The Holy Spirit
"Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His" (Romans 8:9)
THE MEANS BY WHICH WE ARE SAVED
The Bible records in detail the experience which completely changed the
lives of those who accepted the gospel preached by the disciples of
Christ. Men from very humble backgrounds began to preach boldly and
effectively concerning the resurrection of Christ, and miracles of
healing appeared in their ministry. In effect they continued the
ministry which Jesus Himself began, in order to relieve the suffering of mankind.
The experience which wrought this change was called the baptism or
infilling with the Holy Spirit. This 'fire from heaven' empowered the
early Church, and Jesus promised it to all (John 7:37-39). This was
Salvation! The living water of Salvation! Yet in this modern age when
whole nations are nominally 'Christian' and there are 'churches' on every
other street corner we hear practically nothing of the work of the Holy
Spirit, and we witness a corresponding absence of any demonstration
of God's power.
WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?
Over many centuries the nation of Israel was unable to keep God's law
or realise the spirit of it. When Jesus was crucified many of His disciples apparently
deserted Him. After the resurrection they could not recommence working
the miracles they had worked during His natural life. The indwelling
presence of the Holy Spirit then becomes the source of God's power for
service as in Bible days. Through the Spirit we actually experience the
person of Jesus Christ (Read Ephesians 3:16-19 & John 16:13-14).
In fact our Lord made it quite clear that to receive both Him and the
Father one must receive the Holy Spirit (John 13:20, 14:23).
RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT
We do not receive the Holy Spirit in stages or over extended periods of
time, as some would have us believe. We either have or have not received
the Holy Spirit (See Acts 19:1-6). We do not necessarily receive the
Holy Spirit when we believe on Christ (See Ephesians 1:13 & Acts 19).
Nor do we necessarily receive the Holy Spirit when we are baptised (See
Acts 8:16). This is a completely separate experience for those seeking
salvation (Acts 2:38).
What the New Testament does record is that when people received the
Holy Spirit they began at the same moment to speak in new languages. On one occasion,
the words were identified by foreigners as being words of praise to God
(Acts 2:8, 10:46). Peter and the Apostles saw this amazing sign as
proof that people had received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:33, 10:45-47).
This was the sign to unbelievers (I Corinthians 14:22).
This God-given ability stands today as the only Bible evidence that the
Spirit of God has entered into a man or woman. Although many have
testified to other experiences it is only when the earnest seeker speaks
in tongues that we can say with scriptural authority that he has
received the Holy Spirit. From that point he is called to walk in the
spirit and bring forth the fruits of his experience.
The apostate 'Churches' have opposed this wonderful salvation
experience for centuries. Cold powerless tradition has replaced the
personal presence of the Lord.
All over the world men and women are being filled with the Holy Spirit
with the Bible evidence of speaking in a new language. Jesus said "these
signs shall follow them that believe ... they shall speak with new
tongues" (Mark 16:17 KJV).
HOW TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT
Firstly, repentance is required.
Second, be baptised by full immersion in water.
Third, ask and expect to receive the Holy Spirit. You will speak in tongues. You will be born again.
There are absolutely no other requirements, save these, which are
born of simple faith (Luke 11:11-13). We don't have to attain to some
standard of goodness or obey written laws (Galatians 3:2). Nor do we
need a course of religious instruction. God is limited only by the
degree of trust we have in Him. We must understand that this is the way
we commence our walk as a Bible believer - it is not a reward for previous
service or faith.
A WARNING
Jesus said: "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God." (John 3:5 KJV). The baptism with the Holy Spirit is not an "optional extra" in the Word of God. Rather it is God's seal or pledge that we are saved (Ephesians 1:13-14).
It is the condition of admittance into the Body of Christ (I
Corinthians 12:13). If we let Him, the Spirit keeps us saved (II Thessalonians 2:13).
The Bible therefore offers no assurance for those who choose to remain
outside this freely-offered experience. We pray that these words will
bring this vital experience of Christ into the lives of all who read
them, for you too can prove them true.
We are also warned that "no other Gospel" is to be preached
(Galatians 1:8). To preach less than the Holy Spirit Baptism for
salvation is disaster.
THERE IS NO SALVATION OUTSIDE OF THE RECEIVING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
CHECK FOR YOURSELF
