some babbling gibberish which even the person speaking doesn’t understand !!) (you may have heard some examples ....) these were people declaring the wonderful works of God !!!! (Prophesying = speaking of God things).

The Spirit Himself, through Peter ON THAT DAY, telling us - Acts 2:16–17 : “ 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. “
OT & NT perfectly connected in a MAJOR moment - the unique work of God the Spirit on this planet being kicked off to let the whole world know.... people in every language are going to be declaring the greatness of God! This is what people should being to expect - watch out World, the Gospel is coming!!!! Hallelujah!

Even in such an EPIC moment - the gifts of the Spirit are exercised in a Decent,Orderly manner - which means that they are not things that possess us, but are done under our full and conscious control. This is easier to understand when you consider that you don't want your Pastor, Evangelist, Elder, Teacher - to be a crazy person. You expect decency and order there. Well, its the same Spirit, and same gifting that does also does Faith, and Miracles.... see where we are coming from? Enough said.....

WHY THE SPIRIT?

The Cross and Resurrection marked a seminal moment in human history where the enemy was defeated once and for all.

God has been involved with Man since Adam, and in the OT really only MAJORLY stepped in -twice- to shake things up - the Flood, and Delivering the Israelites from Egypt.

Before, and after that, His Spirit was active through a small number of men - Moses and the 70 elders who helped him, the patriarchs,the craftsmen ( tabernacle making ), judges , prophets, and kings He gave Israel.

This type of presence of the Spirit was very limited pre-cross - a measure of the Spirit, in the form of conscience, of course was given to all men, coming with the gift of Life itself. Evil reigned over the rest of the planet - these times of Man's ignorance God overlooked - simply ordering His people not to copy the immoral lifestyles (resulting from idolatrous practices) of the people around them.

Christ’s presence was the fulfillment of a promise, and His advent, life, work, victory, and ascension was a Third Major Event (Yes we combined quite a few events into one!)

Those of you who have been with us a while know that we maintain that -- Satan was kicked out of heaven immediately after Christ ascended to heaven, and his reign of terror on the earth began in earnest 2000 years ago!

Post-cross, the gloves came off on the day of Pentecost ... the floodgates of His Spirit were thrown open, and the work of the Gospel announced to a waiting world.

The now really active opposition of the enemy to the Gospel needs to be countered with something even more powerful! The war just went up a to a whole other level! The devil is come down with great wrath, spewing out false doctrine like a flood against the Word of God - Revelation 12:12-17.

Who would remember Christ's words and the Word of God if it weren't for divine assistance ? Think about how much -you- think about them in the midst of todays 24 hr news cycle and barrage of distractions - and you are a Christian!

If there was no tending the flame, it would have been extinguished in a generation! The relentless attacks of Satan have thrown so many barriers into the path of God...... think about when the Bible was hidden away from the World (only available in Latin) for over a 1000 years by the very people (Catholic Church) that were enjoined to go out and MAKE DISCIPLES!!! ... thats just one example... now you see why we need the Spirit to preach the gospel against such unrelenting and SOPHISTICATED opposition!

This lines up perfectly with Christ warning us with a picture ( Revelation Chaps 2-3 ) of 7 kinds of churches He sees in this, the Church Age, and the major issues they will have to deal with. Focus on “ministry” instead of love, Persecution & Martyrdom, False doctrine, worldliness and immorality, riches and spiritual lukewarmness ( and a poor, little, faithful church! ). Oh How we need the Spirit! 7 times we are told, pay attention to what the Spirit is telling the churches!!!!

We see the Spirit is given to us in this age, the age of Grace, to help proclaim the good news of the gospel to the whole earth! He convicts of sin, reveals Christ, gives birth to and seals the church, then helps sanctify it and grow it - .... so now you know the WHY for the WHO, and WHAT!!!!!!

HOW DO WE RECEIVE AND WORK WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT?

Ah at last, some practical advice ... HOW do I receive the Holy Spirit? We thought you'd never ask...

"And I say unto you, 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.

If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

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?" - Luke 11:9-13

Answer: All you have to do is ask. Its free, and you cant buy it. Its from God, who is more than willing to give it, but you have to humble yourself and ASK!

We are shown a 4 part process. Being Born again, and sealing - Step 1. Being initially baptized in the Spirit - Step 2. Regeneration, and growth. Step 3. Fruits and Gifting - Step 1-4.

The inital baptism is also sometimes typically associated with an anointed person - laying on of hands/contact is important ! In our text we see Jesus breathing on His disciples ,and Paul laying hands on them ( -after- they had been baptized ).

The birth and sealing, ( Jesus breathing, Paul baptizing ) happened first ---- then----- an authenticating event ( tongues, prophesying ) happens to confirm ( Pentecost for the disciples, tongues and prophesying after laying on of hands for Pauls converts ).

The manifestation of tongues and prophecy was both to assure the pastor and his parishioner, that the water baptism was successful, and that the person was indeed sealed with the Spirit. It authenticated the anointer AND the anointed one, as well as the baptism! This is why Paul opens his conversation with the converts, with THAT VERY POINTED QUESTION!

You may say, I’ve been baptized in Jesus name but this Holy Spirit stuff -may or may not have- happened for me. How will I know?

Easy - how do you know if you've been hit by a truck or not?

We’re dead serious. If you walked into your office -very late, but immaculately attired, not a hair out of place- and told everyone the reason you are late is because your car was hit from all sides by 4 16 wheelers, people would look at you funny and call you a barefaced liar.

Exactly similar - when you have a genuine Holy Spirit encounter, with Him who is bigger than a gazillion 16 wheelers, you will know it. Typical experiences are weeping from fullness of emotion and compassion, love, joy - but its not just feelings. Your heart of stone is replaced with a heart of flesh. Your mind and brain get reprogrammed too -with wisdom, understanding, counsel and discernment - renewed Paul calls it!

You need the Holy Spirit to validate your relationship (confession, water baptism) with God - otherwise you are just a wet sinner.... and His abiding presence to Testify of Christ (His Ministry).

So.... you want the Spirit to do Gods work and spread the Gospel, but just consider the following points below:

1. You can be a witness by your actions. Much preferred over talking but not doing! Love and Loving people .... thats #1 and the greatest fruit of the Spirit!

2. You are uniquely designed for, and will be supremely happy only when, exercising your God given giftings and talents, per His plan and program timetable ! Trust Him to give you what you will be best at doing! Dont jump the gun in your own strength ( if tempted just go and keep your focus on #1 ) but wait for Him!

3. Fruits of the Spirit are for every one. The gifts though, are given by the Spirit at His discretion to people and targeted at areas of the church needing help - faith, healing, teaching, leadership, etc. We have gone into that in detail, and you will find a link to that in our First comment on this post - [[we have to do it that way, else when you share, this post will not show up, that link will ... which may still be helpful - but not what we want!!!]]

4. The gifts work differently from the comic books ( superpowers ). -You- don’t necessarily benefit! Paul suffered from weak eyesight, Timothy with a stomach problem. Stephen waited tables, and then was stoned for telling it like it is. We are not told that they healed themselves or were afforded extraordinary miraculous protection... Paul was beaten, shipwrecked, snakebitten. Yet God preserved His life until he had written his letters to the church!

5. Lastly please remember. Its about building your character, spreading the Gospel and building the church! Thats the only thing that carries over into the next world. Its why our weapons are ideas and values, and the knowledge of God!

It's why we go through life not worrying if we are going to be fed, clothed or sheltered. His wisdom gives us the answers and keys to do practical life and make sense of this world we live in.

We also understand what we DONT see, but experience the effects of - Sin and evil. Its how we can release people from strongholds in their minds - confused by human standards on morality, gender, marriage, money, justice and truth.

And its how we can do ministry that is acceptable to God - that is in line with His Will, His Power, and His Spirit!

It's why all we have to do is ask, and since our desires are in line with His will, we receive what we ask of Him - even up to the power of Christ to forgive sins!

Hallelujah!

Biblical Living 101 - The Holy Spirit - Part 4 - Tongues

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Published: 01 October 2019

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“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. But he that prophesieth -speaketh unto men- to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, —except he interpret—, that the church may receive edifying.

Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

So likewise ye, —except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood—, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.” - 1 Corinthians 14:1–12 (KJV 1900):

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about -three thousand souls- .” - Acts 2:41 (KJV 1900)

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Biblical Living 101 - The Holy Spirit - Part 4
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Beginning this week we will look at the Spiritual Gifts and the controversies related to them to better understand why there are differences of opinion, and what guidance the Word can give us. In particular, tongues , prophesying & healing ( “sign”/ sensational/ misunderstood gifts ).

There are broadly two major schools of thought... and our camp...3 in all..

1. Cessationists ... who point to this text - 1 Corinthians 13:8–10 (KJV 1900): “ 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.”- - to say that tongues and prophesying ( “sign gifts” ) was only evident INITIALLY to help the new church get its bearings, and check their seals(!)... and is not required any more in this modern age ( now that we have the full counsel of God - both O and N Testaments ) and has therefore “ceased”. Pastoral and teaching gifts are still v much here, miracles are occasional.

We don’t agree for the simple reason that Paul is talking about a time , beyond the church age, when these will no longer be necessary, because we will see God ( who is Charity or Love personified.. never failing ) face to face. Till then, as long as Christ tarries, the mission of the Spirit has not changed, and neither have the gifts.... today’s cessation is a result of unbelief!

2. Full-on Pentecostals who look for speaking in tongues and prophesying as evidence that the person has been fully sealed with the Spirit. They however, do not -usually- check to confirm if the person is -truly- speaking in a tongue or just making sounds at random...

3. We believe that NO gift has ceased, but they are given AS APPROPRIATE and as NEEDED.

Peters sermon on the day of Pentecost resulted in 3000 people being convicted and baptized.... IN ONE DAY! ( that would have kept them really busy all day )Think about it... no worship band, no amplified PA... how do you reach 3000 people with no mic? Answer.. like Cornelius, it wasn’t just his words....

Read it for yourself in the verses preceding this weeks reference. Do you feel an instant and powerful urge to instantly repent and go be baptized? (If you do, you should !) - but for most of us, it doesn’t have that dramatic effect...! Why? Because the Spirit is not using those words to convict us in the same way today... or it’s not needed because you are already sealed! It wasn’t Peters words, it was the conviction brought about by the Spirit that “pricked them to their hearts”.

You can understand it better when you consider ( in the example of Cornelius )... that Peter wasn’t even done talking, and the Spirit descended on the WHOLE HOUSEHOLD — not just Cornelius, and, they ALL spoke with tongues and prophesied. We hope you will agree with us that it was very important for this FIRST TIME TO A GENTILE ...that the apostles were made SURE... it was the Spirit - tongues and prophesying authenticated it - as also in the case of Paul’s Ephesians converts ( confirming it for Paul and them ). The Apostles spoke in tongues too on the day of Pentecost... so surely, the Pentecostals make a good case? Let’s see....

TONGUES

1. Tongues are (usually) not an angelic language ( Private prayer languages are different ). They may be unknown to the speaker... but if it is a Holy Ghost utterance, they or other hearers should be able to interpret. Otherwise .... what is the point of saying something no one understands??? Why would the Spirit give you something to tell people that YOU yourself don’t understand, and so therefore, can’t communicate it?

Let’s look at the very first instance.

“Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in -his own language-. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

And how hear we every man in —our own tongue—, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in —our tongues— the wonderful works of God.” — Acts 2:6–11 (KJV 1900)

Evaluate this text as follows: 1. What language ? Human not angelic.( repeated thrice ) It was UNKNOWN to the SPEAKER, but NOT to the intended HEARER... big principle! 2. What was said? Not gibberish - but The wonderful works of God. 3. Why? So that Peters message would be heard and understood, and the work of witnessing to and baptizing 3000 strangers ( of all cultures ) could be done in a single day.

It’s interesting that we are not told if the 3000 spoke with tongues and prophesied after being baptized.... either ....

(a) it is implied and unnecessary to write or

(b) it was irrelevant. Like Cornelius’ entire household, the Spirit drove people to be baptized, and the apostles were probably too busy managing the baptism logistics to worry about any thing else. —— We never argue from a point of silence in the Word, but it’s interesting to note, and file away.

2. Paul, in our text this week, makes an earnest plea to pray BOTH for speaking AND interpreting tongues. His argument is the same as ours... if you don’t interpret .... what is the point???

3. Paul also gives us a very helpful definition/distinction between tongues and prophesying. “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. He that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.” A priest represents the people to God, but a prophet declares Gods words to the people.

Case in point, this Page. We write in the human tongue of English, but we “prophesy” ( declare Gods Word ) for your edification, BY THE SPIRIT, who opens our understanding and helps articulate it in a manner ( bad jokes,typos and all) so that is HELPFUL TO YOU .. the church of Christ! He does no violence to any writers style and individuality, but the core content is always GUARANTEED to be in line with, and confirmed by, His Word!

So Tongues are a human language & speaking in an Unknown Human language is as miraculous as speaking an angelic one... & it should be possible to interpret what is spoken ( Else why would Paul say it is necessary...to interpret to get the message! ).

For missionaries, they may be given a form of the gift that allows them to quickly acquire language skills and speak in a formerly unknown language... also important in the early mission phases of the church. The Bible, Commentaries, Reference Material, Pastors, Preachers and Missionaries, are now available in every language under the sun. So if the Spirit is deemphasizing tongues at -this stage of
Church development... there is an understandable reason.

It’s also a fulfillment of prophecy - speakers are indeed calling Israelites worldwide with languages unknown to the Jews .. Isaiah 28:11–12: “For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people,To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” and This is the refreshing”; Yet they would not hear.” - Satellite tv and internet is sending Israel the gospel message in every language... Hallelujah!

In conclusion,

A. Speaking in a private prayer language or unknown tongue is a direct Man to God thing. This ability can come upon you at any time.
B. For Man to Man conversations ... unless you want to be considered a barbarian... speak in the listeners native tongue ... or else He/She is not going to get your message!!!! The same is true for utterances to the church....
C. IF God wishes to draw SPECIAL ATTENTION to a particular message, Word of knowledge warning, etc. to the church...He MAY elect to do it by having one member of the congregation say it in a tongue unknown , and another ( who understands ) interpret. Otherwise why would He waste time and energy on it? He is not going to do it just so YOU can impress people with how “Holy” you are!
D. Most of the time, tongues are less helpful, and needful, than evangelizing/prophesying, teaching, exhorting/encouraging, pastoring, leading and making wise decisions. Why don’t we check for those ?

To our Pentecostal friends - People faking speaking in “tongues” are not the ‘droids you are looking for. Your prayer closet language isn’t going to be understood by anyone in the congregation. If you speak gibberish publicly, and/or roll around on the church floor but claim it’s God making you do these things.... be VERY VERY CAREFUL ! - God hates false prophets, and considers lying to be Satanic.... be VERY VERY CAREFUL! You have been officially issued a warning to immediately cease and desist. If, however, your gifts are confirmed as we have said - use them in good health, we pray you be mightily fruitful!

Bottom line: The Spirit does not waste His energy... if He does something, it’s because there is a need for it... the point of ALL the gifts is EDIFICATION of the church... and these weapons in His arsenal are to be viewed with that lens.

If you are a child of God, you WILL receive the Spirit! The gifts are given depending on how He wants to use you. You can use YOUR tongue, and a -known- tongue to prophesy the Good News to the people in your life.... that’s the correct application!

Exodus 4:11–12 (KJV 1900):
“ And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.”

1 Corinthians 14:14–19 (KJV 1900):
“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.

Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.”

Hallelujah!

Biblical Living 101 - The Holy Spirit - Part 3

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Published: 19 August 2019

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“ So Peter opened his* mouth and* said, “In truth I understand that God is not one who shows partiality, but in every nation the one who fears him and who does what is right is acceptable to him. ......

...... While* Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who were listening to the message. And those believers from the circumcision who had accompanied Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and glorifying God.
Then Peter said, “Surely no one can withhold the water for these people to be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as we also did!” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for several days. .......

..... Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had accepted the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision took issue with him, saying, “You went to men ⌊who were uncircumcised⌋ and ate with them!” But Peter began and* explained it* to them in an -orderly- sequence....

... “ And the Spirit told me to accompany them, not hesitating at all. So these six brothers also went with me, and we entered into the man’s house. And he reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and summon Simon, who is also called Peter, who will -speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.-’

And as I was beginning to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as also on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ Therefore if God gave them the same gift as also to us when we* believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to be able to hinder God?”

And when they* heard these things, they became silent* and praised God, saying, “Then God has granted the repentance leading to life to the Gentiles also!”

- Acts 10:34 - 11:18 ( LEB )

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Biblical Living 101 - The Holy Spirit -Part 3
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Last week, our post gave us a front row spiritual seat to the happenings on the Day of Pentecost, right in the commentators box.. where we could actually understand the larger strategy behind the events of the day. If you haven’t read it, please do to get the full benefit of this weeks study!

Pentecost was the kicking off of the Gospel initiative against the wrath and opposition of a dethroned, and now - exiled to earth - adversary. God the Spirit, having incarnated, inspired and anointed , spoken through - Christ, worked miracles and exorcized demons as the finger of God, resurrected Christ from the dead - now being poured out on, working through, and armoring mankind with the knowledge of God!

The implacable opposition and hate of the enemy against God & Man is evidenced by the carnage of spiritual death and destruction in human lives - broken homes, child abuse, corruption, power hungriness, immorality, suicides, fanaticism. The root of all these evils is ultimately pride. Think about it - man has the capacity TODAY to eradicate hunger completely from this planet. Why don’t we ?

Because we can’t get along. Everyone wants things done “their” way - follow my idea/ology, policy, religion, govt/financial system, because mine is different, and better - and I will fight and kill you if necessary to prove it! It’s the same issue, ego, played out in the halls of Congress or the office water-cooler or Thanksgiving dinner... even Christians are divided over interpretations of the same Book! Divide and conquer is a very effective strategy - separate man from man and man from God ! That’s why we need help.....

Pride leads and drives us to say, I don’t need a God, I’m my own God and follow my own rules, which I can break at my convenience. Pride leads to the lack of fear- respect, awe, reverence, obedience - of God!!!!!! In today’s text, Cornelius, though a pagan, was “god-fearing” ( regardless of label ) which manifested in a righteous ministry of almsgiving and care for the poor!

This pride filled, and now, gospel-rejecting world incurs the judgment of God ( 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse - seals 1-4 in Revelation). False doctrines, wars, famine, death via disease, animals, disasters (“natural causes” ). Seal 5 has also been opened - showed us martyrs protesting, and God still allowing persecution (but holding back his unmitigated Wrath about it till the Bowl judgments). That’s the Seal team 5 world we are living in today... a time of GREAT TRIBULATION ... but NOT...’THE’ GREAT TRIBULATION ( post 7th Trumpet ) or the time of Gods WRATH ( 7 Bowls ) !!!.. A very important distinction for all eschatologists!

Pride is nowhere evident in the Spirit of God - 2 Timothy 2:24–26 (NKJV): “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, - in humility - correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”

There is only ONE set of ways/ideas/rules for all humans. He wrote it down, and the truth the Bible sets forth - a literary, scientific, philosophical, moral, worldview tour-de-force of Love that - [[objectively now]] - has withstood scrutiny, attack, “scholarship” , haters, imitators, from multiple fronts for literally millennia ! - NO other religious text can claim that - so we are not being fanatical - we are TELLING YOU THE SIMPLE TRUTH! Don’t believe us, check it out for yourself ... does your religions truth claims and worldview stand the test of time and truth?

Jesus is the One! We declare THE Righteousness of God/ the Way, the Truth and the Life, who transcends and obliterates human boundaries, labels, -isms or -ists. “God is not one who shows partiality, but in every nation the one who -fears- him and who does what is -right- is acceptable to him. ......” ( our text ) It’s why the Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth!

This means coming to grips with the fact that every Word in the Bible, all they mean and imply, Satan, War, Suffering, Spiritual beings, Gods commands and the presence of the Holy Spirit (!) are literally Real and True!! ... we don’t get to say ... “Oh you really ... meant ...that ....” ... it’s a comfort to know He’s a promise keeper... but Hell is a reality that sends chills down our spines.

Now do you feel like Neo ( Keanu Reeves ) in the movie “The Matrix” opening your eyes for the first time and being shocked by what you realize is “actually” around you ?The bleakness and starkness of a scorched earth and sky, a holographic universe, a war amongst cosmic beings and spirits, a war against Man, against God, and an enemy bent on destroying all hope?

Do you long to go back to the simplicity of a prosperity gospel where ugliness only affects the wicked and not the righteous, and it’s all angels, harps and rainbows? Is it scary to suddenly realize that we (but for divine assistance) are HELPLESS to fight an enemy that lives INSIDE our will ( Sin in the flesh ), can possess our body ( can’t possess redeemed Christians ), oppress our spirit, pervert our understanding and addict our flesh to hedonism?

Well, too bad , but cheer up, —— both wars have already been WON and the victory parade even videotaped for us....! ——— it’s all downhill from here on in....

THE FIRST GENTILE

Our text this week ( Conversion of the Cornelius - the FIRST gentile believer ! ) shows us many things, including the granting of redemption by God, but let’s hone in on a few ......

1. Peter is learning ( just like us! ) how to come to grips with what he is experiencing now.

The Spirit baptizing his fellow disciples and Israelites, this new power to heal, speak, lead, testify... it all must have been new and confusing. In the midst of all this, the Spirit instructs him with a vision telling him to eat (ritually) clean and unclean animals and is told about people coming to see him.

No sooner done, than there is a knock on the door from men (despatched quite some time ago by events occurring even earlier!), to tell him to go to the house of an “uncircumcised” but God-fearing (!) man.

2. He goes, and is amazed to see the Spirit baptize them while he is yet speaking!!! This is new.... —-and the reverse—- of the process we showed you last week ( water, then Spirit baptism by laying on of hands). God is breaking out of the Box! and we must be careful not to ever try to put him back in one!

3. Very casually, we are told that it was 7 people who went ( Peter + 6 others ). No this was not a coincidence! The Spirits Nature is 7 fold... He used Peters mouth to preach, others witnessed the event ( important for later) and certainly would have assisted with the baptism....

4. Peter’s ( and the nascent Jerusalem church’s ) world is rocked when he sees ( and they hear about ) the Holy Spirit descending on unbaptized, uncircumcised sinners. This is HUGE even for us! The Holy Spirit is not some prize you get after a lifetime of self-denial and holiness, or 36 chambers of Shaolin or Yoga ! He comes upon sinners, DAY ONE to HELP THEM get Holy and Right with God! Christ hung out with sinners....

5. The giving of the Spirit is REAL & NECESSARY. God hauled Peter and the six ( our new Magnificent 7 ? ) down from Joppa for the EXPRESS purpose of redeeming Cornelius and his household. He wouldn’t do it ( and write it down ) unless He was interested in making a point - which He clearly did - Also note - this ministry of the gospel is PERSONAL ( specific to Cornelius ), in-person,and God is interested in ALL persons getting to know Him! New church... please take notice!

6. Peters daytime, wide awake, lucid vision ( strange as it may seem to us ) was -confirmed - in the “real” world, by very real people that showed up asking for an audience. This is another HUGE takeaway! Deuteronomy 19:15 (NKJV): “ One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; -by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.-”

Now this text is related to witnessing in the context of accusing of wrongdoing, but there is a bigger principle here. When evaluating “ Holy Spirit “ encounters always look for CONFIRMATION FROM ANOTHER SOURCE.

It could simply be a passage of scripture ( correctly or divinely suggested & interpreted in context ), another person - e.g. one speaking in tongues, one interpreting - or physical events confirming visions/ dreams/ pizza and horror movie induced nightmares!

The Bereans patiently listened to Paul, but went back and did their own due diligence of the scriptures. Don’t believe everything you hear regardless of where it’s coming from ... Pope included. Check it out for yourself... in today’s age, when you can just ask Siri or Alexa , you have no excuse! We can’t stress this enough, if more people did this,( or we executed false prophets ! ) there would be a lot less craziness!

7. Lastly, #7! ... You are personally accountable for your own spiritual growth. Last week all we told you about working with Him was (a) you had to Ask (b) the encounter would be unmistakable- changing your heart ( character , emotion), mind ( will, desire, intention ) and spirit ( making alive again ! ) and opening your eyes to the truth! That’s great, but we can help you even more ....especially if all of this ( like Peter ) is new and confusing to you....

HOW DO I WORK WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

A. Grasshopper - You already know How!

You were born with a conscience, remember that ? ... a knower in you already... you ARE familiar with how that worked right? It’s an excellent starting point to ground.. our understanding - this is not some new and scary, out of control thing - He works WITH you. This is familiar territory. You -can- ignore your conscience, but, consequently, you are responsible for your free will choices. Just like everything else, it’s a process of calibrating your radio to the frequency He is broadcasting on, and working with a freshly born, sin sensitive conscience is a first indication of your spiritual rebirth!

B. Word = Milk.

When He seals you, He frees your mind to think clearly again, He gives your heart a sensitivity to the Word of God and His heart for man, and He gives you tools to do life. If you want to hear from God directly, there are over 700,000 words in the Bible that you can read anytime. It’s those Words, principles, values and ideas that will transform you internally, and change your walk.

The Word CAN be a lamp to your feet, but not if it’s never lighted, and there is no oil!!

Your conscience is made stronger by seeing, experiential faith that in turn comes from hearing, meditating on, and obeying (doing/keeping) the Word of God! Singing songs and being yelled at once a week ( ? ) isn’t going to help that process too much.... You need to get to know God to walk with Him, and the Word is where He is to be found! That’s why Bible Study people...!

C. You have to do it/experience Him for yourself.

Walking with The Holy Spirit is like learning to ride a bike.

We can teach you, there are books on the physics of it, and why it all works, but ultimately- YOU are the only one that can and must do it ( scrapes and all )... be of good cheer... like bike riding everybody -can- do it!

Like a student pilot on his first solo, it can be frightening to know that you, and only you, can do what is necessary to ensure your on going growth - land and ride safely/begin to seek after Him with all your heart.

YOU have to work at making your calling and election sure, track your spiritual progress ( see if fruits are increasing ) and work to stir up the gift of God in you by the laying on of hands.

See what trails open up then .... you will be AMAZED! HALLELUJAH! Always ride safely, and NEVER be without your Helmet ! ( Of Salvation! ... who says the apostle Paul has to have a monopoly on metaphors ?

D. You have to be baptized in water.

Whether before you believed, when you believed, or after it - this is a requirement.John 3:5 (NKJV): “Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of -water -and- the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. “ This is a HARD requirement and may explain why some of us are not experiencing everything we ought to be.... if not sure... no harm in being baptized again....

E. The gifts will reveal themselves over time. Regardless of what they might be, there will be a period of trial and error, joy and disappointment in their exercise, and time and labor spent to develop them fully. We pray all who read this commit to active discipleship and have successful, personal, impactful ministry in the lives of the people that surround them.

F. Do you leave your tap running 100% of the time on the off chance that you might feel thirsty ? Of course not... that’s dumb. You use it as necessary. Same with the flow of the Spirit... there are seasons and situations where He will move in mighty ways on people and situations, but it would be exhausting to keep up with Him if that was constant! Manna is given daily, and just enough... so there will be periods when there is intense energy, and quieter more reflective times. It’s a rainbow!!!

G. Sensationalism is out!
Believe on Christ, be Baptized, Study and meditate on the Bible, listen to your conscience, love your fellow man. Pray for all things. Commit your ways to Him.

None of what we have talked about is sensational, attention grabbing, freaky or weird. It is simple. It is clear. It is effective. It is aligned with Gods plan, will and purpose. We will discuss the “sensational” gifts when we come to them...

All Cornelius knew was that God was sending Him someone who could speak Words of Life to his house... and thats what God uses. His Love, through His Word!

Never forget, Love, is something simple, we all understand and relate to. When He who IS Love comes to live inside of you, you and the world will know it!

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.———-“

Hallelujah!!!

Biblical Living 101 - The Holy Spirit - Part 5 - Prophecy

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Published: 01 October 2019

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Then Jesus said unto them, “Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. “

These things -said he- in the synagogue(!), as he taught in Capernaum.

Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, “This is an hard saying; who can hear it?” When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them,

”Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: —-the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.—— But there are some of you that believe not. “

For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said,
“Therefore said I unto you, -that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.-“

—-From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.—- Then said Jesus unto the twelve, “Will ye also go away?”

Then Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.”

- John 6:53–69 (KJV 1900)

.... 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.)

Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, “Of a truth this is the Prophet. Others said, This is the Christ.” - John 7:37–41 (KJV 1900)

“Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. “

- 1 Corinthians 12:3 (KJV 1900)

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Biblical Living 101 - The Holy Spirit - Part 4 - Prophecy
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Prophecy is usually generally understood as, spoken or written statements, that predict future events - and the one pronouncing is called a prophet.

Last weeks study also showed us that the gift of Prophecy was given to edify and encourage the church, it is a gift earnestly to be coveted, and it is available to all believers! Also, speaking in tongues and prophesying seem to go together (at least they are almost always mentioned together..) ... how can we make sense of all of this?

This weeks takeaway : --- Predicting the future is just ONE of the manifestations of prophecy, the parent/great-grand-daddy of all of them is — speaking TRUTH!..... because..... as a Spiritual Gift, prophecy is best understood when we think of it as utterances proceeding from the Spirit of Truth!

Not just speaking the truth ( aka not lying ) , or about THE TRUTH ( the “I AM” ), or speaking what is CORRECT & RIGHT ( lines up with experience, can be proven intellectually, logically , is morally and ethically right), but what is TRUE....

.... something that you can hang your hat on, something that is in alignment with the way things REALLY are in this universe of ours. It could be the real reason they manifest or produce the effects they do, (and we observe/are affected by) -our it could be insights into our own/human experience (edification,comfort) or even the unseen world!

It may be helpful to think of prophetic utterances as being of the following kinds:

1. Predicting future events - Edification via direct revelation, visions, dreams
2. Delivering a message/truth - from God - tongues, direct revelation, visions, dreams
3. Teaching/Making wiser - discovering truth - parables, proverbs, life experiences
4. Comforting/encouraging - speaking the truth about God's love for us, the Gospel!
5. Speaking the truth about who Jesus is.

Lets look at each of them as exemplified in our texts this week.

1. PREDICTING FUTURE EVENTS

Prophecy .. as in predicting the future... is just —telling the truth—- about what’s -going to- happen. A true prophecy, and prophet, will be validated by their track record in Real Life!

J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy lists 1,239 prophecies in the Old Testament and 578 prophecies in the New Testament, for a total of 1,817. These encompass 8,352 verses! A few of them of them have yet to be fulfulled yet, but the record of the fulfilled ones so far is 100%... and we don’t think thats going to change... Hallelujah!!!

In our text this week we see Christ speaking of His Ascension,and foreshadowing the Last Supper, which physically occurred in the hearers lifetime (approx a year later).

It’s interesting to note that the text says Christ “knew in himself” that His disciples were unhappy. Thats a demonstration of Knowledge -a different gift - we see here - He gives us of His omniscience ! He also "knows" who will betray Him, and who will walk away... His question to His disciples is rhetorical... He has chosen every one of them, including Judas! We will speak more of this later...

2. DELIVERING A MESSAGE

Prophecy is related to tongues in that tongues are “how” a truth is “said” ( AND how it is “heard” & perceived too! ), but prophecy is the “what” - what is the truth being communicated in that tongue? That is why speaking in tongues AND prophesying are always mentioned together (and why the Spirit through Paul is telling us that we NEED to be able to interpret)!

It's really simple... if the Holy Spirit is indeed speaking through you in a language, He IS going to say something in it!!! It may just be praise for God and Jesus, or it could be something else.

In the OT, we see messages delivered in a variety of ways by the prophets. Some went around naked (Isaiah), one was asked to marry a prostitute and have children by her (Hosea), some used props (Ezekiel etc.) to illustrate their point, others, like Jeremiah or Elijah, simply spoke. In all these cases, there were no tongues --- or rather, the Hebrew/Aramaic/Semitic tongues were used to deliver messages, which most of the time, took the form of warnings. Messages/truths are also delivered via visions, imagery, and dreams. A tender plant out of dry ground (Isaiah, about Christ), a valley filled with dry bones (Ezekiel), a terrible looking image of a man (Daniel), a beast with 7 heads (John).

If you experience a dream or a vision that is prophetic, you will not be able to get it out of your mind, it will disturb you until you see it confirmed/resolved. Journaling is a good practice to make sure you are testing the spirits and dreams against cold and sober, daylight , real truth! Now before you think this is a great gift to have.....

......All the prophets were rejected, killed/martyred, lived really solitary lifestyles - and apart from their gifts - showed us that they were ALL fallible human beings (Samson, Saul, David, Solomon...etc.). Prophecy will not make you Mr/Mrs Popularity....especially if the message is one of repentance (change)!.

Christ delivers 3 messages to the congregation/disciples at Capernaum - He paints a very stark picture, that just BEGS the question... "what do you mean by this Sir?????"

a. The Prediction of Christs Death & Resurrection, and the Last Supper, not understood by the Capernaum congregation or the majority of the other disciples.... (actually offending them!).

b. Christ's own interpretation of His prophecy for the disciples, ("the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life") was(& is) itself not understood till later(.. and even now). Remember, this is in the year before the Last Supper & Crucifixion, and even then, the disciples did not "get it" at the time it occurred! He is the Word, abiding in Us!

Christ's sermon here was in his final year of ministry,and the next Passover would be His last... He was a well known figure by now in Capernaum, in whose synagogue He was speaking these words, a stones throw from His hometown of Nazareth.... the unpalatable truth here ,is that Christ seems to be encouraging people to “eat” His flesh and drink His blood (!), in a JEWISH synagogue! ..... His message there wasn’t really received well at all!

It is not recorded that anyone called Him out - to explain what He was saying.... (they were probably in SHOCK).. which was unfortunate for them ... by not asking Him to clarify, they left - offended. The crowd and disciples following Him all this time must have thought stress had finally caught up with Him, or they might have been desperately trying to parse the meaning of His words themselves! Even the 12 would not know till that Last evening... when the cup and the bread were given, but even ..then..., they wouldn’t understand it till later.

c. A very (to this day) un-palatable truth... - “ no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.”

This is the doctrine of election. Plainly taught in the Word, but a stumbling block for those who do not understand it.

Simply put, unless God saves us, we are -incapable- of saving ourselves.

So God has to “elect” to save some, but may elect to not save others - and that is where most people have a problem - because that seems unfair! Actually, this view, reflects a lack of faith and trust in God to make the right call! He is the righteous judge of all the universe and WILL do the right thing! Check out our “Are you Saved” video on this page for a more detailed, and simple to understand, explanation for why this is TRUE!

Even without that, just consider that disciples who HAD BEEN walking with, hearing, and seeing Jesus do amazing things with their own eyes - LEFT HIM! Which is why He says, true believers are born of the Father... no --earthly means--- (seeing, hearing, touching, feeling, tasting, thinking,miracles!) will EVER persuade a person that Christ is Lord, and our second text this week underlines it. It is only by the grace of the Spirit that we can “profess” Jesus as Lord
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If it is the Holy Spirit speaking through you, you CANNOT call Jesus accursed under any circumstances whatsoever. Conversely, and the EXACT OPPOSITE... UNLESS THE HOLY SPIRIT MOVE YOU, you cannot confess that Christ is the Lord of your life!

The Logic is perfect and cuts both ways!

And that is why we are given Peter's prophetic and inspired utterance here for confirmation - "Lord to whom shall we go, only you have the Words of Life! And we believe that you are the Christ... etc." - You see???!!! Confirmation!

3. TEACHING 4. EDIFYING 5. COMFORTING

He that lives in Christ, out of him/her is going to flow, not a drop, trickle, stream, or shower, but RIVERS ( plural ! ) of living water!!!! Hallelujah!!!

This the gift of prophecy for every believer ("He that lives in Christ"..... that is YOU & ME, ALL of us) ! If we scared you into thinking that prophecy was going to make you an outcast, we apologize. This is the stream of water that is mirrored for us in the book of Revelation - the River of Life, flowing from the throne of God, through the streets of the city, with the trees on each side, and fruits, and leaves for the HEALING of the NATIONS.

His words have the power to cast down, bind up, loosen, everything and anything in Heaven or Earth. You are His co-heir and fellow-laborer in this endeavor of Love... to reach your fellow man with the good news of the Gospel, but most importantly, by loving them!!! His words, through your mouth, can teach, comfort, console, encourage, lift up, make to laugh, rejoice.... !!!

We have His Word for us in Proverb,Song, Story, Teaching, Picture format, so we can share these truths with others! That is why the gift of Prophecy (from the greek Prophetes -- to tell forth) is one to be most earnestly coveted....

The way is easy. Eat & Drink of the sacrament of Communion - the true Communion - the Words of Christ, and esteem them more than your daily bread. That manna that gives you eternal life will also transform your mind and body.

Partaking of the Lords supper is not a weekly cleansing from sin. The blood of bulls and goats sufficed to atone for Israel for a year. Christ's blood, has already been shed for you - ONCE and FOR ALL TIME. You do not need communion for absolution. You need communion for healing in your body, for healing in your mind, to partake of the Lord with all 5 senses (taste, touch, smell, feel, sight) and to know that you and HE are UNITED through the Spirit to eternal Life - through the witness of this sacrament!

It is this truth, and Love for the truth, that makes you a "prophetic" disciple. "Sanctify them with thy truth, thy Word is Truth"! Yes, speaking the truth in Love is a GIFT most earnestly to be desired!!!!!!

Hallelujah!