Bible Studies
Topic: Baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire
(Texts):(Matthew 3:11) "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoe I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire".
(John 3:5-6) "Jesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and what is born of the Spirit is Spirit".
Baptism of the Holy Ghost is the baptism that is done on someone directly from Heaven by the Holy Spirit, after someone has been baptized by immersion before. Or, after fully sanctified as seen from Heaven and not by man (unlike the case of Cornelius in Acts10:34-48; that received Holy Ghost even before being baptized). Holy Ghost baptism enables someone to have eternal life (re-generation )or human race insurance for heaven sake.Holy Ghost also means, God coming to dwell inside you and to deal with your former sin(s) nature, in order to make someone totally pure.
While, fire baptism energized someone, the more the fire, the more the anointing upon someone in order for one to use one�s gifts to work for God.Baptising of fire also means, the anointing of the Holy Ghost, whereby God's hands coming upon someone for a purpose of His works here on earth(anointing).That is why today all ministers of God are not the same in terms of anointing upon someone.Also,people that operates office gift of a prophet or prophetess for an example operates at different levels.We have major or minor Prophets/Prophetess.And also each person too specializing in different fields too in terms of problems they can handle.Baptism of fire promotion or increase is on interval basis; depending on how one is faithful to God.Then God would continue to elevate such persons .Majority of God elects are not faithful to GOd; like in Nigeria for an example I have used my prophetic gifts to detect so many of them.You know it is very easy to fool a pastor or an evangelist but very,very difficult to fool a genuire/natural seers of God . Baptism of the Holy Ghost are necessary because when there is no Holy Spirit of God upon someone, there would not be heaven race guarantee insurance and also things like: prayers, evangelism, prophecy receiving, charitable mind, deliverance enablement ,etc.; would be difficult for someone to carry out(Number 11:16-17,24-25; Joel 2:21, 28-29).
John the Baptist (the prophet) recognized the importance of the Holy Spirit. That was why he said as recorded in the Bible, I indeed baptize you with water; but he that cometh after me is mightier than I. He will baptize you with Holy Ghost and fire (Matt. 3:11).
In the book of John 7:37-38, Jesus said He is the Living Water, anyone that thirst should come and drink. By then the Holy spirit hasn't be given, because, the price He was expected to pay hasn�t been paid; because, the Holy Ghost was to come after His resurrection. After the crucification of our Lord Jesus Christ and His resurrection from death; He abmonolish His Apostles to wait in the city of Jerusalem until the Holy Ghost comes upon them (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-8).
The coming of the Holy Spirit:
And when the day or time of the Pentecost were at hand , they were all with one accord in one place. Behold there aroused a sound from heaven as a rushing wind into the house where they were staying (the Apostle and other believers). And behold cloven tongues, like fire was resting upon each one of them. And they were filled with the Holy Ghost. And they began to speak with other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance and also manifesting other spiritual gifts instantly (Acts 2:1-6, 7-47).
Requirements For receiving the Holy Ghost:
1. One must believe Lord Jesus Christ died for his or her sins. Also purged from one�s sins and be baptized in the name of Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Must thirst for it.
3. Serious prayers and faith tendency in order to receive the Holy Ghost.
4. One must not be negligence or lazy in studying the Scripture.
Manifestation of the Holy Ghost (Signs):
Manifestation of the Holy Ghost signs are the ways Holy Ghost manifest or react upon anyone that received Him; the signs are:
speaking of unknown tongue as the spirit gives utterances (not by ignorant ways , just speaking any how like child�s play, as done by many Pentecostal believers ) .Also: shaking, crying, dancing, laughing, body vibration, clove of tongue of fire resting on one�s head, shouting, some would be slain in spirit(deep sleep); etc. And after a short time, one would begin to operate gifts as recorded in the Bible (I Cor. 12:7; Psalm 68:18; Galatians 5:22; Romans 8:5, 16-17; Eph 4:1-32; Matt. 7:13; Rev. 6:11; Rev 7:17).Some people can receive Holy Ghost instantly.While some people, it may take them short time for someone to start observing the full manifestation of the Holy Ghost upon there lives.
Ways of receiving the Holy Ghost:
1. By laying of hands (Acts 8:16-17; Acts 19:1-17).
2. By the Power of spoken word (minister of God speaking commands during Holy Ghost ministration service).
3. By impartment command from someone that already had (Holy Ghost).
4. By asking from God (Luke 11:11-13).
5. Given directly by God without asking, if someone has repented totally .Unlike the very case of Cornelius in the Bible.
What are you called to do?
1. To Shepherds and feed God�s sheep (John 21:15-17).
2. To set the captive free/cast out of demons.
3. To praise and worship God always (John 14:6).
4. To have dominion of the earth or within one�s environ; pending when someone would be called home because human beings are the original landlords/landladies of this earth and not Satan.
Evidence that ascertain that someone has received the Holy Ghost:
a. Sincere life living.
b. Someone always fear God.
c.Loving God always.
d. Loving one�s neighbour as oneself.
e. Always willing to forgive anyone.
f. Doesn�t tell lies, especially inside one�s church.
g. Always willing to tell others about lord Jesus Christ; etc..
Characteristics of the Holy Ghost Characteristics of the Holy Ghost simply means the way Holy Ghost manifest His forms during His visitation to anyone:
They are :
a. visitation of the Holy Ghost (As non-human being in His appearance form)
b. visitation of the Holy Ghost (As a person in His appearance form).
a. Visitation of the Holy Ghost (As non - Human Being in His appearance forms)
1. It can manifest Himself in form of fire (Malachi 3:23; Acts 2:3).
2. It can manifest Himself in form of light (1 John 1:7).
3. It can manifest Himself in form of cloud (2 Chron. 5:13-14).
4. It can manifest Himself in form of wind (Acts 2:2).
5. It can manifest Himself in form of light (I John 1:7).
6. It can also manifest Himself in form of rain.
7. It can also manifest Himself in form of river.
8. It can also manifest Himself in form of oil (Isaiah 6:1).
9. It can also manifest Himself in form of water (John 3:5).
We should classified the Holy Ghost as any of the above just because, it can manifest in the started forms .
While ,Satan�s manifestation is always the (imitation/fake) and sometimes trying to play tricks when trying to personating God.
b. Divine Visitation of the Holy Ghost (As a person, especially in the dream life state)
1. As a person in appearance, the Holy Ghost loves (Romans 5:5).
2. As a person in appearance, the Holy Ghost witnesses (Acts 5:32).
3. As a person in appearance, the Holy Ghost leads (Romans 8:14).
4. As a person in appearance, the Holy Ghost comforts (John 14:16).
5. As a person in appearance, the Holy Ghost guides (Psalm 32:8).
6. As a person in appearance, the Holy Ghost is knowledgeable (I Cor. 2:11).
7. As a person in appearance the Holy Ghost has will (Philippians 14:13; I Cor 12:11).
8. As a person in appearance, the Holy Ghost teaches (John 14:26).
We should classified the Holy Ghost as any of the above just because, it can manifest in the started forms above .
While, satan�s manifestation is always fake(imitation) and sometimes trying to play tricks in trying to personating God.
Fruits of the Holy Ghost (Spirit):
Fruit of the Holy Ghost "Spirit" are love, peace, gentleness, meekness, faith, temperance, joy, long suffering, etc. (Galatians 5:22-23).So, follow His full steps ,if you love Him.
Classification of gifts of the Holy Ghost upon any mankind He has elected (I Cor 12:8-21):
1. Revelational gift: Word of wisdom, word of knowledge and discernment of spirits:
a. Word of Wisdom: Is a supernatural advice and guidance as to the use of naturally acquired information/divine inspiration and course of action to be followed.
b. Word of knowledge: Supernatural information given by the Holy Ghost for the good of Christ body. Can be given as a picture, a particular word or a typesetted word or a linked pattern of an information.
c. Discernment of spirits: This is supernatural ability to distinguished between those things which are of God and those who have their origin from Satan.
2. Power gifts: faith, healing and working of miracles:
a. Faith: It is supernatural information assurance that what God is telling you or calling you to do is of Him (God) or God is able and that He will provide the resources, linked with your willingness to be obedient.
b. Healing: This is the supernatural power to aid recovery through prayers, anointing, laying on of hands, counseling, deliverance ministration, communion, etc..
c. Miracles: This is the supernatural power to dramatically intervene in the circumstances of any mankind, so as to change the cause of events, reverse pattern of natural law or any satanic affliction/attacks and speed up to the state of instantaneous process which would have otherwise taken much longer before. And in the end runs quickly open up to the state of surprise, unable to explain process to the end of the receiver or channeled vessel that was used(minister). On how God did it instantly.
3. Utterance gifts: Gift of prophecy, diverse type of tongue, interpretation of tongues:
a. Gift of prophecy: This is the supernatural ability to speak out or give out divine message out under higher influence of the Holy Ghost, directly via one�s mouth (vessel). And it always ending with "Thus says the Lord of Host" or "Thus says the Lord" or "Thus says Lord Jesus Christ.
b. Diverse type of tongue: This is the supernatural ability to speak in a God given language inspired by the Holy Ghost but via one�s mouth vessel (NOTE : not by one�s power or personal ability)
c. Interpretation of tongues: This is supernatural ability to bring the interpretation of the tongues message to those present, so that, the true meaning of diverse type of tongue that was spoken. May be few seconds ago; could be made known to the people in a simple plain language of understanding; e.g. English, French ,etc.. For an example like my personal self, I operates all the spiritual gifts from 1-3 mightily, except speaking in tongue and its interpretations ,which I can not force myself to learn them.Like as many ignorant Pentecostal believers used to do.Unless, God gives me His utterance spiritually.
4.Office gift: (Romans 12:6-9) Prophecy, ministry, teaching, giving, exhortation, ruling, mercy/charity works: Also accordingly to I Cor. 12:28. "And God hath set some in the church first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
After one has received Holy Ghost one should endeavour to observe the followings:
1. Flee away from all forms of sins in order to avoid God�s enmity.
2. After you discover your gifts, develop them and use your gifts, diligently to work for God and also preach/win lost souls for Christ.
3. Pray to God to increase the anointing of fire in you or the gift of which God has given you.
4. Worship in a living church.
5.Don't charge anybody before praying for someone or giving out revelation(prophecy) to people.It is only false ministers of God or false prophets or satanic marine based churches that does such things.
NOTE: To know how God discipline His ministers that turns around to betray Him. Try get my book(Where Is This Storm Coming From?).In order to know God your Father very well. He is no respecter of any person ,you know how He dealth with most of His servants in the Bible; Like :Prophet Ballam, king Saul,Lot�s wife, Prophet Moses, Samson, Judas Iscariot, how He divided Israel into two during Solomon�s son time. Beloved try and be like Prophet Jeremiah in the Bible. God recently spoke to us on how He loved Prophet Jeremiah so much because of His faithfulness. when He was encouraging us to be like Jeremiah(Jer.13:1-end).
Things that can make Holy Ghost not to co-operate with any of His elect(minister)whom He had earlier visited or leave outrightly:
1.Disobedient servants of God. Unlike the case of king Saul.
2.Also,those that secretly engaged in lust sins, thereby exposing the temple of God in them to familiar spirits.
3.Pride :taking God�s glory, especially when their are testimonies and without recognizing God that did it sole handedly.
4.Jealousy: some ministers of God that jealous other genuine minister of God ;especially if such a person is greater than the later and thereby trying to cage or block such a person .
Even sometimes, calling such a person a devil or using devil�s power(thereby blaspheming the Holy Ghost).The practice is very common among overseers /senior minister, that doesn�t want the younger one�s to come up.
5.Those that mismanagement church funds. Normally, pastors are not suppose to handle church funds ;but to face spiritual works of God 100%.It is the duty of Deacons chosen among the congregation to managed church funds, and not by pastors/their wives/children to do so. "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil(Eccl.12:12-13).
Questions are welcome from those wishing to develop their gifts. Also people willing to make heaven, because, not everybody is sincerely willing to make heaven.
By their fruits you shall know them.Without Holy Ghost , no one can make heaven;so the topic is very, very important in our Christendom
MAY THE PEACE OF THE LORD REMAIN WITH YOU.
SHALLOM AND GREATER JOURNEY!
Salvation message from :
F. D.Okoh
Salvation Healing Church
E-mail:[email protected]
www.thesalvationhealingchurch.org.ng
www.11thhourgospelradio.com.ng
www.11thhouronlinestore.com.ng
www.theshcradio.org.ng
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