POWER FROM ON HIGH: THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8

The Baptism Of The Holy Ghost Provides ESSENTIAL POWER FOR SUCCESSFUL MINISTRY To the members of the Body Of Christ – THE CHURCH

Following Jesus’ Ascension The Disciples spent 10 DAYS “WAITING OUT” the Angels’ Heavenly Inauguration Festivities for Jesus [AA 38, 39]

“Christ’s Ascension To Heaven was the signal that His followers were to receive the PROMISED BLESSING. For this they were to wait before they entered upon their work…”

“WHEN CHRIST PASSED WITHIN THE HEAVENLY GATES, HE WAS ENTHRONED AMIDST THE ADORATION OF THE ANGELS…” [Ps. 24:7-10]

“AS SOON AS THIS CEREMONY WAS COMPLETED, THE HOLY SPIRIT DESCENDED UPON THE DISCIPLES IN RICH CURRENTS...”

“THE PENTECOSTAL OUTPOURING WAS HEAVEN’S COMMUNICATION THAT THE REDEEMER’S INAUGURATION WAS ACCOMPLISHED.” [AA 39]

“Baptism” Must be distinguished from “FRUIT” of Spirit-Gal. 5:22 “Fruit” begins to bloom and grow at Conviction and Conversion Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance – Galatians 5:22 FRUIT shows the Holy Ghost IN US – MAKES US NICE PEOPLE! [FOR US!]

“GIFTS Of Spirit” Provide FOR The MINISTRY Of The Church 1 Cor. 12; Rom. 12; Ephe. 4 “The Baptism” MAKES THE GIFTS EFFECTIVE GOD’S SPIRIT “ON US” FOR SUCCESSFUL MINISTRY! [For PUBLIC!] Like the water that makes Laundry Detergent effective! The CATALYST!

“The Baptism” Is SUPERNATURAL POWER Received by those “ON WHOM” The Holy Ghost comes – Acts 1:8 “Dunamis” Power – THE ABILITY TO PERFORM – Acts 1:8 NOT “THE ABILITY TO BE” – which we receive at Conversion

“The BAPTISM” Is: God’s Power ON US That Activates (“Wakes Up”) God’s Power “TO US” So we can be EFFECTIVE AT ANYTHING GOD ASKS US TO DO! ILL – Jesus and “Water to Wine” ONLY AFTER THE “BAPTISM”

“THE SAVIOR KNEW THAT… No ARGUEMENT However LOGICAL Would MELT HEARTS Or BREAK THROUGH the crust of WORLDLINESS and SELFISHNESS He KNEW that His Disciples MUST RECEIVE THE HEAVENLY ENDOWMENT!” [AA 31]

The Holy Ghost “ON”: Judges 14:5,6 – Samson (Lion) 2 Chronicles 24:20 – Zech. (Boldness) Isaiah 61:1-3 – Jesus (Power to DO) Ezekiel 11:5 – Power to Speak Boldly

The Holy Ghost “INTO”: Ezekiel 3:24 – Said, “Go Home….” Ezekiel 36:27 – Ability to Be Obedient “ON” indicates STRENGTH TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL and to BE EFFECTIVE! “IN” indicates GENERAL RIGHTEOUSNESS and OBEDIENCE!

WE NEED “THE BAPTISM”… SO THAT WE CAN SEE OURSELVES AS “CHANNELS” OF THE POWER OF GOD!

“IF THE GIFTS ARE THEIRS, the poorest, most ignorant of His Disciples will have a POWER that will tell upon hearts. God makes them CHANNELS for the out flowing OF THE HIGHEST INFLUENCE IN THE UNIVERSE!” [8T 88]

As a “Conductor” (“Channel”) water is not Electrical Power… But it gives Electrical Power something to use to get the job done! As “Conductors” we are not The Holy Spirit… BUT WE CAN GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT “SOMEONE” TO USE TO GET “HIS” JOB DONE!

WE NEED “THE BAPTISM”… For Power for PLANNING, DIVISING and EXECUTING GOD’S WORK. [TM 170 For FITNESS TO DO THE HUMAN PART IN THE WORK OF SOUL SAVING.

“WHAT WE NEED IS THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Without this, WE ARE NO MORE FITTED TO GO FORTH INTO THE WORLD THAN WERE THE DISCIPLES AFTER THE CRUCIFIXION OF THEIR LORD.” [1 SM 411]

How Do We Receive The Baptism Of The Holy Ghost? CONSIDER FUNDAMENTAL PRE- CONDITIONS….

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Of… Confidence In Promise [Acts 1:4,5; Luke 24:49] Sin and Unbelief [Isa. 59:1,2] Faults One to Another [Acts 1:14; 2:1] Need for a FITNESS to work for men and women [AA 37]

THEN ASK! [Lk. 11:9-13] “Daily He received a fresh Baptism Of The Holy Spirit” [COL 140]

When “Baptism” Is Received SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN…

IN US! LIKE IT DID IN THE DISCIPLES OF JESUS!

“It was not until AFTER Christ’s ascension to His Father and the outpouring of The Holy Spirit UPON the believers, that the Disciples FULLY appreciated The Saviors’ Character and Mission.” [DA 507]

After The “Baptism”… They began to realize that they had been in the very PRESENCE OF THE LORD OF GLORY! Their MINDS opened to COMPREHENDED the PROPHECIES and His MIRACLES! They seemed to themselves OF MUCH LESS IMPORTANCE THAN BEFORE They never wearied of rehearsing His words and works! The SCRIPTURES became a NEW BOOK to them!

IN THE CHURCH…Acts 2:41,ff People will gladly receive The Word and be baptized Fellowship will be rampant Unity; Selfless sharing; Signs & wonders POWER FOR SUCCESSFUL MINISTRY!

JESUS DID GREAT THINGS… AND PROMISED WE WILL DO GREATER! John 14:12

THE PROMISE IS FULFILLED… AS WE ARE WILLING TO MEET THE CONDITIONS!

“FROM THE DAY OF PENTECOST TO THE PRESENT TIME, THE COMFORTER HAS BEEN SENT TO ALL WHO HAVE YIELDED THEMSELVES FULLY TO THE LORD AND TO HIS SERVICE.” [AA 49]