AND! (You NEED Both!)

1)  Matthew 3:11-12, Luke 3:16-17

"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

"John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire."

These scriptures are so important that I had to put it twice! He (JESUS) WILL baptize you (Fully Wet, Immerse, Overwhelm) with the Holy Spirit (Spirit of God Himself, Wind, Breath, Spirit) and fire (The spiritual fire of God, Burns off the impurities of the flesh and soul, Our God is a consuming fire).

Before I was baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire, I read those scriptures in Matthew and Luke with a carnal mind and I remember thinking, 'ok, Amen, that sounds spiritual, but what does it mean? What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire? I read it and kept living my life without knowing what it really meant! I heard the pastor quote it numerous times but I never understood it! And neither did he!

This is exactly why Paul said the carnal mind CANNOT, CANNOT, CANNOT, understand the things of the Spirit! Why not? Because they are SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED!

Noone can explain what it's like to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire, YOU HAVE TO EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF NEO!

And if you haven't felt the definitive experience of God Himself entering your soul and filling you with Dunamis (Power from on High) that you cannot deny, and will be ACCOMPANIED by speaking in other languages (tongues), then you HAVE NOT been baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire. Read my post on John G. Lakes testimony of his baptism with the Holy Spirit and you can begin to understand the reality and manifestations that happens when you receive this gift from God. And He gives it to those who BELIEVE it is for us today. If you don't believe it, you WILL NOT receive it! And you WILL NOT be converted to Christ! 

2) John 3:5

"Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."

These words of Jesus should be crystal clear! But unfortunately for many professing Christians they are not, as they have been discarded by the carnal minded, and replaced with Romans 10:9-10. Did the scriptures Paul wrote to Roman believers, who were already converted to Christ actually replace all that Jesus and John the Baptist said about conversion? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

You cannot ENTER OR SEE the kingdom of God without being born from above. You must be baptized in water and with the Holy Spirit. The kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom for those on this earth. Jesus told the Pharisees, you will not look and say there is the kingdom of God, for the Kingdom of God is WITHIN you, (in your soul by the indwelling of God's Spirit). The reality of God's kingdom is in another dimension called Heaven, where God and all the other holy spirit beings dwell.  

Don't be deceived by the sinner's prayer, which is a good start, but not biblical conversion! Don't be deceived by the repeat after ME's! (Many Televangelists and mega-church preachers do this!) 

Don't be deceived by men or women telling you to just quote Romans 10:9-10, and then they tell you that NOW you are saved, and you are a Christian because you quoted those scriptures. Read the bible for yourself! ASK questions! ASK GOD to reveal the truth to you! He said that those who sought HIM with all their heart WILL FIND HIM! 

Don't accept the lies, deception, false doctrines, misinterpretations of scripture, and ulterior motives of overseer's who are just thinking about numbers, their career as a Pastor, and money to fill their pockets! 

It's time to wake up and receive the great blessings that God has for those who believe and OBEY HIM!

In Jesus,

Tyrone

A Christless Pentecost! - David Wilkerson

The following is a prophetic warning from Azusa Street 75 years

ago, concerning the dangers of a Christless Pentecost!

Frank Bartleman was an eyewitness to the out-pouring of the

Holy Spirit in 1907 at Azusa Street, Los Angeles. He has been

characterized as the Reporter of the Azusa Street Revival. Nearly

75 years ago, during the outpouring, he wrote a tract warning of

a Christless Pentecost

He warned: "We may not hold a doctrine, or seek an experience,

except in Christ. Many are willing to seek power in order to

perform miracles, draw attention and adoration of the people to

themselves, thus robbing Christ of His glory, and making a fair

showing in the flesh. The greatest need would seem to be for

true followers of the meek and lowly Jesus. Religious enthusiasm

easily goes to seed. The human spirit so predominates the show-

off, religious spirit. But we must stick to our text - Christ.

"Any work that exalts the Holy Ghost or 'gifts' above Jesus will

finally end up in fanaticism. Whatever causes us to exalt and love

Jesus is well and safe. The reverse will ruin all. The Holy Ghost is

a great light, but focused on Jesus always for His revealing.

"Where the Holy Ghost is actually in control, Jesus is proclaimed

the Head-the Holy Ghost, His executive."

In another place, Brother Bartleman warned:

"The temptation seems to be toward empty manifestations. This

does not require any particular cross, or death to the self-life.

Hence it is always popular.

"We may not put power, gifts, the Holy Ghost, or in fact anything

ahead of Jesus. Any mission that exalts even the Holy Ghost above

the Lord Jesus Christ is bound for the rocks of error and fanaticism.

"There seems to be a great danger of losing sight of the fact that

Jesus was 'all in all' The work of Calvary, the atonement, must be

the center for our consideration. The Holy Ghost will never draw

our attention from Christ to Himself, but rather reveal Christ in a

fuller way. We are in danger of slighting Jesus - getting Him 'lost

in the temple,' by the exaltation of the Holy Ghost and of the gifts

of the Spirit. Jesus must be the center of everything."

I do not take Brother Bartleman's warning lightly. The danger of

a Christless Pentecost is very real today. I say to you it is possible

to gather Spirit-filled people in one place, praising and lifting up

their hands - and still have Christ walking among them as a stranger!

It's true He said, "Where two or three have gathered together in My

name, there I am in their midst." (Matt. 18:20 NASB) But He can

be in our midst as a stranger! Ignored, unrecognized - even by those

who meet in His name! The Jews gathered every Sabbath in the

synagogue to speak of His name, and to prophesy of His coming.

They praised the name of the Father who promised to send Him.

They spoke the Messiah's name with awe and reverence. Then,

when He came and walked among them - He was not recognized!

He was a stranger to them!

Christ, a stranger in the midst of a Spirit-filled congregation? A

stranger in the midst of those who speak His name - who worship

the Father who sent Him? A stranger to those who sing His

hosannas, who call Him "Lord, Lord"?

Yes! Absolutely yes! It is not only possible - it is happening

among God's chosen people today!...

-Read the full article below-

http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=3353

In Jesus,

Tyrone

Through The Fire

1st Peter 4:12-19

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”

Question: Do we as professing Christians really know what it means to be tried by fire? To be purified? To be sanctified? And partake in the sufferings of Christ? Do we understand what it means to be judged by God?

Thought: When we are tried by fire the one thing we all need to realize is that fire burns, fire hurts, and the process of purifying the inner man is not always pleasant. But it is a necessary work of God through the Holy Spirit that He places within the vessel of His choice. Scripture tells us that Jesus is returning for a bride (church) that is spotless, without blemish or wrinkle. This means that every individual believer with the Holy Spirit indwelling them will undergo trials, tests of faith, scourging, chastening, cleansing, refining, and purification. If we are not experiencing any of these spiritual works within us we should examine ourselves to see if we are really in the faith.

Hebrews 12:3-11

“For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

These scriptures in Hebrews tell us plainly that those whom the Lord loves He chastens, rebukes, and scourges. This is an ongoing process, because we do not receive an all new spirit, mind, soul, or heart when we are born again, but we do receive the Spirit of God who comes to live inside our bodies. What He finds inside of us is years of stains from sin and strongholds from our service to Satan and the gratification of the flesh. Our vessels are unclean and we all need to go through a purification process and it’s different for each saint of God. The scripture tells us that if we don’t go through this chastening and purifying process then we are not sons of God. Even the twelve disciples had to go through it, when Jesus called them they were not chastened, and cleansed, but through the discipleship training and the acceptance of the word of God their vessels were made clean.

John 15:1-3

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.”

Revelation 3:19

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”

The trials and tests of our faith that we all must go through are for our profit that will make us able to partake of the Lord’s Holiness. Our bodies are the temple of God in which He lives by the Holy Spirit, and it must be cleansed so that the Spirit will be able to fill the whole temple. Have we ever gone inside of a physical temple and saw garbage on the floor, dirt, and stains on the wall? I haven’t! The physical temples are swept clean and beautiful on the inside, and it should be the same for our temple (body).

1st Peter 1:3-7

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,”

James 1:2-3,12

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

The Lord told Daniel the prophet that in the last days many would go through the fire to be purified and made white.

Daniel 12:10

“Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.”

1st Corinthians 6:9-11

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

Ephesians 5:25-27

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish”

To God be the glory,
Tyrone, a servant and apostle of Jesus

We Must Be Baptized

Did you know that baptism is more than just a symbolic ritual?

In this study we will take a look at why we must be baptized in water and what baptism really means for new followers of Christ.

The Greek word for baptism is baptizo and it means:

“To immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism:--Baptist, baptize, wash.” (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)

Matthew 28:18-20

“And Jesus came and spoke to them (apostles), saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Jesus), teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”

Question: Did Jesus command His apostles to make new disciples and baptize them or did He leave it up to the new converts to decide how they would be saved?

Mark 16:14-18

“Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Jesus tells His apostles again to baptize the ones who believe the gospel message of the kingdom of God. Jesus makes it clear that baptism in water is a part of God’s plan of salvation for the soul.

Acts 2:36-41

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”

Here we see Peter doing what Jesus had commanded him and the rest of the apostles to do; baptize new converts in water in the name of Jesus. They never changed their gospel message as long as they lived and they never allowed any believer to go without being baptized or receive the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:14-17

"Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit."

Romans 6:1-7

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.”

Paul tells the Roman saints that baptism is far more that a symbolic ritual, but a participation in the likeness of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. When we go into the watery grave we are putting to death the old man of sin, crucifying the flesh and being raised from the water a new creation in Christ. By this act of faith and confession, we come into spiritual contact with the blood of Jesus that washes away all our sins.

Galatians 3:26-28

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 2:11-12

“In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”

1st Corinthians 12:12-14

“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.”

When we are baptized in water and receive the Holy Spirit we are spiritually placed into the body of Christ, this is not a separate baptism but part of the one baptism that all converts to Christ are to receive.

Ephesians 4:4-6

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

Jesus commanded His disciples to be baptized in His name for the forgiveness of their sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who will empower them to live the rest of their lives in obedience to God and dead to sin. He who believes and is baptized WILL be saved!

In Christ,
Tyrone