The purpose of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire (pt.2)...by Rick Roehm

4. Biblical proof the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire continued after Pentecost

            Records from the book of Acts prove manifestations of the Holy Ghost continued for years after Pentecost. Different Biblical terms yet the same action of the Spirit of God provide much clarification on the subject of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost. Notice the language concerning the Baptism with the Holy Ghost which occurred at different points of time.

·          Shed Forth…Acts 2:33…Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

·          Fallen upon…Acts 8:15-17…Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost

·          Poured out…Acts 10:44-46…While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

·          Came on…Acts 19:2-6…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. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 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. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

5. Twofold evidence of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire: Inner and Outer

            There are two evidences shown in the New Testament concerning the Baptism with the Holy Ghost. These are the … inner and outer evidences. Both evidences prove the work of the Holy Ghost in the entire anatomy of the child of God. Both evidences which are Biblically documented offer proof that believers can experience this same sanctifying work of Holy Ghost in their hearts and lives today. Both evidences are Biblical truth that did not stop at the early Church like many believe and teach today. There are no Biblical records that state the gifts of the Holy Ghost stopped at the Early Church however; there are many records that state these gifts continued after Pentecost. 

                Lack of recognition of the Holy Spirits presence; and erroneous teachings have caused many to be hindered from; or to miss the truth and full blessing of the sanctifying power that comes through the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire.

            The inner evidence of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost is a heart full of love and obedience toward God. Love for God and love for humanity comes when selfishness is purged from the heart and life of a believer. A Salvation without wavering in holiness and right standing with God comes when the Old man is taken out of the picture. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost reduces the hearts of men to humility for Christ… after self-centeredness is removed. When the heart of a believer is purified from all the dross of the body of sin (not dealt with in the new birth), the Indwelling Spirit takes over. Inner evidence from the purifying work of the Spirit is to be holy and without blame before Him in love. A man filled with the Holy Ghost will have no struggle with the problems of life; he will trust Christ for everything. The conflict within a believer’s members is taken away like his sins were forgiven when he first accepted Christ. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is another experience of Salvation that takes place in the life of a believer, after the new birth.  The inner evidence of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost is a life of peace and contentment that rules the heart of a believer. Victory over sin and the flesh is real life experience that offers such contentment. This purifying work of the Holy Ghost and fire in perfect love for humanity is the fullness of Salvation taught in all New Testament writings.

            The outer evidence of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost is speaking in an unknown tongue. There are two reasons why speaking in unknown tongue is for today and did not stop at the Early Church.

      First, in the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire, God takes full possession of the believer spirit, soul and body (the entire anatomy of man). The tongue can be controlled by the Spirit of God because the heart of the believer is controlled by the Spirit of God. Men that are filled with the Holy Ghost are dead to the Old man and governed by the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost has full sway of man’s total being, tongue included. Holy men of God speak in tongues as the Spirit gives them utterance.

·          Acts 2:4…And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

      Second, numerous records in the New Testament prove that when the experience of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost was received, recipients spoke in unknown tongue. The Bible teaches that unknown tongues continued nineteen years after Pentecost. The Bible teaches the Apostle Paul spoke in unknown tongue. Nowhere does the Bible teach these gifts stopped at the Early Church as many try to teach!

·          Acts 2:4…And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

·          Acts 19:2-6…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. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 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. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied

·          Acts 10:44-46…While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

·          1 Cor 14:2-4…For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.  He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

 

6. The necessity of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire

            In the plan of God through redemption, Salvation of the soul in the new birth is perhaps one of the greatest miracles that come’s from the Throne of Christ. Even greater is the purifying work of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire that is granted from Christ to the heart and life of a believer.  The beauty of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is a full Salvation that provides everything man needs to have victory over sin, self, and lusts of the flesh. Temptation doesn’t have the same affect on a man baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire. The inner conflict between self and the Holy Ghost is taken away by the power of this Baptism. The peace of God “rules” this heart and life every minute, every hour, and every day. A contented life in Christ without the inner conflict and without an entanglement to the problems of life is just another blessing that comes from this Baptism.

            It’s understood that all have not experienced the blessing of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire, “but they can”.  It’s understood that many miss the full blessing of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost because of shallow understanding of the Spirit’s presence or wrong teaching; but the God’s door is still open for them to walk through. Some people take the position that a child of God can never have full Salvation in this life (that Sanctification is future tense work of the Holy Ghost finished when the soul goes to Heaven). The Holy Ghost can show them otherwise. The doctrine of the Baptism with the Holy Ghost is a present tense truth and New Testament experience.

            During Christ’s earthly ministry Peter had a revelation of Christ’s Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. Why? Peter had a divine nature. Peter however; didn’t understand that Christ had to suffer, die, and would rise from the grave. After the death of Christ Peter was baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire at Pentecost and his understanding was changed. Peter’s entire character was changed by the Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire that he received at Pentecost. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire was received by Peter fifty days after Christ’s death on the cross. Peter had believed in the Messiahship of Christ for years prior, however; he had not yet experienced the Baptism with the Holy Ghost. After the death of Christ the Holy Ghost inspired Peter to write two Epistles. The fullness of Gods Salvation came after Peter was “filled” with the Holy Ghost at Pentecost.  Jesus predicted the work of the Indwelling Spirit when He told the disciples prior to His death that the Spirit of truth shall be “in” you. Shall be in you was a promise stated by Christ.

·          John 14:17...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.

            The Baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire is a necessary experience for the child of God. It makes every believers witness true to both, God and man.  It purges a believer from doubt and uncertainty. It gives men strength to overcome and remain faithful to Christ every minute of there existence. It keeps men from wavering in and out of faith. It’s more than the new birth. Why? There’s no struggle on the outside or war from within to oppose the Spirits presence. It’s the final work of the Holy Ghost in the heart of believer. It can be received on this side of Heaven. The Hebrew letter describes this final work of the Holy Ghost as the… spirits of just men made perfect (Perfection in this verse deals with the present tense work of sanctification…not future tense as some people teach).

·          Heb 12:23…To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,