The BIG Picture (Q&A)

In this dispensation of grace, a person is not baptized WITH the Holy Spirit (Act.1:5) as what happened on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2. In this grace age, a person is baptized BY the Holy Spirit, (1Cor.12:13), thus sealing them into the Body of Christ the instant they are saved. I mention this because the Holy Spirit does not come upon us to empower us like in Pentecost. Today, we are filled with Christ (Gal.2:20) by taking in (receiving into us) the written Word of God. The true spiritual ‘fruit-bearing’ capacity we have is in direct relationship to the capacity of the Word in us. In other words, the fruit of the Spirit is the outward manifestation of our obedience to the living Word of God working inside us. If a saved person does not have the Word of God within them, then they are not walking by the Spirit. In actual fact they cannot. Thus, the fruit they will produce is of the flesh, which is emotional, fickle and selfish. If a saved person spends time in the Word, allowing ...

Why did God send us the Holy Spirit in the first place? I answer this question by posting an article written by Arthur Licursi which perfectly lays out the role of the Holy Spirit in this age of grace, as compared to the role of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in the Kingdom program. Also, Arthur clarifies how we interact with the Holy Spirit today and what it means to be ‘filled with the Spirit’. I encourage you to take the time to carefully read through this well-written and highly informative article: The Holy Spirit Today Paul exhorts the grace believers of this age to  “be filled with the Spirit.”  This is because today the  filling with the Spirit  is now a  goal , an  attainment ,  as Paul here, by inspiration, sets before the church. “Be filled with the Spirit”  (Eph. 5:18);  “be filled  with the fruits of righteousness” (Phil. 1:11); “ be filled  with the knowledge of His will” (Col. 1:9); “ be filled  with all ...

What are the differences between the Law and the Mystery programs?   This important question, neglected by many believers is answered by Paul’s epistles. Knowing the mystery program (as opposed to the Law) will help us to live according to the plan and will that God administers in the world today, as well as prevent confusion and malpractice of His Word. (Qualifying scriptures: Rom.11:13; 1 Cor.14:37-38; Rom.16:25-26) The Ministry of the Holy Spirit To Paul was given another new truth regarding the ministry of the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament they didn't experience the ministry of the Holy Spirit as we do today. The Holy Spirit would come upon a person to give them strength or wisdom for some purpose and then He would leave again. Today, the Spirit's ministry to the Body of Christ is clearly explained only in Paul's letters.  In the books of Romans through Philemon, the Spirit's workings are well documented, mentioning how He resides permanently within us, how He...

What are the differences between the Law and the Mystery programs?   This important question, neglected by many believers is answered by Paul’s epistles. Knowing the mystery program (as opposed to the Law) will help us to live according to the plan and will that God administers in the world today, as well as prevent confusion and malpractice of His Word. (Qualifying scriptures: Rom.11:13; 1 Cor.14:37–38; Rom.16:25–26) Holy Spirit Baptism We (the body of Christ) are not baptized WITH the Holy Spirit but we are baptized BY the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ.  Acts 1:5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body —whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free— and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. Paul was also given new truth about the Holy Spirit baptism. There is a big difference regarding this topic between the dispensatio...

Answer Request: I'm a Christian and I believe in Jesus and the Bible. My pastor at church spoke in tongues. I know it was because of The Holy Spirit since the Bible says so and its a good church, but I felt my heart jump like I was scared. Why is that? I love Jesus. In this Kingdom dispensation, the program of Israel under the law, the purpose of the baptism of the Holy Spirit was so that the disciples could receive power to be witnesses of, and be able to testify with signs that Jesus was the Christ and Israel's Messiah. The Holy Spirit would empower them to speak in tongues, to prophecy, to bring things to remembrance (John 14:26) and provide "signs" or miracles to validate their message during the Acts period. Remember that for Jews to believe a prophet or an apostle, they required signs to validate the message. The sign of tongues, (which was the ability to speak in other discernable, and intelligible languages, and not unintelligible words) , was ...

The Holy Spirit resides inside a believer. Since this is the case, I sense His presence within me, steering me, guiding me by His 'still small voice', and with the peace that He provides me to know that He always has the best in store for me. Personally I don't attribute any bodily sensations to the Holy Spirit, like a warm feeling or a fleeting touch on the shoulder, etc. These are just bodily sensations or the mind creating these awarenesses. I am aware that the Pentecostal and Charismatic denominations promote these external sensations due to their doctrine. I have come from these denominations and lived under this doctrine for years, but I speak for myself and from my own experiences when I say that whatever I experienced during those times was my own fabrication. Today, I believe that God works through His Word and not through physical sensations . He has called us to walk in faith, not in sight , (2 Cor.5:7). It can be a dangerous thing to seek out physical sensation...

The Spirit of Life, our seal unto redemption, placed within us at the moment of our salvation, is unceasingly working within us. The primary role of the Holy Spirit in us is to lead us into all truth. So, He will be interacting with you constantly, leading, training and guiding you through every action, through every decision, through every word you speak, and through every thought you have. To 'walk in the Spirit' is to train ourselves to be conscious of the lead of the Spirit within our hearts and even in our conscience. The more we give over to the lead of the Spirit, the more sanctified our live become. Gal.5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit , and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. BUT….I want to say something here. Something IMPORTANT!! The Holy Spirit will NEVER take over your life! You still have to live YOUR life! The Holy Spirit will lead you, but your decisions and your choices are still YOURS to make. The Spirit will NEVER take charge and control anyt...

A question in response to this post:  Should we have a 'Pentecost' encounter today? Question: Answer Request: So then, how do you dismiss the testimonies of millions of believers today who testify to a “Pentecost” experience? How do you explain the thousands documented in Acts that came to faith through the preaching of the disciples (not directly by Jesus) who also were baptised by the Holy Spirit? I can see how one may arrive to the conclusion you have drawn (although it is quite a stretch) but I and millions of others see no clear, unambiguous directive in Scripture that states that the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church has ceased, or that signs and wonders should not accompany those who believe.  Joel‬ 2:28-32 And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservan...

Do you really understand what it means to 'walk in the Spirit'? Is the concept of walking in the Spirit clear and meaningful, or is it vague and elusive? I'd like to write this short article to either confirm or clarify this topic for you. I trust it will bless you. Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit , and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. One can draw from many of Paul's passages to learn about spiritual living, but Romans.14 is one of my favourites, and the chapter that really opened my eyes to what it means to walk in the Spirit. Let's look at some focused verses [with my own added commentary] from this chapter to bring you to a simple, yet clear understanding. For some context, please note that Paul is writing regarding eating meat offered to idols. This was a contentious issue in the early church because the church at Rome was made up of both Jew and Gentile converts. The Jews were still mindful of Jewish laws while the Roman converts ...

Answer Request: Can you get to heaven without the Holy Spirit? In the Kingdom program (for the Jews under the Mosaic Law), receiving the the Holy Spirit was a very necessary step within the salvation process. Peter in his Acts sermon to the Jewish crowds, said the following, Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost . 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. The order of this observation was also of great importance. Without going into great detail, the ordaining of a priest (according to Mosaic Law in the Old Testament) was for a person to be (1) from the tribe of Levi. Then (2) they had to be washed w...

To answer this question, lets analyze what Jesus said to his disciples just before He ascended into heaven. Most of what we need to answer the question can be found in the following verse.  Acts 1:5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. ... 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Who baptized the disciples? The writings of Matthew and John make it clear that Jesus was the baptizer of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 3:11 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 : (See also John 1:33; John 14:16; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7) Why was the Holy Spirit to come?  Jesus provides the answer. It was so that the disciples could receiv...