A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (December 12, 2017)
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me 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)
Did you know that the entire New Testament was written by men that were baptized in the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues? There is probably not any one subject that has divided the Body of Christ more than this one. Some may even shy away from reading this devotional because of the very title and what you have been taught. That would be a real shame because God has exceedingly and abundantly more for all of us than we ever realized if we will just read and believe His Word (Ephesians 3:20). We encourage you to read all the listed scriptures and see for yourselves.
The following is a brief list of reasons from the Word of God of why we need the Baptism of the Holy Ghost:
- We need boldness and power to be a witness. (Acts 1:8, 4:31)
- We need a prayer hotline to God. (1 Cor. 14:2, 14:12-15, Romans 8:26)
- We need the complete armor of God. (Ephesians 6:11-18)
- We need to be built up in our faith (1 Cor. 14:4, Jude 1:20)
- We need to be a sign to unbelievers (1 Cor. 14:22)
- We need to magnify God (Acts 10:44-46)
- We need to obey Jesus (Luke 11:13, Acts 1:4-5, Acts 2:38-39, Mark 16:17)
All through the Bible God uses some very unusual ways to accomplish His purposes. I have heard all the arguments about why tongues do not make sense, but just think about this. What is the most unruly part of our body? The scripture says it is our tongue (James 3:8). In my opinion, our unruly tongue is probably the reason God chose to use tongues as one of the initial evidences of receiving the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. It takes an act of faith and submission on our part. It takes yielding our tongue. It takes us laying down our thoughts for His thoughts and our ways for His ways when it doesn’t make sense to our natural mind. That’s called faith!!!
The Apostle Paul wrote the majority of the New Testament and he said he spoke in tongues more than anybody (1 Cor. 14:18). He also said that we were not to forbid speaking in tongues (1 Cor. 14:39). I would think that would be a pretty good endorsement.
Large parts of the Christian church world today are still stuck in the same place as the early Ephesian church. They had believed the Word, had been baptized in water, but had not even heard there be any such thing as the Holy Ghost until Paul came and laid hands on them (Acts 19:1-6).
We are at a critical place in our world today where the power of God is much needed. Politicians, psychiatrists, and policemen are not going to solve all our problems. We need a Holy Ghost revival in this country and that starts with you and me. It starts with the Church of Jesus Christ. The pattern has already been set. The way has already been illuminated. The believers in that Upper Room did exactly what they were told to do. They waited on the power and when they received it they turned the world upside-down.
Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. He’s not changing. We are the ones that need to change!!! The neat thing about this is that all we have to do is ask. It’s a promise that has already been kept. It’ a gift that has already been paid for and it is for all believers!!!
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)
