Lesson 5

The Promise of the Father

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THE THREE PRIORITIES OF GOD

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We want to discuss the Promise of The Father and why the Father is saying…“Tarry in Jerusalem (Where you live) until endued with Power From on High”.

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We need to look at God’s three priorities first which are..

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1. God is looking for People that will WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH. John Ch. 4:24

2. God sent His Son that we might receive eternal life. Jesus died on the cross John Ch. 3:1-21 .

3. God sent His Holy Spirit to EMPOWER us, “Wait for the Promise.” Acts 1:8

 

We want to look at THE REASON why the Promise is one of God’s priorities. There has been continuous opposition and spiritual warfare starting with Adam and Eve. Satan has always tried to cause people to question God’s Word and distorting the truth. Satan has been stealing from and destroying God’s people from day one.

 

When Satan thought he was going to be uprooted at Moses’ time he had all the babies killed starting at 2 years old and under. When he thought that a new king was going to uproot him around the time of the birth of Jesus he had all the babies killed from 2 years old and under.

 

Israel has been under attack every since God designated her, as His chosen People. Remember, the Old Testament History, concerning Israel, and what is happening in our time, World War One and Two, May 14, 1948 and the 1967 war etc. Israel is still under attack today.

 

As we move to the New Testament, we see that the Bride, of the Son of God, has been under continuous attack from day one. The Jewish leaders were continually attacking the church. We don’t have room to cover the persecution of the Christian believers by the Roman Empire. Saul before he was converted was having people arrested, put in prison and even killed for their faith. Saul was guilty of murder.

 

Years later after being converted Paul wrote in Ephesians Ch. 6, “We are not fighting flesh and blood but powers and principalities of powers in heavenly places”. Paul basically was saying there is a military type structure in Satan’s kingdom and if we could see what was happening in the spiritual world with our natural eyes we would drop in a faint. If we could see the satanic activity, it would appear like the big hurricane that swept through the Bahamas and the east coast in Sept. 1999. REMEMBER; the enemy has a minimum of 6000 years of experience.

 

Most Christians are unaware that they even have an enemy that is trying to destroy them.

 

The bible says, that in the last days the enemy will come in like a flood, but God will raise up a standard. I believe that standard is the Bride of God’s Son, filled with the Holy Spirit, being obedient to what the Father has asked her to do.

 

Let’s look at some of the strategies Satan has used against the church.

 

Most people are taught, not to talk politics or religion. But the Bible says, to go into ALL of the world and tell every PERSON, beginning in your own hometown.

 

People are taught that Christian’s are meek, weak and well reserved. The Bible say’s, that we are more than conquerors.

 

Satan has confused the church on many theological issues. The Bible says we should come to the unity of faith. Some of the older denominations, have had a problem in saying what the Bible says, such as, preaching and teaching, you must be Born-Again. They use terms like, “I’ve made my peace with God”.

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There is confusion in regard to water baptism. Some sprinkle and some dunk. Others teach you are not saved unless you have been baptized in water.

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There is major confusion on whether or not we can lose our salvation.

 

There is major confusion on whether the gifts of the spirit are still active today or not.

 

Probably, the most arguments are over, the Promise of the Father, known also as being filled with the Holy Spirit and or being baptized in the Holy Spirit.

 

We are in the last days and that means Satan has pulled out all stops to stop God’s plan and to destroy and contaminate the Bride of God’s Son. His main attack is to distort God’s Word, and create confusion and division in the church. We are seeing 6000 years of prophecy being fulfilled in our day.

 

We are in the midst of a very major spiritual warfare and our Father says; “If you fight the battle my way, you can stand still and see the salvation of the Lord”. We need every resource our Lord has given us. Jesus said, “You shall receive POWER after, the Holy Spirit has come up on you.” Acts 1:8-9

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Paul said in I Corinthians 10:3-6; “Our weapons of warfare are not natural----weapons ---but they are spiritual for breaking down the strongholds of imagination and everything else that would exalt itself against God.”

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Jesus said; “Cheer up, I have overcome the world, Peace I leave you, Peace I give you. My yoke is easy and my burden is light”. John 14:27-28, John 16:31-33 and Matthew 11:25-30

 

How can we experience this peace Jesus talked about the night of the last supper and be more than conquerors?

 

 

OUR ANSWER IS!

 

Through the Promise of the Father and coming to Jesus WHO IS the author and finisher of our faith and letting Him baptize us in the Holy Spirit. (Hebrews 12:1-2, Matthew 3:11 and Acts 10:34-48)

 

Jesus is THE ONE WHO baptizes us in the Holy Spirit. We will be opening ourselves to receive what Jesus had while He was here on earth. (Acts 10:38) Any minister can baptize us in water in obedience to the Lord’s instructions, but only Jesus can baptize us in the Holy Spirit.

 

Receiving the Promise of the Father is SIMILAR TO receiving Jesus as your personal savior.

• We don’t deserve it. And…

• We can’t buy it.

• Our goodness and righteousness doesn’t qualify us for the promise.

 

It is given, because the Father loves us that much, and His grace is that wonderful!

 

To be all that your Father wants you to be, is connected to the Promise of the Father. The Promise will give us ( you ) the spiritual back-bone we need to live the life that is pleasing to the Lord. Look at Peter before and after the day of Pentecost.

 

In John Ch. 17:15 Jesus asks the Father not to take us out of the world, but that the Father would keep us from the evil of the world. Jesus also said in Acts 1:1-8, “you shall receive power AFTER, the Holy Spirit comes upon you.”

 

REVIEW; II Peter 2:2-11 in Lesson Three.

 

SO, HOW DO WE RECEIVE THIS BLESSING?

 

WHILE WE ARE PRAISING AND WORSHIPPING OUR LORD, WE ASK HIM, TO FILL US TO OVER FLOWING, WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT ACCORDING TO THE BOOK OF ACTS. AMEN

 

THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER VERSUS THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT

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IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

 

God said, I will be their God; I will live with them. They will be my children, and I WILL BE IN THEM.

 

IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

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Jesus talked about the gift or the promise of the Father. In John 4 Jesus said God is a Spirit, and He is looking for people to WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH.

 

In John chapters 13-17, the night of THE LAST SUPPER, Jesus FOCUSED ON THE HOLY SPIRIT. Jesus had SAVED THE BEST FOR THE LAST.

 

Acts 1:4-8: Jesus said, “TARRY IN JERUSALEM, AND WAIT FOR THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER.” (DON’T LEAVE TOWN WITHOUT IT) The Promise of The Father is, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for the individual to cultivate a DEEPER RELATIONSHIP with God, who is a Spirit, and for an increased Spiritual Power level. The Baptism includes the personal, private language of tongues to develop a two-way communication with our Heavenly Father.

 

IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THIS

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Jesus gave gifts: Matthew 3:11, Acts 2:1-4 and Ephesians 4:7-16

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The Holy Spirit gives gifts: I Corinthians 12:1-11, 28-30.

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The IMPORTANT POINT IS, the GIFT of TONGUES given with the BAPTISM of (in) THE HOLY SPIRIT, is a DIFFERENT GIFT from the TONGUES given in I Corinthians chapter 12.

 

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There is a DIFFERENCE between the “Promise of the Father” in contrast to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. This represents two different givers and two different gifts. One gift is for a personal fellowship with the Father, and the other is for the benefit of the Church and other applications of ministry and for God to speak directly to the body. That is why Paul says, “DIVERSITY OF TONGUES.”

 

If we use I Corinthians 13:8 to throw out tongues then we become UNLEARNED because prophecies and knowledge are included in that verse also. Look at I Corinthians 14:16, 23 and Mark 16:14-20.

 

But rather, Paul says, “Praying in tongues builds you up spiritually” I Corinthians 14:4.

 

I Corinthians chapter 14 REGULATES the Gifts of The Spirit in chapter 12. It does not REGULATE your personal relationship and communication in tongues with your Heavenly Father that is included with the Promise.

 

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THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER
THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

 

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead. He is not an "it" or a "thing." HE IS GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT. Refer to THE HOLY SPIRIT - A CLOSER LOOK, in this Lesson.

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THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS:

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a. A Mind: He searcheth the hearts and knows the mind of the spirit (the inner man).
Romans 8:27 and Hebrews 4:12

b. A Will: He divideth spiritual gifts as He wills I Corinthians 12:11.

c. Feelings: We as believers are exhorted, DO NOT GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD.
Ephesians 4:30 Also, do not quench or resist the Holy Spirit.

 

THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN:

 

a. Speak: He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit SAITH to the churches
Revelation 2:7

 

b. Teach: He shall TEACH you all things, John 14:26

 

c. Guide: He will GUIDE you into all truth, John 16:13

 

d. Comfort: He will ABIDE with you forever, John 14:16

 

e. Call: HE CALLED and sent forth Barnabas and Paul into the ministry, Acts 13:2 .

 

 

1. THE PROMISED BAPTISM

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John the Baptist was noted for baptizing people in water unto repentance. He said that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit, John 1:32-33.

 

The woman at the well was told about "the living water." They that worship God must worship Him in spirit and in truth, John 4:1-24.

 

It is the Spirit that quickeneth ( Gives life ) John 6:63.

 

Out of your belly shall flow rivers of living water”. This was prophecy concerning the “Promise of the Father”, in John 7:37-39.

 

Ye know Him, for He dwelleth WITH YOU AND SHALL BE IN YOU John 14:16-17.

 

I have many more things to say unto you but, you cannot bare them now (understand). When the Holy
Spirit comes, He will remind you of everything I have said and He will be your TEACHER,
John 16:7-15.

 

Jesus instructs the believers: Wait for the PROMISE OF THE FATHER. YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER AFTER THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS COME UPON YOU. Acts 1:1-8

 

Peter preached about the PROMISE of the Father under the power of the Holy Spirit. He was quoting, Joel 2:28-29 in Acts 2:1-36.

 

 

2. THE PROMISE FULFILLED

 

Luke 4:1 Jesus and Acts 10:38

 

Acts 2:4 The 120 in the upper room

 

Acts 4:8 Peter

 

Acts 4:31 Peter, James, and John

 

Acts 7:55 Stephen

 

Acts 8:14 The Samaritans ( about two years later )

 

Acts 10:44-46 Cornelius and household ( 6 years later )

 

Acts 11:24 Barnabus

 

Acts 13:9 Paul

 

Acts 13:52 Disciples

 

Acts 19:1-6 Ephesians ( about 20 years later )

 

 

3. TWO IMPORTANT ELEMENTS IN RECEIVING THE BAPTISM ARE, BEING BORN AGAIN
AND BEING SPIRITUALLY THIRSTY.

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Luke 5:37-38 Parable of the new wine in old bottles.

 

NOTE: WHAT IS A PARABLE? A parable is an earthly truth with a Heavenly meaning.

 

John 7:37-39 If any man (you) thirst, out of his (your) belly shall flow rivers of living water.

 

John 4:14 The water I shall give him (you) shall be in him (you) a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

 

Revelation 22:17 Let him (you) that is thirsty come, take of the water of life freely. Look also at Revelation 3:20.

 

Isaiah 12:3 YOU CAN . . draw out of the well of salvation WITH JOY.
 

4. WHAT MUST I DO TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT?

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Hebrews 12:1-2 LOOK to Jesus, the AUTHOR and FINISHER of your faith. (Jesus is the Baptizer)

 

Luke 24:49 Behold, I send the PROMISE of my Father upon you, BUT TARRY ye in Jerusalem until ye be endued with POWER from on high. DON'T GIVE UP. THIS PROMISE IS YOURS.

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Acts 2:38-39 This promise is for as many as the Lord calls. The word, “WHOSOEVER” means YOU TOO!

 

John 7:37-38 Jesus said, "If any man ( you ) THIRST, let him ( you ) COME UNTO ME, AND DRINK. He ( you ) that BELIEVETH on Me, as the SCRIPTURE HAS SAID, OUT OF his (your) belly shall FLOW RIVERS OF LIVING WATER.”

 

Luke 11:11-13 ASK and it SHALL BE GIVEN YOU.

 

Acts 2:4 The scriptural evidence is that you will find yourself praising God in your NEW PRAYER LANGUAGE, which you did not have before (tongues).

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NOTE: YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER AND YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST WANT YOU TO RELAX AND LET THEM BESTOW THEIR DIVINE LOVE GIFT UPON YOU.

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Psalm 22:3 The Lord inhabits the praises of His people.

 

Psalm 148-150 PRAISE YE THE LORD FOR HE IS WORTHY!

 

 

5. TWO OF THE BEST ENVIRONMENTS TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM

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a. When there is a worship time around the altar and spirit-filled people are there to pray with you.

 

b. When you are having private devotions at home and you are focusing in on the Lord with all your heart.

The Lord is not concerned about where you are as much as He is concerned about where your heart and mind are (your attitude toward Him AND HIS WORD).

 

THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER

 

THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

 

- REVIEW -

 

1. Who is the Holy Spirit?

 

2. What three elements does the Holy Spirit have?

a.

 

b.

 

c.

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3. In the lesson there are five attributes mentioned concerning the Holy Spirit. What are they?
Give scripture also.

 

a.

 

b.

 

c.

 

d.

 

e.

 

4. According to Acts 1:1-8, what were the last words of Jesus before He was taken up to heaven?

 

5. According to John 16:12-13, why was the Holy Spirit given to the believers?

 

6. Name two important elements in receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

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a.

b.

 

7. What is a parable?

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8. What must you do to receive the Holy Spirit?

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a.

 

b.

 

c.

 

9. What will defeat the purpose of the "Love Gifts?"

 

10. Why do Christians need this experience in their lives?

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11. Have you received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the biblical evidence of speaking in a heavenly language?

 

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THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER
THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

- OBSERVATIONS -

 

1. In every scriptural case, ALL who were open and seeking were filled.

 

2. After the day of PENTECOST every individual that received the baptism with the Holy Spirit was a NEW CONVERT, except those at Ephesus. They had not heard there was a Holy Spirit yet. They did receive after they were taught.

 

3. The fullness of the Spirit was ALWAYS RECEIVED BY FAITH after or at the same time the WORD was ministered.

 

4. In each case there was an outward evidence of praise in an UNLEARNED HEAVEN-SENT LANGUAGE.

 

5. The INDWELLING SPIRIT brings ETERNAL LIFE, but the FULLNESS (baptism) of the SPIRIT BRINGS POWER for living a sinless life and the necessary POWER to serve God in the way He wants you to.

 

6. Something always happens "WITHIN" when we come to God in FAITH, trusting Him to be TRUE TO HIS WORD.

 

7. When asking for the INFILLING of the Spirit, we need not fear. We are coming at God’s invitation (Ephesians 5:18).

 

8. NONE of the gifts of God's Son, nor His Spirit, are a mark of our maturity. They are an EXPRESSION OF HIS GRACE whereby we can progressively fulfill His perfect will in our lives (Ephesians 4:1-16).

 

9. The spiritual gifts are not a sign of holiness. They are a sign that THE SANCTIFIER has come, and HIS WORK WILL PROCEED as the WORD IS OBEYED.

 

10. Nothing DEFEATS the purpose of any LOVE GIFT, other than for the recipient of it, to put the gift before the giver.

 

11. A LIFE of FELLOWSHIP with the GIVER should be THE DESIRE and GOAL of all those who seek the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

 

12. The baptism with the Holy Spirit produces the ABIDING CHARACTER of God, which changes a person's WALK AND  TALK. LET JESUS BAPTIZE YOU NOW.

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THE HOLY SPIRIT - A CLOSER LOOK

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The Holy Spirit is God and is equal to the Father and the Son. Don't ever refer to Him as an "it" or refer to Him as an influence.

 

He is God, The Holy Spirit, and is set forth in the Bible as being distinct from the Father and the Son. In the Genesis account of creation, He is seen actively engaged in the work of creation along with the Father and the Son.

 

In the Old Testament HE CAME UPON MEN TO EMPOWER THEM FOR SERVICE, but when they were disobedient He departed from them. When David sinned against the Lord he prayed, "Take not thy Holy Spirit from me."

In the New Testament, AFTER PENTECOST, we see the Holy Spirit indwelling in the believer, never to leave him, filling, and empowering him for service.

 

The study of the PERSON AND THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE. A scriptural understanding of God The Holy Spirit will make you a STRONGER Christian and servant of God. THE HOLY SPIRIT IS IN YOUR BODY.

 

a. THE DEITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Hebrews. 9:14; Luke 1:35 and Genesis 1:2

 

b. THE EMBLEMS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Luke 3:16 - Also, The Dove, Water, and Oil, etc.

 

c. THE SINS AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT
Matthew 12:31-32 -
Also, DO NOT QUENCH, GRIEVE, OR RESIST THE HOLY SPIRIT.

 

d. THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
John 16:7-14

 

e. THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Galatians 5:22-23

 

f. MORE SCRIPTURE:

 

Matthew 28:19 Acts 1:4-8

 

I John 5:7 Acts 2:4

 

Hebrews 9:14 Acts 8:17-19

 

Luke 24:49 Acts 9:17-18

 

I Corinthians 13:4-10 Acts 10:44-46

 

John 14:17 Acts 11:15-16

 

Romans 8:9 Acts 19:16

 

I Corinthians 6:19 Acts 15:8-9

 

II Timothy 1:14 Revelation 3:20

 

I John 2:27 & 3:24 Colossians 1:27

 

NOTE; From, The Christian Life New Testament. Copyright 1978, 1969, 1967 by Royal Publishers. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc.