commandments, and I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another comforter that He may abide with you forever. Even the Spirit of truth [Holy Spirit], whom the world cannot receive, because it
[people of the world] sees him not, neither knows 40
Him: But you know Him: For He dwells with you, and shall be in you,” (John 14:15-17).
Our Lord’s words, “But you know Him”
clearly indicates that those listening to Him had indeed received a taste of the Heavenly gift and were therefore aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence during times of praise and worship. However, when Jesus said, “And will be in you,” He made a definite distinction between His Spirit being with us versus abiding within us.
John 20:22, states that Jesus had breathed His Spirit onto the Apostles, meaning that the Holy Spirit was with them; not in them as Satan would like for you to believe. This is the same manner God’s Spirit is with us when we first accept Jesus.
That fact explains why, without the power of the Holy Spirit abiding in him, Peter who had walked on water and seen the dead raised back to life, denied knowing Jesus three times the night our Lord was arrested, and Judas Iscariot sold Jesus out for thirty pieces of silver.
Also, as noted in Acts 1:21-26, before receiving the Holy Spirit within them, the eleven remaining Apostles took it upon themselves to appoint a man named Matthias to replace Judas who had betrayed Jesus.
However, Matthias was not God’s choice to fill the vacancy, Paul (Saul of Tarus) was, and it should 41
be noted that God did not need their help to recruit Paul into His service. Had the Apostles been filled with the Holy Spirit at the time, they would have known better than to do such a thing, and that event would not have happened!
John summarized the gospel perfectly saying,
“But to as many as received Him [Jesus], to them He gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe in His name,” (John 1:12). John’s words received Him are past tense but pay attention to the fact that immediately upon receiving Jesus, we then receive the power to become the sons of God which is future tense.
The fact is, God gives us the power needed to be born-again the moment we accept Jesus by giving us a taste of His Spirit to convict us of sin and protect us from unclean spirits while on our faith-walk. However, his words “To become the
sons of God,” are future tense, meaning that through obedience, we can then become one of God’s children.
Note: You should continue praying for the baptism of the Holy Spirit until you factually know that God’s Spirit dwells in your heart. On that subject Jesus said, “If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: How much
more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy
Spirit to them that ask Him,” (Luke 11:13).
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To discover with absolute certainty whether you have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit; simply stand in front of a mirror and look into the windows of your soul (your eyes), and if while doing so you can truthfully confess that you love Jesus more than your parents, spouse and children.
Then, you have received the Holy Spirit baptism.
The truth is, believing in Jesus and accepting Him to become the Lord of your life is merely the first step toward being born-again. Which happens when through obedience on our part, Jesus who sits on the right hand of God, speaks to God on our behalf and urges Him to consummate a relationship with us by placing His Spirit in our heart. This is why Jesus said , “He who has mt commandments,
and keeps them.” (John 14:21).
John concluded John 1:12, saying, “Even to
them that believe in His name.” Albeit those words do not fit the perverted narrative of the gospel, hence traitors of the faith have deleted them in several newer versions of the Bible. However, by using those words John was simply pointing out that the power needed to become born-again is also available to those who merely believe in Jesus but has not yet accepted Him to become their Lord.
This is because one’s belief that Jesus is the Christ gives that person the inherit right to ask Jesus to become the Lord of his life. John said, “He that 43
believes in Him is not condemned, but he that believes not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God,” (John 3:18).
Therefore, those who believe in Jesus but has not accepted Him are neither saved nor condemned.
They are not condemned because they are free to act on their belief at any time before death. Whereas those that do not believe in Jesus, will never accept Him; thus, they condemn themselves.
The following discourse taken from the book of Acts provides a perfect example to help us understand the salvation process: And when a convert can expect to receive the baptism of Holy Spirit.
The Bible states, “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.
And the people with one accord gave heed to those things Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits crying with a loud voice came out of many possessed with them, and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.
But there was a certain man, called Simon, which before time in that city used sorcery [lying signs and wonders] and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that he was some great one. To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the 44
greatest, saying, this man is the great power of God.
And to him they had respect, because for a long time he had bewitched them with sorceries [false doctrine].
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the Kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ. They were baptized both men and women. Now when the Apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John.
Who when they arrived prayed for them, that they Might receive the Holy Spirit! For as yet He was fallen on none of them; only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus,” (Acts 8:5-15). Then, upon the arrival of Peter and John,
“The Apostles laid hands on them, and they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit,” (Acts 8:17).
As you can see, the Samaritan converts had received the water baptism and the Holy Spirit was with them for an unspecified period before taking up residence in their hearts. This is the same way salvation occurred for the Apostles and continues doing so for those seeking Christ Jesus today: God has not changed!
Pay close attention to what Jesus is saying in the following scriptures, because He explains 45
exactly what happens to those who fail to follow His instructions.
Jesus said, “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walks through dry places seeking rest, but finds none. Then he says to himself, I will return into the house [convert] from whence I came out; and when he is come, he finds it [the convert]
empty [of spiritual growth], swept [sins forgiven], and Garnished [God’s Spirit is with him]. Then goes he and takes with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there, and the last state of that man is then worse than the first,” (Matthew 12:43-45).
The word Garnished means equipped or adorned, meaning with you or on you! The N.I.V
uses the word unoccupied, which means that the convert had not yet received God’s Spirit in him.
Albeit Jesus had given him the authority to become born-again by placing His Spirit with him. After which, it was then up to the convert to choose to obey God’s instructions or follow man’s doctrine.
The convert’s initial cleansing is why the unclean spirit could not get back into him on his first attempt. However, as Jesus said, the unclean spirit then sought help from the seven other even more powerful seducing and deceiving spirits to deceive this new convert.
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The seven more powerful spirits are those Satan uses to deceive converts into trusting his wolves to teach them. After which, they then become a conduit Satan can use to further pervert the salvation message.
Referring to a convert that has been deceived into believing false doctrine, Jesus said, “The
second state of that man is then worse than the
first.” Jesus said that because He knew that, due to pride, converts deceived by ministers they respect would be inclined to reject spiritual instruction coming from anyone if it conflicts with what they were taught. Thus, Jesus said, “A corrupt tree
cannot bring forth good fruit,” (Matthew 7:15-20).
For that reason, Jesus said, “Woe unto you, scribes, Pharisees, and hypocrites! For you compass sea and land [with your carnal missionaries] to make one proselyte, [convert] and when he is made, you make him two-fold more the child of hell than yourselves,” (Matthew 23:15).
In conclusion, I humbly ask you to give some thought to the following Scriptures. John 1:1 state,
“In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.” John 6:33 states,
“The bread of God is He [Jesus] which came down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
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John 6:51, states, “I am the living bread that came down from Heaven: If any man eats of this bread he shall live forever: And the bread that I give is my flesh which I give for the life of the world.”
John 1:14 states, “And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us.”
Jesus declared, “For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eats my flesh and drinks my blood, dwells in me, and I in him. As the living Father has sent me, and I live by the Father; so, he that eats me, [His word] even he shall live by me,” (John 6:55-57).
The only way we can eat the flesh of Jesus and drink His blood is by reading God’s word in search of truth for ourselves. A wafer and thimble of wine or grape juice, will neither save us, nor change our hearts. Whereas God’s word will get the job done in a miraculous way
How our Christian leaders were led
astray!
Before Christ, God only gave His Spirit to a select few of the most righteous Jews known as Prophets, judges, and Kings. This was done so that God could speak to the people through them, and in turn the people could converse with God through 48
those men. However, to counter God’s actions, Satan impressed upon power seeking Jewish leaders to appoint Prophets of their own choosing, whom they knew would agree with their teaching.
Speaking of such prophets, God said, “I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings,” (Jeremiah 23:21-22).
God said, “And they will deceive everyone his neighbor and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies and weary themselves to commit iniquity.” God then said,
“Thine habitation is in the mist of deceit; through deceit they [the people] refuse to KNOW me, saith the Lord,” (Jeremiah 9:5-6). Satan knows what works best for him, which explains the reason for the increasing number of carnal ministers.
Jesus said of them, “Many will say to me in that day, [white throne Judgement] Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you, depart from me you that work iniquity,” (Matthew 7:21-23).
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Think about our Lord’s words: “I never knew
you,” and the fact that if you claim to know someone, it is understood that the person that you claim to know, knows you. Hence, if you were taught to believe that believing in Jesus is the same as knowing Him, you should give that scripture some serious thought!
World history tells us that when the Roman Empire fell in 476 A.D, the Church in Rome then took control and ruled the entire civilized world for the next 1100 years. During that period, church leaders began introducing doctrines designed to keep converts accountable to the church. This was being done to keep the vast sums of tithe money coming in needed to build St. Peters and other great Cathedrals from which they would rule the People.
During that period Satan easily took control of Christianity by teaching converts that God only teaches through men officially ordained by an orthodox Christian institution, which was the same method Satan used to destroy Judaism.
Hence, in this Church-Age a convert seeking to become an ordained minister must attend a Seminary sanctioned by the denomination in which he seeks to serve. Once there, he is then taught the
Articles of Faith he must obligate himself to teach before being ordained. Thus, through that method of teaching, converts that grew-up attending church 50
have been programed since birth to believe they can merely believe in Jesus!
When Rome fell, public education ceased, and the world quickly spiraled into the Dark-Ages. By the time the 7th century rolled around most people were uneducated and could not read. Those conditions created the perfect time for Satan to spring his greatest deception ever on humanity.
Therefore, he then inspired the Pope to issue a proclamation stating that all converts receive God’s Spirit in them the moment they accept Jesus.
Albeit, citing the Ethiopian eunuch and the Samaritan converts mentioned in the eighth chapter of Acts. A small contingent of leaders was reluctant to teach that doctrine. They claimed that the Holy Spirit would not take up residence in a convert’s heart until after the water baptism as it happened with both the eunuch and the Samaritan converts.
Their disagreement created a split in the leadership, thereby planting a seed that years later grew into the Pentecostal movement. Nonetheless, the Pope ordered the clergy to start teaching this new doctrine, and since all denominations are a spin-off of Catholicism. They all teach a similar version of that doctrine to this day.
However, after the invention of the printing press in 1521. Men like Martin Luther, William Tyndale, John Calvin and others used the power of 51
the press to make the Scriptures available to commoners. Due to their efforts, tens of thousands of people were being born-again as a direct result of reading God’s word. While reading the Bible these new converts discovered previously unheard-of Scriptures that are pertinent to both knowing our Lord and obtaining spiritual growth.
Armed with that knowledge, they began questioning their spiritual leaders about the church’s doctrine stating that everyone receives God’s Spirit in them the moment they accept Jesus.
They did so because they could find nothing in the Bible to substantiate that doctrine.
Their prodding eventually forced Bible illiterate spiritual leaders to strengthen their doctrine with Scriptural references: Now known as the Roman road to Salvation. And, as you are about to discover, those Scriptures form the foundation upon which the perverted gospel rests its ugly head.
The only Scripture accredited to Jesus in the Roman road to Salvation is John 3:16. Albeit, they changed the word “should” to “shall” in that verse to make it fit their narrative of the salvation message. To this day, Satan continues trying to brainwash people into believing that the words should and shall mean the same thing: Which explains why you occasionally see people at large 52
sporting events holding up a sign that simply says John 3:16 .
The truth is, there is not a single verse or group of verses in the Bible stating that we receive God’s Spirit in our heart the moment we accept Jesus.
However, when challenged to prove that, due to pride and man’s tendency to believe his teachers; carnal-minded theologians will fall back on what they were taught. Thus, when asked to be shown Scriptural proof, they will then refer an enquirer to one of the following Scriptures.
First, Acts 2:38 states, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” For over eighteen-hundred years that one verse formed novice theologians’ proof that a convert receives the Holy Spirit in his heart the moment he accepts Jesus.
However, they misinterpreted the word “and”
used in that verse to imply that a convert receives God’s Spirit in his heart immediately upon accepting Jesus and being baptized. Whereas the word “and” as used within the context of that sentence alludes to an event that would happen after receiving Jesus. It neither implies nor means that a convert receives God’s Spirit in his heart immediately.
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For example, basic grammar teaches us that if a young man were to tell his parents that after graduating the university, he intends to start his own business and get rich. His statement would neither imply nor mean that he expects to become rich immediately upon starting his business.
Common sense dictates that the young man may indeed become wealthy if he makes good decisions and devotes himself to the task of achieving his goal after starting his business. But it certainly would not be immediate.
Likewise, if after accepting Jesus and being baptized in the name of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit: And we then put forth a continuing effort to repent of our sins while seeking Jesus through His word as our Lord instructs us to do. God will keep His commitment to us at some point during our faith-walk by filling us with His Spirit, at a point of His choosing.
Finally, due to the advancements in education during the 19th Century, God was able to garner the attention of carnal-minded theologians long enough to point out that their interpretation of the word and
as used in Acts 2:38 was incorrect: And that John 1:12, Acts 8:14-16, and Acts 19:1-3, all proved them to be woefully in error of the Scriptures.
Later, when confronted with that information, many
prideful
Bible-illiterate
theologians
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following their masters claimed that the Bible sometimes contradicts itself, and that some Scriptures should not be taken literally. Such statements made by ministers trying to save face for being found in error of the Scriptures is the reason so many people no longer believe the Bible is God’s infallible word.
However, upon discovering they could no longer use Acts 2:38 to prove their doctrine.
Theologians then pivoted to Ephesians 1:13 and or 1 Corinthians 12:13 for proof.
Ephesians 1:13 states, “In whom you also TRUSTED, after you heard the word of truth the gospel of your salvation: In whom also AFTER
that you BELIEVED, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” Notice that the three key words in that verse are “Trusted,” “After” and
“Believed.” Each of which are used in the past tense form.
The span of time that passed after these Saints first believed and trusted the Lord before receiving the Holy Spirit is uncertain. However, Paul’s choice of words makes it perfectly clear that it was afterward. How long afterward, no one knows, because that depends on the effort one is willing to put into keeping his or her commitment to Christ, as is so eloquently stated by Jesus in St. John 14:21!
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1 Corinthians 12:13 states, “For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free; and All have been made to drink into one Spirit.” That is a statement of fact for those who sought Jesus in accordance with His instructions. However, due to their acceptance of false doctrine, many converts are unable to find the straight gate, thus, remain in a lukewarm state.
Some of which are mentioned in the Bible, men such as Diotrephes whom John mentioned in third John. Another is Simon of Samaria who had deceived the people of Samaria into believing that he was a great man of God. King Saul is another who due to his disobedience, God took His Spirit from him and replaced it with an evil spirit to torment him instead. See 1 Samuel 16:14.
The truth is, God Himself decides when we receive His Spirit within us. This was true during the Apostles’ ministry, this was true on the day of Pentecost, and Praise God this remains being true today! God has not changed!
Before giving up the ghost on Calvary, Jesus said, “It is finished,” meaning that He had implemented God’s plan of salvation perfectly.
Although, evil men inspired by Satan’s deceiving spirits claim that Jesus made some mistakes, which is why the Bible states: “Evil men and seducers
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shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being
deceived,” (2 Timothy 3:13).
Tidd-Bits every convert should
know!
This chapter exposes one of the most destructive doctrines being taught in our churches today. It is the sublime message that believers must attend church or listen to some self-appointed Bible teacher to obtain spiritual growth. Satan pushes that belief because it allows him to control the message being taught and keeps the money coming in to support those in his service.
From birth, converts are taught to believe they must obtain spiritual knowledge the same way they obtained their education. However, it is not possible to obtain spiritual knowledge in that manner. For example, to earn a master’s degree in any subject, you must study many books, each of which provides additional depth on the subject being studied. Also, there would be many teachers to help you learn the contents of those books.
Whereas, to obtain a master’s degree in God’s word, we have but one book from which to learn, and one teacher (Holy Spirit) to teach us. Just as a young child’s mind is continually expanding, so is 57
that of a convert providing he is obeying God’s instructions to read His word.
Paul explained the progression through which we receive spiritual growth saying, “And be not conformed to this world; but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may PROVE
what is that Good, and Acceptable, and Perfect, will of God,” (Roman 12:2).
While reading the Scriptures in a systematic way, we first discover God’s good will. Afterward, while continuing to read, the Holy Spirit gradually reveals God’s acceptable will to us. Lastly, through obedience, the Holy Spirit reveals God’s perfect
will for us, and in what capacity He wants us to serve Him. However, the growing process begins with heeding God’s instructions to read His word.
There are no shortcuts to obtaining spiritual growth, albeit the fastest way is by simply reading the Bible in a systematic way. In fact, if you read only ten chapters a day, you will read through the entire Bible three times in nine days less than a year. As previously stated, if the Holy Spirit abides in you, He hears every word as they pass through your mind, and depending on your stage of growth, he teaches you accordingly.
God instructs us to read because He knows that it is much easier for Satan’s wolves to deceive converts unfamiliar with the Scriptures. For 58
example, imagine visiting a church, and the pastor states that his sermon is going to be on Acts 2:1-4.
After reading those verses, he then places emphasis on verse four which states: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
During his sermon, the pastor points out that everyone that received the Holy Spirit baptism that day, spoke in tongues. After which, he then urges his congregants to seek the gift of tongues according to Acts 2:4.
Sadly, converts that depend solely on their pastor to teach them would be inclined to believe the minister. However, converts familiar with God’s word would have immediately known the pastor was in error of the Scriptures. He would have known that because the very next verse states: “And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under Heaven,” (Acts 2:5). Which represented every language under heaven!
Acts 2:7-8 states, “They [the devout men] were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, Behold, are not all these that speak Galileans [each of whom spoke the Greek tongue]? And how hear we every man in our own tongue wherein we were born.” Verses 9-11 then names the eighteen languages God manifested in the Apostles that day 59
to be certain that everyone in attendance understood the salvation message.
The truth is, God put it in the hearts of these devout and honorable men to be there that day to witness the most important event to take place on earth since the incarnation of Jesus. That event would be when His Spirit descended from Heaven to dwell in the hearts of those whose hearts had been prepared to receive Him, and then remain here to help future converts seeking salvation.
God inspired these devout and honorable men to be there that day because He knew they would believe the gospel message and accept His Son.
And indeed, after hearing the salvation message preached in a language each of them understood, 3000 of them accepted Jesus later that day. God also knew they would be believed when they returned home and shared everything they had seen and heard with their families and fellow countrymen.
Thus, through that event, God placed devout, honorable and trustworthy men preaching Jesus in every civilized Nation under Heaven. Thereby, preparing the way for the Apostles (each of whom had been given the gift of languages) to come into their land preaching Jesus.
Sadly, that miraculous event recorded in God’s word has been overshadowed due to carnal-minded 60
men arguing over the spiritual gift called, “Diver’s
kinds of tongues.” First Corinthians chapter’s 12-14 mentions two types of tongues. One is the languages of men, and the other being the tongues of angels, known today as a prayer language.
Paul spoke about the prayer language saying,
“For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God; for no man understands him; howbeit in the Spirit he speaks mysteries,” (I Corinthians 14:2). This gift often reveals itself in a convert who has received it by interceding during a time of prayer and worship: And the experience is an uplifting affirmation to whomsoever the gift manifest itself.
Speaking of the significance of this gift, Paul said, “Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: For we know not what we should pray for as we ought: [because we are not all-knowing] But the Spirit itself makes intersession for us with groaning’s that cannot be uttered [not of our understanding],” (Roman 8:26).
The Bible states that God gives several spiritual gifts to every born again convert.
However, apart from tongues, none of them are immediately manifested. This is because a measure of spiritual growth is required before any of the other gifts can assist the recipient.
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Thus, Isaiah 34:16 states, “Seek you out of the book of the Lord and read:” and John 14:26
states, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, 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.”
For example, if you have received the gift of discerning of spirits and have allowed the Holy Spirit to teach you. Then, regardless of how poor your memory may be the Holy Spirit can protect you from false doctrine by recalling to your memory everything you’ve ever read on any biblical subject being discussed.
In conclusion, the Bible states that, “Satan
always speaks as though he is an angel of light,”
(2 Corinthians 11:14). Now, with that in mind, imagine a man contemplating committing a sin, and there is a little devil sitting on one shoulder and an angel on the other. Then, you see the devil whisper in one ear saying, Go ahead and do it, no one will ever know: and the angel then whispers in his other ear saying, No, that would be wrong, don’t do it.
The truth is, God and Satan speak to us through our mind, albeit converts often attribute their voice to his or her own conscious thoughts. This gives Satan has an advantage in their lives, albeit Jesus told us how we can circumvent his influence in our 62
lives saying: “Except a man be born-again he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (St. John 3:3).