For God is Not the Author of Confusion, But of Peace - Part 1351

"But this spake Jesus 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." (John 7:39)

Herein, the question often asked in the book of Acts. Have you received His Holy Spirit -- the Holy Ghost -- since you believed? This question was originally asked by Paul when he met certain believers. Their reply? "We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." Apostle Paul then asks, "Unto what then were you baptized?" And they replied that they were baptized in the fashion practiced by John the baptist.

As the scriptures relate, Paul then sets out to explain that John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. Preparing the heart and minds for the soon appearing of the Lamb of God whom later would be crucified. Jesus. John said he was the 'early news edition' forecasting the imminent appearing of Jesus. 

"After me comes a man which is preferred before me -- for He was before me, and I knew Him not, but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water." (John 1:29-31)

But He that comes after me, declared John, this same Jesus whom was crucified will baptize you with His Holy Spirit. As we read in the scriptures, these believers gladly received Paul’s words and were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 19:1-6; Acts 2:36-47; Acts 10:34-48) When Paul laid his hands upon them in Jesus name, the promise of God descended upon the twelve disciples and they began to speak in other tongues. The tongues were accompanied with prophesy.

In other words, as the scriptures states, there is only One Lord, One faith, One baptism. For by One Spirit have we all been baptized into one body.  (Romans 6:3-4) We are buried with Him by baptism into His death and we rise up out of the water clothed in His justification. Moreover, we are sealed with His promised Spirit. Many will speak in tongues. The language of our heavenly Father adopting us and making us His redeemed children. The Holy Ghost confirming that we are now His children.

Remember, after Jesus was taken up, He THROUGH the Holy Ghost gave commandments to the apostles. (Acts 1:2) The last to see Jesus was Paul -- "as one born out of due time." (I Corinthians 15:1-8) But I digress.

In this current dispensation of grace, He God manifest in the flesh has seeded us in His death. And now, He that has the Son has life. We are not endeavouring to introduce an alternative gospel here. Rather, we are confronting those who have been side swiped by so called men of God. Individuals appointed and titled by organized religion that haven't adhered to the Word of God. Like the false apostles that Paul exposed, Paul submitted that they were messengers of satan transforming and presenting themselves as messengers of light.

If indeed they were messengers of light, then they would preach the Word of God, as His Word is written in the scriptures. And, as we were commanded. The scriptures tell us not to preach any other doctrine, other than the doctrinal truths which were delivered to us. 

Therefore, it's time to stop hiding in the bushes. Like Adam in the garden. Only in these latter days, many hide behind the Bible in order to make merchandise of you. We have just read that Paul and company baptized 12 persons into the name of Jesus. These 12 were not baptized into the descriptive titles. (The titles -- "in the name of the father, son and spirit" was adopted by the so called church fathers around 300 AD. They, having laid aside the scriptures, altered the word from the original which was baptism into the name of Jesus). His  name is Jesus!

Still, these so-called teachers of His Word march on in clear defiance of the truth. But Jesus told us, that those who are of God will hear the Word of God, receiving God’s engrafted Word with meekness. It is they who will abide in God’s Word with thanksgiving. As concerning the receiving of God’s Spirit, they did speak in tongues as the Spirit of God gave them utterance. Today does not differ from the experiences shared in Acts chapters 2 and 10. Some advocate that this experience has ceased, now that we have entered into the 21st century but His Word states differently.

God is still pouring out His Spirit upon all believers today. His spirit which He has housed in fleshly bodies and His promise which extends to all generations does not change because time has passed. Indeed, God never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. 

Jesus -- the King of kings and Lord of lords. The Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. God manifest in the flesh. 

Therefore, run and run fast from those who oppose God’s Word. Why? Because God is no respecter of persons. When the scriptures state that they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, rest assured that is exactly what occurred. Similarly, when you are filled with the Comforter which is His Spirit within, you will experience the same outpouring of the Holy Ghost as the first 3,000 on the day of Pentecost. 

Only after you are grounded in the book of Acts, move on into the epistles. In the meantime, tarry before God allowing Jesus to breathe His breath on You.

May His Word also find in your heart good soil, causing you to grow in grace and the knowledge of our great God and only Saviour the Lord Jesus (the Christ). Peace to all who are in Jesus. Stand in the offering plate.