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Baptised in the Spirit (Life in The Spirit Seminar message) Song: Send down your Holy Ghost Introduction “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:49). On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 1:4-5). I will like to appreciate your effort since the beginning of this seminar. I pray that your effort will not be in vain. I pray that you will not lose your zeal in serving the Lord. Our God is faithful and he will bless you abundantly with his gifts. Even here and now some of you will start manifesting these diverse gifts but the same spirit of the Holy Spirit and obviously some will manifest theirs later after the laying on of hands. “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13). The topic is ‘Baptised in the Spirit’ and I will also like to include ‘Stirring up the gifts’, fanning them to flame. We need revival and renewal for exploits and breakthrough in our Christian life. If there would be any time in your life that you needed to be baptised in the spirit; this is the time. In our contemporary world today it is becoming increasingly difficult to stand on your faith. We now witness goldenness and idolatry being publicly practised and proclaimed. Are seeking fulfilment, peace and happiness in your Christian life and even in your day to day living? Here is the great invitation from the Lord: 37On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (John 7:37-38). 28 "And afterward, 29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I believe that everyone needs to be baptised in the spirit however good, important, well educated or holy we may be, however weak, disadvantaged or sinful, rich or poor. No one is idler in the house of the Lord or called to be irresponsible. This is evident from the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:1430 each servant had his own measure of talents though not the same amount but none was left without any talent (gifts). Again St. Paul corroborated this in 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 that various part of the human body are very important and each has distinct function to perform. None is inferior to the other. The Church is the body of Christ and we are the members. We have a role to make the Church grow. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:6-8). The account of the Pentecost was clearly captured in Acts 2:1-13, even though many people today are using human reasoning, wisdom, interpretation, knowledge, philosophy and doctrine to water down (dilute or weaken) the event of that great experience, it does not however make it irrelevant to us today. “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” (1 Corinthians 1:17). Many religious Jews were there but received nothing because they rationalised what happened. But we serve a God that cannot change and he is daily repeating the same event of Pentecost in our midst. “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfil?” (Numbers 23:19) “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8). "I the LORD do not change.” (Malachi 3:6). A national conference of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal was held in the United States of America between July 9-11 19993 themed: “Fanning the Flame.” Rev. Fr. Chris Aridas said: ‘In the Catholic Church, baptism of the Spirit is essential, it is not an option.’ Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy said he was becoming: ‘More and more convinced that the refreshment Jesus promised us is the Holy Spirit.’ He continued: ‘Unfortunately, for many people who call themselves Christina and Catholic, the Holy Spirit is but a small flicker if light whom they barely recognise.’ Bishop Sam G. Jacobs of Alexandria, La, said they were making effort in bringing Charisms such as healing and speaking in tongues into the sacramental life of the Church. Many of us are not open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, no wonder people are compromising and timid of what people would say. They may say: You guys are making a hell of noise. But the scripture says make a joyful noise to the Lord, read Psalms 147 to 150. “During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” (Hebrews 5:7). You guys are fanatic, fundamentalists and even fools. Again the scripture says: “We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honoured, we are dishonoured! (1 Corinthians 4:10). You can only say a clear and definite ‘YES’ to God when you are opened to the Holy Spirit. To live in the Spirit means to participate fully in the body of Christ. And this will enable you to preach, teach, pray, fast, sing praises and serve the Lord in his vineyard. Variety of gifts “ 4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). 1. Utterance of wisdom - Counselling people. 2. Utterance of Knowledge – Exposition of scriptures. 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' (Jeremiah 33:3). 3. Faith – Strong faith, not wavering, not doubting and never disturbed by anything. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 1:6). “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 1:6). A faith that gives us joy whether in death or in life: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21). 4. Healing – Spiritually or physically. “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." (Mark 16:17-18). 5. Working Miracles – doing extraordinary things. 6. Prophecy – Rev. Sr. Nancy Keller calls it a gift of unity, for God wants to speak to us not only individually but as a community. 7. Distinguishing between spirits – discernment. 8. Speaking in tongues – this rather a contentious gift. Rev. Sr. Nancy Keller calls it – a language of prayer. “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” (Romans 8:26). It directs you on what to pray for when you don’t actually know the need at a particular time. A language of prayer that you never offend God or man because it is a language of God. “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.” (1 Corinthians 14:2). Gift of tongues is a gift of contemplation, a gift that moves us to prayer from the point of restlessness or agitation or worries. A gift of surrender to God. Gift of tongues unites us in language e.g. the reversal of tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1-9. 9. Interpretation of tongues - Other gifts 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:6-8). It is not enough to repent and believe in Jesus, we must manifest these gifts. 38Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2:38-39). Baptism in the Spirit – what does it bring? 1. It brings salvation, peace, unity, carefulness and wisdom. The glory of the Lord will shine on you so much so that the people f the world will recognise it. “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7). 2. It takes away discouragement, Luke warmness, feebleness, despondent (unhappy, hopeless, downcast, dejected), slumbering from the Church. 3. It takes away normal Christian life from you. You become spectacular, extraordinary and a terror to the kingdom of darkness. 4. It takes away compromise from you. Because of the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon Peter, the former timid St. Peter could say: “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:20). And you can say like St. Paul: “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10). By the anointing of all the Holy Spirit you will overcome all these and stand shoulder high: “ 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:3-5). 5. It removes our imperfections and inconsistencies. Exhortation Are we ready to bring this much needed revival and exploit in our prayer groups, parishes and dioceses? Remember that you are participating in this seminar for a purpose and you cannot afford to go back feeble like a chicken beaten by the rain. Do you want to live a victorious Christian life? Do you want to become a vibrant Christian? Do you want to stand out to teach, preach, pray and sing? Do you want to continue growing in your Christianity and never backslide lest the devil and people mock you? God bless you Evang. John B. Oseh |