Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Paul Email -4Oct2013- Acts 8 (Baptism of the Holy Spirit)

How you doin? It's amazing to me that there is such separation in theology or believe about the Scriptures. Baptism of the Holy Spirit is one that fascinates me the most. All the research I've done indicates that there is about a 50-50 split in theology about this baptism. I personally believe every word in the Bible. I believe there is a baptism of the Holy Spirit. When I first heard of this baptism I was interested in it for myself. I prayed, asked questions, and read the Bible in seeking this baptism. I believe I have received this baptism, but then I've read Scripture that indicates there is more then one baptism. Too big of a subject for one email. This would be a series of emails. I say these things in hopes to encourage you to not settle for where you're at with God, but to intensely pursue Him with fervor. Acts 8 today.
Philip (a disciple) is in Samaria performing great signs, wonders, and miracles. He is driving out demons and the people were paying attention to him and there was "great joy in the city". The apostle catch wind of this acceptance of the Word and sent the big guns there, Peter and John. The people were astonished by the signs and miracles that Philip was performing and they were being baptized. So why the big guns. Verses 15-17 tell us why. "When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit." COME ON!!!!!!! I believe every word in the Bible. These verses tug on my heart strings. I know my desire for the Spirit of revelation to reveal more of the fullness of Jesus that dwells within me is an answer to prayer. I constantly pray for revelation and wisdom. My heart for ministry is for those who have "simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus". There is so much more then that. AWESOME!!!!!!! Please don't get me wrong, acceptance is huge. It starts the process. My heart for ministry goes out to those who don't continue in the process or pursue God with everything they have. The apostles sent  Peter and John to take the Christians further. To turn Christians into followers of Jesus. SAY WORD!!!!!!! I believe that believing, seeking, and pursuing more revelation and wisdom of the fullness of Jesus that dwells within us is truly following Him. WOW!!!!!!! I love Him so much.
We're headed to the Hillsong Conference today to seek revelation and wisdom. To be stretched and challenge. To have our minds transformed by His goodness. COME ON!!!!!!! Go after Him today.

How you doin? I had to double dip today to share Stacey's awesomeness. I emailed about 2 verses in Acts 8. Obviously there's a ton more in Acts 8. Stacey pointed out a great example of a treasure hunt in the story of Philip and the eunuch. In the same story she recognized Philip being transported. She liked the New American Standard Bible translation the best. "When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea." (Acts 8:39-40) I love Stacey so much. Not only is she fine with super natural transportation, but she says "that's just cool". She also pointed how Philip just gets transported and finds himself in another place and he just keeps preaching the gospel. "That's just cool."

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