FOCUSING ON THE GIFT OF THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT….  

At the initial work of the Holy Spirit upon the re-birth of the spirit there is then a very great distinction made between the two natures within a man. Those two natures are the spirit/pneuma (now with eternal life from God) and the flesh/fallen nature. This pneuma being Divine-Nature born, which “doth not commit sin” (1st John 3:9,5:18) in contrast to the flesh/old nature, which “…cannot but sin..” The flesh is at “…enmity with God. It is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be.” [Romans 8:7] Whereas the spirit is of God and would always do that which pleases God. It contends with the selfish flesh that always is contrary and resists the pneuma/spirit. The Believer will not always do the good that the spirit nature would have him do, nor, thank God, will he always or even often yield to what the evil, old nature would have him do.What is born of the spirit is spirit and will always be spirit, what is born of the flesh is flesh and will always be flesh. There is no change in either, nor will there ever be. 

Now to be merely born-again in spirit is not all that is required…. 

What the blood is now to the human body “life”, the spirit of a man is to be to the heavenly body, “life” So it is that Christ humbled Himself, coming from a glorious Heavenly Body, being born of a virgin mother, then being that sinless offering, He gave up His human’s life Blood, which required (as all men) His spirit to go to God who gave it, that He might receive again His spirit back in Resurrection. And upon resurrection, to experience far more than with just eternal “life”, but to be full of glorious life. And in so doing, He became the First Born from the dead; the Second Adam. That new life-giving Spiritual Being, Who in the power of His Resurrection, gives spirit life. (That which answers to the first Adam’s physical power in his giving life in the power of procreation.) And that by the Holy Spirit to our spirit, then the regenerated spirit/pneuma is the vehicle into the spiritual life to be lived here on the earth in the likeness of its Giver. That has the further promise of a glory-filled life in resurrection in the next life.  All Christians being born again in the power of His spirit/Spirit are called to the spiritual First-Born rights. All are regenerated in spirit alike. It is then after the regeneration of justification in Christ’s Righteousness that there is the Scriptural declaration of a further work in sanctification that all Christians are then called to. This is that which the baptism into the power of the Holy Spirit has in view.  

The baptismal medium of water, typed in the redemption of Israel into the Red Sea is reflective of a Christian having that initial redemptive work of the Holy Spirit in the rebirth of their spirit. (“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…And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” [1st Corinthians 10:1,2] “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body….” [1st Corinthians 12:13] Being then translated out of the kingdom of satan, they are declared a citizen in the new nation of the New Man. (Ephesians 2:15) The further baptism of the consecration of Aaron and his sons is the shadow of the necessary further work in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. (See Leviticus 8:6… “And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.”) That further baptism is that which only begun at Pentecost, to overcome and cleanse from the flesh, unto that priesthood as it did in Aaron’s type, as an effective witness for Christ. (*Clearly a meaning also of Christ’s ceremonial foot washing of the feet of His Disciples in John 13:6-10.) 

Now Scripturally, not all those being baptized into the Body of Christ, the Nation of the New Man, are guaranteed of priesthood intimacy. Note that this is so in the example of the birth of the nation of Israel having just coming out of Egypt. In that though the Word of God’s promise of privilege of priesthood was given to all Israel, not all were….“Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me from among all peoples: for all the earth is mine: 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”. [Exodus 19:3-6] For through unfaithfulness of the vast majority of the children of Israel, only the Tribe of Levi was allowed the high honor of priesthood. In the same like manner has “Jesus Christ….washed (loosed) us (all) from our sins in his own blood, And hath made (appointed) us kings and priests (the privilege of royal priesthood, the heavenly calling) unto God and his Father…” [Revelation 1:6] But He exhorts us in that only the Overcomer amongst us will attain unto that royal priesthood in the heavenly place. (Revelation 2&3 with 1st Corinthians 10:12)   

“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: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” [Matthew 3:11-12] Jesus is the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit. 

Acts 1:5… “And, being assembled together with them, 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. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not — many days hence.” 

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come…..And they were all filled with pneuma hagion….and began to speak with other tongues, as the pneuma gave them utterance.” [Acts 2:1-4]  

IN PETER’S SCRIPTURAL EXPLANATION of what was then occurring upon the Jewish Disciples of Christ, he said “…this is that…” which the Prophet Joel prophesied would happen in the End Times concurrent with Israel’s restoration.(Acts 2:16 with Joel 2:28) That is to say; this is that, which if recognized by National Israel would thereby lead them into repentance. It would have brought the fulfillment of the prophetically promised reconciliation to God and the establishing of the Kingdom of restored Israel, wherein the Jews, in the gift of the power of the Holy Spirit, would become the preeminent Nation as His Priests in the Earth (and mostly unknown, in the heavens above the earth) as God had promised to Abraham and as related by His prophets.“…But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.” [Isaiah 61:6] Thus, if they would have but received that which was occurring before their eyes as the experience and Word of Joel (through the Messiah Jesus) as their present need and promise of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, it would have been then fulfilled. 

So this miraculous phenomenon now occurring, was historically to be understood by the first century observant Jew as their calling to National priesthood. “Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders…and cry unto the Lord,….Blow the trumpet in Zion, …..Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them..” It should have been recognized as the National call to repentance from the sure word of the prophet Joel, in Joel 1:14-2:17 and in Joel 2:18-3:21. “Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people….I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen: But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren….But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.”    

This long promised earthly Kingdom inheritance was what was prominent in the minds of the 11 Disciples. That, with the now imminent and fast approaching baptism of the power of the Holy Spirit, was construed to be sent for Israel’s restoration, as seen in their question to the Lord at His ascension 10 days before Pentecost. “…Lord wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”  [Acts 1:6] The answer of Christ kept the question valid and open, neither validating or rejecting the reality of their thoughts. “…it is not for you to know the times or the seasons….”   

The heavenly Kingdom calling to the New Man was yet a great mystery at Pentecost. (Romans 16:25, Ephesians 3:9, Colossians 1:26) And why? Because it had not yet been revealed in its fullness. It was not yet the time to do so because Israel as a Nation had not yet exhausted God’s Calls to the royal (heavenly) priesthood.  It was then, and is now, known by every observant Jew, that it is ordained of God that all of Israel will be restored and upon every living one of them, will He pour out the Holy Spirit and they will take their rightful place as His Holy Nation, “…a peculiar treasure…a kingdom of priests…” [Exodus 19:6] With Isaiah 60:1-5… “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.” So it should be seen that it was appointed by God that He would yet again offer the “fullness” of the Kingdom, which was to be realized in the “restoration of all things” (Acts 3:21), at the 2nd coming of the Messiah, to the Nation of Israel at this Pentecost feast in Jerusalem. 

What the Disciples had in mind was not the heavenly but the earthly, in that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit meant power to establish the Kingdom of Israel in the Earth, above all other Nations unto ministry to the Gentiles from that historically limited Jewish viewpoint. To that end was Peter’s strong presentation of Joel’s prophetic words; words which point to Israel’s need of National repentance and end time renewal. Many Jews whose hearts were pricked, asked, “…what shall we do?” Then Peter spoke these words: “….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 Spirit. For the promise is unto you and your children….”  And although many received this message on the day of Pentecost, and others received the call to repentance days later, the rulers of the Nation did not. See Acts 3:19-4:4, which was in effect one of the last proclamations for Israel’s national repentance, and for the receiving of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and that with the fullness of the Messiah’s Kingdom to rule in view. (That is the heavenly realm as well as an earthly.) That calling, ultimately rejected, and finally withdrawn as the National spirit of Israel, in the years following Pentecost, now fills with meaning the prophetic Words of Christ: “Therefore say I unto you, The (heavenly) kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” [Matthew 21:43] See also Deuteronomy 18:18,19. 

That Gentiles would come into and under the authority of restored Israel in the coming Kingdom of the Messiah was no mystery, that was a given. But that there was another realm besides that of Earth that faithful Messianic Jews and Faithful Gentiles, as the New  Man (nation of ), neither Jew or Greek, could ascend into and rule over the Earth from above in the heavenly Kingdom in a royal priesthood was a mystery. This was discovered to us by Paul in his Epistles and exampled in the Book of Romans by God’s goodness and His severity. Goodness being extended to the Gentiles and the severity is seen in the loss of heavenly glory for Israel that would have been realized in the acceptance of Jesus the Christ as their National Messiah which was to be accompanied by the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  And so it, by the same means (the gift of the power of the Holy Spirit) was offered to the repentant Messianic unto sanctification that they might reach that promised privilege of resurrection life. It was extended to the Gentiles, so they would now receive…. “…the like gift (of power in the Holy Spirit) as he did unto us” (Read Acts 11:17 with Acts 10) ….the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with power unto glorious resurrection life. 

These Jews, including Peter, still were unaware that the Baptism of the Spirit, then being manifest at Pentecost, they thinking it was only a call to restoration of Israel, yet it was also in the foreknowledge of God a precursor to the heavenly calling of kings and priests to the Gentiles. In that this baptism in power of spirit/Spirit promised to the Jews would now be the means by which they (the Gentiles) might attain unto the worthiness of ruling with Jesus Christ in the heaven just above the earth, was a mystery, and remained so until the call of Saul /Paul of Tarsus). 

Jesus Christ, being again rejected by the Jewish Nation after the Pentecost, (seen in the murdering of Stephen and of James, and the imprisonment of Peter and others) would now call Saul/Paul to the Apostolic ministry to the Gentiles, to bring out a People worthy of God’s Name, (Acts 15:14) as His Son’s heavenly Bride. “Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.” [Acts 18:5,6] 

Now it was determined that the full rejection of National (natural) Israel of the Messiah and their then being the recipients of the enabling gift or the power of the Holy Spirit, now resulted in the abeyance of Joel’s prophecies of Israel’s earthly kingdom comes into full effect. As does Daniel’s 70th week, having nationally missed the early or former moderate rain coming at Pentecost…now must await the latter rain “….until the coming of the Lord.” (Joel 2:23, James 5:7) “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.” Now is the full-out endeavor of God for a people bearing fruit worthy of the Pentecostal heavenly calling. That fullness being completed, before the exhausting of Joel’s words upon Israel, that will surely come in the latter day rain of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:31). 

Christ’s own Jewish citizens hated Him. The Gentiles rejoice in Him… “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting (glorious) life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord…” [Acts 13:46]  

FOR TWO THOUSAND YEARS, THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS GONE FORTH ACROSS THE EARTH SEARCHING FOR A PEOPLE TO EMPOWER UNTO A WORTHINESS OF THE INHERITANCE OF HIS NAME (Acts 15:14)  

Jesus Christ called Saul/Paul and gave him this charge: “I send thee, to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in Me.” The Lord connects the receiving of the inheritance with being sanctified. Although Scripture speaks of two separate works of the Holy Spirit, the term “baptism” of the Holy Spirit is strictly limited to that type of experience of the day of Pentecost. In that it is a separate experience is evident in that it came later upon those who had already been regenerated, as was the case in the Disciples themselves. Additionally, apostles exhorted believers to be baptized not only in water but in the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:14-17… “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: — only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” (See also Acts 19:1-6) 

The experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not one and the same as that of regeneration, as seen in the fact that regeneration precedes the baptism of the Spirit and that experience may follow very quickly or very much later or not at all. And even when a believer is baptized in the Holy Spirit, it may not be evident in the out-working of His empowerment. For a believer is able to grieve and/or quench the Spirit from His working. (Ephesians 4:30, 1st Thessalonians 5:19)  

SO WHAT IS THE BAPTISM, AND TO WHAT END IS IT? 

It should be first understood that the outpouring and baptism of the Holy Spirit is bound to the promise of God in accord with Jesus Christ’s Atonement. And it could not be given unto the believer until Christ was resurrected and glorified. John 7:37-39… “— In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”  

The overall purpose for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, is to fulfill the purposes of the Father in having many sons brought unto glory. (Hebrews 2:10) In that a believer in Jesus Christ desiring to be a loving disciple unto the inheritance reward of sonship may be empowered to do so. The Spirit’s empowerment takes two forms; internally and externally, a personal work unto Christ-likeness with an external work of a faithful witness. 

THE PURPOSES OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT 

To confirm the Word of Christ through “…both with signs and wonders, and with diverse miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will.” [Hebrews 2:4] 

To bear witness…“…he shall testify of me; And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.” [John 15:27] 

To be…. “Comforter…” and….“…guide you into all the truth….shew you things to come.”  [John 14:26,27] 

“He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shew it unto you.” [John 16:14] 

In the Book of Acts, it is recorded that the Lord instructed the disciples on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me…” Paul writes in Romans 8:26 that “…the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Galatians 5:22 speaks of the fruits of the Giver, the Holy Spirit; love, joy. peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” 

1st Corinthians 12 says that the baptism of the Holy Spirit grants different spiritual gifts… “…word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, *tongues; interpretation of tongues, dividing to each one severally as he will…”  But not all have been beneficiaries of all gifts. Paul says, “But covet earnestly the best gifts… desire spiritual gifts…but rather that you may prophecy.” As that best of the listed spiritual gifts, that is the declaring/teaching and expounding the Lord’s will and purposes, in edification, exhortation and comfort.

But most importantly, Paul contrasts in Scripture the different ways of the manifestations of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in empowerment in qualifying spiritual growth. “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities (kinds) of tongues.” [1st Corinthians 12:28] And after all these various maturing methods, he tells us “…and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way”. (verse 31) This is to follow after charity, to walk in the power of Divine Love. This is the greatest manifestation of the gift of the power of the Holy Spirit, both internally and externally as a witness of Jesus Christ. “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” [1st Corinthians 13:1-3] 

(*Nowhere in Scripture does it say that the evidence of the gift of the power of the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues. Yes, on the three occasions that Scripture gives us of the experience of the baptism, they speak in tongues, but this is not to say on every other occasion this was the case. For it would be no less evidence if one moved in any other of the greater gifts but spoke not in tongues.)