The fullness of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is a biblical truth, that when understood correctly, and applied through faith and surrender to Christ is absolutely life changing. It is the experience of God’s presence that every true believer in Christ yearns for.  

Writing to the believers at Ephesus, Paul says that the Holy Spirit of promise is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession. The redemption of the purchased possession is a reference to the redemption of all creation at the consummation of the ages, when the saints are glorified with Christ at his coming.

In Romans 8, Paul says that the whole creation waits for the manifestation of the sons of God (when all the saints are transformed into the likeness of Christ at his glorious appearance), at which time all creation will be restored to God’s glorious intent. In the meantime, we have what the Bible describes as the first-fruits of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit in us is the foretaste of the glory that will be revealed in us at the coming of the Lord. And we are instructed in scripture to be continuously filled with the Spirit.

In Romans 14:17, Paul tells the believers in Rome that the kingdom of God (in the present) is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Paul expressively employs the language in the Holy Ghost.

The language in the Holy Ghost, by the Holy Ghost, and of the Holy Ghost are used in the New Testament to describe effective prayer (Jude 20), effective gospel ministry (1 Thessalonians 1:5), communion with the Lord and his people (2 Corinthians 13:14), and the joy of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 1:6). The doctrinal influence of the fullness of the Holy Spirit in Paul’s theology comes through strongly in both his teachings and prayers in his letters.

Oftentimes we forget that some of the letters that Paul wrote to the churches (such as the letters to the Thessalonians) correspond with the Spirit filled life and ministry that Paul was experiencing in the book of Acts. Unfortunately, too many view the book of Acts as only a history of the beginning years of the church in transition from the Old to the New Covenant way of life, and they advocate that God no longer does such powerful works because the canon of scripture is complete.

I must pause for a moment and elaborate briefly (if that’s even possible), because those who make such claims seem to forget that the cannon of the Old Testament scriptures was complete during the time that book of Acts was happening. The Holy Ghost empowered the apostles and the early believers, like Philip and Stephen to testify of Christ from those scriptures, and they did it better than most, if not all of us, can with the New Testament.

When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he told them that the gospel he preached to them was that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised again from the dead according to the scriptures.

Paul is referring to the Old Testament scriptures when he says this, and I have never, ever, heard a preacher that has the understanding that Paul had. Paul’s Bible was the Old Testament, and If Paul needed the fulness of the Holy Ghost to effectively preach the gospel, so do we. Paul tells the Thessalonians, our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. ~ 1 Thessalonians 1:5

Peter also declares that the Spirit of Christ was in the prophets who prophesied of the suffering of Christ and the glory that should follow, and the gospel has now been preached with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven. ~ 1 Peter 1:10-12

We need the Holy Ghost to effectively preach the gospel. Furthermore we make a massive mistake when we view the book of Acts as simply a history of the early church while failing to embrace it as a book of doctrinal importance.

Among the many doctrinal truths that we need to embrace so that we can rightly receive from God’s Holy Spirit is, the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord falls under the category or heading of righteousness. Remember, Paul tells us that the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Consider the following form Acts 2.

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. ~ Acts 2:41-43 

I want you to notice that the apostles were not without doctrine. Freelancing while they performed miracles, signs, and wonders wasn’t how they rolled. There was a doctrine that these men who were appointed by Christ were teaching the people to follow. Doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers worked together to lead the people into the fear of the Lord.

When we examine the book of Acts closely we find that the people who were filled with the Holy Spirit were people who walked in the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord doesn’t mean they were paralyzed and made ineffective by fear. We read in Acts 9 of the churches in Judaea, Galilee, and Samaria, walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost.

As stated, the fear of the Lord would fall under the heading of righteousness, but comfort will fall under the heading of peace. The genuine fear of the Lord causes a holy trembling, and a purifying peace.

The fear of the Lord which accompanies the power of the Holy Ghost in the book of Acts is part of all scripture which is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and instruction in righteousness. Remember, all scripture is profitable for doctrine, even that which we think is only history.

This lesson can be seen when Ananias and his wife Sapphira, lied to the Holy Ghost in Acts 5.

Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. ~ Acts 5:9-10

What happened to Ananias and Sapphira was not hidden from the church, but caused a holy fear to come upon the church regarding the things of the Spirit. Notice that Peter refers to what Ananias and Sapphira did as tempting the Spirit of the Lord. We must be careful that we do not tempt the Spirit of the Lord with false teachings and false manifestations that we carelessly attribute to the Holy Spirit, because it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

If we would simply lean on the book of Acts for doctrine regarding the power of the Holy Spirit, we could keep ourselves from much of the error perpetrated by unscrupulous ministers, who are motivated by greed, rather than godliness.

Reverence for God is one of the most basic characteristics we need to embrace to experience the true power of the Holy Spirit. Without the fear of the Lord, we can’t even discern the Lord’s presence, nor can we know his Spirit.

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. ~ Corinthians 6:16-7:1

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. ~ Acts 2:1-4 

Acts 2:1-4 is often used when the topic of speaking with tongues is under discussion, but there is a more important topic that we need to see in this text, and that is being filled with the Holy Spirit. What happened at Pentecost in the upper room was the fulfillment of Jesus’s words to the apostles when he told them, John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. ~ John 1:5.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a baptism of power, and when one is baptized with the Holy Spirit, he becomes full of the Spirit. In Acts 4, Peter and John were brought before the high priest, the rulers, elders, and scribes, to answer for their part in the healing of the lame man in Acts 3. They were asked by this religious committee, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? In response, the Bible says, “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them…”

Notice the emphasis placed on Peter being filled with the Holy Ghost. If being filled with the Holy Spirit is synonymous with being saved as some seem to suggest, there would be no reason for the text to emphasize that Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. The more we look into what the scriptures have to say about being filled with the Holy Spirit, the more this becomes clear.

Now, after being threatened and commanded to no longer speak in the name of Jesus, the Bible says that Peter and John went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. In response the company of believers lifted up their voice in prayer to God.

And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. ~ Acts 4:24-30 

Notice that the text says they lifted up their voice to God with one accord. Remember that in Acts 2, the believers were with one accord before they were all filled with the Holy Spirit (2:1). They were in such unity that their prayer came up as one voice and not voices. There is power in godly unity that we may need to address in another teaching. We know that Paul instructs the Ephesians to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Notice also what the believers in Acts 4 requested. They asked for boldness to speak the word of God, but not simply by declaring words from the page of a text. Notice how it’s stated, “grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

They specifically asked God to grant to them boldness to speak the Word of God with the demonstration of power. This aligns with Paul’s words to the Corinthians when he says the following:

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. ~ 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 

Paul believed that the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power (1 Corinthians 4:20), but the sad reality is today we often have only words to give with no power. The believers in Acts 4 prayed for power –  grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand…

Now, I want you to notice what happened after they prayed for God to grant boldness to speak his word and that God would back his word with his power.

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 4:31 

Notice that the text says, they were all filled with the Holy Ghost. This came as a result of their prayer. And it is important to note that Peter, who was filled with the Holy Spirit as he spoke earlier in front of the religious leaders was among those who were filled later in Acts 4.

The scriptures bear witness to the truth that there can be many fillings of the believer with the Holy Spirit. In Ephesians 5, Paul tells the believers at Ephesus to be filled with the Spirit by speaking to themselves in Psalm, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in their hearts to the Lord.

Being saved and being filled with the Spirit are two distinct things. Every believer has the Spirit of God in them, but not every believer is always filled with the Spirit, if they were, there would not be so much sin and carnality within the church. This is why Paul instructed the believers, those who already had the Holy Spirit’s presence in them, to be filled with the Spirit.

I hope to write more along these lines in the coming days, because there is more we need to visit in the New Testament about being filled with the Spirit. If we will look closely we just might see how being filled with the Spirit is embedded in Paul’s teachings and prayers in the epistles he wrote. Paul’s prayers are filled with requests concerning the Holy Spirit’s influence and power in the life of believers. In closing consider the following prayer from Paul for the believers at Ephesus.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. ~ Ephesians 3:14-19 

Pauls’ prayers defies so much of today’s Christian theology that often make for a stale and powerless Christian witness. May we learn what it truly means to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Blessings.

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

In the reference above we read that Paul found certain disciples when he came into Ephesus. The text seems pretty explanatory that these were disciples of Jesus because Paul asks them if they had received the Holy Ghost since they believed. They were believers, and disciples of Jesus, but they recieved the Holy Spirit after being baptized in the name of Jesus, and having Paul’s hands laid on them.

Now, there are a lot of people who oppose the baptism of the Holy Spirit because they claim that you receive the Holy Spirit when you are saved and that there is no baptism of the Holy Spirit that follows salvation. Of course, it is true that we receive the Spirit of the Lord when we are saved, because the scripture says, “if any man does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

However, if there is no second blessing (a baptism with the Holy Spirit) that is subsequent to salvation then what do we make of Paul’s question and his interaction with these disciples of Jesus?

Paul asks them Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? Paul does not ask them if they believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, nor does he ask them did they received the Spirit of God when they believed? Paul asked if they had received the Holy Spirit since they believed?

What in Paul’s doctrine would make him ask such a question? If there is no subsequent blessing of the Holy Spirit after our conversion, why would Paul ask such a question.

The way this question is worded, ought to be an indicator to us that Paul believed there was a blessing of God’s Spirit to be received after we believe. This becomes more evident when we see that it was after Paul laid his hands on them that the Holy Ghost came on them.  

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Was anyone, anywhere, ever saved in scripture by having hands laid on them? No! Salvation comes through believing, but we see in the book of Acts that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of hands. Consider the following from the 8th chapter of Acts.

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. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 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. ~ Acts 8:12-17

I want you to notice that in this section of scripture that the people of Samaria believed the gospel that Philip preached and were baptized. That is by definition, a conversion, and we would call them saved if that happened today, in our time. Would we not? Yes we would.

Now, I want you to notice how the apostles at Jerusalem responded to the news that the Samaritans had received the word of God. They did not get a head count so they could report to their district leaders how many decisions had been made and how many had been baptized by Philip. Instead, they sent Peter and John to them, to pray for them and lay hands on them to receive the Holy Ghost.

Someone might argue that this was a blessing isolated to the apostles ministry, because this blessing was given when the apostles laid hands on the people. Well, that argument fails when we consider that God sent a disciple named Ananias, to lay his hands on Paul and and pray for him, which resulted in Paul being filled with the Holy Spirit.

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 9:17

Notice that Ananias refers to Saul (Paul) as Brother Saul. The story of Paul’s conversion experience seems to indicate that his conversion took place while on the road to Damascus, when he was blinded by the brightness of the Lord’s glory, at which time he surrendered to Jesus. Later, when Jesus instructed Ananias to go to Paul, Jesus told Ananias that Paul was a chosen vessel for him. Ananias was sent by Jesus to lay hands on Paul and pray for him so that he might receive his sight again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Take note of the language of the scripture, Ananias was sent so that Paul might be filled with the Holy Spirit. This filling of the Holy Spirit is consistent with what we read in Acts 8 and in Acts 19. In all three instances the Holy Ghost was specifically received, and in all three instances the Holy Spirit was received through the laying on of hands ( the writer of Hebrews refers to the laying on of hands as one of the foundational doctrines of Christ), and in all three instances those who received the Holy Ghost had already been saved.

No one can receive salvation by someone laying hands on them. Salvation comes through believing that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, but there is an experience that is subsequent to salvation that was ministered to believers in the book of Acts called receiving the Holy Spirit. All evidence leads us to believe that this experience is what John the Baptist, and Jesus referred to as being baptized with the Holy Spirit. 

Back in 1985/86, I had a friend who desired to receive the gift of speaking in tongues. He had been prayed for, but with no success. I will never forget when I prayed with him at the altar. He was trying so hard to receive the gift of tongues. I instructed him to not focus on tongues, but focus on receiving the Holy Spirit (i.e., the baptism of the Holy Spirit), he did, and guess what happened next?

The gift of tongues as well as all the gifts follow the baptism of the Holy Ghost. This second blessing (the blessing of Pentecost), belongs to every believer, and I can testify that the baptism of the Holy Spirit will enrich your life tremendously. We all have the Spirit of the Lord in a measure through the new birth in Christ, but God’s plan is to fill us to overflowing with the Holy Ghost. That is where we will find power, and joy in the Lord to live daily in his presence.

If you would like to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, go to God in prayer and humbly ask him to baptize you with his Holy Spirit, until you are filled to overflowing with His Spirit in your life. And don’t allow anyone to steal this blessing from you, and if you are a believer who has been baptized in the Holy Spirit but you need another infilling of God’s Spirit may this article provoke you as well to kneel before your Heavenly Father in prayer and seek a fresh infilling of his Spirit until you overflow with his good presence.

May God be with all of you who love the Lord in sincerity and truth!

There is a right way to correct error, and I am bothered more and more by what I see from some Christians who make videos “exposing” false teachers. Last night I came across three ministers critiquing the preaching of another minister. Now, I am no fan of the minister they were critiquing, but in the clip I watched there was absolutely nothing that I heard that would have given me pause from a doctrinal standpoint.

I watched as these 3 ministers sit in judgment of this person’s teaching, even though what he was saying is actually a scriptural truth that can be clearly seen throughout the Bible. One of them in particular came across as haughty and arrogant by the smirk on his face, as if he was looking down on this person being critiqued. That really upset me, because that is not how you do it. Such attitudes do not represent the Lord. If you are going to refute false teachers, at least have some awareness of the fear of the Lord in your presentation, knowing that you yourself could fall into error. Paul exhorted the Corinthians, let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

The minister being critiqued was teaching regarding Psalm 91 (abiding in the Shadow of the Almighty), and in the clip they presented in their video they had an issue with him pointing out the promise of God in verse 15, He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

That sounds like a wonderful promise if you ask me. And it is!

The minister was emphasizing that when we abide in God’s presence, God promises that he will answer when we call on him. And they had a problem with that?!

Yep, they did, even though the scriptures have much to say along these lines, and there are many texts in the scriptures which speak of God hearing the prayers of his people who please him, and not hearing the prayers of others who rebel against him.

The Psalmist says, But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him. ~ Psalm 4:3

To the backslidden nation of Israel In Isaiah’s day, God said, when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. ~ Isaiah 1:15 

In 1 Peter we read, For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. ~ 1 Peter 3:12 .

The apostle John tells us, this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us:  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. ~ 1 John 5:14-15

Many more texts could be given, but anyone who just reads these scriptures ought to know that God hears some people because their hearts are towards God, and He refuses to hear others because of their wickedness. This can be easily understood from Isaiah’s words to his rebellious kinsmen in chapter 59.

But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. ~ Isaiah 59:2

When God pronounced judgment on Judah, he said to Jeremiah,  pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble. ~ Jeremiah 11:14

There are so many texts that directly address this topic. Yet one of the ministers among the three decided that the minister who cited the text from Psalm 91 was attacking the omnipresence of God and the omniscience of God. He actually used that terminology (attacking) even though God chooses to hear the prayers of some (the righteous, the oppressed, the humble, etc.) and not hear the prayers of the others (the wicked, in their wickedness) is something that God himself tells us in scripture.

Now in closing, let me say that even though I am not a fan of the minister that these three were critiquing, but I was provoked to defend the truth of God, and what he was saying was correct and they were wrong in their evaluation of him in that clip.

There is such a beauty in the truth that we have the promises of a God who hears us when we call on him. We also have the warnings that God resists the proud and turns his face from them. Pride is a sin that we all need to be on guard against and not allow to move us from the godly fear that we are called to walk in.

The irony of this, is that these three ministers (at least a couple of them) seemed to sit in the seat of arrogance critiquing what the  minister had said, even though what he had said was what God’s word reveals. That was bothersome.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. ~ Psalm 1:1-3

Do things the right way, or don’t do them at all.

From time to time certain things I hear will rub me the wrong way. That happened tonight as I heard an online preacher who seems to be running a multi-level marketing scheme, connect his good fortune in life to when he was radically saved.

Now, in the past I have heard others use this expression but it bothered me tonight, probably because I was of the frame of mind that this fellow may not even be truly born again. I will leave that to the Lord to decide, but using terminology like radically saved does seem to be self promoting if you ask me.

All who are saved are saved by the grace and mercy of God, and the moment you describe your salvation in a way that doesn’t align with how all are saved (by the grace and mercy of God) something’s a-miss in your understanding of what salvation is all about.

In the New Testament the apostle Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus) had an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ in which he was blinded by the glory of the Lord. Paul immediately surrendered to the Lord and became a servant of Christ. In the New Testament Paul speaks of his salvation numerous times and never once does he use such hyper descriptions such as radically saved, to describe what happened. Paul always boasts in the grace and mercy of God. Here is one example:

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. ~ 1 Timothy 1:12-16

It would serve us well to guard against self promotion and learn to recognize it when it comes to the things of the Lord. Without the grace and mercy which is found in Christ Jesus, we would all be lost in our sins. It doesn’t matter if you were a drug dealer or a choir boy, we are all saved by the same power, and that is through God’s glorious grace.

May God give us all understanding.

The young and unseasoned in grace like to see themselves as more than they actually are. They like to see themselves as apostles or prophets, because these are special callings and if there were a title that superseded that of apostle, their desire for self promotion would lust for that title. Such was the case with the title Bishop in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Pastor wasn’t good enough, the title bishop had more shine to it.

These titles aren’t often a reflection of the call of God on a person’s life, but a reflection of their cry for relevance or quest for notoriety. The fruit is not that of a deep sense of surrender to the Living Christ, but their own fame and popularity. If someone were truly called to such a ministry, their would be a tendency not to promote themselves as such.

In Ephesians, Paul refers to himself as, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for the Gentiles… (3:1), 
As qualified as Paul was, he never once referred to himself as an apostle to the Jews. Though an apostle indeed, Paul never took it upon himself to boast as an apostle to his Jewish brethren. Paul did preach the gospel to the Jews, but his apostleship was limited to the Gentiles. Furthermore, Paul did not see his apostleship as something for promoting himself, but an as a prisoner arrested for Christ’s sake among the Gentiles.

Being a Jewish scholar, Paul was actually overqualified to be a minister to the Gentiles. Thus Paul had to rely on the grace of God to fulfill his calling to the Gentiles.

The sad truth is, many who refer to themselves as apostles or prophets have no real understanding as to what either ministry was about within the pages of the scriptures. For many, the title apostle or prophet is an opportunity to advance themselves. If they truly understood that as an apostle, they would be called as a missionary, and possibly called to a poor nation where they would have to work and minister to the people without any fame, many of them would never desire such a calling, True apostleship is not in them, to promote themselves is.

You cannot be an apostle, and pursue being a wealthy or celebrity preacher, which is what many of them are actually seeking after. The calling of an apostle is a call to a humble lifestyle without pomp and fame.

For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. ~ The Apostle Paul

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? ~ 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Maybe you have never considered what I am about to tell you but it is important to know. According to Paul’s own words, this epistle which we refer to as 1 Corinthians, is spiritual milk and not meat. When I consider this in view of the theological gymnastics that some folks employ to discredit the spiritual gifts which Paul expounds on in 1 Corinthians 12-14, it truly is telling of the state of carnality within the modern day church. 

I recently watched a clip of a well known minister that some of you would recognize if I mentioned his name. He claimed that when Paul says, “he that speaks in an unknown tongue, speaks not unto men, but unto God” that Paul is referring to pagan false gods that the Corinthians once worshipped.

This is disturbing because there is absolutely nothing within the context of 1 Corinthians 12-14 that would lead any reader to reach such a conclusion. Even though 1 Corinthians 12-14 (which expounds on the gifts of the Spirit) is written in such an elementary way, this minister chooses to read it through the lens of his reformed theological indoctrination.

If your reformed theology won’t allow you to understand and receive the milk of God’s Word, your reformed theology needs reforming. If I sound a little perturbed, it’s because I am. I am sick of all the efforts by some to “expose” others while they themselves get away with embalming their listeners with unbelief.

This same minister refers to the gifts of the Spirit as apostlic sign gifts, which authenticated the ministry of the apostles. Yet, Paul explains the gifts of the Spirit as gifts that are distributed within the body of Christ to each member as the Spirit wills, and he does so in very simplistic terms, like that of feeding milk to a baby.

There is absolutely no excuse for any minister (who ought to be spiritual) to make such confusion of what is said in such simplistic terms in the New Testament. An unbeliever with good reading and comprehension skills could tell you that Paul is addressing the proper use of the gifts within the body of Christ (the church) and correcting the misuse and abuses of the same, especially tongues.

The Corinthians were carnal believers with envy, strife, and divisions among them and we ought to understand that if carnal believers in Paul’s time could misuse the gifts so can carnal believers in our day. There is a bigger problem within the Western church than false teachers, and that problem is carnality. Such carnality runs rampant among those who believe in the gifts, but it also seems to run rampant among many who want to expose the errors of others.

In 1 Corinthians 14 Paul says that tongues serves as a sign to the unbeliever. What exactly does he mean?

I recently heard someone attempt to explain this. They said that if they were to travel to Japan and began to speak to someone in Japanese about the truths of God, the person to whom they were speaking would know it was supernatural because he does not know Japanese.

Now, this is a terrible take if you ask me. Allow me to explain why.

If the person who gave this example were to travel to Japan and speak to someone there in Japanese, the hearer certainly would not think it was supernatural simply because he spoke the language. They would likely think he knows how to speak Japanese. In Acts 21 when Paul spoke Greek, it got the chief captain’s attention, but he didn’t think there was anything supernatural about it.

And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek? ~ Acts 21:37

As an American, when I see an English speaking Asian, Indian, Hispanic, or any other nationality, I never think it’s a supernatural occurrence, because it isn’t. They simply know English. If I were in Japan and suddenly had the ability to speak Japanese (a language I can not speak), the only people who would know that it is a supernatural occurrence would be me and anyone traveling with me. However, if I spoke to them in their language words which revealed secrets in their heart, they would know that God had spoken to them.

Tongues are a sign to the unbeliever by the message it conveys. When Paul says that tongues are a sign to the unbeliever, he doesn’t say it in the context of speaking to foreigners in their native language. He says it within the context of an unbeliever coming into a church service.

Now, let’s unpack this a little more. First, consider Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 14:5, 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.

In verses 2-4, Paul has said that the one who speaks with tongues edifies himself, and the one who prophesies edifies others (the church). It is in this context that he now says greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues. Paul wanted the Corinthians to desire the gift of prophecy so that they would edify others within the church. This emphasis on prophecy early in chapter 14 comes immediately after Paul’s emphasis on love in chapter 13, which he refers to as the more excellent way.  

The true gift of prophecy is an expression of love because it seeks to edify others, whereas speaking in tongues only edifies oneself, and in a public assembly this is inconsiderate of others. This is why Paul says, greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues.

Paul doesn’t stop there. He then adds, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. Paul is equating tongues and the interpretation, with prophesy. When interpreted, tongues serves the same purpose as the gift of prophecy which is the edification of others.

When reading 1 Corinthians 14 it is important to keep in mind that prophecy and tongues with the interpretation are one in the same, serving the same purpose. Let that sink in, because that is exactly what Paul is saying when he says, greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Prophecy edifies others (the church), and so does tongues with the interpretation. Now, with this in mind consider Paul’s words later in this chapter.

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. ~ 1 Corinthians 14:22-26 

Now these verses can be somewhat confusing if we do not keep in mind that Paul has established that tongues with interpretation are equal with prophecy. Paul says that tongues are a sign to them that believe not, then shortly thereafter he says, If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

If tongues are a sign to the unbeliever, why does Paul say that the unbeliever would say you are mad if they walk into a service where everyone is speaking in tongues?

It is because Paul is referring to tongues with no interpretation, in contrast to prophesy, and if we will keep in mind that tongues with interpretation is equal to prophesy, this section of scripture will make sense. Now let’s look at this section of scripture again with the mindset that Paul is referring to both prophecy and tongues with interpretation when he uses the word prophecy because they accomplish the same thing.

Wherefore tongues (tongues with the interpretation) are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues (without interpreting), and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? But if all prophesy (prophesy or tongues with the interpretation), and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. ~ 1 Corinthians 14:22-26

Now, notice what Paul says next.

If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. ~ v 27-28

Paul’s reason for instructing the Corinthians that there must be the interpretation if any speaks with tongues in a church assembly was for the benefit of those who were unlearned or unbelievers.

Now, using the example from the beginning of this article, if I were to fly to Japan and suddenly be empowered by the Holy Spirit to speak to someone in Japanese, the thing that would prove to them that God is speaking through me would not be my ability to speak Japanese. It would be the message spoken to them as it revealed the secrets of their heart.

This is how they would know God had spoken through me to them.

In closing, Paul says, But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. Notice the contrast. If no interpreter is present, keep silent in the church, but you may speak (in private) to yourself and God! This clearly underscores the truth that the gift of tongues can be used in prayer in our private devotion to God.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith… ~ 2 Timothy 4:7

Living for Christ is a marathon, not a sprint, and as believers we go through many changes and stages in our Christian experience. We must continue to grow and mature in Christ, or we will begin to wither away. Fiery zeal and passion is a trait that burns in the heart of the spiritually young, but as we grow older we ought to become seasoned in wisdom, grace, and love.

When I was 25 years old with the call to preach burning in me, I thought being spiritual was preaching, and having dreams and visions. Now I understand that it’s serving my wife and being a Christ-like example to my son, and walking in honesty, integrity, and truth. The funny thing is, the same Spirit of Christ that implanted a passion in my heart for sharing the Word of God is the same Spirit that prompts me to serve my wife.

When I was a senior in High School, I began attending a Bible Study that was held just up the road from where I lived. The man who led the Bible study became somewhat of a mentor to me over the next couple of years or so (I will refer to him as my friend the rest of the way in this post). Being hungry for the things of God, I spent a lot of time with him, and for those memories I am grateful. However, as time passed I witnessed a man who failed short of the grace he was called to walk in.

He and his wife eventually separated and his children became distanced from him. His wife later developed cancer and passed away. The announcement that he and his wife were separating coincided with his bringing an end to the Bible study. There were lots of good friendships developed among those of us who attended.

I can remember standing in the kitchen at his home and talking with his wife not long before the separation. She vented to me about his lack of doing simple things around the house which pertained to basic upkeep. I am sure she told me more, but this always stuck with me. He was a spiritual man, so I thought, but his spiritually had not translated to him rolling up his sleeves and making repairs to their home or at least calling someone who could do those repairs.

The prior owners of this home were friends of my family and it was a well kept home according to my childhood memory. Years later, it would go down hill as my friend failed to take care of it, and today it’s empty, rotting, with overgrown vegetation. It literally needs to be plowed down and cleared from the lot. The very same house that I had had so many discussions with him about the Lord is now dilapidated because he didn’t give it the attention and maintenance the home needed.

How sad.

This house truly speaks volumes to me about the Christian experience, and life in general. The sad reality is that it is a reflection of the spiritual value my friend placed on his marriage and it speaks volumes regarding his lack of growth in the grace of God he was called into. I can remember so many testimonies regarding dreams, visions, and other supernatural experiences he had claimed he had with the Lord, but when it came to real life, he couldn’t pick up a wrench and fix a leaking pipe of call someone to repair the bathroom floor that was caving in. This was his wife’s complaint if I remember correctly.

In the New Testament the apostle Paul wrote the following to Timothy:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. ~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The word of God makes the man of God thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Nothing speaks to the true character of Christ in a man more than how he values his wife, his children, and those that God has entrusted to him as family. In the book of Ephesians, Paul tells the men to love their wives as Christ loves the church and gave himself for her.

As me and my wife are in the early stages of our senior years this is something that really matters to me and because I made the vow to love my wife as Christ loved the church when we married, the conviction of the Lord abides continually in my heart to finish my race and to finish it strong. My walk with Christ and my love for my wife are inseparable, and if any man does not understand this, he does not yet understand the manner of man God has called you to be. 

Over the time I knew my friend, I noticed the flawed tendencies which aligned with what his wife had told me, and to my knowledge he never corrected them. They ultimately affected the most important relationships in his life, namely his family. When he died before he turned 60, he left behind his second wife that he had met on a mission trip to the Philippines, along with their son, a young boy. To my knowledge, his first son was still distanced from him, and to my knowledge his daughter was in the dark world of drugs and possibly prostitution. It was a bad road either way.

It isn’t supposed to end this way.

I do not write this to condemn him or anyone who has had a similar experience. My point is, the longer we serve Christ, the more like Christ we ought to become. And this Christ likeness to which we are called should show up first and foremost at home. No one knows us like those who live with us.

It’s one thing to have zeal for a season and to have a hunger for the things of God, but when the Lord calls you, it’s for the long game. It’s a marathon and not a sprint. The relationships we are intrusted with by God should not deteriorate if we are being conformed to the likeness of Christ.

If you have read to this point, I urge you not to finish like my friend. Instead, finish strong, and leave a testimony that you were faithful to God with the lives he entrusted into your care. Love your spouse, love your children, and care for the people that God puts in your life.

Everyone starts out wanting to win the world and reach the multitudes, but the reality is as we grow old, God is pleased when we serve Christ by loving those he entrusted to us.

Every year as we get closer to Easter, this teaching gets a lot of views. I have made a few updates.

WHY DID PAUL TELL THE CORINTHIANS TO KEEP THE PASSOVER?