How? Is One Filled And Baptized By The Holy Spirit?

For the time will come when they will not

endure sound doctrine, but according to their

own desires, because they have itching ears,

they will heap up for themselves teachers;

and they will turn their ears away from the truth

and be turned aside to fables.

But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions,

do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

2Timothy 4:3–5

            “Itching ears,” then and now, so evident in so many churches that have caused many to succumb to teachings that have the “ring” of truth, and yet are so far removed from Scripture. Why? There are many reasons that can be enumerated and one that stands out loud and clear is the fact that many coming into the Church bring with them and refuse to leave behind; the culture of this world. Many allow the culture of this world to define their lives rather than allowing Scripture to define culture. Teachers, pastors, evangelists, especially those televangelists who become “filthy” rich by spouting words that meet the desires of those so infected by worldly culture. Many would cavil, object vehemently over saying that they are wrong. They will not change, they hold on to what the desire and believe. They turn away “from the truth,” and listen and “turned aside to fables.” Paul reminds Timothy and us to be “watchful in all things,” This problem within the Christian Church has become gangrenous, infecting those who desire to have the truth, to become in the image of Jesus Christ and not by fables. A return to Scripture as the foundation and the truth that we need to fulfill our ministry, that is, whenever we are called by God, to be and do, we need truth and not fables. When trials come, and they will, the question is; will we stand for God or succumb to false teaching and not stand fast for Jesus Christ? How do we know the truth? It is not so easy as some proclaim; it takes men and women of courage to study the Bible, to make changes in their lives if their lives are not in harmony with Scripture. It requires pastors, and leaders within the Church to stop, that is, if they are teaching what scratches itching ears, to teach the truth even if the truth is hard and demanding, as it is for does not Scripture say: “For however does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother” (Mathew 12:50). Jesus did not mince words when it comes to being a follower of Him: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37–38). To listen and to apply false teaching in your lives is nothing short of denying Jesus Christ, His teachings, and not being formed into His image: “But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:33). You say: “I don’t deny Jesus.” Yes you do if you are not converted to Him, to His teaching, and are listening to false teachings. You have a different Jesus Christ than what Scripture presents in regards to the Only Begotten Son of God. Fear not: “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32). The question before all of us: Will we make the needed changes when the truth of Scripture presented? I hope so! This is the thrust of these blogs, especially these blogs on the Trinity, and at the present the Holy Spirit the third Person of the Trinity.

            I will begin to conclude this subject. The Bible teaches clearly that the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the Filling of the Holy Spirit is two functions, separate ministries. From Scripture this fact: as found in Acts chapters, 8,10, 19 where believers receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  In each case, those who received the baptism of the Holy Spirit were believers, saved under the Old Testament dispensation of the Law. These believers were Old Testament saints that while they believed God and saved, they had no knowledge in regards to God instituting the Church, the ekklesia, the called out ones. When the Gospel was presented to them as believers in God the received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and became a part of the Church age, this dispensation, (organization, not Dispensationalism), and a part of the Body of Jesus Christ. (cf. Romans 12:5; 1Corinthians 10:16; 12:12; 27; Ephesians 4:23; Colossians 2:17). From the founding the Church after the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension into heaven by Jesus Christ the Messiah, all believers are in the Church age, this dispensation and at salvation receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

            The early Church was predominately filled with Jewish believers, Old Testament saints. After Pentecost who had not heard that Jesus Christ had come, suffered, and died for their sins, and when they heard the Gospel, the Good News that Jesus was the Messiah and had risen from the grave, the accepted with glad hearts and received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus Christ. Becoming part of the Church Age whereby believers have the dispensation of Grace and they were indwelled by the Holy Spirit. Not by anything, they did to receive this indwelling, in other words, they did not seek the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit, for all who are saved, receive the indwelling as promised.

            I will continue this conclusion in the next blogs. Until then, look up those Scriptures cited but not quoted. Study to show yourselves, approved workmen for God.

But He answered and said to them,

            “An evil and adulterous generation

seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given

            to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

                                                Matthew 12:39

You are indwelled; Live the truth

Richard L. Crumb

Being Controlled By The Holy Spirit

Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall

enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does

the will of My Father in heaven.

Many will say to Me in that day,

‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in

Your name, and done many wonders in

Your name? And then I will declare to them,

“I never knew you; depart from Me,

and you who practice lawlessness!”

Matthew 7:21–23

            The above Scripture should cause a person to examine all that they do in the name of Jesus Christ. Many people claiming to be following the Bible as shown by various manifestation, they claim, of the Holy Spirit, that they are “filled’ with the Holy Spirit, may not actually be following Scripture. In fact, they have assumed that they are demonstrating being “filled” with the Holy Spirit and yet never taking time to personally examine that which they are doing. Why fear this Scripture? Jesus said: “I never knew you; depart from Me,” (vs. 23). The word “never” in Greek is 2^nd Aorist, Indicative, Active, and is pointing out that in a period, a point in time, Jesus did not know them. Then Jesus connects their actions of saying and showing various manifestations of the Holy Spirit, and their prophesies, that they have connected to Jesus Christ are not so connected to Him, and this He says: “you who practice lawlessness!” (vs. 23b). This practice of conjoining these, and sometimes outlandish, actions as being filled with the Holy Spirit may not necessarily be so; therefore we must examine the “filling of the Holy Spirit.”

            What then is the filling of the Holy Spirit? Paul writes: “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation (excess); but be filled with Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). Paul did not say, “be Baptized with the Holy Spirit, rather, he said to be filled with Spirit. Notice the comparison with being drunk, and with being filled with Spirit, as the next verses explain what this means: “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord giving things always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God” (Ephesians 5:19–21). Did Paul say to the Ephesians to be acting drunk, to be so filled with Spirit to dance around feverishly, shouting, and fainting, and being slain, or to perform healings, or raising the dead, or to be passing through tunnels of fire as is done at the Bethel Church in Redding, California. No! The illustration by Paul is that we are not to be controlled by anything else except to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. It is interesting to look at how being drunk with wine was considered by non–Christians, especially the Greeks. They held to the idea the alcohol was the “drink of the gods” and alcohol and a certain affect on man and that affect was the power of God which enabled the drinker to receive power, great power, and awareness or inspiration. Paul, first century person understood the mind of the first century people and this illustration not be lost on those to whom he wrote and should not be lost on us. So, in contrast: allow the indwelling of the Holy Spirit control you.

            To be “filled with the Spirit,” means then, to be under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Examples in the New Testament:

1. Jesus, in Luke 4:1, said he was "full of the Holy Spirit."
2. Stephen, was "full of faith and the Holy Spirit" Acts 6:5, 7:55.
3. Barnabas, also was full of the Spirit. Acts 11:24.
4. Peter, preached in Acts 4:8 "filled with the Holy Ghost."
5. The first deacons, in Acts 6:3, to be qualified must be men "full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom."

It is clear from Scripture that to be “filled with the Spirit” and the “Spirit’s” influence was for empowering a person to manifest Christianity by living as God, and His Son, so clearly pointed out, that we are to live according to the commands of God as found in the Ten Commandments. We are to apply those commands in every circumstance we find ourselves in this life. We are to be ready to speak the Gospel, we are to be Christian and not some fanatic, or perform some fanatical experience. Nowhere in Scripture is a believer in Jesus Christ, one who has converted to Jesus Christ, has a command to be “Baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Jesus did

 command: “be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Read Romans, chapters 6 & 7, and you will find that we, as Christians have two natures; one that is carnal, and the other a new nature, a spiritual one. A Christian can allow the old carnal nature to control him and sin: “If wee say that we have o sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1John 1:8–10). Or, we can allow the Holy Spirit to lead us. The question: who is controlling you? Who are you in submission too? Is it your lust for carnal things or is it our desire for spiritual things?

Do not love the world,

            Or things in the

World. If anyone loves

            The world, the

Love of the Father

            Is not in him.

                        1John 2:15

Love God, live life

Richard L. Crumb

The Problematic Teachings About The Holy Spirit

For what man knows the things of a man

except the spirit of the man which is in him?

Even so no one knows the things of God

except the Spirit of God. Now we have

received, not the spirit of the world,

but the Spirit who is from God, that we

might know the things that have been

freely given to us by God. These things

we also speak, not in words which man’s

wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit

teaches, comparing spiritual things

with spiritual. But the natural man does not

receive the things of the Spirit of God,

for they are foolishness to him; nor can he

know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1Corinthians 2:11–14

            Paul writing to the Corinthian Church did so because there was much abuse among the Christians in that Church. They were abusing the Lord’s Supper, and abusing the sign gifts. First, admitted that the unsaved cannot understand the things of God. Why? They do not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and not a new creature in Jesus Christ. They are not born again. Secondly, what about a saved person, can they understand the things of God? NO! Unless that person has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and if not, to say that you are a Christians does not make you a Christian; just as saying that I am an astronaut and not having been trained to be one. If you are saved, born again, the Holy Spirit has indwells you, and it this baptism of the Holy Spirit that enables you to understand the things of the Spirit of God. This problem that the apostle Paul faced and had need to expose and correct is the same old problem that exists in many so-called Christian Churches and their congregants. Let us examine this to see if this is true.

            For many years, especially after the Second Great Awakening, Protestant revival movement that occurred in the United States around 1790 A.D. gaining great strides by 1800 A.D. and gave rise to many new denominations, especially so was this Awakening within the Baptist and Methodist Churches. The Second Great Awakening reached its peak by 1840 A.D. This Second Great Awakening gave rise to much evangelism, the Church membership grew, and even so did this movement have an impact on politics. Revivals were held and emotionalism was the practice of the revivalists: we see this today if one watches the evangelists preach and shout, and scream, and dance around, attempting to bring emotionalism to their listeners. Charles Finney (1792 A.D.-1875 A.D.) considered the first major religious figure that made changes to the revivals by approaching and abandoning that only God, by means of His miracles, could induce emotionalism or religious fervor. Charles Finney rejected what he said he believed, that is the doctrines of the reformed faith. His most serious errors: the rejection of the doctrine of justification by faith, also, Finney also denied that the righteousness of Jesus Christ is the only and sole ground for our justification. What he taught and is being taught in many Churches today is that sinners must, by themselves, reform their own hearts, and if they do hey will be acceptable to God. This is nothing more than Pelagianism, this emphasis on self–reformation apart from being enabled, and drawn by God (Read John 6). Today from this Awakening pious movements have preached and taught those same doctrinal positions of Charles Finney, and yet, they have none of the ruggedness that is the reality of the New Testament: There is nothing in their teachings that needs the death of Jesus Christ. Why? They teach that all that is required of them is a pious atmosphere, prayer, and devotion. I find this to be true of those students of the Bethel School of the Supernatural in Redding, California, when we speak together, all they can do is speak of some ethereal, some spiritual awakening that is needed, and not the ruggedness of the Gospel. This type of supernatural experience is not supernatural, nor miraculous, although this is what they are taught and being taught in Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches. Why? There is no cost of the passion of God, and it  is not dyed in the blood of the Lamb, and it does not have the hall–mark of the Holy Spirit. Yet, they approach their religious beliefs with awe and wonder, and believe in the experience and not in the rugged work of an ambassador who is telling the Gospel. The work of God Almighty speaks of nothing else that brings awe and wonder; it is what the New Testament talks about; the work of the Lamb and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to guide us and to lead us in the truth. It is this type of Christian experience found taught in the New Testament of our personal passionate devotion to the Person Jesus Christ. Every other type of Christian experience, so called, is detached from the Person of Jesus Christ. There is no regeneration, no being born again, although those involved in emotional Pentecostal, or Charismatic movements speak of being born again, their doctrine is not Scriptural as thy speak and teach that Jesus Christ is our pattern. The New Testament does not teach this for first, and foremost, He is our Savior. Jesus Christ in many Churches and schools dispatch Him as the Figurehead of the Christian religion, a mere example. Yes, He is our example, but, He is more; He is salvation itself, He is the Gospel of God.  Many speak of the filling of the Holy Spirit and do things that they perceive as proof of that filling. We must then examine this and will do so in the next blog.

For no other foundation can

            Anyone lay than that

Which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

            Now if anyone builds on this

Foundation with gold, silver,

            Precious stones, wood, hay,

Straw, each one’s work will become clear;

            For the Day will declare it because

It will be revealed by fire, and the fire will

            Test each one’s work, of that sort it is.

                                    1Corinthians 3:11–13

Test all things: Don’t just accept

Richard L. Crumb

What Is The Power Of The Holy Spirit?

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth;

whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not,

neither knoweth him: but ye know him;

for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

John 14:16-17 (KJV)

            Do you want emotion? Do you want a thrill? Do you want peace? Then read the opening verses carefully, slowly, and meditate upon them for they are all that you need and seek to be able to meet all the circumstances in this life. Pray to the Father, for Him to save you from the sin that you cannot absolve by yourself; you need God to save you, and not by anything, you do to gain it. Conversion is simply to deny oneself and place oneself at the foot of God, His Son, and by doing so God will send to you the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth. Some teach that anyone can come to God, but this is not so, only those who God has elected for salvation; for you see, original sin deserves death, and the corruption that Adam caused by his sin is passed down to his progeny. The world cannot receive the Comforter because God has not chosen them, they cannot find Him, and they cannot know Him: but you can; the Holy Spirit resides, indwells, the chosen of God. Here then is great comfort: The Holy Spirit will abide with you forever. You may cavil and object vehemently about election, yet this is what Scripture teaches and will be one of the subjects, once again, in my blogs. Until then let us examine the baptism of the Holy Spirit in more depth as there is great contradiction within the Church and we should want the truth: don’t we?

            The book of Acts records that Jesus, before His ascension into heaven, and told His disciples: “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now’” (Acts 1:4–5). Jesus further explained to His disciples that the coming upon them, the Holy Spirit, they would receive power. Power for what? Some use this to mean that they are to some of the most horrendous acts, and even though some attempt to be healers, givers of prophecy, they miss the context. This power is to empower a person to be martyrs (the Greek word μάρτυρες, means witness, although we use this often to mean one who is killed), so we are to be witnesses for Christ. How? It is the gospel proclaimed. It is our daily living, in all the circumstances we face each day in this life and this by adhering to the commands of God: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

            The account in regards to the Pharisee Nicodemus states: “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). To be saved a person must be “born again,” and this God accomplishes by given to a person the free gift of faith: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). This most be admitted for Scripture is clear in these verses; being born of the Spirit and the baptism of the Holy Spirit to be the same and in John 3:6: “That which is born of he flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). The Holy Spirit produces spirits and this by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit when a person believes: “But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for he Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not glorified” (John 78:39). The Greek word for believing is a participle in the present tense; therefore it is not someone who will believe, it is those who are now, believing, and this assures us that this believing is not an on and off believing, it is “NOW” believing, always believing. When you are saved and turn your life to Him you will fully receive the Holy Spirit, not another receiving, in the now, in the moment you are believing.

            The New Testament is void of any mention of a “Second Blessing,” that one receives, or prays for, or an experience. Paul explains: “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is not in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors––not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh” (Romans 8:9–12). What do we learn from this Scripture? When a person saved, they receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. If a person does not have the Holy Spirit they are not saved and are not one of God’s children. They are lost and dead in their sin. When the Holy Spirit comes and indwells a person; they become quickened: that is, made alive, in Jesus Christ, and now ambassadors, witnesses of Jesus Christ. This fact is only true if the Holy Spirit dwells in a person and it is clear from Scripture that this indwelling occurs at salvation, and then we become a new creature, all the old things have passes away, and all things become new: (2Corinthians 5:16–17). Paul uses the word “if” a man be in Christ, he is a new creature, and this begs the question: How can a man be in Christ and not be indwelled by the Holy Spirit which is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the One that Jesus promised would come in Acts 2? (cf. Acts 1:5).

            What about the sign gifts? This will be in the next blog.

For as many as are led

            By the Spirit of God,

These are the sons of God.

                        Romans 8:14

Allow the Spirit to guide you

Richard L. Crumb

You Are Sealed With The Holy Spirit: What Does That Mean?

In Him you also trusted,

after you heard the word of truth,

the gospel of your salvation; in whom also,

having believed, you were

sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

Ephesians 1:13

            The Bible never speaks of two baptisms of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, to say that there is another baptism of the Holy Spirit is to speak what the Bible does not state. It has in previous blogs, shown that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is permanent indwelling of the believer for all converted Christians. As a believer, one who trusts in the Lord Jesus Christ and this after hearing the word of truth, the gospel, you were “sealed” with the Holy Spirit. This sealing by the Holy Spirit is an assurance, confirmation, and a bond, once given; at salvation, and not repeated for you “were” sealed. This sealing gives to the sealed person by the Holy Spirit all that the Holy Spirit gives to God’s children; therefore, why is there a need for a second baptism of the Holy Spirit. Especially so since the Bible never refers to a second baptism of the Holy Spirit. You have all that you need from Him: “…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:17–18). The riches of God, His glory to the saints is the inheritance given to believers: “…buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12). We have been buried in the death of Jesus Christ, baptized in His death, and raised with Him to glory with all the power that the Father gives by rising, from the dead His Son, and by saving us and given to us His power to live eternally. We have the power to live as we go from day to day, in all the circumstances of life, to be what we say we are: Christians. This is the New Covenant: “Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you’” (Luke 22:20). This is the dispensation arranged by God for all He enables and calls to salvation by the means of the death, resurrection and ascension of His Son Jesus Christ.

            The doctrine according to the Pentecostals and Charismatics lacks understanding of the dispensational truth: Christians are not people of the Old Testament, the old covenant given to the Hebrews, rather they are in a different and new dispensation by which God deals with men. Jesus Christ appeared on the scene according to God’s timetable and in this period, the period of the Gospels, the early Church was in transition from the old covenant to the new covenant. This new covenant was put in force by God, the movant, by the crucifixion of His Son Jesus Christ, a time when the Jews rejected the Messiah, the One for whom the longed to appear. Furthermore, the rejected the Gospel and then the Gospels given to the Gentiles with the baptism of the Holy Spirit and they becoming the Bride of Christ. The Jews did not need a New Testament to instruct them as to the Messiah; they had it all previously given to them by their prophets, and their writings, accumulated into one book, and read in their synagogues. What the Jews desired and looked for was signs to authenticate God’s presence and work: “For Jews request a sign, and seeks after wisdom” (1Corinthians 1:22). God gave the Jews signs and wonders, graciously God gave what they desired, and looked for fulfilling the Old Testament accompanied with preaching, concerning the coming of the Messiah, the Jews still rejected Jesus. Because of this rejection by the Jews God offered now to the Gentiles the baptism of the Holy Spirit: a fulfillment of the covenant God gave to Abraham whereby all nations be blessed. The Jews now were off the scene, the Gospel having been preached to them, signs and wonders given to them, there was no longer any need of sign gifts any more. Why? The Gentiles sought after wisdom, not signs as the verse given from 1Corinthians 1:22; they desired to study the Bible, the Word of God. So, why did God give to the early Church sign gifts? Because most of the Churches were populated with Jews, not Gentiles, even in cities of Greece as many Jews fled to those cities. Cornelius, in Acts 11 became the opening of the door to the Gentiles and a Church established in Antioch, and this Church was both filled with Jews and Gentiles. This occurred until the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and up until then the sign gifts were valid to authenticate that the apostles were speaking for God and had His Spirit within them. With the ministry of Paul who went to the Gentiles spreading the Gospels after 70 A.D. the new dispensation established as the nation of the Jews was now destroyed; it no longer existed. With the cessation of the sign gifts they were and are not needed. God, by His Providence, gives that which needed to fulfill His purpose. This by the Holy Spirit, but there is no unction for believers to seek the gifts, or to use some gift as though a gift was given to them by the Holy Spirit misusing a proposed gift as though this was some authentication of salvation or the presence of the Holy Spirit. There is no need for a second baptism of the Holy Spirit. Paul write to this fact to the Corinthian Church as they were misusing the gifts and the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, and says: “But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away” (1Corinthians 13:10). Some cavil at this verse when it is applied to the Bible and only will accept that this is when Jesus Christ comes again; but this is not what the context supplies to us for the early Christians new in part, and until the Bible was complete needed certain gifts, but this all ended with the Bible’s completion. (Read 1Corinthians 13:8–11).

            We need more information regarding the Holy Spirit and what Jesus Christ said about salvation and the receiving of the Holy Spirit and this is the thrust for the next blog.

And though I have the gift of prophecy,

            And understand all mysteries

And all knowledge, and thought I have

            All faith, so that I could remove

Mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

                                    1Corinthians 13:2

Present Yourself A Workman For God

Richard L. Crumb

Discovering The Truth About The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit

For you are all sons of God

through faith in Christ Jesus.

For as many as were baptized

into Christ have put on Christ.

Galatians 3:26–27

Before continuing we must remember this fact: Theology is not philosophy. Theology does not attempt or assume to discover truth, not does it attempt to reconcile what Scripture teaches as truth with other truths. The province of Scripture is simply to state what God has revealed to us in His Word, and then to vindicate, as far as possible, those statements from misconceptions and objections. This is what attempted in these blogs. Theology then in this limited and very humble way recognizes that this is especially necessary for us to bear in mind when we speak of the acts and purposes of God. The Glory of God is the cause for this presentation and discussion: is it not that we want to know the truth as Scripture as revealed and not by some person? Yes!

            Continuing in this discussion of the baptism of the Holy Spirit the first remembered is the economy of God and His dispensation (not Dispensationalism). There are two very important dispensations in the economy of God and we know them as the Old Testament and the New Testament; therefore, we must examine both dispensations and the work of the Holy Spirit. Believers before Jesus Christ, the Messiah appeared on earth that began a new or New Testament dispensation, were not indwelled by the Holy Spirit, that is, not permanently indwelled. This is true for the prophets, and priests, and others where were employed by God for intended particular service. Not so for King David: “Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah” (1Samuel 16:13). Men that had the Spirit of God come upon them: Otheniel, Gideon, Jephthah, Samson, Samuel, King Saul, Amasai, Azariah, and Zecharah (cf. Numbers 24:2; Judges 3:10, 6:34, 11:29, 14:19; 1Samuel 10:10, 11:6, 18:10; 1Chronicles 12:18; 2Chronicles 15:1, 24:20): each case the Holy Spirit did not indwell them permanently.

            Peter on the Day of Pentecost (Fifty Days after Passover, the festival of Pentecost counted from the second day of the Feast) stood up and preached to the crowd (Acts 1:14). Peter recounted the words of the prophet Joel (Joel 2:28) and this was the signal, a sign, that there was now a new dispensation, a forming of the church the Bride of Christ. Jesus had ordered that the disciples were to wait for the promise of the Father (Acts 1:4) and that promised was the baptism of the Holy Spirit; “…for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:5). On the fiftieth day of Pentecost, these disciples were indwelled by the Holy Spirit for prior to this time even the disciples were not indwelled by the Holy Spirit. Something new was occurring, a new dispensation for God’s children, a new purpose and service for God was about to begin with the forming of the Church and the indwelling permanently upon true converted believers; the Holy Spirit. This indwelling of the Holy Spirit upon believers was not for some revelational experience that would be carried on throughout Church history, although this new dispensation in the economy of God begin with specific signs. This indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the work that the Holy Spirit would empower God’s children was to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. By Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, men would hear the gospel, and by the faith given to them by God respond and turn their lives to follow the commands of God. Jesus spoke: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). We who are children of God are to be witnesses of Jesus Christ, that He is the Savior, the promised One who takes away sin. It is not some experience and practiced in many churches, gibberish speaking, prophesying, healings, acting slain, and having great emotional experiences. No, we are to be to be ready to defend our faith and our faith is not in some charismatic revelational gospel. It is to tell any who would ask about Jesus Christ. We are to be witnesses for Jesus Christ in all we do: at work, home, play. As the opening Scripture testifies; we are all sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ and are baptized into Jesus Christ, putting on Jesus Christ, we are no longer our own we are purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ. This is not water baptism; this is by our faith and our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, baptized into Him and have clothed ourselves with Him. This is key: it is by faith, and if you want an emotional experience: how much greater of an experience is this? You are saved, eternally saved, your sins washed away by the blood of Jesus. Not by who you are, or what you do, it is by grace, a free gift of God. Think upon this and if you do not become humble and emotional, then you are looking in the wrong place. Think upon this: “And because you are sons, god has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father’” (Galatians 4:6)! Nowhere in Scripture are we to understand that the believer told to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Paul writes: “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body––whether Jews of Greeks, whether slaves or free––and have all been made to drink into one Spirit” (1Corinthians 12:13). All are baptized into one Spirit for the one who is saved, at their salvation, they are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are now members of the body of Jesus Christ. Paul makes this clear: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5–6). You who are saved do not have two baptisms of the Holy Spirit as some claim and teach. You automatically receive the Holy Spirit at salvation to those who trust by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore He says:

            When He ascended on high,

He led captivity captive, and

            Gave gifts to men.

                                    Ephesians 5:8

Called by God, Empowered By God: YOU!

Richard L. Crumb

           

Learning The Work Of The Holy Spirit

Nevertheless I tell you the truth.

It is to your advantage that I go way,

for if I do not go away, the Helper

will not come to you, but if I depart,

I will send Him to you. And when He has come

He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness,

and of judgment; of in, because they do not believe in Me,

of righteousness, because I go to My Father

and you see Me no More; of judgment, because the ruler

of the world is judged. I still have many things to say to you,

but you cannot bear them now. However, when He,

the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth;

for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears

He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine

and declare it to you.

John 16:7–14

            Let us look at the references to the baptism of the Holy Spirit as this is the true source:

1. Matthew 3:11. "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." John the Baptist, was promising that when the Messiah came He would baptize them with the Holy Spirit. It was a promise of the indwelling of the Spirit of God. This was confirmed by Peter in Acts 11:16. (Read Peter and Acts 11:16; it is the Holy Bible in all its chapters and versed that we find the truth for it is in context of the whole and not just some proof verses as some choose to use to prove their presuppositions and theology).

2. Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16. These are parallel references to Matthew 3:11.

3. John 1:33-34. "I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, `Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God." This was John's confirmation, that the One who was the Messiah, and who would baptize with the Holy Spirit was Jesus. John the Baptist's evidence was that he saw the Spirit of God descend on Jesus, and then God told him this was the Messiah.

4. Acts 1:5. "for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." Jesus promised his disciples they would receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is what happened on the Day of Pentecost. The disciples of Christ received the Baptist of the Holy Spirit. In John 14:16-17. Jesus told His disciples about His sending of the Holy Spirit (Comforter): "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (John 14:16-17) Note that Christ said the Comforter would abide with them, that He would indwell them, and be in them. This is the first mention of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was explaining to His disciples that after He returned to Heaven, the Spirit would continue to abide in and with them. In John 16:7-14 (quoted in the opening Scriptures), Jesus later explained more of the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

5. Acts 11:16. "Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, `John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit." Acts 10, records that there was a Roman centurion named Cornelius who was a devout man who feared God. He was a Jewish proselyte to Judaism. God sent an angel to Cornelius and instructed him to send for Peter who was in Joppa. The angel told him that Peter would tell him what he should do? Evidently Cornelius was praying about questions he had about God. Peter at the same time receives a vision from God that prepared him for Cornelius's visit. Peter a devout Jew would not normally even enter a Gentile's house. God told Peter, in the vision, to eat animals that the Mosaic law declared to be unclean. When Peter refused, God told him not to call common what God declared to be clean. (Acts 10:14) As the vision ended the men Cornelius had sent to fetch Peter stood knocking on his door. They related how the angel had appeared to their master Cornelius and beckoned him to go with him. Peter went and preached Christ to Cornelius. (Acts 10:23-43) Verse 44 says they received the Holy Spirit and afterwards received water baptism. What happened to Cornelius, and those in his home who believed, was identical to what happened on the day of Pentecost to the Jewish disciples in Jerusalem. Peter says that the receiving of the Holy Spirit was what John the Baptist had prophesied. (Acts 11:15-16) Acts 11:18, records that this was a sign to the Jews in Jerusalem that, "Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."

6. Acts 19:1-7, records that Paul came to Ephesus and encountered twelve disciples of John the Baptist. He asked them if they had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. They replied that they had no knowledge of anything about the Holy Spirit. Paul told them of Christ and they also received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. This is the third and final time that the Bible records anyone receiving the Holy Spirit, in the manner it was received at Pentecost. It is important to note that verse 8 says that Paul then went to the Jewish synagogue and preached Christ there for three months. Many of the Jews in the synagogue rejected the Gospel message of Jesus being the Messiah. Paul however, continued to preach in the school of Tyrannus for two years so that all in Asia heard the Gospel (See Acts 19:9-10).

          This account says that these believers received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. These believers left the synagogue and began meeting together. It states that because of these events, including miracles preformed by the Apostle Paul, that many believed and the Word of God grew mightily and prevailed (Acts 11:20).

          It should be understood that in each of the three accounts of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit coming upon believers in the Book of Acts the local church was in view. In each case those who received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit were believers. It must be noted that although they feared God, as Old Testament saints did, they did not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. They were not, at that time, New Testament believers. They did not know that Jesus was the Messiah; this had to be explained to them. After they heard that Jesus was the Christ, they believed in Him and received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Understanding that the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit was a new phenomenon given only to the bride of Christ (the church) sheds great light on these events.[1]

          This should give you food for thought, meditation, and to look at the Bible to examine for yourselves these Scriptures and determine if what is said is fact. I will be gone on a short vacation, approximately five days and will not write during that time. Until then; pray, read the Bible, study to show yourselves approved workmen for God, and to be prepared to give a defense for your faith to anyone who asks (1Peter 3:15).

For the eyes of the LORD are

            On the righteous, and

His ears are open to their prayers;

            But the face of the LORD

Is against those who do evil.

                                    1Peter 3:12

Praise God For Your Faith

Richard L. Crumb

---

[1] Retrieved from internet: http://bible-truth.org/bapt-hs.htm; September 19, 2013

The Attempt To Draw And Seduce Men And Women From The Truth

"for John truly baptized with water,

but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit

not many days from now."

Acts 1:5.

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter,

 that he may abide with you for ever;

Even the Spirit of truth;

whom the world cannot receive,

because it seeth him not,

neither knoweth him: but ye know him;

for he dwelleth with you,

and shall be in you."

John 14:16-17

            The adversaries of the Bible and the doctrine of Jesus Christ attempt to draw and seduce the souls of men from the truth. These adversaries truncate the truth and substitute their false theology from the simplicity of the Gospel and those great fundamental truths Scripture contains. By means of eristic method in the handling fo the great mysteries contained in the Bible justifies any debate. It is our duty that we: “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints”(Jude 3). This necessity that is imposed upon Christians should not be taken without there be a humble reverence of mind and that we ought not to shrink back from always be conversant about them, to examine and investigate those holding beliefs and doctrines apart from Orthodox Christianity. True Christians are not removed for the need to regard the way and the manner or their revelation(s) they propose are Scriptural, those teachings and doctrines that are an intermixture and litigious and exotic as found in their phrases and expression and in their assertions and declarations. Those adversaries of Orthodox Christianity do decry anything peculiar about the mysteries of God, and especially the doctrine of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Those mysteries of God revealed in Scripture are for the children of God the very glorious being and wisdom of God. Those adversaries have forced another enigmatical sense upon the words and expressions, and propositions, as they are the revealed and declared word of God. What they have done in many cases is that they have turned the whole gospel into an allegory, wherein nothing properly expressed but in some kind of allusion not found elsewhere or anywhere in Scripture. This is irrational leaving the truth in a pool of uncertainty unless a person leaves behind the Orthodoxy, the foundation of the Church. They make the word of God uncertain by their expressions, and writings and attempt to cover this uncertainty with pretence of right reason that Scripture utterly refuses employment. This subject on the doctrine of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is no matter of ordinary controversy in Christianity.

            We must admit that there are things that direct themselves concerning the eternal salvation of souls of men and we ought to consider them and attend them with a due sense in regards of their weight and importance. As we contend for the faith once delivered to the saints we come to this debate, as we should, with due reverence of the majesty, and infinite, incomprehensible nature of God. This must not be prostituted, to some captious and sophistical fraud of men of corrupt minds, those who have been led astray and away from the truth of God’s word to some false teaching not found in Scripture. God is to be humbly adored and His revelation(s) in Scripture that He has made of Himself. We all must be willing to submit our souls and our consciences to the plain and obvious sense of Scripture, and those propositions set forth in Scripture, those testimonies and not seek out evasions and pretences that lead to unbelief.

            History testifies that this doctrine of the Holy Spirit and the baptism of the Holy Spirit has been the source of much debate and making cause for some as with the Sabellians, Arians, Socinians, to deny the common Church doctrine. People are seeking what they desire, a larger and deeper sense of God and attempt to pry from Scripture verses that will support their search. They seek special revelations from God apart from His revealed word. They desire to have special spiritual gifts in the form of healing, even to raise the dead, as some have testified, that they either are a part of the raising of the dead or were the one raising the dead, event though they give some glory to God. Some ever go so far as to be “slain in the Spirit” or barking like dogs, or acting drunk as if this was caused by the Holy Spirit in some special baptism by the Holy Spirit. There are signs of ecstatic movements and sounds, a swaying of the body in some rhythmic spell. All claimed to be due to the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Does this bring glory to God? Is this what the Gospel is all about? All this shouting and posturing by preachers, screaming Scripture, or calling for some form of mysterious “gibberish” language, or tongue. How, How, does this bring true worship to God, not matter how sincere a person is, the question is still waiting for an answer: HOW DOES THIS BRING GLORY TO GOD AND FURTHER THE GOSPEL AND KINGDOM OF GOD?

            This should drive a person to take time to study what I will bring forth in these blogs to make an attempt from Scripture to answer these questions.

Why do you not understand My speech?

            Because you are not able to

Listen to My word.

                                    John 8:43

Read, Pray, Listen To God’s Word

Richard L. Crumb