I hope the enclosed story will capture the interest of your readers. We will be sending you a picture or to as soon as possible this week.
I would like to ask your readers to participate in our anticipation of the publication of the Dogrib Language New Testament later this year. It will be the fulfillment of so many years of work. The program coordinator has been working on it here in the north since the mid 1980's. And, he was the fourth Wycliffe program leader to work on it.
When we met in your office some time ago, you prayed for my chronic headaches that I suffered so long with. I have been healed of them. I used to get a headache a week, but rarely, if ever get debilitating headaches since then.
Praise God, for our meeting. I hope we can be of service again.
I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you,
David Siemens
Hand Made for God's Purpose
In the Northwest Territories of Canada's northwestern arctic there are four native languages spoken, Chipweyan, Slavey, Gwichin and Dogrib. The New Testament in the Dogrib language will be published this year. It will be the fulfillment of a goal envisioned nearly fifty years ago. The story of the Dogrib New Testament translation project is of an epic proportion, but the task was done by individually chosen people, one of who was Mary Mackenzie a native woman converted under Max Solbrekken's ministry in 1973. Mary's story reflects God's preparation of a translator for His purpose of bringing the gospel to the Dogrib people. Both tragedy and blessing contributed to her becoming a foremost translator in her language.
Mary was born the third child of a devout Catholic couple in FortRae on the northern shore of Great Slave Lake in 1946. Tragically, Mary was diagnosed with TB of the spine at age two. Though many northern natives had TB, Mary's illness was especially shattering, for both of Mary's elder sisters had already died of whooping cough. The thought of also losing Mary to disease led the Mackenzie's to take the necessary but sacrificial step of sending Mary to Edmonton for treatment. At that time the sacrifice meant committing your child in such need of love and help, to strangers of a different culture and language with the knowledge that you might never see your child again. Mary left FortRae by plane in November of 1949, a child of age three unable to walk, but well along in her childhood understanding of her first language, the native Dogrib tongue.
Eventually, Mary was taken to Edmonton to the Charles Camsell hospital where life and death depended for so many northern natives upon their adaptation to the routines and methods of hospital life. Mary remained there for four years and survived extensive surgery of the spine and prolonged inactivity in a body cast. Much of what she endured there is lost to her childhood memory because of the days spent in inactivity and pain. What she lost of her childhood was gain for her character, which as in many who have endured much suffering, is not easily shaken by adversity and disappointment.
Mary returned to the north in October of 1955 at age nine now able to speak English—another 'first' language, her infant Dogrib all but forgotten. Her re-education into the Dogrib language and society was just beginning. Her family now included two younger brothers and a sister. The return of Mary into the family was accompanied by many adjustments, and quickly relearning the Dogrib language was not an option. Only Dogrib was spoken in the home and at play. Mary's health returned. She became a fluent Dogrib speaker in her native community and later a fluent English speaker through residential school and high school.
During her adult years Mary sought peace and understanding that could not be found in the continual round of rituals and sacraments of the Catholic Church. At the age of twenty-seven in Yellowknife Mary was witnessed to by a local youth group, then was attracted to the example of local Christian missionaries and finally led to faith through a campaign of Mr. Solbrekken in Yellowknife in 1973.At this campaign Mary came forward to Max's promise that all of the answers to her needs would be found within the Bible. Years of disillusionment with Catholicism made this an attractive promise. That conversion would have a great impact on the translation of the scriptures into Dogrib.
As a newly converted Christian in Yellowknife early language workers quickly recognized her talent. Having learned both Dogrib and English (actually, Dogrib twice) meant that she was a 'natural' at translation work. Through the encouragement of godly men and women Mary was encouraged to make the academic journey to professional language studies, which included learning to write and read a previously unwritten language.
Traditional native speakers can still discern a hint of the struggle it took Mary to learn to communicate perfectly in Dogrib—a struggle that fed her determination. Mary took English as a Second Language courses at college in Fort Smith NWT and later, linguistics studies with an eminent teacher in that field from the University of Victoria, B.C. By 1989, the time that the Dogrib Bible Translation Project was well under way, Mary was a full time translator for the Regional Dogrib School Board based in Rae. She was seconded to the Wycliffe Bible Translation Committee working under Jacob Feenstra for the Bible Translation Project. The Education Department recognized the importance of the translation work to education and to the Dogrib community at large. Mary continues in the exciting final stages of the translation project to today.
God used the tragedy of TB and the adversity of leaving home at age three to create in Mary an instrument for his purpose of bringing the scriptures to another corner of the world. Through the determination to reenter the life of her family and her tribe, she regained her lost identity and sense of belonging. Having been introduced to the love of Christ, Mary's love for her people brings the hope to her work that it will change lives. Please pray that the Lord will use the Dogrib Bible to bring salvation to the Dogrib people.
I hope this testimony to God's hand in Mary's life will be my way of saying thanks to Max Solbrekken for his part in the life of my wife. Mary, now Mary Siemens is married to David Siemens and has two grown children, Corrie and Peter. She lives near Rae where she was born and she works in Yellowknife.
The Dogrib people inhabit an area northeast of the Great Slave Lake, one of the largest lakes in the world. The Dogrib area of activities is bordered on the north by the Inuit of the Arctic coast and to the west by the Slavey Dene (People) of the Mackenzie River. It is a vast region of the Canadian Shield geology that encompasses great mineral wealth, specifically diamonds and gold, but the Dogrib are a relatively small people group—comprising only some five thousand people.
The Dogrib people have successfully faced many challenges in their tenacious hold on existence through the centuries. The rugged land is traversable only by water in summer and by ice routes in winter. Snow covered winter extends from mid October until May. God in His Providence has led these people here and sustained them, providing them with food in the abundant caribou, fish and waterfowl and with protection from former enemies in their remote geographic fortress.
Modern challenges, while promising great wealth, threaten individual Dogrib's personal sense of worth that only the rebirth of a new identity in Christ can provide. The translation of the scriptures into their native language will provide a cornerstone to their culture and will be an unshakable personal shelter for those native people who are journeying through the storms of life to God's eternal shore.
“Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; Whom resist steadfast in the faith…” (1 Peter 5: 8, 9)
The Bible warns us of the treachery, duplicity, cunning and deceptive abilities of the Evil One to tempt, snare and kill the children of men who are created in the image and likeness of God!
Every time that Satan looks upon a human being he rages with hatred, fear and a deep foreboding because of his failure to destroy the Jesus Christ (Incarnate Son of God)) Who had come to this earth to defeat him and liberate us!
He cringes in fear because he knows that he must bow before our Lord Jesus Christ and declare Him King of kings and Lord of lords to the glory of God the Father. And he trembles in agony as awaits his doom of being cast into the ‘lake of fire’ forever! (Rev.20: 10)
He is haunted by the sound of Jesus’ blood falling to the earth on Calvary’s Hill and Jesus’ cry, “It is finished.” (Tetelestai: gr. It is finished. It is fulfilled. It is paid).Knowing that he will hear those words throughout eternity, and forever remember that it could have been different had he not committed High Treason against his Creator, Almighty God. (Is.14: 12-14; Ezek.28: 2-6)
In his blind hatred, pride and rebellion he soldiers on in his unjust, evil and wicked cause against God and the jewel of His creation, Man!
BILLY GRAHAM stated: “Man’s fiercest foe from the Garden of Eden right to the end of time is not cancer, communism, disease or death.It is the devil.”
Dr. Rebecca Brown wasn’t doing research for a book on witchcraft when she met Elaine, nor was she thinking about evil spirits, demons or the occult.
Brown, a medical doctor, was shocked by Elaine’s story of fear, torment and bondage.When therapy and drugs failed to help, Brown was amazed at her patient’s recovery by her acceptance of Jesus Christ.
After Elaine’s dramatic healing and escape from Satanism, other tormented young people in similar straits began calling the MD’s office, seeking similar assistance.
Dr. Brown’s recent book He Came to Set the Captives Freeis the clinical report of many of her patients, who decided after deliverance, to publicize their traumatic encounters with the devil.
After seven years of medical and psychological research, the medic was convinced that Satanism is a most destructive and evil power, a power that can be conquered only through faith in Christ.
This should come as no surprise since Jesus said that Satan - the thief - had come “only to kill, steal and to destroy”. (John 10:10)
That Satan is a liar is no secret!That he is the “father of lies”is well known. Jesus stated: “He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it”. (John 8:44)
JESUS CALLED THE DEVIL BY THREE NAMES!
1)Satan: ‘sah-tahn’- (heb.) for ‘the hater, opponent, enemy, adversary: one who resists, obstructs, hinders that which is good’.When the form ‘ha-satan’ (the adversary) occurs, the translation is usually (Satan), not his name, but his accurate description: hateful enemy!Strong’s #7854
2)Devil:(gr.) for liar, false accuser, traducer!
3)Beelzebub:(gr.) for god of flies, god of filth!
Satan is the enemyof God and man.The devil is a liar extraordinaire.He is the filthiest of the filthy: more corrupt and perverted than any abominable sex maniac, sadist, suicide bomber or serial killer!
You may ask, “How can you be so sure that Satan is to blame for all the bad things that are happening in our world”!PLAIN and SIMPLE:
His hands drip with the blood of millions of souls through his emissaries who enslave, rape, mutilate, murder and terrorize!He works through power-hungry, hate-filledpolitical and religiousleaders who brainwash others into following them on the same path of destruction; hijacking airplanes, taking hostages, bombing public buildings, hospitals, schools, TV stations, buses, trains and bridges, injuring and killing innocent people!
Satan is the architect of fear, torment, enslavement and war!He pits man against man and causes divisions in families, communities, nations and churches; resulting in major upheavals, which inflict long term spiritual, physical and psychological scars on all concerned – especially children – bringing untold misery to society.
You must ask yourself: “Who is the originator of sin?”The answer is: “Satan!”Again, “Who is responsible for sickness, disease and death?”The answer again is “Satan, the destroyer”!
Dr. John Wesley White warns:“The devil.We all wish he’d go away.But he’s around a lot more than he was yesterday, and he’s going to be more visible and vocal tomorrow than he is today.Like a vast, vicious virus that won’t stop, his iniquitous vices are on every hand.To be ignorant of his tactics is to lay ourselves open to chronic peril”.
SATAN’S SLAVES
In his book, The Second Coming:Satanism in America, Arthur Lyons states “that from a scientific or secular viewpoint, the 1970’s revival of devil worship, witchcraft, sorcery and occultism in America was totally unexpected.Most intellectuals had expected belief in the devil to disappear within a few years”.
The Bible states that he is Abaddan the destroyer, and St. Paul warns that he is such a deceiver that he will “appear as an angel of light”. (2 Cor. 11: 14)
Dabbling in the occult can open the door to possession and a controlled life, which turns people into Satan’s slaves, observes Brown.
Elaine’s story is one of sadistic and sexual bondage to evil spirits and a ritualistic marriage to the devil.
Other experts are also sounding the alarm, warning of the dramatic rise in Satan worship in the US and the psychological damage it is doing to unsuspecting youngsters.As well as the terrible trauma it causes to their families, friends and communities!
Earlier, Satanism was dismissed as a harmless fad that would soon die out, but now sociologists and clergymen are encountering new, scary and very real problems linked to devil worship.
Police have been checking out reports that covens of young people are gathering in wooded areas near Los Angeles, to worship the devil.Sacrificial satanic rituals like killing cats and dogs have been confirmed and officials suspect humans have been sacrificed!
SERIOUS PROBLEM
So serious is the problem, churches in the area sponsored a seminar several years ago on Satanism and neo-paganism just to learn more on the subject.
The seminar featured a Christian response to evil, exorcism and satanic deception. “Satanism is alive and well, and the sad thing is that it is growing among teenagers”, states Roger Burt, a Christian authority.
Dr. Billy Graham declares:“A generation ago, when I began as an evangelist, people generally, and intellectuals in particular thought of the devil as an anachronistic symbol, a handy expression of profanity, or as a superstition believed in chiefly by religious eccentrics.Today, the devil is getting maximum exposure, precisely as the Bible predicted would happen prior to Christ’s return.”
According to prophecy, Satan will make a momentous comeback just before Jesus returns.
He will orchestrate the world’s greatest confrontation, the ‘Battle of Armageddon’.In the end Satan loses totally.Only one angel will be needed to cast him into the bottomless pit forever!
For a short while he will bask in the limelight as a part of a troika - the unholy trinity - together with the antichrist and the false prophet. Then, he will be cast into the‘Lake of Fire’ forever. Hallelujah!
St James gives us some very good counsel: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.
“Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.” (James 4: 7, 8, 10)
I was twenty years old when the message of the Baptism of the Holy Ghostand fire came to me. I'll be eternally grateful to God that I didn't reject the message, but that I accepted it and was filled with the Holy Spirit.
At that time I was working in Calgary, Alberta. I started attending a church where they preached and believed in being filled with the Holy Spirit, just like in Bible times. To my surprise, here were people from different denominations seeking God, wanting to receive this experience. And my, how the presence of God was manifested service after service!
I remember the first time I heard someone speak with tongues. As the people lifted their hands toward heaven and worshipped God, a woman stood up and began speaking fluently with great power and anointing in a language I didn't understand. When she finished, the interpretation was given in English. This was the very first time I had ever heard anyone speak with tongues. It was all new to me. I didn't know anything about it. I didn't under- stand it. BUT, I'LL TELL YOU ONE THING, I KNEW GOD WAS IN THAT PLACE! I could feel His divine presence all around me.
In this church, there was GREAT BIBLE PREACHING that resulted in conviction and repentance of sin, and many a sinner walked down the aisle and knelt at the altar to give his heart and life to God. When the invitation was given for believers to come and seek the Lord, I saw teenagers and young people flock to the altar and prayer rooms, get down on their knees before God, raise their hands toward heaven and start to worship and praise the Living Christ.
As I watched, I saw the glory of God come upon their faces and they would begin to shake and tremble under the mighty power of the Holy Spirit. One by one they would be filled with the Holy Ghost and begin to speak in an unknown language and magnify God. THIS WAS REAL. THIS WAS SOMETHING I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
Young people and older folk alike all on fire for God. In other denominational churches I had attended, the young people and many of the older ones as well, didn't seem to have too much zeal toward God. But here it was different, because the Holy Spirit was present in such a marvellous way.
As I saw all this, I BEGAN TO GET HUNGRY FOR GOD, I WANTED WHAT THESE PEOPLE WERE RECEIVING!I was a Christian. I had received Christ as my Saviour. I knew my sins were forgiven. I had peace with God, BUT WAS THIS EXPERIENCE OF BEING FI LLED WITH THE HOL Y GHOST AND FIRE FOR ME, a Lutheran?
I started to seek the Lord. I became hungry for God as never before. I took my Bible and spent hours searching the scriptures, and want to share with you some of the things I found that convinced me beyond a shadow of a doubt THAT I REALL Y NEEDED THIS EXPERIENCE WITH GOD!
WE WERE LUTHERAN
I was brought up in the Lutheran faith. Mom and Dad came to Canada from Norway in 1927. There the state religion was Lutheran. Hundreds of years back, our relatives had been Lutheran.
The Lutherans were strong believers in the Salvation experience. They believed that a person had to be saved if he was ever going to see inside the pearly gates of heaven. If a person was not born again and died in his sins, he would end up in hell and the lake of fire forever.
The central theme of their message was the same as what Martin Luther had proclaimed during the 16th century, which was "JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH." If a man or women, boy or girl had faith in Christ as Saviour, they would be born again. Their sins would be forgiven. They would be justified in the sight of God.
But they didn't stop there. They also believed in holiness. They believed that if a person had been converted, his life would be changed. 2 Cor. says "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY: behold all things are become new." If a person used to smoke, drink, curse and steal, he would stop doing those things when he got saved. And by the grace of God he would start living a clean life.
Ever since I was a child, I grew up with faith in Christ within my heart. I loved God and knew Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. BUT, THERE WAS ONE THING THAT WAS VERY SADLY LACKING IN THE OLDLUTHERANCHURCH - IT WAS THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST AND FIRE!
The preachers didn't preach it. They knew nothing about it. WE KNEW ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE! We didn't know that a believer could be filled with the Holy Ghost and RECEIVE POWER FROMGOD to live a constant victorious Christian life and become a real witness for Jesus Christ. Anybody who has studied the New Testament and especially the Book of Acts will notice:
1. THE EARLY CHRISTIANS HAD SOMETHING FROM GOD THAT A GREAT NUMBER OF BORN AGAIN CHRISTIANS TODAY DON'T HAVE.
2. THE EARLY CHRISTIANS HAD TWO DISTINCT, SEPARATE EXPERIENCES WITH GOD. FIRST -THEY WERE SAVED. SECOND -THEY WERE FI LLED WITH THE HOL Y GHOST.
YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER
Jesus told His disciples, "Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, UNTIL YE BE ENDUED WITH POWER FROM ON HIGH,"(Luke 24:49) and"YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: AND YE SHALL BE WITNESSES UNTO ME." (Acts 1: 8)
Every Christian needs to be endued , to be "clothed upon" with this supernatural power from heaven, and to receive this anointing that breaks the yoke of sin, ( Isaiah 1: 27) lifts the burden and lets the oppressed go totally free. (Luke 4: 18)
You must remember that GOD HAS NOT CHANGED, HIS WORD IS THE VERY SAME, AND HIS POWER HAS NOT DIMINISHED. For Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever. {Heb. 13:8) When a sinner TODAY repents of his sins, gets genuinely saved - he receives the SAME SALVATION the early church experienced, including the joy of sins forgiven, and the peace of soul and mind.
When a born again Christian TODAY is filled with the blessed Holy Spirit, he receives the SAME HOLY SPIRIT, he receives the same powerful experience, with the same outward evidence that the early church received, including the same power and victory over sin!
The Apostle Peter declared that THIS SALVATION WITH THE HOLY GHOST SENT DOWN FROM HEAVEN is so wonderful the very angels of God would like to look into it and have a taste of it, if that were possible. (I Peter -12) But praise God, it was reserved for us who are the heirs of salvation!
The Bible tells us that when Jesus was here on this earth, toward the end of His ministry, He started to prepare His disciples for His going away.
JESUS WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE
He had been with them for approximately 3 years. They had walked and talked with the Son of God. They had seen Him as He was moved with compassion on the multitudes. They had heard Him preach to the people. They had seen Him forgive the sinful, heal the sick and tormented, cleanse the leper and even raise the dead! He had sent them out across Palestine to do the same. They had relied on Him. He was their leader. He was their master.
When the seventy returned after they had been out preaching the gospel, they came back to Jesus and said, "Lord, even the devils are subject unto us THROUGH THY NAME." (Luke 1: 17) They had preached in His name. They had driven out devils in His name. They had learned to depend on Him, to bank on Him, and to fully trust in Him. He was their comforter when He was here on earth.
ANOTHER COMFORTER
And now He said, “I'm going away, BUT I WILL SEND YOU ANOTHER COMFORTER, THE HOLY SPIRIT."(John ; ) He will take My place here on earth. HE WILL DO MY WORK FOR ME. Then you will have to learn to depend on Him. You will have to learn to rely on Him.
And He, the Holy Spirit will guide you, and teach you, and lead you into all truth. Jesus said, THE HOL Y SPIRIT SHALL T AKE OF MINE AND SHALL SHEW IT UNTO YOU: HE SHALL BRING GLORY TO MY NAME AND SHEW YOU THINGS TO COME.(John 16:13. 15) It is the Divine Holy Spirit of God that CONVI'CTS men and women and boys and girls of their sin and DRAWS THEM TO CHRIST FOR SALVATION.
Sometime ago I was talking with a man from a denominational church -a real born-again Christian. I was telling him about the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and how Lutherans, Baptists, UnitedChurch, Roman Catholics, and people from all the different denominations are receiving the Holy Ghost across the World.
He turned to me and asked, "Can the unsaved receive the Holy Spirit?" I said, "No, the unsaved cannot receive the Holy Ghost, and I showed him the Scripture in John , 17 where Jesus said, "I will pray the Father and He shall give you another comforter. EVEN THE SPIRIT OF TR UTH, WHOM THE WORLD CANNOT RECEIVE, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him." Then he mentioned a certain denomination and said, “Howcan they receive the Holy Ghost?"
I answered, “lt is the born again Lutheran, the born again Roman Catholic, the born again Baptist who can receive the Holy Ghost.You've got to be saved first - THE HOLY SPIRIT WON'T ENTER AN UNCLEAN VESSEL! When your sins have been washed away with Jesus precious blood, then you can receive the Holy Ghost REGARDLESS OF WHAT CHURCH YOU BELONG TO!"
Jesus had prepared His disciples for what was about to happen. And just like He had told them, the chief priests, scribes and elders, the religious people turned against Him. They caused Him to be put to death on the cross of Calvary. He was buried in a borrowed tomb. But praise God, early in the morning on the THIRD DAY, Jesus Christ rose bodily from the dead, triumphant over death, hell, and the grave. After His resurrection He was seen of His disciples for forty days.
CHRIST'S LAST COMMAND
One day as the. disciples were gathered together on MountOlivet, Jesus stood in their midst and COMMANDED THEM NOT TO DEPART FROM JERUSALEM BUT TO WAIT FOR THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER. He said, "John truly baptized with water: but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost NOT MANY DAYS HENCE.”- in just a few days. (Acts 1:4, 5) And when this happens you will be endued with power from heaven and you will be My witnesses. (Luke 24: 49; and Acts 1: 8) You see, the Baptism of the Holy Ghost was THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER.
Some 800 years before, the Spirit of God came upon Joel the prophet one day, and he prophesied that in the last days God would pour out of His Spirit upon all flesh, (Joel 2: 28 -32), and now that prophesy was about to be fulfilled. As Jesus finished His instruction to His followers, while they beheld Him, He was taken up into Heaven out of their sight and was seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
CHAPTER TWO
HOW THE EARLY CHURCH
RECEIVED THE HOlyGHOST
Let us now turn to the Book of Acts and see HOWthe early church received the Holy Ghost and see WHAT they experienced.
PENTECOST- Year 33 A.D
In obedience to Christ's last command, His followers went back to Jerusalem and entered into an upper room. There Mary, the mother of Jesus, Peter, James and John with the other disciples, numbering together approximately 120 tarried in prayer and supplication. They were preparing themselves, waiting for the blessed Holy Spirit to come.
On the morning of the 10th day, all of a sudden there came a mighty rushing sound from Heaven like a strong, great wind. It came down over Jerusalem. It bypassed the synagogue and all the religious leaders. IT ENTERED THE UPPER ROOM, where the disciples were gathered. It filled the whole house. Tongues of fire appeared in the air and settled down upon each one of them. AND AT THAT MOMENT EVERYONE IN THE UPPER ROOM WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST and began to speak in different tongues -languages they had never learned! (Acts 2: 1 -4)
Oh, thank God, the blessed Comforter had come! He came on the day of Pentecost. Pentecost was an Old Testament Feast Day which marked the completion of the wheat harvest. People would gather from all the different nations at Jerusalem, to worship and praise God.
Now, when this great mighty rushing sound came down over Jerusalem the people in the city heard it and a multitude gathered. They wanted to see what was happening in the upper room. The disciples rushed down into the streets, SPEAKING IN THE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES OF ALL THE FOREIGN PEOPLE WHO WERE PRESENT. They were telling the people about the wonderful works of God, what God had done, what God was doing, and what God was about to do. (Acts )
The multitude was amazed and marvelled. They could not understand it! How could these uneducated Galileans speak in their foreign languages perfectly and fluently? They said one to another, "What does this mean?" (Acts ) Others mockingly said, "These men are nothing but a bunch of drunks."
That's when Peter stood up and began to preach to the great crowd that had gathered. He said, "We are not drunken, as some of you suppose, for it is still only in the morning!
“ BUT THIS IS THAT WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY THE PROPHET, JOEL. AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THE LAST DAYS, SAITH GOD, I WILL POUR OUT OF MY SPIRIT UPON ALL FLESH: AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHECY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS. AND ON MY SER- V ANTS AND ON MY HANDMAIDENS I WILL POUR OUT IN THOSE DAYS OF MY SPIRIT, AND THEY SHALL PROPHESY.”(Acts 2: 16 -18)"AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS, THAT WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED. “ (Acts )
PETER'S PENTECOSTAL SERMON
And he went on to tell them how Jesus had been crucified and how God had raised Him up. "Therefore being by the right hand of God, exalted and having received of the Father, the promise of the Holy Ghost, HE HATH SHED FORTH THIS, which ye now SEE and HEAR." (Acts )
He said, "I want you all to know, that God hath made that SAME JESUS, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts )
When the people heard this, they were pricked in their hearts. The Holy Spirit began to convict them of their sin. They asked Peter and the other apostles, "What shall we do to be saved?"
Peter answered, "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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, AND TO ALL THA T ARE AFAR OFF." (Acts , 39) My friend, this includes YOU! You can receive the Holy ‘Spirit of Promise’ if you will be obedient to God's Word, as He is given to them that OBEY GOD. (Acts )
As a result of the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, and the disciples receiving this mighty experience with God, they were able to lead 3.000 lost souls to Christ that very day .And this was just the beginning! Now let us continue through the Book of Acts and you will see HOW BELIEVERS were filled with the Holy Ghost, WHEREVER THE REAL GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST WAS PREACHED:
God was moving in a mighty manner after the Day of Pentecost. Multitudes were being saved and filled with the Holy Ghost. Great and mighty miracles and powerful signs, wonders were taking place all throughout Jerusalem. This was just too much for the religious people the scribes, elders and chief priests. They became jealous. They tried all they could to stop the move of God's spirit.
As a result, they stoned Stephen and A GREAT PERSECUTION arose against the church at Jerusalem. The Christians were scattered abroad throughout all Judea and Samaria, AND THEY WENT EVERYWHERE PREACHING THE WORD.
SAMARIA- YEAR 34 A.D. One Year After Pentecost
Philip, the evangelist, one of the great soul winners of the early church, went down to the city of Samaria and PREACHED CHRIST UNTO THEM. As he preached against sin, idolatry and witchcraft, the people with ONE ACCORDGAVE HEED to Philip's message WHEN THEY HEARD AND SAW THE MIRACLES WHICH HE DID. For unclean spirits came screaming with a loud voice out of those who were possessed by them, and those taken with palsy, the lame and crippled were healed miraculously.
In this city there was a man called Simon, who was a Sorcerer. He practised witchcraft and black magic. He was a devil worshipper, and through deception and trickery had deceived the people. WHEN PHILIP, HOWEVER, CAME preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ - the Son of God - telling them of THE ONE WHO CAN SAVE TO THE UTTERMOST, the people BELIEVED his message. They repented of their sins and were saved!
The Bible records, "But when they BELIEVED Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both l1zen and women." (Acts ) When the news of this revival in Samaria reached Jerusalem, the Apostles sent Peter and John unto them; "Who when they were come down, prayed for them (they prayed for the new converts) THAT THEY MIGHT RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST:" (Acts )
We notice here that these Samaritan people BELIEVED IN CHRIST and had been baptized in water, (Acts 8: 12, 16) yet not one of them had received the Holy Ghost, "For as yet the Holy Ghost was fallen upon none of them! " (Acts )
The Bible says, ‘THE HOLY GHOST HAD NOT YET FALLEN UPON THEM. My friend, when a rain shower passes over your home, if you walk out your front door into that rain and let the rain fall upon you, YOU WILL FEEL IT. If you have a normal body, there is feeling in your body, and you will feel the rain FALL upon you and your whole body will get soaking wet if you stay outside long enough!
Likewise, when the Holy Ghost, the wonderful Spirit of God COMES UPON or FALLS UPON an individual, that person's whole being is flooded with God's power and presence, and God's love comes flowing into that person's soul. It makes you want to seek God - to love and worship Jesus, to uplift and glorify the Lord and to magnify His Holy name. It gives you a great desire to read and to obey God's Word. Yes, it's this power, this anointing, this presence of God that gives believers ability in their lives to stand true to God in this wicked and sinful world.
Then, the Bible says Peter and John LAID their hands on them, and THEY RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST. And when Simon, the sorcerer, SAW that through the laying on of the apostle's hands THE HOLY GHOST WAS GIVEN, he offered them money saying, "give me also this power, that on whom soever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost." (Acts - 19)
How did Simon, the sorcerer, know that these Samaritan Christians had received the Holy Spirit? It says, "WHEN SIMON SAW." What was it that Simon saw? Something VERY SUPERNATURAL AND OUTSTANDING must have happened, that would make him desire to receive the power to lay hands on people so they too would receive the same experience.
Also, how did Peter and John know that they had received the Holy Ghost? I believe there is ONLY ONE POSSIBLE ANSWER -the same way that Peter knew that Cornelius household had received the Holy Spirit in (Acts 10:46), "For they heard them SPEAK WITH TONGUES, and magnify God. "
Next, let us turn to (Acts 9:1 - 20) where is:
PAUL'S EXPERIENCE - 34 A.D One Year after Pentecost!
Saul, the havoc making persecutor of the early church, who later became the great Apostle Paul, was on his way to Damascus, to further carry out his wicked task of destroying the early Christians when God stopped him in his tracks.
Suddenly, Jesus appeared unto him in a great light from heaven, saying, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?" And Saul said, "Who art thou, Lord?" The Lord said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest." Saul answered, "LORD, what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6) Right there on the Damascus road when he met Jesus, Saul's heart was changed and he accepted Christ as his Lord!
When Saul arose from the earth he saw no man, but was led by the hand into Damascus and he stayed there sightless for 3 days. Then the Lord spoke unto a man named Ananias and said unto him, " Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight,and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus: FOR, BEHOLD HE PRAYETH." (Acts )
"And Ananias went hisway, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, BROTHER SAUL (Saul was already a saved man. Ananias called him brother) Brother Saul the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST." (Acts ). Here, we see that Saul had been saved only a short while when Jesus sent unto him Ananias - not one of the apostle - but an ordinary believer to lay hands on him so he would receive sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost!
CORNELIUS’ HOUSEHOLD– A.D. 41 - 8 years after Pentecost
“He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon whose surname is Peter." (Acts 10:3 -5) "Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house SHALL BE SAVED." (Acts )
Immediately, Cornelius sent his servants to Joppa. As they drew nigh unto the city, God spoke to Peter and said unto him, "Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for J have sent them." (Acts 1 0: 19, 20)
Up until this time, the apostles did not know that the Gentiles could be saved, and it was also unlawful for a Jew to keep company with a Gentile. Therefore, Peter took with him six Jewish believers, and when they arrived at Cornelius' house found that he had called together many of his kinsmen and near friends. (Acts )
Then Peter opened h is mouth and told them "How God ANOINTED Jesus of Nazareth with the HOLY GHOST and with POWER; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil." (Acts ). And how He had been crucified and raised up the third day, "To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHALL RECEIVE REMISSION OF SINS.
While Peter yet spake these words, THE HOLY GHOST FELL ON ALL them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed (that's the Jewish believers) were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them SPEAK WITH TONGUES, and magnify God." (Acts - 46)
These Gentiles ALL BELIEVED Peter's preaching. "That through Jesus' name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins." (Acts ) Instantly God purified their hearts by faith. (Acts 15:8, 9) The, while Peter was yet speaking THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST, and began to SPEAK WITH TONGUES and magnified God.
Then answered Peter, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" (Acts ) But how did Peter and the six Jewish believers that came with him from Joppa know that these Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit? "For (BECAUSE) they heard them SPEAK WITH TONGUES and GOD MAGNIFY." (Acts )
This sign of speaking with tongues ABSOLUTLEY CONVINCED Peter and his Jewish friends that the Gentiles had received the Holy Ghost. Also, when Peter made his defence for going to the Gentiles - before the apostles and brethren that were in Judæa - Peter said, "THE HOLY GHOST FELL ON THEM, AS ON US AT THE BEGINNING." (Acts ) "Forasmuch then God gave them the LIKE GIFT as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, WHAT WAS I, THAT I COULD WITHSTAND GOD?" (Acts )
When the apostles and brethren heard what had happened, it FULLY CONVINCED them also that the Gentiles had received the Holy Ghost; and that God had granted them REPENT ANCE UNTO LIFE. (Acts )
The last recorded place in the Book of Acts where believers received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, is in Chapter 19 verses 1 -6. Here, we find that in the year 56 A.D. God was still filling obedient believers with the Holy Ghost and fire. And praise God, His Spirit IS STI LL BEING POURED OUT TODAY upon thousands and thousands of believers around the world of practically every denomination, kindred, people, nation and tongue. God loves everybody alike and is LONGING for you to receive this blessed experience, that YOU TOO will love and worship Him more and more, for this wonderful salvation that He hath provided for the children of men.
THE 12 DISCIPLES AT EPHESUS - 56 A.D.23 Years after Pentecost
Wherever Paul went, he always preached the FULL GOSPEL and kept back nothing from the people that was profitable for them. (Acts ) He said, "I have not shunned to declare unto you ALL THE COUNCIL OF GOD." (Acts 20:2])
As this humble servant of Christ was on one of his missionary journeys, he came to Ephesus: "And finding certain DISCIPLES, He said unto them, HAVE YE RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST SINCE YE BELIEVED? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism." Mark 1 :4 tells us, "John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS."
Then said Paul, "John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the HOLY GHOST CAME ON THEM; and THEY SPAKE WITH TONGUES, and prophesied." (Acts 19: 1 -6)
We notice here that these twelve Ephesians were born-again Christians; in verse one they are called DISCIPLES, verse two calls them BELIEVERS, they had been baptized with the baptism of repentance, FOR THE REMISSION OF THEIR SINS. {Mark 1:4). Therefore, they were genuinely saved with their sins forgiven.
When Paul came, he asked them saying, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost SINCE (AFTER) ye believed? {Acts ) They answered and said, "We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." Many born- again Christians today are in the very same situation. They know absolutely nothing about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and that this WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE WITH GOD is for them personally.
These Ephesian Christians were baptized in water, YET NOT ONE of them received the Holy Ghost UNTIL PAUL LAID HIS HANDS UPON THEM. THEN THE HOLY GHOST CAME ON THEM, AND THEY SPAKE WITH TONGUES and prophesied. (Acts 19: 6)
Christian friend, have you RECEIVED the Holy Ghost SINCE you believed the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ? Remember, the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is for the believer. Christ died to provide it. God wants you to have it. And it is up to you to receive this marvellous experience! Amen.
