The Ministry Of The Holy Spirit
(Part 4)
In this final part of the ‘Ministry of the Holy Spirit,’ I want to direct your attention to the open letter to Jimmy and Donnie Swaggart, that was written and posted a short while ago. Why did I write that letter to the Swaggarts? I believe with my whole heart that is what the Holy Spirit wanted me to do. I already had confirmation in the USA; that is what I would do. I know that I may not be popular by some folks. Some may see it as criticism, or brow beating. But I am not in this ministry to gain any popularity. I am in this ministry [work] of the Lord for one reason [And this statement may not set well with the ‘brethren of the church’] And the reason is to deliver ‘Thus saith the Lord.’ And friend, if God tells you to do something you do it. I would rather obey the Holy Spirit ‘s leading and be blessed of God for my obedience; than be popular with the world and receive just punishment for disobedience. All through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation there are accounts where God the Holy Spirit had spoken through men [prophets] of old, to warn, or speak a word of correction, rebuke or reproof. Either people adhered to the word spoken to them, and certain disaster and punishment was held back by the Mighty Hand of God. Or people rejected ‘thus saith the Lord’ spoken by God’s prophets, and just punishment was meted out to them. Church of the Living God, I have just one thing to say! Let us obey the Holy Spirit leading us, and have life spiritually, rather than disobey Him and be dead spiritually.
The Holy Spirit [the third person of the Triune Godhead] has been introduced to the world by Jesus [the second person of the Triune Godhead] as Comforter, Helper, Teacher and Advocate. He [Spirit] now represents Jesus Christ on the earth.
It is important that every believer understands, that now that Jesus is no longer here on the earth in human form, the Holy Spirit now dwells within every believer. Jesus in human form cannot be every where at the same time. But the Holy Spirit has the attribute of being omnipresent [meaning He can be in more than one place at a time] When you accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit came into your heart and life, and that was the start of a process [sanctification] which changed, and will keep on changing your life. 1Cor 6v9-11says this, ‘Do you not know that the unrighteous [those that live ungodly lives], shall not inherit the Kingdom of God [will not have eternal life with God] Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind [v9], Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the Kingdom of God [some people call themselves ‘believers’ yet practice these sins mentioned. The Holy Spirit cannot and will not dwell in sinful hearts][v10]. And such were some of you [before conversion took place]: but you are washed [cleansed by the Blood of Jesus]; but you are sanctified [this is one’s position in Christ, but is an ongoing process of being changed by the Holy Spirit daily], but you are justified in the name of the Lord [meaning we are declared not guilty, because of what Jesus did on the Cross for us], and by the Spirit of our God [speaking of the Holy Spirit and the work of righteousness and grace that is done in the believer’s life [v11]
Let me quote Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart concerning the power of sin; ‘The believer must understand, that the power of sin is so great that no individual on earth [even the strongest of Christians] can overcome this monster [called sin] within his\her own strength and ability. It simply cannot be done. In fact sin is so bad, that Jesus had to go to the Cross, to answer this dilemma. So in order for us to overcome sin we have to have the power of the Holy Spirit.’ Thank you Bro’ Swaggart for saying that right! Saints of the Living God, it is the simple fact of the ministry of the Holy Spirit that is operational in the believers life, that enables us to live a victorious life.
As you will recall I mentioned in part one of this series, that John the Baptist telling us in Mark 1v2-7; and Luke 3v15+16 that he [John] baptizes with water, but there is one [Jesus] mightier than he; who will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. Now; I know there is a lot of controversy in the religious world, even in the ‘Church’ concerning this experience called the ‘Baptism in the Holy Spirit’. My own experience of this wonderful event is and will ever be my experience with my Lord and Savior. And I will not want it any other way, because I know Jesus Christ is the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit. Tens of millions have had this is experience, and they can relate to what I am saying.
An individual cannot experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit, until that person has accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior [must be born-again]. John 14v17 says ‘Even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knowth Him; but ye [the believer] know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.’
In other words, He [Spirit] is the one the world cannot receive because the world does not know Him. The followers of Christ [born again believers] know Him, and the believer is here distinguished from the world.
The believer is chosen and called out of the world that lies in wickedness. It is the misery of those that are devoted to the world, that they cannot receive the Spirit of Truth. The spirit of the world, and of God are directly contrary the one to the other [1Cor2v12]. But the believer receives the Spirit of truth, as the mysteries and deep things of God are revealed to us by the Holy Spirit [1Cor2v7-12]. This is what Matthew Henry tells us. So Praise the Lord and Amen to that.
Folks, not wanting to waste to much time on this, let me just add here that the ‘Baptism of the Holy Spirit’ is a seven [7] step process in the believers life after conversion, which you will read about in Isaiah 11v1-3. Isaiah speaks of one [Jesus the Messiah], who will be anointed with the Spirit [the seven Spirits of God], namely ‘the spirit of the Lord [1], the spirit of Wisdom [2], the spirit of Understanding [3], the spirit of Counsel [4], the spirit of Might [5], the spirit of Knowledge [6], and the spirit of the fear of the Lord [7]. In other words the same anointed attributes the functioned in Christ’s ministry while here on earth, is the same attributes that will function in the believers life today. See in 1Cor 12v1-13, what the apostle Paul has to say concerning the attributes of the Spirit [of God] functioning in the life of the believer]: [1] the word of Wisdom [pertains to information concerning the future]; [2] word of Knowledge [concerns the past or present]; [3] to another Faith [special faith by the same Spirit]; [4] another the gift of Healing [praying for the sick]; [5] another the working of Miracles [extraordinary things]; [6] another Prophecy [for edification, exhortation, comfort];[7] another discerning of spirits [whether the Spirit of God, human spirits or evil spirits]; [8] another diverse kind of tongues [meant to be interpreted]; [9] another the interpretation of tongues [to hear what the Lord is saying to the church] All these gifts are of the same Spirit, which is divided to the believers by the Spirit of God at His own discretion [1Cor12v11+12].
The manifestation of ‘Baptism with the Holy Spirit’ experience, and the result is of course speaking with other tongues. This is a much debated issue, and the cause of much controversy. I am not going to go into a ‘theological or religious spasm’ about this issue. What I am going to do is quote what the Word of God says concerning this. When a believer is baptized with the Spirit, always and without exception to this experience, the believer [seeking the baptism] will speak with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives the utterance; and that my friend is the physical evidence, that you have been baptized in the Spirit.[See the following scripture as evidence…Acts 2v4, 10v44-46, 11v15-17, 1Cor14v39]
The Holy Spirit Baptism is for all believers [Joel 2v28+29]. The receiver of the Holy Spirit Baptism will experience his\her worshipping and praying in tongues [heavenly language] will become a part of their devotion to God as refreshing and encouraging, as well as strengthening and restful, to their daily walk with Jesus.
Folks, please let me just correct myself. I was not aware that Derek Prince of ‘Derek Prince Ministries’, whom I mentioned in part one [1] of this series, had passed on to his eternal reward. I wrote and quoted him as if he were still with us here on earth. I sincerely apologize for this for this error. Thank you so much for understanding. But lets continue with this very exciting, fulfilling and wonderful experience. The Word of God has this to say concerning this experience. Acts 2 relates to us about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. [Day of Pentecost, which is one of the seven great feasts ordained by God, and practiced yearly by Israel]. Verse four [4] says, ‘And they [not just the disciples] were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave the utterance. In other words it was the Holy Ghost that initiated this event or experience, and not those who were there in one accord.
As you study Chapter 2 of Acts, you will see all of them who were filled spoke in tongues; which here reading from verse five [5] through to verse twelve [12], is proof of one of the functions of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit that came into immediate effect. Because there were thousands present on that day [Pentecost], from every nation of the then known world of that day. Verse nine [9] relates those nationalities present; Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia. Verse ten [10], Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in parts of Libya about Cyrene, strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes. Verse eleven [11], Cretes and Arabians, ‘We hear them speaking in our tongues the wonderful works of God’. The tongues spoken of hear in these verses, is God the Holy Spirit speaking through His servants [believers] on that day [Pentecost], to the many different nationalities. The servants [apostles] of God were not able to do so of their own accord, because they did not have the ability to do so in the natural. This was a supernatural attribute of the Spirit of God. This was God speaking to the peoples of the world and getting their attention.
The other much debated issue is the speaking in ‘tongues’ [of the individual believer], as the Spirit gives the utterance. The following scriptures will give you insight to what I am conversing to you, about this very special gift from God. [Isaiah 28v11-12, Matt 3v11, Acts1v5, 2v4, 8v14-17, 10v44-46, 11v15-17, 19v2+6, 1Cor14v39, Jude v20]; The Apostle Paul says in 1Cor 14v18 of himself: ‘I thank God that I speak in tongues more than you all’. The ‘tongues’ Paul is speaking of here is the believer’s prayer language. 1Cor 14v4 says, ‘He who speaks in an unknown tongue, edifies himself [either the Gift of Tongues or one’s prayer language]; but he who prophesies edifies the church [meant for the entire Body of Christ].
Paul says in verse five [5], ‘I would that you all spoke with tongues [prayer language], bur rather that you Prophesied [A Gift of the Spirit]; for greater is he who Prophesies [so the church is edified], than he who speaks with Tongues [referring to one’s prayer language or; except he interpret for the church to receive Edifying]
Matthew Henry says this, ‘Every gift from God, is a favor from God, and may be improved for His glory, and as such must be valued and thankfully received. Referring here to 1Cor 14v5, ‘Greater is he who Prophesies [to edify the Church], than he who speaks with Tongues [to edify oneself]’ It is more blessed to give than to receive. Benevolence makes a man truly great, and it is true magnanimity [meaning noble, generous, not petty in feelings or conduct], to seek to be useful to others, rather than to raise their admiration and draw their esteem.
Let me sum this up by saying thus. It is imperative that every believer who claims Jesus as Lord and Savior, must be Baptized with the Holy Spirit; because the ‘Holy Spirit Baptism’ is for all and there are no exceptions. The Holy Spirit works within you according to your Faith in the Cross of Christ. The Spirit works only within the parameters of the Cross of Calvary, and will never work outside of those boundaries. When one is baptized with the Holy Spirit, many good things will transpire in our heart and life. There is nothing in the Bible to suggest that this awesome indwelling power of the Spirit has been declared unavailable in our day. Acts 2v39 declares ‘For the Promise [speaking of the Holy Spirit] is unto you [speaking of the Jews who were present that day of Peter’s address], and to those who are afar off [For us today who desire to have this experience], as many as the Lord God shall call.
Praise the Lord for this promise, church of the Living God. It is a free gift from God, to whosoever will may come and receive freely.
I trust that what has been spoken and written of here has helped you [the believer], to understand more clearly the office of the ‘Ministry of the Holy Spirit’. Please remember this is not the ‘alpha and omega’ of the function of the Holy Spirit. There is a wealth of discussions to be had concerning Him.
I have shared with you, to the best of my understanding, and by the grace of God the Father done what has been stirred in my soul concerning this beautiful, powerful, exciting, third person of the Triune Godhead, called Holy Spirit.
In Christ alone
William
