- The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is a renewal; not a progressive work
In every instance and every record of the Bible the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire came upon the believer…instantaneously. Just like the new birth! The Greek text teaches the Baptism with Holy Ghost and fire comes upon the believer instantaneously …at one stroke from the hand of God. Renewal from the Holy Ghost is not to be taken as a progressive work of sanctification. Renewing from the Holy Ghost takes place when the believer “puts off” the Old Man. This renewal from God “destroys” the body of sin. Renewal from the Holy Ghost allows the believer to “put on” the new man created in true righteousness and holiness. Renewal is the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire that purges man from all the dross of the old man. Note! The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians is addressing, “the saints and those faithful in Christ”. (Ephesians 1:1) As taught by the Apostle, the putting off of the Old Man and putting on of the new man deals specifically with the saint! Not the sinner!
· Eph 4:22-24…That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
There is no set time frame between the actual new birth experience and the actual Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. Between both actual experiences a believer must “put off” the Old Man which simply means “die to the flesh”. Death to the Old Man opens the door for the New Man to come in. Then renewal through the Baptism with the Holy Ghost can take place at one stroke. Renewal is the final work of the Holy Ghost in this life. Renewal takes place after the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire rids the believer from the Adamic nature.
Renewal through the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is when the believer “puts on” the new man. This new man is dead to self and; the Adamic nature has been destroyed. The new man in total subjection to Christ is created through the work of the Holy Ghost in true righteousness and holiness. The new man is delivered completely from the Adamic life and nature. There is no war within his members. There is no conflict or inner struggle from the Adamic. A renewed man trusts in Christ for every situation and circumstance in life. A renewed man is a witness for the Lord as the Spirits witness takes full possession that heart and life.
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Rom
Renewal is not a progressive work of the Holy Ghost; it comes instantaneously. Renewal takes place after sanctifying work of the Holy Ghost is completely received into the body, soul, and spirit.
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1 Thess
A believer is renewed after he dies to self and receives the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. Two Divine acts pertaining to full Salvation are taught in the Bible:
First is God’s Justification, which permits the Spirits regeneration in the new birth. Justification is a pardon from God that frees man from all past sinful acts committed. Justification provides the penitent with a freedom from guilt and the forgiveness of sins. Justification by Grace allows the instantaneous work of the Holy Ghost to regenerate the human soul. Justification gives any believer the eligibility to be entirely sanctified.
Second is Sanctification, where the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire cleanses a justified man from the Adamic nature. Justification is only the believer’s path to Entire Sanctification. After the believer has experienced both Justification and Entire Sanctification, he is renewed by the Holy Ghost. Renewal takes place after a believer experiences the sanctifying power of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost.
·
Titus 3:5…Not by
works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved
us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
- The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and Fire: The
final work of the Spirit of God in the life of a believer
The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is the final and completed work of the Spirit of God in the heart of a believer. Contrary to certain doctrines that teach progressive sanctification, this final work of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is received in this present life. A recipient of this blessing will no longer be conformed to the world. A recipient will prove this experience is good, acceptable, and the perfect will of God… in word, lifestyle, and action. Like this writer’s testimony for Christ, the recipient of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire will also testify this experience is the same today as it was on the day of Pentecost.
· Rom 12:2…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.
The work of the Holy Ghost should never be limited in our minds. The work of the Holy Ghost begins in the heart of a sinner at conviction. The work of the Holy Ghost seals the believer into the Body of Christ “when” he first believes. These various works of the Holy Ghost are initial yet complete works that include Sanctification in the heart and life of man. However; Sanctification from the Adamic life which comes upon the believer is the final work of the Holy Ghost and fire. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire which is the completed work of Sanctification was purposed by God so that believers could experience the fullness of Salvation. Granted, the new birth is the sinner’s initiation into the Body of Christ but we must never fail to remember the inner struggle that exists. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire gives that believer assurance that keeps him from falling prey to that very inner struggle of the flesh. The final work of the Sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost delivers a believer from the very source of that struggle which is the old Adam. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire provides the believer with everything needed to be an over comer to the old nature of the flesh. Spirit filled men are over comers. Over comers make excellent witnesses for the Lord! The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and Fire; the final work of the Holy Ghost, is the entire sanctifying work of Salvation that all believers can experience after they are born from above.
- Manner in which the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire was experienced by this writer
Since the beginning of this writer’s salvation my understanding has been enlarged concerning the sanctifying work of the Holy Ghost. I remember vividly how this heart cried out to God for years asking, “Why… why do I need the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire?” There were so many persuasions I was confused. Certain crowds tried to sway my stance in one direction and other crowds tried to sway my stance in another direction. Confirmation came…straight from God and the Holy Scriptures. Enlightenment came… through study and right division of Gods Word. Truth came to my heart… through subjection to an Enthroned Christ who Baptizes with the Holy Ghost and fire (like on the day of Pentecost). God allowed this writer to understand “the purpose” of the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire which is simply sanctification from the negative side of life. God answered questions concerning “How”, “When”, and “Why” the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. The opinions of men no longer confused my relationship with the living Christ.
10. Contentment in Christ: The fruit of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire
The intent of this discourse is to enlighten the reader to the purpose of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire and; the fruit it produces in the life of the believer. The theme of this discourse is focused on the victorious heart and life of a believer in Christ… not the sinner. The blessing of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is the believer’s complete deliverance from the Adamic nature. The fruit of that entirely sanctified heart and life is contentment in Christ that can be found nowhere else in life. Contentment in Christ confirms the truth of New Testament records concerning the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. As any believer will learn through diligent study the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire cannot be found through erroneous doctrines. Why? Contentment cannot be found when there’s an inner struggle with the Holy Spirits presence, or an outer conflict with the problems of life. When the struggles of life and conflicts from man are taken away by a living Christ, the contentment of a Christian becomes the fruit of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire. That’s why Paul told Timothy, Godliness mixed with contentment offers great gain.
· 1 Tim 6:5…But godliness with contentment is great gain
Conclusion
Having
a true heart to both man and God is the final result of the Baptism with the
Holy Ghost and fire. As Hubert Lindsey (a recipient and teacher of the Baptism
with the Holy Ghost and fire after being a Baptist for 35 years) once told me,
“A true heart is never troubled”. With all respect to Hubert as a minister of
God’s Word I pondered that statement for years and concluded…that both the true
heart and the ability to never be troubled in any situation or circumstance was
a gift from God that only comes through the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and
fire. Why? A true heart that’s never
troubled proves a man trusts in Christ for everything. A true heart is the product of a sanctified
man who lives in holiness and right standing with God. A sanctified man has no conflict within
himself. A sanctified man has full acknowledgement of power of the Indwelling
Spirit in his heart and life. Any believer who experiences a true heart that’s
never troubled is an actual product of the sanctifying power of the Baptism
with the Holy Ghost and fire. By the
Grace of God that keeps the Holy Spirit present in our lives…this writer can
testify to the blessing of such experience.
Rick Roehm
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