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