As we move forward furnishing biblical proof stating when God's Spirit takes-up residence in our heart, I appeal to those of you who have earned a Doctorate in Theology for your patience, and hopefully, your ability to hear both sides of an issue, before making a decision on a subject as important as when we receive God's Spirit within us.
I say that, because there will be times during this discourse that when disproving doctrine you were taught to believe, you may feel that it is somewhat condescending and feel inclined to quit reading. So, I ask you to very carefully consider the proof being furnished, and the fact that it is coming directly from God's Word with no Scriptures being taken out of context, meaning that, said proof is not conjecture, and therefore should not be condescending. In other words, it is God's word speaking to you; not this writer.
While reading this section you will obtain a perfect understanding of how Satan managed to set the Church on a self-destructing course. You will also discover that Satan has not eased his efforts to destroy the Church since the New Testament Text started becoming available to lay-people in the year 1523. If anything, he has intensified his efforts a thousand fold, and those in the clergy should be ever mindful of that fact.
Pastors, I ask you to imagine, for a moment that you are a lay-person seeking spiritual truth, and, in an effort to find it, you decide to sit down with the leaders of just four of the two hundred plus denominations in existence today. Then individually, you listen to each of them explain in detail the doctrines of their denomination.
For this scenario we'll pick the Catholic Church, Assemblies of God, Southern Baptist, and the Methodist. After listening to their leaders, you would undoubtedly find the differences to be somewhat confusing making it impossible to determine which of the four, if any, is really teaching Biblical truth. Now, multiply that time's fifty, and you can then begin to understand why so many people claim there is too much confusion within the ranks of Christianity. That confusion is also the main reason secularism is taking over the Church; however we will clear up some of that confusion in this chapter.
The aforementioned is also why Jesus said, "When one hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not, then comes the wicked one, and steals away that which was sown in his heart," (Matthew 13:19). Confusing the gospel and teaching false doctrine has always been, and will always be Satan's primary goal to destroy those coming to Christ.
God wants you to read the Bible in search of truth, because He does not want you to be deceived with false doctrine. That's why Jesus said, "If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free," (St. John 8:31-32).
These next few paragraphs contain just a few of our Lord's many warnings about carnal men and women whom Satan inspires to pervert the gospel message. When the Apostles asked Jesus, "When the end of the world would come?" The very first thing He said was, "Take heed that no man deceive you," (Matthew 24:4). That was first and foremost on His mind, because He knew that Satan would inspire men whom we would look up to and respect as being men of God to deceive those of us coming to Christ, such as those who taught you and me. Hence His words, "Let no "man" deceive you."
I didn't realize that I had been deceived until I witnessed the conversion of my wife. Afterward, being a mere believer, and more than a little confused, I went directly to God's word in search of truth for myself, and what I have learned is startling to say the least.
The first thing I learned is that I was not a Christian. Albeit, in church I had been taught from my youth that I was, simply because I believed in Jesus and had accepted him to become the Lord of my life. I also learned that when I stand before the Lord to be judged, no one will be there to defend me for my ignorance of God's word, because, after receiving salvation, I alone am responsible for my spiritual well-being.
Secondly, when Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the temple separating the most Holy Place from the congregation of the people was torn apart, signifying that man no longer needed to depend on another man for his salvation. This is why the Apostle Paul said, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling," (Phil. 2:12). However, that can be accomplished only by having a man of God share the true gospel with us, and our willingness to read the Scriptures, which is God's special instructions showing us how to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and then grow in Spirit and in truth.
2 Chronicles 16:9 states, "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, seeking to show Himself strong in the behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him." Those with a perfect heart toward God devote time to seeking a closer relationship with Him by reading their Bible in search of truth, which is why God shows Himself strong on their behalf.
Due to the large number of Jewish people receiving Jesus during the Apostles' ministry, some of those whom Satan was using to pervert the gospel were doing so, in part, by trying to introduce the Levitical Law into Christianity. That was Satan's first line of attack against the Church, and he continues to use it to this day. Acts 15:1 states, "And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren saying, except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved."
Acts 15:6 states, "And the Apostles and elders came together to discuss the matter." After doing so, they wrote a letter to the Churches stating, "Forasmuch as we have heard that certain men that went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying that you must be circumcised, and keep the Law; to whom we gave no such commandment,"(Acts 15:24). (They were referring to the Levitical law, not the laws of God as explained by the Prophets beginning with Moses, and ending with Jesus).
The Apostles concluded their letter saying, "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that you abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if you keep yourselves, you shall do well. Fare you well," (Acts 15:28-29).
An example of Satan's ability to deceive those coming to Christ can be found in the book of Acts, which states, "There was a certain man called Simon, which beforetime used sorcery and bewitched [deceived] the people of Samaria, giving out that he was some great one. To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the 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], (Acts 8:9-11).
Satan was so successful perverting the gospel that Paul found it necessary to defend himself to the Corinthian church; a church he started. This happened because of the influence of carnal-men, who inspired the leaders of the church to begin questioning Paul's Spiritual authority, as noted in 2 Corinthians 13:3, where Paul said, "Since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me."
Paul defended himself against those Satan was using to deceive the people saying, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ! And no marvel: for Satan himself, is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it's no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works," (2 Cor. 11:13-15). Satan continues to work within all of Christianity in exactly the same manner as Paul described.
Another good example of carnal-men trying to do God's work for Him was the Apostles themselves. Before receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they took it upon themselves to appoint someone an Apostle to replace Judas Iscariot, who had betrayed Jesus. Then, as noted in Act's 1:15-26, they chose a man named Matthias, who was then numbered with the other eleven Apostles. However, Paul was our Lord's choice to fill the vacancy. Had the Apostles been filled with the Holy Spirit at the time that never would have happened!
The Apostle John had problems with a carnal pastor named Diotrephes, prompting him to write a letter to a Spirit-filled friend of his named Gaius who lived near the church in question, alerting him about the situation. John said, "I wrote to the church: but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, receives us not. Wherefore if I come, I will remember his deeds, which he does, prating [speaking] against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither does he himself receive the brethren, and forbids them that would come, and cast them out of the church," (3 John 1:9-10).
Clearly, Diotrephes would have escorted the beloved Apostle out of his church had he insisted on sharing with his congregation. He knew that John wanted to share 1 John 2: 26-27, which states, "These things have I written unto you concerning those who would deceive you. But the anointing [Holy Spirit] that you have received from Him abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you: But the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, you shall abide in Him."
Diotrephes did not want his congregants to hear that message, because he wanted to maintain exclusive control over them. Believe me, there are many pastors like Simon and Diotrephes preaching in churches all over the world today protecting their flocks from the truth in an effort to keep hidden their own ignorance of the Scriptures.
In Proverbs 6:16-19, we learn that pride tops the list of things God hates the most: God hates pride so much because Satan uses it more than anything else to destroy people. For example, because of pride, many carnal-pastors continue preaching false doctrine even after it has been proven they are wrong. Paul predicted that would happen saying, "Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived," (2 Tim. 3:13).
John said, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits [to prove] whether they are of God: Because many false prophets are gone out into the world," (1 John 4:1). And in the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, "They shall deceive many." One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is the discerning of Spirits as shown in I Cor. 12:10; but that gift generally works only in those who have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and the fullness thereof.
In spite of the many warnings given by Jesus and the Apostles, historians recorded that "Satan had an iron grip on Christianity during the Dark Ages." And, as we continue, you will discover that, in spite of the advancements in education, both physical, and spiritual, he hasn't loosened his grip.
Please make a mental note of the fact that the following event happened approximately four years after the day of Pentecost. Also, notice that not one of the people mentioned in the following Scriptures had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit immediately upon accepting Jesus and being baptized. Therefore the Holy Spirit was with them at the time, but not in them.
Acts 8:14-16 states that, "When the Apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria [the entire city] had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John; who when they came down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He [the Holy Spirit] was fallen on none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." This is exactly how salvation unfolded for the Apostles, and continues to do so for those of us coming to Christ today.
Satan is slowly deceiving the entire world by motivating carnal men to teach a doctrine stating that the Holy Spirit takes up residence in your heart the moment you accept Jesus. I realize that statement angers those of you, who were taught that doctrine. However, you have now read dozens Scriptures in part one proving that doctrine to be incorrect, and you'll find more indisputable Biblical evidence in the following paragraphs.
Allow me to explain when things went wrong! With the exception of only a few men, such as Ananias, whom God instructed to lay hands on Paul for him to receive both his sight and the Holy Spirit. Only the Apostles were given the power that by the laying on of their hands, the Holy Spirit was given to whomsoever they laid their hands. That fact baffled those studying the history of Christianity during the early Dark Ages, and a controversy arose about how one receives the Holy Spirit in their day.
Remember, those days were known as the Dark Ages because the majority of people were both uneducated, and unlearned in the Scriptures during that period, which was the perfect time for Satan to spring his greatest deception ever on all mankind.
Satan inspired carnal church leaders during that period to adopt the theory that, since the death of the Apostles, everyone apparently received the Holy Spirit baptism immediately upon accepting Jesus, and or being baptized. At the time, they used Acts, 2:38 to prove their theory, which 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 more than 700 years carnal-clergymen used that one verse to try and prove that we are all filled with the Holy Spirit the moment we accept Jesus. This is because old habits are hard to break, and men tend to follow in the traditional footsteps of those who taught them. However, the word "and" as used in that verse means in sequence to the act of receiving Jesus and being baptized by submersion. It does not imply, nor does it mean that we will receive the Holy Spirit baptism immediately upon accepting Jesus, and or being baptized.
For example, a young man tells his parents that after graduating college, he intends to start his own business "and" get rich. Does that mean he'll suddenly get rich immediately after graduating college "and" starting his business? The answer is obvious; in fact, only recently was the Lord successful in getting the more educated of these theologians to pay attention long enough to point out that their novice interpretation of Acts 2:38 is incorrect: and that John 1:12, Acts 8:14-16, and Acts 19:1-3, all proved them to be wrong.
The aforementioned young man might indeed become rich "if" he devotes himself to the task of working hard to reach his goal after starting his business, but it certainly would not be immediate. Likewise, if we repent of our sins, and are baptized in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, and we then diligently seek Jesus with all of our heart and soul as the Scriptures instructs us to do, we will definitely receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit at some point during the faith-walk.
Upon discovering they could no longer use Acts 2:38 to prove their theory, Seminary professors sent their researchers back to the Bible in search of other Scriptures they might use to substantiate their new doctrine. They chose Ephesians 1:13, and 1 Cor. 12:13, because they are the only two Scriptures in the New Testament text that like-minded men might possibly misuse when trying to substantiate their new doctrine.
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." The three key words in that verse are "trusted" past tense, "after" past tense, and "believed" past tense. How much time had actually passed after these saints first believed, and trusted the Lord, before receiving the Holy Spirit baptism is uncertain, but Paul makes it abundantly clear that it was afterward!
After sending Dr. David Jeremiah of "Turning Point Ministries" what I thought at the time was a finished copy of this writing, I received the following letter from him stating. "Dear Joseph, This is a note to acknowledge that I received your letter and lengthy writings. Joseph, at a quick glance, we differ on the "baptism of the Holy Spirit." Specifically, what I teach is that "the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the imperceptible work of God when the believing sinner is placed by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ at the moment of his conversion." This baptism is unique to this church age. If one is a believer in Jesus Christ he has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). Sincerely, Dr. David Jeremiah".
In all fairness to Dr. Jeremiah, approximately four more pages of additional Biblical proof concerning when we receive the Holy Spirit within us has been added to this writing since receiving the manuscript sent to him. And another ten pages were added in an attempt to better explain the materials he received. I had not included as much proof before, nor did I spend as much time explaining said proof, because I did not want to come across as being condescending.
As a student of the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit had taught me these things. I therefore mistakenly felt that those who have received a Doctorate in the Christian religion would at least be aware of the Scriptures sufficiently to see the truth concerning the baptism of the Holy Spirit, when presented with Scriptural facts on the subject. However, after receiving several such letters from other large ministries as well, I realized that I was wrong, therefore, through this writing, I have rectified my poor sense of judgement.
Dr. Jeremiah is absolutely correct when saying that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the imperceptible work of God when the believing sinner is placed by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ. But, he is wrong when saying that happens at the moment of conversion, or perhaps he just doesn't understand the definition of the word "imperceptible," which in no way implies that we are filled with the Holy Spirit immediately upon accepting Jesus. In fact, during my thirty-eight years of serving Jesus, I have witnessed only one person whom I factually know received salvation, and was filled with the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion.
He also stated that if one believes in Jesus he has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This implies that those who simply believe in Jesus, but haven't asked Him to become the Lord of their lives, have also received God's Spirit within them. Oh, I know that's not what he meant, but that is what such statements imply, which is another reason secularism is taking over the church. In fact, most of the newer translations of the Bible published after 1971 infer the same thing.
Dr. Jeremiah stated, and most pastors teach, that if you believe in Jesus, you know Him. That belief makes Christianity the only religion in the world that claims believing is the same as knowing. Albeit, even those making that statement don't believe it, which is why they refer to themselves as believers. That statement defies human logic, and it's an insult to those of average intelligence, because we were all taught at an early age that believing is not the same as knowing.
Such statements, coupled with the perverted version of the gospel, is why I've heard a countless number of people who have never accepted Jesus say to me, "I believe in Jesus, so I'm a Christian." The Bible states, "You believe there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe and tremble," (James 2:19). It also says, "The body without the Spirit [Holy Spirit] is dead, so faith without works are dead also," (James 2:26).
He said, "This baptism is unique to this church age," because when attending the seminary he was taught that Jesus apparently changed His mind about how we receive God's Spirit within us, which is what makes it unique to this church-age. In Acts 5:32 Dr. Luke states that God gives His Spirit only to those who "obey" Him; meaning in much the same manner we were expected to be faithful to our spouse during and after the engagement period.
Most married couples know that, if they were to stray into the arms of the opposite sex, a divorce may ensue. In other words, we don't expect our spouse to put up with our infidelity; while most Christians expect God to put up with all manner of their sins. That phenomena exist because of the way the gospel is currently being preached by carnal-minded men. That is also why the vast majority of people believe they will go to heaven when they die, no matter how they live their lives, if they believe in Jesus. The only thing such people have gleaned from the church is that Jesus died for all of their sins: past, present, and future.
Dr. Jeremiah used 1st Corinthians 12:13 to prove his point, which 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 true statement for those who have heard the true gospel, and remained faithful and obedient to our Lord while on their faith walk. The truth is: due to false doctrine, and disobedience, there are many people sitting in church that haven't been allowed to drink of God's Spirit: such as Simon of Samaria who offered the Apostles money to buy the Holy Spirit after it was freely given to those with a pure heart.
God has not given His Spirit to many believers, because, as Jesus said, "A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit," (Matt. 7:18). The corrupt tree Jesus was referring to is a carnal clergyperson preaching a corrupt version of the gospel; thus the blind is leading the blind, and all of those led to Christ through them will likely perish. Jesus said, "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you compass sea and land to make one proselyte [new-convert], and when he is made, you make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves," (Matt. 23:15).
Our Heavenly Father, and He alone, knows the heart of every living soul coming to Him. And, He has always been the one to decide when those coming to Him receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is why Jesus sits on His right hand speaking on our behalf. This was true during the first and second outpouring of God's Spirit on the day of Pentecost; this was true during the Apostles ministry; and this is also true today.
While hanging on the tree Jesus said, "It is finished," meaning that He had implemented God's plan of salvation perfectly, and that it would never be changed. Albeit, Satan has been chipping away at it ever since, making subtle changes that will allow him to eventually deceive the entire world.
In Matthew 3:11, John the Baptist stated that Jesus would "baptize us with the Holy Spirit, and with fire." And, when those who truly know God received the Holy Spirit baptism, it did ignite a "Spiritual fire" burning within them, causing them to seek a closer relationship with God by reading the Scriptures, whereupon Jesus was able to teach them, enabling them to come into the knowledge of the truth. As a result, they eventually received the fullness of the Holy Spirit, thereby becoming one of His elect.
Now that you've read parts one and two, some of you may now be thinking about how you can apply this seemingly new knowledge to your personal ministry. However, if you are a novice in the Scriptures, for the reasons listed below, you don't, at least not yet. This writer can, and will sit down with anyone, including the Pope, and debate the subjects discussed herein with both vigor and Biblical knowledge, because the Holy Spirit has burned these things into my soul for the purpose of writing this book.
However, until the Lord burn's them into your soul, Satan would chew you up and spit you out when challenged by his wise and prudent servants. However, if you are willing to go back to square one by following the Lord's advice given in part four on how to allow the Holy Spirit to teach you, it will be the Holy Spirit in you doing the chewing, and spiting, because our Lord will most certainly equip you to do battle against Satan's servants.
God wants you to be able to preach with the same conviction and knowledge as did the Apostles. For example, over a span of approximately three years Jesus personally taught all of them except Paul. However, Paul wrote approximately a third of the New Testament text, so who taught him? God the Holy Spirit did! Paul explained how saying, "But I certify you brethren, that the gospel preached by me did not come from man. For I neither received it from man, neither was I taught it, but by revelation of Jesus Christ," (Galatians 1:11-12).
He then continued saying, "But when it pleased God who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace. To reveal His Son in me that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood. Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were Apostles before me, but I went into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. Other of the Apostles saw I none except James the Lord's brother. Now the things that I have written to you; behold before God I lie not," (Galatians 1:15-20).
Notice that upon being called into our Lord's service, Jesus did not send Paul to those whom He had personally taught for them to teach him. Although, I feel sure those men would have made up the best Bible College the world would have ever known. Perhaps that's why the Holy Spirit led him into Arabia, then on to Damascus for three years, where there were no Bible teachers. Jesus did so because, He wanted to teach Paul, so that he could preach with the same conviction and knowledge as the others, not believing, but knowing.
To this day, our Lord desires to teach those whom He calls into His service. And, as previously stated, you can allow Him to do that by following His instructions, which have been compiled for you in part four. Then, and only then, will you be spiritually embolden and prepared to preach the truth concerning salvation, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or on any other spiritual subject.
Jesus taught us saying, "A certain man [Jesus] had a fig tree [a Christian] planted in his vineyard [the world]; and he came and sought fruit thereon, but found none. Then said he to the dresser of his vineyard [Holy Spirit]. Behold, these three years have I come seeking fruit on this tree, and find none: Cut it down; why let it take up space in the ground? And he [Holy Spirit] answered saying, Lord let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it [shake its foundation], and dung it [feed it the word]: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down," (Luke 13:6-9).