On the day of Pentecost, many asked the question, "What meaneth this?" Peter proclaimed, "This is that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel!" There is as much confusion today as there was on that day about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures reveal that the unbelievers of that time "were all amazed, and were in doubt... Others mocking said, 'These men are full of new wine'" (Acts 2:12,13). The same attitudes are found in the minds of people today. Many are amazed, others doubt that the promise is God's purpose for each believer, and still others mock, as in the beginning. Amazement, doubts and mocking did not hinder that little group of about one hundred and twenty from receiving what they were waiting for, and Peter declared what was happening to those standing by, "This is that..." [Read Full Article]
The Old Covenant preserved Israel as a nation until the time of Christ. It pointed the way to the coming Christ, and revealed God's holiness and man's inability to obey the Law. But when the true Passover Lamb was slain, reconciling us to God, the old order was terminated. Now in Christ we have entered into "a new and living way" (Hebrews 10:20). The work of Christ has opened the way for us to partake of the life of God, the Holy Spirit, and to enjoy intimate fellowship with God. In the New Covenant, God has promised to put His laws in our minds and write them on our hearts (Hebrews 8:10). We are now sons of God by new birth, with wonderful privileges and corresponding responsibilities. As we walk in His life by faith, we will experience God's grace and allow Him to reveal who He is through us. This is a refreshing account of God's dealing with mankind through the ages, with strong encouragement to search out and enter into all the riches available in the New Covenant. [Read Full Article]
"'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive..." (John 7:37-39). In times past, the Holy Spirit was with men at times, but Jesus paid the way that God may now dwell in us all the time. This is the gospel, the "good news," the very heart of our salvation: Jesus baptizing us with the Holy Spirit to make us one with God, true sons of God, and members of His own body--with power to live the very life of Christ on earth. How can we enter into this reality? Jesus gave us three simple steps: "Thirst, come, and drink." How can we know that God dwells within? The faith that brings us into the flow of God's life also brings observable expressions of that life. Many teachings tend to complicate this subject, but this booklet takes a fresh look at various scriptures to bring out simple truth for every believer to consider and respond to in their own personal relationship with God. [Read Full Article]
"It is no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me..." Are we living in the reality Paul lived in? In Adam, we were born into death; in Christ, we have come into life. We do not live our lives any longer, but His life. We are a "new creation," with a new center and a new direction. When we return to this place God originally designed us for, we come into a realm completely different from anything the natural man has ever experienced: the realm of the Spirit. Christ himself is our peace, our life, our source for every need. Understanding the reality of "living His life" is the very foundation of our salvation. This powerful encouragement to come back to the simplicity of Christ could change your whole walk of faith. [Read Full Article]