“Have ye Received the Holy Ghost since ye Believed?” [podcast]
John the Baptist Foretold:
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me (Christ) is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” Matthew 3:11
Jesus promised the Baptism, the Endument with His Holy Ghost:
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient (better) for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” John 16:7
Jesus instructed His disciples:
“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry (wait) ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49
“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
The Coming of the Holy Spirit:
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:1-4
Recently I was blessed to share my personal testimony of our the LORD Jesus, after saving me, later filled me with His Holy Spirit. The difference was immense, like shifting into a higher gear spiritually, a powerful thrust forward in divine power in being His witness.
“But ye shall receive power, AFTER that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8
“This is an excellent study guide that helped me to understand the importance of being baptized with the Holy Spirit! Since praying to Jesus to be baptized in the Holy Ghost my Christian walk has been raised to a whole new level! More boldness, much more understanding of the Scriptures, and my prayer life magnified. I highly recommend this study guide if you want more of God’s Holy Spirit manifesting in your life!” Karen Cochran | Holy Ghost Baptism [Study guide]
HOW many people know that you and I have never once had the “problem” of having too much of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our personal lives?
Early in my life with Christ, I will always remember sitting down with a brother in Christ who became my first pastor, the first elder in my Christian life. After meeting him and his wife, he asked if I was born again and I said yes. Then he asked me if I’d received the baptism with the Holy Ghost to which I answered “I’ve never heard of that.” He requested that I let him show me some Scripture on that topic and so we sat down and went through the New Testament and read some of the Bible verses we are going to look at here in this message. In fact, his question to me that day was the same as we see here when the apostle Paul asked the saints at Ephesus “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?”
“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.” Acts 19:1-6
Of this passage, one Bible commentator penned these words:
“Acts 19:2
a [Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? … Unto what then were ye baptized?] Questions 52-53. Next, Act_19:15. Every Christian receives the Holy Spirit of sonship (Rom_8:14-16) and has Him in a measure when converted (Rom_8:9), but that is not what Paul referred to. He was asking about the Spirit baptism that John had preached (Act_19:4 with Mat_3:11; Luk_3:16; Joh_1:31-34; Act_1:4-5; Act_11:15-17). This has nothing to do with the new birth by the Spirit (Joh_3:1-5). It is the impartation of power for service (Luk_24:49; Act_1:4-8; Act_2:38-39; Act_5:32). See note, Act_2:4. It was the common privilege to receive the “rivers of living waters” or the fullness of the Spirit of Joh_7:37-39 and all the gifts of the Holy Spirit of 1Co_12:4-11, and still is (Mar_16:17-18; Joh_14:12). John’s disciples could receive baptism in water, but Christ’s disciples the baptism in the Holy Spirit, hence the inquiry of Paul. This was part of the gospel Apollos learned in Act_18:26.
b [since ye believed] There is no definite time for this experience in connection with salvation or the new birth, as proved in note, Act_10:46. Naturally, these 12 men had been believers and had repented of sins some 26 years before this, but like Apollos, knew only the baptism of John. They could not have received the Spirit baptism then, or at the time they believed, for this was not yet given because Jesus had not yet been glorified (Joh_7:37-39; Act_1:4-8; Act_2:33-39). The Spirit baptism is received by faith (Gal_3:2; Gal_3:13-14; Joh_7:37-39). We have to recognize that one can believe for salvation and be in ignorance of the Spirit baptism, but whatever one gets from God it is when, or after one believes (Mar_11:22-24; Mat_17:20; Mat_21:22). The term “after that ye believed” does not necessarily mean a time element after faith is exercised. To receive blessings “believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” any moment after faith is exercised (Mar_11:22-24). The time element is made clear even here, for when they heard they could have the Spirit baptism they believed and Paul laid his hands on them and they immediately received it (Act_19:2-6).
c [We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost] It is possible that these disciples were not present when John promised the Spirit baptism (Mat_3:11; Luk_3:13), so we have no right to question the truth of their statement. Then, too, it could be understood that they had heard but did not understand what was meant, so after 26 years, could have even forgotten that they had heard about it.”
This reveals just how important it was to Christ’s apostles to see every believer baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:14-17
“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.”
The only way to do God’s work in God’s divine power, is by being baptised in the Holy Spirit. We must have His divine power and He made full provision for such. Read Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; 2:38; 19:1-6, etc.
Today is our day to be busy about our “Father’s business” just as our Savior was while on earth (Luke 2:49). He did His Father’s will which was to spread His truth and then die to purchase a people to Himself and the Father (Ephesians 1). Jesus is coming. Read Acts. Pray to be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
We must be empowered by our LORD to do HIS work (Acts 1:8).
PENTECOST, the baptism with the Holy Ghost is a non-negotiable, essential, central component of Christ’s New Testament program-yet not the things added by sinful wolves today. We are whole Gospel believers which would include discerning and rejecting additives or subtractions. When exposing the NAR (New Apostolic Reformation)/Bethel warlocks, you may at times be called a cessationist by those deceived by the enemy of souls. A cessationist is one who erroneously believes that the bless-ed power of the Holy Ghost was only for the earliest followers of Jesus. False. Yet, the authentic baptism with the Holy Spirit is never manifested in God’s Word as that which is anything except pure, holy, and “in order.” – “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). Being baptized (immersed, clothed upon) with the Holy Spirit will always lead to more divine power to be holy, set apart unto Christ and not to misuse His gift for things not sanctioned in and by His Word. Keeping it biblical!
“And since receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit I have absolutely seen the Holy Spirit manifest in my life more boldness, more understanding of the scriptures, and my prayer life has been magnified! I highly recommend the study guide from SafeGuardYourSoul to help you understand what it means to be baptized with His Holy Spirit! Excellent study.” Karen Cochran | Holy Ghost Baptism [study guide]
Foreshadowing Illustration of God’s New Testament Program
First the lepers, represents all of us as sinners, were cleansed with blood and then they were anointed with oil.
Leviticus 14 – Note the words BLOOD and OIL
13 And he shall slay the lamb in the place where he shall kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the holy place: for as the sin offering is the priest’s, so is the trespass offering: it is most holy: 14 And the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot: 15 And the priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand: 16And the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the LORD: 17 And of the rest of the oil that is in his hand shall the priest put upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the blood of the trespass offering: 18 And the remnant of the oil that is in the priest’s hand he shall pour upon the head of him that is to be cleansed: and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD.”
Holy Ghost Baptism Study Guide | More here on the Baptism with the Holy Spirit
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | Christology | Judging Prophecy | A Generation of False Prophets Unleashed [podcast] | Prophetic or Pathetic? | The Holy Spirit | Beware of False Gifts |




Abiding
Fruitfulness is Found in Abiding in Christ [podcast]
“A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” Proverbs 28:20
Jesus is the True Vine
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:1-7
“The understanding is, if I am truly abiding in Christ (the Vine, my first love) then the fruit will come from Him, and not from me—of my own making—but through me. Again, it’s relationship with Christ that is the root of the matter, and not just outwardly keeping a list of rules (living under the law).
‘Abiding fruitfulness’—so loaded with meaning!
-
- for your own state of abiding in Christ
- for the fruit that is brought forth because you are abiding in Christ (the Vine) Who gives life to and bears the fruit
- that the fruit itself (fruit of the Spirit, souls of men and all good works that are born of the Spirit) will abide (remain) and flourish in God’s kingdom on earth and in eternity.” Debbie L.
IF JESUS is purging you, rejoice—because that means He’s born good fruit in your life and wants to bring forth more! Boom.
“Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” John 15:2
*Read that again.
IF you are not a DOER of God’s Word, it proves you are not saved and are a lukewarm hell bound rebel. Repent now and bring forth fruit to prove it (Matthew 3:7-10; 7:21; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:4; Revelation 2:26, etc.).
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22
HOW DID JESUS tell us to know/discern ourselves and others?
The FRUIT of our lives (Matthew 7:16,20).
The root determines the fruit.
Are you rooted in Christ?
Our works are the good fruit born out of Christ’s salvation and present work in our lives. Those good works do not save us but are a mere outworking of His great salvation in us.
FRUIT vs GIFTS
There are lots of people bragging about their GIFTS which alone tells you they are not in Christ who taught that the greatest among us will be the SERVANT of all—the FRUIT of God’s love in the true remnant disciple (Matthew 20:24-28; 23:8-12).
Gospel Hint: God is interested in a real relationship with those who choose Him. That relationship will always bear good fruit. FRUIT is the crop of an abiding relationship with Jesus which is the stated reason that God the Father sent His only begotten Son (John 15:1-16; 17:3). Anyone can operate in or even fake gifts. Gifts are glitter. Fruit is foundation! The root determines the fruit. What fruit is being born, produced in your life? Are you asking God to make you one with Him? Read John 17.
In the divine economy, FRUIT is much more important than GIFT because good FRUIT can only come out of relationship.
GOD is interested in FRUIT that only comes from a ROOTED abiding relationship! See Matthew 3:7-10; John 15, etc. Jesus foretold that on Judgment Day “MANY” will call out to Him with “Lord, Lord” as they boast of the GIFTS they operated in. “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:19-23).
Taking up the cross, suffering the death of self, is not earning us salvation… it’s simply rendering worship-filled “obedience to the faith” (Romans 1:5) – faith in the ONE who bled on that cross to earn salvation for us, all by Himself!
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | Prayer | Manhood | The Conquering Cross of Christ [podcast] | The Cross Victory | Sin – Man’s Core Problem




Articles
Chosen for Holiness [podcast]
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” Ephesians 1:4
Holiness comes by the Savior in self denial (death and burial – the cross), not by self will or effort. Surrender is the cross – “NOT my will but thine be done” (Lk. 22:42) and “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). We surrender to Christ by saying “Not my will but thine be done” dear Lord, by Your grace and the deliberate act of my own will I submit to the cross, the crucified life – where You alone reign supreme in this vessel (Luke 22:42; Galatians 2:20, etc.). I love You LORD Jesus! You must increase but I must decrease! (John 3:30)
Holiness, not happiness, is the divine command, the chief purpose and end of Christ’s salvation.
Of holiness, one disciple writes:
“Holiness speaks more to nature than it does conduct. Good conduct is the spontaneous byproduct of the new nature of the new creation man thru the cross and death to the old nature. We are new creatures in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-18). To preach holiness as conduct without the new nature thru the cross understanding is legalism. Holiness is actually derived from ‘wholeness’ meaning the thorough transformation of the whole tripartite man (1 Thess 5:23). So many of these ‘holiness’ preachers are preaching nothing but conduct under law. Law arouses sinful passions and causes sin to increase and was given in order to provoke transgressions (Rom 7:5; 5:20; Gal 3:21). They are enemies of the cross!”
Holiness comes by way of the cross, not by way of the flesh. Just as sin was conquered by the cross of Christ, so sin in the life of the saint is conquered by the daily cross – the crucified life (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.). It’s time to stop trying harder and to simply die deeper.
NOTICE: When a believer or group of believers backslides, they no longer separate from the transgressors who are unrepentant:
Fornication Defiles
“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have (Gr. possessed and wouldn’t repent) his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:1-2
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Hell | Becoming Rooted and Grounded in Christ | Bride of Heaven vs Harlot from Hell [podcast] | Fresh Start with God | Peace with God | Jesus is Coming Just as He Promised [podcast] | Having No Part Dark [podcast] | An Angry Man in Hell | Tormented in this Flame | Wolves Exposed | The High Treason of False Leaders | A Quick Nugget on Discerning Wolves | Knowing Your Enemy [podcast] | Is God Faithful to save us if we aren’t faithful to Him?



Abiding
“They that are Christ’s” [podcast]
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24
We “fight” by dying and not by rising up:
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:12).
When we die downward, Christ, who is “the resurrection and the life” raises our lives upward, in His infinite divine power to glorify Him (John 11:25). This is exactly how our LORD Jesus conquered death, hell, and the grave!
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” Hebrews 2:14
You may be wondering why you haven’t overcome sin. Here’s how to overcome sin—and beware of those not preaching this cross! (Luke 9:23-24; Romans 6; 1 Corinthians 2:2; Galatians 2:20; 5:34, etc.).
“He that is dead (crucified with Christ) is freed from sin.” Romans 6:7
Read that again!
No one is “freed from sin” until they are “dead”—crucified with Christ.
The truly God-fearing man realizes his utter need for the grace of Christ. He realizes that he must continue, to abide in Christ, to “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:12). He views salvation as a present reality and responsibility—to remain in an intimate, abiding relationship with Christ (John 15:1-16); Colossians 2:6-7).
Those who don’t walk in the cross lifestyle, will revert to type— sinful type.
The authentic disciple builds his whole life around the Bible, the cross and the throne of God (Jeremiah 17:12; Hebrews 4:14-16).
WHEN our love for God is supreme, we will daily seek Him.
When we are hungering and thirsting after His righteousness, He is filling us with His overcoming, victorious grace (Matthew 5:6).
“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27
WHATEVER you do, never get away from the cross message—the crucified life to which Jesus calls every one who will be His.
Many fancy their devotion to very intelligent men in ministry and yet, only God knows what’s in their hearts. Having mega intellectual knowledge, understanding and the ability to articulate, in no way means a man is crucified with Christ. And if he’s not “crucified with Christ” he’s not overcoming sin—which means he’s living in sin.
“He that is dead (crucified with Christ) is freed from sin.” Romans 6:7
The Only Solution to Man’s Sin [podcast]
Prayer: I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ liveth in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Moments with Our Master [book] 365 Day Devotional book available at the STORE page and amazon. English and Spanish.
The Only Solution to Man’s Sin [podcast]
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Prayer | Manhood | The Conquering Cross of Christ [podcast] | The Cross Victory | Sin – Man’s Core Problem


-
America11 months agoThe Drugging of America: The Pharmakeia Sorcery Deception [podcast]
-
Articles2 years agoChildren being Rescued in Tunnels: Happening Now – UPDATE!
-
Articles8 years agoSelf-Examination in Preparation for the Lord’s Return
-
Apostasy2 years agoSHOCKING List of False Prophets Most Believe are True





