This brings us to the next point. God has always protected those who are covered by His Spirit. “So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” (Isaiah 59:19)
By Ronald E. Harper
To View the Entire Article, Click Here
To Download the Entire Article, Outline, or PowerPoint, Click Here
This is the third part of the biblical plan of salvation. Having met the prerequisites of repentance and water baptism in the name of Jesus, the believer now is ready to receive the Holy Ghost. However, for clarification, it is understood that a person may receive the Holy Ghost before he/she is baptized. In such cases, God knows that the person is willing to be baptized in the correct way. However, such an occurrence should not be viewed as complete without being baptized. See Acts 10:44-48. When the Holy Ghost fell upon the household of Cornelius, they immediately followed the occurrence with scriptural baptism. “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” (Acts 10:47-48) Note that it was an immediate COMMAND to be baptized. But, in the light of the scriptures, it would not be possible to receive the Holy Ghost without repenting first.
This will be the longest section in this study. There are many things that the Bible has to say about this topic, and several points will be addressed during this portion of the study. What is the Holy Ghost? What is the purpose of the Holy Ghost? Why receive the Holy Ghost? How do we know when we receive the Holy Ghost? This is one of the most awesome experiences available to the New Testament believer. I wish that there could be some way for this writer to try to explain this experience in easy-to‑understand terminology. However, words fail to come close to the feeling that is born in the soul as the presence of the King of Kings comes in to reside. God is powerful enough that He made heavens and earth (Genesis 1:1) yet; he would rather live in the heart of the believer. But, in addition to the command to receive the Holy Ghost, it should be viewed as an awesome privilege to be given such a gift. Some of the points that will be asserted in this chapter will be seen as controversial by some of the mainstream theologies. However, many scriptures to prove them will accompany the teachings presented in this chapter. If you will read this chapter, with an open mind, the proof should be very overwhelming. Prayerfully read this chapter. Ask God for guidance. As you will see in this chapter, He waits to lead us and guide us into all truth.
What is the Holy Ghost?
The first question that should be answered is: “Who/What is the Holy Ghost?” The Holy Ghost has been called many things in the scriptures. The name “Spirit of God” occurs 26 times in the Bible. The first time was in Genesis 1:2. “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Many times in the Old Testament, you will find that men received power to perform their functions as the Spirit of God came upon them. Read some of the following examples: Exodus 31:3, Numbers 24: 2, I Samuel 10:10, and I Samuel 19:20.
Another example, this one from the New Testament, was in I Corinthians 2:14. “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” The “Spirit of God” was also used interchangeably with the “Spirit of Christ” in Romans 8:9, 14. Look closely at verse nine. “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.
To View the Entire Article, Click Here
To Download the Entire Article, Outline, or PowerPoint, Click Here
