POWER TO BECOME FIRSTBORN SONS 

Water Baptism in Jesus Christ has in view “Newness of life”….THAT POWER WITHIN TO BECOME FIRSTBORN SONS. 

“Ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you”. [Acts 1:8] Power is essential to Work. (Divine work) God purposed in Adam that he would rule the earth and all that’s in it. God purposed in Jesus Christ that man would rule the earth and the heavens. [Hebrews 3:1] Those heavens wherein fallen angelic forces now rule, God’s authorized, ordained change from their “first estate”. [Jude 1:6] And in Jesus Christ, God had determined to re-form man into a heavenly being, maybe God’s most majestic project. Man would become capably equipped to do battle with those spiritual forces, to overcome them in the power of the Lord, and then to replace them, and reign in the heavens over the earth. Man would be greatly elevated in soul capacities with a renewed body adapted to that realm, by a sharing in the Glory of Jesus Christ, the 2nd Adam, “bringing many sons unto glory”. [Hebrews 2:10 with Hebrews 3:1]  

The Sower sows the Word…into our hearts. OUR PART is being sown into that we may be sown into; that we might become witnesses/teachers. [Mark 4 with Hebrews 6] The process includes the war of man’s internal renewed heart with his unrenewed flesh. In that God has caged together a sane man with an insane man and has instructed the sane man to crucify the wild man. Crucifixion being the apt–like typical form of slow physical death which examples best that death of the soulical flesh (carnal soul with sensual body). The administrating of which we have been charged, in that when we were joined together in the same cell, the wild man’s power was not extinguished immediately. And whose death is like that of crucifixion, a slow toilsome execution often taking a very long period of time to carry out, as the spiritual man grows stronger. 

The process begins in the simplest of apprehensions, that of the Gospel “milk” of grace and mercy found in Jesus Christ’s Atonement Sacrifice. But whereas that initial apprehension comes easily,  comprehension is difficult and requires two things. One “…if God permits…” and two, the determined study of God’s Word. The example given us is the Hebrews’ lack of understanding in the deeper typical meanings of Scripture, such as that of Melchizedek. [Hebrews 5&6] “Solid food is for full-grown men.”  The imputing of righteousness should be followed by becoming partakers of His holiness. This is the rebuke of the Words. 

All God’s new born babes have received the imputed righteousness, that is to say a certain right standing with God. And we all certainly know the appeal of a baby, but babyhood is not God’s great calling in Christ. To be older in Christ and to remain babyish, and think and speak like a baby, is to be worldly. It’s to be as an infantile rejected for that heavenly calling to be one of God’s first born sons replacing the heavenly rulers. As they did not, no nor could they, overcome the Wildman within, nor the evil forces without, with mere milk as their chosen diet. For this God has given a more difficult diet that we must digest if we are to succeed in the heavenly calling.   

God’s Word of truth has power, but is purposely difficult, and that to the exercising of all the spiritual muscles of the soul, unto apprehension in loving faith. The Word only yields its strength to those who are willing to persistently exercise with pick and shovel in the mine of glorious truths until their discovery.  “Therefore leaving the principles (the word of the beginning) let us go on unto perfection.…” This is the walk (moving forward) in the Holy Spirit/spirit, the newness of life, …..the only perfection God knows and commands lies in a deeper knowledge, and practice, that  of loving faith, in His Word.  Only the Holy Spirit may give the power to accomplish the will of God. The Holy Spirit is here to make the spiritual real to us; but He will not work outside His sphere.  He will not undertake to make us spiritual outside of our will. But He is here to enlighten us to the Word, convince us of sin, to reveal the Lord Jesus Christ, to make us like the Son of God in nature and practice, to energize us, enable us, to help us to be His witnesses in spreading the gospel, and to help us become mighty in prayer.  For these approved ends we can count implicitly upon Him. 

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM IN THE SPIRIT? 

Let us look at Scripture. The first mentioning of it is by John. “I indeed immerse you in water unto repentance; (meaning John’s remission of sins and water baptism was limited to justification and regeneration only) but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall immerse you in the Holy Ghost and, in fire”. [Matthew 3:11] Now does this mean that Jesus would somehow do away with or cause John’s work to be overturned? No, John’s work of repentance from sins, regeneration and water baptism stood as an introduction to Christ’s Work. 

As John speaks of the baptism of the Spirit as something yet greater, additive and yet future; something over which he had no power, while Jesus Christ would. Jesus, as the ever superior example, reveals the happening; the Baptism of the Holy Spirit after His own water baptism, then the Holy Spirit descended and rested on Him as a dove. That was Jesus’ baptism by the Spirit; and thus was He pointed out to John as the one who should bathe others in God’s Spirit. [John 1:33] Christ promises this baptism of the Spirit in John 7:37-39 and prepared his disciples for it in Acts 1 in that He commanded them, “not to depart from Jerusalem; but to wait for the promise of the Father, which ye have heard of Me.  For John, indeed immersed in water, but ye shall be immersed in the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”  “Ye shall receive power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you:” The promise is then fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. [Acts 2] They were previously born again, and water baptized. This then was not the power of the Holy Spirit unto regeneration but the Holy Spirit affording them power unto being greater witnesses, both internally in those ways listed above and externally by gifts working signs and wonders.  

The manifest evidence of the Baptism/infilling was the first of the miraculous signs accompanying cloven tongues like as of fire, and they began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Peter explained to the scoffers that the prophet Joel had foretold the event, that he had said, that in a day to come, Jehovah would pour out of His Spirit, and the result would be prophecy, visions, dreams of God etc. [Acts 2:17-19] 

The second instance of the [Holy] Spirit’s baptism, is on the occasion of Peter’s preaching to the Gentiles.  He goes at the Spirit’s command to the Roman Cornelius, and preaches the Gospel to him and his friends.  They receive it.  “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the word. For they (the Jewish brethren who came with Peter) heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God:” [Acts 10:44, 46] That work of the Holy Ghost, then, is Christ’s Baptism. It was the communication of supernatural powers, as in the former case at Pentecost.  It was a gift poured out on those who believed, and so were already regenerate, but not yet water baptized; verse 48. 

There is but one passage of Scripture which speaks directly to the baptism of the Holy Spirit and that is in 1 Corinthians 12. Paul speaks of the many different gifts of the Holy Spirit imparted to the many believers there at the Church of Corinth manifesting in healings, miracles, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. There it is written, “For in one Spirit were we all immersed into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether slaves or freemen; and were all made to drink one Spirit:” [1 Corinthians 12:13] 

Peter had declared to the crowd at Pentecost, “Repent and be (water) 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; for the promise [of Joel that Peter just quoted, verses 17-19] is unto you [Jews] and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [Gentiles,] even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” [Acts 2:38, 39] 

Generally Believers in the book of Acts were water baptized in the “name of the Lord Jesus”, as the Holy Ghost had not “….yet fallen upon none of them.”  Then the Apostles “…prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. ” Then the Apostles laid hands on them “…..and they received the Holy Ghost.” [Acts 8:14-17] Although not always were hands laid by an Apostle or anyone else, as was the case with Cornelius and all them at his house. “While Peter yet spake, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.”  (Was there yet a need to be Water Baptized?) “Then answered Peter, Can any forbid the water, that these should not be immersed who have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?”  

Much has been said about the experience of tongues. Much of Christendom has rejected the idea of Christians, beyond the first century, receiving any “tongue” unknown or heavenly understood, as a gift from the Holy Spirit.  They have argued that it was only a gift granted at Pentecost, and that of only tongues of known languages, for the sole purpose that those who spoke other languages might hear the Gospel in their own language. And Scripture does say that “…every man heard them speak in his own language.” [Acts 2:6] But does that eliminate the possibility of prayer and praise languages prompted by the Holy Spirit in the heart of a man that only God or heavenly beings may understand? [Romans 8:26] Were the “tongues, and magnifying of God” limited to those few languages that were known to those gathered in Cornelius’s house that day? And only those 12 disciples of Ephesus of Acts 19:6 as “…they spake with tongues….”? Who being already disciples and few in number with common tongue, what distinguished their tongues that day from common exuberant prayer presumably exhibited on any other day? To whom were they preaching to that they might need an articulate language? 

And how shall we explain Paul’s clear word of declaration in 1Corinthians 14:6 “….if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you….” if the gift of “tongues” are exclusive to a earthly understood language? It would make no sense for Paul to make that statement. What is evident from the passage of Scripture is that the gift of “tongues” is not limited to known languages as clearly stated in verse 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.”  Additionally, he goes on to say, “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.” And further in the passage:  “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.” 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? For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.” 

And although he discourages unknown tongues as it relates to ministering, he goes on to say,  “covet to prophesy….forbid not to speak with tongues…” Now some might say that the gift of tongues has passed away. And they use 1Corinthians 13:8, but the context is to be when we no longer see through a glass darkly. That is to say those after the resurrection or catching up. It is  “…then shall I know even as also I am known.” And tongues, as well as prophecies, in the pursuit of spiritual knowledge shall vanish as it relates to those of the heavenly calling. 

 “The Baptism of the Holy Spirit” today is the result of that Pentecost early / spring rain, that relatively moderate out pouring of the Holy Spirit. Agriculturally speaking in type and in Spiritual antitype it is should be understood that after having the spring early rains and before the fall latter (delayed) rains, we have the long dry summer. (See James 5:7) What should be understood is that the sprinkles of the last 1900 years as opposed to the showers of the early and latter rains are indicative of the Lord’s greater Atonement spiritual work in the earth. (As He is the Sower (Mark 13:37) and the Reaper (Mark 14:14), the fruit is that of faith internally in men accomplished through various life long sufferings Romans 8:17. The Holy Spirit of work within is the emphasis now, not the Holy Spirit without that in signs and wonders and miracles. They served there purpose, and will again, but over these centuries the work is silent, the still small voice. The work and help is primarily within. That work being “…to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” [Romans 8:29] That is THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE YIELDED WILL WITHIN TO BECOME FIRST BORN SONS.   

Listen to the Lord’s words to Thomas, “Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”  This has to do with Christ’s main initiative; the development of loving faith “…the evidence of things not seen.”  Unto sanctification, and that through the yielded will of man (seen in the water baptism) and the power of the indwelling Spirit (experienced in the baptism of the Spirit/spirit). Without this development of character, “….it is impossible to please him.” Signs and wonders and miracles do not develop this loving faith (Luke 16:31), but a move by the Holy Spirit to justifying faith before the Written Word.  

It be granted that although there has been an outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, “..this is that…” This set up reservoirs, pools, rivers and lakes for the remainder of the Work of the Age of Grace and Mercy. That is specific for the purposes set forth above until these have run dry. [Matthew 24:12; Revelation 3:17] But there is yet even a greater out–pouring of the Spirit coming (Joel 2:23) “…the latter rain…”  

“….afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh:* and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see vision:….And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord Come.”  [Joel 2:28-32; Zechariah 12:10] That is just before the Great day of the Lord in the days of great judgment of the book of Revelation. Elijah will come. (Will he fulfill his own type, will he pray for a deluge of rain again?) God will again pour out His Spirit. (Revelation 5:7) The result will be that all that call upon Him will be mercifully saved from the eternal death experienced in the Lake of Fire. [Joel 2:32 & Romans 10:13]  

And following there shall be a further and continuous work of the Spirit on the whole earth, and the hearts of His children throughout the Millennium, up until the Great White Throne. (Then we shall see 1Corinthians 13:8-13 completely fulfilled). (*If the barley harvest is Jewish, as the wheat harvest is certainly Christian. The downpour descends on the Jew first, as the barley harvest is two or three weeks before wheat harvest. And although the wheat harvest outpouring is later, (Revelation 7:9 14:15,16) the first fruits of the wheat harvest will be reaped before the wheat harvest (Revelation 12:5; 14:4) before, at the same time, or after the outpouring on the Jewish contingent, but before the ripening out pouring of the wheat harvest.) 

“Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter-rain”. Zechariah 10:1 is an extremely important Scripture, given our time and state don’t you think? The former rain fell 2 thousand years ago following the darkening skies of Calvary. What of today now with skies blackening with judgments coming,  a prayer of urgency! As we look to the Horizon, “there is nothing.” But loving faith provokes earnest prayer. How our hearts should be moved. Oh how we, and those lost in the World, need the showers of the Holy Spirit upon cold and lukewarm hearts! Let our hearts persistently, prevailingly, like Elijah, pray earnestly in enduring faith, for a Baptism of our spirit by the Holy Spirit. To be moved and strengthened to yield unto the Conforming Power unto the image Jesus Christ’s. That we might be true witnesses of His on this earth, and finally that we might join Him, the First Born Son, as His glorified brethren. Fit to rule with Him in His Millennial Kingdom from the heavens just above.