What a great mystery it is, how God, a Holy Spirit can come into a man or woman and transform their life to love the things they once hated and to hate the things they once loved. This is a great mystery, how the Spirit of God can change our hearts desire to fulfill His word through love of Him whom we have come to know personally. A reverence and respect for God comes upon all who receive the manifestation of His Spirit in them. (John 7:38 “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”)

            Great is the mystery of godliness, not of God, how God can manifest Himself in flesh! Just as He did in the man Christ Jesus, He too can and will come into our temple if we believe! 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifested in the flesh............ God spoke out of the man called Jesus!

            One of the greatest benefits given to us when we receive the Holy Ghost is rest for our souls, that is, we cease from our own labors and take on the nature of Jesus Christ. In the storms of life, the Holy Ghost is our anchor with a strong spiritual chain connecting us to Jesus Christ, the one who calms the tempest. So many voices today are claiming to have received the Spirit of the LORD through the experience of repentance, however, this is only an act of mercy that we feel. It is God’s way of calling us from darkness into His marvelous light, arousing our desires for more of Him. It is not the experience given when we receive the resurrecting power of God’s Spirit in us. Those who have responded to the conviction given by God and repented of their sins, must seek Him for the resurrecting power of the Holy Ghost! (Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart.) They have only died to their sins with no resurrection to manifest the signs of the Spirit of God being in them. God first desires us to die to our sins, be buried with Him in Baptism (Colossians 2:12-AV Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.) and then walk with Him in the Holy Ghost. Did He not say, “greater works shall ye do,” (Jn 14:12) if we truly believe on Him? The fact is, that without His Spirit in us doing the works, we can do nothing! (John 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.)

But to each one who seeks, is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit....!(1 Corinthians 12:7)

             The eye of man cannot see a spirit, so then, what is this manifestation spoken by Paul? What is the supernatural work done in us by the Spirit which gives a manifestation convincing all that God has received our repentance and has come into us making our body a temple from which He can work? (1Corinthians 3:16-17 Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are.) For God to be Lord of our temple and dwell in us He must be given our will, for Jesus said; “no man can serve two masters.” (Matthew 6:24-AV No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.) He is only LORD of our life when we have made Him LORD of Everything in the temple! This is when and only when we can say, “I live yet not I, but Christ Liveth in Me!” (Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”) Mature saints know that to give God complete control over their life is impossible without the Holy Ghost. This is why the council of Paul, a wise master builder is needed by us all! “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.” (Jude 1:20)

            The Jews broke their covenant with God through the weakness of their flesh. All were cut off except for a remnant to fulfill the promises to Abraham. “And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.” (Isaiah 11:11)

            To fulfill the commands of God, we must have God in us! Only then can we walk after the Spirit and not the lust of the flesh.

MAN BY WILLPOWER ALONE CANNOT PLEASE GOD!

Romans 8:3-10 1881RV

            “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and as an offering for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of Spirit is life and peace: because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be: and they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall quicken also your mortal bodies through His Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

BUT WHAT IS THE MANIFESTATION SHOWING THAT JESUS IS IN US?

2 Corinthians 13:5

            “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how

that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

            Jesus made a very powerful statement when He was asked by Nicodemus a ruler of the Jews how a man can be born when he is old in John 3:4. Jesus answered; “except a man be born of the water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” He went on to say that there is a natural birth, of flesh into this world and a Spiritual birth into the kingdom of God. He used this example because we know that when a child is born from his mothers womb there must be a sound to clear the lungs of mucous so the child can live. If there is no sound, the child dies! Jesus also said in John 3:8 that there must be a sound come out from us when we are born of the Spirit! Jesus always uses the known to teach us to have faith in the unknown. The 1881 Revised Version Bible plainly tells us what you can read if you have a Greek New Testament and can interpret it what Jesus actually said in John 3:8.

John 3:8 1881RV

            The Spirit breatheth where it wills, and thou hearest the voice thereof, but knoweth not whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

            Jesus was referring to the prophesy spoken by the Prophet Joel; “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy”...., (Joel 2:28) The word ‘prophesy’ means, “naba, to speak under the influence of the Divine Spirit.” So is everyone that is born of the Spirit!

1. TO THE JEW CAME THE SOUND (Naba) OF THE SPIRIT!

Acts 2:2

            “And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 1:15-AV “And in these days Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren, and said, and there was a multitude gathered together, about a hundred and twenty..., not just the 12 Apostles, but even Mary was one of them.” Acts 2:37-38 “Now when they heard [this], they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men [and] brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” The Gospel to the Jews is, Death, Burial & Resurrection! (Read all of Acts Chapter 1 & 2.)

            And Peter stood up when this was ‘noised’ abroad and said, “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;” Those in Jerusalem ‘heard’ and ‘saw’ the Divine Manifestation spoken by Joel and Jesus!

            What they had received was Salvation, not just a special anointing! For there was about one hundred and twenty brethren in the room including the twelve Apostles. Most of those who received the Holy Ghost are never mentioned in Scripture, but were believers just like you and I are.

2. TO THE GREEK (Gentile) CAME THE SOUND (Naba) OF THE SPIRIT!

Acts 10:45-48 1881RV

            “And they of the circumcision which believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” The Gospel to the Gentile is, Death, Burial & Resurrection! (Read all of Chapter 10 & 11)

            The Jews at Jerusalem had a contention with Peter about going to the Gentiles which were determined by them to be unclean. But Peter answered and said, “who was I that I could withstand God!” The Jews with Peter ‘seeing’ and ‘hearing’ the Gentiles knew that they received the Holy Ghost. What they received was Salvation, not an additional anointing that is for some and not for others! Read the following text.

Acts 11:15-17

            “And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how that He said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized ‘in’ the Holy Ghost. If then God gave unto them the like gift as He did also unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”

3. TO THE SAMARITAN (Jew-Gentile) CAME THE SOUND (Naba) OF THE SPIRIT!

Acts 8:14-18 1881RV

            “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Now when Simon saw through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,”..... What the whole city received, both men and women was Salvation, not an additional anointing that is for some and not for others! The Apostles ‘heard’ what Simon ‘saw!’ The manifestation of the Holy Ghost!

            In the book of Isaiah there is another very profound prophesy given about God speaking through His people with stammering lips and another tongue. It was a promise to all mankind, yet as it says in the Scripture that many will not hear! It is Spirit speaking to our spirit. It is the rest, or confidence that comes from God who knows all things comforting and strengthening the believer. But as said, many are not wise and lean only to their own understanding, not exercising faith in the Word of God to believe the One who loves us the most. Therefore in these crazy perilous days that we are living in, many a persons’ heart is failing them for fear of the things coming on the earth.

Isaiah 28:11-12

            “For with stammering lips and with another tongue will He speak to this people: To whom he said, This is the rest, give ye rest to him that is weary; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.”

THE WRITINGS OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS CONCERNING Naba!

            Many are confused with the writings of Paul, especially the writings concerning receiving the Holy Ghost, the Resurrecting Power of God that is given for Salvation. They read and twist the Scriptures to suit themselves, using their own reasoning to interpret them. But the carnal mind is enmity against God and cannot please Him!

2 Peter 3:15-16 1881RV

            ...”Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; wherein are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstedfast wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

            God was having a serious problem in the Corinthian church, even similar to the churches of today. They were bringing into the church confusion, traditions of their past religions and even damnable deeds as mentioned throughout the two epistles written. Surely Paul who asked the believers in Ephesus, “have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed,” Did not tell the Corinthian church that you receive the Holy Ghost without speaking in tongues? If you read the record in Acts 19:1-6, you will see that when they heard Paul’s council, “they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.” Death, Burial and Resurrection!

            Let us look closely to what Paul really said to the Corinthians concerning speaking in the tongues given to all for Salvation! They were all speaking with tongues at the same time! The unlearned who had not yet received the Holy Ghost were not being edified so they too could believe and receive! “If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?” 1 Cor. 14:23

A) “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue (Which the speaker has not learned.) edifieth himself”....1 Cor. 14:4

B) “and forbid not to speak with tongues”(Glowing spiritual emotions praising God unknown to others.)1 Cor.14:39

C) “I thank God I speak with tongues more than ye all: but in the church”....! (Paul setting in order the use of tongues saying, it is better to speak in a known tongue in the church that others might be edified.) 1 Cor. 14:18

D) “if no interpreter, let him be concealed in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.”(In Revelations 19:10 we read, “...the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy.” (To have a testimony that Jesus is in us, we must naba, that is, God speaks through us and to us, building us with His Spirit. “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith. Praying in the Holy Ghost”...Jude 20)

            Paul also in the same passages of 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14, said that we have control of our bodies which God does not take away from us, even when we have received His Spirit. Many in the churches do things in their flesh which are not of God, yet because they are unlearned, they think the Spirit is making them act the way they do.

            Paul states in Scripture that, “if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful, what is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also; I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding..................Brethren, be not children in understanding”...1 Cor. 14:14-20 These passages confirm what Paul later said to those without understanding, “and the spirit of the prophets are subject to the prophets”! 1 Cor. 14:32

            Paul absolutely was setting Spiritual order in the church! He at the same time gives us an understanding of some of the special anointing gifts that are given to many in the church to build with. Given to those who are learned and able to understand “strong meat.” He stated at the end of describing these special gifts in chapter twelve that, “whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit,” ensuring that there would be no contradiction with what Jesus had said which we can agree on when we study the Scriptures!

John 7:38, 35

            “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”

            Paul later states when expounding more about the Special Spiritual Anointing Gifts to build the church that there was, “diversities of tongues.” (Vs. 28, chapter 12) The opening salutations by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12 are, “now concerning spiritual brethren, I would not have you ignorant.” Paul was not a novice, but a wise master builder and he was speaking with precise clarity given to him by Jesus our Lord. Paul travailed much for the churches that Christ would be formed in them. So to, for the Corinthian church and for us, God has given us the letters inspired by Him and spoken by Paul.

            I trust you have been encouraged to seek God for the Holy Ghost experience the way the Bible says it happens, if you have never spoken in unknown tongues that only the Spirit of God can give. God speaking (naba) through you. This great new birth experience is to all that seek to know if these things be true. God is no respecter of persons, but He honours His own Word and cannot break it. HE IS OUR ROCK! We must receive the Spirit [Birth] the way God said. It is not a question of who is right or wrong, but it is a question of Righteousness, and Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:8)

In Jesus Christ our Messiah and God.

Dr. John M. Strome, Th.D.

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