tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56878411091352536092024-03-12T21:41:23.965-05:00Pentecostal Lighthouse ChurchThese writings are posted to help edify, strengthen, and warn spiritual people. All writings are by Pastor-Evangelist Mark E. Herridge, Sr unless stated otherwise. Thank you for visiting and God Bless.Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-4506368711185028242013-01-25T07:28:00.001-06:002013-01-25T07:28:03.571-06:00A Right Confession<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #943634; font-family: 'Batik Regular'; font-size: 46pt;">A Right Confession<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Romans 10:8-11<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">A Right Confession is Submission to the Lord Jesus Christ<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Our text is one of the key passages in the Bible used by the “Health & Wealth” gurus in their teachings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They claim that the verses in our text gives them license to “confess” their way to power, wealth, health, prosperity, blessings, happiness, and such.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, do these scriptures really teach what they are saying they teach?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The word “Confess” does appear in this passage but the question must be asked: what confession was the Apostle Paul talking about?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In verse 8 Paul says that the confession, the word, is “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">nigh thee, even in thy mouth</i>” and he goes on further to say it is “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the word of faith</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point the “Confess-it-and- Possess-it” teachers are doing handstands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They point at this verse and say this proves all of their teaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this the case?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">We need to look at the other verses in context to understand what “confession” the Apostle Paul was talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Verse 9 tells us that we should confess with our mouth “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the Lord Jesus</i>” as well as “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">believe</i>” in our heart so that salvation may be acquired in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Verse 10 explains the process of belief in Christ as a progression from heart to mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, just to make it clear to everyone: The Apostle Paul was speaking of more than just a simple understanding of belief, for most assuredly the Apostle understood that “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">devils believe and tremble</i>” but are not saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order for belief to be understood we must know that it is belief unto obedience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first act of obedience in every Christian is the obedient act of repentance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without repentance your belief in God is no better than the devil’s belief in God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, you have a “Devil’s Faith” if you believe in God but do not obey God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Devils’ Faith does not save Lucifer and neither will it save anyone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is the difference in the believing of the Devil and the true belief in Christ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One word: obedience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we see from the context that the Apostle Paul was saying something else entirely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Romans 10:8-11 are wonderful verses and I have used these verses many times in my ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, do these verses teach that every believer is given a blank check and all they have to do is write in (confess) whatever they want and God will give it to them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The answer is no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “Confessionist” loves verse eight and just about everybody that is anybody in the “Word of Faith” Movement has taught and written their thoughts on this verse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is true that a “confession” is a verbal acknowledgement, but the question is still whether or not this confession involves bigger houses, faster cars, gourmet foods, and fancier clothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that what the Apostle Paul was referring to when he wrote about “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the word of faith</i>” being in the mouth of the believers?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">One need only look at the context of all of these verses to see that Paul was writing about “confessing” Christ and not things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This confession as Paul continues to expound upon in the next few verses is a result of faith in the heart of the believer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one can serve God secretly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone that becomes a Christian must make a public “Confession” of their new life in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what Paul is referring to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only must a person publicly acknowledge Christ but they must acknowledge Him as their “Lord”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the way the Apostle Paul says it, “”<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD Jesus…</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at that word: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lord</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul made it clear they were not “confessing” Jesus as their Savior but as their “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lord</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many today put the emphasis on Jesus as Savior instead of Jesus as Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is why we have so many people in Church today living such sloppy lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They believe they have a Savior living in their heart but have never submitted their lives over to His lordship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They understood the Lordship of Christ in the first century Church but for some reason it has been lost in today’s modern Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus Christ was specifically referred to as “Savior” 16 times in the New Testament but he was called “Lord” 450 times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The emphasis should always be on His Lordship first and Him as Savior second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He must first be your Lord before He will be your Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is essential New Testament doctrine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">We must ask ourselves the question then what is a Lord?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Lord is a sovereign ruler that exercises authority over the lives of his subjects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Lord sets the laws, controls the populace, makes the decisions, and gives out commands to his subjects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those under the leadership of the Lord are required to obey their Lord or suffer his judgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">If we confess that Jesus is “Lord” of our life does this put us in control or does this put Jesus in control of us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The answer to this question is a “No Brainer” as the young people like to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is Lord!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If He truly is Lord then He will be the one that decides what is best for our lives and not us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These verses do not support the “Positive Confession” movement but they do just the opposite.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Our “Confession” is not about things but it is about acknowledging Jesus as our Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “Word of Faith” that is nigh us, that is in our mouth, is a confession of His Lordship and our submission to Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything other than that is twisting the scriptures to their own destruction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A “Right Confession” is a confession of His Lordship over our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Period!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">A Right Confession Comes Out of a Right Desire<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Here is another scripture that is so often taken out of context and used by the carnal to justify their carnal desires:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Psalms 37:4<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">This scripture is not giving the believer a “spiritual shopping cart” so that they can load it up to their heart’s content.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This scripture is not talking about your desires but God’s desires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is not going to give us our carnal desires but He is going to give us His desires so that we will want the right things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A right confession has nothing to do with cars, houses, and money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A right confession is about wanting what God wants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">A Right Confession is Other-Worldly<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">A right confession is not centered on this world but it is centered on another world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This scripture says it best:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews 11:13-16<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Any religious confession that is filled with rhetoric that only pertains to this world is not a Heavenly confession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can people claim to be a Christian that is going to Heaven when all they think about and all they talk about is this world?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Any true confession of God is not going to be centered in this world but centered in the world to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the disciples asked Jesus about prayer He responded with these words:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 6:9-13<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">11 Give us this day our daily bread.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">This prayer is otherworldly!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus instructed the disciples to pray to the Father which is in Heaven and to pray that the will of God in Heaven would become the will of God on earth.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Any confession that is more concerned with the things of this world than the things of Heaven is a false confession.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">A Right Confession Places the Interests of the Kingdom Above the Interests of the Individual<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">You see, each individual Christian must understand that Jesus did not save us to make us comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus saved us so that we could serve Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My interests must be subordinate to the interests of the Kingdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those that were martyred for the faith understood this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look what the writer of the book of Hebrews says about those that serve the Lord:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews 11:32-38<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">38<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Of whom the world was not worthy:)</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">What God wants is much more important than what I want.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Any confession that places the interests of the individual above the interests of God is a false confession.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">A Right Confession Recognizes what True Gain Is<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">This scripture says it best:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">1 Timothy 6:6<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">But godliness with contentment is great gain.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The true value that we gain in this world is not something you can put in a bank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>True wealth does not come on a set of four tires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>True wealth is not a piece of real estate or any structure you can place upon that real estate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Gaining the things of this world does not prove value.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me to grow in Godliness is great gain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me to grow in Holiness is great gain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me to become more like Jesus is great gain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I can be Godly and be content with the things God has provided then I have what is most valuable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">A Right Confession Comes from Our Lives and Not Our Lips<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Bible does tell us that “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh</i>”, but this does not mean that the mouth creates the abundance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mouth only <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">reveals</i> the abundance!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>The mouth is not a thermostat but a thermometer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mouth does not create abundance it only reveals the abundance that is present in a person’s heart.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>A right confession does not come from our lips – it comes from our lives!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">If we will live right then our confession will be right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our confession will reveal what is stored up in our heart.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Our mouth is like the fuel gauge on our car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we are full of the good things of God then our mouth will reveal it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we are full of worldliness our mouth will reveal it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we are full of carnality our mouth will reveal it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Conclusion<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">It is absolutely imperative that we distance ourselves from selfish doctrines that increase the believer’s love for things in this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any teacher/preacher that tries to utilize the Gospel for personal gain and teach others to do so must be avoided at all costs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not to imply that God does not bless His children, for surely He does, but we have learned that the true blessings of the Lord will make us rich without adding sorrow – they will make us more like Jesus while at the same time less like this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let each of us strive to have a “Right Confession” and confess the Lordship of Christ over our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-59792630650548037642011-08-17T18:03:00.002-05:002011-08-17T18:03:46.350-05:00Illegitimate & Legitimate Ministries <br />
<div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB Demi","sans-serif"; font-size: 22pt;"><strong>ILLEGITIMATE & LEGITIMATE MINISTRIES<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoSubtitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><strong><em><u><span style="font-size: large;">1 Timothy 5:22<o:p></o:p></span></u></em></strong></span></div><br />
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<h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><em><u>1 Timothy 4:14<o:p></o:p></u></em></span></h1><br />
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<h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><em><u>2 Timothy 1:6<o:p></o:p></u></em></span></h1><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em>Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.<b><o:p></o:p></b></em></span></div><br />
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<h2 align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Laying On of Hands<o:p></o:p></span></h2><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">All of the references in first and second Timothy that I have listed above have to do with ordaining someone to the ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In two of the cases the references have to do with Timothy’s calling in particular while in 1 Timothy 5:22 with those that Timothy would one day ordain.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The laying on of hands was the process used to publicly ordain an individual into a legitimate ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In each of these scriptures the Apostle Paul mentions this process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laying on of hands was a visible sign to the Church that someone had the approval of the elders in the Church and that this person should be afforded the same respect that the elders had been given.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would do well to follow the New Testament pattern as set forth by the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">No one can have a legitimate ministry in the Church without having been ordained by a legitimate ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is chain passed all the way down from Christ to this present day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone that launches a ministry and bypasses this process will have an illegitimate ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An illegitimate ministry may look successful to the world around but such a ministry will never be anointed by the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is absolutely essential that each ministry be legitimized by a legitimate ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Today the world is full of illegitimate ministries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some one wakes up one morning and decides, “I think I will be a preacher” or “I think I will start a Church.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folks, it just does not work this way!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God must do the calling!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And whoever is called of God is not going to mind submitting under those that are called by God until they are mature enough to launch out on their own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone that is so arrogant that they feel this is not needed is going to be illegitimate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Jesus recognized this process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really, no many could ever legitimize His ministry but John the Baptist, representing the Old Covenant, did baptize Jesus in the Jordan River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What legitimized Jesus ministry was the landing of the Holy Ghost and the voice of His Father from Heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is another verse that says much about our standing before God and man:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Luke 2:52<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paul reminded Timothy that his ministry was legitimized by the laying on of hands of the Presbytery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word, “Presbytery” means “order of elders” and “seasoned elders”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These leaders had the wisdom to recognize the calling, and to ordain those that were qualified to a legitimate ministry. Without the ordination of the Presbytery these new ministries would not be legitimate.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paul cautioned Timothy, now a Pastor, to lay hands on no man suddenly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not an admonition, as so many wrongly think, to refrain from striking a person but rather an admonition to not ordain a person too quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Elders should be cautious about who they recognize as having a legitimate ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These new candidates for the ministry must first prove themselves faithful and must grow up under the watchful eye of an elder minister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word elder does imply age but we know that age alone cannot be the criteria, for there are those that are late coming to the faith, while at the same time there are those that have grown up from birth in the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">To ordain someone for the ministry is so serious that it requires years of observation, training, and much prayer and fasting, hence Paul’s words, “<i>Lay hands suddenly on no man</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">”</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To do any less is to court certain disaster.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paul later told Timothy in more detail not to ordain anyone that was too young and inexperienced into the office of a Pastor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The term novice does not necessarily refer to chronology but definitely refers to spirituality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at these words:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><u>1 Timothy 3:6<o:p></o:p></u></em></span></h3><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em>Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div><br />
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<h2 align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Precedent of the Old Testament<o:p></o:p></span></h2><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">We find this precedent in the Old Testament: in order for a new ministry to be legitimate it had to be acknowledged by a seasoned ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This precedent is observed in many different passages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will look at the two of the more prominent relationships in scripture:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Moses and Joshua- </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The great leader Moses had a young man that followed him for many years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Moses was 120 years old, and Joshua was 80 years old, Moses legitimized Joshua’s ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was done publicly at the Tabernacle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was this process that alerted the people to the fact that Joshua was now someone that would hold a spiritual office.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<h4 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><u>Deuteronomy 31:14<o:p></o:p></u></em></span></h4><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tabernacle of the congregation.<o:p></o:p></span></em></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Elijah and Elisha-</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Who has not heard of the exploits of these two famous prophets?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elijah chose Elisha years before and trained him, and upon his death, he passed the mantle on to Elisha.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<h4 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><u>2 Kings 2:9-10<o:p></o:p></u></em></span></h4><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">When Elisha returned to the followers of Elijah bearing his master’s mantle this is what happened:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">2 Kings 2:15<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<h2 align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Precedent of the New Testament<o:p></o:p></span></h2><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">What is true in the Old Testament is also true in the New.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same precedent is followed, though with emphasis on the “laying on of hands”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those wishing to embark on a ministry had to be ordained by the Elders or their ministry would not have been legitimate.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jesus and his Apostles- </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">These Apostles were chosen and ordained by Christ to continue His ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus chose each one carefully and placed his blessing upon them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would be the ones after Jesus’ ascension to continue this apostolic succession (and no that is not a reference to the Pope).<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<h4 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><u>John 20:21-22<o:p></o:p></u></em></span></h4><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><em><span style="font-size: 14pt;">22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></em></div><br />
<h5 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"><strong> </strong></span></span>Choosing the Deacons- </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">In the book of Acts seven Deacons were selected and ordained in the early church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Notice that the Apostles “Laid hands on them” to legitimize their office and ministry.<o:p></o:p></span></h5><br />
<h4 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><u>Acts 6:5-6<o:p></o:p></u></em></span></h4><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paul and Barnabas chosen- </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Even Paul had to be ordained to a ministry that would spread the Gospel to the Gentiles.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><b><i><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Acts 9:27-30<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paul and Timothy- </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">At the beginning of this article we read the Apostle’s words to Timothy, who Paul often referred to as his “son in the faith”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul reminded Timothy of his ordination and “the laying on of hands”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The legitimate ministry of the Apostle Paul passed on a legitimate ministry to Timothy.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><em><u>2 Timothy 1:6<o:p></o:p></u></em></span></h1><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em>Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.<b><o:p></o:p></b></em></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paul and Titus-</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Titus was another young man that came up under the tutelage of the Apostle Paul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A specific reference to Titus’ calling is not recorded but there is very little doubt that Paul followed the same pattern set forth in the New Testament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul, through his legitimate standing with God, had the authority to place Titus as the Pastor of the Church at Crete.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Titus 1:4-5<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Final Words<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It is so important that we take note that God calls who He chooses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes the choice of God may not be that choice we would have made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any person that has the call of God on their life should submit to a legitimate ministry for tutelage and growth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If someone refuses to then they will become puffed up, arrogant, and could even backslide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the very worse they will continue in some capacity of ministry and most likely do damage to many.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">As a Pastor for the last twenty-four years I have seen many a “hot-shot” pass through ready to set the world ablaze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had the fire but they really had no discipline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some planted their feet and grew and today they have a fruitful ministry (to date we have young ministers that grew up in our Church working in the ministry in four different states), while others were impatient and thought they knew more than everyone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of those today have not only fallen from the ministry but have also fallen from the faith with their lives completely in shambles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">No matter how much fire you feel burning on the inside, there is never any harm in learning how to keep the fire burning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want a legitimate ministry then you need to seek out a Moses or a Paul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only a legitimate ministry can ordain you into a legitimate ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no exceptions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-63534829561880962092011-07-19T21:14:00.002-05:002011-07-19T21:14:16.439-05:00Alcohol Free<div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Blue Highway Linocut"; font-size: 72pt;"><strong>ALCOHOL FREE!<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Blue Highway Linocut";"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">THE BIBLE TEACHES TOTAL ABSTINENCE<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Introduction<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I make no apology in telling you that I am 100% against Christians drinking alcohol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have heard the arguments on both sides of the issue and I am more convinced than ever that Christians should completely abstain from its use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Word of God is our perfect rule of faith and conduct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are those that attempt to use the Word of God to excuse their “lust of the flesh” in consuming beer, wine, and liquor and in doing so they are sealing their fate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible does not support their argument and only by stretching and twisting the scripture can they ever make this argument.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In the next few pages I am going to lay out my argument.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It matters not to me if you disagree, for my mind is made up and my heart is fixed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once you are filled full of the “New Wine” of the Holy Ghost then you will most certainly lose all your desire for the “spirits” of this world and develop a taste for that which can only be dispensed by God.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Three Generations of Herridge Testimonies<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">My Dad, Ernest Herridge, shared this testimony with me many times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was born in 1940 and as a young boy he sold newspapers between two bars in downtown Houston.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While selling papers he saw many times where fathers would park their cars outside the bars and go inside while leaving the children in the car for hours as they sat inside drinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children would cry and say, “I am hungry”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Dad tried to help the best that he could but there was little he could do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes a father would stumble out to the car and scream at the children to “Shut up” and then go back to the bar to continue their drinking for several more hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Dad, who did not get saved until 1976, said that this forever made an impact on him and he vowed to never drink alcohol and kept this vow until he died at age sixty-eight.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">At age seven I walked down to the altar, repented of my sin, and was gloriously “Born Again”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew very little about sin at that tender age but the Holy Ghost came to me and convinced me of my sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew I was a sinner and I knew that He was the Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My life really started that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">At age fifteen I was baptized in the Holy Ghost at the Polk County Campmeeting near Livingston, Texas and it was just weeks later that God called me to preach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been faithful to preach this Gospel since that blessed day.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">There are many people that have wonderful testimonies of what God saved them from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rejoice to hear of the power of this Gospel to reach into the depths of sin and pluck a soul out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My testimony is much different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never been to a dance hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never tried alcohol (I like to tell folks in my meetings in the U.S. that the strongest thing that has ever been in this body is Vicks Formula 44 cough syrup!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never tried tobacco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why, I wouldn’t even go to my High School prom because there was going to be worldly music and dancing there (my girlfriend, who is now my wife, and I went out to eat and to the mall instead).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">My testimony is not as much about the depths of sin that God can save you from but the depths that God can keep you from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thank my God that he kept me through it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has the power to save from sin and He also has the power to keep us from sin.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">People have asked me over the years if I have ever wondered what I might have missed by not partaking of those things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My answer to them is this: I do not have sit on Death Row (prison execution) to know that I do not want to be there!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I do not have to go out there and wallow in the pig pen to know that I do not want to be there!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Last, I want to thank God for my children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My wife and I raised our children to respect God and the things of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My youngest son is a holiness preacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shares the same testimony that my Dad and I both share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He never gave himself over to the influence of alcohol (his sister also has this testimony).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once while at a company BBQ at an employer’s house my son Joshua, who was sixteen at the time, asked if there was anything to drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The host said to go into the kitchen and get a Dr. Pepper out of the refrigerator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My son came back with his Dr. Pepper and set down beside me and leaned over and whispered in my ear, “Dad, there is a beer in that refrigerator”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I almost shouted!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here, my son was sixteen years old and he had never seen a beer in a refrigerator!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a wonderful testimony!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">You may think this is all nuts if you want to, but I am so thankful that we have lived clean lives and can testify that you can live life to the fullest without any of the artificial enhancements that this world thinks is necessary to have a good time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God can save you in sin and He can keep you from sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Nuts & Bolts<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">I do not want to weigh you down with a lot of heavy information but we need to deal with a few of the more technical aspects of alcohol, or as it is referred to in scripture, wine.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The Greek word for wine is “Oinos”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This word “Oinos” refers to any of the juice of the grape, fermented or unfermented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were not two different words used for each but only one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the New Testament refers to wine we cannot be sure to which this word is referring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Secular writers of the Greek era referred to freshly squeezed grape juice that had not been fermented as “oinos”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are a few examples:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">“Squeeze the grape, let out the wine (oinos)”. – Anacreon, 500 B. C.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Nicander recorded in the second century that squeezing grapes produces oinos.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Althenaeus spoke of “Sweet wine” that “does not make the head heavy” and in another place he wrote of men gathering grapes who “went about, and took wine (oinos) from the field”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">In all of these cases the word “Oinos” is used to refer to grape juice, not alcohol (there are many other references – these are just a few selected for brevities sake).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">When studying the Old Testament and the Hebrew language we find the same situation with the word “Yayin”, which is also used to refer to both fermented and unfermented juice from the grape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were other words in both Greek and Hebrew but the two common words found in scripture are “Yayin” and “Oinos”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The scripture itself also refers to freshly squeezed grapes as “oinos” and in Revelation 19:15 it says that Jesus “treadeth the winepress” or the “oinos” press.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me ask you a couple of questions: when you squeeze a grape or step on it does it squirt out wine?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does fermented alcohol come out of a freshly squeezed grape?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course not!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It squeezes out healthy grape juice!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">I submit to you that the word “Wine” as used in the New Testament may not be the wine that you are thinking about today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word could just have easily been referring to grape juice as wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">If any of this “oinos” was fermented the alcohol content would have been minuscule to say the least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today’s fermenting and bottling processes are much more sophisticated than was possible two thousand years ago and today they are able to produce and store alcohol that is many times stronger.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Reasons that a Christian Should Not Drink Alcohol<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Here I have some simple reasons why Christians should completely abstain from alcohol:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Alcohol reduces the ability to make rational decisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Have you ever considered the statement “Drink Responsibly”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How ludicrous is this statement!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By its very nature alcohol reduces your ability to make rational and sensible decisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same is true for “Don’t Drink & Drive”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who is making the decision to not drive?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often it is the person that has been drinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are not even capable of making a rational decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alcohol has compromised their ability to think clearly and any decision made under the influence of alcohol is suspect.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Alcohol dulls the conscious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">How many millions of young people are out there that have lost their virginity while under the influence of alcohol?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many girls have gotten pregnant while under the influence of alcohol?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many people have cheated on their spouse while under the influence of alcohol?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One worldly slogan says, “Drink till he’s cute”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is exactly why Christians should avoid alcohol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alcohol dulls your conscious and makes it easier to yield to the flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While under the influence of alcohol people are more likely to yield to temptation and even more sins of the flesh.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Lesser forms of alcohol lead to more potent forms of alcohol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">We have heard this all of our lives about marijuana but this is also true of beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The use of beer can, and often does, lead to stronger forms of liquor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often people are hypocrites about marijuana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The beer drinkers feel pious and superior to those who smoke pot but they go out and get drunk on the liquid drug called alcohol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One is acceptable and the other is not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both are just as deadly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually people will start drinking beer but if they do so long enough it takes more and more to get the desired effect, so they move up to stronger and stronger types of alcohol until they are consuming hard liquor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sounds suspiciously like the old pot to heroine scenario to me.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Alcohol contributes nothing to worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">If you claim to be a Christian and you still want to defend you right to drink alcohol then let me ask you this: How does drinking alcohol contribute to worship?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our lives as Christians should be a worship to the Lord – not just at Church but at all times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How does alcohol help you worship God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it is so right to drink then why not tip back a few beers (or shots of whiskey) before you head to the Church to assemble for worship?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Alcohol is a “Lust of the flesh”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Does alcohol appeal to the spiritual side of man or the fleshly side of man?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The answer is obvious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What part of you desires to drink alcohol?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it your spirit? Or is it your flesh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alcohol appeals to the “Lust of the flesh” not to the “Spirit”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People do not drink alcohol to replenish the fluids they have lost, for science has proven that alcohol actually makes dehydration worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People do not drink alcohol to quench their natural thirst, for again science has proven that alcohol is the worst choice for this as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They drink alcohol because it appeals to the lust of their flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes them feel good therefore they drink it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">1 John 2:16<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Alcohol Companies consistently promote their products with the “Lust of the Eye” and the “Pride of Life”.</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alcohol is a lust of the flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do alcohol companies promote this product?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By using the other two failings of man: the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a beer commercial plays on television it is often filled with attractive twenty-somethings that are all smiling, laughing, and having a good time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many times the women are dressed seductively to catch the man’s eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These companies also advertise most heavily during sporting events when the “Pride of Life” is at an all time high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Our team is #1” and “We are the Best”, and “No One Can Beat Us” can be heard as the pride swells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The alcohol companies know that this is the best way to promote their product.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">1 John 2:17<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">For all that is in the world, the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">lust of the flesh</b>, and the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">lust of the eyes</b>, and the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">pride of life</b>, is not of the Father, but is of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Alcohol does not promote Godliness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">There is nothing about alcohol that is going to make you live a holy life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is nothing about alcohol that is going to inspire you to give your all to Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In no way whatsoever does alcohol promote Godly living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The use of alcohol always promotes carnality – it never promotes spirituality.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Alcohol ruins our Christian testimony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The use of alcohol does not enhance our testimony of the power of God over sin but rather it degrades our testimony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a Christian drinks alcohol they are hindering their testimony of not being a part of this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To drink a liquid drug that is going to fill you with a false euphoria is definitely of this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people of this world are watching us, they are looking to see if we really are living above the things of this world, and when we drink alcohol we just lower ourselves and compromise our testimony.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Water into Wine<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">I hear this all the time from backslidden, religious, and carnal people that drinking alcohol must be okay because Jesus turned the water into wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like what one Evangelist says, “When I go saved Jesus turned my wine into water”, or in other words, Jesus delivered them from drinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would Jesus deliver us from alcohol and then turn around after we are saved and say to us, “Go ahead and drink up for you have Christian liberty”?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Here is the passage from the Bible about Jesus changing the water into wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take note that this passage identifies two types of wine as well and both come from the original Greek word “Oinos”, which as I stated earlier applies to all of the liquid products of the grape.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">John 2:1-11<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">6 And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">7 Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">8 And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">No one but the Holy Ghost can say with absolute clarity what wine was served at this marriage, but here are a few things we need to consider:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo6; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Would Jesus serve fermented wine to pregnant women?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Medical science tells pregnant women to avoid the use of alcohol during the pregnancy because it will have detrimental affects on their developing baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is what many doctors and dieticians are saying: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“W</b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #383636; font-size: 14pt;">hen you drink alcohol, your baby is drinking it too. Therefore, you should avoid all forms of alcohol when you are pregnant. This includes beer, wine and hard liquor. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it quickly reaches the baby through the blood stream. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy may result in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, lower birth weight, physical deformities, mental retardation, and motor development complications. There is no data to support a safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Therefore, medical experts recommend avoiding alcohol completely during your pregnancy.”</span></b><span style="color: #383636; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this wedding feast there were families that had come together to celebrate the marriage of their relative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no birth control at this time other than abstinence, and most families were large, so it is very likely there were many pregnant women at this marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must ask ourselves this question: Would Jesus serve fermented wine to pregnant mothers knowing that it had the potential to harm their developing baby?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think not!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus was both God and man, and being God He knew what medical science had not yet proved, that alcohol was dangerous for a developing baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no way that you would ever convince me that our Lord would do serve poison to expectant mothers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo6; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The distinction in this passage is between “Good Wine” and “Worse Wine” and not between “Fermented” and “Unfermented”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Some try to say that the “Worse Wine” was grape juice and the “Good Wine” was alcohol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible makes no such distinction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The distinction in this passage is in quality <i>not</i> in type.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were several different ways of preserving grape juice to prevent fermentation in ancient times and one of those ways required dehydrating the juice down to a jelly like substance that could be later mixed with water and reconstituted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This wine was not fermented and was healthy but it lost a lot in the taste department.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best wine was the juice that was freshly squeezed from the vine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The differences between these two types of wine is not fermented and unfermented but reconstituted and freshly squeezed.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Jesus Drank Wine<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 11:18-19<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Those that are carnal in the Church love this scripture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They may not know three scriptures in the entire Bible but this is usually one of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will shout out, “See!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible clearly says that Jesus came eating and drinking”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually the Bible says no such thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at this scripture with me again and notice that there is a comparison being drawn between John the Baptist and Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know that the diet of John the Baptist consisted of “locust and wild honey” and there is no mention of what he drank, but most likely it was simple water in keeping with the rest of his diet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The key to understanding these verses is this statement, “They say”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who are the “They” mentioned here in scripture?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, it is not Holy Ghost who is the author of the Word of God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “They” is others, and not just any others but those that criticized the ministries of both John and Jesus. Most likely it was the religious leaders who hated both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was their testimony of John and Jesus and not the testimony of the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was “hearsay” from others and not the word of the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The point of the scripture is not to put a stamp of approval on “eating and drinking” or “not eating and drinking” but rather to show us that no matter who God sent the religious leaders of that day would find fault with them. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Again, look at the testimony of “They”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking of Jesus the “They” say this: “<i>They say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their slanderous testimony of Jesus was that he was a glutton and a winebibber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was Jesus either?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both are a sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Jesus was a glutton then He was not the perfect sacrifice that the Bible teaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The Bible tells us this about gluttony and winebibbing:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Proverbs 23:20-21<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Deuteronomy 21:20-21<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">20 And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">It is clear that the Bible teaches that both gluttony and winebibbing is a sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Jesus was either of these then He was not the “spotless lamb” but was a sinner, and if He was a sinner then He cannot be the sacrifice that takes away the sin of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">My friend, Jesus was not a winebibber or a glutton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was simply being slandered by His enemies and He is still be slandered even today by those that want to feed the flesh and feel good about doing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The Lord’s Supper<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 26:26-29<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians 11:23-30<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Both of these passages of scripture are the basis for the Lord’s Supper or communion as it is practiced in the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most all New Testament churches have some type of communion service and all follow this pattern to some extent or the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sad part about this is that some religions serve fermented wine as part of the communion and they insist that this was the way it was served in the scripture.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The question must be asked: Did Jesus serve fermented grape juice as part of The Lord’s Supper?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need only look at the passages to get our answer. The Bible lists two ways to describe what they drank during this ordinance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One was by referring to the liquid as “The Cup” and the other was a reference to “Fruit of the vine”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither of these references mention alcohol in any way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those that claim alcohol was part of the Lord’s Supper are purely using conjecture for the scripture does not make that distinction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Furthermore, it would certainly be out of character with the whole concept of the Lord’s Supper to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">There are two elements to communion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first is bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one contests the fact that this bread was unleavened –from Catholic to Protestant, all agree on this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had to be unleavened for the leaven, the yeast, that makes bread wise was a type of sin and error.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This unleavened bread represented Jesus’ body that was broken at Calvary and no sin or error could be in His body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The cup had to also be unleavened grape juice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The process to make alcohol is the same process used to make bread rise: you add leaven/yeast to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The adding of leaven/yeast to grape juice will start the fermentation process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, if Jesus and the disciples drank leavened grape juice then they broke the type, which is symbolic of Jesus’ blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Why would they use unleavened bread and then turn around and use leavened grape juice?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is out of character, out of context, and against type.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, my friends, Jesus served juice from “The Fruit of the Vine” that was unfermented and thus he kept the type true to himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Don’t Drink the Water!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">This is a myth perpetrated by the alcohol drinkers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They claim that the reason people drank alcohol in the Bible times is simply because the water was so bad they had no other choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scripturally astute of this group will sometimes mention Paul’s words to Timothy in I Timothy 5:23, “<i>Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They point at this scripture as their alleged proof that the water was bad and Paul was advising drinking alcohol instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Let me clarify something for you here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ancient people drank water more than anything else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is an historical fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Entire civilizations were built along rivers and lakes for this very reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are tens of thousands of references to wells, cisterns, and lets not forget the famous Roman aqueducts that piped water into their cities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ancients did drink water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Water was their number one hydrating product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Yes, water could become contaminated, just as it does today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can remember the times that I traveled from the USA to Mexico and getting those many warnings from my well-meaning friends, “Don’t drink the water”, and there is truth in their warnings, for I live in a country where the health standards are higher than anywhere else on earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My immune system is not adjusted to many of the water-borne illnesses that are common in so many developing countries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, if you notice the people in those countries drink the water and it does not bother them at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are used to it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same can be said of the ancient people in Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They could drink the water because they did not live in a sterile environment and their bodies were adjusted to most water-borne illnesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At times they did get sick and when they did they had home remedies and even physicians to help them, just as we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul’s advice to Timothy was simply for him to drink “oinos” – which could have been grape juice or alcohol, and if alcohol it was to be used in a medicinal sense – not as a winebibber!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Alcohol and Caffeine<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Here is another objection that I often hear from people that want to justify drinking alcohol and it goes something like this: “My drinking alcohol is no worse than you drinking coffee with caffeine in it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Is this really true?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is caffeine as dangerous as alcohol?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certainly large amounts of caffeine are not good for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So are large amounts of fats, sweets, or starches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can we honestly say that caffeine and alcohol are equal in danger?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Have you ever read a Surgeon General’s Warning on a can of Folgers’s Coffee?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you lose control after drinking two cups of coffee?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do they arrest people and test them for Blood-Caffeine levels to charge them for being under the influence?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The answer is no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caffeine is such weak stimulant that it has a minimal effect upon people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, caffeine is a naturally occurring substance that is found in several different kinds of plants including coffee beans, tea leaves, and cocoa (yes, you get some caffeine from chocolate).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">While, we may help ourselves by ingesting less caffeine, there is hardly any comparison between it and alcohol.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Alcohol and Nicotine<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The same argument is used with caffeine is sometimes used with nicotine also.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I do want to make it clear that I am also against Christians using tobacco in any form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of the tobacco – cancer connection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christians should do everything in their power to protect their bodies from harm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This includes abstinence from alcohol and tobacco.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Alcohol and Gluttony<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Usually if you oppose the use of alcohol someone will end up pointing a finger at you and saying, “You have no room to say anything for you are a glutton”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of us here in America are overweight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does that mean that we are glutton?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The word “Glutton” is defined as “a riotous overeater”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We understand it to be someone that is in love with food and eats way more than what is healthy for them to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Food becomes their obsession, the passion, and all they can think and talk about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Is an overweight person a glutton?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes they are not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am about thirty pounds overweight, yet I eat less today than I did ten years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why am I overweight?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, for starters I probably should be eating better foods than what I eat, but the main reason is I am now knocking on fifty years of age and my metabolism is slowing down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not burning off the calories that I consume as I did when I was younger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes I sit down and eat a meal with my two sons who are both in their twenties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guess what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They eat two and sometimes three times what I eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I a glutton?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes the biggest gluttons are the skinniest people bit the biggest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just because a person is overweight does not necessarily prove they are a glutton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just because a person is slender does not necessarily prove they are not a glutton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The worldly and liberal person that wants to drink alcohol likes to justify his or her taste for liquor by pointing at everyone in the Church that is overweight and calling them gluttons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is unfair and still does not justify their taste for that which is forbidden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their problem is not what others are doing but rather what they are doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No amount of finger pointing is going to sanctify their sin.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The Medicinal Use of Alcohol<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">1 Timothy 5:23<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. (KJV)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">I addressed this scripture earlier in this article but I want to take another look at what is being said here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here Paul is not saying to Timothy you need to stop drinking the water, but rather, that you need use wine for your stomach’s sake.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Again the scripture does not clarify if this is grape juice or alcoholic wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul could simply be instructing Timothy to drink grape juice, which is one of the healthiest juices a person can drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely this was common knowledge in ancient times that those that drank grape juice were healthier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Paul could have also been instructing Timothy to use alcohol as a medicine for an infirmity that he had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If this is the case you can be sure that Paul was not instructing Timothy to drink for pleasure but only for medicinal reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Alcohol has been used as a medicine since ancient times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some healthful benefits when taken in small doses for particular illnesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In these cases the use of alcohol is not a sin but a simple remedy to be used until the illness has been cured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is not an excuse for a person to drink every day.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">We have all heard stories of some old drunk with a bottle of whiskey saying to everyone, “This is my medicine”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God can see right through that sham.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If one needs an alcohol based medicine then it needs to be prescribed by a doctor and the treatment stopped as soon as the person gets better.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Filled with Spirits or with the Spirit?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">It is amazing that one of the words used to describe alcohol is the word “Spirits”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This word was probably derived from the Arabic as was the word alcohol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word alcohol comes from the Arabic word “Al-Kuhl” which was the name of a flesh eating demon or spirit, hence the use of the word “spirits”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some also conjecture that the term spirits, which is associated with breath, is also derived from the fact that consuming alcohol takes ones breath away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another interesting fact is that the English word “ghoul” is also derived from the Arabic word “Al-Kuhl”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does this make you feel all warm and fuzzy?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians contrasted being “filled with the Spirit” to being “drunk with wine” and made it clear that of the two we should choose to be “Filled with the Spirit”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Ephesians 5:18</span></u></i></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> (KJV)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">David Wilkerson, the author of The Cross and the Switchblade and founding Pastor of Times Square Church in New York City wrote these words:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“I cannot understand how a Spirit-filled Christian, who confesses that his tongue has been sanctified and yielded to God for the use of heavenly languages, can turn around and pickle that same tongue with alcohol.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The question you need to answer is this: Do you want spirits (plural) or do you want the Spirit (singular)?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Alcohol and Sports<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Alcohol companies learned long ago that sponsoring sporting events was the best way to sell their product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today the alcohol industry spends billions of dollars a year sponsoring every conceivable sport they can find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the biggest, American football to baseball, basketball, soccer, car racing, golf, tennis, bowling and anything else you can think of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The number one supporter of sports through advertising is alcohol companies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And who is the largest audience of sports?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Youth!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, don’t get me wrong, there are many different ages of people that watch sports but the overwhelming majority are youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By youth the statistics indicate from the teens to the thirties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the largest demographic in certain sports venues, though there may be some fluctuation among the different types of sports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get to them while they are young and you can create a customer for life.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">If you go to a sporting event, say baseball, you will be overwhelmed by the ads promoting the different beer companies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crowds all around are swilling their favorite tap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is hardly a family pastime to take your children to any sporting event today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The event has been totally taken over by the consumption of liquor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Alcohol and Music<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Alcohol is a common theme throughout all styles of music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Music reaches down and touches a deep level in people and it is at this time that they are more apt to be influenced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Here is a list of the top drinking songs of all time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please read the titles of these songs and see if they sound “Christian-Like” and promote Godliness:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">40. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Beer Run</b> by George Jones & Garth Brooks<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">39. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Killin' Time</b> by Clint Black<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">38. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Beer For My Horses</b> by Toby Keith & Willie Nelson<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">37. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">That's Why I'm Here</b> by Kenny Chesney<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">36. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Naked Women and Beer</b> by Hank Williams, Jr. & Kid Rock<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">35. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Beer Thirty</b> by Brooks & Dunn<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">34. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tonight the Heartache's On Me</b> by The Dixie Chicks<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">33. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wasted Days & Wasted Nights</b> by Freddy Fender<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">32. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tequila Sunrise</b> by The Eagles<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">31. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ten Rounds With Jose Cuervo</b> by Tracy Byrd<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">30. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I Love This Bar </b>by Toby Keith<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">29. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Two Pina Coladas</b> by Garth Brooks<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">28. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What's Made Milwaukee Famous</b> by Jerry Lee Lewis<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">27. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wine Into Water</b> by T. Graham Brown<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">26. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Whiskey, If You Were a Woman</b> by Highway 101<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">25. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down</b> by Merle Haggard<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">24. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">All the Girls Get Prettier At Closing Time</b> by Mickey Gilley<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">23. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You Never Even Call Me By My Name</b> by David Allen Coe<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">22. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Set 'Em Up, Joe</b> by Vern Gosdin<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">21. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Two More Bottles Of Wine</b> by Emmy Lou Harris<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">20. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Whiskey Ain't Workin'</b> by Travis Tritt & Marty Stuart<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">19. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Drinkin' My Baby Goodbye</b> by Charlie Daniels<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">18. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">It's Five O'Clock Somewhere</b> by Alan Jackson & Jimmy Buffett<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 58.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">17. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I'm Gonna Hire a Wino To Decorate Our Home</b> by David Frizzell<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">16. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Whiskey Bent and Hellbound</b> by Hank Williams, Jr.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">15. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pop a Top </b>by Alan Jackson<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>& Jim Ed Brown<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">14. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Straight Tequila Night</b> by John Anderson<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 58.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: -22.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">13. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">There's a Tear In My Beer</b> by Hank Williams & Hank Williams, Jr.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">12. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Longneck Bottle </b>by Garth Brooks<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">11. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">There Stands the Glass</b> by Webb Pierce<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">10. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">You Ain't Much Fun Since I Quit Drinkin'</b> by Toby Keith<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">9. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chug-a-Lug</b> by Roger Miller<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">8. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">White Lightnin'</b> by George Jones<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">7. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink</b> by Merle Haggard<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 49.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: -13.5pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">6. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">All My Rowdy Friends Are Comin' Over Tonight</b> by Hank Williams, Jr.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">5. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sunday Morning Coming Down</b> by Johnny Cash<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">4. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Whiskey River</b> by Willie Nelson<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">3. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Don't Come Home a Drinkin'</b> by Loretta Lynn<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">2. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Family Tradition</b> by Hank Williams, Jr.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">1. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Friends In Low Places</b> by Garth Brooks<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Here we can see how much the use of alcohol has entered into the modern psyche.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The singers sing about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is at every sporting event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each holiday has been taken over by binge drinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alcohol makes its appearance at birthday parties, anniversaries, graduations, family reunions, and any other excuse people can come up with to break out the booze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The saddest part about all of this is when a supposed Christian tries to defend their right to drink liquor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would we even want to promote this complete taking over of the world by King Alcohol?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Don’t Just Take My Word for It<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">If you are still not convinced (some of the more carnal will not be) then let me share what others throughout history have said about alcohol.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">David Wilkerson</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> wrote a book entitled, “Sipping Saints” in 1978.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are some quotes from that book:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Alcohol is the modern Delilah, bent on shearing the church of its locks and robbing it of strength.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Not only do multitudes of Christians drink nowadays but they flaunt it as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They rattle the chains of their bondage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They not only drink without condemnation but they also seek to bring the entire church body into the camaraderie of the cup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With an almost evangelistic fervor, they testify to the joyous freedom of being liberated sipping saints.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“The sipping saint is no longer saying, ‘Don’t judge me.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he is saying, ‘Join me!’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christians who drink want moderate drinking to be the rule rather than the exception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want more than justification for their alcohol affections – they want encouragement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They seek this encouragement from society, from the church, from ministers, and mostly from the Bible.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“I challenge any attempt to use scripture to justify drinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I challenge drinking as an indulgence that is contrary to the nature of Jesus Christ.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">-David Wilkerson<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span class="messagebody2"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Death isn't in a dance hall or a beer bottle, death is in a mind that WANTS that stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span class="messagebody2"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">-B.H. Clendennen</span></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“O thou invisible spirit of wine,<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>if thou hast no name to be known by,<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>let us call thee devil!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- </span></b><a href="http://www.famous-quotes.com/author.php?aid=6639" title="1564-1616, British Poet, Playwright, Actor"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;">William Shakespeare</span></span></b></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">O God, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains! That we should with joy, pleasance, revel, and applause transform ourselves into beasts!<br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- </span></b><a href="http://www.famous-quotes.com/author.php?aid=6639" title="1564-1616, British Poet, Playwright, Actor"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;">William Shakespeare</span></span></b></a><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;">For the record, in my years as a Christian and pastor, I have never encountered one man who drinks alcohol socially who I have found to be actually spiritual; not one.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;">-Britt Williams<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">A drinker has a hole under his nose that all his money runs into.<br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- </span></b><a href="http://www.famous-quotes.com/author.php?aid=2678" title="1608-1661, British Clergyman, Author"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;">Thomas Fuller</span></span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span class="body"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">After all is said that can be said upon the liquor traffic, its influence is degrading upon the individual, the family, politics and business, and upon everything that you touch in this old world.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> <br />
</span><span class="bodybold"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- </span></span><a href="http://brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/billysunda325871.html"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;">Billy Sunday</span></span></b></a><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 40.5pt;"><span class="body1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">At Kansas City, Kansas, before the saloons were closed, they were getting ready to build an addition to the jail. Now the doors swing idly on the hinges and there is nobody to lock in the jails.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <br />
</span><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>- </strong></span></span></span><a href="http://brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/billysunda325873.html"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;"><strong>Billy Sunday</strong></span></span></a><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br />
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</span><span class="body1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">God Almighty never intended that the devil should triumph over the Church. He never intended that the saloons should walk rough-shod over Christianity.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <br />
</span><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>- </strong></span></span></span><a href="http://brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/billysunda325876.html"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;"><strong>Billy Sunday</strong></span></span></a><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br />
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</span><span class="body1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am the sworn, eternal and uncompromising enemy of the liquor traffic.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <br />
</span><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>- </strong></span></span></span><a href="http://brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/billysunda325878.html"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;"><strong>Billy Sunday</strong></span></span></a><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br />
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</span><span class="body1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I challenge you to show me where the saloon has ever helped business, education, church, morals or anything we hold dear.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <br />
</span><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>- </strong></span></span></span><a href="http://brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/billysunda325881.html"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;"><strong>Billy Sunday</strong></span></span></a><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br />
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</span><span class="body1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I dare not exercise personal liberty if it infringes on the liberty of others.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <br />
</span><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>- </strong></span></span></span><a href="http://brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/billysunda325882.html"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;"><strong>Billy Sunday</strong></span></span></a><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">What's drinking? A mere pause from thinking!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><a href="http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Lord_Byron" title="Lord Byron"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;">Lord Byron</span></span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span class="body1"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the first use of alcohol typically begins at age 12.</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> <br />
</span><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>- </strong></span></span></span><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/x/xavierbece345792.html"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;"><strong>Xavier Becerra</strong></span></span></a><span class="bodybold1"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></strong></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span class="body1"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Avoid using cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs as alternatives to being an interesting person.</span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"> <br />
</span><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>- </strong></span></span></span><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/marilynvos365170.html"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;"><strong>Marilyn vos Savant</strong></span></span></a><span class="bodybold1"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></strong></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
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</span><span class="body1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am more afraid of alcohol than of all the bullets of the enemy.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <br />
</span><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>- </strong></span></span></span><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/t/thomasjja176723.html"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;"><strong>Thomas J. Jackson</strong></span></span></a><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br />
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</span><span class="body1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm glad now, at age 66, that I never used alcohol or tobacco... I've buried a lot of friends who used tobacco or alcohol.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <br />
</span><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>- </strong></span></span></span><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jerryfalwe262064.html"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;"><strong>Jerry Falwell</strong></span></span></a><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br />
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</span><span class="body1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I'm very serious about no alcohol, no drugs. Life is too beautiful.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <br />
</span><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>- </strong></span></span></span><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jimcarrey360641.html"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;"><strong>Jim Carrey</strong></span></span></a><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br />
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</span><span class="body1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I've never had a drink of alcohol or any drug in my life.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <br />
</span><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>- </strong></span></span></span><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/p/pennjillet342829.html"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;"><strong>Penn Jillette</strong></span></span></a><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br />
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</span><span class="body1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">If I go out to dinner with you and you order wine, I leave. I won't be around drugs and alcohol at all.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <br />
</span><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>- </strong></span></span></span><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/p/pennjillet342828.html"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;"><strong>Penn Jillette</strong></span></span></a><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br />
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</span><span class="body1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It's absolutely absurd to even consider voting on Sunday alcohol sales. I am opposed to alcohol period. It doesn't do anybody any good in the long run. It's a dangerous drug.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <br />
</span><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>- </strong></span></span></span><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/johnhunter406235.html"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;"><strong>John Hunter</strong></span></span></a><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br />
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</span><span class="body1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Our national drug is alcohol. We tend to regard the use any other drug with special horror.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <br />
</span><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>- </strong></span></span></span><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/williamsb132168.html"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;"><strong>William S. Burroughs</strong></span></span></a><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></strong></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br />
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</span><span class="body1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">With such compelling information, the question is why haven't we been able to do more to prevent the crisis of underage drinking? The answer is: the alcohol industry.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <br />
</span><span class="bodybold1"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><strong>- </strong></span></span></span><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/l/lucilleroy375005.html"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;"><strong>Lucille Roybal-Allard</strong></span></span></a><span class="bodybold1"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span></strong></span></span><span style="color: black;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Alcohol doesn't console, it doesn't fill up anyone's psychological gaps, all it replaces is the lack of God. It doesn't comfort man. On the contrary, it encourages him in his folly, it transports him to the supreme regions where he is master of his own destiny.<br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- </span></b><a href="http://www.famous-quotes.com/author.php?aid=2178" title="1914-, French Author, Filmmaker"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;">Marguerite Duras</span></span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">And when night, darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons of Belial, flown with insolence and wine.<br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- </span></b><a href="http://www.famous-quotes.com/author.php?aid=5030" title="1608-1674, British Poet"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;">John Milton</span></span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">I made a commitment to completely cut out drinking and anything that might hamper me from getting my mind and body together. And the floodgates of goodness have opened upon me-spiritually and financially.<br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- </span></b><a href="http://www.famous-quotes.com/author.php?aid=7549" title="1954-, American Actor"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;">Denzel Washington</span></span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">I'm tied of hearing about temperance instead of abstinence, in order to please the cocktail crowd in church congregations.<br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- </span></b><a href="http://www.famous-quotes.com/author.php?aid=3280"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;">Vance Havner</span></span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">I'm tired of hearing sin called sickness and alcoholism a disease. It is the only disease I know of that we're spending hundreds of millions of dollars a year to spread.<br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- </span></b><a href="http://www.famous-quotes.com/author.php?aid=3280"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;">Vance Hav</span></span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">ner<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">My experience through life has convinced me that, while moderation and temperance in all things are commendable and beneficial, abstinence from spirituous liquors is the best safeguard of morals and health.<br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- </span></b><a href="http://www.famous-quotes.com/author.php?aid=4301" title="1807-1870, American Confederate Army Commander"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;">Robert E. Lee</span></span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">No power on earth or above the bottomless pit has such influence to terrorize and make cowards of men as the liquor power. Satan could not have fallen on a more potent instrument with which to thrall the world. Alcohol is king!<br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- </span></b><a href="http://www.famous-quotes.com/author.php?aid=6976"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;">Eliza ''Mother'' Stewart</span></span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Of all vices, drinking is the most incompatible with greatness.<br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- </span></b><a href="http://www.famous-quotes.com/author.php?aid=6562" title="1771-1832, British Novelist, Poet"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;">Sir Walter Scott</span></span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt;">Under a tattered cloak you will generally find a good drinker.<br />
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- </span></b><a href="http://www.famous-quotes.com/author.php?aid=5919" title="Sayings of Spanish Origin"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #003366;">Spanish Proverb</span></span></b></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span class="messagebody2"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Saying a Christian can drink as long as they don't get drunk is like saying a Christian can smoke pot as long as they don't inhale...of course they will!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span class="messagebody2"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">When we lower the standard on drinking, lower the standard on Holiness, lower the standard on a proper dress code, Lower the standard an qualifications for pulpit ministry we might as well change the name from Church to Private Club.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span class="messagebody2"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">- George Laboyteaux</span></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">What is Your Motive for Drinking Alcohol?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Ultimately it all comes down to this simple question: Why do you want to drink alcohol?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is your motive for drinking?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An honest answer to this question may reveal a lot about yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now, sit back and ask yourself this question honestly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is the answer?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Your flesh may try to convince you that you drink alcohol to quench your thirst but science has proven that alcohol actually encourages dehydration.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Your flesh may try to convince you that you drink for health reasons but again, science has proven that there are more dangers associated with alcohol consumption than benefits.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Your flesh may try to convince you that you drink to help yourself unwind and relax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To this I would like to ask you; why do you need alcohol for this when you claim you have the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">No, the real reason that people drink alcohol is for the effect that it has upon them – an effect that appeals to the flesh and not the spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">When asked why they drink, most people listed these three reasons:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The effect that alcohol produced or the “Buzz” as many called it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">To improve their image with others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To look “Cool”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">To experiment and try a new thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Do any of these reasons sound spiritual to you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, I know, you don’t drink for those reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You drink simply to quench your thirst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You drink for the health benefits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You drink simply to unwind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Three Simple Rules<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">When it comes to alcohol there are three simple statements that we should consider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here they are:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The Bible warns us that wine and strong drink is a mocker.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Proverbs 20:1<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The Bible commands us not to give offense in anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">1 Corinthians 10:31-33<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The Bible commands us to abstain from all appearance of evil.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">1 Thessalonians 5:22<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Abstain from all appearance of evil.</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">These three directives from scripture ought to be enough to convince anyone that the social use of alcohol by Christians is completely forbidden and inexcusable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-21062530817983454982011-06-30T16:50:00.002-05:002011-06-30T16:50:26.466-05:00The Myth of a Maintenance-Free Salvation<div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #31849b; font-family: "Hurry Up"; font-size: 48pt;"><strong>THE MYTH OF A MAINTENANCE FREE SALVATION<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Hurry Up"; font-size: 28pt;"><strong>THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A <span style="color: red;">MAINTENANCE FREE</span> SALVATION<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 25pt;"><strong>HIGH MAINTENANCE SALVATION<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoSubtitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><em><u>Hebrews 2:3<o:p></o:p></u></em></strong></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<h1 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h1><br />
<h2 align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Myth of a “Maintenance Free” Salvation<o:p></o:p></span></h2><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">People today are so careless with their salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They neglect their salvation and expect it to be in perfect working order. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must maintain your salvation for it to benefit you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “cares of life” are greater to some people than the “care of their salvation.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Contrary to what “Once-Saved-Always-Saved” (OSAS) and Calvinist advocates teach, you can forfeit your salvation due to neglect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is great danger in telling people otherwise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is vastly important that we warn people of the dangers of neglect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you do not maintain your walk with God then you can be sure that you will find yourself lost in the end. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I spoke to a man some years back that I grew up with and attended church with when I was a youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked him about several of his brothers and he replied, “One does not go to church at all, and one goes sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another one attends church with me when he does go.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seemed not bothered in the least by their flippant attitude about Church attendance and seemed to suggest to me that it was normal for Christians be that haphazard in service to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the way it is all over today!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People do not maintain a relationship with the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They attend Church meetings, read their Bible, and pray whenever, however, or if ever they want to.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Some years ago a couple purchased a spa (hot tub) at a business that I was working at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had the spa for one whole year and we never heard one word from them in that time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then they called said they needed a technician because the spa would not work anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The spa was still under warranty so I was dispatched to determine what the problem was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I arrived I lifted the cover and was almost overwhelmed with the stench.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nasty and smelled like a sewer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only service this spa needed to get it back in good working order was a good cleaning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During that year they had not cleaned the filters, had put no chemicals in it, did not run the clean cycle or perform any other maintenance on the spa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The customer told me, “The only reason we bought this spa was because the salesman told us that it was ‘Maintenance Free’”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people had bought into the myth of something being “Maintenance Free”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Nothing in life, natural or spiritual, is Maintenance Free!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything must have attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you neglect things they will breakdown and begin to fail.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Your relationship with God requires maintenance.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Your marriage requires maintenance.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Your friendships require maintenance.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Your home requires maintenance.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Your car requires maintenance.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Your pets require maintenance.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Your yard requires maintenance.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">People today want the <b>benefits </b>of salvation without the <b>bother </b>of salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want the blessings, they want to go to Heaven, but they do not want to obey the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do not want to pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do not want to bother with going to Church and reading their Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have bought into the lie of the maintenance free salvation!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">People today in the marketplace are looking for products that are either <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“No Maintenance”</b> or <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Low Maintenance.”</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will not work in the Spiritual realm!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your salvation will cost you something to maintain!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It cost Jesus everything to purchase for us this great salvation – it cost His life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we are going to walk with Him then it will also cost us our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are instructed in scripture to, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Present your body unto me a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto me which is your reasonable service</i>”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Salesmen use the “No Maintenance” tactic as a selling feature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the preachers today are no better than a “Used Car Salesmen” making untrue and false claims to sell cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They fail to tell people that they are going to have to pray, read their Bible, go to Church meetings, give, sacrifice, fast, and walk in Holiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do not tell the whole truth!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Half-truths are as bad as whole lies!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People buy into this false gospel and are soon disillusioned when they encounter their first bump in the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their minds are filled with doubt and guilt and they cry out in frustration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of getting sound Biblical advice from a Godly minister they are further instructed in this myth that “sin is really not sin” to them anymore and they just need more greasy grace to carry them through. This is the kind of salvation that Joel Osteen is selling, and like a used car salesman he makes the claim to his followers that it is “Maintenance Free”><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">If people today treated their natural workplace like they did the things of God they would have been fired long ago!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would not dare miss work without calling in to their boss but they will miss Church meetings anytime they want to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are never late to punch in at the time clock but they see no problem whatsoever in dragging into Church fifteen minutes late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They go to their jobs and give 100% but when it comes to God they give as little as possible. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">A maintenance free salvation is a myth!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are going to live for God then you are going to have to give your all to God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If He is not God of all then He is not God at all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Jesus is not everything to you then He is nothing to you!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<h2 align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Preventative Maintenance<o:p></o:p></span></h2><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Preventative Maintenance is checking and caring for something of value so that it is always in good order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is it that people understand this principle when it comes to their car or lawn mower but are completely clueless when it comes to their soul?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spiritual Breakdowns occur when we neglect proper maintenance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cost of breakdowns (Hell) is much higher than the cost of Preventative Maintenance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is cheaper to change the oil than it is to change the motor (about $30 dollars for an oil change as opposed to $3,000 for a new motor)!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Every person that has ever backslid did so because they failed to maintain their salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They may point their fingers at others and say, “I got out of Church because so-in-so hurt me” but that is a cop out!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible tells us in James 1:14, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Backsliding occurs more from what we do <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">not</b> do than from what we do.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The maintenance is in the doing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The maintenance is in obeying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The maintenance is in keeping His commandments and doing his will!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Neglect is failing to maintain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neglect is our fault, not God’s!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we are lacking anything in our walk with the Lord then it is our fault and not God’s.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">We have been given a “High Maintenance Salvation”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have heard people refer to their wife or girlfriend as being “High Maintenance”!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This simply means that in order to maintain a good relationship with her the man had to do a lot of extra things or spend a lot of extra money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folks, if you are going to have a good relationship with God then you are going to have to give Him your all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That, my friend, is High Maintenance!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I thank the Lord for my wife and daughter!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they go shopping they head for the markdown rack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are just at home in a Goodwill Store as they are in J. C. Penny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While these traits are admirable in the natural, we have to know that in the spiritual our God will not take any cast offs!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants the best!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Old Testament when a lamb was brought to God for sacrifice it had to be the best – if it was inferior then God would reject it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is high maintenance!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">How are we going to escape God’s wrath and judgment if we neglect this great salvation?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jesus pardoned the Adulterous woman and then gave her the maintenance program: <i>“Go and sin no more.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>This was her responsibility!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had to maintain what the Lord did for her that day.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jesus healed a man that was sick for 38 years then later He saw him and told him this in <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">John 5:14</span> <i>“Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jesus gave him the maintenance program, <i>“Sin no more” and</i> if he failed to maintain what Jesus has done for him then Jesus told him the results Wouldl be, <i>“lest a worse thing come unto thee.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b><i><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 12:43-45<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">43When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">44Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em>45Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">Jesus cleaned the House, but the owner did not perform the needed Maintenance and left it empty and now the devil and seven others have moved back in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we fail to do the maintenance required then we open ourselves up to a breakdown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not enough to start on this journey – you must pick up your feet and keep on walking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one will make it if they do not fulfill their part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not, “Reject so great a salvation” but “Neglect”!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neglect will lead you to destruction just as surely as rejection will.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">This great salvation that we enjoy cost Jesus everything to secure and is going to cost us everything to maintain!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no such thing as a maintenance-free salvation!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you make it in the end it will be because you walked according to God’s Word.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><em>Matthew 24:13<o:p></o:p></em></span></u></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><em>But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">Jesus gives all kinds of promises to the Overcomers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you know who the Overcomers are?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are people that keep up the maintenance on their salvation!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><em>Revelation 2:7<o:p></o:p></em></span></u></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><em>He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><em>Revelation 2:11<o:p></o:p></em></span></u></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><em>He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><em>Revelation 2:17<o:p></o:p></em></span></u></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><em>He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><em>Revelation 2:26<o:p></o:p></em></span></u></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><em>And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:<o:p></o:p></em></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><em>Revelation 3:5<o:p></o:p></em></span></u></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><em>He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><em>Revelation 3:12<o:p></o:p></em></span></u></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><em>Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><em>Revelation 3:21<o:p></o:p></em></span></u></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><em>To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><em>Revelation 21:7<o:p></o:p></em></span></u></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><em>He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">Prayer- </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">This is like breathing to the Believer!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you stop breathing in only a few minutes you will die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prayer is ours to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God will not make us pray but He does bid us to the altar to pray.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">Bible Study- </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">This is our food and water!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A man can live without food for two to six weeks depending on his health, but can only live without water for three or four days.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">Fellowship- </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">We must be faithful to the assembling of the saints together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every Christian needs to be a part of a local Body of believers if at all possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where we fellowship with God’s people and are taught the Word of God.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">Baptism in the Holy Ghost- </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">Not only must we be filled with the Spirit but we must also be refilled with the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The oil must be replenished as it is burned up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Baptism in the Holy Ghost is the plan of God for every Born Again Believer.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">Giving- </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">We must be givers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may not have a lot to give but we must give from the little that we do have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we can learn to give now with our little then God may entrust us with more.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">Witnessing- </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">The Bible teaches us to let our “</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><em>light so shine before men</em></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is part of walking with God.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">Holy Living- </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">It is our responsibility to live holy lives before the world all around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is our part to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-63242160100036683822011-06-22T17:46:00.000-05:002011-06-22T17:46:23.231-05:00The Church in Peril<div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Blue Highway Linocut"; font-size: 48pt;"><strong>THE CHURCH IN PERIL<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoSubtitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><strong><em><u><span style="font-size: large;">Lamentations 5:9<o:p></o:p></span></u></em></strong></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoSubtitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><em><span style="font-size: large;">We gat our bread with the peril of our lives because of the sword of the wilderness.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoSubtitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><strong><em><u><span style="font-size: large;">2 Timothy 3:1<o:p></o:p></span></u></em></strong></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<h4 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><em><u><span style="font-size: large;">2 Corinthians 11:22-27<o:p></o:p></span></u></em></span></h4><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em>27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div><br />
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<h1 align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Definition of the Word “Peril”<o:p></o:p></span></h1><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Most standard dictionaries will give you these definitions of the word “Peril” as 1) A chance of harm, 2) Imminent danger, 3) Dangerous, 4) Deadly, and 5) To be in jeopardy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The definition of “Peril” certainly fits the world that we live in today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today there is much peril all around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible makes it clear that the Church has always been in peril.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<h1 align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Examination of Our Texts<o:p></o:p></span></h1><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jeremiah wrote the Book of Lamentations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lamentations is a poem of the hardships of the people of Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this poem Jeremiah reminds us that the nation of Israel had to search for food, <i>“with the peril of our lives”</i> while they traveled through the wilderness to the Promised Land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The time of the Sojourn was a <i>“Perilous Time”</i>, it was a very dangerous time, where the lives of the people were constantly being threatened.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Apostle Paul reminds us in his letter to Timothy that the Last Days would be <i>“Perilous Times”</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Last Days certainly have proven to be a dangerous time, and as time goes by it will only get more dangerous.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<h1 align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Church is “A Damsel in Distress”<o:p></o:p></span></h1><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Literature, both past and present, is filled with many examples of the “Damsel in Distress”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Church is the “Damsel” of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are His Bride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">If we could see the “Peril” that the Church is in by comparing it to the literary references of modern times, we would see the Church tied up on a railroad track with a train barreling down the track.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Like Penelope of literature, we are in peril!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our life is in jeopardy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are facing imminent danger!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The train is racing toward us down the track!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are being pushed towards the edge of the cliff!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stalker is sneaking up behind us with a knife!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The finger is pulling the trigger!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The snake is slithering toward us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dog is about to bite!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are being chased and a root is up ahead for us to trip on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun is setting and it is getting dark!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music is reaching a crescendo!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are in peril!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">What will we do?<b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>We need to recognize the foremost perils that we face.<b> </b>We are in constant peril!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are in danger!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At no time are we safe!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At all times we are in peril!<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Our Foremost Perils<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Peril of Apostasy- </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">We are facing the great danger of the false gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>False teachers, preachers, prophets, doctrines, bibles, churches, and even Christs abound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is much confusion over what to believe and where to go to church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is our single greatest threat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There have been many that were once true that have been caught up in apostasy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apostasy is peeking into the windows of our churches!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apostasy is stalking us!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><u>Matthew 7:15<o:p></o:p></u></em></span></h2><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent3" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>The train is racing toward us down the track!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are being pushed towards the edge of the cliff!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stalker is sneaking up behind us with a knife!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The finger is pulling the trigger!</strong></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>The snake is slithering toward us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dog is about to bite!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are being chased and a root is up ahead for us to trip on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun is setting and it is getting dark!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music is reaching a crescendo!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are in peril!<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Peril of Lukewarmness- </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">This is another great peril.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People are losing their burning heart for God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are growing lukewarm and some are even cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You and I are facing this peril.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lukewarmness is sneaking up on us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lukewarmness is creeping up on us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lukewarmness is lurking around the corner!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><u>Matthew 24:12<o:p></o:p></u></em></span></h2><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><u>Revelation 3:16<o:p></o:p></u></em></span></h2><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em>So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">The train is racing toward us down the track!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are being pushed towards the edge of the cliff!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stalker is sneaking up behind us with a knife!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The finger is pulling the trigger!</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><em> </em></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">The snake is slithering toward us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dog is about to bite!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are being chased and a root is up ahead for us to trip on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun is setting and it is getting dark!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music is reaching a crescendo!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are in peril!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Peril of Selfishness- </span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Selfishness is becoming caught up in what you want so much that you forget that there are others that have needs and feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the ultimate expression of worldliness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Selfishness is taking over when we do not care for the feelings of others, when we are not touched by compassion for those in need, when we lose our burden for the lost, and when we are not willing to give to help out others in need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Selfishness is lurking in the dark and watching us!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><u>Matthew 16:24<o:p></o:p></u></em></span></h2><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em>Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">The train is racing toward us down the track!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are being pushed towards the edge of the cliff!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stalker is sneaking up behind us with a knife!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The finger is pulling the trigger!</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><em> </em></span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal;">The snake is slithering toward us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dog is about to bite!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are being chased and a root is up ahead for us to trip on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun is setting and it is getting dark!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music is reaching a crescendo!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are in peril!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Peril of Worldliness-</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Worldliness expresses itself in materialism, the love of money, fashion, music, sports, entertainment, and even our careers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must be careful because worldliness is stalking us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we become more concerned for the world than the Kingdom of God then we are worldly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worldliness is stalking us!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><u>1 John 2:15<o:p></o:p></u></em></span></h2><br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The train is racing toward us down the track!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are being pushed towards the edge of the cliff!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stalker is sneaking up behind us with a knife!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The finger is pulling the trigger!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The snake is slithering toward us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dog is about to bite!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are being chased and a root is up ahead for us to trip on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun is setting and it is getting dark!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music is reaching a crescendo!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are in peril!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Peril of Character-</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> When I say character, I am referring to a crisis of character that we are facing today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People today do not feel the need to be honest, to tell the truth, to treat others fairly, to be faithful to their marriages and families, and to be polite and respectful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This crisis of character is stalking the Church as well!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must be on guard!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><u>Colossians 3:12-15<o:p></o:p></u></em></span></h2><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent3" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>The train is racing toward us down the track!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are being pushed towards the edge of the cliff!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stalker is sneaking up behind us with a knife!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The finger is pulling the trigger!</strong></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong>The snake is slithering toward us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dog is about to bite!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are being chased and a root is up ahead for us to trip on!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun is setting and it is getting dark!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music is reaching a crescendo!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are in peril!<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div><br />
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<h1 align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Our Hero Will Rescue Us from Peril<o:p></o:p></span></h1><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In all of the stories of peril there is always a hero that comes to the rescue the damsel right at the last minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also have a hero!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our hero will come to our rescue right on time!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<h2 style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><u>Romans 8:35<o:p></o:p></u></em></span></h2><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">peril</b>, or sword?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jesus is our Hero!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rescues us from the train!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He catches us when we fall from the cliff!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He apprehends the stalker with the knife!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He takes the bullet for us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He puts his heel on the head of the snake!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He chases the dog away!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is our hero!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jesus is our Knight in Shinning Armor!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is our Super Hero!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t need a Superman or a Batman!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have Jesus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is our Super Hero!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In all of these <u>Cliffhangers</u> there is always a hero that comes swooping in at the last second and rescues the Damsel!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Penelope Pittstop will always be rescued by her hero.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Nell had her Dudley Do Right!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Lois Lane had her Superman!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jane had her Tarzan.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Olive Oil was always rescued by Popeye.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Princess Aurora will be rescued by Prince Phillip.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Mary Jane is always rescued by Spider Man.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Walker Texas Ranger always rescued Alex at the last minute!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Our enemy may have that sinister laugh, but we will always get the last laugh!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">We are in peril!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we also have a Hero!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible is the story of the triumph of Good over Evil!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good conquers evil in the end!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our hero will show up in time to rescue us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Someday our Prince will come!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will swoop down on a cloud to gather His Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Second Coming He will ride a White Horse!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is our Knight in Shinning Armor!<o:p></o:p></span></div>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-72547008843682944752011-06-22T12:35:00.002-05:002011-06-22T14:28:24.803-05:00Pentecostal Landmarks<object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=7,0,0,0" height="115" id="audioplayer" width="348"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://media.cellspin.net/flash/audioplayer/audioPlayer.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="FlashVars" value="configurationfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/134475/v2/configuration.xml&playlistfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/134475/getPlayData.php" /><embed src="http://media.cellspin.net/flash/audioplayer/audioPlayer.swf" quality="high" FlashVars="configurationfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/134475/v2/configuration.xml&playlistfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/134475/getPlayData.php" width="348" height="115" name="audioplayer" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer/" ></embed></object><br />
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Uploaded by <a href="http://www.cellspin.net/">www.cellspin.net</a>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-54761687907302901412011-06-14T07:04:00.002-05:002011-06-14T07:04:38.416-05:00The Dying Embers of an Undisciplined Life<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed Extra Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 24pt;">THE DYING EMBERS OF AN UNDISCIPLINED LIFE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Numbers 4:13<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And he that gathereth the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: and it shall be unto the children of Israel, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among them, for a statute for ever.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Unclean Ashes on the Altar<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Ashes are an unfortunate side effect of a fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wherever there is a fire there will be ashes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fire burns the fuel and turns it into embers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The embers are then reduced to ashes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ashes have no value!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are useless as a fuel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They do not warm anybody.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are messy and hard to clean up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are unsightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">When we lose our fire for God then we have no value to the Kingdom of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one benefits from a Christian who “once” had the fire in their life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our benefit to others is provided by the fire!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Ashes are the “Memory of Fire” – they are the memories of a fire that once was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In so many churches today the fire of revival, the fire of Pentecost, the fire of evangelism went our long ago and all that remains are ashes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today’s ashes were yesterday’s fire!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Made Unclean by the Ashes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">God ordained that His offerings were to be burnt with fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of this ashes would soon collect on the altar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God also ordained certain individuals to clean up this mess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Take away the ashes from the altar.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The person responsible for removing the ashes would then have to go through a purifying process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to wash himself and his clothes and remain separated from others till the sun would go down.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In our churches we have to deal with these unclean ashes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These ashes are people that contribute nothing to the fire of the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are present but they add nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are on the altar but they put out no heat.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">It is impossible to deal with the unclean ashes without getting some of it upon you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had to deal with the flesh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are not careful it can stain your garments!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But deal with the flesh we must!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To fail to do so will bring nothing but cold deadness to our churches!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Growing up as a child we had a wood stove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is how we heated our home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The process of keeping that fire going involved these steps:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Chopping & gathering firewood.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Splitting the large sections of wood into smaller sections.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Stacking for later use.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Stoking the fire with more fuel.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Emptying the ashes from the stove.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">My brother and I never liked carrying out those ashes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how hard you tried the ashes always seemed to mark you, they left their stain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an unpleasant task but a necessary task.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the ashes were removed from the wood stove then the fire would burn brighter, hotter, and give out more light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the ashes remained they would eventually smother the fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">If you neglect to remove the ashes in our churches then eventually they smother the fire!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fire in many churches has been smothered by fleshly, carnal, prideful, self-willed people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our refusal to deal with the carnality in the modern church has produced cold churches with little or no fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Are You Embers, Ashes, or a Flame for God?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">It takes discipline to keep a fire burning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we are going to keep a fire burning in our life then we must discipline ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I read a story about a man that had previously been attending services faithfully that stopped going to Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few weeks, the Pastor decided to visit the absent member.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was cold evening, and the minister found the man home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guessing the reason for his Pastor’s visit, the man welcomed him and led him to a big chair by the fireplace, and waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The minister made himself comfortable but said nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In grave silence, he contemplated the play of the flames around the burning logs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few minutes, he took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then sat back in his chair, still silent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The host watched all this in quiet fascination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the lone ember’s flamed diminished, there was a momentary glow, but then its fire was no more and it was cold and dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a word was spoken since the initial greetings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as the minister rose to leave, the host said, “Thank you so much for your visit – and especially for your fiery sermon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shall be in Church next Sunday.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man knew that he was that cold ember and repented.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Has your fire gone out?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you lost your burning desire for God’s Word?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you still burn to spend time with God in prayer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does the flame of love for your brothers and sisters still burn brightly?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you still burn to reach the lost in this world today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you feel like David, “I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">was glad, very glad, when they said to me let us go to the house of the Lord today”</i>?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Dying Embers of an Undisciplined Life<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Revival comes to ignite us again!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to get the fire to burn brightly God is going to have to remove the ashes of the flesh life that smothers the fire!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul wrote to Timothy and told him these words:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">2 Timothy 1:6<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Greek word for “stir up” is “anazopureo” which means “to rekindle”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must rekindle the fire in our lives!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paul told Timothy that it could be accomplished “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">by the putting on of my hands.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laying on of hands is an integral part of the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throughout the Bible we see examples of hands being laid upon others and prayer being made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has not changed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is still God’s preferred method of impartation!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Three are involved in this process: God, the intermediary vessel, and the receiving vessel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The intermediary stands between God and the receiving vessel as God pours through to fill with his presence.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The reason the fire has went out in so many churches and in the lives of so many individual believers is a lack of discipline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Discipline will get you up early in the morning to seek the face of God in prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Discipline will drive you to study the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Discipline will task us to assemble together with God’s people for “reproof, rebuke, and exhortation”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Undisciplined churches will eventually fill up with ashes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Undisciplined lives will see the fire choked out of their relationship with God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we plan to keep the “Home fires burning” then we must take on the “Discipline of the Fire”!<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><em>Pastor-Revivalist Mark E. Herridge, Sr.<o:p></o:p></em></strong></span></div>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-82394590286152953632011-06-12T19:10:00.002-05:002011-06-14T14:45:24.774-05:00My Testimony Briefly Stated<object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=7,0,0,0" height="115" id="audioplayer" width="348"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://media.cellspin.net/flash/audioplayer/audioPlayer.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="FlashVars" value="configurationfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/134200/v2/configuration.xml&playlistfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/134200/getPlayData.php" /><embed src="http://media.cellspin.net/flash/audioplayer/audioPlayer.swf" quality="high" FlashVars="configurationfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/134200/v2/configuration.xml&playlistfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/134200/getPlayData.php" width="348" height="115" name="audioplayer" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer/" ></embed></object><br />
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Uploaded by <a href="http://www.cellspin.net/">www.cellspin.net</a>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-73393714095459498042011-06-12T08:43:00.000-05:002011-06-12T08:43:21.720-05:00Uncomfortable<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Hurry Up"; font-size: 55pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">UNCOMFORTABLE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Ecclesiastes 4:1<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Lamentations 1:9<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Her filthiness is in her skirts; she remembereth not her last end; therefore she came down wonderfully: she had no comforter. O LORD, behold my affliction: for the enemy hath magnified himself.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Lamentations 1:16<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy prevailed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">John 14:16<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">John 14:26<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">John 15:26<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">John 16:7<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Uncomfortable Defined<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">God spoke this one word to me on March 13, 2010: “Uncomfortable”.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>I began to think about this word and I thought of the “Comforter”<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>When we think of comfort we think of relaxing, resting, sleeping, napping, and ease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of these words lead us to PEACE.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>We can be at peace because of the abiding presence of the Comforter.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>The Holy Ghost will bring peace to the heart of the Believer.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Today there are many people that have rejected God and because of their rejection of God they by default have rejected the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>They are Uncomfortable!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are without a comforter!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">To be “Uncomfortable” means this:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">To be in pain.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">To be in distress.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">To be irritated.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">To be ill at ease.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Stressful.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Uneasy.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Nervous.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Anxious.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When I read the definition of “Uncomfortable” it sounded like I was reading today’s headlines.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>People today are anxious, nervous, distressed, irritated, agitated, stressed out, uneasy, and ill at ease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Our society is Uncomfortable!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I opened up the Yahoo page and looked at the top headlines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what they were on Sunday, March 14, 2010:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Pakistani jets pound Taliban hideouts on the Afghan border.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Officials: Pentagon shooter’s gun was from Memphis police.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Earthquake rattles buildings in Japan.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Storm leaves northeast soggy, windblown, and dark.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Probe questions credibility of runaway Prius story.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tips to ease into daylight savings time – I read this article and it says “75 percent of Americans cite sleeping problems”.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Our society is Uncomfortable!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>This world is Uncomfortable!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Look at all of the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">things</i></b> that are manufactured to make people comfortable:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sealy Posturpedic mattress advertises that they can make you comfortable.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tempur Pedic mattress to help those that cannot get comfortable.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Sleep Number Bed to help the uncomfortable.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Chiropractor for all of the aches and pains of discomfort.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Now at many malls you will find Massage Therapists. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because people are stressed out!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I saw a Massage chair at the mall so I put my money in the slot and sat down. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe me it did not make me comfortable!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">People are “Uncomfortable” because they are out of fellowship with God! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no mattresses that can soothe them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are not enough chiropractors, doctors, psychologists, or sleep therapists to help us with our problem. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The solution is not natural but supernatural. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must come back to the “Comforter”! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will bring us comfort in this uncomfortable world.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Who is the Holy Ghost?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He is the Holy Ghost.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He is the Holy Spirit.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He is the Spirit of God.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Spirit of Truth.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Spirit of the Father.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Spirit of Christ.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Spirit of Jesus.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Spirit of the Lord.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Spirit of the Living God.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Spirit of Life.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Spirit of Holiness.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Spirit of Fire.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Spirit of Wisdom.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Spirit of Understanding.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Spirit of Power.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Spirit of Knowledge.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Spirit of Grace.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Spirit of Glory.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Spirit of Adoption.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Spirit of Promise.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Spirit of Faith.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Oil of Joy for mourning.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Comforter.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Baptizer.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Advocate.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Paraclete.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Breath of God.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Eternal Spirit.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Seal of the Believer.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Gift of God.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Anointing.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Mind of Christ.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Spirit of the Sound Mind.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Comforter<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In John 14:16 Jesus promised the Church before he went away that he would send “Another Comforter” and that he would abide with us forever.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We, in the Pentecostal Church, know exactly what Jesus means when he promised this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know that this is the Holy Ghost that we received initially in Baptism – He abides in us!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>The Holy Ghost is our Comforter.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The word “Comforter” used here in the Bible is the Greek word, “Parakletos” (Strong’s 3875) and it means “Intercessor, Consoler, Advocate, and Comforter”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One interpretation of this word is “One who walks alongside”.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>We know that the Holy Ghost is our “Intercessor”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walks alongside us, He lives inside of us, and he comforts us, he consoles us, he leads us into all truth.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>The Holy Ghost is our Paraclete!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus promised the coming of the Holy Ghost to His disciples and to each generation of believers to follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The disciples at that time were sorrowful every time Jesus told them he would be leaving. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus made it clear to them that he was leaving but he was not going to leave them without a comforter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He promised that the Holy Ghost would come to fill His place on this earth.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>This is exactly what has happened!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Holy Ghost has essentially filled in for Christ until his return.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">What does the Holy Ghost do?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He fills us.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He thrills us.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He baptizes us.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He abides with us and in us.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He leads us into all truth.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He takes the things of Christ and reveals them to us.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He reveals things to come<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He shows us our weakness<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He endues us with POWER<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He comforts us<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He delivers us from temptation<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He gives us a victorious walk<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He develops the fruit of the Spirit in our lives<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He gives us the gifts of the Spirit<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He teaches us to worship Christ<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He leads our worship<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He calls men and women to the ministry<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He anoints men and women to preach & teach<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He blesses us<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He gives us boldness to witness for Christ<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He helps us to overcome sin<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He gives us the victory over the Devil<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He supernaturally charges our faith<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He builds up the Body of Christ<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He prays through us<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He helpeth our infirmities<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He leads us to travail<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He gives us a burden for those around us<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He teaches us all things<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He speaks through us<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He gives us dreams and visions<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He abides with us<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He builds up my faith<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He touches us with fire<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He adds feelings to our faith<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He calls us to the House of God<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He moves me to prayer<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He opens up my understanding to the Word of God<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He helps me to crucify the flesh<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">He makes me long for Heaven<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Solution to Being “Uncomfortable”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I cannot leave you without an answer.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>People do not have to be uncomfortable.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>The Comforter has come!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>The Holy Ghost from Heaven is the Father’s promise given.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>We must “spread the tidings round wherever men are found” that the Comforter has come.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Holy Ghost will take that anxious, nervous, agitated, stressed-out, train-wreck of a person and bring PEACE to their life!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We live in a stressful world but we are walking with the COMFORTER on the inside of us and we do not have to be stressed out!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>I have peace in the midst of the storm!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because, “He abides, He abides, the Comforter abides with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m rejoicing night and day as I walk the narrow way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The comforter abides with me.”<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Today, if you are anxious you need a good refilling of the Holy Ghost.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Today, if you are stressed out you need a good filling of the Holy Ghost.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Today, if you are irritated you need a good refilling of the Holy Ghost!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>If things are bothering you, if people are bothering you then you need a good Baptism in the Holy Ghost!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Holy Spirit will change the uncomfortable to the comfortable for He is the Comforter. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Comforter has come!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-936330447780807412011-06-11T22:14:00.000-05:002011-06-11T22:14:17.537-05:00Lyrics to the Old Song: I've believed the true report<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I've believed the true report,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Hallelujah to the Lamb!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I have passed the outer court,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">O glory be to God!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I am all on Jesus' side,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">On the altar sanctified,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">To the world and sin I've died,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Hallelujah to the Lamb!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Hallelujah! Hallelujah!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I have passed the riven veil,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Here the glories never fail,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Hallelujah! Hallelujah!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I am living in the presence</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">of the King.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I'm a king and priest to God,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Hallelujah to the Lamb!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">By the cleansing of the blood,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">O glory be to God!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">By the Spirit's pow'r and light,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I am living day and night,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">In the holiest place so bright,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Hallelujah to the Lamb!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I have passed the outer veil,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Hallelujah to the Lamb!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Which did once God's light conceal,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">O glory be to God!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">But the blood has brought me in</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">To God's holiness so clean,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Where there's death to self and sin,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Hallelujah to the Lamb!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I'm within the holiest pale,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Hallelujah to the Lamb!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I have passed the inner veil,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">O glory be to God!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I am sanctified to God</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">By the power of the blood,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Now the Lord is my abode</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Hallelujah to the Lamb!</span>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-70873147184052142752011-06-11T14:00:00.000-05:002011-06-11T14:00:09.485-05:00The Disciplines of the Pentecostal/Holiness Church<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB Demi","sans-serif"; font-size: 36pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">THE DISCIPLINES OF THE PENTECOSTAL/HOLINESS CHURCH<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 6:1-8<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">STRUCTURE FOR THIS MESSAGE (INTENT)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It is my intention with this message to deal with the disciplines of the Pentecostal Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In dealing with those disciplines I want to look at them from four distinct viewpoints:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What did Jesus say about the Discipline?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What was the practice of the 1<sup>st</sup> Century Church as recorded in the Book of Acts?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">3.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What was the practice of the early Pentecostal Movement in America (Azusa St. and other notable outpourings)?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">4.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And last, what is the practice of the Pentecostal Church today?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I believe that you will see that there is a vast disparity between what Jesus said, what the early Church practiced, what the early American Pentecostal Movement did, and what we are seeing practiced today.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In order for the Pentecostal Movement of today to be a vital movement we must once again return to our roots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many times you will hear people in our churches talk about “the good ole’ days” of yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also common to hear preachers say that they are “Old Fashioned” and that we need to go back to the “Old Paths”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of this is wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just need to define, especially for the younger generation, what is meant by “Old Fashioned”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How far do we need to go back?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fifty years?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One hundred years?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two thousand years?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I have identified six major disciplines that are necessary for the Church to be healthy (there may be more but these are the ones that I will focus on at this time).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our attitude towards these disciplines will determine our future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These disciplines are:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Discipline of Prayer</b> (prayer meetings, daily prayer, prayer for the sick, and worship).<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Discipline of the Word</b> (study, memorization, preaching, and teaching).<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">3.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Discipline of The Assembly</b> (for both of the above to take place in an ordered structure, the gifts of the Spirit, maturity, growth, ministry, faithfulness to the local assembly).<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">4.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Discipline of Evangelism</b> (witnessing, preaching, sending missionaries, helping the needy, and building churches).<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">5.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Discipline of Giving</b> (tithes and offerings, service to help those in need, the means of spreading the Gospel).<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">6.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Discipline of Holiness </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">(maturity, perfection, growth, sanctification, separation from the world).<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, let’s look at each of these six disciplines in turn.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">THE DISCIPLINE OF PRAYER<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">There can never be enough said about prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prayer is the centerpiece of the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without prayer we could not dare call ourselves a Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prayer is what defines us as the People of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">What did Jesus say about Prayer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did Jesus leave us an example of prayer?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In Matthew 21:13 Jesus made it clear that God’s House was to be a “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">House of Prayer</i>” and not a “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Den of Thieves</i>”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In Matthew chapter seventeen Jesus was able to deliver a boy from a devil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When his disciples questioned why they were not able to deliver the boy Jesus said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting</i>”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">3.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus taught frequently on the subject of prayer and he gave us <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Lord’s Prayer</b> as a model.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also taught the power of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Secret Prayer</b> in Matthew chapter six. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">4.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus left us many examples of His Prayer Life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Luke 6:12 he departed to a mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Garden Gethsemane he prayed with such passion that his sweat became as drops of blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Did the early church of the first century continue this pattern of prayer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are a few scriptures from the Book of Acts:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 1:14</span></u></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 3:1</span></u></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 6:4</span></u></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 12:5<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 4:31<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Did the early American Pentecostal Movement give itself to the discipline of prayer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are a few references from history:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Agnes Ozman, arguably one of the first to be baptized with the Holy Ghost in this modern outpouring, was filled while in a prayer meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Frank Bartleman wrote this about the Revival at Azusa Street, “A volume of believing prayer is ascending to the throne night and day”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Every recorded meeting in the early days of the Pentecostal Revival in America was characterized by prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All Night Prayer Meetings were common.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fasting and Prayer were normal functions in the life of every believer.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Every Church had altars and they were full of seekers after every service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the Azusa Street Revival they started every day by 10:00 am and lasted to well after midnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some volunteered to stay each night to keep the prayer fires burning until a new group would arrive in the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">William J. Seymour, the leader of the Azusa Street Revival only wrote one book, “The Doctrines and Disciplines of the Azusa Street Apostolic Faith Mission” and this is what he said about prayer in this book: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Prayer: private, family and public, consisting of deprecation, petition, intercession and thanksgiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you use each of these?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you forecast daily, wherever you are, to secure time for private devotion?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you practice it everywhere?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you ask everywhere: Have you family prayer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you ask individuals: Do you use private prayer every morning and evening in particular? (page 107)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you miss your prayer meeting? (page 108).<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">What about today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is the modern Pentecostal Church’s attitude toward prayer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We still hear a lot about prayer in our Churches today but when it comes down to it there is very little actually being done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Altar services usually last five minutes or less in most churches with the majority of the people remaining seated while just a handful pray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if you call a prayer meeting you will find yourself very lonely.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When is the last time you heard of an all night prayer meeting?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We claim that our health prevents us from fasting but we seem to be healthy enough to hunt, fish, shop, and go on vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To sick to pray but not sick enough to play!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">THE DISCIPLINE OF THE WORD<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Like Prayer, the Word of God is also central to everything in the Church.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Did Jesus teach and preach the Word?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The answer to this is too simple to ignore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only did Jesus teach the Word, He is the Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He taught and preached it from boats, in the houses of tax collectors, on street corners, in the Synagogues, from mountains, and on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">John 8:31-32<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>31 If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Did the 1<sup>st</sup> Century Church continue in the Word?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Apostles said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Book of Acts tells in 12:24 that “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the Word of God grew and multiplied</i>”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">3.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>These early disciples were absolutely committed to preaching and teaching the Word of God at all costs.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When you look at the early Pentecostal Movement in America you will see the same pattern as in the 1<sup>st</sup> Century Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They loved the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were committed to the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what William J. Seymour said about the Word of God:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Searching the scriptures.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">First: Reading; constantly some part of every day; regularly, all the Bible is order; carefully, with prayer; seriously, with prayer before and after; fruitfully, immediately practicing what you learn there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Second: Meditating; at set times; by rule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Third: Hearing, at every opportunity, with prayer before, at, after.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you a Bible always with you?”<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">What about the Pentecostal Church of today?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">There is still preaching in our churches today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this preaching has degenerated into a soft, insubstantial goo that has very little resemblance to the preaching that was in the beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">One preacher resigned his Pastorate and the people told him, “You need to get a positive message like Joel Osteen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He preaches on faith and hope.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What Joel Osteen is preaching is not the Word of God – it is an Amway sales motivational speech!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I am not saying that we do not need encouraging messages – I preach those kinds of messages myself, but what I am saying is that we must also rebuke sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul wrote to Timothy and told him to “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Preach the Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be instant in season and out of season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reproof and Rebuke are negative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Exhorting is positive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From this I believe that 2/3 of our preaching needs to be corrective in nature and 1/3 encouraging.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The trend today is moving to a Hollywood style service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many churches are removing the pulpit and placing couches, stuffed chairs, and coffee tables on the platform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pastor sits in his recliner and gives a Bible lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have guest speakers and the Pastor interviews them while they sip their espressos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t want preaching – what they want is Good Morning America!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want the Oprah Winfrey Show!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Almost all of the big mega-churches have a “Fine Arts Minister” on the staff now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their job is to put together plays, skits, musicals, cantatas to entertain the masses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It used to be that we went to the Assembly of the Saints to hear old-fashioned preaching but today most people are bored with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want something else!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love this verse for it says it so well concerning the preaching of the Word:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Titus 1:3<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Preaching is still God’s grandest way of revealing Himself!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no substitute!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">THE DISCIPLINE OF THE ASSEMBLY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">What I mean by, “The Discipline of the Assembly” is the coming together of God’s people to have what we like to call, “Church”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The writer of the Book of Hebrews said:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Hebrews 10:25<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus constantly was gathering people together to teach and preach to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His greatest revelations were given to the Apostles when they gathered together to hear Him share them.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In the Book of Acts it was no different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They continued this Discipline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How frequently did they meet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at these scriptures:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 2:1<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 2:46<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 4:31<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 11:26<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 20:20<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Nothing changed in the early Pentecostal Movement in America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They continued in frequent meetings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Azusa Street Revival lasted for 3 ½ years without interruption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Revival Meetings would often last for weeks, and sometimes even months.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">3.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Campmeetings were everywhere and people traveled from afar to support these meetings.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">4.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The trend was to have as many church meetings as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">What has happened today?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The trend today is “Less is More”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Most churches have already turned out their mid-week service and many more are now eliminating the Sunday night service.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">3.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No prayer meetings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No revivals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No Campmeetings.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">4.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In Polk County, Texas, where I live, a Campmeeting that lasted for 34 years was closed down due to a lack of interest among the ministry and the laity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bro. B. H. Clendennen used to preach to several thousand people at this Campmeeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In later years the attendance dropped and people stopped coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what did the preachers in charge of it do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did they call a prayer meeting to fix the problem?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They just closed it down!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today this great Campmeeting is only a memory to those of us that were so privileged to attend.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">5.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Some churches still have Sunday night services but they only have half the crowd on Sunday night that they had on Sunday morning and if they have a Wednesday night service it halves again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People today have lost the discipline of the assembly!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are no longer faithful to the attend Church services!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It almost goes without saying to say that Jesus was evangelistic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was always sharing the Gospel.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus said that He came to “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">seek and to save that which is lost</i>”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He commanded His disciples to do the same and said, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature</i>”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The 1<sup>st</sup> Century Church did just that. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">On the day of Pentecost 3,000 souls were added to the Church (Acts chapter two).<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Shortly thereafter another 5,000 souls were added (Acts 4:4).<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In the Book of Acts “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">4.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The 1<sup>st</sup> Century Church was unashamedly evangelistic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They went everywhere preaching and sharing the Gospel. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The early American Pentecostal Church was no different.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They actively spread the Gospel everywhere they went.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>New converts and churches spread across America like wildfire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">3.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It was recorded that 30,000 people were added to the Pentecostal Church in the Revival in Houston, Texas that was conducted by Charles Parham.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">4.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There is no way to estimate how many were added at Azusa Street but it most likely was in the hundred’s of thousands.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">5.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Missionaries spread out from America and went into “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all the world</i>”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Today the Modern Pentecostal Movement is still growing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Foreign Missions are still a major emphasis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem is that much of what is called missions work today is more “Community Organization” than actual preaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many so-called “Missionaries” today are no longer preachers and teachers but are “Secretaries”, “Bureaucrats”, and “Organizers”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">THE DISCIPLINE OF GIVING<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Giving has always been a part of the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We believe in tithing, special offerings, missionary offerings, and giving of one’s self to the Kingdom of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus said much about giving:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Matthew 6:2</u></i><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Mark 12:42-44<o:p></o:p></u></i></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Luke 6:38</u></i><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The 1<sup>st</sup> Century Church continued this trend and they gave.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Acts 4:34-35<o:p></o:p></u></i></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Acts 2:44-45<o:p></o:p></u></i></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The early American Pentecostal Church gave of all of their possessions to spread this gospel.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>William J. Seymour said this of giving, “We must support the Gospel or the Gospel will die on our hands and the enemy will get in and destroy the flock of God”.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Today giving has dropped off in many Pentecostal Churches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most major Pentecostal denominations report that only 20% of their memberships pay tithes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Giving to foreign missions has also dropped off.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">THE DISCIPLINE OF HOLINESS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Did Jesus teach his followers to live holy and separated lives from the world?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Matthew 5:48<o:p></o:p></u></i></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Matthew 5:8<o:p></o:p></u></i></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Matthew 23:25-26<o:p></o:p></u></i></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Did the 1<sup>st</sup> Century Church continue the discipline of Holiness and Sanctification?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You need only read the writings of the Apostles to get your answer.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>2 Corinthians 6:14-17<o:p></o:p></u></i></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Hebrews 12:14<o:p></o:p></u></i></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>2 Corinthians 7:1<o:p></o:p></u></i></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Did the early American Pentecostal Church believe in Holy Living?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">They taught that going to theatres was wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They taught that listening to worldly music was wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">3.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They taught that dancing was wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">4.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They taught that immodest dress was wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">5.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They taught that mixed bathing was wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">6.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They taught that gambling was wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">7.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They taught Alcohol use was wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">8.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They taught a distinction between the sexes in dress and hairstyles was appropriate.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">9.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">They taught that young couples did not date without a chaperone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">10.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">They taught tattoos and body piercing was wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">What about today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where do I start?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Today anything goes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Today’s Pentecostal drink socially.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">3.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They dress in shorts and even go to church this way.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">4.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They go to theatres.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">5.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They listen to worldly music.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">6.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They tell dirty jokes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">7.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They dress so immodestly and indecently that it is appalling.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">8.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They get tattoos, pierce their bodies, and dress in the same clothes that punk rock groups dress in.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">9.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There is very little to distinguish the modern Pentecostal from anybody else on the streets.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">10.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Today there is “Christian Rock” in many so-called Pentecostal churches.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">11.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There are “Christian Night Clubs” where the “spirit-filled” patrons drink cocktails and dance the night away to “Christian Pop”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">12.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Some Churches offer Christian tours to go gamble in Las Vegas.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">13.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hollywood Celebrities are welcomed in the pulpits of some spirit-filled churches.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">14.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nightclub singers sing at the Church on Sunday and at the nightclubs on Friday and Saturday.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">15.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nothing is sacred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you stand up and proclaim that God demands holiness then you will be labeled a “Legalist” or a “Pharisee”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">What happened to the discipline of Holiness?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today when you talk about Holiness and Sanctification you will be accused of Legalism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would rather be legal than illegal!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus still expects us to be Holy!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In Conclusion<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As you can no doubt tell, there is much difference in what is being seen in some churches today as compared to the original Church of the Book of Acts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, I know there is truth today and there is a holy remnant that has remained faithful to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am proud to be a part of that remnant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">There is a great challenge for those of us that faithfully adhere to the disciplines of the Pentecostal and Holiness churches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must not compromise!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must show this world the truth!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter what it may cost us the truth still sets the captives free!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And if you are one of those that has compromised and given in to the worldly trends that are taking place in so-called Pentecostal churches today let me leave you with these scriptures to consider:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2 Corinthians 6:14-18<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2 Corinthians 7:1<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Revelation 18:4<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-394672316443544152011-06-05T12:06:00.002-05:002011-06-05T17:32:13.386-05:00Take Heed that You be Not Deceived<object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=7,0,0,0" height="115" id="audioplayer" width="348"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://media.cellspin.net/flash/audioplayer/audioPlayer.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="FlashVars" value="configurationfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/133968/v2/configuration.xml&playlistfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/133968/getPlayData.php" /><embed src="http://media.cellspin.net/flash/audioplayer/audioPlayer.swf" quality="high" FlashVars="configurationfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/133968/v2/configuration.xml&playlistfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/133968/getPlayData.php" width="348" height="115" name="audioplayer" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer/" ></embed></object><br />
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Uploaded by <a href="http://www.cellspin.net/">www.cellspin.net</a>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-57776128211054989852011-06-01T20:15:00.002-05:002011-06-03T07:07:34.979-05:00Pentecostal Doubt<object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=7,0,0,0" height="115" id="audioplayer" width="348"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://media.cellspin.net/flash/audioplayer/audioPlayer.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="FlashVars" value="configurationfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/133838/v2/configuration.xml&playlistfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/133838/getPlayData.php" /><embed src="http://media.cellspin.net/flash/audioplayer/audioPlayer.swf" quality="high" FlashVars="configurationfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/133838/v2/configuration.xml&playlistfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/133838/getPlayData.php" width="348" height="115" name="audioplayer" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer/" ></embed></object><br />
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Uploaded by <a href="http://www.cellspin.net/">www.cellspin.net</a>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-12143953736296539072011-05-18T20:09:00.002-05:002011-05-18T21:28:12.323-05:00The Marked Man<object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=7,0,0,0" height="115" id="audioplayer" width="348"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://media.cellspin.net/flash/audioplayer/audioPlayer.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="FlashVars" value="configurationfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/133227/v2/configuration.xml&playlistfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/133227/getPlayData.php" /><embed src="http://media.cellspin.net/flash/audioplayer/audioPlayer.swf" quality="high" FlashVars="configurationfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/133227/v2/configuration.xml&playlistfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/133227/getPlayData.php" width="348" height="115" name="audioplayer" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer/" ></embed></object><br />
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Uploaded by <a href="http://www.cellspin.net/">www.cellspin.net</a>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-84254315680539079152011-05-15T13:36:00.002-05:002011-05-16T18:40:39.032-05:00Rebel With A Cause<object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=7,0,0,0" height="115" id="audioplayer" width="348"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://media.cellspin.net/flash/audioplayer/audioPlayer.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="FlashVars" value="configurationfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/133121/v2/configuration.xml&playlistfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/133121/getPlayData.php" /><embed src="http://media.cellspin.net/flash/audioplayer/audioPlayer.swf" quality="high" FlashVars="configurationfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/133121/v2/configuration.xml&playlistfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/133121/getPlayData.php" width="348" height="115" name="audioplayer" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer/" ></embed></object><br />
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Uploaded by <a href="http://www.cellspin.net/">www.cellspin.net</a>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-13755657938572407022011-05-12T05:31:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:38:34.616-05:00Called to Holiness<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Britannic Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 48pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CALLED TO HOLINESS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1 Thessalonians 4:7-9<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Look at our text and you will see clearly that we are called “unto holiness”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Verse seven says, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For God hath not called us unto uncleanness</i>”.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>The word used here as “uncleanness” means moral impurity is references sexual immorality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This verse is clearly telling us that God has not called us to sexual immorality and uncleanness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has not called the Church to moral impurity!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Instead of calling us to live lives of fornication, adultery, pornography, and lust, God has called us to holiness.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>We do not take up holiness by our own directive but we have been “Called” unto holiness.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Some people say, “I have not been called”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The truth is we have all been called.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are called “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">unto holiness</i>”.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>God has called each and every one of us to live a holy life.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Despise Not Holiness<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Now look at verse eight: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to understand this statement you have to realize that the Holy Ghost is speaking through the Apostle Paul and they are still talking about being called “unto holiness”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">What kind of despising are they speaking of here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Specifically it is despising holiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you despise holiness then you are despising God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scripture makes this clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">You may be asking the question at this point: What does it mean to despise holiness?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to answer that question by making it clear that people do so all of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, by rejecting the convicting work of the Holy Ghost in their lives and secondly by despising the work of the Holy Ghost in the lives of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people despise holiness and in doing so they despise God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are people that despise other people in the Church that are striving to live holy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our text makes it clear that when people hold despite and contempt in their heart towards holiness or anyone that is trying to live holy, they are really despising God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a most dangerous place to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me illustrate by point by relating this following story.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I was eating supper at restaurant with a preacher some years ago and a woman walked in that was clearly making an attempt to live a holy life for she had long hair and was dressed modestly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That preacher began to make derogatory remarks to me about the woman and refer to her as a Pharisee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not know this woman!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not know anything about her heart!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally had all I could take and I rebuked the man by saying, “Look, you need to leave her alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You accuse those people of judging you but you sit here and judge them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of being disgusted by her attempt at modesty you should be thankful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She did not come in this restaurant wearing a miniskirt or a pair shorts, her neckline is not plunging, she is not dressed seductively, and she is not made up like a harlot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why does this bother you?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This preacher was judging this smiling, happy woman, simply because she was dressed decently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How tragic! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Can people not see how ridiculous it is to attack people that are making an attempt at holiness and modesty?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those living modest/holy commit to things that you may not but they do not need you to despise them, they need you to encourage them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I, myself, believe very strongly in a standard of holiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I associate with people that do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often we are accused of being judgmental of others but if the truth be realized we are judged just as harshly for attempting to live a separated life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How sad!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why attack and tear down someone for trying to please God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This is what I believe the Apostle Paul meant when he told us not to despise the holy things of God!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we do it is a direct assault on the person of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Who Hath Also Given Unto Us His Holy Spirit<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Any attempt to live a holy life without the Holy Ghost is doomed to failure.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>God has given us the Holy Ghost to assist us in living a holy life.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>How will you ever be able to conquer sin without the Holy Ghost?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>How will you ever be able to resist temptation without the Holy Ghost?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>How will you ever be able to say “No” to the Devil without the Holy Ghost?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>It is the indwelling power of the Holy Ghost that enables us to live a life of victory over sin and temptation.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Look at the official name given to Him: Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>The word “Holy” figures prominently in His name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because the Spirit of God is the essence of holiness!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without Him, who is holy, there will be no holiness.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Anyone that has been filled with the Holy Ghost will have a renewed sense of holiness in their life, there will be an overwhelming desire and hunger to please and walk with God.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The goal of our God is for His children to walk in holiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God gave us the mighty Baptism in the Holy Ghost to aid us in this worthy goal.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>If you try to circumvent the necessity of being filled with the Spirit you will doom yourself to failure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are saved to be filled!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most pressing need for the sinner is for them to repent and the most pressing need for the saint is to be filled with the Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ephesians 5:18<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">How does the Holy Ghost produce holiness in us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By showing us Christ!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Holy Ghost was given to give us the things of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is the perfect, sinless, Lamb of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is holy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Holy Ghost leads us into a fuller revelation of Christ and holiness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">John 16:13-15<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Brotherly Love<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The natural progression of holiness is love.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>If we are holy then we will be filled with the love of God.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>I don’t care what anyone says, holy people are loving people!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>We have been given a bad rap by this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some old sour sinner has met one self-righteous person and they claim that we are all lacking in love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has not been my experience!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have met thousands of holy people and these people were loving people.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>The greatest love on earth is in the midst of the gathering of holy people.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Romans 5:5<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Holiness produces love.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Love is the natural progression from holiness.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Look at the first verse in our text where the Apostle Paul speaks of “Uncleanness”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This uncleanness is particularly referring to sexual immorality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are some questions to consider:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Does a rapist know anything about true love?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Does a pornographer know anything about true love?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Does a child molester act out of love?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Does the prostitute work the streets because she loves her customers?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Does a man hire a prostitute because he loves her?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The answer to all of those questions is “No”!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>This proves my point!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one can ever really understand love until they understand holiness!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Holiness makes sure that nothing of the flesh is in our love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This makes our love pure!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This makes our love holy!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sexual immorality, uncleanness, is not love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only way to really understand love, the only way to really walk in love, the only way to really express love to others is to be filled with His holiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friend, that is why we are called to holiness.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-75537567436548699522011-05-11T21:11:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:38:35.323-05:00The Obedience of Love<object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=7,0,0,0" height="115" id="audioplayer" width="348"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://media.cellspin.net/flash/audioplayer/audioPlayer.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="FlashVars" value="configurationfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/132975/v2/configuration.xml&playlistfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/132975/getPlayData.php" /><embed src="http://media.cellspin.net/flash/audioplayer/audioPlayer.swf" quality="high" FlashVars="configurationfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/132975/v2/configuration.xml&playlistfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/132975/getPlayData.php" width="348" height="115" name="audioplayer" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer/" ></embed></object><br />
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Uploaded by <a href="http://www.cellspin.net/">www.cellspin.net</a>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-41191891462068295182011-05-04T21:35:00.002-05:002011-05-05T07:36:53.824-05:00Called to Holiness<object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=7,0,0,0" height="115" id="audioplayer" width="348"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://media.cellspin.net/flash/audioplayer/audioPlayer.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="FlashVars" value="configurationfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/132645/v2/configuration.xml&playlistfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/132645/getPlayData.php" /><embed src="http://media.cellspin.net/flash/audioplayer/audioPlayer.swf" quality="high" FlashVars="configurationfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/132645/v2/configuration.xml&playlistfile=http://media.cellspin.net/user/eebb803765/audioplayer/ext/132645/getPlayData.php" width="348" height="115" name="audioplayer" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="always" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer/" ></embed></object><br />
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Uploaded by <a href="http://www.cellspin.net/">www.cellspin.net</a>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-10752573188782254782011-04-18T17:06:00.006-05:002011-04-19T09:46:41.548-05:00Be Filled With the Spirit<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "LilyUPC","sans-serif"; font-size: 48pt; line-height: 115%;">BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ephesians 5:18 (KJV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Command to Be Filled<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Are we asked anywhere in the New Testament to be filled with the Spirit?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did Jesus ask His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the outpouring of the Holy Ghost?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The answer to both of these questions is “No”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible gives us an accurate recording of what Jesus said concerning the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and Jesus did not “Ask” but he “Commanded” his disciples to tarry for the Holy Ghost.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Luke 24:49 (KJV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Would Jesus have been pleased with these disciples if they had chosen to ignore His command for them to tarry for the “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">power from on high</i>”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously the answer to the question is “No”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus commands and we are expected to obey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disobedience to the commands of Christ can sever your relationship with God and must be repented of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me to maintain a healthy relationship with God I must obey all of His commands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Ephesus and he commanded them to avoid alcoholic wine because it leads to excess (the Greek word is Asotia and it means: excess, riot, unsavedness).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the Apostle gives this command to the Church, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Be filled with the Spirit</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The wording of Ephesians 5:18 is unmistakable and in the very same tone as Jesus’ command for His disciples to “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tarry ye in Jerusalem</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is clear that being filled with the Holy Ghost is never offered as an option for the Church to either accept or reject as they see fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a matter of fact, nothing God commands us to do is optional and He expects us to obey Him in all things.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Many Christians believe in the Baptism in the Holy Ghost and they will heartily agree it is a real experience for today but they also believe it is optional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have an “I can take it or leave it” attitude about this great experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have that attitude then let me pose this for you to consider: Jesus thought it was necessary to be filled with the Spirit and before He began His ministry He went to the river Jordan and there the Holy Ghost landed on Him in the form of a dove and then before He left earth He commanded His followers to also be filled with the Holy Ghost before they began their ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Jesus thought it was necessary for Himself and His followers why do you think it is not necessary for you?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Being “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Filled with the Spirit</i>”, or as it is also called, the Baptism in the Holy Ghost, is not like an option on a car that can easily be left off if not wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When buying a new vehicle you have certain items that are optional, such as a sun roof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will a car operate without a sun roof?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can the car operate without an engine?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Baptism in the Holy Ghost is not a “Sun Roof” it is the “Engine”!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">When I was a boy, the old Assembly of God evangelists that came through the little Church I attended preached the Baptism in the Holy Ghost was required to be in full obedience to Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One evangelist summed it up so well with a description of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and then he said, “It was the sin of disobedience that forfeited their right to remain in the garden – one sin of disobedience – if one sin can kick you out of paradise then one sin can keep you out of paradise!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This old evangelist was NOT saying that the Baptism in the Holy Ghost washes sins away, for he believed in repentance and the New Birth as taught in scripture, but he was saying that a refusal to follow through and obey the command to “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Be filled with the Spirit</i>”, when you know that it is a command of God, is an act of disobedience that could very well sever your relationship with Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obedience is necessary!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The word “Filled” used in Ephesians comes from the Greek word “Pleroo” and it means “to fill up completely, to cram a net full, to level at the top, to furnish, to imbue, to execute an office, to finish a task, to supply, and to verify”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are completely filled with Him then there is room for nothing else to enter into your life, for the enemy can pour nothing into a full vessel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the Baptism in the Holy Ghost that gives us this fullness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can see how important it is that each and every believer continues on to the experience of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Biblical Evidence for Initial Evidence<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">How can I know that I have been filled with the Spirit?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can I know that I have been baptized in the Holy Ghost?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has given a scriptural method in the New Testament that was consistent and normal and that evidence is still viable today.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I want to look at the New Testament pattern of the “infilling” of the Holy Ghost as found in the Book of Acts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Book of Acts is the first record of the exploits of the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of the events occurring in this book are a part of the age of grace that you and I are now a part of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Book of Acts has not stopped but is still ongoing today!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Book of Acts begins with the early disciples having obeyed the command of Jesus to tarry in Jerusalem until endued with the promised outpouring of power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over and over in His ministry, Jesus made it clear that He was going to equip His followers so they could do what He had called them to do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">John 16:7<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">John 15:26<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">John 14:26<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">John 14:16-17<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">John 7:38-39<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesus made it clear to His disciples the He had to leave them, but after doing so He would send the Holy Ghost back to earth as their comforter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First the physical then the spiritual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The physical form of Adam was formed first from the dust of the ground then God breathed the spiritual into him and made him a living soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This progression was maintained in Christ first coming in the flesh, leaving, and then sending back the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While on earth the devil had to deal with Christ in one location but now the Holy Ghost is everywhere that the Church is. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesus' final words before He left this earth concerned the importance of the Church being equipped with the "Power" of the Holy Ghost(Acts 1:8) and Jesus commanded his disciples to tarry "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">until they were endued with power from on high</i>" (Luke 24:49).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what the disciples did and on the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit was outpoured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The initial evidence of this occurrence was speaking in other tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Just as Jesus had promised, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, had arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first outpouring of the Holy Ghost is recoded in Acts chapter two.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 2:1-4<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">There were several supernatural evidences that occurred in this initial outpouring, but as you will see in further study, there is only one that is associated with all the other outpourings of the Holy Ghost found in scripture.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In the first outpouring there was: 1) “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind</i>” 2) “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">cloven tongues like as of fire</i>” and 3) speaking “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with other tongues</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all subsequent outpourings of the Holy Ghost you will not find the sound of a rushing wind or visible flames over the heads of the seekers, but you will find speaking in other tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not to say that those events cannot take place but they are not the prescribed Biblical evidence – speaking in unknown tongues is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a matter of fact, tongues are not only endorsed in the Book of Acts but in the writings of the Apostle Paul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friends, speaking in other tongues is Biblical, and whether you like it or not, is a part of the New Testament Church.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The word used in Acts chapter two for “Tongues” is the Greek word “Glossa” and it is interpreted correctly in the King James Version Bible as “Tongues”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not “Ecstatic Speech” as some theologians have tried to suggest but it was tongues/languages that had been previously unknown to the speakers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is bore out by the response of those that witnessed this supernatural event.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 2:5-11<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">If this would have been “Ecstatic Speech” or the enthusiastic babbling of a group of people caught up in a religious frenzy then there would not have been this response from the onlookers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saying this brings up the other claim by some that speaking in unknown tongues was a real event but it was only for that one time in history to help spread the Gospel to the crowd that was present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Word of God alone dismisses such claims for twenty five years after Pentecost in a closed meeting of twelve men at the Church at Ephesus the Holy Ghost is poured out:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 19:6-7<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">they spake with tongues</b>, and prophesied.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">7 And all the men were about twelve.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">If speaking in unknown tongues was purely for missionary service then God would not have bothered to produce this type of an experience in a group of likeminded individuals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pattern had been set at Pentecost and it continues in each case either by direct mention or implication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I get too far ahead of myself we need to go back to the chronological order as found in the Book of Acts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The next mention of group of individuals being filled with the Holy Ghost is in a gathering of the original believers not long after Pentecost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This group was made up of many, if not all, of those that had originally experienced the first filling in Acts chapter two and no mention of tongues need be mentioned as this is a re-filling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 4:31 (KJV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The next time we read about believers being baptized in the Holy Ghost for the first time is at the City of Samaria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can read about this in Acts chapter eight. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 8:14-17 (KJV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">After reading this you may be thinking, “It says they received the Holy Ghost but tongues is not mentioned”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are correct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This passage does not mention speaking in unknown tongues but something visible did happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at the next verses that follow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 8:18-19 (KJV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">18 And when Simon <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">saw</b> that through laying on of the apostles' hands <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the Holy Ghost was given</b>, he offered them money,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">There was a man named Simon present that watched as Peter and John laid hands on the Samaritans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible says he “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was some type of visible, tangible, manifestation that occurred to make a carnal man like Simon understand that something supernatural had occurred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this particular passage we are not told.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if we follow the New Testament pattern we must assume that what he saw was speaking in unknown tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would God venture beyond what he had already established as evidence?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Apostles understood this evidence and so did some sinners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, it could have been a rushing mighty wind, or tongues of fire sitting on top of the heads of the Samaritans but in no other passage in the Bible do we see those two phenomenon repeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we do see repeated is speaking in tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brothers and Sisters, I submit to you that unknown tongues is what Simon saw that day in Samaria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Paul said this about unbelievers witnessing the Holy Ghost being manifested:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1 Corinthians 14:22 (KJV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not:</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In this case tongues were most definitely used as a sign to the unbelieving Simon that something supernatural had taken place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Next we come to the conversion of the Apostle Paul.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 9:17-18 (KJV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">be filled with the Holy Ghost.<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The question is this: Did the Apostle Paul speak in tongues when he was filled with the Holy Ghost?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The historical account in the Book of Acts is very brief and no detailed explanation is offered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately for us the Apostle left us with other writings that shed light on his experience in the Holy Ghost.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1 Corinthians 14:18<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I thank my God, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I speak with tongues more than ye all</b>:<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1 Corinthians 13:1<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Apostle Paul makes it clear in these scriptures and many others that he was a part of the tongue-speaking experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He uses the same language that is found in the book of Acts to describe his experience, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I speak with tongues more than ye all</i>”, and no, Paul is not referring to being fluent in several foreign languages, for the context of his statements are about the supernatural gifts of the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul mentions “Tongues” at least twenty five times in his Epistles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was an important subject to the great Apostle and should be to us as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The next time we read about the Holy Ghost being poured out on a group of new believers is found in Acts chapter ten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This passage is very important to us because this is the first time that Gentiles were filled with the Holy Ghost.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 10:44-47 (KJV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">46 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">For they heard them speak with tongues</b>, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Again we see the same pattern repeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time the account clearly states that the Gentile believers spoke in tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Jews that were traveling with Peter were astonished that God was pouring out His Spirit upon the Gentiles in the exact same manner as he had been doing upon them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was the visible evidence that convinced these Jewish believers that God was pouring out his Spirit upon the Gentiles?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is found in verse forty-six, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For they heard them speak with tongues</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The statement alone in verse forty-six makes it clear that tongues were the expected sign to look for when a person was baptized in the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The New Testament Church had their benchmark to compare everything to and this is exactly what they did: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folks, it cannot get much clearer than that.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">When Peter was asked to explain what happened at the gentile home of Cornelius he replied with this statement:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 11:15 (KJV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And as I began to speak, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Peter tells the Church at Jerusalem that God was continuing what He had started in the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God was pouring out upon the Gentiles what he had at first poured only upon the Jews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking in unknown tongues was the irrefutable evidence of the infilling of the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter reaffirmed this position again in Chapter fifteen at the council in Jerusalem with these words:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 15:7-8<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us</b>;<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It is important to note that Peter recognizes that the pattern was established in Acts chapter two at the Upper Room and that the early Church continued to look back on that experience to judge all subsequent baptisms in the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This reinforces speaking in other tongues as the normative evidence expected in every Spirit baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Evidence such as this would stand up in any court!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Now we come back to Acts chapter nineteen and the Church at Ephesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember that I stated earlier that this occurred some twenty-five years after the initial outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 19:6<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues</b>, and prophesied.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Again speaking in other tongues is the evidence associated with the Baptism in the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking in tongues is not an aberration, as some would have us to believe, but it is the normal experience of each person that is baptized in the Holy Ghost.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Importance of Initial Evidence<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Now we have established the Biblical pattern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We now need to address the reason why a physical evidence is important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 39.75pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -21.75pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(1)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Visible Evidence.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We as people are oriented to what we can see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I know that the Kingdom of God is invisible but we still like to latch on to what we can see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking in tongues gives us a visible sign that something has occurred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God could have given us an inner “feeling” or any other sign but, in His wisdom he chose to give us speaking in other tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most Pentecostal groups refer to “Speaking in other tongues” as the “Initial Physical Evidence”, meaning that it is the first visible evidence that a person has been baptized in the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the first but surely not the last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a person limits the Baptism in the Holy Ghost to a tongues-only experience they will surely end up shallow and be easily deceived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need evidence to prove many things in life and God did no less when sending us the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 39.75pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -21.75pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(2)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Viable Evidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">The word “viable” means real, practical, workable, the ability to grow and expand, to develop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance is an evidence that is workable, whereas a rushing mighty wind and tongues of fire hovering over the heads of the seekers is not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a simple evidence that can be expressed in any setting at any time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does not interfere (for the most part) with the normal functions of the Church but works within the framework of a spiritual gathering.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 39.75pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -21.75pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(3)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Verifiable Evidence.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This evidence can be verified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be heard and witnessed by others as well as the one that is speaking in tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not hidden so therefore it is open and subject to inspection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, tongues can easily be counterfeited and quite often are, but in the long run it is still advantageous for the Church to see verifiable evidence that someone has pressed forward and received the infilling of the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know from having prayed many people through to the Holy Ghost that this evidence is quite important to those of us praying as well as those receiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The early New Testament believers constantly looked for this verifiable evidence and when they found it they quickly testified of the evidence having been present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we in the Pentecostal Church do not demand that the evidence of speaking in other Tongues remains then in just a few generations it will be completely lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 39.75pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -21.75pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(4)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Victorious Evidence.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This evidence is verbal and therefore often filled with joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This evidence never brings defeat and sorrow but always fills the hearts of all within hearing with victory and joy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">You might say that speaking in other tongues is the M.O. (Modus Operandi – mode of operation) of the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking in other tongues is the outstanding method of operation, it is the outstanding Biblical pattern and we would be foolish to ignore this simple pattern.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Dangers Associated with Tongues<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I will be the first to tell you that there has been much abuse in the area of tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problems with tongue-talking did not start in the 20<sup>th</sup> century but started back in the first century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Apostle Paul had to address the issue of tongues and gifts in his letter to the Church at Corinth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">When mentioning the Church at Corinth let me say right here that I have had to explain to individuals on more than one occasion that there is a difference between the tongues associated with the Baptism in the Holy Ghost and the tongues as a Gift of the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Baptism in the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in other tongues is for all believers but the Gift of Tongues as recorded in different passages of first Corinthians is a distinct gift that is given out as God sees fit for the edification of the Body of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1 Corinthians 12:8-11(KJV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Nine gifts are listed here and one of them is Divers Kinds of Tongues which works hand-in-hand with Interpretation of Tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Apostle Paul laid out specific instructions on how these gifts are to operate decently and in order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Gift of Tongues (Divers Kinds of Tongues) is used to arrest the attention of the Body of Christ while in a worship setting and then once that is accomplished the utterance is interpreted by someone with the Gift of Interpretation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tongues that are associated with the general infilling of the Holy Ghost are similar in function but different in purpose from the Gift of Tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Often an over emphasis on speaking in tongues results in an under emphasis of holiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see this quite frequently in the neo-Pentecostal churches of today where people speak in unknown languages but do not possess a holy walk with the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frequently these tongue-talkers wear skimpy and immodest clothing; frequent questionable places, use foul language, and engage in filthy habits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This, my Brother and Sister, ought not to be.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Fallacy of Prayer Language<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I have heard people say, “When you pray in tongues the devil cannot hear you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scriptures teach no such thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A prayer does not have to be in unknown tongues for it to be a spiritual prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have heard others say, “When you pray in the Spirit you will speak in tongues.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I agree that praying in the Spirit may involve speaking in tongues it is not limited to speaking in tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A person can be just as spiritual in a known language and just as unspiritual in an unknown language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walking in the Spirit is not just about tongue-talking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walking in the Spirit is walking in the Will and the Word of God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It has become quite popular today to refer to speaking in unknown tongues as a “Prayer Language”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Word of God never refers to this evidence as a prayer language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certainly, when you pray you may speak in other tongues, but to fail to do so does not make you any less spiritual than those that do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Additional Evidence<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Speaking in the “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tongues of men and angels</i>” is the initial physical evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost but it is not the only evidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many additional evidences, and any growing Christian will begin to immediately show others as they continue to walk in the Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Other evidences of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost in a believer’s life are an increased love the Word of God, a greater desire to be a witness, a heightened disgust with sin and compromise, an overwhelming hunger for holiness, and boldness to speak the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These evidences work closely with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It is important to note that Churches and individual believers that limit the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives to tongues only are sure to find their spiritual life suffering and their growth stunted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Baptism in the Holy Ghost is so much more than just speaking in tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tongues will come initially and believers that have been baptized in the Spirit will continue to pray in tongues throughout their walk with the Lord but they will grow in many other areas as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Errors Concerning the Baptism of the Holy Ghost<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Quite frequently I run into people that completely reject the Baptism in the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their line of reasoning runs from the benign, “It was real but not for us today” to the hostile, “Speaking in tongues is of the Devil”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very few people are neutral on this subject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My Dad was raised Baptist and when my Mom got saved and began taking my brother and I to a small Assembly of God Church he boldly told her, “That is fine for you and the boys but you will never catch me dead in that Pentecostal Church”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am happy to testify to you today that my Dad did give his heart to the Lord and was in the Pentecostal Church for thirty-two wonderful years, and yes, he was filled with the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Nowhere in the Bible does it teach that God has done away with the Baptism in the Holy Ghost or speaking in tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked a man once why he believed speaking in tongues had been done away with and he quoted this scripture:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1 Corinthians 13:8 (KJV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This scripture does say that tongues shall cease but it also says that knowledge will cease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately for all of us we still have both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most certainly there will come a day when much of what we do now in the Church will not be necessary but as of right now we are still waging a spiritual warfare and trying to fulfill the Great Commission, neither of which we will be able to do without the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Another common error is to teach that one is not saved until they have spoken in tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible does closely tie conviction, repentance, regeneration, sanctification, water baptism, and the baptism in the Spirit closely together but it also makes it clear that a person is “Saved” once they repent of their sins (they make a decision to stops sinning).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is at this point that they are Born Again and become new creatures in Christ Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Holy Ghost will only fill a clean temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>B. H. Clendennen always said it this way, “The Holy Ghost landed on Jesus at the River Jordan after He was baptized in water by John the Baptist and today the Holy Ghost will only land on Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the Holy Ghost comes to fill us He looks to see if Jesus is there and if He sees Jesus He will land.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 19:1-2<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">2 He said unto them, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?</b> And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It was obvious that these disciples were believers that Paul had met in Ephesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though they were believers they were operating on a limited understanding of what God had provided for His Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul would not leave them in that state but proceeded to share the good news with them of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had people tell me before to tune it down and leave people alone that are living for God without the Baptism in the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would I want to leave them out!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely it would be better for them to have all that God has offered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love this scripture for it says it so well:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 18:24-26<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.</b></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This is exactly what we need to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aquila and Priscilla expounded unto Apollos all of the things that he was missing out on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This only heightened and strengthened Apollos’ ministry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Why Should I Seek to be Filled with the Spirit?<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Here is just a short list of a few things for you to consider.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(1)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">We are commanded to be filled with the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Make no mistake about it, God is not asking our opinion on this matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has made it clear that He expects us to “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Be filled with the Spirit</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He commanded his disciples to “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tarry in Jerusalem</i>” until they were “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">endued with power from on high</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No options, no loop-holes, and no bargaining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throughout His entire ministry, Jesus stressed that He would be leaving and that He would be sending the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, back to earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is one point that He did not want them to miss and Jesus stressed this great truth over and over – even more so as he neared his ascension.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(2)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">It is impossible to fulfill the Great Commission without the power of the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">There are two directives that Jesus gave to His disciples before he ascended into the Heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first was to “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature</i>” and the second was, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tarry ye… until ye are endued with power from on high</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The command to “Go” will never be accomplished without the command to “Tarry”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first thing the disciples did was camp out in the Upper Room for ten days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were not in the streets preaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were not in the streets praying for the sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were not writing books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were not out witnessing to the lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What were they doing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were waiting for the promised Comforter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just minutes before Jesus ascended into Heaven in Acts chapter one he said to His followers, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8)</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Power to be what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Witnesses!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The power to fulfill the great commission is behind the door to an Upper Room!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you try to bypass the Upper Room for your own ideas then you will be going without the promised power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no other alternative.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(3)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Jesus saved you so He could fill you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">The question must be asked, “Did the disciples belong to Jesus before they entered the Upper Room or after?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need look nowhere else than to the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read Jesus’ prayer in John 17 and you will see that Jesus tells the Father that “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">They are thine</i>” and in the next verse He says, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And all mine are thine</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such terminology makes it clear that those climbing the stairs to the Upper Room already belonged to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus sent them to that Upper Room so that His life could be lived through them by the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Baptism in the Holy Ghost is a definite experience but it is not the new birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The imperative of every sinner is to repent and the imperative to every born again believer is to be “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">filled with the Spirit</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is too much at stake for you to reject this wonderful baptism because you are uncomfortable with it or because you have witnessed someone misusing this gift for personal gain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one’s experience is greater than the Word of God!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(4)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Jesus was filled with the Spirit and we should do as He did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Make no mistake about it - Jesus was full of the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus performed no miracles and did no works until He first received this infilling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter preached these wonderful words in Acts 10:38, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">with the Holy Ghost and with power</b>: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very clear that what Jesus did in His earthly ministry He did by the power of the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This same power has been made available to you and I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not a power to speak in tongues but it is the power to do the works of God on this earth.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(5)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">The Holy Ghost is the seal on our redemption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">There are several scriptures that point out this great fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are a few:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ephesians 4:30<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ephesians 1:13-14<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2 Corinthians 1:22<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Practical Advice for those Seeking the Baptism in the Holy Ghost<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It is very important that you seek to be baptized in the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have probably noticed by now that there are several terms that refer to this mighty infilling, but all of them mean the same thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it is “Filled” or “Baptized” or “Poured Out” you and I must seek for this great Holy Ghost to come and make Christ alive in our life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are a few things to help you as you seek the Baptism in the Holy Ghost:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(1)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Repent.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before you begin seeking for the Baptism in the Holy Ghost, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ye must be Born Again</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Baptism in the Holy Ghost is not for the unregenerated and it is not an initiation into the Body of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Repentance of any hidden sin must be made before seeking to be filled with the Spirit - repent of anything you know is wrong - repent of filthy habits - repent of unforgiveness, bitterness, envy, and such like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sin will prevent the Holy Ghost being poured into your life.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">John 3:3<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Mark 2:22<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1 Corinthians 3:16-17<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">6 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">From the time I was thirteen years old I had started seeking to be baptized in the Holy Ghost and it took me two years of seeking to receive this great infilling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not God’s fault but mine because during those two years I was listening to Rock & Roll music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One Friday night sitting on an outside bench at the Polk County Campmeeting the Lord spoke to me and said, “If you will give up that rock & roll music I will fill you with the Holy Ghost”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went home that night and broke the few records I had in my room and the next morning at prayer meeting the Lord filled me with the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Repentance cleansed the temple and the Holy Ghost moved in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(2)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">The Bible tells us to ask. We must ask Jesus – He is the Baptizer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must ask out loud and we must be bold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not ask those praying for you to baptize you, don’t ask the preacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seek the Lord Jesus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the Baptizer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John the Baptist said of Christ, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">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”</i> (Matthew 3:11).<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Luke 11:9-13<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">13 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?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This is not just a simple asking as most picture in their minds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an asking that requires that something inside of you dies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>B. H. Clendennen used to illustrate this principle by citing Psalms 2:7-8, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a prophecy concerning Jesus’ coming to this earth in the form of a man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Father said to him, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus knew that if he were to ask for the heathen then He would have to die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we ask to be filled with this precious Holy Ghost, we must know that something within us must die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(3)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">After you ask Jesus to fill you with the Holy Ghost you need to begin to worship Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worship Jesus out loud – Don’t whisper, don’t mumble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Praise Jesus with all your might – worship Him fervently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lift up your hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not curl up in a ball – you are never going to receive the Holy Ghost that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen so many come to the altar to seek for the Holy Ghost and they curl up in a little ball and bury their head underneath their arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lift up your head and lift up your hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask Him to fill you and then praise the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(4)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Yield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">You must give over control to the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why did God choose speaking in tongues as the evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because the tongue is the hardest part of the human body to yield to God, and if the tongue is yielded then it should be no problem for the rest of the man/woman to be yielded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Women tend to receive the Holy Ghost easier than men (because to some extent they are accustomed to submission – but this is changing in our modern world).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pride will hinder many people from yielding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are worried what others may think of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One Evangelist was praying for a man to receive the Holy Ghost and the man was very proper and had nice head of hair with not one hair out of place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the Evangelist messed up the man’s hair he was filled with the Holy Ghost.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(5)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Tarry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">The Bible tells us that the original recipients of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost had to tarry for ten days in the Upper Room.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Luke 24:49<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I am not saying you will have to wait for ten days but you must be willing to tarry in the altars.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>If you pray for a while your arms and legs may begin to cramp up on you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get up if you need to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sit on the altar if you need to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walk around if you need to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, keep on seeking to be filled with the Holy Ghost.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A family member of mine was dealt with by God in a dream and he gave his heart to the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He began attending the Church where my Father-In-Law was the Pastor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not long after his conversion he began to seek for the Holy Ghost but had yet to receive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Father-In-Law, Pastor Elbert Kinard, asked me to hold their Sunday services because they were going to be out of town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunday night I preached on the Baptism in the Holy Ghost and said in my message that you need to make up your mind that you are going to receive before you come to the altar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said, “Go get you a drink of water, go to the restroom, get all of that out of the way and then come to altar ready to tarry until you are endued with Power from on High.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just knew that God was going to fill this loved-one with the Holy Ghost that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I gave the altar call everyone came to the altar except for him – he went out the back door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was troubled but I had others to pray for so I went on praying in the altars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About ten minutes later he came back in the Church and went straight to the front where the others that were praying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked over and laid my hands on his forehead and immediately he began to speak in tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, how glorious it is to see God work in peoples lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was curious about his departure and after Church I asked him where he had gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me that he had went to the parsonage to do what I had suggested in my message and drank a glass of water, went to the restroom, and got all of that out of the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His act of faith and obedience produced wonderful results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God had gloriously filled him with the Holy Ghost and he did not have to tarry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(6)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Utterance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">In Acts 2:4 it says, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them the utterance.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Word “Utterance” used here means that the Holy Ghost will give you the “Words to speak”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means that the Holy Ghost will put the words in your heart and mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, you must speak them out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not believe in “baiting” people with certain words or phrases to help them receive the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are a few of the most ridiculous phrases that have been reported to me over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">See-My-Tie-Tie-My-Tie.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Shiny-Commode-Shiny-Commode.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">I-Should-A-Bought-A-Honda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An evangelist related that a friend of his had visited a Church and was handed a piece of paper as he entered in the door with these words written on it: “I SHOULD A BOUGHT A HONDA”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later in the service they were all instructed to pull the paper out and begin reciting out loud that phrase and God would fill them with the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a tragedy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one is going to receive the Holy Ghost by reading tongue twisters, riddles, and rhymes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only the Holy Ghost can give you the words to say.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">C-O-K-E.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A dear minister friend of mine that is great preacher of truth today shared with me that when he had found the Lord it was in a Word of Faith Hagin-Copeland Cowboy Church (what a mess!) and not long after there was a revival in the Church and the evangelist told them all to say C-O-K-E over and over until God filled them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folks, this is absolute apostasy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friend told me that he knew very little about God at that time but he knew that was not right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank God a short time afterward the Holy Ghost led him to a Church that preached the true Word of God.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Holy Ghost will give you the “utterance”, He will give you the words, but you must speak them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will not force your mouth open and your tongue to move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must do so.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(7)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">You must speak out loud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one has ever received the Holy Ghost quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must speak as loud as you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Raise your voice in worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You do not mumble when you speak to your friends and family – so speak up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the Holy Ghost gives you the utterance stop speaking in English and speak the words that He has given you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you speak the words the River will flow!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I have heard Bro. Clendennen tell this story many times of his infilling with the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said that he sought to be baptized in the Holy Ghost for the first year and a half after he was regenerated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Church he attended was conducting a “Brush Arbor” meeting outdoors that started on Easter and went all the way until the next fall (frost).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bro. Clendennen said that he just could not understand why he could not receive and asked the Lord why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord spoke to him and said, “I have tried to fill you but you won’t let me”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told the Lord then, “I will let you! Fill me tonight”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went that night determined to be filled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and Sister Clendennen went to the altar and he looked down and she was speaking in tongues, next he jumped straight up in the air and his hand went through the chicken wire on top of the arbor and he could not pull it back down, but the he realized he was speaking in tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God had filled him with the Holy Ghost!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because he opened his mouth and began to speak the utterance and the river flowed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(8)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">Persistence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Persistence will pay off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you do not get filled with the Holy Ghost the first time you seek for the Baptism, don’t stop - keep on going back to the altar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The casual seeker will never be filled with the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must seek with all your heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must not allow anything to dissuade or discourage you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is God’s will for you to be filled with the Holy Ghost.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-29989044219462597362011-04-11T16:14:00.005-05:002011-04-19T09:46:41.548-05:00In Defense of Pentecost<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Britannic Bold", "sans-serif"; font-size: 40pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In Defense of Pentecost</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Recently I saw a link to a website that was entitled, “Pentecostalism is of the Devil”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am Pentecostal and I clicked on the link to see what this was all about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I found was a long list of people that are “crackpots” (the Biblical term for them would be “Broken Cisterns”) and a few facts about each of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I perused the list I agreed that most of the people on this list were heretics and worse (with a few exceptions).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problem that I have with this website is that this list of failed and fringe individuals, fails to prove that “Pentecostalism is of the Devil”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What it does prove is that there are “False Teachers” among the Pentecostal movement and the same can be said of any movement, religion, and denomination.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I want to say this first: the only judge of men and movements is the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible is the only perfect rule of faith and conduct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All things, and all people, must be examined in light of the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no other criterion for us to judge by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often Christians are accused of being judgmental, but the fact is we are only taking what we have read in the Bible and viewing all of life by means of what it teaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People alone are not the criteria that we judge any movement by, for there are failed examples in all, only the Word of God is big enough to decide whether or not something is “Of God” or “Of the Devil”.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">If we follow the reasoning of the said website then we can prove that anything is “Of the Devil”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just so we can understand their reasoning, we need to see if their criteria can be applied to other movements and what the results would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, let’s say that we are going to judge the Baptist’s by this example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you find Baptists that have failed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you find Baptist preachers with moral failures in their lives?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have any Baptists ever fell into heretical teachings?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The answer to all of those questions is a resounding “Yes”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you follow their line of reasoning then you could say, “Baptists are of the Devil”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about Methodists?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Presbyterians?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or any other denomination?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I live in a small community and it is very common to see a drunk Baptist staggering in the street on a Friday night – does that mean that all Baptists are drunks?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Why, you could apply their faulty reasoning to any group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the way, this is exactly how prejudice is formed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Has anyone ever heard of a cheating husband?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well then, I guess all “Husbands are of the Devil”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Has there ever been any crooked lawyers (I may be stretching here), if there has been, then we could say that all “Lawyers are of the Devil”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you can tell by now, singling out failures in Pentecostalism does not prove their argument.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All it proves is that Pentecostals have “tares among the wheat” just as others do.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Let me take the faulty reasoning of this website one step further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please bear with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a human failure or deceiver proves that Pentecostalism is “Of the Devil” then you could say that Christianity is “Of the Devil” (please bear with me, I know as well as you that it is not!) for Christianity has had failures, false prophets, and deceivers as far back as the New Testament, for example, Ananias, Sapphira, Demas, Hymenaeus, and Alexander, to mention just a few.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And to top that off, we must ask the question, where did the false doctrine of the Nicolaitans come from?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It came from a man!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, again, we see that their supposed proof actually proves nothing!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">There is only one criterion that we can use to judge whether or not “Pentecostalism is of the Devil”, or if any other thing is “Of the Devil”, and that criteria is the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next I want to examine whether or not “True Pentecostalism” can be found in the Bible and if it is endorsed by the Word of God.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Some people tend to get hung up on the word “Pentecostal” so right at the outset I want to look at the origin of this word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word “Pentecostal” was derived from the word “Pentecost” that appears in both the old and new testaments of the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pentecost was a Jewish feast that occurred on the fiftieth day after Passover and the word literally means fifty, fiftieth, or fiftieth day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It so happens that our God has a very complex mind and He had it all arranged to pour out His Holy Spirit on the 120 followers of Christ in the upper room on that particular day, the Day of Pentecost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can read all about in Acts chapter two, which, of course, is the most famous use of the word “Pentecost” found in the Bible.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The term “Pentecostal” was most likely coined in the late 19<sup>th</sup> Century in America and it was at first applied to the “Holiness Movement”, which was a non-tongues speaking group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their main doctrine was “Sanctification as a second definite work of grace” – I do not want to get into all of the explanation of this doctrine but will sum it up by saying this: they believed the evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost was a holy life.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Around the turn to the 20<sup>th</sup> century the Holy Ghost was poured out on people in different places around the world but primarily in America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of those people in this initial outpouring were people from the Holiness Movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The term Pentecostal that had previously been coined made the transition with them and it was not long before this term was applied to people that “spoke in other tongues”.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Today the word Pentecostal is known all over the world and its connotative definition is: A people associated with the events of Acts chapter two and speaking in other tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not use the word in its original meaning of fifty days but as an identifier of the people associated with the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some today use the term in the legal name of their particular denomination but as a general rule the term applies broadly to anyone that believes in the Baptism in the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in other tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is how I primarily use this word.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Now I want to examine the main tenets of the Pentecostal faith so we can see if they are in the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I do, I want to say that there are many different “kinds” of Pentecostals today and there is no way that I can address all of the different beliefs in each group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will stick with the foundational, or the Classical Pentecostal’s beliefs, and let the others deal with their own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will not deal with all of our doctrine, for times sake, but let me examine a few key teachings.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">The Inerrancy of Scripture:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"> Classical Pentecostals believe that the Word of God, both the Old and New Testaments, is the Word of God and not the words of men and that “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness</i>” (2 Timothy 3:16).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We believe that men were moved on, inspired, by God to write the scripture.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2 Peter 1:20-21</span></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We do not believe that there are any new revelations that can be added to the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We believe that God has given us a complete revelation of His will through the Word of God and that we should not add unto this revelation nor take away from it.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We believe that any message preached, any prophetic utterance, or any other verbal or written communication must be compared to the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any utterance that does not agree with scripture must be rejected.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We in English speaking countries believe the King James Version of the scripture is the actual words of God and not just the ideas of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We reject most modern translations because many have been corrupted.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">The One True God:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"> Classical Pentecostals believe that </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">the one true God has revealed himself as the eternally self-existent “I AM,” the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10,11; Matthew 28:19; Luke 3:22).</span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The terms <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">trinity </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">persons</i> as related to the Godhead, while not found in the Scriptures, are words in harmony with Scripture, whereby we may convey to others our immediate understanding of the doctrine of Christ respecting the Being of God, as distinguished from “gods many and lords many.” We therefore may speak with propriety of the Lord our God, who is One Lord, as a trinity or as one Being of three persons, and still be absolutely scriptural (examples, Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 14:16,17).</span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Christ taught a distinction of persons in the Godhead which He expressed in specific terms of relationship, as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, but that this distinction and relationship, as to its mode is inscrutable and incomprehensible, because unexplained (Luke 1:35; 1 Corinthians 1:24; Matthew 11:25-27; 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; 1 John 1: 3,4).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Accordingly, therefore, there is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">that</b> in the Father which constitutes Him <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the Father</b> and not the Son; there is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">that</b> in the Son which constitutes Him <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the Son</b> and not the Father; and there is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">that</b> in the Holy <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ghost</b> which constitutes Him <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the Holy Ghost</b> and not either the Father or the Son. Wherefore the Father is the Begetter; the Son is the Begotten; and the Holy Ghost is the One proceeding from the Father and the Son. Therefore, because these three persons in the Godhead are in a state of unity, there is but one Lord God Almighty, and His name one (John 1:18; 15:26; 17:11, 21; Zechariah 14:9)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We recognized that there are Pentecostal Groups that differ in their views on the Godhead from the traditional Trinitarian view and hold no ill-will towards them, though we do differ greatly in doctrine.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">We believe the Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We further believe that He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, worked miracles, died on the cross for our sins, rose bodily from the dead, and has been exalted to the right hand of God on high.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We believe that Jesus is both the Son of God and the Son of Man – He is Very God and Very Man – He is Emmanuel: God with Us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">The Fall of Man: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">We believe that man was created in the image of God. We believe that man was created good and upright but through voluntary transgression and sin brought physical and spiritual death upon the human race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We believe that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">(Genesis 1:26-27; 2:17; 3:6; Romans 5:12-19).</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">The Salvation of Man:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"> We believe that man’s only hope of redemption is in the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. All must be born again in order to be restored to Fellowship with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Acts 2:21)”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:9-10).”</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Salvation is obtained at the time of repentance and is an act of faith towards God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All that truly repent of their sins and pledge their lives to Jesus Christ will enter into the “Born Again” experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Holy Ghost is active throughout this process of cleansing and once this cleansing has occurred, the Believer will now be a candidate for the Baptism in the Holy Ghost.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Now, this will give you an idea of some of the main doctrines of the Pentecostal Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is sound doctrine and it is clearly the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of these same doctrines are believed by non-Pentecostals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Next I want to examine the doctrines that make us different from other denominations and religions, namely, the Baptism of the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in other tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are the questions that we need to answer: Is the experience of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost found in the Word of God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did the believers in the New Testament speak in other tongues during this Baptism, or infilling?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does the scripture teach that this Baptism (infilling) is for believers today?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">The Baptism in the Holy Ghost:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"> Classical Pentecostals believe that all believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Ghost and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry (Luke 24:49-53; Acts 1:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31). This experience is distinct from and subsequent to the experience of the new birth (Acts 8:12-17; 10:44-46; 11:14-16; 15:7-9). With the baptism in the Holy Ghost come such experiences as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8), a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43; Hebrews 12:28), an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42), and a more active love for Christ, for His Word, and for the lost (Mark 16:20).</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We believe that all believers must be filled with the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not believe that we have the option to reject the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the scripture commands, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit </i>(Ephesians 5:18)”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not teach that the Baptism in the Holy Ghost is redemptive but we do teach that this baptism is commanded and must be entered into willingly by each believer.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The baptism of believers in the Holy Ghost is witnessed by the initial physical sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Mark 16: 17, John 15:26, Acts 2:4, 10: 44-46, 19: 1-7). The speaking in tongues in this instance is the same in essence as the gift of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:4-10, 28), but different in purpose and use.</span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We believe that all who are filled with the Holy Ghost will speak in other tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These tongues are as “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the Spirit giveth the utterance</i>” and cannot be taught by man. </span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Is our doctrine of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost scriptural?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it found in the pages of the Word of God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let look and see what the Word of God says.</span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Biblical Evidence for Initial Evidence</span></span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Note: This section is also a part of my article “Be Filled with the Spirit”)</i></span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">How can I know that I have been filled with the Spirit?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can I know that I have been baptized in the Holy Ghost?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has given a scriptural method in the New Testament that was consistent and normal and that evidence is still viable today.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I want to look at the New Testament pattern of the “infilling” of the Holy Ghost as found in the Book of Acts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Book of Acts is the first record of the exploits of the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of the events occurring in this book are a part of the age of grace that you and I are now a part of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Book of Acts has not stopped but is still ongoing today!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Book of Acts begins with the early disciples having obeyed the command of Jesus to tarry in Jerusalem until endued with the promised outpouring of power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over and over in His ministry, Jesus made it clear that He was going to equip His followers so they could do what He had called them to do.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">John 16:7</span></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">John 15:26</span></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">John 14:26</span></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">John 14:16-17</span></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">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.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">John 7:38-39</span></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesus made it clear to His disciples the He had to leave them, but after doing so He would send the Holy Ghost back to earth as their comforter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First the physical then the spiritual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The physical form of Adam was formed first from the dust of the ground then God breathed the spiritual into him and made him a living soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This progression was maintained in Christ first coming in the flesh, leaving, and then sending back the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While on earth the devil had to deal with Christ in one location but now the Holy Ghost is everywhere that the Church is. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesus' final words before He left this earth concerned the importance of the Church being equipped with the "Power" of the Holy Ghost(Acts 1:8) and Jesus commanded his disciples to tarry "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">until they were endued with power from on high</i>" (Luke 24:49).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what the disciples did and on the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit was outpoured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The initial evidence of this occurrence was speaking in other tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Just as Jesus had promised, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, had arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first outpouring of the Holy Ghost is recoded in Acts chapter two.</span></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 2:1-4</span></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">There were several supernatural evidences that occurred in this initial outpouring, but as you will see in further study, there is only one that is associated with all the other outpourings of the Holy Ghost found in scripture.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In the first outpouring there was: 1) “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind</i>” 2) “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">cloven tongues like as of fire</i>” and 3) speaking “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with other tongues</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all subsequent outpourings of the Holy Ghost you will not find the sound of a rushing wind or visible flames over the heads of the seekers, but you will find speaking in other tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not to say that those events cannot take place but they are not the prescribed Biblical evidence – speaking in unknown tongues is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a matter of fact, tongues are not only endorsed in the Book of Acts but in the writings of the Apostle Paul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friends, speaking in other tongues is Biblical, and whether you like it or not, is a part of the New Testament Church.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The word used in Acts chapter two for “Tongues” is the Greek word “Glossa” and it is interpreted correctly in the King James Version Bible as “Tongues”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not “Ecstatic Speech” as some theologians have tried to suggest but it was tongues/languages that had been previously unknown to the speakers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is bore out by the response of those that witnessed this supernatural event.</span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 2:5-11</span></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">If this would have been “Ecstatic Speech” or the enthusiastic babbling of a group of people caught up in a religious frenzy then there would not have been this response from the onlookers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saying this brings up the other claim by some that speaking in unknown tongues was a real event but it was only for that one time in history to help spread the Gospel to the crowd that was present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Word of God alone dismisses such claims for twenty five years after Pentecost in a closed meeting of twelve men at the Church at Ephesus the Holy Ghost is poured out:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 19:6-7</span></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">they spake with tongues</b>, and prophesied.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">7 And all the men were about twelve.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">If speaking in unknown tongues was purely for missionary service then God would not have bothered to produce this type of an experience in a group of likeminded individuals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pattern had been set at Pentecost and it continues in each case either by direct mention or implication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I get too far ahead of myself we need to go back to the chronological order as found in the Book of Acts.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The next mention of group of individuals being filled with the Holy Ghost is in a gathering of the original believers not long after Pentecost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This group was made up of many, if not all, of those that had originally experienced the first filling in Acts chapter two and no mention of tongues need be mentioned as this is a re-filling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Acts 8:14-17 (KJV)</u></i></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">After reading this you may be thinking, “It says they received the Holy Ghost but tongues is not mentioned”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are correct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This passage does not mention speaking in unknown tongues but something visible did happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at the next verses that follow.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 8:18-19 (KJV)</span></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">18 And when Simon <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">saw</b> that through laying on of the apostles' hands <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the Holy Ghost was given</b>, he offered them money,</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">There was a man named Simon present that watched as Peter and John laid hands on the Samaritans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible says he “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was some type of visible, tangible, manifestation that occurred to make a carnal man like Simon understand that something supernatural had occurred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this particular passage we are not told.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if we follow the New Testament pattern we must assume that what he saw was speaking in unknown tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would God venture beyond what he had already established as evidence?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Apostles understood this evidence and so did some sinners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, it could have been a rushing mighty wind, or tongues of fire sitting on top of the heads of the Samaritans but in no other passage in the Bible do we see those two phenomenon repeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we do see repeated is speaking in tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brothers and Sisters, I submit to you that unknown tongues is what Simon saw that day in Samaria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Paul said this about unbelievers witnessing the Holy Ghost being manifested:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1 Corinthians 14:22 (KJV)</span></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not:</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In this case tongues were most definitely used as a sign to the unbelieving Simon that something supernatural had taken place.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Next we come to the conversion of the Apostle Paul.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 9:17-18 (KJV)</span></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">be filled with the Holy Ghost.</b></span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The question is this: Did the Apostle Paul speak in tongues when he was filled with the Holy Ghost?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The historical account in the Book of Acts is very brief and no detailed explanation is offered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately for us the Apostle left us with other writings that shed light on his experience in the Holy Ghost.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1 Corinthians 14:18</span></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I thank my God, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I speak with tongues more than ye all</b>:</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1 Corinthians 13:1</span></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Apostle Paul makes it clear in these scriptures and many others that he was a part of the tongue-speaking experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He uses the same language that is found in the book of Acts to describe his experience, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I speak with tongues more than ye all</i>”, and no, Paul is not referring to being fluent in several foreign languages, for the context of his statements are about the supernatural gifts of the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul mentions “Tongues” at least twenty five times in his Epistles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was an important subject to the great Apostle and should be to us as well.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The next time we read about the Holy Ghost being poured out on a group of new believers is found in Acts chapter ten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This passage is very important to us because this is the first time that Gentiles were filled with the Holy Ghost.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 10:44-47 (KJV)</span></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost</b>.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">46 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">For they heard them speak with tongues</b>, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Again we see the same pattern repeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time the account clearly states that the Gentile believers spoke in tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Jews that were traveling with Peter were astonished that God was pouring out His Spirit upon the Gentiles in the exact same manner as he had been doing upon them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was the visible evidence that convinced these Jewish believers that God was pouring out his Spirit upon the Gentiles?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is found in verse forty-six, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For they heard them speak with tongues</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The statement alone in verse forty-six makes it clear that tongues were the expected sign to look for when a person was baptized in the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The New Testament Church had their benchmark to compare everything to and this is exactly what they did: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folks, it cannot get much clearer than that.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">When Peter was asked to explain what happened at the gentile home of Cornelius he replied with this statement:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 11:15 (KJV)</span></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And as I began to speak, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning</b>.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Peter tells the Church at Jerusalem that God was continuing what He had started in the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God was pouring out upon the Gentiles what he had at first poured only upon the Jews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking in unknown tongues was the irrefutable evidence of the infilling of the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter reaffirmed this position again in Chapter fifteen at the council in Jerusalem with these words:</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 15:7-8</span></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us</b>;</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It is important to note that Peter recognizes that the pattern was established in Acts chapter two at the Upper Room and that the early Church continued to look back on that experience to judge all subsequent baptisms in the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This reinforces speaking in other tongues as the normative evidence expected in every Spirit baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Evidence such as this would stand up in any court!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Now we come back to Acts chapter nineteen and the Church at Ephesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember that I stated earlier that this occurred some twenty-five years after the initial outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Acts 19:6</span></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;">And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues</b>, and prophesied.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Again speaking in other tongues is the evidence associated with the Baptism in the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking in tongues is not an aberration, as some would have us to believe, but it is the normal experience of each person that is baptized in the Holy Ghost.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In Closing</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I have covered all of this in a previous article entitled “Be Filled with the Spirit”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact of the matter is this: Pentecostalism is clearly scriptural, Biblical, and sound doctrine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only the Word of God can judge something to “Of the Devil” and in this case, the Word of God clearly backs up Pentecostalism.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I had a Baptist woman ask me once, “Where did all you Pentecostals get that speaking in tongues stuff from?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My answer to her was, “In your Bible”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folks, we did not invent “Speaking in Tongues”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did not invent “Lifting up holy hands” in worship. We did not invent clapping hands, singing, shouting, or even “dancing before the Lord” – all of these things come from the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pentecostal people seek to follow what the Word of God teaches and we do not ignore and avoid certain scriptures that do not fit our doctrine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We build what we believe on all of the scripture and not just one portion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In conclusion, I want to make it clear that Pentecostalism is NOT of the devil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There may be false teachers in our midst that are and false movements that claim to be Pentecostal that are, but Pentecostalism that is based on the Word of God is very much “Of God”.</span></span></div>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-31699105207617181692011-04-07T20:43:00.005-05:002011-04-19T09:46:41.548-05:00Be Filled With the Spirit<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "LilyUPC", "sans-serif"; font-size: 48pt; line-height: 115%;">BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Ephesians 5:18 (KJV)</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Command to Be Filled</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Are we asked anywhere in the New Testament to be filled with the Spirit?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did Jesus ask His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the outpouring of the Holy Ghost?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The answer to both of these questions is “No”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible gives us an accurate recording of what Jesus said concerning the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and Jesus did not “Ask” but he “Commanded” his disciples to tarry for the Holy Ghost.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Luke 24:49 (KJV)</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Would Jesus have been pleased with these disciples if they had chosen to ignore His command for them to tarry for the “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">power from on high</i>”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously the answer to the question is “No”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus commands and we are expected to obey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disobedience to the commands of Christ can sever your relationship with God and must be repented of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me to maintain a healthy relationship with God I must obey all of His commands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Ephesus and he commanded them to avoid alcoholic wine because it leads to excess (the Greek word is Asotia and it means: excess, riot, unsavedness).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the Apostle gives this command to the Church, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Be filled with the Spirit</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The wording of Ephesians 5:18 is unmistakable and in the very same tone as Jesus’ command for His disciples to “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tarry ye in Jerusalem</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is clear that being filled with the Holy Ghost is never offered as an option for the Church to either accept or reject as they see fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a matter of fact, nothing God commands us to do is optional and He expects us to obey Him in all things.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Many Christians believe in the Baptism in the Holy Ghost and they will heartily agree it is a real experience for today but they also believe it is optional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have an “I can take it or leave it” attitude about this great experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have that attitude then let me pose this for you to consider: Jesus thought it was necessary to be filled with the Spirit and before He began His ministry He went to the river Jordan and there the Holy Ghost landed on Him in the form of a dove and then before He left earth He commanded His followers to also be filled with the Holy Ghost before they began their ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Jesus thought it was necessary for Himself and His followers why do you think it is not necessary for you?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Being “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Filled with the Spirit</i>”, or as it is also called, the Baptism in the Holy Ghost, is not like an option on a car that can easily be left off if not wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When buying a new vehicle you have certain items that are optional, such as a sun roof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will a car operate without a sun roof?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can the car operate without an engine?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Baptism in the Holy Ghost is not a “Sun Roof” it is the “Engine”!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When I was a boy, the old Assembly of God evangelists that came through the little Church I attended preached the Baptism in the Holy Ghost was required to be in full obedience to Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One evangelist summed it up so well with a description of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and then he said, “It was the sin of disobedience that forfeited their right to remain in the garden – one sin of disobedience – if one sin can kick you out of paradise then one sin can keep you out of paradise!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This old evangelist was NOT saying that the Baptism in the Holy Ghost washes sins away, for he believed in repentance and the New Birth as taught in scripture, but he was saying that a refusal to follow through and obey the command to “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Be filled with the Spirit</i>”, when you know that it is a command of God, is an act of disobedience that could very well sever your relationship with Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obedience is necessary!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The word “Filled” used in Ephesians comes from the Greek word “Pleroo” and it means “to fill up completely, to cram a net full, to level at the top, to furnish, to imbue, to execute an office, to finish a task, to supply, and to verify”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are completely filled with Him then there is room for nothing else to enter into your life, for the enemy can pour nothing into a full vessel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the Baptism in the Holy Ghost that gives us this fullness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can see how important it is that each and every believer continues on to the experience of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Biblical Evidence for Initial Evidence</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">How can I know that I have been filled with the Spirit?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can I know that I have been baptized in the Holy Ghost?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has given a scriptural method in the New Testament that was consistent and normal and that evidence is still viable today.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I want to look at the New Testament pattern of the “infilling” of the Holy Ghost as found in the Book of Acts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Book of Acts is the first record of the exploits of the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of the events occurring in this book are a part of the age of grace that you and I are now a part of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Book of Acts has not stopped but is still ongoing today!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Book of Acts begins with the early disciples having obeyed the command of Jesus to tarry in Jerusalem until endued with the promised outpouring of power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over and over in His ministry, Jesus made it clear that He was going to equip His followers so they could do what He had called them to do.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">John 16:7</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">John 15:26</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">John 14:26</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">John 14:16-17</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">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.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">John 7:38-39</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus made it clear to His disciples the He had to leave them, but after doing so He would send the Holy Ghost back to earth as their comforter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First the physical then the spiritual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The physical form of Adam was formed first from the dust of the ground then God breathed the spiritual into him and made him a living soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This progression was maintained in Christ first coming in the flesh, leaving, and then sending back the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While on earth the devil had to deal with Christ in one location but now the Holy Ghost is everywhere that the Church is. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus' final words before He left this earth concerned the importance of the Church being equipped with the "Power" of the Holy Ghost(Acts 1:8) and Jesus commanded his disciples to tarry "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">until they were endued with power from on high</i>" (Luke 24:49).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is what the disciples did and on the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit was outpoured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The initial evidence of this occurrence was speaking in other tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Just as Jesus had promised, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, had arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first outpouring of the Holy Ghost is recoded in Acts chapter two.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 2:1-4</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">There were several supernatural evidences that occurred in this initial outpouring, but as you will see in further study, there is only one that is associated with all the other outpourings of the Holy Ghost found in scripture.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In the first outpouring there was: 1) “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind</i>” 2) “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">cloven tongues like as of fire</i>” and 3) speaking “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with other tongues</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all subsequent outpourings of the Holy Ghost you will not find the sound of a rushing wind or visible flames over the heads of the seekers, but you will find speaking in other tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not to say that those events cannot take place but they are not the prescribed Biblical evidence – speaking in unknown tongues is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a matter of fact, tongues are not only endorsed in the Book of Acts but in the writings of the Apostle Paul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friends, speaking in other tongues is Biblical, and whether you like it or not, is a part of the New Testament Church.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The word used in Acts chapter two for “Tongues” is the Greek word “Glossa” and it is interpreted correctly in the King James Version Bible as “Tongues”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not “Ecstatic Speech” as some theologians have tried to suggest but it was tongues/languages that had been previously unknown to the speakers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is bore out by the response of those that witnessed this supernatural event.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 2:5-11</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">If this would have been “Ecstatic Speech” or the enthusiastic babbling of a group of people caught up in a religious frenzy then there would not have been this response from the onlookers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saying this brings up the other claim by some that speaking in unknown tongues was a real event but it was only for that one time in history to help spread the Gospel to the crowd that was present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Word of God alone dismisses such claims for twenty five years after Pentecost in a closed meeting of twelve men at the Church at Ephesus the Holy Ghost is poured out:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 19:6-7</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">they spake with tongues</b>, and prophesied.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">7 And all the men were about twelve.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">If speaking in unknown tongues was purely for missionary service then God would not have bothered to produce this type of an experience in a group of likeminded individuals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pattern had been set at Pentecost and it continues in each case either by direct mention or implication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I get too far ahead of myself we need to go back to the chronological order as found in the Book of Acts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The next mention of group of individuals being filled with the Holy Ghost is in a gathering of the original believers not long after Pentecost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This group was made up of many, if not all, of those that had originally experienced the first filling in Acts chapter two and no mention of tongues need be mentioned as this is a re-filling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 4:31 (KJV)</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The next time we read about believers being baptized in the Holy Ghost for the first time is at the City of Samaria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can read about this in Acts chapter eight. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 8:14-17 (KJV)</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">After reading this you may be thinking, “It says they received the Holy Ghost but tongues is not mentioned”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are correct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This passage does not mention speaking in unknown tongues but something visible did happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at the next verses that follow.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 8:18-19 (KJV)</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">18 And when Simon <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">saw</b> that through laying on of the apostles' hands <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the Holy Ghost was given</b>, he offered them money,</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">There was a man named Simon present that watched as Peter and John laid hands on the Samaritans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible says he “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was some type of visible, tangible, manifestation that occurred to make a carnal man like Simon understand that something supernatural had occurred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this particular passage we are not told.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if we follow the New Testament pattern we must assume that what he saw was speaking in unknown tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would God venture beyond what he had already established as evidence?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Apostles understood this evidence and so did some sinners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, it could have been a rushing mighty wind, or tongues of fire sitting on top of the heads of the Samaritans but in no other passage in the Bible do we see those two phenomenon repeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we do see repeated is speaking in tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brothers and Sisters, I submit to you that unknown tongues is what Simon saw that day in Samaria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Paul said this about unbelievers witnessing the Holy Ghost being manifested:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1 Corinthians 14:22 (KJV)</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not:</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In this case tongues were most definitely used as a sign to the unbelieving Simon that something supernatural had taken place.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Next we come to the conversion of the Apostle Paul.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 9:17-18 (KJV)</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">be filled with the Holy Ghost.</b></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The question is this: Did the Apostle Paul speak in tongues when he was filled with the Holy Ghost?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The historical account in the Book of Acts is very brief and no detailed explanation is offered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately for us the Apostle left us with other writings that shed light on his experience in the Holy Ghost.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1 Corinthians 14:18</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I thank my God, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I speak with tongues more than ye all</b>:</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1 Corinthians 13:1</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Apostle Paul makes it clear in these scriptures and many others that he was a part of the tongue-speaking experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He uses the same language that is found in the book of Acts to describe his experience, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I speak with tongues more than ye all</i>”, and no, Paul is not referring to being fluent in several foreign languages, for the context of his statements are about the supernatural gifts of the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul mentions “Tongues” at least twenty five times in his Epistles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was an important subject to the great Apostle and should be to us as well.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The next time we read about the Holy Ghost being poured out on a group of new believers is found in Acts chapter ten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This passage is very important to us because this is the first time that Gentiles were filled with the Holy Ghost.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 10:44-47 (KJV)</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost</b>.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">46 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">For they heard them speak with tongues</b>, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Again we see the same pattern repeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time the account clearly states that the Gentile believers spoke in tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Jews that were traveling with Peter were astonished that God was pouring out His Spirit upon the Gentiles in the exact same manner as he had been doing upon them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was the visible evidence that convinced these Jewish believers that God was pouring out his Spirit upon the Gentiles?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is found in verse forty-six, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For they heard them speak with tongues</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The statement alone in verse forty-six makes it clear that tongues were the expected sign to look for when a person was baptized in the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The New Testament Church had their benchmark to compare everything to and this is exactly what they did: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folks, it cannot get much clearer than that.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When Peter was asked to explain what happened at the gentile home of Cornelius he replied with this statement:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 11:15 (KJV)</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And as I began to speak, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning</b>.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Peter tells the Church at Jerusalem that God was continuing what He had started in the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God was pouring out upon the Gentiles what he had at first poured only upon the Jews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking in unknown tongues was the irrefutable evidence of the infilling of the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter reaffirmed this position again in Chapter fifteen at the council in Jerusalem with these words:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 15:7-8</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us</b>;</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It is important to note that Peter recognizes that the pattern was established in Acts chapter two at the Upper Room and that the early Church continued to look back on that experience to judge all subsequent baptisms in the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This reinforces speaking in other tongues as the normative evidence expected in every Spirit baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Evidence such as this would stand up in any court!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Now we come back to Acts chapter nineteen and the Church at Ephesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember that I stated earlier that this occurred some twenty-five years after the initial outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 19:6</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues</b>, and prophesied.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Again speaking in other tongues is the evidence associated with the Baptism in the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking in tongues is not an aberration, as some would have us to believe, but it is the normal experience of each person that is baptized in the Holy Ghost.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Importance of Initial Evidence</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Now we have established the Biblical pattern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We now need to address the reason why a physical evidence is important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 39.75pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -21.75pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(1)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Visible Evidence.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We as people are oriented to what we can see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I know that the Kingdom of God is invisible but we still like to latch on to what we can see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking in tongues gives us a visible sign that something has occurred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God could have given us an inner “feeling” or any other sign but, in His wisdom he chose to give us speaking in other tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most Pentecostal groups refer to “Speaking in other tongues” as the “Initial Physical Evidence”, meaning that it is the first visible evidence that a person has been baptized in the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the first but surely not the last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a person limits the Baptism in the Holy Ghost to a tongues-only experience they will surely end up shallow and be easily deceived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need evidence to prove many things in life and God did no less when sending us the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 39.75pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -21.75pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(2)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Viable Evidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The word “viable” means real, practical, workable, the ability to grow and expand, to develop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance is an evidence that is workable, whereas a rushing mighty wind and tongues of fire hovering over the heads of the seekers is not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a simple evidence that can be expressed in any setting at any time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does not interfere (for the most part) with the normal functions of the Church but works within the framework of a spiritual gathering.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 39.75pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -21.75pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(3)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Verifiable Evidence.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This evidence can be verified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be heard and witnessed by others as well as the one that is speaking in tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not hidden so therefore it is open and subject to inspection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, tongues can easily be counterfeited and quite often are, but in the long run it is still advantageous for the Church to see verifiable evidence that someone has pressed forward and received the infilling of the Holy Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know from having prayed many people through to the Holy Ghost that this evidence is quite important to those of us praying as well as those receiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The early New Testament believers constantly looked for this verifiable evidence and when they found it they quickly testified of the evidence having been present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we in the Pentecostal Church do not demand that the evidence of speaking in other Tongues remains then in just a few generations it will be completely lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 39.75pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -21.75pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(4)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Victorious Evidence.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This evidence is verbal and therefore often filled with joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This evidence never brings defeat and sorrow but always fills the hearts of all within hearing with victory and joy.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">You might say that speaking in other tongues is the M.O. (Modus Operandi – mode of operation) of the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking in other tongues is the outstanding method of operation, it is the outstanding Biblical pattern and we would be foolish to ignore this simple pattern.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Dangers Associated with Tongues</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I will be the first to tell you that there has been much abuse in the area of tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The problems with tongue-talking did not start in the 20<sup>th</sup> century but started back in the first century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Apostle Paul had to address the issue of tongues and gifts in his letter to the Church at Corinth.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">When mentioning the Church at Corinth let me say right here that I have had to explain to individuals on more than one occasion that there is a difference between the tongues associated with the Baptism in the Holy Ghost and the tongues as a Gift of the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Baptism in the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in other tongues is for all believers but the Gift of Tongues as recorded in different passages of first Corinthians is a distinct gift that is given out as God sees fit for the edification of the Body of Christ.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1 Corinthians 12:8-11(KJV)</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Nine gifts are listed here and one of them is Divers Kinds of Tongues which works hand-in-hand with Interpretation of Tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Apostle Paul laid out specific instructions on how these gifts are to operate decently and in order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Gift of Tongues (Divers Kinds of Tongues) is used to arrest the attention of the Body of Christ while in a worship setting and then once that is accomplished the utterance is interpreted by someone with the Gift of Interpretation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tongues that are associated with the general infilling of the Holy Ghost are similar in function but different in purpose from the Gift of Tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Often an over emphasis on speaking in tongues results in an under emphasis of holiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see this quite frequently in the neo-Pentecostal churches of today where people speak in unknown languages but do not possess a holy walk with the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frequently these tongue-talkers wear skimpy and immodest clothing; frequent questionable places, use foul language, and engage in filthy habits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This, my Brother and Sister, ought not to be.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Fallacy of Prayer Language</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I have heard people say, “When you pray in tongues the devil cannot hear you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scriptures teach no such thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A prayer does not have to be in unknown tongues for it to be a spiritual prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have heard others say, “When you pray in the Spirit you will speak in tongues.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I agree that praying in the Spirit may involve speaking in tongues it is not limited to speaking in tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A person can be just as spiritual in a known language and just as unspiritual in an unknown language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walking in the Spirit is not just about tongue-talking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walking in the Spirit is walking in the Will and the Word of God.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It has become quite popular today to refer to speaking in unknown tongues as a “Prayer Language”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Word of God never refers to this evidence as a prayer language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certainly, when you pray you may speak in other tongues, but to fail to do so does not make you any less spiritual than those that do.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Additional Evidence</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Speaking in the “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tongues of men and angels</i>” is the initial physical evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost but it is not the only evidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many additional evidences, and any growing Christian will begin to immediately show others as they continue to walk in the Spirit.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Other evidences of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost in a believer’s life are an increased love the Word of God, a greater desire to be a witness, a heightened disgust with sin and compromise, an overwhelming hunger for holiness, and boldness to speak the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These evidences work closely with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It is important to note that Churches and individual believers that limit the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives to tongues only are sure to find their spiritual life suffering and their growth stunted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Baptism in the Holy Ghost is so much more than just speaking in tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tongues will come initially and believers that have been baptized in the Spirit will continue to pray in tongues throughout their walk with the Lord but they will grow in many other areas as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Errors Concerning the Baptism of the Holy Ghost</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Quite frequently I run into people that completely reject the Baptism in the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their line of reasoning runs from the benign, “It was real but not for us today” to the hostile, “Speaking in tongues is of the Devil”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very few people are neutral on this subject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">My Dad was raised Baptist and when my Mom got saved and began taking my brother and I to a small Assembly of God Church he boldly told her, “That is fine for you and the boys but you will never catch me dead in that Pentecostal Church”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am happy to testify to you today that my Dad did give his heart to the Lord and was in the Pentecostal Church for thirty-two wonderful years, and yes, he was filled with the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Nowhere in the Bible does it teach that God has done away with the Baptism in the Holy Ghost or speaking in tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked a man once why he believed speaking in tongues had been done away with and he quoted this scripture:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1 Corinthians 13:8 (KJV)</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This scripture does say that tongues shall cease but it also says that knowledge will cease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately for all of us we still have both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most certainly there will come a day when much of what we do now in the Church will not be necessary but as of right now we are still waging a spiritual warfare and trying to fulfill the Great Commission, neither of which we will be able to do without the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Another common error is to teach that one is not saved until they have spoken in tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible does closely tie conviction, repentance, regeneration, sanctification, water baptism, and the baptism in the Spirit closely together but it also makes it clear that a person is “Saved” once they repent of their sins (they make a decision to stops sinning).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is at this point that they are Born Again and become new creatures in Christ Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Holy Ghost will only fill a clean temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>B. H. Clendennen always said it this way, “The Holy Ghost landed on Jesus at the River Jordan after He was baptized in water by John the Baptist and today the Holy Ghost will only land on Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the Holy Ghost comes to fill us He looks to see if Jesus is there and if He sees Jesus He will land.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 19:1-2</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2 He said unto them, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?</b> And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It was obvious that these disciples were believers that Paul had met in Ephesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though they were believers they were operating on a limited understanding of what God had provided for His Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul would not leave them in that state but proceeded to share the good news with them of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had people tell me before to tune it down and leave people alone that are living for God without the Baptism in the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would I want to leave them out!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely it would be better for them to have all that God has offered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love this scripture for it says it so well:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Acts 18:24-26</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.</b></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This is exactly what we need to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aquila and Priscilla expounded unto Apollos all of the things that he was missing out on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This only heightened and strengthened Apollos’ ministry.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Why Should I Seek to be Filled with the Spirit?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Here is just a short list of a few things for you to consider.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(1)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We are commanded to be filled with the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Make no mistake about it, God is not asking our opinion on this matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has made it clear that He expects us to “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Be filled with the Spirit</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He commanded his disciples to “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tarry in Jerusalem</i>” until they were “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">endued with power from on high</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No options, no loop-holes, and no bargaining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throughout His entire ministry, Jesus stressed that He would be leaving and that He would be sending the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, back to earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is one point that He did not want them to miss and Jesus stressed this great truth over and over – even more so as he neared his ascension.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(2)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It is impossible to fulfill the Great Commission without the power of the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">There are two directives that Jesus gave to His disciples before he ascended into the Heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first was to “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature</i>” and the second was, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tarry ye… until ye are endued with power from on high</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The command to “Go” will never be accomplished without the command to “Tarry”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first thing the disciples did was camp out in the Upper Room for ten days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were not in the streets preaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were not in the streets praying for the sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were not writing books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were not out witnessing to the lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What were they doing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were waiting for the promised Comforter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just minutes before Jesus ascended into Heaven in Acts chapter one he said to His followers, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8)</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Power to be what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Witnesses!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The power to fulfill the great commission is behind the door to an Upper Room!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you try to bypass the Upper Room for your own ideas then you will be going without the promised power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no other alternative.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(3)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus saved you so He could fill you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The question must be asked, “Did the disciples belong to Jesus before they entered the Upper Room or after?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need look nowhere else than to the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read Jesus’ prayer in John 17 and you will see that Jesus tells the Father that “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">They are thine</i>” and in the next verse He says, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And all mine are thine</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such terminology makes it clear that those climbing the stairs to the Upper Room already belonged to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus sent them to that Upper Room so that His life could be lived through them by the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Baptism in the Holy Ghost is a definite experience but it is not the new birth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The imperative of every sinner is to repent and the imperative to every born again believer is to be “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">filled with the Spirit</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is too much at stake for you to reject this wonderful baptism because you are uncomfortable with it or because you have witnessed someone misusing this gift for personal gain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one’s experience is greater than the Word of God!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(4)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus was filled with the Spirit and we should do as He did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Make no mistake about it - Jesus was full of the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus performed no miracles and did no works until He first received this infilling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter preached these wonderful words in Acts 10:38, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">with the Holy Ghost and with power</b>: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very clear that what Jesus did in His earthly ministry He did by the power of the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This same power has been made available to you and I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not a power to speak in tongues but it is the power to do the works of God on this earth.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(5)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Holy Ghost is the seal on our redemption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">There are several scriptures that point out this great fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are a few:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Ephesians 4:30</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.</span></i></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Ephesians 1:13-14</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,</span></i></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.</span></i></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2 Corinthians 1:22</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.</span></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Practical Advice for those Seeking the Baptism in the Holy Ghost</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It is very important that you seek to be baptized in the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have probably noticed by now that there are several terms that refer to this mighty infilling, but all of them mean the same thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it is “Filled” or “Baptized” or “Poured Out” you and I must seek for this great Holy Ghost to come and make Christ alive in our life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are a few things to help you as you seek the Baptism in the Holy Ghost:</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(1)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Repent.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before you begin seeking for the Baptism in the Holy Ghost, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ye must be Born Again</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Baptism in the Holy Ghost is not for the unregenerated and it is not an initiation into the Body of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Repentance of any hidden sin must be made before seeking to be filled with the Spirit - repent of anything you know is wrong - repent of filthy habits - repent of unforgiveness, bitterness, envy, and such like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sin will prevent the Holy Ghost being poured into your life.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">John 3:3</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Mark 2:22</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.</span></i></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1 Corinthians 3:16-17</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">6 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?</span></i></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">From the time I was thirteen years old I had started seeking to be baptized in the Holy Ghost and it took me two years of seeking to receive this great infilling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not God’s fault but mine because during those two years I was listening to Rock & Roll music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One Friday night sitting on an outside bench at the Polk County Campmeeting the Lord spoke to me and said, “If you will give up that rock & roll music I will fill you with the Holy Ghost”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went home that night and broke the few records I had in my room and the next morning at prayer meeting the Lord filled me with the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Repentance cleansed the temple and the Holy Ghost moved in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(2)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Bible tells us to ask. We must ask Jesus – He is the Baptizer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must ask out loud and we must be bold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not ask those praying for you to baptize you, don’t ask the preacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seek the Lord Jesus!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the Baptizer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John the Baptist said of Christ, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">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”</i> (Matthew 3:11).<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Luke 11:9-13</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.</span></i></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.</span></i></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?</span></i></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?</span></i></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">13 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?</span></i></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">This is not just a simple asking as most picture in their minds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an asking that requires that something inside of you dies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>B. H. Clendennen used to illustrate this principle by citing Psalms 2:7-8, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a prophecy concerning Jesus’ coming to this earth in the form of a man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Father said to him, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus knew that if he were to ask for the heathen then He would have to die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we ask to be filled with this precious Holy Ghost, we must know that something within us must die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(3)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">After you ask Jesus to fill you with the Holy Ghost you need to begin to worship Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worship Jesus out loud – Don’t whisper, don’t mumble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Praise Jesus with all your might – worship Him fervently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lift up your hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not curl up in a ball – you are never going to receive the Holy Ghost that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen so many come to the altar to seek for the Holy Ghost and they curl up in a little ball and bury their head underneath their arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lift up your head and lift up your hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask Him to fill you and then praise the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(4)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Yield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">You must give over control to the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why did God choose speaking in tongues as the evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because the tongue is the hardest part of the human body to yield to God, and if the tongue is yielded then it should be no problem for the rest of the man/woman to be yielded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Women tend to receive the Holy Ghost easier than men (because to some extent they are accustomed to submission – but this is changing in our modern world).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pride will hinder many people from yielding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are worried what others may think of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One Evangelist was praying for a man to receive the Holy Ghost and the man was very proper and had nice head of hair with not one hair out of place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the Evangelist messed up the man’s hair he was filled with the Holy Ghost.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(5)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Tarry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Bible tells us that the original recipients of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost had to tarry for ten days in the Upper Room.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Luke 24:49</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I am not saying you will have to wait for ten days but you must be willing to tarry in the altars.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>If you pray for a while your arms and legs may begin to cramp up on you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get up if you need to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sit on the altar if you need to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walk around if you need to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, keep on seeking to be filled with the Holy Ghost.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A family member of mine was dealt with by God in a dream and he gave his heart to the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He began attending the Church where my Father-In-Law was the Pastor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not long after his conversion he began to seek for the Holy Ghost but had yet to receive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My Father-In-Law, Pastor Elbert Kinard, asked me to hold their Sunday services because they were going to be out of town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunday night I preached on the Baptism in the Holy Ghost and said in my message that you need to make up your mind that you are going to receive before you come to the altar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said, “Go get you a drink of water, go to the restroom, get all of that out of the way and then come to altar ready to tarry until you are endued with Power from on High.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just knew that God was going to fill this loved-one with the Holy Ghost that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I gave the altar call everyone came to the altar except for him – he went out the back door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was troubled but I had others to pray for so I went on praying in the altars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About ten minutes later he came back in the Church and went straight to the front where the others that were praying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked over and laid my hands on his forehead and immediately he began to speak in tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, how glorious it is to see God work in peoples lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was curious about his departure and after Church I asked him where he had gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me that he had went to the parsonage to do what I had suggested in my message and drank a glass of water, went to the restroom, and got all of that out of the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His act of faith and obedience produced wonderful results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God had gloriously filled him with the Holy Ghost and he did not have to tarry.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(6)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Utterance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In Acts 2:4 it says, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them the utterance.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Word “Utterance” used here means that the Holy Ghost will give you the “Words to speak”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means that the Holy Ghost will put the words in your heart and mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, you must speak them out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not believe in “baiting” people with certain words or phrases to help them receive the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are a few of the most ridiculous phrases that have been reported to me over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">See-My-Tie-Tie-My-Tie.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Shiny-Commode-Shiny-Commode.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I-Should-A-Bought-A-Honda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An evangelist related that a friend of his had visited a Church and was handed a piece of paper as he entered in the door with these words written on it: “I SHOULD A BOUGHT A HONDA”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later in the service they were all instructed to pull the paper out and begin reciting out loud that phrase and God would fill them with the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a tragedy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one is going to receive the Holy Ghost by reading tongue twisters, riddles, and rhymes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only the Holy Ghost can give you the words to say.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">C-O-K-E.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A dear minister friend of mine that is great preacher of truth today shared with me that when he had found the Lord it was in a Word of Faith Hagin-Copeland Cowboy Church (what a mess!) and not long after there was a revival in the Church and the evangelist told them all to say C-O-K-E over and over until God filled them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Folks, this is absolute apostasy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friend told me that he knew very little about God at that time but he knew that was not right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank God a short time afterward the Holy Ghost led him to a Church that preached the true Word of God.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The Holy Ghost will give you the “utterance”, He will give you the words, but you must speak them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will not force your mouth open and your tongue to move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must do so.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(7)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">You must speak out loud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one has ever received the Holy Ghost quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must speak as loud as you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Raise your voice in worship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You do not mumble when you speak to your friends and family – so speak up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the Holy Ghost gives you the utterance stop speaking in English and speak the words that He has given you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you speak the words the River will flow!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I have heard Bro. Clendennen tell this story many times of his infilling with the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said that he sought to be baptized in the Holy Ghost for the first year and a half after he was regenerated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Church he attended was conducting a “Brush Arbor” meeting outdoors that started on Easter and went all the way until the next fall (frost).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bro. Clendennen said that he just could not understand why he could not receive and asked the Lord why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord spoke to him and said, “I have tried to fill you but you won’t let me”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told the Lord then, “I will let you! Fill me tonight”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went that night determined to be filled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and Sister Clendennen went to the altar and he looked down and she was speaking in tongues, next he jumped straight up in the air and his hand went through the chicken wire on top of the arbor and he could not pull it back down, but the he realized he was speaking in tongues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God had filled him with the Holy Ghost!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because he opened his mouth and began to speak the utterance and the river flowed.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(8)<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Persistence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Persistence will pay off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you do not get filled with the Holy Ghost the first time you seek for the Baptism, don’t stop - keep on going back to the altar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The casual seeker will never be filled with the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must seek with all your heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must not allow anything to dissuade or discourage you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is God’s will for you to be filled with the Holy Ghost.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-66287104266235563692011-03-25T16:42:00.001-05:002011-04-19T09:46:41.548-05:00Doctrine & Experience<div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Abadi MT Condensed Extra Bold", "sans-serif"; font-size: 44pt;"><strong>DOCTRINE & EXPERIENCE</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoSubtitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><strong><u><em><span style="font-size: x-large;">2 Corinthians 3:6</span></em></u></strong></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em><span style="font-size: x-large;">Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.</span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><h1 align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">The Letter & the Spirit</h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Paul speaks of both the Letter and the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know from a careful study of this and other passages that he is speaking about the Law and the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The letter is the written word or law.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">To have the word written on paper is not enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Word must come alive in you by the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul said that he was not a minister of the Letter but of the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul was not discounting the written Word here but was making it clear that it is the power of the Holy Ghost that brings inspiration to what is written.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In another place the Apostle Paul said these words:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">1 Corinthians 2:4-7</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Once again the Apostle makes it clear that the Letter is breathed upon by the Holy Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All preaching that lacks the anointing of the Holy Ghost is dead and will produce death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only the anointing can destroy the yoke.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><h1 align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">The Purpose of Doctrine</h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Doctrine is very important for the health of the Church, but it alone is not enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If all you had was Doctrine but you did not have a genuine move of God’s Spirit then the Church would be dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many “Churches of the Letter” in our world today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have good sound Doctrine but their services are lifeless and powerless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They preach out of the same scriptures, sing out of the same songbooks, and function is many ways that are similar to Churches with Life, but there is no life in them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All they have is the letter.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We must have Spirit-filled services!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without Spirit-filled services churches fall into the Rut of Religion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They become formal and dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our services become boring and predictable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They become lifeless and stagnant.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Doctrine holds us firmly centered in truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need doctrine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But any doctrine that will not allow the Spirit of God to move will ultimately lead to spiritual dryness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many churches today either tilt to one side or the other on this issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the balance between doctrine and the Spirit is achieved the Church can go forward.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><h1 align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Doctrine and the Spirit</h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Doctrine & Experience: One alone is not enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes both to have a healthy church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you go all the way towards Doctrine then you risk dry, dead, formal, boring, predictable, and stagnant churches, and services.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">If you go all the way towards Experience then you risk becoming heretical and false.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see this today in the Charismatic Churches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are barking like dogs, collecting gold dust and angel feathers, treating celebrity preachers like gods, preaching unfounded and false teachings on Health & Wealth, and many more errors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There must be a balance!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">One man told me about a Revival in Louisiana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “They had a four week Revival and did not have preaching one single night!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beloved, this is dangerous!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need preaching.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><h1 align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Doctrine & Experience</h1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">In order to validate Doctrine in your life you must experience it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doctrine that is not lived has done you no good at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It not enough to believe in the doctrine of salvation you must personally experience it to benefit from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember B. H. Clendennen saying once years ago, “You can learn everything there is to know about food and still starve to death.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowledge alone will not fill an empty belly – you must eat of the food in order for it to do you any good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same is true of our doctrine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order for doctrine to benefit you it must be experienced.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It is not enough to believe the Baptism of the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking with other tongues, but you must experience it to benefit from this experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are both great Doctrines, but they are also great Experiences!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Unapplied Doctrine is only Theory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Applied Doctrine is Experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A man that only has Doctrinal Theory, and not Doctrinal Experience, is only Religious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A man that only has Experience but cannot back up his experience with Sound Doctrine is a Heretic.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Every Experience that I have must be examined in light of the Bible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any Experience that cannot withstand the scrutiny of the Word of God is false.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any Doctrine that cannot be experienced by the adherent is not worth the paper it is printed on.</span></div>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-26753202305750443592011-03-24T18:37:00.002-05:002011-04-19T09:46:41.549-05:00Re-Think Church????????<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Lately I have been seeing billboards advertising churches with the words “Re-Think Church”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I visited the website on one such Church and found that their idea of re-thinking the Church is to give the people another helping of compromise, worldliness, self-help, and prosperity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one is really re-thinking anything!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a matter of fact, The Church, does not need to be re-thought, for the original Church is the thought of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What man calls the Church needs to be brought back to the pages of the Word of God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not need a new kind of Church – what we need is for the Church to function in its original purity and power as it did in the Book of Acts.</span></span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The “Re-Think Church” movement is just another attempt by charlatans to re-package the Church into something more appealing to the masses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The re-thinking may include: Coffee Shops, Hip-Hop Music, Less Preaching and More Drama, Psychological Counseling, Contemporary Christian Music, and a no-commitment membership.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything has been modified so that nothing is ever negative, no one asks anything of you, you are not stressed in any way, and you can choose your own way to serve God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “Re-Think” Church is a “User-Friendly” Church. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not a “God-Friendly” Church.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesus said these great words concerning discipleship in Matthew 16:24: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.</i>” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These words make it clear that following Jesus is not about our comfort but about our willingness to serve Him at any cost. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Instead of Churches “Re-Thinking” maybe they would be better off doing a little “Re-Penting”!</span></span></div>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-34204254145366057132011-03-22T18:40:00.001-05:002011-04-19T09:46:41.549-05:00War Against Preaching<span style="font-size: x-large;">There is a war against preaching taking place right now! And it may shock some but this war is being fought not just out in the world but in our churches. Most churches today think more highly of music and singing than preaching. Drama is the little darling of the "seeker friendly" churches of today. The old-fashioned Hell-Fire & Brimstone preaching that I grew up on has been replaced in most churches by soft-spoken teaching. The Gifts of the Spirit have more respect than the five-fold ministry of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers. Many of todays evangelists could not preach their way out of a wet paper bag so then they resort to calling people out and "prophesying" over them. What a mess! I am so glad there is a remnant that stands for the truth! I still love good Gospel preaching</span>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687841109135253609.post-9026836094765875712011-03-21T18:24:00.003-05:002011-04-19T09:46:41.549-05:00Cottage Mentality or Tent Mentality?<div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Hurry Up"; font-size: 20pt;"><strong>COTTAGE MENTALITY OR TENT MENTALITY?</strong></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><i><u><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">Genesis 13:12-13</span></strong></span></u></i></div><div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.</span></span></i></div><div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.</span></span></i></div><div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><i><u><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">Genesis 19:1-3</span></strong></span></u></i></div><div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;</span></span></i></div><div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.</span></span></i></div><div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.</span></span></i></div><div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Division Between Abraham & Lot</span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">God had greatly blessed Abraham and we know as far as herds and servants are concerned he was very wealthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As God blessed Abraham the blessings overflowed on his nephew Lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything was going well for a time and then a conflict arose between the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot.</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Abraham came up with a solution to this problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He proposed that they split ways and that Lot could have the first pick of the land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lot chose the watered plains in the north, the plains of Sodom and Gomorrah.</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">Genesis 13:8-11</span></strong></span></u></i></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">God blessed Abraham for his unselfish attitude towards Lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God promised Abraham that he would give him whatever his foot walked upon towards the South, West, and East.</span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">Lot Pitched His Tent Towards Sodom</span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">The Bible makes it clear in our text that Lot dwelt in a tent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lot started out in a tent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pitched his </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><strong>tent</strong></span><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> towards Sodom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means that he did not arrive at Sodom in a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took him weeks, maybe even months to make it there but every day he moved his tent closer and closer to the sin-cursed cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over time Lot was gradually assimilated into Sodom.</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This is what is happening in the Church today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People are pitching their tents towards this world!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are not getting there in a day but they are slowly moving in that direction until they wake up one day and realize that they are now more a part of the worldly system than they are of the Kingdom of God.</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">People in our Churches do not become worldly overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes years!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it takes several generations for the Church to change!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What one generation achieves in God can be lost in the next generation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All religious movements are one generation removed from extinction!</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The process that saw Lot and his family assimilated into Sodom & Gomorrah took years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But day-by-day they became more and more comfortable with all of the sin around them until one day it did not bother them any more.</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Bible tells us that lot was vexed by the sin in these cities.</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i><u><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">2 Peter 2:7-8</span></strong></span></u></i></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">8(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)</span></i><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">It is good to be vexed by sin, but if you remain around sin long enough you will lose even that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lot may have been bothered by the sin, but his family easily adapted, and soon they saw nothing wrong with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today there are elders in our churches that are greatly vexed by contemporary Christian music (CCM) but they remain silent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They youth coming up are not bothered at all by it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is time that our elders took a stand on issues such as music, holiness, modesty, the authority of Scripture, doctrine, worship, the prosperity movement, and worldliness in our churches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">From the Tent to the Cottage</span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Lot started out in tent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tent implies a temporary condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A tent is a temporary residence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It lacks the permanence of a home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that Lot, and Abraham, lived in a tent made it clear that they were only pilgrims and strangers in this world.</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i><u><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">Hebrews 11:9-10</span></strong></span></u></i></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Lot started out in a tent but by the time we find him in the nineteenth chapter of Genesis he had moved into a house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not saying that having a house is a sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God forbid!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what I am saying is that this reveals that Lot had taken up residence in the most wicked city on earth at that time, Sodom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lot had settled down, he had put down some roots, he was now a permanent part of Sodom.</span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Sin of Sodom & Gomorrah</span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The twin cities of Sodom & Gomorrah were the most wicked of all the cities of that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the names, Sodom & Gomorrah, have come to be words that represent evil of all kinds, especially the sin of homosexuality.</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The list of sins that were present in those cities sound like a recounting of today’s newspaper headlines: Homosexuality, lesbianism, fornication, adultery, rape, child-molestation, murder, theft, and every evil thought of mankind were a part of those cities.</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Today it is no different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Catholic priests molest tens of thousands of children and the issue, though reported on briefly, is quickly swept under the rug and forgotten while the Pope is dotted on and admired by Kings and Presidents.</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Homosexuality has completely taken over movies, television, and all other forms of the media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today it is almost a crime to take a stand against this perversion.</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Promiscuity, fornication, adultery, pornography, and thousands of other sexual perversions continue to grow and multiply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing is sacred anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Yet with all of the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah the Old Testament Prophet Ezekiel gives us the greatest insight into their sin:</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i><u><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ezekiel 16:49-50</span></strong></span></u></i></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">50 And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Ezekiel sounds like he is describing America!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pride?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prosperity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Idleness in which to be entertained?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>America has more than any other nation on earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This wealth has led men to seek more ways to indulge the flesh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More free time to pursue their sins!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like Sodom & Gomorrah we stand in danger of fiery judgment!</span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Tent Mentality</span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">We in the Church need to have a “</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><strong>Tent Mentality</strong></span><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abraham had this mentality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He never became comfortable in this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abraham always knew that he was a stranger and a pilgrim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abraham always looked for another world.</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Tent Mentality is:</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><strong>1.</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><strong>A Mentality that is fixed on a better world- </strong></span><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">This world is not my home!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am just passing through!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our minds must be fixed on the Kingdom of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most in the Church are “To earthly minded to be any heavenly good!”</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><strong>2.</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><strong>A Mentality that is established in the Word of God-</strong></span><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"> One cannot be spiritually minded if their mind is not on the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we expect to have the “Tent Mentality” then we must focus on the Word of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like Brother B. H. Clendennen used to say so frequently, “God is not going to speak to you during the halftime of the football game”.</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><strong>3.</strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><strong>A Mentality that looks to Jesus as the all-in-all- </strong></span><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Jesus is the Alpha & Omega, the First & the Last, and the Author & the Finisher of our faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We press towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is the answer to everything!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a time that the Church fully understood this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did not look to man to rescue us from our problems, but we looked to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did not need a half-way house or the drug-addict.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We knew that Christ is the answer to everything!</span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Cottage Mentality</span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Lot ended up with a “Cottage Mentality”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He became a citizen of Sodom!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went even further!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got entangled in the politics of Sodom!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He became a leader in this wicked city.</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i><u><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">Genesis 19:1</span></strong></span></u></i></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom:</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Lot sat in the gate of the city of Sodom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the place where the city officials presided over the leadership of ancient cities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lot became a part of that evil worldly system.</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Today we see so-called Christians getting wrapped up in politics and the affairs of this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They campaign for political candidates, picket & boycott, write letters to congressmen, volunteer for political parties, and pass out petitions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Political activism has become the “New Religion” of the American Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of praying through in an altar of prayer they kneel before candidates and laws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friend, we are part of much greater Kingdom!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Kingdom of God everything is pure and holy!</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">They have the “Cottage Mentality”!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have taken up residence in Sodom!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are no longer looking for a heavenly city!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They like the cities here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of looking for a Heavenly city they are trying to reform Sodom!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “Cottage Mentality” is worldliness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Church is so worldly today.</span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">Taking Up Residence in Sodom</span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Many of the Church today have taken up the mentality of this world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have pulled up the tent and packed it away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now they have built themselves a foundation in this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This world is more important to them than the Kingdom of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their job is more important to them than the Church of the Living God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their career is more important than the Kingdom of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their promotion is more important than obeying the voice of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their mortgage is more important than the Mission Field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A new bass boat is more important to them than a new soul in the altar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A new four-wheeler is more exciting than the Gifts of the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another shotgun, another rifle, a $2000.00 deer lease?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No problem!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But try to get them to give another $100.00 to the building fund.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No way!</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Citizens of Sodom!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Denizens of Gomorrah!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t belong in that city that John saw coming down!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">“</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><strong>This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through, my treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue, the angels beckon me to heaven’s crystal shore, and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.</strong></span><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">”</span></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">“Oh Lord you know I have no friend like you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hear the sweetest praise from Heaven’s open door, and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">“Just a few more weary days and then I’ll fly away to a land where joys shall never end, I’ll fly away.”</span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">“To prepare a mansion Jesus said I’ll go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it were not true I would have told you so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just a little while to linger here below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m gettin' ready to leave this world.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">“I’m gettin’ ready to leave this world (of sorrow), I’m gettin’ ready for the gates of pearl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m keeping my record bright, watching both day and night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m gettin’ ready to leave this world.”</span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">“I’ve a home prepared where the saints abide, just over in the Glory-Land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I long to be by my Savior’s side, just over in the Glory-Land.”</span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">“I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory, and I heard about the streets of Gold beyond the crystal sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About the angels singing, and the old redemption story and some sweet day I’ll sing up there the song of victory”</span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">“Victory in Jesus, My Savior forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sought me and he bought me with His redeeming blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loved me ere I knew him and all my love is due him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He plunged me to victory beneath His cleansing flood.”</span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">“When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun.”</span></strong></span></div>Mark E. Herridge, Sr.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06543194582940651361noreply@blogger.com0