PREPARATION PERIOD vs PREACHING PERIOD
When John the Baptist came on the scene this initialized the period of time called the “Preparation Period.”
Some jokingly say John the Baptist was a “road builder” as he paved the way for Jesus.
“The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of Jehovah; make level in the desert a highway for our God.” Isaiah 40:3 (See Matt 3:3; Mk 1:3; Lk 3:4)
John said of himself (John 1:23) “I’m the one Isaiah the prophet spoke of…” (my words, charlesj)
It was during the Preparation Period of time that John baptized Jesus “to fulfill all righteousness.” (Matt 3:15)
During this beginning time period, Jerusalem and all Judea (and the district around the Jordan River) came to John to be baptized, confessing their sins. (Matt 3:5,6)
Some of the Jewish leaders came to be baptized, but John ran them off due to the fact they needed to bring forth fruits unto repentance. (Matt 3:7-12)
“Then went out unto him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about the Jordan; and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance: and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you in 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 in the Holy Spirit and in fire:…” (Matt 3:7-12)
Notice here in these verses something very important is said and some miss it. Not only is John preparing the way for Jesus, but he cries out a warning to the ungodly Jews of his time. They have been warned and warned in the past by the prophets. Now John warns them again. I like the way the NLT puts it:
“Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.” Matt 3:10 NLT
This warning is finalized by Jesus Himself. Jesus cries out to them for the last time in Matthew 23:37-39.
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate. For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD!” NLT
Matthew 23 is continued on in Matthew 24. Matthew 24 is the carrying out of this warning “the axe is laid at the root,” that is, it’s judgment time. Matthew 24 is all about what Jesus warned them. All this took place in A.D. 70. God used General Titus to carry out the destruction, the “baptism of fire.”
I am writing on the Preparation Period and the Preaching Period so I don’t want to get into the baptism of fire, judgment. For those interested in talking more about Matthew 24, email me. If people understood Matthew 24, you would NOT have what happened in the last few days, that is, the “May 21st the end of the world” prediction. There is another prediction for sometime in 2012. There will be many more predictions in the future.
Each generation has a “false end of the world prediction” due to misunderstanding of Matthew 24. This false doctrine has caused a “mockery” to Christianity. These false predictions has gone on in the past hundreds of times and will continue in the future even if Jesus doesn’t come for twenty thousand more years.
I want to get our minds back on the Preparation Period which leads into the Preaching Period. The Preparation Period covers a period of time from Matthew 1 to Acts 1, whereas the Preaching Period covers the period from Acts 2, Pentecost, until the return of our Lord.
John the Baptist said, ““I indeed baptize you in 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 in the Holy Spirit and in fire:” Matt 3:11.
Primarily, there are three baptisms mentioned in the New Testament which we can choose from. They are:
1. Baptism in water.
2. Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
3. Baptism in fire.
The baptism of the Spirit was approximately three years in the future when John made the statement in Matthew three (Matt 3:11) AND it was not to be performed by Jesus until after His resurrection and ascension unto the Father. i.e. His glorification.
“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive: for the Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7:38,39.
“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 go, I will send him unto you” John 16:7.
Jesus preached for three years before He ascended to the Father. He prepared the people (Jews) for the kingdom of God via water baptism. He told his apostles that the baptizing in the Holy Spirit was soon to take place.
The apostle Paul said there was only ONE baptism, so what did he mean? “…there is only one baptism?” (Eph 4:4,5) Was he stating this emphatically – meaning that only one baptism was relevant to man’s obedience of faith? Or was he stating it in respect to time – meaning one baptism remained by the time he wrote this letter to the Ephesians (AD 60-62).
John the Baptist, his disciples and the disciples of Jesus baptized in water for the remission (pardon) of sins. This was carried out until the time of Acts 1, that is, during the Preparation Period. This was required of the Old Covenant people of God, the Jews in order to have their sins remitted. John and Jesus were “making” disciples through baptism. (John 4:1)
This part of my writing finishes up with the Preparation Period and now goes into the PREACHING PERIOD.
“being assembled together with them (apostles, verse 2), he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, ye heard from me: For John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence.” Acts 1:4,5
“And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49 (Remember now that Jesus is speaking to the apostles here in Lk 24:49)
Note that this “baptism of the Holy Spirit” was a “promise.” It was not a “command.” Jesus told His apostles to wait in the city (Jerusalem) for the promise of His Father and they would be “clothed with power from on high.” (This word for “power” used here is the Greek “δύναμις.” From this word we get our English word “dynamite.” This same word is used in Acts 1:8.)
Jesus did not baptize anyone in the Holy Spirit until after He completed His earthly ministry and began His heavenly reign.
The Bible clearly states that NO ONE was baptized with the Holy Spirit during the Preparation Period!
The Baptism of Fire was ALSO performed by Jesus and was still over 40 years in the future when John, Jesus and their disciples first baptized in water, or when John made this statement in Matthew 3:11. Logically and chronologically speaking, the baptism in fire was NOT to take place BEFORE the baptism of the Spirit, for the Spirit is mentioned first in the texts (cf Matt 3:11; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:4,5) where fire is not even mentioned, for it was not to be fulfilled while they were in Jerusalem. So, the baptism in fire took place after the baptism on the Holy Spirit which took place on Pentecost. Thus the baptism of fire was also not performed by Jesus nor received by anyone during the Preparation Period.
What baptism was being performed during the Preparation Period? What do you say? I bet we can safely say that it was water baptism.
The baptism of the Preparations Period was IMMERSION in water.
A. The words and terms used imply literal water, i.e. “water, much water, river Jordan, etc” (See Matt 3:6; Mark 1:5; Luke 3:16; John 3:5,23)
1. Jesus did no baptizing during this period, water or otherwise (John 4:2; 7:38,39; Luke 24:49) Jesus, no doubt, chose not to baptize anyone in any way during this period in order to keep His baptism separate from the one which man performs. Indeed this separation was maintained by His limiting of the performance of baptizing in water to men on earth and the performance of baptizing in the Spirit and fire to Him in heaven. They are separated by both time and place.
2. Only Jesus was to perform the baptisms of Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11). Men were in no way involved in the baptizing of sending forth of the Spirit. Thus when men are found baptizing people in the Bible, as they are in the Preparation Period, then it has to be in water, for they could perform no other!!
B. The baptism of the Preparation Period was a COMMAND OF GOD. All who rejected it rejected God (Luke 7:30; John 3:5)
C. The baptism of the Preparation Period was for the FORGIVENESS OF SINS (Mark 1:4,5; Luke 3:3,4). The Jews associated baptism with purification (John 3:25ff; cf Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 1:22)
1. This proves that baptism, though it saves, is NOT a meritorious work. Those who believe in the essentiality of water baptism unto salvation are often accused of believing that man must earn his salvation through works, baptism being a part of his upward climb toward heaven and thus a meritorious work. Yet baptism was not considered to be a meritorious work by John, Jesus and their disciples, and they considered it to be necessary to obey God and to receive forgiveness of sins, thus necessary unto salvation!! If they believed, taught, and performed baptism as necessary step in man’s redemption and were not accused of teaching that man had to earn his salvation (legalism), then why do men so accuse those who teach the same thing today? Were John and Jesus legalists?
2. This proves that John’s baptism was not just a baptism of repentance (excluding forgiveness). Many, in trying to deny or escape the obvious, say that John’s baptism was just a baptism of repentance and not for the forgiveness of sins. Even some of those who believe in baptism for salvation teach that John’s baptism was only such and not actually efficacious as in Christ’s New Covenant baptism (cf Acts 19:1-5; Hebrews 9:15-17). Both of these assumptions are wrong. John’s baptism was called a “baptism of repentance” due to the times and conditions of Israel. They were to turn from sin and towards Messiah (repentance) by accepting the terms of His forerunner, John the Baptist, in being baptized of him (Acts 19:4). John’s ministry and baptism were for the purpose of turning men back to God through Christ, and consequently, his baptism was called a baptism of repentance. Yet it does not matter what his baptism was called, it was still for (purpose) the forgiveness of sins. It could have been called a “baptism of expectation” or many other things, but such would not alter its purpose.
The baptism which was preached, performed, and obeyed by men in the Preparation Period – from John to Pentecost – as found in the four gospels was:
1. Baptism in Water – there being no other which man could perform, and Christ had not ascended to perform the baptizing in the Spirit and fire (Mathew 3:11; John 1:33,34; 3:23; 4:1,2; 7:39; Acts 1:4,5)
2. Baptism was commanded – (Luke 7:30)
3. Baptism which was for FORGIVENESS – (Mark 1:4,5; Mathew 3:6)
THE GREAT COMMISSION IS TO BE CARRIED OUT DURING THE “PREACHING PERIOD.” It started on Pentecost and will continue until Messiah Jesus comes back.
After the resurrection of Jesus He told His apostles to meet Him on a mountain in Galilee. He told them:
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” This period of time was the ending of the “Preparation Period” and going into the “Preaching Period.”
After telling them what amounts to “I’m in charge of everything (King Jesus) both here on earth and in heaven” He then tells the apostles to make disciples:
“go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 19,20) ASV
1. He commands the apostles to make disciples,
2. He then tells them how to make disciples “by baptizing them”
3. He tells the apostles to “make disciples of all nations (Gentiles)”
4. He tells them by what authority to baptize them, “In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
5. After making a disciple, He says to teach them.
6. Also, He tells them how long this was to go on… “unto the end of the world.”
(BTW, “go ye therefore” is from the Greek word, “πορεύομαι,” and is translated “as you go” in Matthew 10:7)
Jesus gave this command to His apostles at the end of His ministry on earth and the beginning of the “Preaching Period.”
Christians call Matthew 28:19,20 the “Great Commission.” This expression, Great Commission speaks of the commission given to the “Witnesses” (apostles) to present the gospel to the world.
Jesus tells the apostles (Acts 1:2) that they shall be witnesses (Acts 1:8) :
“you (apostles) will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8
WHAT DID THE APOSTLES WITNESS?
“He (Jesus) said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” Luke 24:47
Witnesses of what things?
1. Christ suffered, died.
2. He rose from the dead on the third day.
3. Repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His Name to all nations.
4. They were to begin at Jerusalem and then into the whole world.
This is called the Great Commission when you compare it with the “limited commission.” The Great Commission was to the whole world whereas the limited commission was to the house of Israel.
These “witnesses” went out into the world and testified that the scriptures had been fulfilled in Jesus.
Hear the apostle Paul:
“Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures; and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve; then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep; then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to the child untimely born, he appeared to me also.” 1 Cor 15:1-8
Today, there are NO living witnesses.
The apostles (witnesses) have gone on to be with the Lord.
Let’s pause for a moment and look at “AUTHORITY.”
God delegated AUTHORITY to His Son, Jesus Christ
• John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
• Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Jesus delegated AUTHORITY to His apostles:
• John 13:20 I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."
(Jesus here, is talking about the one’s He sent, His apostles, His witnesses!)
• John 20:21 Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.“ (apostles)
The Holy Spirit guided the Apostles
Again, Jesus was talking to His apostles and said:
• John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
• John 16:12-15 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.”
• 1 Corinthians 2:10-13 “…God has revealed it to us (apostles) by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we (apostles) speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.”
The apostles wrote the Bible:
(by the Spirit of God)
• Ephesians 3:1-5 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.
We are not to “add to” nor “take away” from the written Word:
• Revelation 22:18-19 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
• Galatians 1:8-9 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
• 1 Corinthians 4:6 Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another
In the Bible, God told us “everything He is going to tell us”!:
• God has all authority. He has delegated ALL Authority to his Son.
• His Son delegated Authority to His Apostles. The apostles have the same authority as Christ.
• Through the Holy Spirit, the apostle’s have written the Word through “Epistles.” (Letters) and these letters have been put into book form. (We call it the “Bible”)
• Through the terms of the New Covenant we know:
-how to worship God,
-how to be obedient,
-how to be saved,
-the government of the church
-and how to live our lives as a Christian.
Today, Christians are under the commission given to Timothy:
“Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” 2 Tim 2:1,2
We pass on what was committed to Timothy’s trust.
“Hold the pattern of sound words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee guard through the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in us.” 2 Tim 1:13,14
There is only one true gospel (taught by all the Disciples of Christ (anything less or more is a false gospel!))
Galatians 1:6-12
“I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel; which is not another gospel only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema. As we have said before, so say I now again, if any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be anathema. For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ. For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man. For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Notice in the book of Mark:
“he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.” Mark 16:16
Again, hear Peter carrying out the Great Commission:
“Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38
Paul carrying out the Great Commission:
“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.” Acts 16:14,15
What Paul preached in one assembly (church) he preached the same thing in all (1 Cor 4:17) This is called “pattern” preaching. Just as Moses was given a “pattern” to follow in building the tabernacle (Heb 8:5) God has a pattern to follow in the New Testament. This word for pattern used in Heb 8:5 is the Greek word “tupos” and means “mold, pattern, mark.” It carries the same idea of a woman with a dress pattern. Whenever that woman makes the dress from that pattern (tupos) all the dresses will be identical in design.
We find this Greek word used in Romans 6:17,18. In this chapter, Paul was speaking to some Roman Christians speaking of eternal life in Christ (Ro 5:21) and speaks of sin in Rom 6:1,2 and then asked them if they were ignorant in the fact that when they were baptized they were BURIED WITH HIM (Christ)…
“are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.” Rom 6:3, 4
And then in verse 8, Rom 6:8 Paul says:
“But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him;…” (You “die with Him during baptism. Also, this is the time that God adds you to the assembly (Acts 2:47, “church” KJV) and that you put on Christ (Gal 3:27). Baptism is a burial and resurrection. You emulate what Christ did in baptism.)
Now skip down to Romans 6:17,18: (Remember the context of this chapter)
“But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient from the heart to that form (tupos) of teaching whereunto ye were delivered; and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness.” Romans 6;17,18
Here in Romans 6:17, 18 we learn that these people Paul was speaking to obeyed a “form of teaching” (KJV has “form of doctrine”). What “form of teaching” do you think the apostle was teaching? Context of Romans 6:3ff is the GREAT COMMISSION! This was the pattern of the early church.
When one obeyed from the heart “that form of teaching” they were obeying a pattern taught in all the churches. When one obeyed “that form of teaching” the result was “A new Christian.” This is like the woman’s dress pattern. This pattern of teaching always produced a Christian, nothing else, not a Protestant, not a Catholic, not a Jehovah Witness, etc. etc. , just a Christian.
THE PREACHING PERIOD was DIFFERENT THAN THE PREPARATION PERIOD OF PREACHING.
On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out. Acts 2.
Holy Spirit baptism was NOT CONTINUALLY PERFORMED DURING THE Preaching Period. In fact, it was not performed ONE SINGLE TIME after Pentecost!
1. The Holy Spirit is a divine person, and all of His person was poured forth on Pentecost (Acts 2:17, 33). A part of a person cannot be poured out or sent forth (John 3:34 ASV). If I am sent on an age-lasting mission, then all of me is sent, and if I do not forsake my mission I do not need to be sent again. This it was with Christ’s baptizing in the Spirit. Christ “poured” forth all the Spirit sufficiently for all men for all time. This does not mean the Spirit ws liquefied and poured out of a bottle, but the term is figurative and simply means that Christ sent forth the Spirit in gushing abundance.
“…He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration (baptism in water) and renewing by the Holy Spirit (gift to the baptized) whom He (Spirit) poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior” Titus 3:5,6 (prentices mine, charlesj)
God promised to send all of the Spirit (John 14:16). Peter said all the Spirit had been poured out (Acts 2:17) To assert that the Spirit is still being poured out today is to imply that Jesus only poured forth “part” of the Spirit, making liars of both Jesus and Peter.
2. The terms “pouring forth or baptizing in the Spirit” do no occur again after Pentecost (except in the past or perfect tense.) The terms “Coming on, falling on, fell on, and filled with” are not to be confused with the “pouring” or the baptizing, for they are not synonymous.
The Spirit, having being sent, was to remain on earth to serve as a comforter and guide to the apostles (John 14:16-18, 26) and to indwell God’s people and church as representative of the entire Godhead (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Ephesians 2:22). He did not forsake His commission nor God’s people by returning to haven and leaving them desolate, i.e. orphaned. Such would be the case if He was not present with them at all times and needed to be poured forth or sent from heaven time and again. God’s Word plainly teaches that the Spirit was sent only once, and that having been sent, He remaineth!! This is not merely a human deduction but rather a scriptural conclusion, for the Greek text is clear and concise on this mater. Notice the tenses of the verbs I reference to the completeness and finality of the one time pouring of the Spirit on Pentecost.
“For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says, ‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;” Acts 2:15-17.
Peter said that Joel’s prophecy of this future event (I will pour fourth) was then a present reality (“this is that” or “this was spoken by the prophet Joel”) If one wants the TOTAL fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy concerning the pouring forth of the Spirit, then he as just found it in this text! Acts 2 fulfills that part of Joel 2. “This is that.” To the modern day claimants of such an outpouring we must say: “when Peter said this is that, then that was it, and that’s that!” The pouring out of the Spirit on Pentecost was full and final.
“This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses. Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear.” Acts 2:32,33.
This passage shows that the pouring forth of the Spirit, WAS NOT an action which continued. Peter used the tense “hath poured.” Peter used the aorist tense “hath poured” in describing the phenomenal presence of the Spirit. (The aorist or simple past tense in the Greek expresses completed –action in the past.) The text says tht Jesus had poured out the Spirit and not that He was pouring Him out. If Peter would have had in mind a continual outpouring, he would have used the present tense – “He is pouring.” Yet such is not the case here nor anywhere else in all of God’s Word. Indeed, the Spirit’s power was continually being displayed for all to see (Acts 2:43), but this was resultant of the pouring and His presence and not a continuation of the pouring.
3. “And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.” Acts 2:38,39.
Peter tells us here that the Spirit is a gift (His person and not His power) is for all called out children of God (cf 2 Thes 2:14). The Spirit had been poured out and was available to indwell the heart of every obedient believer (Acts 5:32). Notice that an OUTPOURING of the Spirit was NOT promised but rather the OURPOURED Spirit. This is a far cry from receiving the so-called baptismal experience of the Holy Spirit as advocated by the sensationalists of our day. All three thousand baptized believers on Pentecost received the entire person of the Spirit as an indwelling gift, and not one of them went into an explicable-uncontrollable fit.
“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word. And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 10:44,45
This passage has been used as a proof text by two entirely different schools of thought. One group teaches that this is the second and last recorded case of Holy Spirit baptism (the first being upon the twelve apostles only at Pentecost). The other group teaches that this is but another example proving that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was to continue for all time and was for all men. (This latter group understands practically every action of the Spirit as Spirit baptism. i.e. filled with, with, upon, full of, came on, fell on, etc. etc.)
Though this text has been used by these two opposing schools of thought, it does not support either one of them.
Here is what the text does say and teach:
Verse 44a. “…while Peter yet spake these words…”
Fact 1 Peter was preaching to Gentiles. This was because the Spirit commanded him to (Acts 10:20, 22; 11:12; 15:7)
Fact 2 It is evident from the contents of chapter ten, eleven and fifteen that Peter was not yet ready to baptize them without circumcising them first. (Acts 10:28; 11:2,3, 18-19; 15:1-5). They were told words, by which upon compliance, they were saved from their sins (Acts 10:43, 48)
Verse 44b. “…the Holy Spirit fell on them” (on Cornelius, kinsmen and friends –v.24).
Fact 1 this was a “baptism of the Spirit.” This does NOT say the Spirit was POURED upon them or they were then being baptized with Him. First the word FELL does not mean POUR. Second, this is an action which the Spirit did directly Himself and NOT that which Christ participated in as in the baptism.
Fact 2 This was not for the purpose of saving them, for the Spirit is given AFTER one is saved and NOT to save (Galatians 4:6f; Ephesians 1:13,14)
Fact 3 This was NOT for the purpose of showing to Peter that they had been saved – having received the gift of tongues as proof that the Spirit indwelled them as sons of God. For one receives the Holy Spirit by being baptized in water (Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:26,27), and they had not yet been baptized (V. 48). Also, the reception of power from the Spirit, as these tongues, is NOT a sign of salvation, a consequence of salvation, or even limited to one who is saved. Balaam’s ass, Caiphas, and now Cornelius, were all empowered apart from salvation (Numbers 22:28; John 11:49-52)
Fact 4 This manifestation of the Spirit’s power was but a God-sent sign to Peter that uncircumcised Gentiles were included in God’s scheme of redemption (Acts 10:28; 11:18; 15:14,15). The Lord DID NOT DIE FOR ONE NATION (Acts 10:34; cf John 3:16), and He did not promise to pour forth the Spirit upon just one nation (Luke 3:16; Acts 1:4,5) No, Jesus did not limit or even qualify who the Spirit was being poured out for; But Joel DID (Joel 2:28); and Peter himself had said the Spirit had been poured out for ALL (Acts 2:17). The Gentiles were included in those “AFAR OFF” (Acts 2:39; Epheisans 2:11, 13).
But this passage makes it obvious that Peter did NOT fully, or at least correctly, understand that the Gentile could receive salvation and the Spirit without becoming a Jewish Proselyte, i.e., be circumcised, for without such the Jews looked on the Gentiles as unclean (Acts 10:28; 11:3). Thus there was a barrier between the Jew and the Gentile, the Law, of which circumcision was a token for accepting the whole (Acts 15:1-5). Peter had not yet understood that this “middle wall of partition” had been removed completely by Christ at the cross, and that now ALL men, Jew and Gentile alike, could be saved by Christ’s new law of faith (Eph 2:14,15; Col 2:14; Acts 15:9; Romans 3:27; 1 Cor 9:21). Well, Peter may not have understood this fully up until this point, even though he preached the truth in chapter two (Acts 2:17, 39), but AFTER the Spirit’s ILLUSTRATION – “…no man unclean” (Acts 10:11-16, 10:28), COMMAND “go making no distinction” (Acts 10:20; 11:12) and His empowering of these uncircumcised Gentiles (Acts 10:44; 11:17), he did!! That is, he understood.
Fact 5 The Spirit’s purpose, therefore, in falling on Cornelius was to signify to all Jews that Gentiles could receive the Spirit in water baptism and not that all men would receive the gift of tongues in Spirit baptism, which does not even occur in this chapter! (Acts 10)
V. 45 (Acts 10:45) All the Jews were amazed “because that on the Gentiles also was poured (perfect tense!!) out the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Fact 1 First, there is amazement. WHY? Because God had worked a miracle through an uncircumcised Gentile? To a degree, yes, but really because of what this implied – that God was going to accept the Gentiles apart from circumcision. Proof of this is seen in what Peter’s attention was called to – to the pouring out of God’s Spirit on all flesh on Pentecost. Logically speaking, this has to be the event which was called to mind, for (1) when else do we find the term “poured out Spirit?” (2) What other period would come to Peter’s mind in which Jesus had told him of the coming of the holy Spirit (Acts 1:4,5; 11:16) Thus this caused Peter to reflect back upon the fulfillment that caused Peter to reflect back upon the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise and upon that great sermon he had preached in which he said that the poured out Spirit of promise was for not only the Jews, but also to those afar off, the GENTILES! That’s right. Peter, preached salvation in Christ was for all men alike!
Fact 2 This POURING out of the Spirit mentioned in this text was not in reference to what had just happened to Cornelius. It was in reference to what happened on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:16,17). Proof: Luke, the writer of the Book of Acts, used the “perfect tense” here “was poured.”
This tense is specific in the Greek and denotes a past completed (point) action which resulted in a continued state of being. The main emphasis in this tense is not on the time of the action, but on the results of that action. In other words, the action of pouring had been completed in the past but the results were continuing – the Spirit remained! If Luke had wanted to show that Peter understood that the Spirit had just then been poured out on Cornelius, then he would have used the simple past tense as he did in chapter two. (Acts 2:33) Yet his main point of emphasis was not that the Spirit had just been poured out, He hadn’t, but that the Spirit who had been poured out on Pentecost was available for all men to receive alike. This shows the Spirit which Christ poured out on Pentecost ever remained to be received, but the pouring out did not!
Fact 3 This passage says that the Spirit had been poured on the Gentiles (all nations) and not just on Cornelius and those with him. This, once again, shows that their minds were called back to the one time pouring out of the Spirit on all flesh on Pentecost (Acts 2:17).
Fact 4 That which was poured out on all nations (made available to all nations, even as the blood of Christ was once poured out for all men – Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 10:10-12) was not a gift from the Spirit, but the gift of the Spirit.
Thus Christ has given the Spirit as a gift to the world, and the Spirit gave gifts to those whom he willed. Cornelius had received a gift from the Spirit without being saved (Acts 10:44; 11:17; 15:8). Then he obeyed God’s command to be baptized in water and received the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit Himself (Acts 10:48; Acts 2:38). God is no respecter of persons when it comes to salvation. All men must work righteousness or obey His will to be acceptable to Him (Acts 10:34). Cornelius was no exception to the rule and was not saved until he obeyed the words of Peter in Acts 10:48 (cf Acts 11:14).
These few passages show that the Spirit came on Pentecost, remained, and need NOT to be sent again.
(Part of this study came from Gerald Wright. Used by permission)
May the Lord bless us as we study His Word. If you have any questions, please email me.
charlesj
When John the Baptist came on the scene this initialized the period of time called the “Preparation Period.”
Some jokingly say John the Baptist was a “road builder” as he paved the way for Jesus.
“The voice of one that crieth, Prepare ye in the wilderness the way of Jehovah; make level in the desert a highway for our God.” Isaiah 40:3 (See Matt 3:3; Mk 1:3; Lk 3:4)
John said of himself (John 1:23) “I’m the one Isaiah the prophet spoke of…” (my words, charlesj)
It was during the Preparation Period of time that John baptized Jesus “to fulfill all righteousness.” (Matt 3:15)
During this beginning time period, Jerusalem and all Judea (and the district around the Jordan River) came to John to be baptized, confessing their sins. (Matt 3:5,6)
Some of the Jewish leaders came to be baptized, but John ran them off due to the fact they needed to bring forth fruits unto repentance. (Matt 3:7-12)
“Then went out unto him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about the Jordan; and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said unto them, Ye offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of repentance: and think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And even now the axe lieth at the root of the trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you in 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 in the Holy Spirit and in fire:…” (Matt 3:7-12)
Notice here in these verses something very important is said and some miss it. Not only is John preparing the way for Jesus, but he cries out a warning to the ungodly Jews of his time. They have been warned and warned in the past by the prophets. Now John warns them again. I like the way the NLT puts it:
“Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.” Matt 3:10 NLT
This warning is finalized by Jesus Himself. Jesus cries out to them for the last time in Matthew 23:37-39.
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate. For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD!” NLT
Matthew 23 is continued on in Matthew 24. Matthew 24 is the carrying out of this warning “the axe is laid at the root,” that is, it’s judgment time. Matthew 24 is all about what Jesus warned them. All this took place in A.D. 70. God used General Titus to carry out the destruction, the “baptism of fire.”
I am writing on the Preparation Period and the Preaching Period so I don’t want to get into the baptism of fire, judgment. For those interested in talking more about Matthew 24, email me. If people understood Matthew 24, you would NOT have what happened in the last few days, that is, the “May 21st the end of the world” prediction. There is another prediction for sometime in 2012. There will be many more predictions in the future.
Each generation has a “false end of the world prediction” due to misunderstanding of Matthew 24. This false doctrine has caused a “mockery” to Christianity. These false predictions has gone on in the past hundreds of times and will continue in the future even if Jesus doesn’t come for twenty thousand more years.
I want to get our minds back on the Preparation Period which leads into the Preaching Period. The Preparation Period covers a period of time from Matthew 1 to Acts 1, whereas the Preaching Period covers the period from Acts 2, Pentecost, until the return of our Lord.
John the Baptist said, ““I indeed baptize you in 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 in the Holy Spirit and in fire:” Matt 3:11.
Primarily, there are three baptisms mentioned in the New Testament which we can choose from. They are:
1. Baptism in water.
2. Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
3. Baptism in fire.
The baptism of the Spirit was approximately three years in the future when John made the statement in Matthew three (Matt 3:11) AND it was not to be performed by Jesus until after His resurrection and ascension unto the Father. i.e. His glorification.
“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive: for the Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7:38,39.
“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 go, I will send him unto you” John 16:7.
Jesus preached for three years before He ascended to the Father. He prepared the people (Jews) for the kingdom of God via water baptism. He told his apostles that the baptizing in the Holy Spirit was soon to take place.
The apostle Paul said there was only ONE baptism, so what did he mean? “…there is only one baptism?” (Eph 4:4,5) Was he stating this emphatically – meaning that only one baptism was relevant to man’s obedience of faith? Or was he stating it in respect to time – meaning one baptism remained by the time he wrote this letter to the Ephesians (AD 60-62).
John the Baptist, his disciples and the disciples of Jesus baptized in water for the remission (pardon) of sins. This was carried out until the time of Acts 1, that is, during the Preparation Period. This was required of the Old Covenant people of God, the Jews in order to have their sins remitted. John and Jesus were “making” disciples through baptism. (John 4:1)
This part of my writing finishes up with the Preparation Period and now goes into the PREACHING PERIOD.
“being assembled together with them (apostles, verse 2), he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, ye heard from me: For John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence.” Acts 1:4,5
“And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city, until ye be clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49 (Remember now that Jesus is speaking to the apostles here in Lk 24:49)
Note that this “baptism of the Holy Spirit” was a “promise.” It was not a “command.” Jesus told His apostles to wait in the city (Jerusalem) for the promise of His Father and they would be “clothed with power from on high.” (This word for “power” used here is the Greek “δύναμις.” From this word we get our English word “dynamite.” This same word is used in Acts 1:8.)
Jesus did not baptize anyone in the Holy Spirit until after He completed His earthly ministry and began His heavenly reign.
The Bible clearly states that NO ONE was baptized with the Holy Spirit during the Preparation Period!
The Baptism of Fire was ALSO performed by Jesus and was still over 40 years in the future when John, Jesus and their disciples first baptized in water, or when John made this statement in Matthew 3:11. Logically and chronologically speaking, the baptism in fire was NOT to take place BEFORE the baptism of the Spirit, for the Spirit is mentioned first in the texts (cf Matt 3:11; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:4,5) where fire is not even mentioned, for it was not to be fulfilled while they were in Jerusalem. So, the baptism in fire took place after the baptism on the Holy Spirit which took place on Pentecost. Thus the baptism of fire was also not performed by Jesus nor received by anyone during the Preparation Period.
What baptism was being performed during the Preparation Period? What do you say? I bet we can safely say that it was water baptism.
The baptism of the Preparations Period was IMMERSION in water.
A. The words and terms used imply literal water, i.e. “water, much water, river Jordan, etc” (See Matt 3:6; Mark 1:5; Luke 3:16; John 3:5,23)
1. Jesus did no baptizing during this period, water or otherwise (John 4:2; 7:38,39; Luke 24:49) Jesus, no doubt, chose not to baptize anyone in any way during this period in order to keep His baptism separate from the one which man performs. Indeed this separation was maintained by His limiting of the performance of baptizing in water to men on earth and the performance of baptizing in the Spirit and fire to Him in heaven. They are separated by both time and place.
2. Only Jesus was to perform the baptisms of Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11). Men were in no way involved in the baptizing of sending forth of the Spirit. Thus when men are found baptizing people in the Bible, as they are in the Preparation Period, then it has to be in water, for they could perform no other!!
B. The baptism of the Preparation Period was a COMMAND OF GOD. All who rejected it rejected God (Luke 7:30; John 3:5)
C. The baptism of the Preparation Period was for the FORGIVENESS OF SINS (Mark 1:4,5; Luke 3:3,4). The Jews associated baptism with purification (John 3:25ff; cf Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 1:22)
1. This proves that baptism, though it saves, is NOT a meritorious work. Those who believe in the essentiality of water baptism unto salvation are often accused of believing that man must earn his salvation through works, baptism being a part of his upward climb toward heaven and thus a meritorious work. Yet baptism was not considered to be a meritorious work by John, Jesus and their disciples, and they considered it to be necessary to obey God and to receive forgiveness of sins, thus necessary unto salvation!! If they believed, taught, and performed baptism as necessary step in man’s redemption and were not accused of teaching that man had to earn his salvation (legalism), then why do men so accuse those who teach the same thing today? Were John and Jesus legalists?
2. This proves that John’s baptism was not just a baptism of repentance (excluding forgiveness). Many, in trying to deny or escape the obvious, say that John’s baptism was just a baptism of repentance and not for the forgiveness of sins. Even some of those who believe in baptism for salvation teach that John’s baptism was only such and not actually efficacious as in Christ’s New Covenant baptism (cf Acts 19:1-5; Hebrews 9:15-17). Both of these assumptions are wrong. John’s baptism was called a “baptism of repentance” due to the times and conditions of Israel. They were to turn from sin and towards Messiah (repentance) by accepting the terms of His forerunner, John the Baptist, in being baptized of him (Acts 19:4). John’s ministry and baptism were for the purpose of turning men back to God through Christ, and consequently, his baptism was called a baptism of repentance. Yet it does not matter what his baptism was called, it was still for (purpose) the forgiveness of sins. It could have been called a “baptism of expectation” or many other things, but such would not alter its purpose.
The baptism which was preached, performed, and obeyed by men in the Preparation Period – from John to Pentecost – as found in the four gospels was:
1. Baptism in Water – there being no other which man could perform, and Christ had not ascended to perform the baptizing in the Spirit and fire (Mathew 3:11; John 1:33,34; 3:23; 4:1,2; 7:39; Acts 1:4,5)
2. Baptism was commanded – (Luke 7:30)
3. Baptism which was for FORGIVENESS – (Mark 1:4,5; Mathew 3:6)
THE GREAT COMMISSION IS TO BE CARRIED OUT DURING THE “PREACHING PERIOD.” It started on Pentecost and will continue until Messiah Jesus comes back.
After the resurrection of Jesus He told His apostles to meet Him on a mountain in Galilee. He told them:
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” This period of time was the ending of the “Preparation Period” and going into the “Preaching Period.”
After telling them what amounts to “I’m in charge of everything (King Jesus) both here on earth and in heaven” He then tells the apostles to make disciples:
“go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 19,20) ASV
1. He commands the apostles to make disciples,
2. He then tells them how to make disciples “by baptizing them”
3. He tells the apostles to “make disciples of all nations (Gentiles)”
4. He tells them by what authority to baptize them, “In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
5. After making a disciple, He says to teach them.
6. Also, He tells them how long this was to go on… “unto the end of the world.”
(BTW, “go ye therefore” is from the Greek word, “πορεύομαι,” and is translated “as you go” in Matthew 10:7)
Jesus gave this command to His apostles at the end of His ministry on earth and the beginning of the “Preaching Period.”
Christians call Matthew 28:19,20 the “Great Commission.” This expression, Great Commission speaks of the commission given to the “Witnesses” (apostles) to present the gospel to the world.
Jesus tells the apostles (Acts 1:2) that they shall be witnesses (Acts 1:8) :
“you (apostles) will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8
WHAT DID THE APOSTLES WITNESS?
“He (Jesus) said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” Luke 24:47
Witnesses of what things?
1. Christ suffered, died.
2. He rose from the dead on the third day.
3. Repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His Name to all nations.
4. They were to begin at Jerusalem and then into the whole world.
This is called the Great Commission when you compare it with the “limited commission.” The Great Commission was to the whole world whereas the limited commission was to the house of Israel.
These “witnesses” went out into the world and testified that the scriptures had been fulfilled in Jesus.
Hear the apostle Paul:
“Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures; and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve; then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep; then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to the child untimely born, he appeared to me also.” 1 Cor 15:1-8
Today, there are NO living witnesses.
The apostles (witnesses) have gone on to be with the Lord.
Let’s pause for a moment and look at “AUTHORITY.”
God delegated AUTHORITY to His Son, Jesus Christ
• John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
• Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Jesus delegated AUTHORITY to His apostles:
• John 13:20 I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."
(Jesus here, is talking about the one’s He sent, His apostles, His witnesses!)
• John 20:21 Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.“ (apostles)
The Holy Spirit guided the Apostles
Again, Jesus was talking to His apostles and said:
• John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
• John 16:12-15 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.”
• 1 Corinthians 2:10-13 “…God has revealed it to us (apostles) by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we (apostles) speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.”
The apostles wrote the Bible:
(by the Spirit of God)
• Ephesians 3:1-5 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.
We are not to “add to” nor “take away” from the written Word:
• Revelation 22:18-19 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
• Galatians 1:8-9 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
• 1 Corinthians 4:6 Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another
In the Bible, God told us “everything He is going to tell us”!:
• God has all authority. He has delegated ALL Authority to his Son.
• His Son delegated Authority to His Apostles. The apostles have the same authority as Christ.
• Through the Holy Spirit, the apostle’s have written the Word through “Epistles.” (Letters) and these letters have been put into book form. (We call it the “Bible”)
• Through the terms of the New Covenant we know:
-how to worship God,
-how to be obedient,
-how to be saved,
-the government of the church
-and how to live our lives as a Christian.
Today, Christians are under the commission given to Timothy:
“Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” 2 Tim 2:1,2
We pass on what was committed to Timothy’s trust.
“Hold the pattern of sound words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee guard through the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in us.” 2 Tim 1:13,14
There is only one true gospel (taught by all the Disciples of Christ (anything less or more is a false gospel!))
Galatians 1:6-12
“I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel; which is not another gospel only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema. As we have said before, so say I now again, if any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be anathema. For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ. For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not after man. For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Notice in the book of Mark:
“he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.” Mark 16:16
Again, hear Peter carrying out the Great Commission:
“Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38
Paul carrying out the Great Commission:
“And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.” Acts 16:14,15
What Paul preached in one assembly (church) he preached the same thing in all (1 Cor 4:17) This is called “pattern” preaching. Just as Moses was given a “pattern” to follow in building the tabernacle (Heb 8:5) God has a pattern to follow in the New Testament. This word for pattern used in Heb 8:5 is the Greek word “tupos” and means “mold, pattern, mark.” It carries the same idea of a woman with a dress pattern. Whenever that woman makes the dress from that pattern (tupos) all the dresses will be identical in design.
We find this Greek word used in Romans 6:17,18. In this chapter, Paul was speaking to some Roman Christians speaking of eternal life in Christ (Ro 5:21) and speaks of sin in Rom 6:1,2 and then asked them if they were ignorant in the fact that when they were baptized they were BURIED WITH HIM (Christ)…
“are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.” Rom 6:3, 4
And then in verse 8, Rom 6:8 Paul says:
“But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him;…” (You “die with Him during baptism. Also, this is the time that God adds you to the assembly (Acts 2:47, “church” KJV) and that you put on Christ (Gal 3:27). Baptism is a burial and resurrection. You emulate what Christ did in baptism.)
Now skip down to Romans 6:17,18: (Remember the context of this chapter)
“But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient from the heart to that form (tupos) of teaching whereunto ye were delivered; and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness.” Romans 6;17,18
Here in Romans 6:17, 18 we learn that these people Paul was speaking to obeyed a “form of teaching” (KJV has “form of doctrine”). What “form of teaching” do you think the apostle was teaching? Context of Romans 6:3ff is the GREAT COMMISSION! This was the pattern of the early church.
When one obeyed from the heart “that form of teaching” they were obeying a pattern taught in all the churches. When one obeyed “that form of teaching” the result was “A new Christian.” This is like the woman’s dress pattern. This pattern of teaching always produced a Christian, nothing else, not a Protestant, not a Catholic, not a Jehovah Witness, etc. etc. , just a Christian.
THE PREACHING PERIOD was DIFFERENT THAN THE PREPARATION PERIOD OF PREACHING.
On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out. Acts 2.
Holy Spirit baptism was NOT CONTINUALLY PERFORMED DURING THE Preaching Period. In fact, it was not performed ONE SINGLE TIME after Pentecost!
1. The Holy Spirit is a divine person, and all of His person was poured forth on Pentecost (Acts 2:17, 33). A part of a person cannot be poured out or sent forth (John 3:34 ASV). If I am sent on an age-lasting mission, then all of me is sent, and if I do not forsake my mission I do not need to be sent again. This it was with Christ’s baptizing in the Spirit. Christ “poured” forth all the Spirit sufficiently for all men for all time. This does not mean the Spirit ws liquefied and poured out of a bottle, but the term is figurative and simply means that Christ sent forth the Spirit in gushing abundance.
“…He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration (baptism in water) and renewing by the Holy Spirit (gift to the baptized) whom He (Spirit) poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior” Titus 3:5,6 (prentices mine, charlesj)
God promised to send all of the Spirit (John 14:16). Peter said all the Spirit had been poured out (Acts 2:17) To assert that the Spirit is still being poured out today is to imply that Jesus only poured forth “part” of the Spirit, making liars of both Jesus and Peter.
2. The terms “pouring forth or baptizing in the Spirit” do no occur again after Pentecost (except in the past or perfect tense.) The terms “Coming on, falling on, fell on, and filled with” are not to be confused with the “pouring” or the baptizing, for they are not synonymous.
The Spirit, having being sent, was to remain on earth to serve as a comforter and guide to the apostles (John 14:16-18, 26) and to indwell God’s people and church as representative of the entire Godhead (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Ephesians 2:22). He did not forsake His commission nor God’s people by returning to haven and leaving them desolate, i.e. orphaned. Such would be the case if He was not present with them at all times and needed to be poured forth or sent from heaven time and again. God’s Word plainly teaches that the Spirit was sent only once, and that having been sent, He remaineth!! This is not merely a human deduction but rather a scriptural conclusion, for the Greek text is clear and concise on this mater. Notice the tenses of the verbs I reference to the completeness and finality of the one time pouring of the Spirit on Pentecost.
“For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says, ‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS;” Acts 2:15-17.
Peter said that Joel’s prophecy of this future event (I will pour fourth) was then a present reality (“this is that” or “this was spoken by the prophet Joel”) If one wants the TOTAL fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy concerning the pouring forth of the Spirit, then he as just found it in this text! Acts 2 fulfills that part of Joel 2. “This is that.” To the modern day claimants of such an outpouring we must say: “when Peter said this is that, then that was it, and that’s that!” The pouring out of the Spirit on Pentecost was full and final.
“This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses. Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear.” Acts 2:32,33.
This passage shows that the pouring forth of the Spirit, WAS NOT an action which continued. Peter used the tense “hath poured.” Peter used the aorist tense “hath poured” in describing the phenomenal presence of the Spirit. (The aorist or simple past tense in the Greek expresses completed –action in the past.) The text says tht Jesus had poured out the Spirit and not that He was pouring Him out. If Peter would have had in mind a continual outpouring, he would have used the present tense – “He is pouring.” Yet such is not the case here nor anywhere else in all of God’s Word. Indeed, the Spirit’s power was continually being displayed for all to see (Acts 2:43), but this was resultant of the pouring and His presence and not a continuation of the pouring.
3. “And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.” Acts 2:38,39.
Peter tells us here that the Spirit is a gift (His person and not His power) is for all called out children of God (cf 2 Thes 2:14). The Spirit had been poured out and was available to indwell the heart of every obedient believer (Acts 5:32). Notice that an OUTPOURING of the Spirit was NOT promised but rather the OURPOURED Spirit. This is a far cry from receiving the so-called baptismal experience of the Holy Spirit as advocated by the sensationalists of our day. All three thousand baptized believers on Pentecost received the entire person of the Spirit as an indwelling gift, and not one of them went into an explicable-uncontrollable fit.
“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word. And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 10:44,45
This passage has been used as a proof text by two entirely different schools of thought. One group teaches that this is the second and last recorded case of Holy Spirit baptism (the first being upon the twelve apostles only at Pentecost). The other group teaches that this is but another example proving that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was to continue for all time and was for all men. (This latter group understands practically every action of the Spirit as Spirit baptism. i.e. filled with, with, upon, full of, came on, fell on, etc. etc.)
Though this text has been used by these two opposing schools of thought, it does not support either one of them.
Here is what the text does say and teach:
Verse 44a. “…while Peter yet spake these words…”
Fact 1 Peter was preaching to Gentiles. This was because the Spirit commanded him to (Acts 10:20, 22; 11:12; 15:7)
Fact 2 It is evident from the contents of chapter ten, eleven and fifteen that Peter was not yet ready to baptize them without circumcising them first. (Acts 10:28; 11:2,3, 18-19; 15:1-5). They were told words, by which upon compliance, they were saved from their sins (Acts 10:43, 48)
Verse 44b. “…the Holy Spirit fell on them” (on Cornelius, kinsmen and friends –v.24).
Fact 1 this was a “baptism of the Spirit.” This does NOT say the Spirit was POURED upon them or they were then being baptized with Him. First the word FELL does not mean POUR. Second, this is an action which the Spirit did directly Himself and NOT that which Christ participated in as in the baptism.
Fact 2 This was not for the purpose of saving them, for the Spirit is given AFTER one is saved and NOT to save (Galatians 4:6f; Ephesians 1:13,14)
Fact 3 This was NOT for the purpose of showing to Peter that they had been saved – having received the gift of tongues as proof that the Spirit indwelled them as sons of God. For one receives the Holy Spirit by being baptized in water (Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:26,27), and they had not yet been baptized (V. 48). Also, the reception of power from the Spirit, as these tongues, is NOT a sign of salvation, a consequence of salvation, or even limited to one who is saved. Balaam’s ass, Caiphas, and now Cornelius, were all empowered apart from salvation (Numbers 22:28; John 11:49-52)
Fact 4 This manifestation of the Spirit’s power was but a God-sent sign to Peter that uncircumcised Gentiles were included in God’s scheme of redemption (Acts 10:28; 11:18; 15:14,15). The Lord DID NOT DIE FOR ONE NATION (Acts 10:34; cf John 3:16), and He did not promise to pour forth the Spirit upon just one nation (Luke 3:16; Acts 1:4,5) No, Jesus did not limit or even qualify who the Spirit was being poured out for; But Joel DID (Joel 2:28); and Peter himself had said the Spirit had been poured out for ALL (Acts 2:17). The Gentiles were included in those “AFAR OFF” (Acts 2:39; Epheisans 2:11, 13).
But this passage makes it obvious that Peter did NOT fully, or at least correctly, understand that the Gentile could receive salvation and the Spirit without becoming a Jewish Proselyte, i.e., be circumcised, for without such the Jews looked on the Gentiles as unclean (Acts 10:28; 11:3). Thus there was a barrier between the Jew and the Gentile, the Law, of which circumcision was a token for accepting the whole (Acts 15:1-5). Peter had not yet understood that this “middle wall of partition” had been removed completely by Christ at the cross, and that now ALL men, Jew and Gentile alike, could be saved by Christ’s new law of faith (Eph 2:14,15; Col 2:14; Acts 15:9; Romans 3:27; 1 Cor 9:21). Well, Peter may not have understood this fully up until this point, even though he preached the truth in chapter two (Acts 2:17, 39), but AFTER the Spirit’s ILLUSTRATION – “…no man unclean” (Acts 10:11-16, 10:28), COMMAND “go making no distinction” (Acts 10:20; 11:12) and His empowering of these uncircumcised Gentiles (Acts 10:44; 11:17), he did!! That is, he understood.
Fact 5 The Spirit’s purpose, therefore, in falling on Cornelius was to signify to all Jews that Gentiles could receive the Spirit in water baptism and not that all men would receive the gift of tongues in Spirit baptism, which does not even occur in this chapter! (Acts 10)
V. 45 (Acts 10:45) All the Jews were amazed “because that on the Gentiles also was poured (perfect tense!!) out the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Fact 1 First, there is amazement. WHY? Because God had worked a miracle through an uncircumcised Gentile? To a degree, yes, but really because of what this implied – that God was going to accept the Gentiles apart from circumcision. Proof of this is seen in what Peter’s attention was called to – to the pouring out of God’s Spirit on all flesh on Pentecost. Logically speaking, this has to be the event which was called to mind, for (1) when else do we find the term “poured out Spirit?” (2) What other period would come to Peter’s mind in which Jesus had told him of the coming of the holy Spirit (Acts 1:4,5; 11:16) Thus this caused Peter to reflect back upon the fulfillment that caused Peter to reflect back upon the fulfillment of the Lord’s promise and upon that great sermon he had preached in which he said that the poured out Spirit of promise was for not only the Jews, but also to those afar off, the GENTILES! That’s right. Peter, preached salvation in Christ was for all men alike!
Fact 2 This POURING out of the Spirit mentioned in this text was not in reference to what had just happened to Cornelius. It was in reference to what happened on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:16,17). Proof: Luke, the writer of the Book of Acts, used the “perfect tense” here “was poured.”
This tense is specific in the Greek and denotes a past completed (point) action which resulted in a continued state of being. The main emphasis in this tense is not on the time of the action, but on the results of that action. In other words, the action of pouring had been completed in the past but the results were continuing – the Spirit remained! If Luke had wanted to show that Peter understood that the Spirit had just then been poured out on Cornelius, then he would have used the simple past tense as he did in chapter two. (Acts 2:33) Yet his main point of emphasis was not that the Spirit had just been poured out, He hadn’t, but that the Spirit who had been poured out on Pentecost was available for all men to receive alike. This shows the Spirit which Christ poured out on Pentecost ever remained to be received, but the pouring out did not!
Fact 3 This passage says that the Spirit had been poured on the Gentiles (all nations) and not just on Cornelius and those with him. This, once again, shows that their minds were called back to the one time pouring out of the Spirit on all flesh on Pentecost (Acts 2:17).
Fact 4 That which was poured out on all nations (made available to all nations, even as the blood of Christ was once poured out for all men – Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 10:10-12) was not a gift from the Spirit, but the gift of the Spirit.
Thus Christ has given the Spirit as a gift to the world, and the Spirit gave gifts to those whom he willed. Cornelius had received a gift from the Spirit without being saved (Acts 10:44; 11:17; 15:8). Then he obeyed God’s command to be baptized in water and received the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit Himself (Acts 10:48; Acts 2:38). God is no respecter of persons when it comes to salvation. All men must work righteousness or obey His will to be acceptable to Him (Acts 10:34). Cornelius was no exception to the rule and was not saved until he obeyed the words of Peter in Acts 10:48 (cf Acts 11:14).
These few passages show that the Spirit came on Pentecost, remained, and need NOT to be sent again.
(Part of this study came from Gerald Wright. Used by permission)
May the Lord bless us as we study His Word. If you have any questions, please email me.
charlesj
