So it is written!
So it is written!
And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. For it is declared: "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 7:15-17)
It is interesting to note that the Spirit of God came upon the Lord Jesus as a Dove, but on the disciples as tongues of fire.
Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him." (John 1:32)
They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. (Acts 2:3)
I think this was because the Spirit of Jesus is pure and there is nothing the Spirit of God could judge and condemn. But such was not the case with the disciples at that time.
There is a baptism of blessing with the Spirit. There also is a baptism with fire, and each true Christian must experience that judging and cleansing sooner or later.
I mentioned "speaking in tongues" previously. On the Day of Pentecost the tongues were known languages. I myself speak in tongues as a prayer language, and it is very helpful.
Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. (I Corinthians 14:4)
I speak in tongues in prayer about every day. I do not prophesy very often, although I have on occasion. There are others in the assembling who do, and so the job gets done.
Even though I realize what a marvelous help speaking in tongues in our private devotions is, I do not emphasize it often when preaching, just once in a while. The main burden of the Spirit at this time seems to be that of confessing and turning away from our sinful practices, as the Spirit guides and empowers us.
If an individual will be faithful to set aside a time for prayer each day, and ask the Lord politely for the ability to pray in tongues, I think it will not be long before this helpful ability is granted.
The fruit of the Spirit is the end product of a diligent Christian discipleship. We should be manifesting love, joy, and peace in our behavior. If instead we manifest hatred, misery, and worry in our behavior, then it is doubtful that we are a truly born-again Christian, even if we appear to be able to speak in tongues.
Let each of us always keep in mind that our calling as a human being is to be in the image of God, showing forth the love, joy, peace, and other characteristics of God. God has given to His priesthood the crown of anointing so they can assist each one of us in bringing forth God's Character in our personality and behavior.
Speaking of the ministry of Christ to the members of His Body, this is to prepare each member of the Royal Priesthood to bring the Presence and Life of God to the saved people of the nations of the earth:
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:1-3)
When the Lord Jesus, through the ministries and gifts given by the Spirit to the members of His Body, has created "oaks" of righteous behavior, then He and His Body will, as I said, bring the Presence and Life of God to those people of the nations of the earth whom God has chosen to save to the new world of righteousness.
That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (John 17:21)
In the above essay I have written concerning the need each of us Christians has for thinking, speaking, and behaving in the Spirit of God.
There is another need, and that is for a universal outpouring of God's Spirit on the Christians of the world. In time past, such an outpouring has taken place in the United States in the New York Prayer Meeting; in Wales; in Indonesia; and many other places.
We need a tremendous outpouring of God's Spirit in America, as well as in other places where there are Christian believers. I am praying for such a visitation of God, and I hope you are too.