John Zain
Member
- Sep 16, 2010
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Just before He ascended to the Father, Jesus told His disciples
what they needed to receive … so they could carry on His work:
”Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city
of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49).
This Promise was the Holy Spirit.
“… wait for the Promise of the Father … you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit
not many days from now.… you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come
upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me … to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:4-8).
So this Promise and spiritual power was the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
This has nothing to do with salvation where the Holy Spirit comes inside a person.
This very special baptism is always about the Holy Spirit coming upon a person.
Many Scripture verses are available to prove both of these points.
On the Day of Pentecost, about 120 people received the Promise and the power:
“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty rushing wind, and
it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them
divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all
filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues,
as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4)
Many members received the baptism with the Holy Spirit,
so there was great power for all kinds of miracles in the church:
“And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders
were done among the people ... and they were all healed.” (Acts 5:12-16)
“And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs
among the people.” (Acts 6:8).
“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.
And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip,
hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits,
crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed;
and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.” (Acts 8:5-7).
Due to the miracles, the multitudes paid attention to Philip’s preaching.
This type of spiritual power is required to carry on Jesus’ work.
Paul preached “the full gospel” (this includes miracles):
“… in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God,
so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum
I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” (Romans 15:19).
“They (Paul & Barnabus) stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in
the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace,
granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” (Acts 14:3).
“And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words
of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
(so) that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men
but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).
“For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.” (1 Corinthians 4:20).
Paul’s preaching was confirmed by the Lord’s power and miracles.
This type of spiritual power is required to carry on Jesus’ work.
The New Testament church was successful because of this spiritual power.
About the 9 major spiritual gifts:
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. … the manifestation of the Spirit
is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom
through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,
to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,
to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy,
to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues,
to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit
works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
The pre-requisite for any of these “power gifts” is the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
Without this baptism, a few of these gifts may be experienced to a minor degree.
This was how it was in the New Testament Church, and how it is supposed to be now.
About the 5-fold ministry:
“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
Therefore He says: ‘When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.’ …
And he Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists,
and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work
of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ …” (Ephesians 4:7-11).
The pre-requisite for any of these “ministries” is the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
This was how it was in the New Testament Church, and how it is supposed to be now.
About church services:
How would you like to have spiritual power manifesting in your church meetings:
the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, super faith, discerning of spirits, etc.?
“He who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
… he who prophesies edifies the church … let it be for the edification of the
church that you seek to excel (in spiritual gifts).” (1 Corinthians 14:3-4,12).
All of chapter 14 deals with the use of spiritual gifts in our church services.