Scripture reading: Hebrews 8:8-12
Outside of doctrines and people who preach differently from what the Bible says, it would be very clear to understand the two steps we should take. John the Baptist said that Jesus Christ is the man that will baptize you “in the Holy Ghost and fire.” Man baptizes you in water, but it is Christ that baptizes you in the Holy Ghost. You need these two operations. The reason is that GOD’S INTENTION is to fill man, to be in man, completely filling his whole being. Hebrews tells us that God wants to walk in us, to talk in us, to be our God, and for us to be His people. This cannot be done by accepting Jesus Christ as your Saviour and remaining there. If you are really born again, then you must seek life, you must go on. You must be baptized in the Holy Ghost. Paul clearly stated this. Go over it and go to God and ask Him, “Is this what I need?” God will tell you.
Baptism is a definite work of grace, depicted by the second piece of furniture, the Brazen Laver, in the Tabernacle of Moses. You must be baptized in water and then Jesus Christ will put His seal upon you by baptizing you in the Holy Ghost and fire. The question some will ask is, “What is the manifestation? How do I know I am baptized in the Holy Ghost?” The question I would ask is, “How do you know you are saved?”
You know that you are saved because a newness of life came into you. The things that you used to do, you just cannot do them anymore. The way you used to think, you do not think that way anymore. Your behavior has been changed. It can be pretty radical. Like me, the change was so radical, people had to notice it. In the baptism of the Holy Ghost, there is also a radical circumstance that occurs. What happens in the spiritual is that the Spirit of God, or the Holy Ghost, enters into your spirit and begins to overshadow your soul. There is no mistaking it. When He comes into your spirit, He begins to use your mouth. You speak the Word of God or receive prophecy or speak in another language, but there must be a manifestation that the Holy Ghost has taken over. You are no longer your own.
Of course, you are going to tell me about all the people who say they have received the Holy Ghost and misbehave. I have seen people speak in tongues and speak other languages who are not baptized in the Holy Ghost. A person can speak in tongues from the following three sources: God, a mental effort, or an evil spirit. I do not want to go into the details of this subject here, but those who want to hear more may write for audio recordings on the subject. The truth is that there are manifestations that must come at some time and there must be some utterance.
In Acts 2, the brethren were fasting and praying for ten days, so their hearts and minds were tuned to God. Verses 1-4, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Here is a manifestation (“cloven tongues”) we do not usually see now, when people are baptized in the Holy Ghost. Yet, it did happen at Azusa Street some 90 years ago.
(Excerpt from The Book of Revelation, Volume 1, pg. 108-109)
Thought for today: Let us fulfill the purpose of our baptism by yielding to the Holy Spirit so that He can make us Holy.
