This book is the third of my father's books, written in 2001. I hope this will be a blessing to you. All that is written below are my father's words.
Acknowledgements 
In loving memory of my father
Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett
July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023
Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett
July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023
We are deeply indebted to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for allowing us to experience and understand a small measure of His Truth, as written in the Word and as revealed by the Holy Spirit. No man can understand the ways of God unless they are revealed to him by His Spirit.
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in His presence. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29
I would also like to acknowledge my wife, Linda, who provided me with great encouragement and support. She also gave me her valuable comments for improvement.
We make no claim that this word is exhaustive in nature. Many years ago a brother asked me if I had believed every word that two men had prophesied over me. I replied that when I eat a grape I eat the pulp and spit out the seed. A major key in Christianity is that each believer should be fully persuaded in his/her own mind.
1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. Romans 14:1-3, 5
This word simply represents that which we have received from the Lord as of this point in time. Our sincere desire is that this word will be a blessing to all who read it. We all learn some things through experience. Hopefully, we all can also learn through the experiences of others.
All verses quoted herein are taken from the Authorized or King James' version, except as specifically noted at the appropriate places.
Permission is freely given to anyone to copy all or parts of this book and to distribute this word in any way that you desire to whomever you desire, PROVIDED that you do so without any monetary remuneration. The word of God is free (or at least should be). "Freely you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8).
The Unfolding: Volume 3
This book represents the third in a series of books centered around the unfolding of the word of God and the revelation or manifestation or unfolding of His great grace and glory.
The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29
For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Luke 12:2
God has revealed more of Himself and His word over the years. But there is coming a time when God is going to roll everything back up into Himself. A possible analogy is that of unrolling a scroll so as to read what is written thereon and then rolling the scroll back up. That was the inspiration for the front and back covers of this book and for those volumes in the series yet to come.
And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll ... Isaiah 34:4
God's purpose is to manifest His glory. Everything is designed to show forth the glory of God.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Isaiah 40:5
Some verses that clearly show that God has chosen to reveal more of Himself and His word over a period of time are:
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was made manifest in these last times for you, 1 Peter 1:20
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets: Romans 3:21
The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Hebrews 9:8
Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; Ephesians 3:5
God's revelation, by His Spirit, is not simply TO us, but WITHIN us. The Word of God must become flesh. For example,
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace,
16 To reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Galatians 1:15-16
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:26-27
There is still more that God intends to reveal of His glory, as attested by:
Father, glorify Thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. John 12:28
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. Romans 8:19
But there will come a time when God folds everything back up. Many believers sense that folding up is near at hand.
And as a vesture shalt Thou fold them up, and they shall be changed ...
Hebrews 1:12
And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
1 Corinthians 15:28
"For our God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29), and everything shall be consumed by the fire of His Spirit, that God may be all in all.
The books in this series are:
Volume 1: The Love of a Man for His Wife
Volume 2: In the Beginning
Volume 3: A Sure Foundation
Volume 4: Let Us Go On
Volume 5: Children Have You Any Meat?
Volume 6: Discerning Things That Differ
Volume 7: The Last Joel
Volume 8: Marriage Principles for Christians: A Journey of Love
Volume 9: Restoration
Volume 10: The He Goats Before the Flocks
Foreword
This third book of unfolding focuses on the first principles of the Christian walk. Whenever any athletic team, like a football team, begins to show signs of poor team play, the coach may decide to have practice sessions and re-emphasize the fundamentals of the game, such as proper techniques of blocking and tackling. Likewise, whenever any man builds a house, the FIRST and most vital part of the construction is to make the foundation sure.
Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. Isaiah 28:16
The "Sure Foundation" that Isaiah writes about is, of course, the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. This Volume is intended to be foundational to the life and walk of a Christian. However, the more mature believer should also find a morsel or two. Why should you read this book? That is a question whose answer is between you and the Lord. My answer is the same as found in 1 Thessalonians 5.
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2
The apostle Paul said that the Church of the Thessalonians had NO need for him to write about certain things, because they knew PERFECTLY about those things which he wrote. So why did Paul write about what they already knew perfectly? That is an easy question ... because he was prompted by the Holy Spirit to do so. For the same reason, we were prompted by the Holy Spirit to write this book.
Furthermore, since the Lord has dealt quite sovereignly in my life as a believer, another reason for this Volume is also given by Paul in the book of Galatians.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace,
16 To reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. Galatians 1:15-16, 2:1-2
In addition, consider Apollos, "an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures"
(Acts 18:24).
From my personal observation over the years, there are numerous believers who need to go back, after many long years, to re-examine their sure foundation. There are entirely too many off-center doctrines floating around. So it is time for a reality check. In addition, there is a need for new believers to have a sure foundation in the faith.
After we started writing this Volume we were strongly impressed that we do not have all of the answers or explanations for some of the topics in this Volume. Neither do you. Perhaps NO man does! So another reason for writing this book was for ME! for MY benefit! for me to be able to put in writing those things concerning our Christian foundation that we too frequently take for granted.
Nevertheless we know that we were commissioned to write this book. As previously stated, we make NO claim that this word is exhaustive in nature. I am sure that there are many more verses that could be added to this book. Perhaps some of the verses which I have omitted might be even "better" than the ones I have chosen. But I sincerely hope that we, as well as every person who reads this book, would be open to hearing from the Holy Spirit whether there be a more excellent way than that which constitutes our personal understanding of the Sure Foundation, lest we or you should run, or have run, in vain.
Finally, we believe that the Lord always wants to challenge His people to "come up higher."
This passage in the New Testament parallels the one in Genesis,
When anyone begins to build a house, the first thing that must be done is to lay a firm, solid foundation. That foundation must be even and capable of supporting the structure that is built upon it. Jesus Christ is called a foundation in both the Old and New Testaments.
Thus the Old Testament and New Testament both agree that the true foundation of the Christian life is Jesus Christ Himself ... nothing else and no one else. The foundation is not a creed, not a doctrine, not a denomination, not a ritual or ceremony. Christ is THE foundation on which the church is built. Christ is the foundation of the covenant of grace made with the church and of all of the promises contained therein. He is a SURE foundation, on whom His people can safely and securely rest. He has also promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He is the corner stone that unites all parts of the building together. He is a tried stone that has never and will never crack nor shift underneath the structure built upon Him.
David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said,
Peter said,
Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, came into this world as a man; He came with a completely and truly human nature. As a man He lived a sinless life; He defeated sin; in Him sin was conquered and vanquished. He brought to God a life of perfect obedience, or perfect fulfillment of the law. Because Jesus was fully a man, just as we were one with Adam through a physical connection, we are now one with Christ through a spiritual connection. Just as we were involved in Adam's sin, we are now involved in the perfection of Jesus. The Apostle Paul speaks of these things in the book of Romans.
If we desire to be firmly rooted and grounded in our Sure Foundation, we need to understand something about the plan and purpose of God. Many Christians seem to have a selfish outlook on life. We want to interpret the Bible as it relates to US ... salvation for us, blessings for us, healing for us, safety for us now, and a ticket to heaven for us in the "sweet by and by." This approach gives us a distorted view of the Bible, of life, and its meaning. This approach will also lead to doctrinal errors. Man wants to begin everything with himself, but the Bible begins with God: "In the beginning God ..." We need to see everything as it relates to God and His purposes.
I STRONGLY suggest that you go back and re-read the entire first chapter of Ephesians. Although that chapter mentions the spiritual blessings that we receive and our inheritance in Christ, the predominant theme is God's purpose and His inheritance. There are at least 30 uses of the words, His, Him, He, and Himself in that chapter. All of these refer to God, not us, and HIS purposes. We are so preoccupied with OUR interests, OUR desires, and OUR plans, that we have little time to think about HIS interests, HIS desires, and HIS plans.
It was the Father's original intention that man was first to be a created son, enjoying all that God by creation could give him. God then designed for man to become a son ... to enter into a living union and enjoy sonship by a relationship with Christ ... to be IN Christ. But even sonship must mature, for God has planned for man to share many things from Himself as the son by faith appropriates them in his life.
But then God has intended that we go one more step and reign with Christ.
For us to reign with Christ, we must qualify. The Father purposed before the creation to have many sons who were fully mature.
God our Father wants a family of children who will grow up to be mature, co-heirs with Christ, and joint-reigners with Him in the government of the universe. HE WILL HAVE SUCH!!!
It is also VERY important to see that God's eternal purposes, as outlined above, existed BEFORE He created anything! In order to appropriate the Sure Foundation, we need to start with God and who He IS. In most churches the emphasis is placed on the works of God rather than on His person. This was the major battle when Jesus walked the face of the earth. Although many could accept His works, the religious elite of the day refused to accept who He was! Jesus said, in John 6, that some people followed Him because of His miracles, but others followed Him simply to eat of the loaves and be filled. In John 6, we see the turning point of the ministry of Jesus on earth. The Jews could not accept who He was and even accused Him of speaking heresy.
Many years ago I read a good illustration or analogy of the difference in importance of who someone IS as compared to what they DO. The man who has a wife in the home greatly appreciates her cooking, cleaning, washing, and ironing. But she, herself, is far more important to him than what she does! Actually, if the wife senses that her husband appreciates her primarily for her household chores, some rocky times are ahead for that couple (which in the natural realm frequently leads to divorce). It is the importance of the person that gives meaning to the work. Lord, give us a deeper revelation of Who you are!
The most important word that any Christian minister could ever impart to a new believer in the Christian faith is "Jesus Christ is Lord." In other words, what is the significance of Jesus Christ in the Christian faith? Many years ago, a man named T. Austin Sparks wrote an excellent little booklet titled "The Centrality and Supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ." How crucial it is for us to see the reality and impact of those nine words! As a new believer, I need to see that I am no longer the center of the universe (and actually never was, even though I may have thought so.)
There are numerous questions recorded in the Bible. (Volume 4 of this series will go into questions found in the Bible in much more detail.) In some of these questions, our adversary, Satan, questions man. Such questions are always intended to cause doubt in our minds in order that our faith may be attacked. Many times man questions man. For the most part, these type of questions are motivated by the flesh. At other times, man questions God. These questions may be good or bad, depending upon our motivation ... our heart. Perhaps the most serious type of question, however, is when God questions man. Two such questions are,
Men today still give the same wide variety of answers to the question, "Who do you say Jesus Christ is?" Some people say He was a good man. Others say that He was a prophet. But the pertinent answer is NOT what other men say about Jesus. What matters is, "Who do you say that Jesus Christ is?" This, from the human perspective, is perhaps the most important question that could ever be asked of you. For your answer to this question, sooner or later, will determine your final resting place ... either eternal death in the lake of fire or eternal life in Christ.
We are born and enter this world from corruptible seed, as a result of the sin of Adam. Jesus said that we must be born again in order to see the kingdom of God. Peter said we are born again of incorruptible seed by the word of God. The above verses are the only verses that use the phrase "born again." (Perhaps a better translation is “born from above.” That emphasizes the fact that there is nothing we can “do” to deserve being born again.) A more commonly used phrase in the Bible is that of being "saved."
Now, we could ask, is being born again the same as being saved? Yes and no. When a baby is born, in the natural realm, it is birthed at a specific point in time. Even though the birthing PROCESS may take up to several hours, medical doctors list a specific point in time when the baby is born. This time should be the time when the baby has left its original, dark state (the mother's womb) and first enters a new world, full of light. It is the same spiritually when we are born again.
Scripture seems to indicate that we have been saved (provided we have identified with the death and resurrection of Jesus), we are BEING saved (a process), and we will be saved at some point in the future, IF we hold fast unto the end.
In the above verse, the Greek word translated "are saved" is more accurately translated as "are BEING saved."
Through Jesus our status with God was changed. Even though we were sinners, we were put into a right relationship with God. But that is not enough! Not only our status must be changed but also our state. The death of Christ on the cross changed our status and His risen life changes our state. The change of our status is called justification; that is where the whole salvation process begins. The change of our state is called sanctification; that is where the saving process goes on, and never ends, until we see Him face to face and are like Him.
So it appears that being born again is coincident with the initial salvation experience. The word "salvation" frequently carries a meaning of deliverance from outward dangers or enemies. In other words, we are saved "from" something or someone. Indeed, we are saved from our sins.
We are washed, by the shed blood of Jesus, from our sins and regenerated (born again). In the "renewing" we are made new creatures in Christ.
The words "ALL things" are rather inclusive. That is worth thinking about.
One more word pertaining to our Sure Foundation: not only does Jesus save us from our sins; He IS our Salvation.
Some Christians believe in a doctrine called "once saved, always saved." We do not subscribe to that belief, although that certainly sounds very nice and comforting. The doctrine of "once saved, always saved" tends to provide a free license for us to do anything our carnal nature desires, knowing that we will "still get to heaven." That was the predominant attitude of the church at Corinth as well as the churches of Galatia.
When we accepted Christ as our Savior, we did so out of our free will ... we made a conscious decision, an act of our will. AFTER we accept Christ as our Savior we do NOT lose our free will. We still can exercise our free will. We can choose, by our actions, to live a carnal life, as did most of the church at Corinth. We can choose to reject the gift of the Holy Spirit, as many church groups do today. We can ALSO choose to reject the gift of life through Christ Jesus. God gave man free will, and God respects that free will. Before man there stands an open choice. It HAS to be so! Without choice there can be no love; a forced love is no love at all. If men deliberately choose to turn their backs on God, not even God will do anything about it. Moreover, consider the following:
How can you fall away from something you never had? Moreover, consider the following scripture:
The circumcision that Paul refers to above is NOT physical circumcision, but a mind-set, or man's approach to righteousness by his own efforts.
The above verses in Romans 8 are certainly wonderfully true. BUT there is ONE thing missing from that list ... MY SELF!!! It is true that Jesus said that He would never leave us nor forsake us. But it takes TWO to make a covenant. Just because Jesus promised that He would never leave us nor forsake us is NO guarantee that WE can never leave or forsake Him! We still have free will. God is not looking for a bunch of robots who have no choices. He desires for us to always continue to look unto Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of our faith.
Now just in case all of the above is not sufficient to dispel the doctrine of "once saved, always saved," consider the verses below.
An unfortunate sign of the times in the church today is the lack of the fear of God. The doctrine of "once saved, always saved" tends to lead us away from the fear of God.
So it is today in the church. Some priests (genuine Christian ministers of all types) likewise despise His name. Those ministers are probably sincere and well intentioned. But they have allowed the enemy, or their own flesh, to put a veil over the Truth of God. Solomon, in Ecclesiastes 1:9 said, "There is no new thing under the sun." Human nature has never changed. The same off-center doctrines that surfaced 2000 years ago periodically keep resurfacing from time to time. The only thing different is that they pop up periodically in a new dress (as one good brother so aptly put it many years ago). May God have mercy on us!
Just in case you should say that verse in Malachi is in the Old Testament and no longer applies to us, consider what Peter said by the Holy Ghost,
We will go into more detail on the fear of God in Volume 4 of this series.
John the Baptist said,
Jesus was baptized in water by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. The Jordan River represents a place of inheritance, a place to cross over from the old to the new, a place of transition.
The question now arises as to what Jesus meant when He said, "for thus it becometh US to fulfill all righteousness." John said that he baptized with water unto repentance. True repentance necessitates the humility to admit and to confess our sin, but Jesus obviously knew no sin. When Jesus said "US" we believe He was referring to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is the same "US" that we read about in Genesis.
So when Jesus said, "for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness," He was referring to fulfilling the plan and purpose of God. What was that plan and purpose? Jesus fulfilled the law,
In His baptism, Jesus identified Himself with the search of men for God. When Jesus was baptized He was identifying Himself with the men He came to save, in the hour of their new consciousness of their own sin, and of their search for God. Jesus identified with man in every way. This fact is critical for our understanding of baptism in water. Jesus identified with man in every way so that we might identify with HIM in every way. Jesus said,
Does this mean that unless you are baptized in water then you are not saved? NO!!! What if a man is saved on his deathbed but has no time to be baptized in water?
We are baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ ... the church. Do you really believe that a little H2O (water) is required to save someone and that the dynamite power of the Holy Spirit cannot save someone without the application of water? So what does Mark 16:16 mean? What we see in Mark 16:16 is, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." The scripture does NOT say, "baptized in water." Man, in his carnal mind, has included the words "in water." Man always tries to pull the significance of scripture down to his own level, rather than seeking to rise up to the level of the Spirit. Similarly in what is usually called, the "great commission,"
We do not see anything in that commandment of the Lord to baptize them in water. The verse just says, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Jesus never baptized any one in water (John 4:2). The apostle Paul likewise did not see anything in the great commission that says we should baptize them in water. Paul said, speaking of being baptized in water,
Christians actually argue whether we should baptize new believers in water (1) in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost or (2) only in the name of the Lord Jesus. Do you really think that the specific words that the minister says when you are baptized in water makes a difference in your life? Philip understood "the great commission" in the same way that Paul did.
Does this mean that we should NOT be baptized in water? Of course not!!! Every believer, if physically possible, SHOULD be baptized in water. It is true that being baptized in water is an act of obedience. However, being baptized in water is MUCH more than just being obedient to the word. It is an external sign and confirmation to others as well as to our self that we have identified in our heart with the death and resurrection of Jesus. The word "baptism" means to "immerse" or "dip." When we are fully immersed (NOT sprinkled) under the water we are identifying ourselves fully with the death of Jesus. When we come up out of the water, we are identifying with His resurrection.
We have said above what we believe Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:16 do NOT mean. If that be true, then what do those verses actually mean?
First of all let us remember that the word "baptize" means to immerse, to dip, or to make fully wet. In Matthew 28:19, "baptizing them in the name ..." should more accurately be translated "baptizing into ..." The Greek word translated as "in" is the word "eis," which means "into." Please note also that the word "name" (singular) is used, NOT "names." I believe there are only three entities in scripture into which men were (are) baptized. The first is Moses.
So the Jews were baptized unto Moses. The word "unto" is the same Greek word "eis." So we should more accurately translate that verse as they were "all baptized INTO" Moses. Moses stands for the law. So being baptized unto, or into, Moses means being immersed into the law. The law then becomes your way of life.
The second entity into which men were baptized was John the Baptist, who represents a transition between law and grace. Scripture is very clear that John baptized in water unto repentance ... to prepare the way of the Lord.
The third baptism is that recorded in Matthew 28:19, baptizing into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. This means, as Jesus said, "teaching all nations" and immersing them into the Name of the Lord. So Acts 28:19 means we are to teach all nations, immersing them into the Name of the Lord, into the Person of the Lord, into His life, into His truth, into His ways. The Lord becomes our life. His thoughts are to become our thoughts. His will is to become our will. His words are to become our words. His ways are to become our ways. We are to be completely immersed into HIM!
So the Jews were baptized into Moses (the law), then were baptized by John the Baptist into repentance, and finally baptized (fully immersed) into the Name of the Lord (grace and truth). It is by teaching all nations (on our part) and the revelation and power of the Holy Spirit (on His part) that we immerse them into the grace and truth of our Lord.
Please also note that the Apostle Paul decries any other baptism in his first letter to the Church at Corinth.
The Lord says, Woe to those pastors who baptize (immerse) His people into their own name (character, nature, or doctrine). Now let us examine once more the word in Mark.
Again, we believe the Entity that verse refers to into which we should be baptized is the Name (Person) of the Lord. The words "shall be saved" is future tense, NOT present tense. Please remember our previous discussion in Chapter 3 of "we are saved, we are being saved, and we will be saved" IF we hold fast unto the end.
One final word about baptism in general: Scripture speaks about being baptized in water, being baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire. Others have talked about a baptism of suffering and a baptism of love. Please consider the following verses.
Clearly, these verses say there is only ONE baptism! So is this talking about being baptized in water? or in the Holy Spirit? or what? There is no discrepancy here and no confusion. The problem lies solely in our carnal minds. The one baptism refers to HIS (Jesus') baptism, NOT our baptism. Most doctrinal errors arise when we try to interpret scripture from OUR perspective, as it relates to us, independent of Jesus. This is why many Christians, when they are baptized in water, simply get wet. They do not see the centrality and supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ. They have not seen that the one baptism is His baptism. When we are baptized in water, we are identifying with HIS death and resurrection, the one baptism.
A. To the Natural Jew
There are three major Jewish feasts (seven in all), as recorded in Exodus 23:14-17 and Deuteronomy 16: the Feast of Unleavened Bread or Passover; the Feast of Harvest (or Weeks or First-fruits or Pentecost); and the Feast of In-gathering (or Tabernacles). To the natural Jew, Pentecost is the fiftieth day after the Feast of the Passover. Originally, the Feast of Harvest was the time when the first fruits of the corn (actually wheat) harvest, the last Palestinian crop to ripen, were formally dedicated. Leviticus 23:15-21 prescribes the sacred nature of the holiday and lists the appropriate sacrifices. Numbers 28 appears to be a supplementary list, prescribing offerings apart from those connected with the preservation of the two ritual loaves, made from the first fruits of the wheat harvest, and leavened (in contrast to the unleavened bread of the Passover). Until the pentecostal loaves were offered, the produce of the harvest could not be eaten, nor could any other first fruits be offered. This fact has significant meaning for the spiritual Jew.
B. To the Spiritual Jew
Paul said,
John the Baptist said,
The above verse clearly states that there is a difference between being baptized in water and being baptized with the Holy Spirit. In addition, the Feast of Passover corresponds to being born again and Pentecost corresponds to being baptized in the Holy Spirit. It is important to note that AFTER the resurrection of Jesus but BEFORE His ascension, the disciples were "born again." They accepted His resurrection.
The clear implication is that the disciples did, in fact, receive the Holy Spirit (in some measure) at that time. That statement will be explained in Chapter 6: Receive Ye The Holy Ghost. Later, Jesus confirmed the words of John the Baptist.
In verse 4, above, the promise of the Father is the Holy Spirit, as proclaimed by Jesus in the gospel of John.
This word was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. The events of Acts 2 transformed the Jewish festival into a Christian reality.
So Christians today speak of being filled with the Holy Spirit or being baptized (immersed) in or into the Holy Spirit.
Many years ago the Lord gave me an analogy of the difference between receiving the Holy Ghost (being born again) and being baptized by Jesus with, or in, or into the Holy Ghost. The analogy is that of a sponge. Any sponge, by its natural composition can hold a certain amount of water. It then reaches its saturation point, after which if we try to introduce one more drop of water into the sponge, then one drop will have to come out. It becomes saturated with water. But then we could take that fully saturated sponge and immerse it into a container of water, much larger than itself. So the sponge, full of water (being born again) is immersed into water greater than itself (or baptized into the Holy Spirit). Peaceful water, when used as a type in scripture, refers to the Holy Spirit.
C. Purpose of Being Baptized in the Holy Spirit
There are several major reasons behind God's plan for us to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. The first is to enable us to BECOME what the Lord wants us to be.
Here, just before His ascension, Jesus declares what MUST be considered a major reason for being baptized in the Holy Spirit ... to enable us to have the power to BE witnesses unto HIM! The word "witness" can also be translated as "martyr." So the baptism in the Holy Spirit gives us the power to be a martyr ... the power to die to our self. Note that the verse does NOT say that we shall have the power to SPEAK or DO a witness to other PEOPLE! There is nothing wrong with speaking or doing (provided it is prompted by the Holy Spirit). But please note that if necessary, the Lord can speak through a jackass or through stones.
The Lord desires for us to BECOME ... to have the fullness of Christ formed within us! Without the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, this transformation is not possible.
It is crucial to see that the Lord is NOT going to bring revival to our human flesh. The flesh must be crucified with Christ. There is NOTHING about the old man or the flesh that will be redeemed. We are NEW creatures in Christ, filled with His Holy Spirit, empowered by His Holy Spirit to become sons of God and joint heirs through Christ!
The Greek word that is translated as “power” in Acts 1:8 is "dunamis," from which we get the word "dynamite." This is an explosive power unequalled by any nuclear weapon. Paul said,
A second major purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is to prepare us for the age to come. This is a topic that Christians rarely hear about. For those believers who sincerely desire to enter into the fullness of the Christian walk, the baptism in the Holy Spirit is undoubtedly the greatest single help that God has provided. Without receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit, we can only TRY to be good, TRY to do the right thing, etc. In other words the power of God to live a victorious life is missing in our life.
So the baptism in the Holy Spirit allows us to have a foretaste of power and glory divine! Through the baptism in the Holy Spirit, the Christian believer begins to experience right NOW, in a measure, the supernatural power reserved for its full manifestation in the world or age to come!
D. Results of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
There are numerous results of being baptized in the Holy Spirit:
(1) a new spiritual perception of the Lord Himself
Moreover, the baptism in the Holy Spirit constitutes direct, personal evidence and assurance that our risen Lord has been both exalted and glorified at the Father's right hand.
(2) a new perception of spiritual warfare
An example of this is when Jesus was led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, in Matthew 1:1-11. Also,
(3) a new understanding and anointing of the scriptures
Consider also the account of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:27-40. The eunuch was reading from Isaiah the prophet. When Philip asked the eunuch if he understood what he was reading, the eunuch replied, in Acts 8:31, "How can I, except some man should guide me?"
I remember the very first time that the Holy Spirit revealed to me directly, not through a person or a book, the meaning of a passage of scripture. It was in Matthew 5:13-16. I got so excited that I called another brother and ran over to his house to share what the Spirit had just revealed to me. When I related the same truth to another elder in our house church, that elder expressed surprise (and possibly unbelief) that the Holy Spirit could have revealed the meaning of any scripture to anyone directly.
(4) a seal or protection
In the 1970s, through a sequence of events that I do not care to put into print at this time, two men came to our area from outside "churches." Hindsight, their purpose in coming was threefold: (1) to establish one of their "churches" in the Washington, DC, area; (2) to ordain me as an elder in their new "church"; and (3) to control me. They succeeded in their first objective but NOT in the latter two objectives. When I say, "control" me, I mean that literally. Although the great majority of the people in their "churches" were genuine, loving Christians, some at the top of their hierarchy were not so nice. They had a spirit of control, which had progressed to the demonic realm. There is another word for man controlling man. It is called "witchcraft." The leaders never allowed or encouraged the people to learn to hear the voice of the Lord for themselves. Their "church" organization was designed to instill fear in the members if anyone dared not to accept any word from an elder or pastor. So when I did not accept 100% of what some of their leaders prophesied over me, I got on their "blacklist" and was considered to be in total rebellion. The Holy Spirit quickened to me every word and action that had transpired on their part. It was as if I had been transported by the Spirit to listen to all of their conversation and scheming. I could tell you exactly who said what.
About a year or so later, I received a phone call that their top leader was going to be in the Washington, DC, area. I was invited to attend the meeting. Immediately, the Spirit quickened to me what had happened. Their leaders had decided to give me one last chance to repent and join up with them. In other words they still wanted to control me. Well I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to actually go to that meeting, but I also did two other things. First, I asked another elder, who had a ministry of deliverance, to go with me. He agreed. Second, I privately asked the Lord to protect me with a wall of fire as I went to that meeting.
I will not go into all of the details of what happened at that meeting. However, the top leader spoke from the book of Haggai. It just so "happened" that a few weeks prior to that the Lord had woke me up early (about 3 a.m.) one Sunday morning and told me to get up and go downstairs and read the "restoration" books ... Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah etc. Well the Lord sovereignly opened up much scripture to me that morning. The Lord also spoke to me the most powerful word I have ever heard in my life, before or since. I will not go into that here. However, the Lord DID reveal to me the significance of the very verses in Haggai that their number one man spoke about, PRIOR to him preaching on those verses. He had the interpretation of the verses in Haggai 100% wrong! His main point was that we should prophesy and "move on God." Brethren, it DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY!!! That is strictly a humanistic approach. God moves on us! We can only react to God's actions.
The second major event of that meeting was that I could feel a wall of fire surrounding me, protecting me. That wall of fire was as real to me as the chair I sat on. Would you believe there is a scripture that says exactly what I experienced?
Needless to say, that scripture became a living reality to me and within me! Is the Holy Spirit our Protector? YES!!!
(5) a new and more excellent way to pray
(6) a new language: speaking in tongues
We are fully aware that many Christian groups do not accept "speaking in tongues" as being valid for today. Some of these non-believers quote 1 Corinthians 13:8 and 10 which says, in effect, that tongues is in part and that which is in part shall cease when that which is perfect is come. So, they argue, since Jesus has already come and Jesus is perfect, there are no more tongues. The same argument, if we read 1 Corinthians 13:8, will throw out prophecies and knowledge as also being outdated. I am not sure how such believers explain a myriad of scriptures, such as when Paul told the church at Corinth,
The scriptures in Acts 2:4, Acts 4:31, Acts 10:44-48, and Acts 19:1-6 clearly state that they were all baptized in the Holy Spirit and they all spoke in tongues. The same is true for the account in Acts 8:14-17, even though the scripture does not explicitly say that they spoke in tongues. Acts 8:17 states that they received the Holy Ghost. How did Peter and John know that the people at Samaria received the Holy Ghost unless they in fact did speak in tongues?
Other believers say that tongues ceased after the first generation of believers in the early church, as recorded in the book of Acts, died. But historically numerous incidents have been recorded of some Christians speaking in tongues at numerous different geographical locations and at various time periods.
(7) a holy boldness
Before the day of Pentecost, the disciples not only had very little understanding, they also were weak in the faith (at best). When Jesus was crucified, ALL of the disciples forsook Him and fled!
What a transformation came upon them after Pentecost! At Thessalonica, the Jews which believed not said, concerning Paul and Silas,
Have you, as a Christian, whether singly or in a group, turned the world upside down yet???
E. Aspects of Speaking in Tongues
(1) for personal use
(2) to edify the church (assembly of believers)
Paul says that this use of speaking in tongues should be accompanied by interpretation.
From our personal experience in a New Testament house church for 12 years, when a message in tongues is given for the whole congregation, what usually follows is a prophecy, which most believers assume is the interpretation of the message. However, since "he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God" (1 Corinthians 14:2), scripture indicates that the interpretation of the message in tongues should ALSO be speaking unto God, and normally in the form of praise and exaltation. Prophecy, in contrast, is God speaking unto men.
(3) as a sign to unbelievers
On the day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2, Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven were assembled in Jerusalem.
F. To Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
According to the book of Acts there are three principal ways by which the baptism in the Holy Spirit is received. These three are still in effect:
(1) through obedience of faith
(2) through the ministry of the Word
(3) through the laying on of the apostles’ hands
In November of 1967, about 3 months after the Lord had sovereignly apprehended me, I rode in a car from our home in Springfield, Virginia, to Waynesboro, Virginia, to participate in a Lay Witness Mission in a Methodist Church. (A Lay Witness Mission was a weekend visit of a "team" of believers who simply gave their testimony of how the Lord had apprehended them.) The driver of the car was a man named Lyman, who had been walking with the Lord and had been baptized in the Holy Spirit for some number of years. This was the same Lyman I referenced in Volume 2 of this series. He had a real pastor's heart. As we were driving the three hours to that church, I asked Lyman if the baptism in the Holy Spirit was something that I should desire/receive. He never answered my question. Hindsight, that was wisdom on his part. I was not prepared at that point in time (but I WAS prepared a few weeks later). I also discovered a verse which said that I SHOULD desire to speak in tongues.
Since speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 12:10), we should DESIRE that gift.
So now, how do I prepare myself to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit? First of all I believe we must see a NEED to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Then I must DESIRE to receive. My grandmother once wrote in her Bible, Lord let me create hunger in their hearts, for until they hunger they cannot be fed. What a word of wisdom!!! The next step is to ASK the Lord to baptize you in the Holy Spirit, for Jesus is the One who baptizes you in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). And the last step is to RECEIVE by faith. Just lift up your hands and praise and thank the Lord in whatever language or utterance He gives you. Jesus gave this pattern to his disciples.
Another verse that clearly reveals that we receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit by faith is the following.
We find the same pattern (see a need, ask, receive by faith) recorded in 1 Kings 3:5-14 concerning Solomon. God said to Solomon, "Ask what I shall give thee" (1 Kings 3:5). Solomon, in his humility (at that time), recognized his inability. Therefore Solomon asked for an understanding heart to be able to judge the people, that he might be able to discern between good and bad.
Please note the following two facts very carefully. First, a person cannot of his OWN power minister the Holy Spirit to any one he chooses. When the human vessel is ready to receive, a person who has faith for this particular ministry may minister the Spirit through the laying on of hands.
Second, we need to be very careful that we do not make the letter of the Bible the end-all of the matter. There are FAR too many Christians who are looking for some "magic formula" when it comes to Christianity. Many books have been written that talk about "how to be born again," "how to be healed," and on and on. Too many Christians are looking for a quick and easy solution to their problems or a simple 1-2-3 set of steps to do in order to obtain something for ME. Many years ago I participated in a Lay Witness Mission in Chester, Pennsylvania. In a small group meeting, one local church member, a middle-aged woman, openly expressed her spiritual need. What immediately came to my mind was to read to her the verses in Romans.
Almost immediately, I was checked in my spirit. The Lord spoke to me that HE HIMSELF has a part in a person being born again. It is not simply a mechanical or ritualistic act. The end of that specific incident was very blessed. For the Lord revealed to me the sincerity of that woman's desire to be born again. I was prompted to ask her to tell me (and the others in the group) her current relationship to Jesus Christ. She immediately broke down, started crying, and sobbed, "I am NO WHERE." My immediate response was, "Before you leave this room you WILL be somewhere. You will have a sweet relationship with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ." And she DID!
The point of the above is that the Lord Himself can baptize you in the Holy Spirit ... all by Himself!!! He does NOT have to use a human vessel (although we suspect that in most cases another person IS used). From our experience we have found that the Lord can do MANY things all by Himself, particularly if we get out of the way and let Him work.
Now, is it possible to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and NOT speak in tongues? Yes, at least for some time period. How do we know? Because it happened to both my wife and to me. Three men prayed for me and laid hands on me to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Within a few minutes, my lips were quivering. One of the men said that I could speak in tongues any time I wanted to. But I did not speak in tongues at that point. Why? Because I had never received any teaching about the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and I expected someone or something to open my mouth and speak through me. It doesn't work that way.
Note the last part of that verse: As the Spirit gave them utterance. So by FAITH we open our mouth and speak sounds, unknown words to us. We do the speaking but it is the Holy Spirit who gives us the sounds or words.
Finally, some Christians probably look at speaking in tongues as being something "silly" or perhaps only the result of some emotional fervor. When I was a faithful, church-going Methodist (but not a born-again believer), I heard about a married couple in the Methodist church we attended who were doing "funny things" like speaking in tongues. I got MAD!!! I think I felt more anger at that time than at any point in my life! I told my wife, "If they want to do funny things like that, they should get out of the church!" Well about three months later the Lord sovereignly apprehended me. Very shortly after that I was doing the same "funny things" like speaking in tongues. When God designed the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues, He knew what He was doing! We need to submit ourselves totally to the Lord.
Therefore, submitting our tongue to the Lord (using our tongue only for HIS purposes) seems to be the last sign of our total submission to Him.
Note "every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." We tend to interpret that verse (and many more) in the NATURAL realm; i.e. that every PERSON should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. I would not argue with that interpretation, but we need to expand our understanding and see the SPIRITUAL significance of scripture. When we speak in tongues, we exalt and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. We desire to receive any and EVERY gift that God has for us. To reject any gift from God seems to be a tragedy!
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7
Note that in the above verse, man did NOT have a choice. We do not have a choice as to who our parents are. Man was created in the image of God, after the likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). When God created Adam and placed him in the garden of Eden, Adam was innocent and sinless, but NOT "in Christ." He had not partaken of the tree of life. Adam only had created life. He did not possess the uncreated, divine life of God. Divine life cannot be created. It can only be shared through a living union with the Creator. The counterpart of that verse in the New Testament is,
Today, of course, we still do not have a choice of the origin of our natural life, but we DO have a choice as to whether we receive the Holy Ghost. To partake of the life of Christ, we MUST be born again. We must receive the Holy Spirit, except this time by our own free will or choice.
The question now arises, perhaps, as to WHEN do we receive the Holy Spirit? Does this occur when we are born again or, as others say, when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit? The answer is YES! Why should we believe that only ONE of these alternatives could be true? First, let us look at some scriptures pertaining to Jesus.
When Jesus walked the earth, after His baptism and after being tempted in the wilderness, God dwelt within Him by the power of the Holy Ghost. This is the same power that created the heaven and the earth ... the same dynamite power that allowed Jesus to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils, and perform all manner of miracles.
According to what is written in scripture, Jesus never performed a miracle, never healed a sick person, never preached a sermon, never walked on water, never calmed the sea, never raised the dead, never saved a sinner, and never called a disciple until AFTER He was filled with the Holy Ghost. Note "God giveth NOT the Spirit by measure unto Him [Jesus]" (John 3:34). The word "measure" can also be translated as a "limited portion" or a "limited degree." This, as we will see shortly, is a major difference between Jesus and us. When Jesus walked the earth He was both God AND man. He still IS both.
Jesus said,
How did the Father dwell in Jesus? The same way that He dwells in us, by the Holy Ghost. Later, after He had shed His blood on the cross, was dead and buried, Jesus rose again, by the power of God. With His death and resurrection, Jesus became our Savior and Redeemer.
Now let us look at some scriptures pertaining to us. Our purpose now is to see what it means for us to receive the Holy Ghost.
Jesus spoke the above words to His disciples AFTER His death and resurrection. The word "receive" can also be translated as "accept." There is NOTHING in the word translated "receive" in that verse that indicates "some time in the future." We see NO way that verse can be interpreted to mean "receive ye the Holy Ghost after forty seven days on the day of Pentecost." When Jesus told His disciples to "receive ye the Holy Ghost," we MUST believe that they DID receive or accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Redeemer. On THAT day, the disciples confessed with their mouths the Lord Jesus and they believed in their hearts that God had raised Him from the dead. Two more scriptures that appear to confirm this are,
Paul wrote this to the church at Corinth. The church, of course, consists of all genuine, born-again believers in Jesus Christ. We have no way of knowing for sure, but it seems highly probable that there were members of the church at Corinth who had not, at that time, been baptized in the Holy Spirit. Paul, however, makes no distinction in the above verse. Paul does NOT say that "your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you" ONLY if you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. Similarly,
There is NO reference in scripture, concerning the 3000 who were added to the church on the day of Pentecost, that any of them spoke in tongues that day (although we assume that most of them did).
Now let us look at some scriptures that seem to indicate something different.
Once more, we ask the question, do we receive the Holy Ghost when we are born again? or when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit? Our answer is still YES. Both are true. How is it possible for the Holy Spirit to reside within multitudes of believers at the same time? We do not know. Neither do you. Of course there is only one Holy Ghost. How is it possible to receive only part of the Holy Spirit at one time and another part at another time? We do not know. Neither do you. But instead of thinking in terms of receiving the Holy Ghost in parcels, a little here and a little bit more later, let us think of "receiving the Holy Ghost" from MAN's perspective. Let us also think of receiving in terms of accepting or appropriating. A number of years ago I heard one good brother give his testimony. He said that before he was baptized in the Holy Spirit, he was like a man who wore three different hats, depending upon the situation. He wore one hat to work for his colleagues to see. He wore another hat in "church" meetings, where he was "supposed" to look and act more "spiritual." And he wore yet another hat when he was at home with his family. At some point in his life, the Spirit convicted him that he should wear only ONE hat. He became a changed man.
Therefore, we conclude that we receive the Holy Ghost in such measure that we are willing to receive Him, accept Him, and appropriate Him in our life.
Let me paraphrase (and add somewhat) from a little booklet, written in 1954 by J.A. Dennis, entitled, "The Holy Spirit."
The one Holy Ghost has different offices. He brings different blessings, depending upon the believer's stage of surrender and faith to receive. The Holy Ghost is a Gentleman, however. He will come in and occupy ONLY that area of our lives which is willingly surrendered to Him.
His FIRST office is to convict us of sin and draw us to Jesus. "And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:8).
The Holy Spirit comes into the believer's heart, when he turns from his sin and accepts Christ as his Savior.
When the sinner yields to the wooing of the Holy Spirit and accepts Jesus as his savior, he surrenders his self-sufficiency and cries out for help and a savior. God then blesses him with forgiveness, a new heart, a new hope, and new life in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit, in corresponding measure, comes into him.
The same Holy Ghost urges the Christian to turn from his carnality and let "the very God of peace sanctify you wholly" (1 Thessalonians 5:23). "Being sanctified by the Holy Ghost" (Romans 15:16)
Therefore, when the Christian lays down his will at the feet of Jesus and dedicates his life to the service of our Lord, the Holy Ghost is enabled to take over another important area of the believer's life, and to pour out an added blessing upon him. God always rewards every surrender with a corresponding blessing. The greater the surrender, the greater the blessing.
When the hungry soul surrenders the last fortress of self, reason, tongue, and body to the will and rule of God, the Holy Spirit can take over complete control of the believer's life and actions, and can really possess the temple of man. The mind, the tongue, and the body are the last things over which a person wished to relinquish control. But when he finally yields, when he agrees, by faith, to "receive" the Holy Ghost and His rule over mind, body, and tongue, then, and only then, can the Holy Ghost rule in the way that God desires to rule our lives. Then the Lord becomes our Master, our Lord, and our King. That is really RECEIVING the Holy Ghost. Anything less is only partial surrender to Him.
The Holy Spirit blesses us at conversion, at sanctification, at dedication, and those blessings are so wonderful that many believers think that is all there is to "receiving" the Holy Ghost. But when we are baptized with the Holy Ghost, the Spirit is not only in us, but we are in Him, immersed in Him. We are then "full of the Holy Ghost" (Luke 4:1).
Dennis, in his booklet entitled "The Holy Spirit," gives an excellent analogy of this increasing acceptance (receiving) of the Holy Ghost.
Many years ago, a good brother in the Lord shared a small nugget of gold with me. He tried to emphasize to me the great significance of being baptized in the Holy Spirit. He said that someone had told him that the pope was baptized in the Holy Spirit. He said that he certainly had no objection whatsoever to ANYONE being baptized in the Holy Spirit ... quite the contrary. But, he said, if the pope were baptized in the Holy Spirit, he could no longer be pope. He would have to give up his earthly power and title because of his new enlightenment and conviction. My friend emphasized that being baptized in the Holy Spirit is a POWERFUL event in our life. Today, of course, the world has tried to belittle, or cheapen being "born again." Those words are used by the world in many different areas. Is it possible that we have likewise belittled or cheapened the event of "being baptized in the Holy Spirit?"
In addition, we must remember that it IS possible to misuse the gift of the Holy Spirit. All we have to do to accept that as truth is to look at the Church at Corinth.
In other words, once we have received a gift from God, He will not take that gift back (although WE can reject any gift from God).
Finally, earlier we mentioned the verse in John 3:34, where "God giveth NOT the Spirit by measure unto Him [Jesus]." This is NOT the same for us.
The above verse indicates that God has given to us the EARNEST of the Spirit in our hearts. The word "earnest," according to Strong's Concordance, means "a pledge" or "part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest."
At what point, then, do we receive MORE than the earnest of the Spirit? Will there come a time when God "giveth not the measure of the Spirit" to us? We believe the answer is YES! But ONLY if we qualify ... only if we allow the Lord to be Lord of EVERY aspect of our lives. In addition, God has a timetable for such a time. We believe it is called "the manifestation of the sons of God" (Romans 8:19). Has that time already occurred? We don't think so, although some relatively small number of believers may have come close.
After we acknowledge Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and have been baptized in water and after we have been baptized by Jesus into the Holy Ghost, we are in the race for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. We are then equipped to become that which God desires for us to become.
The above scripture, of course, refers to Jesus. But that verse also expresses the will of the Father for us as believers in Christ. The Word must also become flesh within us ... Christ in you the hope of glory!
Many years ago I found myself drawing the following diagram.
The Word of God is always the starting place. He reveals more of Himself to us. We see Him and hear His voice. There are three sets of pairs ... vision and hearing, faith and obedience, and righteousness and holiness. It should not be surprising that almost all of these pairs are found in the book of Romans, which contains the general, basic doctrine of the Christian life. The following seven chapters contain a short summary of each of the words in the above diagram,
So after Pentecost, what then?
Please note the last three words ... IF GOD PERMIT! Our walk as a Christian is NOT automatic. We are completely dependent upon God at every step of the way. Does this mean that we have no responsibility in the maturity process after Pentecost? Of course not! Paul said,
When Paul said, "I die daily," he meant, of course, die to self, die to my will. In other words, I have to make a conscious decision in my life every time I am confronted with the possibility of sin. Just because I have received the power to lead a life as an overcomer does not guarantee that I WILL be an overcomer in every situation. He must increase but I must decrease. Consider one final scripture which clearly states that we must make a conscious decision by our will.
Where there is no vision, the people perish. We could add that where there is little or a small vision, the people are weak and sickly.
In Old Testament times God raised up prophets to speak His word to the people. When the prophets spoke, it was largely (but not altogether) a word of correction. Have you ever noticed the first verse in five of the books of the so-called "minor" prophets? Five, of course, symbolizes the grace of God. So it was, and is, the grace of God to raise up prophets to SEE and hear a word from the Lord and to warn His people. The Lord also used the Old Testament prophets, at times, to speak a word of comfort or encouragement to His people. The book of Isaiah has many such words of comfort.
So five of these minor prophets were allowed by the Lord to SEE something that the Lord wanted them to convey to His people.
Many years ago I heard a minister of quite some maturity comment on the following verses. When I say "quite some maturity," I mean that I have personally seen the Lord use that man many times in a marvelous way.
That minister implied very strongly (although he did not bluntly so state) that prophets were only for Old Testament times. We did not agree then and we do not agree now. One good scriptural basis is in Ephesians.
Verse 13 definitely has not yet been fulfilled. Therefore all of those five ministries are still available to man. If there are no longer apostles and prophets, then there are likewise no longer pastors and teachers. Christians still argue whether Verse 11 speaks of four ministries or five ministries. We believe the answer is “five.” Whereas all pastors should be “apt to teach,” (1 Timothy 3:2), not every teacher is likewise capable of functioning as a pastor. How do I know? Because I have personally known a very good teacher who never could function as a pastor, although he tried for many years.
Many years ago I also heard another minister of national reputation (and an excellent teacher) say, "If the Bible did not say, Despise not prophesyings (1 Thessalonians 5:20), then I would despise prophesyings." Probably what BOTH men were trying to say is that they had seen some misuse (at least in THEIR minds) of prophetic gifts and ministries. To that we would certainly agree. HOWEVER, even though we have progressed far in the realms of natural education and technology, HUMAN NATURE HAS NEVER CHANGED. I remember my grandfather telling me when I was a little boy that "wherever you go, people are just people." How true! I am reasonably certain that during the decline and apostasy of the tribes of Israel and Judah (which we find repeated over and over again in the Old Testament), the people almost NEVER believed that they were in apostasy. Therefore when the Lord sent them a prophet to jolt them out of their erroneous ways, the prophet was generally rejected, frequently jailed, and occasionally even killed. This was also true in New Testament times. John the Baptist was beheaded for speaking the truth. Jesus Christ was crucified for speaking and BEING the Truth. Has anything changed today? NO!!! Is the church in a decline or apostasy today? In my opinion, yes. Why? Because of a lack of vision! Where there is NO vision, the people perish. Where there is little or a small vision, the people are weak and sickly. I am the first to agree that, "God hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son." But the scripture does NOT say that, "God hath in these last days spoken unto us ONLY by His Son." God speaks to us in a multitude of ways. The problem is in our vision and our hearing. One of the major functions of a prophet is to help to expand and enlarge the vision of the people. Does that mean that a prophet is someone special? NO! It means that a person with the ministry of a prophet (which is quite different from the gift of prophecy) has been allowed to see more of God's ways ... has been granted, by His grace, a higher vision than other members of the body. For what purpose? To help to encourage other members of the body to come up higher. The prophet Isaiah speaks about "the burden of the valley of vision" (Isaiah 22:1). When you are in a valley, you cannot see too much. We need to rise up to the mountaintop to see more of the Lord and His ways.
Before proceeding further, we need to state very clearly what vision refers to.
"The Vision" is the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. "Make it plain upon tables" speaks of tables of the heart, so we are to have the reality of Jesus Christ written upon our hearts. "The just shall live by his faith" again speaks about Jesus. Jesus is the ONLY Just One! Jesus is also the first great Person of Faith. Every "vision" must relate to the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ and to His ways, His purposes, and His plan for each one of us. There is a song called, Be Thou My Vision. The title and the words of that song are very appropriate.
John the Baptist, speaking about Jesus, said,
Far too many times I have heard mature ministers quote that scripture backwards and say, "I must decrease but He must increase." The order of scripture is significant. I can decrease and still not allow Christ within me to increase. But if He increases within me, then by necessity I must decrease. Not my will but thy will be done, oh Lord. My wife loves to work in the yard, with shrubs, plants, flowers, trees, and grass. The Lord has given her many revelations about our Christian walk from analogies in the yard. One such revelation she received had to do with how to keep the lawn (grass) healthy and get rid of weeds. We need to concentrate on feeding the roots of the grass because strong healthy grass will choke out the weeds. We don't need to concentrate on the weeds themselves. Likewise if we concentrate on the increase of Christ within, then the acts of the old nature will decrease. Before the Lord apprehended me, I liked to play golf and I liked to play the card game of bridge. I was quite good at both. Then the Lord apprehended me. I did not "give up" anything. I just found that there were other things I enjoyed more, like reading the Bible, going to believers' meetings, worshipping the Lord, etc. So in terms of my desires, He increased and I decreased.
A number of years ago as I was reading Isaiah 6, I "heard" a new and different interpretation of the first verse.
At that point in time I had read that verse probably 30 times, as a minimum. But on that day, I found myself reading that verse as follows:
Now "Uzziah" does NOT mean "self." But sometimes the Holy Spirit has a way of putting into context some things that normally are not in context. In any event, the latter interpretation is a good one. The very essence and basis of sin is to put self in the preeminent place of God. Sin is when a man worships himself instead of God. Whenever "king self" dies we can see the Lord high and lifted up.
Vision and hearing are twins which go together in many scriptures. In almost all of these scriptures, vision comes before hearing. This is also true in the natural realm. We SEE lightning before we hear the associated sound. If a supersonic jet aircraft passes overhead, we SEE the plane before we hear the sonic boom. The speed of light is much faster than the speed of sound.
When Paul was apprehended on the road to Damascus,
Here again we see that vision precedes hearing. Jesus had the same experience. He SAW the Spirit of God descending upon Him and then He HEARD a voice from heaven.
I have searched the scriptures rather carefully and I have found only one place where hearing seems to come before seeing, where Paul tells the saints at Philippi,
Why is the order in this one verse exactly reversed from all of the others? In all of the other verses vision precedes hearing. Then if you go back to the beginning of this chapter and re-check the complete diagram that the Lord gave me, everything starts with the Word of God, then vision and hearing, then faith and obedience, then righteousness and holiness, and finally the Word becomes flesh within us. The order is that way because that order reflects REVELATION from the Spirit of God to us and within us ... how the word becomes flesh. But Paul in Philippians 4:9 speaks of the way of true TEACHING ... from man to man, not revelation from the Spirit. So Paul starts with those things which the Philippians have learned. This represents Paul's personal interpretation of the gospel. We learn from good teachers before revelation of the Spirit sheds light in our hearts. Paul then speaks of the things that the Philippians have received in the way of accepted doctrine and teachings. But Paul goes further than that. He tells the Philippians to do those things that they have heard and seen in him. Unfortunately, there is a real lack of teachers and preachers today when it comes to Paul's last point. For many years we have maintained that good teachers are a dime a dozen. Those teachers who PRACTICE what they preach are much more rare. A good teacher must demonstrate in action in his daily life the truth which he expresses in words. Now we know that NO man is perfect. When all we see of a teacher is his teaching ability in a formal meeting of believers, we tend to put that man on a pedestal. How does his life measure up in the day-to-day activities, particularly when things do not seem to go right for him? That is the true test.
I have never been overly impressed by what a person "knows." What impresses me is who they ARE or who they have BECOME. That requires much more effort. For thirteen years I taught computer-related courses at a small university in Arlington, Virginia. One of my additional requirements was to attend what was called "faculty council" meetings, which consisted of well over 100 faculty and administrators, almost all of whom had a Ph.D. degree. Some of those meetings were rather frustrating. Many times I was on the verge of obtaining the floor and saying, "for a bunch of Ph.D.'s who are supposed to be quite intelligent, you sure are acting like a bunch of 6-year old kids, arguing over who gets to use the little red wagon." I am happy to say, however, that I exercised patience and restraint and sat quietly without opening my mouth.
Although vision is necessary, it is not sufficient. Secular research has proven that a stimulus from two or more of our natural senses reinforces learning. (Secular research can only verify the truth of God.) Therefore God has provided for us to have not only spiritual eyes to see but also spiritual ears to hear.
The Lost Art of Hearing the Voice of the Lord
In early Bible times Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and many others heard the voice of the Lord for themselves. They did not have the benefit of a Bible, Bible commentaries, good Christian books, or wonderful pastors and teachers to help to guide them. They had to depend upon what the Lord told them. The Bible does not explicitly state HOW they heard or in what form His voice was communicated.
Please note that AFTER the fall of man, the disobedience of Eve (first) and Adam in the garden, Adam and Eve still heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden.
So Adam and Eve were conscious that they had sinned, but there is no evidence from scripture that they were repentant of their disobedience. They were undoubtedly overwhelmed by the severity of their sentence, but expressed no sorrow for their sin of disobedience. There was no plea for pardon or expression of sorrow or regret. We will not speculate on what MIGHT have happened if they HAD expressed repentance. However scripture clearly indicates that man in his natural state can still hear the voice of the Lord. Abraham and Moses are prime examples of this fact.
We know that the Lord had given Abraham a preview of events in his family's future up to the point of their possession of the land which He had promised.
Also,
The ONLY conflict between the 400 years of Genesis 15:13 and the 430 years of Exodus 12:40 and Galatians 3:17 is in our carnal minds. We do not want to speculate as to WHY there appears to be a discrepancy in years, when in fact NO discrepancy exists. We do not have a specific word from the Lord concerning the difference of 30 years. However, if we read the scriptures more carefully, we see that the children of Israel SOJOURNED in Egypt for 430 years but were AFFLICTED 400 years. In other words, there were 30 years of NO affliction. Those 30 years probably occurred during the time period between Exodus 1:6-7 and Exodus 1:8-14.
In Exodus 1:8-14, a new king, who knew not Joseph, arose over Egypt, and began to afflict the children of Israel.
Why did it take the children of Israel 400 years before they cried out to God? It seems to be part of human nature for us to complain about all of our circumstances. Unfortunately, our circumstances have to get to be quite difficult before we will look up and ask the Lord for His help. But as soon as our hearts are turned toward the Lord and we cry out to Him, the Lord, in His great grace and mercy, answers us. Thank you Lord! How much easier it would be if we could learn to call upon the Lord even in our "good" times! There are numerous scriptures that speak of the Lord answering us when we call upon Him.
When Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea (Exodus 15) the people murmured against Moses when they had no water to drink.
Why did the Israelites murmur against Moses rather than crying out to the Lord? Undoubtedly because of their self-centeredness and their lack of understanding of the ways of the Lord. They had quickly forgotten what a mighty God they (and we) serve.
When the Lord provided water in the wilderness the children of Israel once more saw His acts. Then,
However, the children of Israel continued their murmurings. So we see in scripture a gradual decline of hearing the voice of the Lord.
What presumption! All of the people said, "All that the Lord hath spoken we will do." Shortly after their declaration,
The Lord honored their request. Hearing the voice of the Lord for ones self became a lost art. It remains so, in general, even today. Most denominational churches and even "charismatic" mega-churches hire pastors to hear what the Lord is saying and to tell the people. The spirit of Balaam (ministering for money) runs rampant throughout the church today! Further, this "division" between clergy and laity was NEVER what God intended for His people! In two places in Revelation, Chapter 2, the Lord says that He hates the deeds and the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which means, "people conquerors." In many "churches" today, the pastor wears a distinctive robe to make sure the people know that he is clergy, rather than laity. Furthermore, if churches want to hire a pastor and support that ministry, why not support the ministry of an intercessor? or a prophet? or any other ministry?
Scripture also seems to indicate that there is no excuse for not hearing the voice of the Lord. Jeremiah said, in Jeremiah 25:3-4,
So Jeremiah spoke to them faithfully for ten years, to no avail. No wonder Jeremiah felt frustrated! He said,
In addition, we are without excuse when it comes to vision.
Why has hearing the voice of the Lord become a lost art? for a variety of reasons: lack of understanding the ways of the Lord and self-centeredness are certainly two such reasons. We also have hardened our hearts.
In addition, Christians have become rather lazy, being inundated with good Christian books, Bible commentaries, and good Bible teachers. To hear the voice of the Lord for yourself takes more individual effort. It also takes a right spirit. Many Christians are not willing to pay that price.
B. The Importance of Hearing the Voice of the Lord
When it comes to our personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the most important word that any Christian minister could ever impart to a new believer in the Christian faith is "how to hear the voice of the Lord for yourself." This is an area that I personally struggled with for a few years after the Lord sovereignly and dramatically apprehended me. I do not recall anyone who ever provided me with any word on how to hear the voice of the Lord for myself.
I used to sit in church services, have a word come into my mind, and then sit there wondering whether or not that was just my fleshly, carnal mind or whether the Spirit of God had brought that word to my mind as a word that I should share with the other believers present. By and large, I would inevitably "sit on the word," afraid that it might simply be a product of my own, natural mind. I suspect that some other believers have struggled in this same way. How do I know (or even, CAN I know) that the Lord is speaking to me?
I personally believe that when time is no more, the excuse that "my bishop (or elder) told me to do thus and so, or my pastor (or priest) told me to do thus and so" will not be a valid excuse. It is imperative that each believer be able to hear the voice of the Lord for him/herself. Perhaps the best example, from scripture, of the importance of hearing the voice of the Lord, is contained in 1 Samuel, Chapter 3. Hannah had told Eli, the priest, that Samuel, Hannah's son, was to be "lent unto the Lord as long as he (Samuel) lived." And so Eli undoubtedly taught Samuel many things about the priesthood, the law, and all of the Jewish customs and traditions. My Bible contains dates on almost every page for the different events that are recorded in the Bible. If those dates are correct, then Eli taught Samuel for a period of six years. That seems like a long time! Surely in six years, Eli taught Samuel many, many things. But the only thing that is actually recorded in the Bible is that Eli taught Samuel to hear the voice of the Lord for himself. This may have been the most important thing that Eli did in his life. We read in 1 Samuel 3:1 that "the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli." Then,
Note please that in verse one of this Chapter, Samuel ministered unto the Lord BEFORE he knew the Lord and BEFORE the word of the Lord was revealed unto him. It was a form, a ritual, with no real significance in Samuel's life. Eli undoubtedly taught Samuel many things concerning the law up to that point in time, but NONE of those things are recorded in scripture.
Eli told Samuel that if the Lord called him again, Samuel was to say, "Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth." Note that after the Lord called to Samuel again, Samuel actually said, "Speak; for thy servant heareth." Samuel did not say, "Speak, Lord." After Samuel had told Eli of the vision he had received from the Lord, Eli confirmed, "It is the Lord" (1 Samuel 3:18). More mature ministers today have the same responsibility to confirm (or disconfirm) to younger Christians whether they have heard the voice of the Lord. From that time on, Samuel knew the Lord and knew His voice.
This chapter speaks volumes on the importance of hearing the voice of the Lord. In the seventh year, Samuel started his ministry on earth as one of the major prophets in history. And [the Lord] "did let none of his [Samuel's] words drop to the ground" (1 Samuel 3:19).
Robert Frost wrote a very lovely poem called, "The Road Not Taken." God, of course, is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. God KNOWS what is at the end of EVERY road. We do not. Each one of us makes decisions every day. Most of those decisions are trivial, such as what we should eat for breakfast, what clothes we should wear, etc. Other decisions can greatly affect our lives, such as whom, if anyone we should marry, what job we should take, etc. A major characteristic of decision-making is that we never know what the "other road" would have been like. We must depend upon God. Therefore, since He knows what is best for us at every juncture in our life, we need to hear His voice to guide us in the way that we should walk and trust Him completely.
Now consider this. I believe that the Lord wants us to hear His voice more than we want to hear His voice. Toward that end, I believe that the Lord speaks to us in a variety of different ways. Certainly not everyone has heard the audible voice of the Lord. But He speaks to us through scripture, through other believers, through non-believers, through circumstances, and, I believe, in many other ways. The question is, are we sensitive to whatever way that the Lord speaks to us?
How does a new believer learn to hear the voice of the Lord? First of all, I believe we have to have the right equipment. This means we need to be born again and baptized in (into) the Spirit. We need to have spiritual eyes to see and spiritual ears to hear. In each word to the seven churches, as recorded in Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3, we find these words: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” How do we receive ears to hear His voice? by His grace through faith.
Can God speak to those who do not have this foundation? Of course! God is sovereign. But as a general rule, non-believers do not hear the voice of the Lord. We also need to feed on the written word of God and hide it in our hearts.
The Spirit and the Word agree. We need to diligently read the written word and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the meaning of the word. When we believe we have heard a word from the Lord, we should always ask ourselves whether it agrees with the written word of God.
Next, we need the proper motivation. We need to sincerely want to hear the voice of the Lord. Of course, God knows our hearts. He knows when we are sincere. He also knows when we are self-seeking or if we are seeking only to bring glory to God. We must have a right relationship to Him. Closely related to wanting to hear the voice of the Lord is that we need to ask the Lord to show us His will for us, both overall and in individual circumstances that arise. At the same time, we need to use a little common sense. For example, many years ago, my wife told a (Christian) woman who was in our home to feel free to make a sandwich to eat for herself. The woman had indicated that she had not eaten in a great many hours. So the woman, in all sincerity, no doubt, looked up to the ceiling in our kitchen and said, "Lord, should I put the mayonnaise or mustard on the bread first?" Well, we can admire the woman's sincerity, but I doubt that the Lord really cared which of the two the woman put on the bread first. Also, it is rather important that whatever we ask of the Lord should be consistent with the plan and purposes of God as revealed to us at the particular point in time.
Third, we must act in faith. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37:23). We must believe that. We must believe that what we hear is from the Lord. A major way to confirm what we believe we hear is to ask if it is consistent with the written word. Let us look at the place of faith in this whole process. Whenever a word comes to my mind to do something or say something, there are two ways that I can look at the event. I can say to myself (as I did far too many times as a new believer), "well, I better not say or do that because it might just be my carnal mind." That is the negative approach, which I do NOT advocate. On the other hand, I can say, "Lord I accept by faith that you have brought this idea to my mind. Therefore I am going to take one step, by faith, in that direction. If I am wrong, please close the door or make it clear to me in some way that my step is not what you will for me at this point." That is the positive approach, and the one that I DO recommend. Further, as we grow in grace and in the knowledge of Him, we should expect that more and more of our thoughts are actually imparted to us through His Spirit. Psalms 37:4 says, "Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart." There are at least two ways that we could interpret that verse. The egocentric interpretation says that if I desire a new car every year, then the Lord promises to give me my desires (a new car). There are some Christians who actually seem to attach that interpretation to scripture such as this. But the more excellent way to interpret that verse in Psalms is that the Lord will actually implant the desire itself in our hearts. What kind of desires does the Lord want to put into our hearts? Those desires that are consistent with the written word of God; the desire that God may be glorified in all things; the desire that He might be glorified in all that we say, do, and become. Also, please note the condition to "delight thyself also in the Lord." This speaks of our motivation.
In addition, it is a very good idea to confirm (or disconfirm, as the case may be) what you believe you are hearing with another believer whom you believe has some maturity. For a period in my life, there were times that I would deliberately seek out other believers who I thought would be the most likely to disagree or disconfirm that which I believed that I was hearing. If that person confirmed my belief, then I felt on very safe ground in proceeding. The word says "in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established" (2 Corinthians 13:1). When we were very young believers in the house church in our area in the 1970's, the common interpretation of that verse was that if I believed I had heard a word from the Lord then I should have the word confirmed by Tom Smith and Mary Jones (two or three other people). I have no problem with that interpretation for new believers. However I also believe there is a higher interpretation of that scripture. Jesus said,
So the two or three witnesses, IF you can receive it, are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In addition, if you are married, then I STRONGLY suggest that you and your spouse pray about and agree upon any major decisions in your life.
The objective is that each believer needs to be able to hear the voice of the Lord for him/herself. The objective is NOT to hear the voice of the Lord through your pastor, elder, or another believer (although that may well be a stepping stone in your walk). Many years ago I was in Miami, Florida, attending a spiritual conference. The speaker one night said some things which really made a very deep impact on me. Since it was rather late at night I went to bed. Early the next morning I asked to listen to the audiotape that had been recorded from the previous night's meeting. I did not want to "lose" that critical word that I heard the minister share. I played the tape TWICE. The word I was so desirous of hearing again was NOT ON THE TAPE! What I had heard did NOT come through the minister but from the Lord Himself!
Moreover, what the Lord is saying to you may have NO relationship to the words being spoken by the minister. Many years ago I went to a Friday night meeting of believers. The host, an elder in the house church of which we were a part, had invited an elder (who I will call Sam) from another charismatic fellowship to minister the word. Just prior to the time for the teaching, the believers there began to praise and worship the Lord. We were ministering to the Lord as Paul says,
The church fellowship of which Sam was a part did not believe in singing with the spirit in public meetings. So he tried his best to cut off our worship of the Lord in the spirit, and finally succeeded. Then he started teaching on the baptism in the Holy Spirit. I looked around the room and wondered why he had chosen that topic because everyone there was already baptized in the Holy Spirit. However, his ATTITUDE was far worse than his topic selection. He obviously was trying to teach us a thing or two. His approach was quite harsh and condescending, and certainly not in the right spirit. He displayed an attitude of, "you guys are all wrong; let me teach you something." The host never interrupted Sam. After he finally stopped his tirade, the host told Sam, "I have heard that your daughter is going to have open heart surgery next Tuesday. May we pray for her now?" Sam agreed, so we all prayed for his daughter. Then the meeting ended. A few days later another elder in the house church of which we were a part called me and asked me what had happened during the Friday night meeting. He said that he was not there but that he had heard many negative reports about the word (and attitude) that was shared that night. I said, "I thought it was one of the best meetings I have ever been to. The visiting minister was indeed out of order in both what he said and how he said it. But what he received in exchange for his tirade was the love of God, when we prayed for his daughter." Evidently almost everyone else at that meeting had only seen the negative, using their natural eyes and ears. But the Lord allowed me to see the REAL teaching going on, which was OUTSTANDING! I heard the Lord during that meeting say,
Allow the Holy Spirit to develop within you a sensitivity to hear His voice through WHATEVER means He may choose. I knew a man many years ago who said that he had heard the voice of the Lord at different times through observing place mats, a man's hat, a man's pants, window blinds, and a dog. Quite a strange variety! But do not limit the Holy One of Israel!
Finally, we must practice this process in order that we may be able to discern the will of God in our lives. The author of the book of Hebrews says that the recipients of that epistle are "dull of hearing" (Hebrews 5:11). The author also says that Christian maturity belongs to "those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Hebrews 5:14). Obviously the senses referred to here are not our natural senses, but rather our spiritual senses. So we need to exercise (practice) our spiritual senses to discern both good and evil. Now even the natural man should be able to discern what is "evil." Almost everyone has heard of the Ten Commandments. Anyone who still has any conscience knows that it is wrong to kill another person or rob a bank. Discerning "good" is not quite so easy. Note that the verse does not say discern between good and evil. The word "both" cannot be translated "between." So what the verse is saying, among other things, is that we need to exercise our spiritual senses to discern the will of God from that which is "good." The natural man simply tries to discern between good and evil. Indeed, that is the only distinction that natural man can make. The natural man still partakes of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but has never partaken of the tree of life (Jesus Christ). "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14). In Genesis 2:17, God told Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of GOOD and evil. The comparison, in verse 9 of that chapter, is between the tree of life on one hand and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
One word of caution, from my personal experience. It is possible to be so fervent and desirous of hearing the voice of the Lord that you can slip over into striving in the flesh. Many years ago my wife, Linda, had a rather serious physical problem. Both my wife and I believed that we knew what the physical problem was. We also believed that the Lord wanted to heal Linda all by Himself. We were very young Christians at that time. A prevalent teaching in the house church of which we were a part at that time was that "in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word should be confirmed." So we did not want to act on the word that we had personally heard from the Lord without that word being confirmed by two or three other people. We never told anyone what we believed the physical problem to be. I asked numerous people to pray for Linda and see what they heard from the Lord. The only thing I ever told anyone was that Linda had a serious physical condition. I also called a woman who, I believed, had a ministry of healing. During this time period two apostles and one prophet of the Lord happened to be in town at the same time (a rare occurrence). So I asked all three of them to come over to our house one Saturday afternoon. Again I never shared what we believed the specific problem to be. I had assumed that surely one of these three spiritual giants would have a word from the Lord for us. None of them had any such word for us. When they left, I was very angry. I did not understand why none of those men had a word for us. (A few weeks later the Lord revealed to me that He had sovereignly closed their ears and mouths because He wanted me to hear the voice of the Lord for myself.) In addition, I called for the elders of the church (of which I was one) and asked them to come over to our house one evening. Again, I never shared what we believed the specific physical problem to be. After a few minutes the elders anointed Linda with oil in the name of the Lord and pronounced her healed. Isn't that what the word says in the book of James?
I did not witness to the action taken by the elders, but I said nothing. So all of the elders went home, having followed the letter of the word (but I believed missed the Spirit). The next day, one of the elders who had been in our home the previous evening called me. He said that he had not witnessed to what the elders had said and done the night before, but he had said nothing because he did not want to create any confusion. However, he continued, that as he was driving over to our house that evening (about a five minute drive), he asked the Lord, "Lord what is wrong with Linda?" He told me that what he heard during those five minutes was that Linda had a cyst on her right ovary (a rather specific word of knowledge). Furthermore he said that the Lord told him that if Linda went to a medical doctor that the Lord would honor that course of action but that the Lord wanted to heal Linda all by Himself. That was PRECISELY the physical problem that we believed existed and it was PRECISELY what we believed we should do about it; i.e., let the Lord heal Linda all by Himself! That is PRECISELY what we did and the Lord PRECISELY healed Linda very quickly all by Himself! From all of the many believers we had contacted, we heard everything from A to Z concerning Linda's physical problem. ONE man heard the word of the Lord.
There is no such thing as instant maturity. Just be patient. Yes, you will make a few mistakes along the way as you practice hearing the voice of the Lord. But do not get discouraged. God looks on our hearts, not on our outward appearance. In addition, we need to remember that God does not speak to us every minute of every day. Years ago I heard a genuine prophet of the Lord say that he did NOT hear from the Lord every day! By practicing hearing the voice of the Lord, one day we wake up and say, "How marvelous it is that the Lord chooses to speak to me directly." He is faithful to those who show themselves full of faith toward Him.
Is hearing sufficient? Hearing the voice of the Lord for yourself is crucial! It is necessary but not sufficient. James says,
In other words we must ACT, by faith, on the word that we hear from the Lord.
Now faith IS. In other words, faith is for the present. Faith is a confidence that we already possess. Hope is directed toward the future. "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). Faith deals with things not seen. Faith is NOT based on our physical senses but on the eternal truth of the Word of God. Faith does not require a rational explanation or an educated mind. Jesus, in John 17:17 said, to His Father, "Thy word is truth." Jesus also said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).
A helmet protects the head. Therefore hope is primarily in the realm of the mind. The breastplate of faith and love protects the heart. Therefore faith is primarily in the realm of the heart. We also know that,
True faith causes man to recognize his own limitations. Therefore true faith can exist only in a spirit of true humility. We are saved by grace through faith. We receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit by faith. We open our mouths and prophesy by faith. Every thing we receive from the Lord is by faith. Paul said,
For many years now a "false faith" doctrine has been widely circulated by many well-intentioned (but wrong) teachers. This false faith movement has also been characterized by a "prosperity gospel." Prosperity is a very popular word to people. Many years ago, one of the major faith teachers (who I will call Sam) publicly commented on the following verse:
Sam, the faith teacher, stated that Peter was actually a very rich man. When Peter said, Silver and gold have I none, Sam explained that Peter meant that he had left all of his money at home. If you believe that then I have a bridge I want to sell to you. Better still, since a popular verse for the faith teachers is, "you have not because you ask not," why don't you just ask the Lord to GIVE you that bridge? When Jesus and His disciples were at Capernaum, they that received tribute money (fifteen pence per person), asked Peter whether Jesus paid the tribute. When Peter asked Jesus about the tribute money, Jesus said,
Apparently, Peter did not have enough money to pay the tribute. In addition, consider the following (right after the day of Pentecost, but BEFORE Peter and John healed the lame man, in Acts 3:6):
Please consider two comments about the above verses. Many years ago my wife asked me to go dig up a small sycamore seedling that was growing too close to our carport shed. A sycamore tree is a variety of a sycamine tree. This particular sycamore seedling was perhaps two and one half feet tall. The diameter of the tree at its widest part was less than one inch. I worked for at least one hour, digging around and below the root level, trying to dig that little tree up. I NEVER succeeded! I finally just sawed it off as close to the ground as possible. Imagine what power it would take to uproot a full-grown sycamore tree! So to SPEAK to a sycamine tree and cause it to be plucked up by the root would take nothing less than the dynamite power of God!
In addition, let us consider the apostles' plea for the Lord to increase their faith. We must remember that at that point in time the apostles did not have the Spirit of God within them. They could think only at the natural level. Jesus COULD have told them, "You have asked for the wrong thing. YOUR faith will NEVER be good enough. It takes the faith of God to do the works of God." However, Jesus knew about their lack of understanding. So he used an analogy of the sycamine tree that they might understand.
The above verse says that we live by the faith of Jesus ... by HIS faith, not by our faith in Him. Consider once more the verses in Ephesians:
So there is ONE faith. What faith is that? It is HIS FAITH ... the faith of Jesus. Hebrews 11 is often called the "faith chapter," because it lists many of the great men (and women) of faith as recorded in the Old Testament. As we noted in Volume 2 of this series, the FIRST Person of great faith was (and is) Jesus Christ.
There are numerous scriptures which clearly show that we must live and move and have our being by HIS faith.
How important is faith?
The writer of the book of Hebrews also answers that question.
In the King James' authorized version of the Bible, words in italics do not appear in the original Greek from which it was translated. Let us re-state the above verse WITHOUT the italicized words.
The ONLY Person who has ever pleased the Father is His Son, Jesus Christ. God the Father said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17).
Please note that WITHOUT the italics, the last phrase of Hebrews 11:6 reads quite differently. To be specific, I MUST believe that He IS, but I do NOT have to believe that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. It is true that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. He rewards us with more of Himself, more of His faith, more of His love, etc. But I do NOT have to believe He is going to reward me for diligently seeking Him. In other words, I need to diligently seek Him whether or not I ever receive any reward. The difference is one of perspective. Do we follow Christ in order to GET something for ourselves? or simply to please Him with no thought of return for our self? So instead of saying, Lord increase our faith, we SHOULD say, Lord let me appropriate more of YOUR faith which operates within me so that I can please you more fully. How do we accomplish that? By being obedient to the word of faith, which comes by hearing his voice.
Some people seem to interpret that verse as "faith comes by hearing the word of God." Therefore, they say, that we increase our faith by simply reading or quoting the written word over and over. We do not agree. First of all the Greek for "word" in that verse is rhema, which is more than simply the written word ... it is the word quickened to us by the Holy Spirit. Second, those are TWO steps, not one. A number of years ago I was in Omaha, Nebraska, for a few days on business. While I was there I looked in the yellow pages under "churches" and called a few places too inquire about any form of believers' meetings for the few days I would be there. I talked to one pastor, who told me they were having a few Christians over to his house to pray that night and that I would be welcome to attend. I went. They were genuine Christians all right. After the meeting broke up I was the last one to leave except for the pastor and his wife, who lived there. Just before I was about to leave, their telephone rang. The wife answered the phone. From the conversation that I could hear, their grown daughter, who lived in the same town, had accidentally spilled some hot, scalding water on her arms and apparently burned herself rather badly. Her mother's advice to her daughter over the phone was simply to repeat, over and over, "by His stripes I am healed." I groaned in my spirit, but said nothing. However at that point I fervently prayed, silently, for the daughter. That was one of the most passionate prayers I have ever said in my life! Technically, the mother MAY have been correct. Perhaps the mother could even walk in that word for herself (and maybe not). But to legalistically impose your state (or doctrine) in Christ on someone else is a TRAGEDY! We must do MORE than mentally assent and agree to the written word of God.
Our faith will never get the job done. HIS faith, working within us can move mountains!
The above two verses emphasize the importance of obedience in our walk with the Lord. Abraham had faith that God would raise up Isaac after the Lord told him to sacrifice his only son. But Abraham had an ACTIVE faith. He was willing and fully prepared to obey that word form the Lord.
Who or what do we obey? Children are told to obey their parents and servants are told to obey their masters.
In addition,
But if there is any conflict, we must always obey the Lord. We must always be faithful to Him and His word.
Many years ago, my wife and I felt strongly impressed by the Holy Spirit to start a "neighborhood" meeting in our home. We invited many of our neighbors who lived close to us and a few who lived a little farther away. In order not to intimidate any of our neighbors, we described the meeting as a Bible study. Some of our neighbors came to our weekly meeting. Most of those invited did not come. The meeting was small, with about six or seven people plus ourselves, so we could easily fit into our living room. For a number of weeks we talked about the topic of "who is Jesus Christ?" Then we started through the gospel of John. We never completed the gospel of John before the Lord said to stop the meeting, which ran for about eight or nine months. We saw some amazing things happen to those people who attended. Several of them, who had been very nominal Christians, met the reality of the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Two of those people were baptized in the Holy Spirit in their own homes, all by themselves, and no man laid hands on them or prayed for them to receive the baptism. We saw several people receive physical healing. Others were set free from guilt and bondage. It was like we sat back and just watched the Lord work in their lives. All we did was to provide the environment for the Holy Spirit to move.
A few years later, we saw a need within the house church of which we were a part for some foundational Bible teaching. So we decided to repeat our neighborhood Bible study, this time for new members of the house church. We again started with the question of "who is Jesus Christ." And once more we started through the gospel of John. This time, we did not see the results that we had seen in our first neighborhood meeting. What made the difference? Only the Lord knows for sure, but we believe it was because the Holy Spirit said to do it the first time. With the second Bible study, the motivation was because we saw a need. So the motivations for the two meetings were quite different. That which the Lord ordains will always be a huge success. That which we do out of our natural minds, no matter how good our motivation may be, produces wood, hay, and stubble. We were obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit with the first meeting. To obey is better than sacrifice.
Faith and obedience are twins which go together in scripture. When James states that "faith without works is dead," he refers to obedience to the faith. In other words, faith requires some action on our part.
Obedience is NOT a natural quality. We are certainly NOT born with a tendency toward obedience ... quite the contrary! All you have to do is look at little children. They will pout, cry, and do ANYTHING to get their own way. And when two little children want the same toy ... LOOK OUT!
Whenever we come to know the saving grace of our Lord, we do not automatically take on the nature of obedience. Obedience is a characteristic of both the natural and the spiritual man that must be learned. When a mother tells her young child, "No, no," don't touch the fire or hot oven, the child at first cannot comprehend, because they have never experienced the sensation of burning. The child, unfortunately, must usually learn from a painful experience (or two) to obey the mother. Consider Jesus.
How could it be that Jesus had to learn obedience? Because He came to earth as a man. He had to experientially learn obedience as a man.
God has chosen suffering as a major avenue whereby we may learn obedience and become an overcomer.
Jesus learned obedience by the things which He suffered. If that were true of Jesus, how much more true is that for us! Peter has much to say about the suffering which we as Christians are called upon to endure. However,
The next time that you find yourself in a difficult time of trial and suffering, remember that the sufferings which you endure do not come anywhere near the suffering that our Lord went through on our behalf. Just praise the Lord and thank Him that He has counted you worthy to suffer in His name. Allow the Spirit to teach you obedience. Allow the Lord to make you an overcomer.
By definition, righteousness is the state of being right with God or just, a quality of rightness or justness. The man who is righteous is the man who is in a right relationship with God and whose life shows it. The Jews had sought to solve the problem of righteousness by strict obedience to the law. Paul had tried that way himself, and it had resulted in frustration and defeat, because no man on earth can ever fully obey the law. The law lays down what man must do; the gospel lays down what God has done. The trouble with law has always been that it can diagnose the trouble but it cannot affect a cure. Law shows man where he has gone wrong but does not help him to AVOID going wrong. Once more we see that man's attempt to attain to righteousness is completely inadequate.
The supreme problem of life is, How can a man get into a right relationship with God? Here we see the simplicity of the gospel ... the simplicity that is in Christ. For the Lord Himself is our righteousness. Only the Lord Jesus Christ is righteous in the eyes of the Father. The important thing is NOT what we can do for God, but what God has done for us.
This word is confirmed by Paul in the New Testament.
We enter into the righteousness of Christ when we accept by faith Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. In other words the ONLY basis for our righteousness is that we are in Christ.
Please note that we are righteous through the faith of Christ, through HIS faith. If we are in Christ, we are righteous because of HIS faith, not because of our faith.
Righteousness is a characteristic which results from our obedience to the faith. The first occurrence of righteousness in scripture is in Genesis, with respect to Noah.
The second occurrence of righteousness relates to Abraham.
Here again, if we read the context of what has preceded, Abram had likewise been obedient to the faith. It was much more than just a mental assent. The real Jew is the man who has made the same decision of complete, unconditional yieldedness to God in loving faith which Abraham made. Another scripture which relates obedience to righteousness is
Righteousness is directly related to the title of this Volume: A Sure Foundation.
Righteousness is a quality of the nature of God that should be greatly desired.
Now what is the result or the effect of righteousness?
What is a righteous man's reward? and what is a prophet's reward? To answer that question let us look at a scripture in Romans.
As we have just seen in Isaiah 32:17, the reward of a righteous man is peace. The reward of a prophet is joy in the Holy Ghost. The Lord told Moses,
All of the priests and Levites knew about this prophecy given to Moses. They knew that a great prophet was to arise. They asked John the Baptist who he was, saying,
Jesus Christ, of course, was, and is, that Great Prophet and the ultimate Prophet. He was also characterized by great joy. We also know that
Finally, righteousness is not only for the present, but also for the future, provided we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end (Hebrews 3:6). Paul told Timothy,
Scripture is quite clear of the relationship of righteousness to holiness.
True holiness consists in conformity to the nature and will of God. Note that only God is Holy, whence the name Holy Spirit. The word "holy" is applied in scripture to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who is infinitely holy above all creatures. God is the fountain of all holiness and purity. Numerous scriptures, mostly in the Old Testament, speak of the Holy One of Israel.
Even the unclean spirits know about the holiness of Jesus.
We as Christians are called to this same holiness ... the holiness of God. Indeed, under the old covenant, God called on man to be holy.
Note that this is a commandment under the old covenant (law) to which no man could attain. But under the new covenant (grace) this word becomes a promise. It is by the holiness of Jesus Christ, and we being found in Him, that we can be reckoned as being holy.
Our holiness is not of ourselves, however.
Please note that man still has free will. So the Christian must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Jesus. We must CHOOSE to deny our will and say, as did Jesus, "not my will but thy will be done, oh Lord." Just in case we stray a little bit from time to time, the Lord has provided ways for us to get back into His will.
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the father of spirits, and live?
Therefore,
The objective is NOT to hear some nice, polished sermon or teaching. The Lord's objective for us is that the Word become flesh within us ... "Christ in you, the hope of glory."
A number of years ago in a gathering of the believers in our area, a visiting minister of the Lord asked us to read together, out loud, the first chapter of 2 Peter. We went around the room and each person read a verse. Then the visiting minister asked us what we had heard through those verses. Several people commented on several verses, but I had heard nothing new or different from the previous 50 or so times I had read that chapter. I decided to go back and re-read the entire chapter while others were commenting. When I read (silently) verses 18-20, one word just jumped off the page.
The word that I saw for the first time was the word "UNTIL." Most Christians believe that the "more sure word of prophecy" mentioned in verse 19 refers to scripture, as indicated by verse 20. So scripture is "more sure" than our hearing the voice of the Lord because any of us can, at times, miss hearing the voice of the Lord or misinterpret what we hear. So verse 19 says we should "take heed" to scripture "as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, UNTIL the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts." In other words, UNTIL that word becomes flesh in our hearts. Does that mean that AFTER that word becomes flesh within us that we no longer take heed to scripture? NO! The difference is one of perspective and motivation. I STILL take heed to scripture, NOT because it is written in scripture, but rather because it is written on my heart ... that word has become flesh within me. That word has become supernaturally "natural" to me. I obey the word as easily as I have learned to walk or drive a car or any simple, natural event.
So by seeing the Word of the Lord, hearing His voice, being obedient by faith, and allowing His righteousness and holiness to be made manifest within me that the word becomes flesh in some area of my life. The process then repeats for another area of our life. The end of this process is,
The Lord always wants to challenge His people. Whatever our vision of the Lord is, it is too small! The Lord says to His people,
Jesus prayed,
Can we all agree that Jesus ALWAYS prayed in the will of the Father? He prayed that we might be with Him where He is. Where is Jesus now? Exalted and glorified at the right hand of the Father.
How many times have you heard Spirit-filled Christians pray to the effect of, "Lord come down and heal my brother or sister?" Anyone who prays that kind of prayer may be very sincere but needs to go back and review the basic principles of Christianity. We don't want to pull Christ down to where we are. He wants us to rise up to where He is!
Within the realm of genuine, born-again believers, a wide range exists in terms of conduct and experience. This range of professing Christians can be characterized by Gideon's army, as recorded in Judges, Chapters 6-7. Gideon started with 32,000 men, chosen to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. (The word "Midian" means strife, contention, discord, brawling, or a contest. "Gideon" means warrior.) All 32,000 represent genuine Christians. The Lord told Gideon that 32,000 was too many for the Lord to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel get puffed up and think that victory was won by their own hands. The Lord told Gideon to separate whoever was fearful and afraid, and 22,000 returned, leaving 10,000. These 10,000 represent those Christians who are baptized in the Holy Spirit. What happened to the 22,000 who returned? Scripture does not tell us specifically. However, those 22,000, or roughly TWO-THIRDS of all Christians represent those genuine believers who have not received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. They go back to their nice, comfortable, decent, respectable lives. They meet regularly for worship in their large comfortable church buildings, they sing nice songs, listen to nice sermons from polished pastors every Sunday. They cause no problems, arouse no opposition, make no waves, have nice church programs to satisfy all of the people, and strive to keep everybody happy and keep the money coming in. BUT! they also make NO IMPACT. Ignorance and indifference prevail and they never see the power of God at work. They never know what they have missed! Did God bless them? Yes, to a degree.
A number of years ago one of our neighbors called me and asked me if I would like to meet with him and several other men who lived in our area for Christian fellowship. I accepted. All of the other five men were members of a denominational church, one Baptist and the rest Methodists. I had no reason to believe that they were baptized in the Holy Spirit although the Lord DID open the door for me to share many things with them. We met weekly, right across the street from where we live. During one of our meetings, one man said, very joyfully, "Boy, everything in my life is going great! It can't get any better than this!" I did not comment openly but I thought to myself, "How sad!"
What happened to the 10,000, who represent those Christians who are baptized in the Holy Spirit? Well, the Lord told Gideon that those 10,000 were still too many. So the Lord gave Gideon another test which pared down Gideon's army to the final 300, and the 9,700 who did not pass the test (or did not qualify) turned back. What happened to those 9,700 men? Well they had nice charismatic services, they built mega-churches, had the finest of the fine in terms of material surroundings. They clapped their hands, danced and shouted to the Lord, had great programs and millions of dollars coming in to their treasuries. They quickly learned all of the "right" words to say. The shouted Hallelujah and praise the Lord! They said, "Isn’t this wonderful!" BUT! they never knew the real work of God! They never knew what happened to the 300 who went on with God. Did God bless them? Yes, to a degree. The Lord told Gideon that by those 300 men He would deliver them from the Midianites. Three hundred represents a tenth of a tenth ... a tithe of a tithe ... one percent of the original.
Please note that under the Old Covenant, in the time of Nehemiah, that a tithe of a tithe (in the natural, material level) was brought into the natural, physical treasure house. This speaks prophetically of the end times, when a tithe of the tithe spiritually shall be brought unto the spiritual house of our God, into the spiritual treasure house. Hallelujah!
The 300 men were those whom the Lord actually used to conquer the Midianites. These 300 men represent the overcomers, the Joseph company, the man child, the remnant, the sons of God, those believers who will participate in these end times in the real work of God. Let us go back and see the battle plan that the Lord had for Gideon and those 300 men. Each man had a trumpet in his right hand, a pitcher in his left hand, and lamps within the pitchers. Please note that NO mention is made in scripture that they had swords or any natural weapons of war. They surrounded the camp of the Midianites one night when it was very dark. At Gideon's signal, all 300 men broke the pitchers, which allowed the lamps to be suddenly seen, blew the trumpets, and shouted, "The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon" (Judges 7:16-20). The Midianites slew one another, cried, and fled. Gideon and his army of 300 then pursued after and cleaned up the rest of the enemy. Trumpets are used to herald the coming of a king. In the forthcoming Gideon's army, the tithe of the tithe will blow trumpets to signal the coming of The Great King, even Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. The significance of the sudden revealing of the lamps inside of the pitchers is described in scripture.
The word "manifestation" can more descriptively be translated "unveiling." So at the Lord's timing, the pitchers will be broken and the lamps will shine forth ... the sons of God will be revealed or manifested or unveiled, just as a Master Craftsman removes a covering to unveil His work of art.
Note please, that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a necessary, but not sufficient, step toward joining Gideon's army. The Church at Corinth all experienced the baptism in the Holy Spirit and had every spiritual gift in operation (1 Corinthians 1:7). Please also note that the Church at Corinth was filled with contention, strife, discord, and confusion in the assemblies. What is this? the MIDIANITES!!! Paul calls them carnal and not at all ready to participate in the real work of God. Now, what work do these 300 do besides engage in spiritual warfare? Part of their work is described in Revelation, Chapter 12.
The woman in the above scriptures represents Christ, which includes the body of Christ, the real church. The man child represents the overcomers, the Joseph company, the tithe of the tithe, Gideon's army of 300 who have been prepared by the Lord to minister to the rest of the body in the wilderness. But there is more. The 300 will have been ostracized, persecuted, and branded as fanatics by the charismatic 9,700 who went back. But God worked compassion and real agape love in the hearts of the 300 to the extent that they, in the end times, returned love to the very Christians who had persecuted them.
Now, just in case there are any of you who are somewhat skeptical concerning the existence of the Midianites in our Christian churches today, please consider this. Many long years ago I heard a brother say that there were more than 500 denominations in the Protestant churches. Only the Lord knows how many there are today. That does not include all of the charismatic "house churches." Back in the 1970s the pastor of a fairly large charismatic church in our area wrote, IN PRINT (I saw it with my own natural eyes), that the house church of which we were a part was satanic. Why did he say that? He stated, in writing, it was because we had never made any attempt to build a physical church building. His "proof" was the scripture,
Well that man must be highly pleased with charismatic groups today. Each group seems to strive to build bigger and better mega-churches, complete with gymnasiums, libraries, cafeterias, and anything you can think of to make the members happy, each such edifice to the tune of countless millions of dollars. Now just in case you don't see anything "wrong" with that approach, please consider this. In Genesis 11, the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. They were all together. They decided to build a city and a tower (whose top may reach unto heaven) at Babel so they could all be one. They planned a mega-city and a mega-tower. (Incidentally, I believe that the large church spires that we see today came from the same spirit that inspired this tower of Babel.) We know, of course, that the Lord scattered them and confounded their language. The same thing happened with the church at Jerusalem in Acts. There were about 3,000 added to the church at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, and another 5,000 soon after, as recorded in Acts 4. So added to the original 120, plus multitudes more (Acts 5:14), the church at Jerusalem probably had at least 10,000 believers. I am sure they all dearly loved to sit and listen to Peter, James, and John preach. So they rivaled, or exceeded, most modern-day mega-churches in numbers. What happened? The Lord sovereignly arranged for a great persecution to arise against the church (Acts 8:1) and they were all scattered abroad, preaching Christ. Dearly beloved, you CANNOT exercise your gifts and ministries in an assembly that large. It is NOT God's plan for you to sit and warm a pew! There is a real place for kindergarten for little toddlers. They get to color in nice coloring books and partake of nice cookies and juice. But the error is in staying there forever.
Many, if not most, denominations and charismatic house churches claim that all of the Bible is true and that they adhere to everything in the Bible. Some say they are Baptists, others are Methodists, and on and on and on. Some churches deny the existence of some of the spiritual gifts today, yet still claim to be perfectly scriptural in their doctrine. Many of these same churches actively support the "ecumenical" movement. If you had a dollar for each of the carnal, fleshly attempts by well-intentioned Christians to "join up" with each other or to become "as one," you would be a rich person today. I have news for you! The church will NEVER be united as one through the efforts of man!
If we as Christians would spend more time allowing the Spirit to break us and mold us into the image of Christ, rather than arguing about doctrine and trying to bring about unity in the body of Christ, we would soon see some fantastic results!
And so once more, the Lord speaks to His people to "come up higher." There is nothing about the Christian walk that is static in nature.
A few years ago, a good brother in the Lord shared with me a provocative statement, which I acknowledge as truth. He said that from his awareness, there are quite a number of "older" men (for example, 65 or older) who have something to say to the church today. But, he continued, as he travels and observes, he does not see "younger" men moving up to take their place. His vision, a good one, is to provide solid impartation to a select number of younger men (selected by the Spirit of God) concerning the ways of the Lord. This would not be just another Bible school but a school of the Spirit ... designed to prepare younger ministries for the difficult end times that are upon us.
Consider the scripture about the transfiguration of Jesus.
Please go back and re-read those last three verses and see the relationship between those scriptures and the vision that my good brother has. Let us consider only ONE aspect about Moses.
In like manner, the Lord has been "hiding" a company of men who shall come forth in these latter days to be a company of deliverers for the church.
Now what about Elijah? We will go into great detail about Elijah in Volume 4, but for now consider that the Lord is raising up a company of people with the spirit of Elijah.
That great and dreadful day of the Lord has not yet come. So there is an Elijah yet to come. Let us consider, again, only ONE feature concerning Elijah. When Elijah began his ministry, Ahab was the king, or ruler, of Israel. I think it is fair to say that Israel was in a state of apostasy at that time, with much Baal worship.
This will be repeated yet once more in the end times. The Lord is raising up an Elijah company that will "trouble" Israel. As the church rolls merrily along in many off-center doctrines, "nice" meetings, all of the things we see in the Midianites, and all of the things we see in the 31,700 of Gideon's original army of 32,000 men who "went back," the Elijah company will, at God's appointed time, "trouble" all Israel.
Let us return to the transfiguration account in Mark 9:2-4, for there is a parallel of those scriptures with the end times. And after six days (6,000 years???), Jesus taketh with him a select number of men (Peter, James, and John), and was transfigured before them (manifestation of the sons of God???). And the Lord raised up Elijah and Moses to minister once again.
Finally, the Lord says to His people:
Where are the men of God, where are the men of God? Know you not that this is a time of building, of preparation? Where are those who labor and travail in intercession that the men of God might come forth? For as soon as Zion travails, she shall bring forth her children. Where are they who spend time with the Lord, that spend time before His word that they may eat it and devour it, that they may speak His word forth in a time of trouble? Where are the men of God who seek His will? to hear His voice? to know His ways? Where are the men of God that will speak forth, for the Lord does call upon you even now. Where are the men of God who will stand forth and proclaim the word of God among His people? Know you, oh chosen ones of God that the Lord has given you the power and the strength of His might, that He is with you, that your stand before Him is honored in His presence, and that He is faithful unto His word. Hearken unto the calling that the Lord has given unto you. Know for a certainty that He has given you the power to fulfill that ministry to which you have been called. Refrain from holding back. Refrain from desiring to seek the pride of self. Let His name be proclaimed from your lips, for the Lord will inhabit your words. Prepare the way of the Lord. He will move as you speak His words so that the Lord may create in this place that which He is bringing about. Know that perilous times are coming, but the Lord is your Provision in times of trouble. Remember the law of Moses, the servant of the Lord, which God commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, with the judgments and statutes. Remember Elijah, who shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest the Lord come and smite the earth with a curse. So speak forth oh man of God, speak forth in the name of the Lord ... that the men of the earth may repent and return unto the Lord.
And he [Apollos] began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. Acts 18:26
From my personal observation over the years, there are numerous believers who need to go back, after many long years, to re-examine their sure foundation. There are entirely too many off-center doctrines floating around. So it is time for a reality check. In addition, there is a need for new believers to have a sure foundation in the faith.
After we started writing this Volume we were strongly impressed that we do not have all of the answers or explanations for some of the topics in this Volume. Neither do you. Perhaps NO man does! So another reason for writing this book was for ME! for MY benefit! for me to be able to put in writing those things concerning our Christian foundation that we too frequently take for granted.
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 1 Corinthians 8:2
Nevertheless we know that we were commissioned to write this book. As previously stated, we make NO claim that this word is exhaustive in nature. I am sure that there are many more verses that could be added to this book. Perhaps some of the verses which I have omitted might be even "better" than the ones I have chosen. But I sincerely hope that we, as well as every person who reads this book, would be open to hearing from the Holy Spirit whether there be a more excellent way than that which constitutes our personal understanding of the Sure Foundation, lest we or you should run, or have run, in vain.
Finally, we believe that the Lord always wants to challenge His people to "come up higher."
Chapter 1: In the Beginning Was The Word
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.
4 In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
John 1:1-5
This passage in the New Testament parallels the one in Genesis,
In the beginning God created ... Genesis 1:1
When anyone begins to build a house, the first thing that must be done is to lay a firm, solid foundation. That foundation must be even and capable of supporting the structure that is built upon it. Jesus Christ is called a foundation in both the Old and New Testaments.
Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. Isaiah 28:16
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious.
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded.
1 Peter 2:4-6
Thus the Old Testament and New Testament both agree that the true foundation of the Christian life is Jesus Christ Himself ... nothing else and no one else. The foundation is not a creed, not a doctrine, not a denomination, not a ritual or ceremony. Christ is THE foundation on which the church is built. Christ is the foundation of the covenant of grace made with the church and of all of the promises contained therein. He is a SURE foundation, on whom His people can safely and securely rest. He has also promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He is the corner stone that unites all parts of the building together. He is a tried stone that has never and will never crack nor shift underneath the structure built upon Him.
47 Whosoever cometh to Me, and heareth My sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. Luke 6:47-48
The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. 2 Timothy 2:19
David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said,
1 Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from Him cometh my salvation.
2 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defence; I shall not be moved.
7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Psalm 62:1, 2, 5-7
Peter said,
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15
Jesus Christ, the living Word of God, came into this world as a man; He came with a completely and truly human nature. As a man He lived a sinless life; He defeated sin; in Him sin was conquered and vanquished. He brought to God a life of perfect obedience, or perfect fulfillment of the law. Because Jesus was fully a man, just as we were one with Adam through a physical connection, we are now one with Christ through a spiritual connection. Just as we were involved in Adam's sin, we are now involved in the perfection of Jesus. The Apostle Paul speaks of these things in the book of Romans.
If we desire to be firmly rooted and grounded in our Sure Foundation, we need to understand something about the plan and purpose of God. Many Christians seem to have a selfish outlook on life. We want to interpret the Bible as it relates to US ... salvation for us, blessings for us, healing for us, safety for us now, and a ticket to heaven for us in the "sweet by and by." This approach gives us a distorted view of the Bible, of life, and its meaning. This approach will also lead to doctrinal errors. Man wants to begin everything with himself, but the Bible begins with God: "In the beginning God ..." We need to see everything as it relates to God and His purposes.
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of HIS will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:9-10
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of HIM:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of HIS calling, and what the riches of the glory of HIS inheritance in the saints. Ephesians 1:17-18
I STRONGLY suggest that you go back and re-read the entire first chapter of Ephesians. Although that chapter mentions the spiritual blessings that we receive and our inheritance in Christ, the predominant theme is God's purpose and His inheritance. There are at least 30 uses of the words, His, Him, He, and Himself in that chapter. All of these refer to God, not us, and HIS purposes. We are so preoccupied with OUR interests, OUR desires, and OUR plans, that we have little time to think about HIS interests, HIS desires, and HIS plans.
For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:36
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11
It was the Father's original intention that man was first to be a created son, enjoying all that God by creation could give him. God then designed for man to become a son ... to enter into a living union and enjoy sonship by a relationship with Christ ... to be IN Christ. But even sonship must mature, for God has planned for man to share many things from Himself as the son by faith appropriates them in his life.
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. Romans 8:17
But then God has intended that we go one more step and reign with Christ.
If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him. 2 Timothy 2:12
For us to reign with Christ, we must qualify. The Father purposed before the creation to have many sons who were fully mature.
For it became Him, for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2:10
According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should BE holy and without blame before Him in love. Ephesians 1:4
God our Father wants a family of children who will grow up to be mature, co-heirs with Christ, and joint-reigners with Him in the government of the universe. HE WILL HAVE SUCH!!!
It is also VERY important to see that God's eternal purposes, as outlined above, existed BEFORE He created anything! In order to appropriate the Sure Foundation, we need to start with God and who He IS. In most churches the emphasis is placed on the works of God rather than on His person. This was the major battle when Jesus walked the face of the earth. Although many could accept His works, the religious elite of the day refused to accept who He was! Jesus said, in John 6, that some people followed Him because of His miracles, but others followed Him simply to eat of the loaves and be filled. In John 6, we see the turning point of the ministry of Jesus on earth. The Jews could not accept who He was and even accused Him of speaking heresy.
From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with Him.
John 6:66
After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for He would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill Him. John 7:1
Many years ago I read a good illustration or analogy of the difference in importance of who someone IS as compared to what they DO. The man who has a wife in the home greatly appreciates her cooking, cleaning, washing, and ironing. But she, herself, is far more important to him than what she does! Actually, if the wife senses that her husband appreciates her primarily for her household chores, some rocky times are ahead for that couple (which in the natural realm frequently leads to divorce). It is the importance of the person that gives meaning to the work. Lord, give us a deeper revelation of Who you are!
Chapter 2: Who Do You Say Jesus Christ Is?
The most important word that any Christian minister could ever impart to a new believer in the Christian faith is "Jesus Christ is Lord." In other words, what is the significance of Jesus Christ in the Christian faith? Many years ago, a man named T. Austin Sparks wrote an excellent little booklet titled "The Centrality and Supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ." How crucial it is for us to see the reality and impact of those nine words! As a new believer, I need to see that I am no longer the center of the universe (and actually never was, even though I may have thought so.)
There are numerous questions recorded in the Bible. (Volume 4 of this series will go into questions found in the Bible in much more detail.) In some of these questions, our adversary, Satan, questions man. Such questions are always intended to cause doubt in our minds in order that our faith may be attacked. Many times man questions man. For the most part, these type of questions are motivated by the flesh. At other times, man questions God. These questions may be good or bad, depending upon our motivation ... our heart. Perhaps the most serious type of question, however, is when God questions man. Two such questions are,
And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
Genesis 3:9
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto then, But whom say ye that I am? Matthew 16:13-15
Men today still give the same wide variety of answers to the question, "Who do you say Jesus Christ is?" Some people say He was a good man. Others say that He was a prophet. But the pertinent answer is NOT what other men say about Jesus. What matters is, "Who do you say that Jesus Christ is?" This, from the human perspective, is perhaps the most important question that could ever be asked of you. For your answer to this question, sooner or later, will determine your final resting place ... either eternal death in the lake of fire or eternal life in Christ.
Chapter 3: Ye Must Be Born Again
1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto Him, Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. John 3:1-8
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. 1 Peter 1:23
We are born and enter this world from corruptible seed, as a result of the sin of Adam. Jesus said that we must be born again in order to see the kingdom of God. Peter said we are born again of incorruptible seed by the word of God. The above verses are the only verses that use the phrase "born again." (Perhaps a better translation is “born from above.” That emphasizes the fact that there is nothing we can “do” to deserve being born again.) A more commonly used phrase in the Bible is that of being "saved."
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
Now, we could ask, is being born again the same as being saved? Yes and no. When a baby is born, in the natural realm, it is birthed at a specific point in time. Even though the birthing PROCESS may take up to several hours, medical doctors list a specific point in time when the baby is born. This time should be the time when the baby has left its original, dark state (the mother's womb) and first enters a new world, full of light. It is the same spiritually when we are born again.
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son. Colossians 1:13
Scripture seems to indicate that we have been saved (provided we have identified with the death and resurrection of Jesus), we are BEING saved (a process), and we will be saved at some point in the future, IF we hold fast unto the end.
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
In the above verse, the Greek word translated "are saved" is more accurately translated as "are BEING saved."
Through Jesus our status with God was changed. Even though we were sinners, we were put into a right relationship with God. But that is not enough! Not only our status must be changed but also our state. The death of Christ on the cross changed our status and His risen life changes our state. The change of our status is called justification; that is where the whole salvation process begins. The change of our state is called sanctification; that is where the saving process goes on, and never ends, until we see Him face to face and are like Him.
But Christ as a Son over His own house; Whose house are we, IF we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. Hebrews 3:6
So it appears that being born again is coincident with the initial salvation experience. The word "salvation" frequently carries a meaning of deliverance from outward dangers or enemies. In other words, we are saved "from" something or someone. Indeed, we are saved from our sins.
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Titus 3:5
We are washed, by the shed blood of Jesus, from our sins and regenerated (born again). In the "renewing" we are made new creatures in Christ.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, ALL things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
The words "ALL things" are rather inclusive. That is worth thinking about.
One more word pertaining to our Sure Foundation: not only does Jesus save us from our sins; He IS our Salvation.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Psalms 27:1
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2
Some Christians believe in a doctrine called "once saved, always saved." We do not subscribe to that belief, although that certainly sounds very nice and comforting. The doctrine of "once saved, always saved" tends to provide a free license for us to do anything our carnal nature desires, knowing that we will "still get to heaven." That was the predominant attitude of the church at Corinth as well as the churches of Galatia.
When we accepted Christ as our Savior, we did so out of our free will ... we made a conscious decision, an act of our will. AFTER we accept Christ as our Savior we do NOT lose our free will. We still can exercise our free will. We can choose, by our actions, to live a carnal life, as did most of the church at Corinth. We can choose to reject the gift of the Holy Spirit, as many church groups do today. We can ALSO choose to reject the gift of life through Christ Jesus. God gave man free will, and God respects that free will. Before man there stands an open choice. It HAS to be so! Without choice there can be no love; a forced love is no love at all. If men deliberately choose to turn their backs on God, not even God will do anything about it. Moreover, consider the following:
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day [the day of Christ] shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition. 2 Thessalonians 2:3
How can you fall away from something you never had? Moreover, consider the following scripture:
When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered ... Ezekiel 3:20
Looking diligently lest any man fail of [or fall from] the grace of God.
Hebrews 12:15
2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. Galatians 5:2-4
The circumcision that Paul refers to above is NOT physical circumcision, but a mind-set, or man's approach to righteousness by his own efforts.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35, 38-39
The above verses in Romans 8 are certainly wonderfully true. BUT there is ONE thing missing from that list ... MY SELF!!! It is true that Jesus said that He would never leave us nor forsake us. But it takes TWO to make a covenant. Just because Jesus promised that He would never leave us nor forsake us is NO guarantee that WE can never leave or forsake Him! We still have free will. God is not looking for a bunch of robots who have no choices. He desires for us to always continue to look unto Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of our faith.
Now just in case all of the above is not sufficient to dispel the doctrine of "once saved, always saved," consider the verses below.
18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
20 Well; because of unbelief they [the Israelites] were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also not spare thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, IF thou continue in His goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. Romans 11:18-22
An unfortunate sign of the times in the church today is the lack of the fear of God. The doctrine of "once saved, always saved" tends to lead us away from the fear of God.
A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is Mine honour? and if I be a master, where is My fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise My name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised Thy name? Malachi 1:6
So it is today in the church. Some priests (genuine Christian ministers of all types) likewise despise His name. Those ministers are probably sincere and well intentioned. But they have allowed the enemy, or their own flesh, to put a veil over the Truth of God. Solomon, in Ecclesiastes 1:9 said, "There is no new thing under the sun." Human nature has never changed. The same off-center doctrines that surfaced 2000 years ago periodically keep resurfacing from time to time. The only thing different is that they pop up periodically in a new dress (as one good brother so aptly put it many years ago). May God have mercy on us!
Just in case you should say that verse in Malachi is in the Old Testament and no longer applies to us, consider what Peter said by the Holy Ghost,
Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 1 Peter 2:17
We will go into more detail on the fear of God in Volume 4 of this series.
Chapter 4: Baptism in Water
John the Baptist said,
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after Me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. Matthew 3:11
Jesus was baptized in water by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. The Jordan River represents a place of inheritance, a place to cross over from the old to the new, a place of transition.
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14 But John forbade Him, saying, I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me?
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him. Matthew 3:13-15
The question now arises as to what Jesus meant when He said, "for thus it becometh US to fulfill all righteousness." John said that he baptized with water unto repentance. True repentance necessitates the humility to admit and to confess our sin, but Jesus obviously knew no sin. When Jesus said "US" we believe He was referring to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is the same "US" that we read about in Genesis.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Genesis 1:26
So when Jesus said, "for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness," He was referring to fulfilling the plan and purpose of God. What was that plan and purpose? Jesus fulfilled the law,
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:4
In His baptism, Jesus identified Himself with the search of men for God. When Jesus was baptized He was identifying Himself with the men He came to save, in the hour of their new consciousness of their own sin, and of their search for God. Jesus identified with man in every way. This fact is critical for our understanding of baptism in water. Jesus identified with man in every way so that we might identify with HIM in every way. Jesus said,
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16
Does this mean that unless you are baptized in water then you are not saved? NO!!! What if a man is saved on his deathbed but has no time to be baptized in water?
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:13
We are baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ ... the church. Do you really believe that a little H2O (water) is required to save someone and that the dynamite power of the Holy Spirit cannot save someone without the application of water? So what does Mark 16:16 mean? What we see in Mark 16:16 is, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." The scripture does NOT say, "baptized in water." Man, in his carnal mind, has included the words "in water." Man always tries to pull the significance of scripture down to his own level, rather than seeking to rise up to the level of the Spirit. Similarly in what is usually called, the "great commission,"
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 28:18-19
We do not see anything in that commandment of the Lord to baptize them in water. The verse just says, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Jesus never baptized any one in water (John 4:2). The apostle Paul likewise did not see anything in the great commission that says we should baptize them in water. Paul said, speaking of being baptized in water,
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 1 Corinthians 1:17
Christians actually argue whether we should baptize new believers in water (1) in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost or (2) only in the name of the Lord Jesus. Do you really think that the specific words that the minister says when you are baptized in water makes a difference in your life? Philip understood "the great commission" in the same way that Paul did.
12 But when they [the people of Samaria] believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized [in water], both men and women.
16 (For as yet He [the Holy Spirit] was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Acts 8:12, 16
Does this mean that we should NOT be baptized in water? Of course not!!! Every believer, if physically possible, SHOULD be baptized in water. It is true that being baptized in water is an act of obedience. However, being baptized in water is MUCH more than just being obedient to the word. It is an external sign and confirmation to others as well as to our self that we have identified in our heart with the death and resurrection of Jesus. The word "baptism" means to "immerse" or "dip." When we are fully immersed (NOT sprinkled) under the water we are identifying ourselves fully with the death of Jesus. When we come up out of the water, we are identifying with His resurrection.
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?
4 Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:3-4
We have said above what we believe Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:16 do NOT mean. If that be true, then what do those verses actually mean?
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 28:19
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Mark 16:16
First of all let us remember that the word "baptize" means to immerse, to dip, or to make fully wet. In Matthew 28:19, "baptizing them in the name ..." should more accurately be translated "baptizing into ..." The Greek word translated as "in" is the word "eis," which means "into." Please note also that the word "name" (singular) is used, NOT "names." I believe there are only three entities in scripture into which men were (are) baptized. The first is Moses.
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.
1 Corinthians 10:1-2
So the Jews were baptized unto Moses. The word "unto" is the same Greek word "eis." So we should more accurately translate that verse as they were "all baptized INTO" Moses. Moses stands for the law. So being baptized unto, or into, Moses means being immersed into the law. The law then becomes your way of life.
The second entity into which men were baptized was John the Baptist, who represents a transition between law and grace. Scripture is very clear that John baptized in water unto repentance ... to prepare the way of the Lord.
John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. Acts 19:4
The third baptism is that recorded in Matthew 28:19, baptizing into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. This means, as Jesus said, "teaching all nations" and immersing them into the Name of the Lord. So Acts 28:19 means we are to teach all nations, immersing them into the Name of the Lord, into the Person of the Lord, into His life, into His truth, into His ways. The Lord becomes our life. His thoughts are to become our thoughts. His will is to become our will. His words are to become our words. His ways are to become our ways. We are to be completely immersed into HIM!
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
John 1:17
So the Jews were baptized into Moses (the law), then were baptized by John the Baptist into repentance, and finally baptized (fully immersed) into the Name of the Lord (grace and truth). It is by teaching all nations (on our part) and the revelation and power of the Holy Spirit (on His part) that we immerse them into the grace and truth of our Lord.
Please also note that the Apostle Paul decries any other baptism in his first letter to the Church at Corinth.
12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in [INTO, the Greek word is “eis”] the name of Paul?
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
1 Corinthians 1:12-15
The Lord says, Woe to those pastors who baptize (immerse) His people into their own name (character, nature, or doctrine). Now let us examine once more the word in Mark.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Mark 16:16
Again, we believe the Entity that verse refers to into which we should be baptized is the Name (Person) of the Lord. The words "shall be saved" is future tense, NOT present tense. Please remember our previous discussion in Chapter 3 of "we are saved, we are being saved, and we will be saved" IF we hold fast unto the end.
One final word about baptism in general: Scripture speaks about being baptized in water, being baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire. Others have talked about a baptism of suffering and a baptism of love. Please consider the following verses.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Ephesians 4:4-6
Clearly, these verses say there is only ONE baptism! So is this talking about being baptized in water? or in the Holy Spirit? or what? There is no discrepancy here and no confusion. The problem lies solely in our carnal minds. The one baptism refers to HIS (Jesus') baptism, NOT our baptism. Most doctrinal errors arise when we try to interpret scripture from OUR perspective, as it relates to us, independent of Jesus. This is why many Christians, when they are baptized in water, simply get wet. They do not see the centrality and supremacy of the Lord Jesus Christ. They have not seen that the one baptism is His baptism. When we are baptized in water, we are identifying with HIS death and resurrection, the one baptism.
Chapter 5: Pentecost
A. To the Natural Jew
There are three major Jewish feasts (seven in all), as recorded in Exodus 23:14-17 and Deuteronomy 16: the Feast of Unleavened Bread or Passover; the Feast of Harvest (or Weeks or First-fruits or Pentecost); and the Feast of In-gathering (or Tabernacles). To the natural Jew, Pentecost is the fiftieth day after the Feast of the Passover. Originally, the Feast of Harvest was the time when the first fruits of the corn (actually wheat) harvest, the last Palestinian crop to ripen, were formally dedicated. Leviticus 23:15-21 prescribes the sacred nature of the holiday and lists the appropriate sacrifices. Numbers 28 appears to be a supplementary list, prescribing offerings apart from those connected with the preservation of the two ritual loaves, made from the first fruits of the wheat harvest, and leavened (in contrast to the unleavened bread of the Passover). Until the pentecostal loaves were offered, the produce of the harvest could not be eaten, nor could any other first fruits be offered. This fact has significant meaning for the spiritual Jew.
B. To the Spiritual Jew
Paul said,
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Romans 2:28-29
6 For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. Romans 9:6-8
John the Baptist said,
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Matthew 3:11
The above verse clearly states that there is a difference between being baptized in water and being baptized with the Holy Spirit. In addition, the Feast of Passover corresponds to being born again and Pentecost corresponds to being baptized in the Holy Spirit. It is important to note that AFTER the resurrection of Jesus but BEFORE His ascension, the disciples were "born again." They accepted His resurrection.
And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: John 20:22
The clear implication is that the disciples did, in fact, receive the Holy Spirit (in some measure) at that time. That statement will be explained in Chapter 6: Receive Ye The Holy Ghost. Later, Jesus confirmed the words of John the Baptist.
4 And, being assembled together with them, [Jesus] commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of Me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. Acts 1:4-5
In verse 4, above, the promise of the Father is the Holy Spirit, as proclaimed by Jesus in the gospel of John.
16 And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. John 14:16-17
This word was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. The events of Acts 2 transformed the Jewish festival into a Christian reality.
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 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
So Christians today speak of being filled with the Holy Spirit or being baptized (immersed) in or into the Holy Spirit.
Many years ago the Lord gave me an analogy of the difference between receiving the Holy Ghost (being born again) and being baptized by Jesus with, or in, or into the Holy Ghost. The analogy is that of a sponge. Any sponge, by its natural composition can hold a certain amount of water. It then reaches its saturation point, after which if we try to introduce one more drop of water into the sponge, then one drop will have to come out. It becomes saturated with water. But then we could take that fully saturated sponge and immerse it into a container of water, much larger than itself. So the sponge, full of water (being born again) is immersed into water greater than itself (or baptized into the Holy Spirit). Peaceful water, when used as a type in scripture, refers to the Holy Spirit.
C. Purpose of Being Baptized in the Holy Spirit
There are several major reasons behind God's plan for us to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. The first is to enable us to BECOME what the Lord wants us to be.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8
Here, just before His ascension, Jesus declares what MUST be considered a major reason for being baptized in the Holy Spirit ... to enable us to have the power to BE witnesses unto HIM! The word "witness" can also be translated as "martyr." So the baptism in the Holy Spirit gives us the power to be a martyr ... the power to die to our self. Note that the verse does NOT say that we shall have the power to SPEAK or DO a witness to other PEOPLE! There is nothing wrong with speaking or doing (provided it is prompted by the Holy Spirit). But please note that if necessary, the Lord can speak through a jackass or through stones.
And He [Jesus] answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. Luke 19:40
The Lord desires for us to BECOME ... to have the fullness of Christ formed within us! Without the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, this transformation is not possible.
Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6
It is crucial to see that the Lord is NOT going to bring revival to our human flesh. The flesh must be crucified with Christ. There is NOTHING about the old man or the flesh that will be redeemed. We are NEW creatures in Christ, filled with His Holy Spirit, empowered by His Holy Spirit to become sons of God and joint heirs through Christ!
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, father.
Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Galatians 4:6-7
The Greek word that is translated as “power” in Acts 1:8 is "dunamis," from which we get the word "dynamite." This is an explosive power unequalled by any nuclear weapon. Paul said,
For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 1 Corinthians 4:20
A second major purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is to prepare us for the age to come. This is a topic that Christians rarely hear about. For those believers who sincerely desire to enter into the fullness of the Christian walk, the baptism in the Holy Spirit is undoubtedly the greatest single help that God has provided. Without receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit, we can only TRY to be good, TRY to do the right thing, etc. In other words the power of God to live a victorious life is missing in our life.
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost.
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world [or age] to come ... Hebrews 6:4-5
So the baptism in the Holy Spirit allows us to have a foretaste of power and glory divine! Through the baptism in the Holy Spirit, the Christian believer begins to experience right NOW, in a measure, the supernatural power reserved for its full manifestation in the world or age to come!
D. Results of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
There are numerous results of being baptized in the Holy Spirit:
(1) a new spiritual perception of the Lord Himself
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me. John 15:26
He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you.
John 16:14
Moreover, the baptism in the Holy Spirit constitutes direct, personal evidence and assurance that our risen Lord has been both exalted and glorified at the Father's right hand.
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He [Christ] hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. Acts 2:33
(2) a new perception of spiritual warfare
An example of this is when Jesus was led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, in Matthew 1:1-11. Also,
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
(3) a new understanding and anointing of the scriptures
12 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
13 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come. John 16:12-13
Consider also the account of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:27-40. The eunuch was reading from Isaiah the prophet. When Philip asked the eunuch if he understood what he was reading, the eunuch replied, in Acts 8:31, "How can I, except some man should guide me?"
I remember the very first time that the Holy Spirit revealed to me directly, not through a person or a book, the meaning of a passage of scripture. It was in Matthew 5:13-16. I got so excited that I called another brother and ran over to his house to share what the Spirit had just revealed to me. When I related the same truth to another elder in our house church, that elder expressed surprise (and possibly unbelief) that the Holy Spirit could have revealed the meaning of any scripture to anyone directly.
(4) a seal or protection
Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for the meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give unto you: for Him hath God the Father sealed. John 6:27
Now He which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22
In the 1970s, through a sequence of events that I do not care to put into print at this time, two men came to our area from outside "churches." Hindsight, their purpose in coming was threefold: (1) to establish one of their "churches" in the Washington, DC, area; (2) to ordain me as an elder in their new "church"; and (3) to control me. They succeeded in their first objective but NOT in the latter two objectives. When I say, "control" me, I mean that literally. Although the great majority of the people in their "churches" were genuine, loving Christians, some at the top of their hierarchy were not so nice. They had a spirit of control, which had progressed to the demonic realm. There is another word for man controlling man. It is called "witchcraft." The leaders never allowed or encouraged the people to learn to hear the voice of the Lord for themselves. Their "church" organization was designed to instill fear in the members if anyone dared not to accept any word from an elder or pastor. So when I did not accept 100% of what some of their leaders prophesied over me, I got on their "blacklist" and was considered to be in total rebellion. The Holy Spirit quickened to me every word and action that had transpired on their part. It was as if I had been transported by the Spirit to listen to all of their conversation and scheming. I could tell you exactly who said what.
About a year or so later, I received a phone call that their top leader was going to be in the Washington, DC, area. I was invited to attend the meeting. Immediately, the Spirit quickened to me what had happened. Their leaders had decided to give me one last chance to repent and join up with them. In other words they still wanted to control me. Well I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to actually go to that meeting, but I also did two other things. First, I asked another elder, who had a ministry of deliverance, to go with me. He agreed. Second, I privately asked the Lord to protect me with a wall of fire as I went to that meeting.
I will not go into all of the details of what happened at that meeting. However, the top leader spoke from the book of Haggai. It just so "happened" that a few weeks prior to that the Lord had woke me up early (about 3 a.m.) one Sunday morning and told me to get up and go downstairs and read the "restoration" books ... Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah etc. Well the Lord sovereignly opened up much scripture to me that morning. The Lord also spoke to me the most powerful word I have ever heard in my life, before or since. I will not go into that here. However, the Lord DID reveal to me the significance of the very verses in Haggai that their number one man spoke about, PRIOR to him preaching on those verses. He had the interpretation of the verses in Haggai 100% wrong! His main point was that we should prophesy and "move on God." Brethren, it DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY!!! That is strictly a humanistic approach. God moves on us! We can only react to God's actions.
The second major event of that meeting was that I could feel a wall of fire surrounding me, protecting me. That wall of fire was as real to me as the chair I sat on. Would you believe there is a scripture that says exactly what I experienced?
For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. Zechariah 2:5
Needless to say, that scripture became a living reality to me and within me! Is the Holy Spirit our Protector? YES!!!
(5) a new and more excellent way to pray
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27
(6) a new language: speaking in tongues
We are fully aware that many Christian groups do not accept "speaking in tongues" as being valid for today. Some of these non-believers quote 1 Corinthians 13:8 and 10 which says, in effect, that tongues is in part and that which is in part shall cease when that which is perfect is come. So, they argue, since Jesus has already come and Jesus is perfect, there are no more tongues. The same argument, if we read 1 Corinthians 13:8, will throw out prophecies and knowledge as also being outdated. I am not sure how such believers explain a myriad of scriptures, such as when Paul told the church at Corinth,
15 I will pray with the Spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the Spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. ...
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 1 Corinthians 14:15, 18
The scriptures in Acts 2:4, Acts 4:31, Acts 10:44-48, and Acts 19:1-6 clearly state that they were all baptized in the Holy Spirit and they all spoke in tongues. The same is true for the account in Acts 8:14-17, even though the scripture does not explicitly say that they spoke in tongues. Acts 8:17 states that they received the Holy Ghost. How did Peter and John know that the people at Samaria received the Holy Ghost unless they in fact did speak in tongues?
Other believers say that tongues ceased after the first generation of believers in the early church, as recorded in the book of Acts, died. But historically numerous incidents have been recorded of some Christians speaking in tongues at numerous different geographical locations and at various time periods.
(7) a holy boldness
Before the day of Pentecost, the disciples not only had very little understanding, they also were weak in the faith (at best). When Jesus was crucified, ALL of the disciples forsook Him and fled!
And they all forsook Him and fled. Mark 14:50
What a transformation came upon them after Pentecost! At Thessalonica, the Jews which believed not said, concerning Paul and Silas,
These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also. Acts 17:6
Have you, as a Christian, whether singly or in a group, turned the world upside down yet???
E. Aspects of Speaking in Tongues
(1) for personal use
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself ... 1 Corinthians 14:2, 4
(2) to edify the church (assembly of believers)
Paul says that this use of speaking in tongues should be accompanied by interpretation.
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.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest. 1 Corinthians 14:5, 13, 16
From our personal experience in a New Testament house church for 12 years, when a message in tongues is given for the whole congregation, what usually follows is a prophecy, which most believers assume is the interpretation of the message. However, since "he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God" (1 Corinthians 14:2), scripture indicates that the interpretation of the message in tongues should ALSO be speaking unto God, and normally in the form of praise and exaltation. Prophecy, in contrast, is God speaking unto men.
(3) as a sign to unbelievers
Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: 1 Corinthians 14:22
On the day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2, Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven were assembled in Jerusalem.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
8 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying to one another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans?
11 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. Acts 2:6-8, 11
F. To Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
According to the book of Acts there are three principal ways by which the baptism in the Holy Spirit is received. These three are still in effect:
(1) through obedience of faith
And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him. Acts 5:32
(2) through the ministry of the Word
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Acts 10:44-46
And as I [Peter] began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Acts 11:15
(3) through the laying on of the apostles’ hands
Then laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Acts 8:17
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
2 He [Paul] 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.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 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.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:2-6
In November of 1967, about 3 months after the Lord had sovereignly apprehended me, I rode in a car from our home in Springfield, Virginia, to Waynesboro, Virginia, to participate in a Lay Witness Mission in a Methodist Church. (A Lay Witness Mission was a weekend visit of a "team" of believers who simply gave their testimony of how the Lord had apprehended them.) The driver of the car was a man named Lyman, who had been walking with the Lord and had been baptized in the Holy Spirit for some number of years. This was the same Lyman I referenced in Volume 2 of this series. He had a real pastor's heart. As we were driving the three hours to that church, I asked Lyman if the baptism in the Holy Spirit was something that I should desire/receive. He never answered my question. Hindsight, that was wisdom on his part. I was not prepared at that point in time (but I WAS prepared a few weeks later). I also discovered a verse which said that I SHOULD desire to speak in tongues.
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
1 Corinthians 14:1
Since speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 12:10), we should DESIRE that gift.
So now, how do I prepare myself to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit? First of all I believe we must see a NEED to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Then I must DESIRE to receive. My grandmother once wrote in her Bible, Lord let me create hunger in their hearts, for until they hunger they cannot be fed. What a word of wisdom!!! The next step is to ASK the Lord to baptize you in the Holy Spirit, for Jesus is the One who baptizes you in the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). And the last step is to RECEIVE by faith. Just lift up your hands and praise and thank the Lord in whatever language or utterance He gives you. Jesus gave this pattern to his disciples.
5 And He said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? [NEED and DESIRE]
7 And he from within shall answer and say, trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. [ASK]
10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. [RECEIVE]
11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:5-13
Another verse that clearly reveals that we receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit by faith is the following.
He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Galatians 3:5
We find the same pattern (see a need, ask, receive by faith) recorded in 1 Kings 3:5-14 concerning Solomon. God said to Solomon, "Ask what I shall give thee" (1 Kings 3:5). Solomon, in his humility (at that time), recognized his inability. Therefore Solomon asked for an understanding heart to be able to judge the people, that he might be able to discern between good and bad.
Please note the following two facts very carefully. First, a person cannot of his OWN power minister the Holy Spirit to any one he chooses. When the human vessel is ready to receive, a person who has faith for this particular ministry may minister the Spirit through the laying on of hands.
Second, we need to be very careful that we do not make the letter of the Bible the end-all of the matter. There are FAR too many Christians who are looking for some "magic formula" when it comes to Christianity. Many books have been written that talk about "how to be born again," "how to be healed," and on and on. Too many Christians are looking for a quick and easy solution to their problems or a simple 1-2-3 set of steps to do in order to obtain something for ME. Many years ago I participated in a Lay Witness Mission in Chester, Pennsylvania. In a small group meeting, one local church member, a middle-aged woman, openly expressed her spiritual need. What immediately came to my mind was to read to her the verses in Romans.
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10
Almost immediately, I was checked in my spirit. The Lord spoke to me that HE HIMSELF has a part in a person being born again. It is not simply a mechanical or ritualistic act. The end of that specific incident was very blessed. For the Lord revealed to me the sincerity of that woman's desire to be born again. I was prompted to ask her to tell me (and the others in the group) her current relationship to Jesus Christ. She immediately broke down, started crying, and sobbed, "I am NO WHERE." My immediate response was, "Before you leave this room you WILL be somewhere. You will have a sweet relationship with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ." And she DID!
The point of the above is that the Lord Himself can baptize you in the Holy Spirit ... all by Himself!!! He does NOT have to use a human vessel (although we suspect that in most cases another person IS used). From our experience we have found that the Lord can do MANY things all by Himself, particularly if we get out of the way and let Him work.
Now, is it possible to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and NOT speak in tongues? Yes, at least for some time period. How do we know? Because it happened to both my wife and to me. Three men prayed for me and laid hands on me to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Within a few minutes, my lips were quivering. One of the men said that I could speak in tongues any time I wanted to. But I did not speak in tongues at that point. Why? Because I had never received any teaching about the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and I expected someone or something to open my mouth and speak through me. It doesn't work that way.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4
Note the last part of that verse: As the Spirit gave them utterance. So by FAITH we open our mouth and speak sounds, unknown words to us. We do the speaking but it is the Holy Spirit who gives us the sounds or words.
Finally, some Christians probably look at speaking in tongues as being something "silly" or perhaps only the result of some emotional fervor. When I was a faithful, church-going Methodist (but not a born-again believer), I heard about a married couple in the Methodist church we attended who were doing "funny things" like speaking in tongues. I got MAD!!! I think I felt more anger at that time than at any point in my life! I told my wife, "If they want to do funny things like that, they should get out of the church!" Well about three months later the Lord sovereignly apprehended me. Very shortly after that I was doing the same "funny things" like speaking in tongues. When God designed the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues, He knew what He was doing! We need to submit ourselves totally to the Lord.
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:8
Therefore, submitting our tongue to the Lord (using our tongue only for HIS purposes) seems to be the last sign of our total submission to Him.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him [Jesus], and given Him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
Note "every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." We tend to interpret that verse (and many more) in the NATURAL realm; i.e. that every PERSON should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. I would not argue with that interpretation, but we need to expand our understanding and see the SPIRITUAL significance of scripture. When we speak in tongues, we exalt and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. We desire to receive any and EVERY gift that God has for us. To reject any gift from God seems to be a tragedy!
Chapter 6: Receive Ye The Holy Ghost
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7
Note that in the above verse, man did NOT have a choice. We do not have a choice as to who our parents are. Man was created in the image of God, after the likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). When God created Adam and placed him in the garden of Eden, Adam was innocent and sinless, but NOT "in Christ." He had not partaken of the tree of life. Adam only had created life. He did not possess the uncreated, divine life of God. Divine life cannot be created. It can only be shared through a living union with the Creator. The counterpart of that verse in the New Testament is,
20 And when He had so said, he shewed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: John 20:20-22
Today, of course, we still do not have a choice of the origin of our natural life, but we DO have a choice as to whether we receive the Holy Ghost. To partake of the life of Christ, we MUST be born again. We must receive the Holy Spirit, except this time by our own free will or choice.
The question now arises, perhaps, as to WHEN do we receive the Holy Spirit? Does this occur when we are born again or, as others say, when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit? The answer is YES! Why should we believe that only ONE of these alternatives could be true? First, let us look at some scriptures pertaining to Jesus.
21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened.
22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him, and a voice from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased. Luke 3:21-22
And Jesus, being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness being forty days tempted of the devil. Luke 4:1-2
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee ... Luke 4:14
When Jesus walked the earth, after His baptism and after being tempted in the wilderness, God dwelt within Him by the power of the Holy Ghost. This is the same power that created the heaven and the earth ... the same dynamite power that allowed Jesus to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils, and perform all manner of miracles.
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him. Acts 10:38
For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him. John 3:34
According to what is written in scripture, Jesus never performed a miracle, never healed a sick person, never preached a sermon, never walked on water, never calmed the sea, never raised the dead, never saved a sinner, and never called a disciple until AFTER He was filled with the Holy Ghost. Note "God giveth NOT the Spirit by measure unto Him [Jesus]" (John 3:34). The word "measure" can also be translated as a "limited portion" or a "limited degree." This, as we will see shortly, is a major difference between Jesus and us. When Jesus walked the earth He was both God AND man. He still IS both.
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 1 Timothy 2:5
Jesus said,
The Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works. John 14:10
How did the Father dwell in Jesus? The same way that He dwells in us, by the Holy Ghost. Later, after He had shed His blood on the cross, was dead and buried, Jesus rose again, by the power of God. With His death and resurrection, Jesus became our Savior and Redeemer.
Now let us look at some scriptures pertaining to us. Our purpose now is to see what it means for us to receive the Holy Ghost.
And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost. John 20:22
Jesus spoke the above words to His disciples AFTER His death and resurrection. The word "receive" can also be translated as "accept." There is NOTHING in the word translated "receive" in that verse that indicates "some time in the future." We see NO way that verse can be interpreted to mean "receive ye the Holy Ghost after forty seven days on the day of Pentecost." When Jesus told His disciples to "receive ye the Holy Ghost," we MUST believe that they DID receive or accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Redeemer. On THAT day, the disciples confessed with their mouths the Lord Jesus and they believed in their hearts that God had raised Him from the dead. Two more scriptures that appear to confirm this are,
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19
Paul wrote this to the church at Corinth. The church, of course, consists of all genuine, born-again believers in Jesus Christ. We have no way of knowing for sure, but it seems highly probable that there were members of the church at Corinth who had not, at that time, been baptized in the Holy Spirit. Paul, however, makes no distinction in the above verse. Paul does NOT say that "your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you" ONLY if you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. Similarly,
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38
There is NO reference in scripture, concerning the 3000 who were added to the church on the day of Pentecost, that any of them spoke in tongues that day (although we assume that most of them did).
Now let us look at some scriptures that seem to indicate something different.
2 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.
6 And when Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came upon them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. Acts 19:2, 6
Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. John 16:13
16 And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. John 14:16-17
And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:49
Once more, we ask the question, do we receive the Holy Ghost when we are born again? or when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit? Our answer is still YES. Both are true. How is it possible for the Holy Spirit to reside within multitudes of believers at the same time? We do not know. Neither do you. Of course there is only one Holy Ghost. How is it possible to receive only part of the Holy Spirit at one time and another part at another time? We do not know. Neither do you. But instead of thinking in terms of receiving the Holy Ghost in parcels, a little here and a little bit more later, let us think of "receiving the Holy Ghost" from MAN's perspective. Let us also think of receiving in terms of accepting or appropriating. A number of years ago I heard one good brother give his testimony. He said that before he was baptized in the Holy Spirit, he was like a man who wore three different hats, depending upon the situation. He wore one hat to work for his colleagues to see. He wore another hat in "church" meetings, where he was "supposed" to look and act more "spiritual." And he wore yet another hat when he was at home with his family. At some point in his life, the Spirit convicted him that he should wear only ONE hat. He became a changed man.
Therefore, we conclude that we receive the Holy Ghost in such measure that we are willing to receive Him, accept Him, and appropriate Him in our life.
Let me paraphrase (and add somewhat) from a little booklet, written in 1954 by J.A. Dennis, entitled, "The Holy Spirit."
The one Holy Ghost has different offices. He brings different blessings, depending upon the believer's stage of surrender and faith to receive. The Holy Ghost is a Gentleman, however. He will come in and occupy ONLY that area of our lives which is willingly surrendered to Him.
His FIRST office is to convict us of sin and draw us to Jesus. "And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:8).
The Holy Spirit comes into the believer's heart, when he turns from his sin and accepts Christ as his Savior.
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16
When the sinner yields to the wooing of the Holy Spirit and accepts Jesus as his savior, he surrenders his self-sufficiency and cries out for help and a savior. God then blesses him with forgiveness, a new heart, a new hope, and new life in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit, in corresponding measure, comes into him.
The same Holy Ghost urges the Christian to turn from his carnality and let "the very God of peace sanctify you wholly" (1 Thessalonians 5:23). "Being sanctified by the Holy Ghost" (Romans 15:16)
Therefore, when the Christian lays down his will at the feet of Jesus and dedicates his life to the service of our Lord, the Holy Ghost is enabled to take over another important area of the believer's life, and to pour out an added blessing upon him. God always rewards every surrender with a corresponding blessing. The greater the surrender, the greater the blessing.
When the hungry soul surrenders the last fortress of self, reason, tongue, and body to the will and rule of God, the Holy Spirit can take over complete control of the believer's life and actions, and can really possess the temple of man. The mind, the tongue, and the body are the last things over which a person wished to relinquish control. But when he finally yields, when he agrees, by faith, to "receive" the Holy Ghost and His rule over mind, body, and tongue, then, and only then, can the Holy Ghost rule in the way that God desires to rule our lives. Then the Lord becomes our Master, our Lord, and our King. That is really RECEIVING the Holy Ghost. Anything less is only partial surrender to Him.
The Holy Spirit blesses us at conversion, at sanctification, at dedication, and those blessings are so wonderful that many believers think that is all there is to "receiving" the Holy Ghost. But when we are baptized with the Holy Ghost, the Spirit is not only in us, but we are in Him, immersed in Him. We are then "full of the Holy Ghost" (Luke 4:1).
Dennis, in his booklet entitled "The Holy Spirit," gives an excellent analogy of this increasing acceptance (receiving) of the Holy Ghost.
“An invading army, landing on foreign soil, takes over one after another the fortresses and strongholds of the defending forces. The conquering general is "in" the country but the country and its inhabitants have not "received" him. Instead, they have stubbornly resisted him. But when either through choice or necessity, the people of the land throw down their arms and acknowledge the invader as their king, he takes over the rule of the country. He has dominion. He has been welcomed. He has been accepted or "received." He is in full charge.”
Many years ago, a good brother in the Lord shared a small nugget of gold with me. He tried to emphasize to me the great significance of being baptized in the Holy Spirit. He said that someone had told him that the pope was baptized in the Holy Spirit. He said that he certainly had no objection whatsoever to ANYONE being baptized in the Holy Spirit ... quite the contrary. But, he said, if the pope were baptized in the Holy Spirit, he could no longer be pope. He would have to give up his earthly power and title because of his new enlightenment and conviction. My friend emphasized that being baptized in the Holy Spirit is a POWERFUL event in our life. Today, of course, the world has tried to belittle, or cheapen being "born again." Those words are used by the world in many different areas. Is it possible that we have likewise belittled or cheapened the event of "being baptized in the Holy Spirit?"
In addition, we must remember that it IS possible to misuse the gift of the Holy Spirit. All we have to do to accept that as truth is to look at the Church at Corinth.
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Romans 11:29
In other words, once we have received a gift from God, He will not take that gift back (although WE can reject any gift from God).
Finally, earlier we mentioned the verse in John 3:34, where "God giveth NOT the Spirit by measure unto Him [Jesus]." This is NOT the same for us.
21 Now He which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
22 Who also hath sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22
The above verse indicates that God has given to us the EARNEST of the Spirit in our hearts. The word "earnest," according to Strong's Concordance, means "a pledge" or "part of the purchase-money or property given in advance as security for the rest."
At what point, then, do we receive MORE than the earnest of the Spirit? Will there come a time when God "giveth not the measure of the Spirit" to us? We believe the answer is YES! But ONLY if we qualify ... only if we allow the Lord to be Lord of EVERY aspect of our lives. In addition, God has a timetable for such a time. We believe it is called "the manifestation of the sons of God" (Romans 8:19). Has that time already occurred? We don't think so, although some relatively small number of believers may have come close.
Chapter 7: After Pentecost, What Then?
After we acknowledge Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and have been baptized in water and after we have been baptized by Jesus into the Holy Ghost, we are in the race for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. We are then equipped to become that which God desires for us to become.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14
The above scripture, of course, refers to Jesus. But that verse also expresses the will of the Father for us as believers in Christ. The Word must also become flesh within us ... Christ in you the hope of glory!
Many years ago I found myself drawing the following diagram.
So after Pentecost, what then?
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit. Hebrews 6:1-3
Please note the last three words ... IF GOD PERMIT! Our walk as a Christian is NOT automatic. We are completely dependent upon God at every step of the way. Does this mean that we have no responsibility in the maturity process after Pentecost? Of course not! Paul said,
31 I die daily.
34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not ... 1 Corinthians 15:31, 34
When Paul said, "I die daily," he meant, of course, die to self, die to my will. In other words, I have to make a conscious decision in my life every time I am confronted with the possibility of sin. Just because I have received the power to lead a life as an overcomer does not guarantee that I WILL be an overcomer in every situation. He must increase but I must decrease. Consider one final scripture which clearly states that we must make a conscious decision by our will.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Romans 6:11-13
Chapter 8: Vision
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18
Where there is no vision, the people perish. We could add that where there is little or a small vision, the people are weak and sickly.
In Old Testament times God raised up prophets to speak His word to the people. When the prophets spoke, it was largely (but not altogether) a word of correction. Have you ever noticed the first verse in five of the books of the so-called "minor" prophets? Five, of course, symbolizes the grace of God. So it was, and is, the grace of God to raise up prophets to SEE and hear a word from the Lord and to warn His people. The Lord also used the Old Testament prophets, at times, to speak a word of comfort or encouragement to His people. The book of Isaiah has many such words of comfort.
The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jereboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. Amos 1:1
The vision of Obadiah ... Obadiah 1:1
The word of the Lord that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. Micah 1:1
The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. Nahum 1:1
The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. Habakkuk 1:1
So five of these minor prophets were allowed by the Lord to SEE something that the Lord wanted them to convey to His people.
(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.) 1 Samuel 9:9
Many years ago I heard a minister of quite some maturity comment on the following verses. When I say "quite some maturity," I mean that I have personally seen the Lord use that man many times in a marvelous way.
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, Whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds; Hebrews 1:1-2
That minister implied very strongly (although he did not bluntly so state) that prophets were only for Old Testament times. We did not agree then and we do not agree now. One good scriptural basis is in Ephesians.
11 And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Ephesians 4:11-13
Verse 13 definitely has not yet been fulfilled. Therefore all of those five ministries are still available to man. If there are no longer apostles and prophets, then there are likewise no longer pastors and teachers. Christians still argue whether Verse 11 speaks of four ministries or five ministries. We believe the answer is “five.” Whereas all pastors should be “apt to teach,” (1 Timothy 3:2), not every teacher is likewise capable of functioning as a pastor. How do I know? Because I have personally known a very good teacher who never could function as a pastor, although he tried for many years.
Many years ago I also heard another minister of national reputation (and an excellent teacher) say, "If the Bible did not say, Despise not prophesyings (1 Thessalonians 5:20), then I would despise prophesyings." Probably what BOTH men were trying to say is that they had seen some misuse (at least in THEIR minds) of prophetic gifts and ministries. To that we would certainly agree. HOWEVER, even though we have progressed far in the realms of natural education and technology, HUMAN NATURE HAS NEVER CHANGED. I remember my grandfather telling me when I was a little boy that "wherever you go, people are just people." How true! I am reasonably certain that during the decline and apostasy of the tribes of Israel and Judah (which we find repeated over and over again in the Old Testament), the people almost NEVER believed that they were in apostasy. Therefore when the Lord sent them a prophet to jolt them out of their erroneous ways, the prophet was generally rejected, frequently jailed, and occasionally even killed. This was also true in New Testament times. John the Baptist was beheaded for speaking the truth. Jesus Christ was crucified for speaking and BEING the Truth. Has anything changed today? NO!!! Is the church in a decline or apostasy today? In my opinion, yes. Why? Because of a lack of vision! Where there is NO vision, the people perish. Where there is little or a small vision, the people are weak and sickly. I am the first to agree that, "God hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son." But the scripture does NOT say that, "God hath in these last days spoken unto us ONLY by His Son." God speaks to us in a multitude of ways. The problem is in our vision and our hearing. One of the major functions of a prophet is to help to expand and enlarge the vision of the people. Does that mean that a prophet is someone special? NO! It means that a person with the ministry of a prophet (which is quite different from the gift of prophecy) has been allowed to see more of God's ways ... has been granted, by His grace, a higher vision than other members of the body. For what purpose? To help to encourage other members of the body to come up higher. The prophet Isaiah speaks about "the burden of the valley of vision" (Isaiah 22:1). When you are in a valley, you cannot see too much. We need to rise up to the mountaintop to see more of the Lord and His ways.
Before proceeding further, we need to state very clearly what vision refers to.
2 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie; though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
4 Behold his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:2-4
"The Vision" is the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. "Make it plain upon tables" speaks of tables of the heart, so we are to have the reality of Jesus Christ written upon our hearts. "The just shall live by his faith" again speaks about Jesus. Jesus is the ONLY Just One! Jesus is also the first great Person of Faith. Every "vision" must relate to the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ and to His ways, His purposes, and His plan for each one of us. There is a song called, Be Thou My Vision. The title and the words of that song are very appropriate.
John the Baptist, speaking about Jesus, said,
He [Christ] must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30
Far too many times I have heard mature ministers quote that scripture backwards and say, "I must decrease but He must increase." The order of scripture is significant. I can decrease and still not allow Christ within me to increase. But if He increases within me, then by necessity I must decrease. Not my will but thy will be done, oh Lord. My wife loves to work in the yard, with shrubs, plants, flowers, trees, and grass. The Lord has given her many revelations about our Christian walk from analogies in the yard. One such revelation she received had to do with how to keep the lawn (grass) healthy and get rid of weeds. We need to concentrate on feeding the roots of the grass because strong healthy grass will choke out the weeds. We don't need to concentrate on the weeds themselves. Likewise if we concentrate on the increase of Christ within, then the acts of the old nature will decrease. Before the Lord apprehended me, I liked to play golf and I liked to play the card game of bridge. I was quite good at both. Then the Lord apprehended me. I did not "give up" anything. I just found that there were other things I enjoyed more, like reading the Bible, going to believers' meetings, worshipping the Lord, etc. So in terms of my desires, He increased and I decreased.
A number of years ago as I was reading Isaiah 6, I "heard" a new and different interpretation of the first verse.
In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple. Isaiah 6:1
At that point in time I had read that verse probably 30 times, as a minimum. But on that day, I found myself reading that verse as follows:
In the year that king SELF died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple. Isaiah 6:1
Now "Uzziah" does NOT mean "self." But sometimes the Holy Spirit has a way of putting into context some things that normally are not in context. In any event, the latter interpretation is a good one. The very essence and basis of sin is to put self in the preeminent place of God. Sin is when a man worships himself instead of God. Whenever "king self" dies we can see the Lord high and lifted up.
Vision and hearing are twins which go together in many scriptures. In almost all of these scriptures, vision comes before hearing. This is also true in the natural realm. We SEE lightning before we hear the associated sound. If a supersonic jet aircraft passes overhead, we SEE the plane before we hear the sonic boom. The speed of light is much faster than the speed of sound.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.
1 Corinthians 2:9
When Paul was apprehended on the road to Damascus,
3 ... and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? Acts 9:3-5
Here again we see that vision precedes hearing. Jesus had the same experience. He SAW the Spirit of God descending upon Him and then He HEARD a voice from heaven.
16 And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him.
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:16-17
I have searched the scriptures rather carefully and I have found only one place where hearing seems to come before seeing, where Paul tells the saints at Philippi,
Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:9
Why is the order in this one verse exactly reversed from all of the others? In all of the other verses vision precedes hearing. Then if you go back to the beginning of this chapter and re-check the complete diagram that the Lord gave me, everything starts with the Word of God, then vision and hearing, then faith and obedience, then righteousness and holiness, and finally the Word becomes flesh within us. The order is that way because that order reflects REVELATION from the Spirit of God to us and within us ... how the word becomes flesh. But Paul in Philippians 4:9 speaks of the way of true TEACHING ... from man to man, not revelation from the Spirit. So Paul starts with those things which the Philippians have learned. This represents Paul's personal interpretation of the gospel. We learn from good teachers before revelation of the Spirit sheds light in our hearts. Paul then speaks of the things that the Philippians have received in the way of accepted doctrine and teachings. But Paul goes further than that. He tells the Philippians to do those things that they have heard and seen in him. Unfortunately, there is a real lack of teachers and preachers today when it comes to Paul's last point. For many years we have maintained that good teachers are a dime a dozen. Those teachers who PRACTICE what they preach are much more rare. A good teacher must demonstrate in action in his daily life the truth which he expresses in words. Now we know that NO man is perfect. When all we see of a teacher is his teaching ability in a formal meeting of believers, we tend to put that man on a pedestal. How does his life measure up in the day-to-day activities, particularly when things do not seem to go right for him? That is the true test.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:20
I have never been overly impressed by what a person "knows." What impresses me is who they ARE or who they have BECOME. That requires much more effort. For thirteen years I taught computer-related courses at a small university in Arlington, Virginia. One of my additional requirements was to attend what was called "faculty council" meetings, which consisted of well over 100 faculty and administrators, almost all of whom had a Ph.D. degree. Some of those meetings were rather frustrating. Many times I was on the verge of obtaining the floor and saying, "for a bunch of Ph.D.'s who are supposed to be quite intelligent, you sure are acting like a bunch of 6-year old kids, arguing over who gets to use the little red wagon." I am happy to say, however, that I exercised patience and restraint and sat quietly without opening my mouth.
Although vision is necessary, it is not sufficient. Secular research has proven that a stimulus from two or more of our natural senses reinforces learning. (Secular research can only verify the truth of God.) Therefore God has provided for us to have not only spiritual eyes to see but also spiritual ears to hear.
Chapter 9: Hearing
The Lost Art of Hearing the Voice of the Lord
In early Bible times Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and many others heard the voice of the Lord for themselves. They did not have the benefit of a Bible, Bible commentaries, good Christian books, or wonderful pastors and teachers to help to guide them. They had to depend upon what the Lord told them. The Bible does not explicitly state HOW they heard or in what form His voice was communicated.
Please note that AFTER the fall of man, the disobedience of Eve (first) and Adam in the garden, Adam and Eve still heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden.
8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.
9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
10 And he said, I heard Thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. Genesis 3:8-10
So Adam and Eve were conscious that they had sinned, but there is no evidence from scripture that they were repentant of their disobedience. They were undoubtedly overwhelmed by the severity of their sentence, but expressed no sorrow for their sin of disobedience. There was no plea for pardon or expression of sorrow or regret. We will not speculate on what MIGHT have happened if they HAD expressed repentance. However scripture clearly indicates that man in his natural state can still hear the voice of the Lord. Abraham and Moses are prime examples of this fact.
We know that the Lord had given Abraham a preview of events in his family's future up to the point of their possession of the land which He had promised.
And He said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years. Genesis 15:13
Also,
Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. Exodus 12:40
And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. Galatians 3:17
The ONLY conflict between the 400 years of Genesis 15:13 and the 430 years of Exodus 12:40 and Galatians 3:17 is in our carnal minds. We do not want to speculate as to WHY there appears to be a discrepancy in years, when in fact NO discrepancy exists. We do not have a specific word from the Lord concerning the difference of 30 years. However, if we read the scriptures more carefully, we see that the children of Israel SOJOURNED in Egypt for 430 years but were AFFLICTED 400 years. In other words, there were 30 years of NO affliction. Those 30 years probably occurred during the time period between Exodus 1:6-7 and Exodus 1:8-14.
6 And Joseph died, and all of his brethren, and all that generation.
7 And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased
abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. Exodus 1:6-7
In Exodus 1:8-14, a new king, who knew not Joseph, arose over Egypt, and began to afflict the children of Israel.
23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of their bondage.
24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.
Exodus 2:23-25
Why did it take the children of Israel 400 years before they cried out to God? It seems to be part of human nature for us to complain about all of our circumstances. Unfortunately, our circumstances have to get to be quite difficult before we will look up and ask the Lord for His help. But as soon as our hearts are turned toward the Lord and we cry out to Him, the Lord, in His great grace and mercy, answers us. Thank you Lord! How much easier it would be if we could learn to call upon the Lord even in our "good" times! There are numerous scriptures that speak of the Lord answering us when we call upon Him.
Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3
Note, however that the word "call" means a heart cry from our innermost being. But God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).
And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24
When Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea (Exodus 15) the people murmured against Moses when they had no water to drink.
And he [Moses] cried unto the Lord ... Exodus 15:25
Why did the Israelites murmur against Moses rather than crying out to the Lord? Undoubtedly because of their self-centeredness and their lack of understanding of the ways of the Lord. They had quickly forgotten what a mighty God they (and we) serve.
He made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel.
Psalms 103:7
When the Lord provided water in the wilderness the children of Israel once more saw His acts. Then,
And [the Lord] said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and will give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. Exodus 15:26
However, the children of Israel continued their murmurings. So we see in scripture a gradual decline of hearing the voice of the Lord.
4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto Myself.
5 Now, therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine.
6 And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the Lord commanded him.
8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord.
9 And the Lord said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the Lord. Exodus 19:4-9
What presumption! All of the people said, "All that the Lord hath spoken we will do." Shortly after their declaration,
18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood far off.
19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. Exodus 20:18-19
The Lord honored their request. Hearing the voice of the Lord for ones self became a lost art. It remains so, in general, even today. Most denominational churches and even "charismatic" mega-churches hire pastors to hear what the Lord is saying and to tell the people. The spirit of Balaam (ministering for money) runs rampant throughout the church today! Further, this "division" between clergy and laity was NEVER what God intended for His people! In two places in Revelation, Chapter 2, the Lord says that He hates the deeds and the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which means, "people conquerors." In many "churches" today, the pastor wears a distinctive robe to make sure the people know that he is clergy, rather than laity. Furthermore, if churches want to hire a pastor and support that ministry, why not support the ministry of an intercessor? or a prophet? or any other ministry?
Scripture also seems to indicate that there is no excuse for not hearing the voice of the Lord. Jeremiah said, in Jeremiah 25:3-4,
3 From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that is the three and twentieth year, the word of the Lord hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened.
4 And the Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear.
So Jeremiah spoke to them faithfully for ten years, to no avail. No wonder Jeremiah felt frustrated! He said,
7 O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: Thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.
8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the Lord was made a reproach unto me, and a derision daily.
9 Then I said, I will not make mention of Him, nor speak any more in His name. But His word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. Jeremiah 20:7-9
In addition, we are without excuse when it comes to vision.
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Romans 1:19-20
Why has hearing the voice of the Lord become a lost art? for a variety of reasons: lack of understanding the ways of the Lord and self-centeredness are certainly two such reasons. We also have hardened our hearts.
7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear His voice,
8 harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: ... ) Hebrews 3:7-8
In addition, Christians have become rather lazy, being inundated with good Christian books, Bible commentaries, and good Bible teachers. To hear the voice of the Lord for yourself takes more individual effort. It also takes a right spirit. Many Christians are not willing to pay that price.
B. The Importance of Hearing the Voice of the Lord
When it comes to our personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the most important word that any Christian minister could ever impart to a new believer in the Christian faith is "how to hear the voice of the Lord for yourself." This is an area that I personally struggled with for a few years after the Lord sovereignly and dramatically apprehended me. I do not recall anyone who ever provided me with any word on how to hear the voice of the Lord for myself.
I used to sit in church services, have a word come into my mind, and then sit there wondering whether or not that was just my fleshly, carnal mind or whether the Spirit of God had brought that word to my mind as a word that I should share with the other believers present. By and large, I would inevitably "sit on the word," afraid that it might simply be a product of my own, natural mind. I suspect that some other believers have struggled in this same way. How do I know (or even, CAN I know) that the Lord is speaking to me?
I personally believe that when time is no more, the excuse that "my bishop (or elder) told me to do thus and so, or my pastor (or priest) told me to do thus and so" will not be a valid excuse. It is imperative that each believer be able to hear the voice of the Lord for him/herself. Perhaps the best example, from scripture, of the importance of hearing the voice of the Lord, is contained in 1 Samuel, Chapter 3. Hannah had told Eli, the priest, that Samuel, Hannah's son, was to be "lent unto the Lord as long as he (Samuel) lived." And so Eli undoubtedly taught Samuel many things about the priesthood, the law, and all of the Jewish customs and traditions. My Bible contains dates on almost every page for the different events that are recorded in the Bible. If those dates are correct, then Eli taught Samuel for a period of six years. That seems like a long time! Surely in six years, Eli taught Samuel many, many things. But the only thing that is actually recorded in the Bible is that Eli taught Samuel to hear the voice of the Lord for himself. This may have been the most important thing that Eli did in his life. We read in 1 Samuel 3:1 that "the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli." Then,
3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
4 That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
6 And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.
8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.
9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if He call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth. 1 Samuel 3:3-10
Note please that in verse one of this Chapter, Samuel ministered unto the Lord BEFORE he knew the Lord and BEFORE the word of the Lord was revealed unto him. It was a form, a ritual, with no real significance in Samuel's life. Eli undoubtedly taught Samuel many things concerning the law up to that point in time, but NONE of those things are recorded in scripture.
Eli told Samuel that if the Lord called him again, Samuel was to say, "Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth." Note that after the Lord called to Samuel again, Samuel actually said, "Speak; for thy servant heareth." Samuel did not say, "Speak, Lord." After Samuel had told Eli of the vision he had received from the Lord, Eli confirmed, "It is the Lord" (1 Samuel 3:18). More mature ministers today have the same responsibility to confirm (or disconfirm) to younger Christians whether they have heard the voice of the Lord. From that time on, Samuel knew the Lord and knew His voice.
This chapter speaks volumes on the importance of hearing the voice of the Lord. In the seventh year, Samuel started his ministry on earth as one of the major prophets in history. And [the Lord] "did let none of his [Samuel's] words drop to the ground" (1 Samuel 3:19).
Robert Frost wrote a very lovely poem called, "The Road Not Taken." God, of course, is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. God KNOWS what is at the end of EVERY road. We do not. Each one of us makes decisions every day. Most of those decisions are trivial, such as what we should eat for breakfast, what clothes we should wear, etc. Other decisions can greatly affect our lives, such as whom, if anyone we should marry, what job we should take, etc. A major characteristic of decision-making is that we never know what the "other road" would have been like. We must depend upon God. Therefore, since He knows what is best for us at every juncture in our life, we need to hear His voice to guide us in the way that we should walk and trust Him completely.
Now consider this. I believe that the Lord wants us to hear His voice more than we want to hear His voice. Toward that end, I believe that the Lord speaks to us in a variety of different ways. Certainly not everyone has heard the audible voice of the Lord. But He speaks to us through scripture, through other believers, through non-believers, through circumstances, and, I believe, in many other ways. The question is, are we sensitive to whatever way that the Lord speaks to us?
How does a new believer learn to hear the voice of the Lord? First of all, I believe we have to have the right equipment. This means we need to be born again and baptized in (into) the Spirit. We need to have spiritual eyes to see and spiritual ears to hear. In each word to the seven churches, as recorded in Revelation, Chapters 2 and 3, we find these words: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” How do we receive ears to hear His voice? by His grace through faith.
2 And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all His servants, and unto all his land;
3 The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles:
4 Yet the Lord hath not given you a heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day. Deuteronomy 29:2-4
Can God speak to those who do not have this foundation? Of course! God is sovereign. But as a general rule, non-believers do not hear the voice of the Lord. We also need to feed on the written word of God and hide it in our hearts.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee. Psalms 119:11
The Spirit and the Word agree. We need to diligently read the written word and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the meaning of the word. When we believe we have heard a word from the Lord, we should always ask ourselves whether it agrees with the written word of God.
Next, we need the proper motivation. We need to sincerely want to hear the voice of the Lord. Of course, God knows our hearts. He knows when we are sincere. He also knows when we are self-seeking or if we are seeking only to bring glory to God. We must have a right relationship to Him. Closely related to wanting to hear the voice of the Lord is that we need to ask the Lord to show us His will for us, both overall and in individual circumstances that arise. At the same time, we need to use a little common sense. For example, many years ago, my wife told a (Christian) woman who was in our home to feel free to make a sandwich to eat for herself. The woman had indicated that she had not eaten in a great many hours. So the woman, in all sincerity, no doubt, looked up to the ceiling in our kitchen and said, "Lord, should I put the mayonnaise or mustard on the bread first?" Well, we can admire the woman's sincerity, but I doubt that the Lord really cared which of the two the woman put on the bread first. Also, it is rather important that whatever we ask of the Lord should be consistent with the plan and purposes of God as revealed to us at the particular point in time.
Third, we must act in faith. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37:23). We must believe that. We must believe that what we hear is from the Lord. A major way to confirm what we believe we hear is to ask if it is consistent with the written word. Let us look at the place of faith in this whole process. Whenever a word comes to my mind to do something or say something, there are two ways that I can look at the event. I can say to myself (as I did far too many times as a new believer), "well, I better not say or do that because it might just be my carnal mind." That is the negative approach, which I do NOT advocate. On the other hand, I can say, "Lord I accept by faith that you have brought this idea to my mind. Therefore I am going to take one step, by faith, in that direction. If I am wrong, please close the door or make it clear to me in some way that my step is not what you will for me at this point." That is the positive approach, and the one that I DO recommend. Further, as we grow in grace and in the knowledge of Him, we should expect that more and more of our thoughts are actually imparted to us through His Spirit. Psalms 37:4 says, "Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart." There are at least two ways that we could interpret that verse. The egocentric interpretation says that if I desire a new car every year, then the Lord promises to give me my desires (a new car). There are some Christians who actually seem to attach that interpretation to scripture such as this. But the more excellent way to interpret that verse in Psalms is that the Lord will actually implant the desire itself in our hearts. What kind of desires does the Lord want to put into our hearts? Those desires that are consistent with the written word of God; the desire that God may be glorified in all things; the desire that He might be glorified in all that we say, do, and become. Also, please note the condition to "delight thyself also in the Lord." This speaks of our motivation.
In addition, it is a very good idea to confirm (or disconfirm, as the case may be) what you believe you are hearing with another believer whom you believe has some maturity. For a period in my life, there were times that I would deliberately seek out other believers who I thought would be the most likely to disagree or disconfirm that which I believed that I was hearing. If that person confirmed my belief, then I felt on very safe ground in proceeding. The word says "in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established" (2 Corinthians 13:1). When we were very young believers in the house church in our area in the 1970's, the common interpretation of that verse was that if I believed I had heard a word from the Lord then I should have the word confirmed by Tom Smith and Mary Jones (two or three other people). I have no problem with that interpretation for new believers. However I also believe there is a higher interpretation of that scripture. Jesus said,
17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.
18 I am one that bear witness of Myself, and the Father That sent Me beareth witness of Me. John 8:17-18
So the two or three witnesses, IF you can receive it, are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In addition, if you are married, then I STRONGLY suggest that you and your spouse pray about and agree upon any major decisions in your life.
The objective is that each believer needs to be able to hear the voice of the Lord for him/herself. The objective is NOT to hear the voice of the Lord through your pastor, elder, or another believer (although that may well be a stepping stone in your walk). Many years ago I was in Miami, Florida, attending a spiritual conference. The speaker one night said some things which really made a very deep impact on me. Since it was rather late at night I went to bed. Early the next morning I asked to listen to the audiotape that had been recorded from the previous night's meeting. I did not want to "lose" that critical word that I heard the minister share. I played the tape TWICE. The word I was so desirous of hearing again was NOT ON THE TAPE! What I had heard did NOT come through the minister but from the Lord Himself!
Moreover, what the Lord is saying to you may have NO relationship to the words being spoken by the minister. Many years ago I went to a Friday night meeting of believers. The host, an elder in the house church of which we were a part, had invited an elder (who I will call Sam) from another charismatic fellowship to minister the word. Just prior to the time for the teaching, the believers there began to praise and worship the Lord. We were ministering to the Lord as Paul says,
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
1 Corinthian 14:15
The church fellowship of which Sam was a part did not believe in singing with the spirit in public meetings. So he tried his best to cut off our worship of the Lord in the spirit, and finally succeeded. Then he started teaching on the baptism in the Holy Spirit. I looked around the room and wondered why he had chosen that topic because everyone there was already baptized in the Holy Spirit. However, his ATTITUDE was far worse than his topic selection. He obviously was trying to teach us a thing or two. His approach was quite harsh and condescending, and certainly not in the right spirit. He displayed an attitude of, "you guys are all wrong; let me teach you something." The host never interrupted Sam. After he finally stopped his tirade, the host told Sam, "I have heard that your daughter is going to have open heart surgery next Tuesday. May we pray for her now?" Sam agreed, so we all prayed for his daughter. Then the meeting ended. A few days later another elder in the house church of which we were a part called me and asked me what had happened during the Friday night meeting. He said that he was not there but that he had heard many negative reports about the word (and attitude) that was shared that night. I said, "I thought it was one of the best meetings I have ever been to. The visiting minister was indeed out of order in both what he said and how he said it. But what he received in exchange for his tirade was the love of God, when we prayed for his daughter." Evidently almost everyone else at that meeting had only seen the negative, using their natural eyes and ears. But the Lord allowed me to see the REAL teaching going on, which was OUTSTANDING! I heard the Lord during that meeting say,
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew 5:11-12
Allow the Holy Spirit to develop within you a sensitivity to hear His voice through WHATEVER means He may choose. I knew a man many years ago who said that he had heard the voice of the Lord at different times through observing place mats, a man's hat, a man's pants, window blinds, and a dog. Quite a strange variety! But do not limit the Holy One of Israel!
Finally, we must practice this process in order that we may be able to discern the will of God in our lives. The author of the book of Hebrews says that the recipients of that epistle are "dull of hearing" (Hebrews 5:11). The author also says that Christian maturity belongs to "those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Hebrews 5:14). Obviously the senses referred to here are not our natural senses, but rather our spiritual senses. So we need to exercise (practice) our spiritual senses to discern both good and evil. Now even the natural man should be able to discern what is "evil." Almost everyone has heard of the Ten Commandments. Anyone who still has any conscience knows that it is wrong to kill another person or rob a bank. Discerning "good" is not quite so easy. Note that the verse does not say discern between good and evil. The word "both" cannot be translated "between." So what the verse is saying, among other things, is that we need to exercise our spiritual senses to discern the will of God from that which is "good." The natural man simply tries to discern between good and evil. Indeed, that is the only distinction that natural man can make. The natural man still partakes of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but has never partaken of the tree of life (Jesus Christ). "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14). In Genesis 2:17, God told Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of GOOD and evil. The comparison, in verse 9 of that chapter, is between the tree of life on one hand and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
One word of caution, from my personal experience. It is possible to be so fervent and desirous of hearing the voice of the Lord that you can slip over into striving in the flesh. Many years ago my wife, Linda, had a rather serious physical problem. Both my wife and I believed that we knew what the physical problem was. We also believed that the Lord wanted to heal Linda all by Himself. We were very young Christians at that time. A prevalent teaching in the house church of which we were a part at that time was that "in the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word should be confirmed." So we did not want to act on the word that we had personally heard from the Lord without that word being confirmed by two or three other people. We never told anyone what we believed the physical problem to be. I asked numerous people to pray for Linda and see what they heard from the Lord. The only thing I ever told anyone was that Linda had a serious physical condition. I also called a woman who, I believed, had a ministry of healing. During this time period two apostles and one prophet of the Lord happened to be in town at the same time (a rare occurrence). So I asked all three of them to come over to our house one Saturday afternoon. Again I never shared what we believed the specific problem to be. I had assumed that surely one of these three spiritual giants would have a word from the Lord for us. None of them had any such word for us. When they left, I was very angry. I did not understand why none of those men had a word for us. (A few weeks later the Lord revealed to me that He had sovereignly closed their ears and mouths because He wanted me to hear the voice of the Lord for myself.) In addition, I called for the elders of the church (of which I was one) and asked them to come over to our house one evening. Again, I never shared what we believed the specific physical problem to be. After a few minutes the elders anointed Linda with oil in the name of the Lord and pronounced her healed. Isn't that what the word says in the book of James?
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: James 5:14
I did not witness to the action taken by the elders, but I said nothing. So all of the elders went home, having followed the letter of the word (but I believed missed the Spirit). The next day, one of the elders who had been in our home the previous evening called me. He said that he had not witnessed to what the elders had said and done the night before, but he had said nothing because he did not want to create any confusion. However, he continued, that as he was driving over to our house that evening (about a five minute drive), he asked the Lord, "Lord what is wrong with Linda?" He told me that what he heard during those five minutes was that Linda had a cyst on her right ovary (a rather specific word of knowledge). Furthermore he said that the Lord told him that if Linda went to a medical doctor that the Lord would honor that course of action but that the Lord wanted to heal Linda all by Himself. That was PRECISELY the physical problem that we believed existed and it was PRECISELY what we believed we should do about it; i.e., let the Lord heal Linda all by Himself! That is PRECISELY what we did and the Lord PRECISELY healed Linda very quickly all by Himself! From all of the many believers we had contacted, we heard everything from A to Z concerning Linda's physical problem. ONE man heard the word of the Lord.
There is no such thing as instant maturity. Just be patient. Yes, you will make a few mistakes along the way as you practice hearing the voice of the Lord. But do not get discouraged. God looks on our hearts, not on our outward appearance. In addition, we need to remember that God does not speak to us every minute of every day. Years ago I heard a genuine prophet of the Lord say that he did NOT hear from the Lord every day! By practicing hearing the voice of the Lord, one day we wake up and say, "How marvelous it is that the Lord chooses to speak to me directly." He is faithful to those who show themselves full of faith toward Him.
Is hearing sufficient? Hearing the voice of the Lord for yourself is crucial! It is necessary but not sufficient. James says,
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
James 1:22
In other words we must ACT, by faith, on the word that we hear from the Lord.
Chapter 10: Faith
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith IS. In other words, faith is for the present. Faith is a confidence that we already possess. Hope is directed toward the future. "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). Faith deals with things not seen. Faith is NOT based on our physical senses but on the eternal truth of the Word of God. Faith does not require a rational explanation or an educated mind. Jesus, in John 17:17 said, to His Father, "Thy word is truth." Jesus also said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:8
A helmet protects the head. Therefore hope is primarily in the realm of the mind. The breastplate of faith and love protects the heart. Therefore faith is primarily in the realm of the heart. We also know that,
8 For by grace ye are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
True faith causes man to recognize his own limitations. Therefore true faith can exist only in a spirit of true humility. We are saved by grace through faith. We receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit by faith. We open our mouths and prophesy by faith. Every thing we receive from the Lord is by faith. Paul said,
1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Galatians 3:1-3
For many years now a "false faith" doctrine has been widely circulated by many well-intentioned (but wrong) teachers. This false faith movement has also been characterized by a "prosperity gospel." Prosperity is a very popular word to people. Many years ago, one of the major faith teachers (who I will call Sam) publicly commented on the following verse:
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. Acts 3:6
Sam, the faith teacher, stated that Peter was actually a very rich man. When Peter said, Silver and gold have I none, Sam explained that Peter meant that he had left all of his money at home. If you believe that then I have a bridge I want to sell to you. Better still, since a popular verse for the faith teachers is, "you have not because you ask not," why don't you just ask the Lord to GIVE you that bridge? When Jesus and His disciples were at Capernaum, they that received tribute money (fifteen pence per person), asked Peter whether Jesus paid the tribute. When Peter asked Jesus about the tribute money, Jesus said,
Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for Me and thee. Matthew 17:27
Apparently, Peter did not have enough money to pay the tribute. In addition, consider the following (right after the day of Pentecost, but BEFORE Peter and John healed the lame man, in Acts 3:6):
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. Acts 2:44-45
Please note that the verse does NOT say that all except Peter sold their possessions and parted to all men. The Lord not only provides for our every need, He IS our provision!
So what is "wrong" with this popular, faith-prosperity teaching? I believe the root problem is the same as in any off-center doctrine. It focuses on man, a humanistic approach, on OUR faith in God and what we do; rather than on Jesus Christ and what He has already done. It appeals to man and what WE get rather than on Christ and how we can please Him. Yes, there is some truth in the faith teaching. If this off-center doctrine did not sound good, it would never have attracted countless thousands of sincere Christians. However rat poison is 99% pure wheat ... it is the other 1% that gets you! In Luke 17 after Jesus had been teaching his disciples about forgiveness,5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. Luke 17:5-6
Please consider two comments about the above verses. Many years ago my wife asked me to go dig up a small sycamore seedling that was growing too close to our carport shed. A sycamore tree is a variety of a sycamine tree. This particular sycamore seedling was perhaps two and one half feet tall. The diameter of the tree at its widest part was less than one inch. I worked for at least one hour, digging around and below the root level, trying to dig that little tree up. I NEVER succeeded! I finally just sawed it off as close to the ground as possible. Imagine what power it would take to uproot a full-grown sycamore tree! So to SPEAK to a sycamine tree and cause it to be plucked up by the root would take nothing less than the dynamite power of God!
In addition, let us consider the apostles' plea for the Lord to increase their faith. We must remember that at that point in time the apostles did not have the Spirit of God within them. They could think only at the natural level. Jesus COULD have told them, "You have asked for the wrong thing. YOUR faith will NEVER be good enough. It takes the faith of God to do the works of God." However, Jesus knew about their lack of understanding. So he used an analogy of the sycamine tree that they might understand.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20
The above verse says that we live by the faith of Jesus ... by HIS faith, not by our faith in Him. Consider once more the verses in Ephesians:
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Ephesians 4:4-6
So there is ONE faith. What faith is that? It is HIS FAITH ... the faith of Jesus. Hebrews 11 is often called the "faith chapter," because it lists many of the great men (and women) of faith as recorded in the Old Testament. As we noted in Volume 2 of this series, the FIRST Person of great faith was (and is) Jesus Christ.
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Hebrews 11:3
There are numerous scriptures which clearly show that we must live and move and have our being by HIS faith.
And His name through faith in His name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by Him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. Acts 3:16
How important is faith?
Whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Romans 14:23
The writer of the book of Hebrews also answers that question.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
In the King James' authorized version of the Bible, words in italics do not appear in the original Greek from which it was translated. Let us re-state the above verse WITHOUT the italicized words.
But without faith impossible to please: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
The ONLY Person who has ever pleased the Father is His Son, Jesus Christ. God the Father said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17).
Please note that WITHOUT the italics, the last phrase of Hebrews 11:6 reads quite differently. To be specific, I MUST believe that He IS, but I do NOT have to believe that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. It is true that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. He rewards us with more of Himself, more of His faith, more of His love, etc. But I do NOT have to believe He is going to reward me for diligently seeking Him. In other words, I need to diligently seek Him whether or not I ever receive any reward. The difference is one of perspective. Do we follow Christ in order to GET something for ourselves? or simply to please Him with no thought of return for our self? So instead of saying, Lord increase our faith, we SHOULD say, Lord let me appropriate more of YOUR faith which operates within me so that I can please you more fully. How do we accomplish that? By being obedient to the word of faith, which comes by hearing his voice.
So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
Some people seem to interpret that verse as "faith comes by hearing the word of God." Therefore, they say, that we increase our faith by simply reading or quoting the written word over and over. We do not agree. First of all the Greek for "word" in that verse is rhema, which is more than simply the written word ... it is the word quickened to us by the Holy Spirit. Second, those are TWO steps, not one. A number of years ago I was in Omaha, Nebraska, for a few days on business. While I was there I looked in the yellow pages under "churches" and called a few places too inquire about any form of believers' meetings for the few days I would be there. I talked to one pastor, who told me they were having a few Christians over to his house to pray that night and that I would be welcome to attend. I went. They were genuine Christians all right. After the meeting broke up I was the last one to leave except for the pastor and his wife, who lived there. Just before I was about to leave, their telephone rang. The wife answered the phone. From the conversation that I could hear, their grown daughter, who lived in the same town, had accidentally spilled some hot, scalding water on her arms and apparently burned herself rather badly. Her mother's advice to her daughter over the phone was simply to repeat, over and over, "by His stripes I am healed." I groaned in my spirit, but said nothing. However at that point I fervently prayed, silently, for the daughter. That was one of the most passionate prayers I have ever said in my life! Technically, the mother MAY have been correct. Perhaps the mother could even walk in that word for herself (and maybe not). But to legalistically impose your state (or doctrine) in Christ on someone else is a TRAGEDY! We must do MORE than mentally assent and agree to the written word of God.
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all of our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;
Isaiah 64:6
Our faith will never get the job done. HIS faith, working within us can move mountains!
Chapter 11: Obedience
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 2:26
And Samuel said [to Saul], hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22
The above two verses emphasize the importance of obedience in our walk with the Lord. Abraham had faith that God would raise up Isaac after the Lord told him to sacrifice his only son. But Abraham had an ACTIVE faith. He was willing and fully prepared to obey that word form the Lord.
Who or what do we obey? Children are told to obey their parents and servants are told to obey their masters.
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ. Ephesians 6:1, 5
In addition,
Obey them that have the rule over you [or guide you], and submit yourselves. Hebrews 13:17
But if there is any conflict, we must always obey the Lord. We must always be faithful to Him and His word.
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29
And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him. Hebrews 5:9
Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it. John 2:5
Many years ago, my wife and I felt strongly impressed by the Holy Spirit to start a "neighborhood" meeting in our home. We invited many of our neighbors who lived close to us and a few who lived a little farther away. In order not to intimidate any of our neighbors, we described the meeting as a Bible study. Some of our neighbors came to our weekly meeting. Most of those invited did not come. The meeting was small, with about six or seven people plus ourselves, so we could easily fit into our living room. For a number of weeks we talked about the topic of "who is Jesus Christ?" Then we started through the gospel of John. We never completed the gospel of John before the Lord said to stop the meeting, which ran for about eight or nine months. We saw some amazing things happen to those people who attended. Several of them, who had been very nominal Christians, met the reality of the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Two of those people were baptized in the Holy Spirit in their own homes, all by themselves, and no man laid hands on them or prayed for them to receive the baptism. We saw several people receive physical healing. Others were set free from guilt and bondage. It was like we sat back and just watched the Lord work in their lives. All we did was to provide the environment for the Holy Spirit to move.
A few years later, we saw a need within the house church of which we were a part for some foundational Bible teaching. So we decided to repeat our neighborhood Bible study, this time for new members of the house church. We again started with the question of "who is Jesus Christ." And once more we started through the gospel of John. This time, we did not see the results that we had seen in our first neighborhood meeting. What made the difference? Only the Lord knows for sure, but we believe it was because the Holy Spirit said to do it the first time. With the second Bible study, the motivation was because we saw a need. So the motivations for the two meetings were quite different. That which the Lord ordains will always be a huge success. That which we do out of our natural minds, no matter how good our motivation may be, produces wood, hay, and stubble. We were obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit with the first meeting. To obey is better than sacrifice.
Faith and obedience are twins which go together in scripture. When James states that "faith without works is dead," he refers to obedience to the faith. In other words, faith requires some action on our part.
25 Now to Him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. Romans 16:25-26
Obedience is NOT a natural quality. We are certainly NOT born with a tendency toward obedience ... quite the contrary! All you have to do is look at little children. They will pout, cry, and do ANYTHING to get their own way. And when two little children want the same toy ... LOOK OUT!
Whenever we come to know the saving grace of our Lord, we do not automatically take on the nature of obedience. Obedience is a characteristic of both the natural and the spiritual man that must be learned. When a mother tells her young child, "No, no," don't touch the fire or hot oven, the child at first cannot comprehend, because they have never experienced the sensation of burning. The child, unfortunately, must usually learn from a painful experience (or two) to obey the mother. Consider Jesus.
For as by one man's [Adam] disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One [Jesus] shall many be made righteous. Romans 5:19
And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:8
How could it be that Jesus had to learn obedience? Because He came to earth as a man. He had to experientially learn obedience as a man.
God has chosen suffering as a major avenue whereby we may learn obedience and become an overcomer.
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
10 For it became Him, for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2:9-10
Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered. Hebrews 5:8
Jesus learned obedience by the things which He suffered. If that were true of Jesus, how much more true is that for us! Peter has much to say about the suffering which we as Christians are called upon to endure. However,
I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
The next time that you find yourself in a difficult time of trial and suffering, remember that the sufferings which you endure do not come anywhere near the suffering that our Lord went through on our behalf. Just praise the Lord and thank Him that He has counted you worthy to suffer in His name. Allow the Spirit to teach you obedience. Allow the Lord to make you an overcomer.
Chapter 12: Righteousness
By definition, righteousness is the state of being right with God or just, a quality of rightness or justness. The man who is righteous is the man who is in a right relationship with God and whose life shows it. The Jews had sought to solve the problem of righteousness by strict obedience to the law. Paul had tried that way himself, and it had resulted in frustration and defeat, because no man on earth can ever fully obey the law. The law lays down what man must do; the gospel lays down what God has done. The trouble with law has always been that it can diagnose the trouble but it cannot affect a cure. Law shows man where he has gone wrong but does not help him to AVOID going wrong. Once more we see that man's attempt to attain to righteousness is completely inadequate.
All of our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: Romans 3:10
The supreme problem of life is, How can a man get into a right relationship with God? Here we see the simplicity of the gospel ... the simplicity that is in Christ. For the Lord Himself is our righteousness. Only the Lord Jesus Christ is righteous in the eyes of the Father. The important thing is NOT what we can do for God, but what God has done for us.
5 Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
6 In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is the name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Jeremiah 23:5-6
This word is confirmed by Paul in the New Testament.
But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30
We enter into the righteousness of Christ when we accept by faith Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. In other words the ONLY basis for our righteousness is that we are in Christ.
21 But now, the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets.
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Romans 3:21-26
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Romans 10:4
For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:10
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God through faith. Philippians 3:8-9
Please note that we are righteous through the faith of Christ, through HIS faith. If we are in Christ, we are righteous because of HIS faith, not because of our faith.
Righteousness is a characteristic which results from our obedience to the faith. The first occurrence of righteousness in scripture is in Genesis, with respect to Noah.
22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.
1 And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. Genesis 6:22-7:1
The second occurrence of righteousness relates to Abraham.
And he [Abram] believed in the Lord, and He counted it to him for righteousness. Genesis 15:6
Here again, if we read the context of what has preceded, Abram had likewise been obedient to the faith. It was much more than just a mental assent. The real Jew is the man who has made the same decision of complete, unconditional yieldedness to God in loving faith which Abraham made. Another scripture which relates obedience to righteousness is
O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea. Isaiah 48:18
Righteousness is directly related to the title of this Volume: A Sure Foundation.
As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation. Proverbs 10:25
Righteousness is a quality of the nature of God that should be greatly desired.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
Now what is the result or the effect of righteousness?
And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. Isaiah 32:17
He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. Matthew 10:41
What is a righteous man's reward? and what is a prophet's reward? To answer that question let us look at a scripture in Romans.
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Romans 14:17
As we have just seen in Isaiah 32:17, the reward of a righteous man is peace. The reward of a prophet is joy in the Holy Ghost. The Lord told Moses,
The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto Him ye shall hearken. Deuteronomy 18:15
All of the priests and Levites knew about this prophecy given to Moses. They knew that a great prophet was to arise. They asked John the Baptist who he was, saying,
And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. John 1:21
Jesus Christ, of course, was, and is, that Great Prophet and the ultimate Prophet. He was also characterized by great joy. We also know that
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Finally, righteousness is not only for the present, but also for the future, provided we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end (Hebrews 3:6). Paul told Timothy,
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Chapter 13: Holiness
Scripture is quite clear of the relationship of righteousness to holiness.
I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
Romans 6:19
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Romans 6:22
True holiness consists in conformity to the nature and will of God. Note that only God is Holy, whence the name Holy Spirit. The word "holy" is applied in scripture to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who is infinitely holy above all creatures. God is the fountain of all holiness and purity. Numerous scriptures, mostly in the Old Testament, speak of the Holy One of Israel.
Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. Isaiah 12:6
So will I make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel; and I will not let them pollute My name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. Ezekiel 39:7
Even the unclean spirits know about the holiness of Jesus.
23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of Israel.
Mark 1:23-24
We as Christians are called to this same holiness ... the holiness of God. Indeed, under the old covenant, God called on man to be holy.
Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord am Holy. Leviticus 19:2
Note that this is a commandment under the old covenant (law) to which no man could attain. But under the new covenant (grace) this word becomes a promise. It is by the holiness of Jesus Christ, and we being found in Him, that we can be reckoned as being holy.
For God hath not called us to uncleanness, but unto holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4:7
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. 2 Corinthians 7:1
Our holiness is not of ourselves, however.
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? Acts 3:12
Please note that man still has free will. So the Christian must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Jesus. We must CHOOSE to deny our will and say, as did Jesus, "not my will but thy will be done, oh Lord." Just in case we stray a little bit from time to time, the Lord has provided ways for us to get back into His will.
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the father of spirits, and live?
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness. Hebrews 12:9-10
Therefore,
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14
Chapter 14: And The Word Became Flesh
The objective is NOT to hear some nice, polished sermon or teaching. The Lord's objective for us is that the Word become flesh within us ... "Christ in you, the hope of glory."
A number of years ago in a gathering of the believers in our area, a visiting minister of the Lord asked us to read together, out loud, the first chapter of 2 Peter. We went around the room and each person read a verse. Then the visiting minister asked us what we had heard through those verses. Several people commented on several verses, but I had heard nothing new or different from the previous 50 or so times I had read that chapter. I decided to go back and re-read the entire chapter while others were commenting. When I read (silently) verses 18-20, one word just jumped off the page.
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with Him in the holy mount.
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 2 Peter 1:18-20
The word that I saw for the first time was the word "UNTIL." Most Christians believe that the "more sure word of prophecy" mentioned in verse 19 refers to scripture, as indicated by verse 20. So scripture is "more sure" than our hearing the voice of the Lord because any of us can, at times, miss hearing the voice of the Lord or misinterpret what we hear. So verse 19 says we should "take heed" to scripture "as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, UNTIL the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts." In other words, UNTIL that word becomes flesh in our hearts. Does that mean that AFTER that word becomes flesh within us that we no longer take heed to scripture? NO! The difference is one of perspective and motivation. I STILL take heed to scripture, NOT because it is written in scripture, but rather because it is written on my heart ... that word has become flesh within me. That word has become supernaturally "natural" to me. I obey the word as easily as I have learned to walk or drive a car or any simple, natural event.
So by seeing the Word of the Lord, hearing His voice, being obedient by faith, and allowing His righteousness and holiness to be made manifest within me that the word becomes flesh in some area of my life. The process then repeats for another area of our life. The end of this process is,
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2
Chapter 15: Come Up Higher
The Lord always wants to challenge His people. Whatever our vision of the Lord is, it is too small! The Lord says to His people,
2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;
3 For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. Isaiah 54:2-3
8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. Revelation 4:1
Jesus prayed,
Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me: for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24
Can we all agree that Jesus ALWAYS prayed in the will of the Father? He prayed that we might be with Him where He is. Where is Jesus now? Exalted and glorified at the right hand of the Father.
How many times have you heard Spirit-filled Christians pray to the effect of, "Lord come down and heal my brother or sister?" Anyone who prays that kind of prayer may be very sincere but needs to go back and review the basic principles of Christianity. We don't want to pull Christ down to where we are. He wants us to rise up to where He is!
Within the realm of genuine, born-again believers, a wide range exists in terms of conduct and experience. This range of professing Christians can be characterized by Gideon's army, as recorded in Judges, Chapters 6-7. Gideon started with 32,000 men, chosen to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. (The word "Midian" means strife, contention, discord, brawling, or a contest. "Gideon" means warrior.) All 32,000 represent genuine Christians. The Lord told Gideon that 32,000 was too many for the Lord to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel get puffed up and think that victory was won by their own hands. The Lord told Gideon to separate whoever was fearful and afraid, and 22,000 returned, leaving 10,000. These 10,000 represent those Christians who are baptized in the Holy Spirit. What happened to the 22,000 who returned? Scripture does not tell us specifically. However, those 22,000, or roughly TWO-THIRDS of all Christians represent those genuine believers who have not received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. They go back to their nice, comfortable, decent, respectable lives. They meet regularly for worship in their large comfortable church buildings, they sing nice songs, listen to nice sermons from polished pastors every Sunday. They cause no problems, arouse no opposition, make no waves, have nice church programs to satisfy all of the people, and strive to keep everybody happy and keep the money coming in. BUT! they also make NO IMPACT. Ignorance and indifference prevail and they never see the power of God at work. They never know what they have missed! Did God bless them? Yes, to a degree.
A number of years ago one of our neighbors called me and asked me if I would like to meet with him and several other men who lived in our area for Christian fellowship. I accepted. All of the other five men were members of a denominational church, one Baptist and the rest Methodists. I had no reason to believe that they were baptized in the Holy Spirit although the Lord DID open the door for me to share many things with them. We met weekly, right across the street from where we live. During one of our meetings, one man said, very joyfully, "Boy, everything in my life is going great! It can't get any better than this!" I did not comment openly but I thought to myself, "How sad!"
What happened to the 10,000, who represent those Christians who are baptized in the Holy Spirit? Well, the Lord told Gideon that those 10,000 were still too many. So the Lord gave Gideon another test which pared down Gideon's army to the final 300, and the 9,700 who did not pass the test (or did not qualify) turned back. What happened to those 9,700 men? Well they had nice charismatic services, they built mega-churches, had the finest of the fine in terms of material surroundings. They clapped their hands, danced and shouted to the Lord, had great programs and millions of dollars coming in to their treasuries. They quickly learned all of the "right" words to say. The shouted Hallelujah and praise the Lord! They said, "Isn’t this wonderful!" BUT! they never knew the real work of God! They never knew what happened to the 300 who went on with God. Did God bless them? Yes, to a degree. The Lord told Gideon that by those 300 men He would deliver them from the Midianites. Three hundred represents a tenth of a tenth ... a tithe of a tithe ... one percent of the original.
And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house. Nehemiah 10:38
Please note that under the Old Covenant, in the time of Nehemiah, that a tithe of a tithe (in the natural, material level) was brought into the natural, physical treasure house. This speaks prophetically of the end times, when a tithe of the tithe spiritually shall be brought unto the spiritual house of our God, into the spiritual treasure house. Hallelujah!
The 300 men were those whom the Lord actually used to conquer the Midianites. These 300 men represent the overcomers, the Joseph company, the man child, the remnant, the sons of God, those believers who will participate in these end times in the real work of God. Let us go back and see the battle plan that the Lord had for Gideon and those 300 men. Each man had a trumpet in his right hand, a pitcher in his left hand, and lamps within the pitchers. Please note that NO mention is made in scripture that they had swords or any natural weapons of war. They surrounded the camp of the Midianites one night when it was very dark. At Gideon's signal, all 300 men broke the pitchers, which allowed the lamps to be suddenly seen, blew the trumpets, and shouted, "The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon" (Judges 7:16-20). The Midianites slew one another, cried, and fled. Gideon and his army of 300 then pursued after and cleaned up the rest of the enemy. Trumpets are used to herald the coming of a king. In the forthcoming Gideon's army, the tithe of the tithe will blow trumpets to signal the coming of The Great King, even Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. The significance of the sudden revealing of the lamps inside of the pitchers is described in scripture.
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. Romans 8:19
The word "manifestation" can more descriptively be translated "unveiling." So at the Lord's timing, the pitchers will be broken and the lamps will shine forth ... the sons of God will be revealed or manifested or unveiled, just as a Master Craftsman removes a covering to unveil His work of art.
Note please, that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a necessary, but not sufficient, step toward joining Gideon's army. The Church at Corinth all experienced the baptism in the Holy Spirit and had every spiritual gift in operation (1 Corinthians 1:7). Please also note that the Church at Corinth was filled with contention, strife, discord, and confusion in the assemblies. What is this? the MIDIANITES!!! Paul calls them carnal and not at all ready to participate in the real work of God. Now, what work do these 300 do besides engage in spiritual warfare? Part of their work is described in Revelation, Chapter 12.
1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne.
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and three score days.
Revelation 12:1-6
The woman in the above scriptures represents Christ, which includes the body of Christ, the real church. The man child represents the overcomers, the Joseph company, the tithe of the tithe, Gideon's army of 300 who have been prepared by the Lord to minister to the rest of the body in the wilderness. But there is more. The 300 will have been ostracized, persecuted, and branded as fanatics by the charismatic 9,700 who went back. But God worked compassion and real agape love in the hearts of the 300 to the extent that they, in the end times, returned love to the very Christians who had persecuted them.
Now, just in case there are any of you who are somewhat skeptical concerning the existence of the Midianites in our Christian churches today, please consider this. Many long years ago I heard a brother say that there were more than 500 denominations in the Protestant churches. Only the Lord knows how many there are today. That does not include all of the charismatic "house churches." Back in the 1970s the pastor of a fairly large charismatic church in our area wrote, IN PRINT (I saw it with my own natural eyes), that the house church of which we were a part was satanic. Why did he say that? He stated, in writing, it was because we had never made any attempt to build a physical church building. His "proof" was the scripture,
Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord. Haggai 2:8
Well that man must be highly pleased with charismatic groups today. Each group seems to strive to build bigger and better mega-churches, complete with gymnasiums, libraries, cafeterias, and anything you can think of to make the members happy, each such edifice to the tune of countless millions of dollars. Now just in case you don't see anything "wrong" with that approach, please consider this. In Genesis 11, the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. They were all together. They decided to build a city and a tower (whose top may reach unto heaven) at Babel so they could all be one. They planned a mega-city and a mega-tower. (Incidentally, I believe that the large church spires that we see today came from the same spirit that inspired this tower of Babel.) We know, of course, that the Lord scattered them and confounded their language. The same thing happened with the church at Jerusalem in Acts. There were about 3,000 added to the church at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, and another 5,000 soon after, as recorded in Acts 4. So added to the original 120, plus multitudes more (Acts 5:14), the church at Jerusalem probably had at least 10,000 believers. I am sure they all dearly loved to sit and listen to Peter, James, and John preach. So they rivaled, or exceeded, most modern-day mega-churches in numbers. What happened? The Lord sovereignly arranged for a great persecution to arise against the church (Acts 8:1) and they were all scattered abroad, preaching Christ. Dearly beloved, you CANNOT exercise your gifts and ministries in an assembly that large. It is NOT God's plan for you to sit and warm a pew! There is a real place for kindergarten for little toddlers. They get to color in nice coloring books and partake of nice cookies and juice. But the error is in staying there forever.
Many, if not most, denominations and charismatic house churches claim that all of the Bible is true and that they adhere to everything in the Bible. Some say they are Baptists, others are Methodists, and on and on and on. Some churches deny the existence of some of the spiritual gifts today, yet still claim to be perfectly scriptural in their doctrine. Many of these same churches actively support the "ecumenical" movement. If you had a dollar for each of the carnal, fleshly attempts by well-intentioned Christians to "join up" with each other or to become "as one," you would be a rich person today. I have news for you! The church will NEVER be united as one through the efforts of man!
Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6
If we as Christians would spend more time allowing the Spirit to break us and mold us into the image of Christ, rather than arguing about doctrine and trying to bring about unity in the body of Christ, we would soon see some fantastic results!
And so once more, the Lord speaks to His people to "come up higher." There is nothing about the Christian walk that is static in nature.
Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3
A few years ago, a good brother in the Lord shared with me a provocative statement, which I acknowledge as truth. He said that from his awareness, there are quite a number of "older" men (for example, 65 or older) who have something to say to the church today. But, he continued, as he travels and observes, he does not see "younger" men moving up to take their place. His vision, a good one, is to provide solid impartation to a select number of younger men (selected by the Spirit of God) concerning the ways of the Lord. This would not be just another Bible school but a school of the Spirit ... designed to prepare younger ministries for the difficult end times that are upon us.
Consider the scripture about the transfiguration of Jesus.
2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into a high mountain apart by themselves: and He was transfigured before them.
3 And His raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
4 And there appeared unto them Elijah and Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. Mark 9:2-4
Please go back and re-read those last three verses and see the relationship between those scriptures and the vision that my good brother has. Let us consider only ONE aspect about Moses.
1 And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.
2 And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him [Moses] that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. Exodus 2:1-2
In like manner, the Lord has been "hiding" a company of men who shall come forth in these latter days to be a company of deliverers for the church.
And saviors [or deliverers] shall come up on Mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the Lord's. Obadiah 21
Now what about Elijah? We will go into great detail about Elijah in Volume 4, but for now consider that the Lord is raising up a company of people with the spirit of Elijah.
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Malachi 4:5
That great and dreadful day of the Lord has not yet come. So there is an Elijah yet to come. Let us consider, again, only ONE feature concerning Elijah. When Elijah began his ministry, Ahab was the king, or ruler, of Israel. I think it is fair to say that Israel was in a state of apostasy at that time, with much Baal worship.
And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? 1 Kings 18:17
This will be repeated yet once more in the end times. The Lord is raising up an Elijah company that will "trouble" Israel. As the church rolls merrily along in many off-center doctrines, "nice" meetings, all of the things we see in the Midianites, and all of the things we see in the 31,700 of Gideon's original army of 32,000 men who "went back," the Elijah company will, at God's appointed time, "trouble" all Israel.
Let us return to the transfiguration account in Mark 9:2-4, for there is a parallel of those scriptures with the end times. And after six days (6,000 years???), Jesus taketh with him a select number of men (Peter, James, and John), and was transfigured before them (manifestation of the sons of God???). And the Lord raised up Elijah and Moses to minister once again.
Finally, the Lord says to His people:
Where are the men of God, where are the men of God? Know you not that this is a time of building, of preparation? Where are those who labor and travail in intercession that the men of God might come forth? For as soon as Zion travails, she shall bring forth her children. Where are they who spend time with the Lord, that spend time before His word that they may eat it and devour it, that they may speak His word forth in a time of trouble? Where are the men of God who seek His will? to hear His voice? to know His ways? Where are the men of God that will speak forth, for the Lord does call upon you even now. Where are the men of God who will stand forth and proclaim the word of God among His people? Know you, oh chosen ones of God that the Lord has given you the power and the strength of His might, that He is with you, that your stand before Him is honored in His presence, and that He is faithful unto His word. Hearken unto the calling that the Lord has given unto you. Know for a certainty that He has given you the power to fulfill that ministry to which you have been called. Refrain from holding back. Refrain from desiring to seek the pride of self. Let His name be proclaimed from your lips, for the Lord will inhabit your words. Prepare the way of the Lord. He will move as you speak His words so that the Lord may create in this place that which He is bringing about. Know that perilous times are coming, but the Lord is your Provision in times of trouble. Remember the law of Moses, the servant of the Lord, which God commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, with the judgments and statutes. Remember Elijah, who shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest the Lord come and smite the earth with a curse. So speak forth oh man of God, speak forth in the name of the Lord ... that the men of the earth may repent and return unto the Lord.
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