That would be the most reasonable explanation as the Book of Ephesians opens with the words, "...to the saints which are at Ephesus...". He is addressing the church, which was already spirit filled.
Clearly, the writer in Ephesians wants us to draw closer to God. We know that it is possible to become more sensitive and knowledgeable in the Spirit when we do so. I believe that is why it can be written in 1 Corinthians 12:11 "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will." and why I Cor 14:1 encourages us to "desire" spiritual gifts."
All of these things are conditional toward our desire to pursue and draw closer to God.
I have never seen the scripture support any view other than the Holy Ghost providing both sealing, power and the evidence - the selfsame Spirit.
This is just a brief testimony of what the Lord has done for me.
In Isaiah 46:3-4 in The Living Bible God says, “Listen to me, all Israel who are left; I have created you and cared for you since you were born. I will be your God through all your lifetime, yes, even when your hair is white with age. I made you and I will care for you. I will carry you along and be your Savior.” The Lord assured His people that He loved them, cared for them, and was committed to a long term relationship with them.
I have also enjoyed a long term relationship with the Lord. I was born into a family that was not particularly religious so as I grew up, God was not a real part of my life. That all changed on March 28, 1955 when I asked Jesus Christ to come into my life. I was 17 years old and my life was drastically changed. I became a new creature. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same any more. A new life has begun!”
A new life had begun. The change was so drastic that 50 years later at a high school reunion some still mentioned the “old” Jim and the “new” Jim. I began to read my Bible and joined a local church where I took an active part. As I read my Bible and listened to some preachers on the radio and read some of their writings I realized there was more for me. On October 27, 1955 I was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then I began attending a different church. This one was Pentecostal. On Pentecost Sunday which was May 20, 1956 I was baptized in the Holy Spirit and spoke with tongues.
This Holy Ghost Baptism was not the end of my experience with the Lord. The Lord and I have been in relationship for over half a century. During that time he has given me a wife to whom I have been married for 52 years. He has given me 5 children, 13 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. He has brought me through major surgeries (quadruple bypass in 1995 and cancer surgery in 2004) and has met every need in His way and in His time.
In 2006 the religious world celebrated a “Century of Pentecost (1906 - 2006)” and that year I celebrated “Half a Century of Pentecost.” This year on Pentecost Sunday (May 23, 2010) I celebrated 54 years in Pentecost. And, you know what, that experience in the Holy Spirit is still fresh! When Jacob was an old man and was introduced to Pharaoh, Pharaoh asked, “How old are you?” Jacob triumphantly replied, ”The days of my pilgrimage are one hundred thirty-eight years.” Well, I can’t quite say that but I can say, “The days of my pilgrimage are seventy-two years,” and I can triumphantly add, “And the Lord has been faithful all of those years.”
Well, that means like 80% or so of population is saved then.
And that they were mostly saved in the last 100 years or so....since oneness Pentecostalism, with it's only true plan of salvation, existed. I mean, there's a total lack of evidence for the visible, viable and powerful church of the Living God for several hundred years, until R.E. McAlister preached the true way to salvation in 1913. There were no 'people of the name' until after 1913...or if they were they were insignificant.
Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Thanks everyone for your replies.Thanks Sam for your testimony.
I agree that I believe that the sealing of the Holy Spirit is one in the same when the Spirit indwells the hearts of the believer and the believer starts to grow in Christ.Perhaps some never leave the stage of a baby christian and therefore they don't grow spiritually.
I do know that I have known some true Christians that were Baptist so they never spoke in tongue.Is this because of the unbelief in the gifts?I think so!However I know the word because I've study God's word for many years.I pray and I have grown in the Lord the past two years.Strange how the enemy comes in with his blind sided attacks but God worked it for my good because I will not walk anywhere without my Lord.
Anyways I know I am saved but for reason's unknown to me as why I've never spoke in tongues could be that God is doing a work in me.I will admit that my faith has been put through the fire and I must surround myself in the things of the Lord in order to hang on to my faith with both hands.
Thank You all for your post!
__________________ John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you for ever 17 The Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
And that they were mostly saved in the last 100 years or so....since oneness Pentecostalism, with it's only true plan of salvation, existed. I mean, there's a total lack of evidence for the visible, viable and powerful church of the Living God for several hundred years, until R.E. McAlister preached the true way to salvation in 1913. There were no 'people of the name' until after 1913...or if they were they were insignificant.
Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
All Jesus name oneness Pentecostals?
McAlister did not preach baptism in Jesus' name as salvation.
Those folks were already saved, and not only saved but also they had been baptized in the Spirit. Water baptism in Jesus' name was not for salvation --it was a step toward being more like the first century church.
McAlister did not preach baptism in Jesus' name as salvation.
Those folks were already saved, and not only saved but also they had been baptized in the Spirit. Water baptism in Jesus' name was not for salvation --it was a step toward being more like the first century church.
What do you think?
The folks were saved and then around 1900-1906 they got baptized in the Spirit and thought, "Oh my, I guess I wasn't saved before but I am now that I've been baptized in the Spirit." Then in 1910-1914 they got baptized in water in Jesus' name and thought, "Oh my, I thought I was saved before but I really wasn't until I was baptized in the Spirit --then I thought I was saved because I got baptized in the Spirit --but I guess I really wasn't saved until now because nowI got baptized in Jesus' name." Was salvation like the carrot before the donkey that kept getting moved out as they moved ahead?
What do you think?
The folks were saved and then around 1900-1906 they got baptized in the Spirit and thought, "Oh my, I guess I wasn't saved before but I am now that I've been baptized in the Spirit." Then in 1910-1914 they got baptized in water in Jesus' name and thought, "Oh my, I thought I was saved before but I really wasn't until I was baptized in the Spirit --then I thought I was saved because I got baptized in the Spirit --but I guess I really wasn't saved until now because nowI got baptized in Jesus' name." Was salvation like the carrot before the donkey that kept getting moved out as they moved ahead?
LOL
My sentiments exactaly Sam, as I understand it there was a group of "saved Christians" that wanted a deeper walk with God that prayed and fasted for a move of God when they received the baptism of the Holy Ghost as we experiance it today, and call it pentecostalism. This is not to preclude we get inclings of many others down through time that experianced the same thing. As I understand it the Methodist were said to be move mightily by the spirit and even spoke with tongues, and were known to fall out in services.
__________________
Study the word with and open heart For if you do, Truth Will Prevail
as a kid i went to methodist church visiting ,,, they shouted spoke in tongues eveything that i could tell was just like the pentecostal church my parents went to.
every since the day of pentecost people have spoke in tongues ...if you got the holy ghost ,you will too....it just come with it!
i have seen folks that didnt know anything about god come in our services ,be touched by his spiriit come to altar and receive the holy ghost speaking in tongues ,,,,and didnt have a clue they were supposed to,,,,
John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you for ever 17 The Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
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