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Pentecost or Peters?

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2:38-39

Pentecost or Peters? Justin Peters says that the LORD doesn’t intend for all of His disciples to speak with other tongues. Is this true or is this false? What does God’s Word teach us on this matter?

Firstly, this is not a salvation issue. Being filled with the Spirit is a privilege, a “gift,” for those who want all God has for them and are willing to forsake tradition (Acts 2:38-39). In 1 Corinthians 12:30 Paul is connecting tongues and interpretation of tongues. He’s not speaking of individuals being blessed to pray in tongues on their own privately at any time. Otherwise, he’s contradicting what he said in chapter 14:

“I would that ye all spake with tongues … 1 Corinthians 14:5 

“I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all.” 1 Corinthians 14:18

“Forbid not to speak with tongues.” 1 Corinthians 14:39

If tongues is not God’s will for His people, why decades after Pentecost did the apostle Paul say “I would that ye ALL spake with tongues … 1 Corinthians 14:5 ?

Individual Tongues?

If tongues aren’t for individual use, why did the LORD’s apostle Paul say “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth HIMSELF (individually)”? (1 Corinthians 14:4) Note also that individual tongues are “unknown” unless God gives the interpretation. This makes it clear that New Testament tongues cannot be limited to speaking in a known language of the earth as happened on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). “Unknown tongue” means just that – “unknown,” to mankind, not an earthly language.

Tongues are also for corporate use with interpretation (1 Corinthians 14).

Some have been told that they are not filled with the Spirit unless they speak with tongues.

To the extent of my limited knowledge and understanding, 1) I do not believe that individuals should say who has and who hasn’t been filled with the Spirit, and yet, 2) I will not deny that the biblical evidence of being baptized with the Spirit seems to show that tongues is the initial evidence. I caution you not to get too caught up with what men say and to simply seek God on this matter and for His fulness. Get into God’s Word yourself on this matter and turn off the voices of mere men (including this one if need be).

“He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:4

The above verse further delineates personally praying in tongues from the Spirit’s gifts in the corporate gatherings.

Lest some become too hung up on tongues, let’s assume from Scripture that the core issue is being filled with the Spirit. Tongues is simply a gift of that Holy Spirit which Jesus sent to baptize (immerse) His people (John 16:7; Acts 2:38-39; 10:44-48; 19:1-6, etc.). If as born again believers we ask to be baptized with His Spirit, He hears and grants this request.  Jesus specifically promised that the Father would do so (Luke 11:11-13). It is my opinion that we should all seek to be filled with His Spirit and seek Him to pray in the Spirit (Romans 8:26-27; 1 Corinthians 14:4-5, 18, 39; Jude 20). There are tremendous benefits to doing so and He told us to “Forget not all his benefits.” (Psalms 103:2)

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses

The apostles thought it so important to make sure every born again kingdom saint was filled with the Holy Spirit. When some in Samaria were saved, Peter and John went down and that they’d be filled with the Spirit. Are you baptized with the Holy Ghost?
 
“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” Acts 8:14-17

Some of those who don’t want to surrender fully in order to be baptized with the Holy Spirit attempt to find Scriptural justification for their stand against being full of the Spirit. Instead of trashing what they’ve been falsely taught,  some lamely make excuse for not being full of the Holy Spirit. Here’s what they use:

“Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?” 1 Corinthians 12:30

Here the apostle is speaking of corporate gatherings and the use of the gifts of the Spirit in those gatherings. Earlier in this chapter, Paul introduces the 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit, all of which are for their use in corporate gatherings.

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” 1 Corinthians 12:7-11

You see there has to be “tongues” in a corporate setting in order for God to have instituted “the interpretation of tongues.” Right? To deny one is to deny both and to deny the LORD Himself. That is, unless one is selectively choosing what in the Bible he is going to believe. If one is going to doubt this plainly revealed truth, the whole Bible must be doubted. Right?

Here’s another cop-out some use:

“I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.” 1 Corinthians 14:5

The fact that Paul says here that prophesying is more important than tongues does not change the fact that he said “I would that ye all spake with tongues.” So once again, some insist upon lamely using dishonesty in order to hold to tradition instead of forsaking tradition for truth. Paul is simply saying that operating in God’s gifts that edify the body of Christ (others) is more Christ-like in that it serves others. THAT is no way negates the importance and privilege of praying in the Spirit individually when alone.

The truth has been covered over many centuries of the traditions of mere men. The enemy has dumbed down the gifts and power and experience of the Holy Ghost God intends for all His children. We must read Acts and see the true representation of original New Testament Christianity. God has not changed. We must go back to the New Testament Scriptures. The LORD’s program has not changed. Devil-inspired religious men have changed it.

Well, all who are born again have the Holy Spirit in them (Rom. 8:9). The Holy Spirit is testifying and working in the life of every person who has been born again and is abiding in Christ today (Rom. 8:12-16; 1 John 2:20, 27; 3:24, etc.). It’s also true that unless we are filled/baptized with the Spirit we cannot have the greatest measure of the power of God to do His work (Acts 1:8). His “power” comes from being filled with His blessed Holy Spirit. God bless you.

Beware of those who though they do some good discernment work, seek to remove things God intended for His beloved body. Learn God’s Word for yourselves and cease following any mere man’s line through Scripture. If you don’t thoroughly learn and know God’s Word, you will be misled. Here in this audio we discuss how Justin Peters, a man who has some good discernment teachings and exposés, goes too far and seeks to subtract from God’s kingdom Word. Are we not warned to never take away from His Word? (Revelation 22:18-19)

As a regenerated, new creature in Christ, you are Christ’s “ambassador” and please don’t lose site of such truth (2 Corinthians 5:17-20). Never be ashamed of Pentecost for self-righteous, hyper conservative Baptists or so-called “evangelicals.”  You are identified with the nail-scarred, risen Savior and LORD Jesus Christ, not an organization of mere men who feign to be representing Christ and Christianity. We have Bibles and so can know His will for ourselves and follow Him alone.  The word “conservative” appears no where in Scripture. We are bought with the very and precious blood of Christ and are His disciples. We follow Him and HE gave us His written Word. Be not ashamed beloved of any part of the whole counsel of God’s Word. Your whole identity is in the nail-scarred, risen, and only Savior.

Many of these so-called evangelical, hyper-conservatives (unwarranted) want to be in control. They don’t want the Holy Spirit fully in control because that would take the control out of their hands. This is one of the reasons the false leaders of Jesus’ day hated Him. They were jealous of Him because He was grabbing the attention of the masses whom they sought to keep under their own evil control.

Are Tongues Demonic? | Holy Ghost Baptist (study guide) | Full of the Holy Ghost (audio) | Power to Fulfill (audio) |

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https://safeguardyoursoul.com//power-to-fulfill/

Full of The Holy Ghost [podcast]

Beware of False Gifts

 

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Articles

The Daily Cross in Prayer [podcast]


Prayer is inseparably connected with knowing God (John 17:3).

(Excerpt from the book I Die Daily)

“My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Psalms 5:3

Let’s isolate and dismantle these words of God a bit. Under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David says to the LORD:

  • That He (God) would hear his (David’s) “voice”
  • That “in the morning” the Psalmist would arise and seek God in prayer
  • Deliberately “in the morning,” he would “direct” his prayer and praying to the LORD – “in the morning … I will look up”

From this passage, we see that David planned or scheduled, in an intentional and calculated fashion, to meet with the LORD every morning. The phrase “in the morning” appears twice in this inspired transmission of the Holy Ghost. The man whose heart panted after the LORD – to behold His precious beauty – declared that he would “direct” (point) his prayer upward to the LORD “in the morning.” (Ps. 5:3; 27:4; Acts 13:22) Communing with the LORD was priority to David, and therefore occupied first place in his daily life. He sought the LORD firstly as he arose from sleep, and before he went forth into his day.

Jesus commanded that if any person will come after Him – truly follow Him – he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Him (Luke. 9:23-24). There is no place that the cross applies more than in daily prayer. The moment one arises, he will choose either to seek God or dwell upon self-sentiments and such. He will seek Christ, or he will seek his own salvation or rescue from his troubles. We all make a “daily” choice:

“… choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

No different from those covenant saints the LORD spoke to in this important passage, those whom we dwell among are serving self – the flesh – and yet we are called upon by the LORD to “choose” to daily serve Him rather than self. We are called to “be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life.” (Phil. 2:15-16)

The LORD is calling us to purposefully declare Him as the LORD and Master of our lives, and this we do by making the premeditated decision to seek Him daily in prayer communion. Like Joshua, the way we “choose” to “serve” God must be premeditated, deliberate, daily, and in practicality. Daily, early morning, first fruit prayer is all three of these. It is the fruit of the crucified life – the life that is dead to self and in whom Christ dwells and reigns. – “Ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3)

To those who seek God and not their own devices, there are many benefits (Ps. 68:19).

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

The precious peace of the “Prince of Peace” rules and reigns and makes sound the hearts of those who deny self’s ability to overcome and solve issues and problems, and instead earnestly and diligently rely upon God’s power to do such for them (Isa. 9:6; 26:3).

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:3-4

As we fix our whole being upon Jesus Christ, our thoughts will be upward to His “glorious high throne,” which is “the place of our sanctuary.” (Jer. 17:12)

God is calling each of His saints to give his whole being to Christ, and to those things that “are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Php. 4:8).

So, according to Philippians 4:6-8, saints are to rely upon the LORD and not self by submitting all their requests in prayer to Him who is their Source, and to think upon those things of Christ which are “true … honest … just … pure … lovely … of good report … if there be any virtue … if there be any praise.” It is upon “these things” that we are instructed to “think on.” (Phil. 4:8)

God’s thoughts are infinitely higher than ours, and yet it is not until we become truly “crucified with Christ” that we are going to be ruled by His thoughts and peace (Isa. 55:8-9; Gal. 2:20; Phil. 4:6-7).

Changing the way one thinks is being done by millions of people who are not regenerated (not born again). New age and religious teachers hold this thought transformation teaching closely. Anyone can change the way they think for self-serving reasons – to stop smoking, to visualize and earn more money, to have more self-esteem, etc. However, hell still awaits all who are not born again, and that takes facing the living God and Judge in repentance for sin and placing all faith in Jesus Christ, the only Savior (Acts 4:12; 1 Tim. 2:5). The only renewing of the mind and thoughts that brings glory to Jesus Christ, is that which begins with one casting his whole being upon the LORD afresh – presenting himself a “living sacrifice … unto God.” Let’s look at Romans 12:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Those who are presenting their bodies to the LORD as “living sacrifice(s)” are infused and enabled by His grace to keep their minds or thoughts stayed (fixed) upon the LORD and not self, as they look for Jesus’ soon return (Col. 3:1-4). They trust Christ and not their own strength, reasoning, whims, philosophies, or wisdom. As they give themselves over to Christ and His infinite divine power, and become weak in self and self’s abilities, Jesus’ power raises them up to trust Him and rely upon Him alone – to rest the weight of their whole beings in Him who is able. They first declare that they are not able, and that only “God is able.” (Eph. 3:20; 2 Cor. 9:8) These are they who have and are finding out in a personal way that there really is nothing impossible with the LORD!

“And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27

Abraham trusted God. He is our human example of a man who walked with God – by faith believing that God would raise up that to which he died. Concerning the promise of a son being born to him and his aged wife, the Bible records these words from the LORD to His servant Abraham:

“Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” Genesis 18:14

If God can and will split the Red Sea for His people, and cause a 100-year-old man and his 90-year-old wife to have a child, what in your life can’t He do? (Gen. 17:17)

Here’s yet another question posed to our hearts from the LORD:

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27

God requires that we die to self-will, self-help, and self-esteem, and lay our lives in His holy, perfect, and more-than-sufficient hands. He can then work in us and in our lives – raising up His holy standard and power to glorify Himself in and through His children. Nothing will be impossible for the LORD to perform in the lives of those who deny themselves and, like Abraham, trust God to raise up His solutions, answers, and blessings to bring Himself glory.

“(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth (makes alive) the dead, and (God) calleth those things which be not as though they were.” Romans 4:17

God called forth Isaac out of Abraham’s loins when it was an otherwise impossibility in the natural. In your life, beloved, “Is there anything too hard for the LORD?” (Gen. 18:14)

Our connection with God is all about relationship, and the quality of that relationship is exemplified in our prayer lives – or lack thereof. If a person is pursuing the LORD, he has a prayer life. He lays down his own desires and life and seeks God’s life. This is perhaps in no other scrutiny seen more clearly than in the value he assigns to his prayer life, and the heart affections and time he is willing to invest in it.

In Psalms 63, the Psalmist captures the life of the person who truly has a heart after God.

“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.” Psalms 63:1-8

The following is an excerpt from My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers:

“’At that day ye shall ask in My name.’ John 16:26.  We are too much given to thinking of the Cross as something we have to get through; we get through it only in order to get into it. The Cross stands for one thing only for us – a complete and entire and absolute identification with the Lord Jesus Christ, and there is nothing in which this identification is realized more than in prayer.

‘Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.’ Then why ask? The idea of prayer is not in order to get answers from God; prayer is perfect and complete oneness with God. If we pray because we want answers, we will get huffed with God. The answers come every time, but not always in the way we expect, and our spiritual huff shows a refusal to identify ourselves with Our Lord in prayer. We are not here to prove God answers prayer; we are here to be living monuments of God’s grace.

‘I say not that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father Himself loveth you.’ Have you reached such an intimacy with God that the Lord Jesus Christ’s life of prayer is the only explanation of your life of prayer? Has Our Lord’s vicarious life become your vital life? ‘At that day’ you will be so identified with Jesus that there will be no distinction.

When prayer seems to be unanswered, beware of trying to fix the blame on someone else. That is always a snare of Satan. You will find there is a reason which is a deep instruction to you, not to anyone else.”

PRAYER: Father, please bless this life to honor You and Your will first and foremost in this life You have granted, by my being authentically crucified with Christ. Please unite my heart to fear Your holy name and to number with wisdom this short time on this earth as a gift from You. I love You, Jesus, and thank You for dying for my sins and for the resurrection power of the Holy Ghost You placed in us upon salvation, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. You must increase but I must decrease. This moment, if never before, I declare and deliberately decide to place You first daily in my life – I am crucified with Christ. Early will I seek Thee. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Capture Points

  • Discuss Psalms 5:3 along with Mark 1:35 and the importance of daily and first fruits prayer in the life of every disciple of Jesus.
  • Transcribe onto an index card and discuss Romans 12:1-2 (KJB recommended).
  • Write out on an index card Mark 10:27: “And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” (KJB)

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Abiding

The Joy of God’s Word [podcast]


“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

“Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.” Psalms 119:89

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

PRAYER: Heavenly Father please match and exceed every trial You allow me to go through with Your joy! For You said that the joy of the LORD is my strength! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Current Events and the Name of Jesus Christ [podcast]


“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14  If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14

IF we are praying God’s WORD in the name of JESUS CHRIST…. in His bless-ed humility, God is answering!

I don’t think we begin to realize the power that is in the name of Jesus Christ – and available exclusively to those who are HIS.

Memorize the word of our LORD Jesus recorded in John 14:13-14.

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3

One commentator notes: “The universal fascination with knowing what is going on in the world has ancient roots. Knowing that Jesus is a well-known rabbi, some ask for his take on the hot news of the day. “There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices” (Luke 13:1). Pilate, the governor, has executed some Jews while they were in the act of offering their sacrifices, mingling their blood with the animal blood. Jewish sentiment is likely strongly against Pilate, although some seem to be critical of the people who have suffered. Maybe they deserved it.”

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Jesus Christ

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