Friday, October 18, 2013

Paul Email- 18Oct2013- Acts 19 (Christian vs Follower of Jesus)

How you doin? I hope you read this email in entirety. It's two parts. First, Acts chapter19. I can't see how I can read verses 1-6 and dispute or disbelieve that there is a baptism of the Holy Spirit. There are several Scripture that make the baptism of the Holy Spirit clear to me, but this one is of such simple language. I'm still confused or in search of wisdom about speaking in tongues as a sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. God hasn't offered me insight on this... yet. I do know that the thought of one or more baptisms of the Holy Ghost really stokes my internal fire. COME ON!!!!!!! I really want to see into, live from, and understand the heavenly realm. It will hurt until I do. I'm not waiting for death. Death isn't my savior... Jesus is. OH SNAP!!!!!!!
Verses 23-41 is titled "The Riot in Ephesus". The thing that stood out the most was the demonic influence. "The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there." (19:32) People not in there right mind. Obviously not being led by the Holy Ghost. The fruits of the Spirit don't include confusion and lack of self control. Apparently this god "Artemis" is all about confusion and mayhem.
Second, I had an interesting day yesterday. I've never seen such a clearer separation between Christianity and following Jesus. I spent the day with someone who proclaimed "I'm a Christian" several times. He said it as justification, explanation, and a way out of sin. In other words... "I don't/wouldn't do that, I'm a Christian". This same person cheats the government of taxes, is pro-choice, knocked on wood while giving thanks to God for being cured of bladder cancer (surgically), and said that homosexuals are born that way and that it's a shame they're not going to heaven. This same person claims to have clearly seen Jesus praying for him in a dream during his time with cancer. He also claims to have received a visitation from his "angelic mother" from heaven. My spirit was in such unrest last night. God gave me such clear understanding of the difference between Christianity and following Jesus. The difference between receiving a "get out of hell free card" or a good "fire" insurance policy and truly receiving the love of God and the gift of the Holy Ghost. In Isaiah 29:13 God says:   
“These people come near to me with their mouth

    and honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship of me
    is based on merely human rules they have been taught.  

Other Scripture that speaks of this can be found in Matthew 15:3-20, Mark 7:2-23,  and Romans 14:1-6; 10-23. This is a very serious matter that really causes my discerning of spirits to be stimulated. I see it as a demonic influence. Perhaps the demonic spirit of religion. I will certainly be praying for this man and all others who are under this demonic influence. Fall in love with Jesus today and follow Him.
PS I also love the reminder of the importance of staying behind the Holy Ghost that the story of the sons of Scevia remind us of. (Acts 19:13-16)

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