0427. Have Ye Received the Holy Ghost?
Have Ye Received the Holy Ghost?
"And finding certain disciples, he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" (Act_19:1-2).
Paul in his travels came to Ephesus. His first quest was to search out the believers who lived in the city. He found some twelve men, and at once asked them the all-important question: "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?"
The believers informed Paul that they had been baptized unto John’s baptism, and had not so much as heard "whether there be any Holy Ghost." Then Paul baptized them in the name of the Lord Jesus, and laid his hands upon them, and the Holy Ghost came upon them.
Paul had a great longing for the people of Ephesus. He wanted to point the populace to the salvation that there is in Christ Jesus, but he knew, that, first of all, the saints in the city, who named the name of his Lord, should not only be baptized in water but be baptized in the Holy Ghost. Unless saints know their anointing, they are helpless as babes in doing the will of God.
The work of God can only be made powerful through the Spirit of God. "Ye shall receive power, the Holy Ghost coming upon you," was the promise of the Father.
Alas, how many churches there are to-day whose only knowledge of the Holy Spirit, is a theoretical knowledge. From the pastor down through the whole membership, there seems to be no Spirit-endued witnesses to the faith.
It certainly pays to halt the work until there is a conscious manifestation of the Spirit’s working. Service rendered in the energy of the flesh is a fruitless service.
The minister himself needs far more than the best that a theological training can give him; he needs far more than oratorical gifts; far more than literary accomplishments; he needs to have his heart and lips touched with a live coal from off God’s altar.
The young man or young woman who is in preparation for any phase of Christian work, needs more than schools and colleges can impart. In order to be used of God, one must be set on fire by the Spirit of God.
"Power belongeth unto God." It is "by My Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts."
Stephen was a mighty witness, because he was a man full "of faith and power." The early Church was told to look out from among themselves, men "filled with the Holy Ghost."
Our churches and our mission stations at home and abroad need to demand as their first pre-requisite, that those who serve them are people who have heard of the Holy Ghost and who have been "endued with power from on high."
The factory may be splendidly equipped, but of what use is it all, unless there is power to turn the wheels? The train may stand on the track with every comfort that modern ingenuity can provide, but of what value is it unless the fire is under the boiler, and the power is at hand to run the train?
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR