THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. – PART 3
The Holy Spirit is the agent of service, empowering believers for service and witness. This work of the Spirit is related to the baptism (immersion) in the Spirit or fullness of the Spirit. When we are baptized in the Spirit, we receive power to witness for Christ and work effectively within the church and before the world. (Acts 1:8).
We receive the same Spirit that descended on Jesus, “And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”” John 1:32-34 and on the disciples on the day of Pentecost, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:4 enabling us to proclaim God’s Word with power and work miracles, “Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.” Acts 2:43 NKJV
Throughout the church age, it is God’s intended purpose that all believers experience the baptism in the Holy Spirit, “he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would 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 hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.” Acts 19:2-6 “for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”” Acts 1:5
The baptism in the Spirit is an operation of the Holy Spirit distinct and separate from His work of regeneration. Just as the Spirit’s sanctifying work complements His regenerating work, so the baptism in the Spirit complements the regenerating and sanctifying work of the Spirit. I will discus this in further detail on another daily. It is a much longer and depth, often controversial subject. Nevertheless, it must be discussed.
Although I cannot understand why it is controversial when it is clearly an experience recorded throughout the NT. The gifts are most assuredly for today and will continue until the return of Christ when He will set up His kingdom and these gifts will no longer be needed. It is a false teaching that the charismatic gifts have ceased, or that these gifts are demonic. Be very careful that you do not label inappropriately what you do not understand and bring judgment upon yourself. In the area of service, the Spirit gives spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12-14) practical and charismatic, to individual members of the church to edify or strengthen the church.
These gifts are a manifestation of the Spirit through individuals by which Christ’s presence, love, truth, and righteous standards are made real to the fellowship for the common good. Important to remember, these gifts will always honor Jesus as Lord. Chaos and confusion is not of God therefore does not honor Him. These gifts are in operation among the fellowship of the body and are to the edification of God’s people.
Sever yourself from the fellowship of the body, you sever yourself from His Spirit. The Spirit is the agent who incorporates believers into the body of Christ, lives in the church, builds the church, inspires her worship, directs her mission, appoints her workers, gives gifts to the church, anoints her preachers, guards the gospel and promotes her righteousness. These various activities of the Spirit are complementary and not contradictory. At the same time, these facets of the Spirit’s work are interlocked and cannot be fully separated. We cannot experience (1) the fullness of new life in Christ, (2) righteousness as a way of living, (3) the power to witness, (4) fellowship in His body without becoming involved in all four. #runyourrace
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