2024 has begun!
This is a sudden disaster on the Noto Peninsula. I pray that peace and speedy help will reach all the victims of the disaster.
This year, the world will become even more apocalyptic. But the Bible says these are birth pains. In other words, they are also proofs that a wonderful birth is approaching. The Lord's work will also become more clearly visible than ever before. Let's expect!
1. The theme verse for 2024 is
~ “ Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” ~ (Acts 19:2)
This is a very challenging word. Because when these people believed, they did not receive the Holy Spirit. I think the Lord is asking the same question to the church right now. You may think, "That's so stupid!" This is because the church generally teaches:
A.The moment you believe, the Holy Spirit indwells you.
B. Sometimes you feel it, but it's okay if you don't at all.
C. If you believe, do not doubt the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
But like this scripture says, there are people who believe but do not receive the Holy Spirit!
This year, I would like to think about this mainstream Protestant belief in the Holy Spirit.
2. Definition of the Father's promise = "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" = "Indwelling of the Holy Spirit"
“And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence” Acts 1:4,5
By the way, what does the Father's promise (= the baptism of the Holy Spirit) mean? Generally speaking, there are two definitions of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the abilities of the Holy Spirit. These different definitions of words are causing confusion in the belief in the Holy Spirit, so I will sort them out here.
・Indwelling of the Holy Spirit = Living within the person and giving them new life, helping, teaching, and guiding them to the truth. A work that the Holy Spirit did not have in the Old Testament. The Holy Spirit who came after the resurrected Jesus returned to heaven, the seal of salvation. This is the Father's promise spoken in John 14.
・The abilities of the Holy Spirit = abilities such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, healing, wisdom, etc., which are necessary for evangelism. This kind of anointing also existed in the Old Testament. In this case, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is said to be at the time of John 20:22, when "he breathed on him and said, Receive the Holy Spirit."
In this blog, the Father's promise = the baptism of the Holy Spirit = the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
*I would like you to be careful here, charismatics and Pentecostals. There is an overall tendency to value the gifts of the Holy Spirit over the gift of the Holy Spirit, and this reversal of priorities risks leading to idolatry. What God values is the indwelling fruit of the Holy Spirit.
3. Isn't it the moment you believed?
A.The moment you believe, the Holy Spirit dwells in you.
First, is this biblical? The Bible does not say that the Holy Spirit dwells in you the ``moment'' you believe. Rather, if we look at the Acts , we find that:
①Repent,
②Believing in the cross, burial, and resurrection,
③ Receive water baptism,
④ (by laying on hands) Pray (continue), you will receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
I think these four steps are the basics. (From Hebrews 6:1-2)
I am well aware that this interpretation is controversial, and it is a big challenge, but I believe these four steps are necessary. Because these four steps are all "commands from the Lord"!
4. Examples in Acts
When thinking about the baptism of the Holy Spirit, ``The book of Acts '' is the book that describes the fulfillment of the Father's promise at Pentecost and the process of evangelism in the most detail. Here are some examples.
・Pentecost
The 12 disciples ① repented, ② believed, ③ were baptized with water(in the Gospel) , and ④ prayed for the Holy Spirit promised by the Father (Acts 1). At Pentecost, they received the first baptism of the Holy Spirit in history. (Acts 2).
・Peter's first sermon
Peter said to them, “In order for each of you to have your sins forgiven, ① repent, and ③ be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and ④you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38
② Faith was probably omitted as a matter of course.
・Philip's Samaritan Mission
But the people ①② believed what Philip had preached about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, and ③ both men and women were baptized. ~④Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:12,17
・Ananias' mission to Saul (Paul)
So Ananias went and entered her house and laid his hands on Saul, saying, ``Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way, has sent me so that you may see again and ④be filled with the Holy Spirit.''
Immediately something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see. So he got up and ③was baptized (Acts 9:17.18).
Saul, also known as Paul, ① repented and ② believed when he encountered Jesus.
・Paul's mission to Apollos
This man was taught about ①②the ways of the Lord, and he was filled with spirit and spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, but he only knew John's baptism. ~Acts 18:25
When they heard this, they ③were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Paul ④laid his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:5,6
In addition, in the Bible, it seems that the Holy Spirit was basically received after steps ①②③④. However, although ① and ② are essential conditions, God of mercy often gives the Holy Spirit even without ③ and ④. I am also one of them.
But on the other hand, aren't there some Christians who don't receive the Holy Spirit because they don't do all four steps? I know many people who received the Holy Spirit immediately after ③ water baptism and ④ prayer.
5. If you don't feel the Holy Spirit, you'll have problems.
B. Sometimes you feel the Holy Spirit, but it's okay if you don't at all.
However, there are some people who understand this clearly the moment they receive the Holy Spirit, and others who don't really understand it. I would also like to look at the Bible.
Some are Jews and some are converts. There are also Cretans and Arabians. And yet, to hear those people speak of God's great deeds in our own words? Acts 2:11
The circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For I heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. ~Acts 10:45,46
In the Bible, the moment of baptism with the Holy Spirit was a very spectacular phenomenon, especially when speaking in tongues and prophecy appeared. That's how they knew the Holy Spirit had come upon them. Of course, there are many people who clearly felt the Holy Spirit even without prophecy nor tongues.
When he asked them, ``Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?'' they answered, ``No, I have never asked you if there is a Holy Spirit.'' Acts 19:2
On the other hand, as in the above verse, there are times when a person clearly declares that they have not received the Holy Spirit. It's interesting to see how clearly it is for those who have received it and those who have not.
People told her, "You're crazy," but she insisted it was true. So they said, "It's Peter's angel." Acts 12:15
Also, as in the above verse, it seems common in the Bible to clearly see or feel angels, demons, the Holy Spirit, etc. Even in Japan, people in the past often saw ghosts (evil spirits). However, modern people no longer understand these things, perhaps because of the industrial revolution and the development of science. Even in church, they often don't know if they have the Holy Spirit.
Don't you think this is dangerous for those who have not received the Holy Spirit?
6. You cannot receive the Holy Spirit unless you believe correctly.
Of course, if your knowledge is not correct, you will not be able to receive the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 19:2, there was a different type of baptism. Since John's baptism was a mistake, they were rebaptized in the name of Jesus.
Simon the magician believed and was baptized, but his faith was such that he wanted to buy God's gifts by money, so he was not accepted. (Acts 8:20)
Even if you say, ``I believe in Jesus,'' if you believe in incorrect knowledge, you will not be able to receive the Holy Spirit. Especially in Japan, Only one God, the judgment of hell, sinners, etc. are very difficult to understand, so there is a possibility that many people's beliefs are incorrect.
Actually, when I believed, I did not receive the Holy Spirit either. This is because I believed that other religions such as Buddhism and Shinto were also correct. When I repented, I received the Holy Spirit.
When a person received only his knowledge that he was a sinner, he did not receive the Holy Spirit. When he received it in his heart and repented, he received the Holy Spirit.
When a person does not understand the Trinity, she did not receive the Holy Spirit. She received the Holy Spirit when she realized, "Yes! I'll be connected to the Father through the Holy Spirit."
Is your faith Biblically correct?
7. Let's seek and pray!
I understand that for some reason you may not receive the Holy Spirit.
C. If you believe, do not doubt the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
I think it's dangerous to encourage in this way. Those who believe and receive the Holy Spirit smoothly are fine, but what about those who have not received the Holy Spirit? ,,,,,,,
It's like boarding a plane without checking your passport. If you arrive in a foreign country and are asked, "Where's your passport?" and you can't find it. . . Of course I will be refused entry(heaven)!
The Holy Spirit is our guarantee that we will inherit the kingdom. ~Ephesians 1:14
Pray for indwelling confidence and the Holy Spirit!
Therefore, I say to you: Seek (continue). Then it will be given to you. ~Heavenly Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. Luke 10:9,13
In 2024, the world of the apocalypse will increasingly become a reality. Jesus warns us, ``Prepare for the end'' (Matthew 24). Just as Paul lamented about his fellow Jews, Jesus also lamented that in today's church there are people like the five foolish virgins who have not received the Holy Spirit. クリスチャンへの警告 | ウォッチマン ジャパン (endtimewatchmanjapan.com)
Brothers. The desire of my heart and the prayers I offer to God for them is their salvation. I testify that they are zealous, but that zeal is not based on knowledge. (Romans 10:1-2)
So now we need to check our faith.
Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?
聖霊内住を確認しましょう！ - 聖書の知恵 (hatenablog.com)]
