A few years ago I listened to a John MacArthur sermon.
As most of us know He is a cessationist, and opposes any idea of Gifts of the spirit.
I believed his sermon was a big straw man due to his demonizing the church at Corinth.
But as he used it I believe that due to his trying to debunk the gifts.
He was right on one point the Church was out of order, they were having moral issues and were taking the Lord's supper incorrectly.
Most likely the Church was in discourse over the gifts as well.
I have come to the conclusion that Paul's letters to the Corinthians was incidental.
It was not intended to be the golden text for debate over the Gifts.
I believe the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was applied to all believers ,it was not optional.
The young Church had great Faith and Christ Himself gave the order of How the Gospel was to be taught.
Luke 3: 16. John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
Acts 1: 4. 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. 5. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 8. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 8: 14. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15. Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16. (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
So what's missing today?
Religon has taken the commandment, and the Power that Christ intended for those in the body and done away with God in the process.
Remember The Holy Spirit is God.
As Christ is and The Father.
The devil has convinced Belivers the Spirit no longer operates as He did before.
The reason there was not a great deal of teaching on the Baptism of the Holy Ghost during Paul's and the other Apostles Church planting and preaching, is that there was no need.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a fundamental part of being in the Body of Christ.
It's no wonder there is no unity ,because we are not united in Spirit.
Quench not the Spirit, and you will quench many sorrows.
I'm not promoting a lack of salvation due to a lack of being filled.
But we need the help and the Power God brings though the Baptism in order to be complete with the whole armor of God.
Every time I meet a spirit filled believer we both know , and confirm the truth in one accord.
You do not have to be told when someone you meet is filled, He is manifested in both of your hearts and you are like believers.
People today go seeking after the Holy Ghost , in the Apostles time it was a part of salvation.
The devil was a liar from the beginning.
As most of us know He is a cessationist, and opposes any idea of Gifts of the spirit.
I believed his sermon was a big straw man due to his demonizing the church at Corinth.
But as he used it I believe that due to his trying to debunk the gifts.
He was right on one point the Church was out of order, they were having moral issues and were taking the Lord's supper incorrectly.
Most likely the Church was in discourse over the gifts as well.
I have come to the conclusion that Paul's letters to the Corinthians was incidental.
It was not intended to be the golden text for debate over the Gifts.
I believe the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was applied to all believers ,it was not optional.
The young Church had great Faith and Christ Himself gave the order of How the Gospel was to be taught.
Luke 3: 16. John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
Acts 1: 4. 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. 5. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 8. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 8: 14. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15. Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16. (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
So what's missing today?
Religon has taken the commandment, and the Power that Christ intended for those in the body and done away with God in the process.
Remember The Holy Spirit is God.
As Christ is and The Father.
The devil has convinced Belivers the Spirit no longer operates as He did before.
The reason there was not a great deal of teaching on the Baptism of the Holy Ghost during Paul's and the other Apostles Church planting and preaching, is that there was no need.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a fundamental part of being in the Body of Christ.
It's no wonder there is no unity ,because we are not united in Spirit.
Quench not the Spirit, and you will quench many sorrows.
I'm not promoting a lack of salvation due to a lack of being filled.
But we need the help and the Power God brings though the Baptism in order to be complete with the whole armor of God.
Every time I meet a spirit filled believer we both know , and confirm the truth in one accord.
You do not have to be told when someone you meet is filled, He is manifested in both of your hearts and you are like believers.
People today go seeking after the Holy Ghost , in the Apostles time it was a part of salvation.
The devil was a liar from the beginning.