THE HOLY SPIRIT? ABSOLUTELY!

PRAYER JOURNAL 5/9/19

We live in a world of “Group-Speak” and conformity.  If you don’t conform to the acceptable “world-view” or “school of thought,” you will be shamed, intimidated, mocked and ostracized until you reprogram your brain into an acceptable way of thinking.

BUT….

Every once in a while ONE person stands up, faces the mob and says, “NO…that is murder; that is sin; that is NOT normal; that is NOT acceptable.

The Apostle Peter was that ONE person.

 It had only been 50 days since the angry mob cried “Crucify.”  It had only been 50 days since, out of fear, Peter had denied Jesus three times.  It had only been 50 days since Jesus died and arose from the dead.  So what happened; what changed; what emboldened Peter to be the ONE to stand up and say, “YOU are guilty; after seeing miracles, signs and wonders, YOU in a lawless manner, crucified Jesus.”  What happened?

Acts 2:4 And they were all FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

DID PETER BELIEVE THAT THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY?  ABSOLUTELY!

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the Apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall WE DO?”

I wonder how powerful the Book of Acts Church would have been if Peter’s answer had been, “Repeat these words after me.  Actually, I don’t want you to feel embarrassed or even have you raise your hand in acknowledgment, so we are just going to have everybody repeat the words…that way no one will know if you are really serious and you won’t be held accountable.  Now that you’ve said the words, “welcome to the family of God, see you when we all get to Heaven.”

NO, PETER was the ONE that stood boldly and proclaimed…

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, REPENT and let everyone of you be BAPTIZED in the NAME OF JESUS for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Do I believe that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY?  I will be the ONE to stand against “accepted church theology” and say…ABSOLUTELY!

If we want an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our churches then we must stop preaching the FALSE DOCTRINE that says “Being FILLED with the Holy Spirit is different and separate from being BAPTIZED in the Holy Spirit.

We have convinced people that they receive God’s Spirit when they repeat the “Sinner’s Prayer” or ask for forgiveness or come to the front of the church.  We have taught that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a different event; that it is available to those who are seeking a “deeper walk;” that it is an “added blessing.”  WHERE IN THE BIBLE DO YOU FIND THAT?  Peter and the Apostles certainly didn’t preach that doctrine.

The Holy Spirit is NOT an “added blessing” to Salvation; it is the POWER OF GOD.  The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is God sending His Spirit to live in you, to empower you, guide you and enable you to live above sin. If you have not received the Gift of the Holy Spirit, you are powerless and rudderless.

DID PAUL BELIEVE THAT THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY?   ABSOLUTELY!

Acts 19:2 And he said unto them, “Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?  And they said unto him, “We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.”

Acts 19:5-6 When they heard this, they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus.  And when Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

NOW…you have HEARD, you have BELIEVED, what’s the holdup?

BE THE ONE…who says, YES, I need; I want the Holy Spirit…ABSOLUTELY!