(10) THE HOLY SPIRIT - POWER OF GOD

Jesus received power at His water Baptism. After His symbolic resurrection, the Holy Spirit came down on Him in the form of a dove and remained -(John 1:33). Now, Jesus had the power to do miraculus things. Jesus was 'Full of the Spirit'.-(Micah 3:8) (Luke 4:1)- Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan./ Jesus' baptism with water was symbolic of cleansing for us. The real cleansing for us was when He died on the cross. (Luke 12:50)-Jesus said, "I have a baptism to undergo and I am distressed until it be accomplished. Being 'filled with the Holy Spirit' and being 'baptized with the Holy Spirit' aren't the same thing. John the Baptist was filled (Enabled) by the Holy Spirit from birth. -(Luke 1:15). When, as christians, we are available to teach, preach, or witness, the Lord enables us also. But to be saved, we are baptized with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. That is our Seal until our physical redemption (The Rapture) (1 Cor. 12:13) (Eph. 1:13) (Eph. 4:30). Jesus' resurrection from water was symbolic of His resurrection from the dead. Our water baptism symbolizes death, burial and resurrection with Jesus -(Rom.6:4-8). If we be dead with Christ, we believe that we also shall live with Him. (Titus 3:5)-Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost./ Baptism doesn't save anyone, but it's the answer of a good concience toward God -(1 Pet.3:21), and we are raised to walk in newness of life -(ROM. 6:4-5). FILLED WITH HOLY SPIRIT:- This is an enabling by God. We submit to the Father and then He can work through us. God get's the credit, we will be rewarded at the Judgement Seat Of Christ in Heaven. On Pentecost when the Church was established, Tongues of Fire sat on the heads of the disciples. This indicated the presence of God (Moses & Burning Bush). The sound of rushing wind filled the house (House of God-Temple area). The sound of wind filled the house, but the Holy Spirit 'Filled' the disciples. NOTE:-This is not when Jesus baptized them with the Holy Spirit. The Disciples were enabled to speak in languages that they had never learned. Peter preached and said,"Repent and be Baptized for the forgiveness of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" -(Acts 2:38) They who received His Word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about 3,000 souls. -(Acts 3:41) They were now obedient believers and were added to the Church. Jesus, the Word Of God, Sharper than a two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12), divided the soul from the spirit, indwelled their spirit with the Holy Spirit (Baptism, purification, real cleansing, forgiveness, Sealed) and this was the beginning of their eternal life. Now, isn't this legalism, is Jesus so legalistic? No, Jesus will save any penitent believer, regardless of how ignorant of scripture, or handicapped physically. The thief on the cross didn't get baptized and John's Baptism was also for the forgiveness of sins. If God was legalistic, what about our many sins of omission that we didn't pray about? -(1 John 1:9) (Rom. 4:8)- Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin./ Abraham believed and it was imputed to him as righteousness. When a person believes and puts his faith into action (James 2:17 - Faith without works is dead) the Lord will not reject him. CONCLUSION: Whoever comes to the Lord wholeheartedly will be led by the Holy Spirit and he is saved. We don't need to skip scriptures because we might sound legalistic. (2 Tim. 2:15)- Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. Con