Available to every born-again believer is the empowerment necessary to fulfill the assignments Christ has called us to. Without the empowerment, we will be sorely lacking. We were never meant to be without it.
We can continue to be a church who is religious but denying His power, or we can humble ourselves and admit our need.
Scripture after scripture indicates in the book of Acts a power that came upon those doing the will of God. When given an assignment, they were “clothed in power.” There is a distinct difference in the Holy Spirit indwelling us and the Holy Spirit clothing us. We need both.
Many rationalize humanly what they do not quite understand. So, we wrap it in a human perspective when the clothing of power is nothing short of supernatural.
For the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. This Acts 8:16 indicates a falling upon them beyond a believing in Christ Jesus and the baptism of John.
Also:
While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the interior and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?”
“No,” they answered, “we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
“Into what, then, were you baptized?” Paul asked.
“The baptism of John,” they replied.
Paul explained: “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”
On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all. ( Acts 10:44-48)
Depending on your past teaching, much can be missed. Unfortunately, we read in light of our own built-in filters. What we need is a revelation. Divine revelation is necessary. I can’t say I understood fully these passages until the day came when I was baptized in the Holy Spirit and His gifts also began to flow through me. Often, our understanding perhaps doesn’t come until our experience does. Then, suddenly, the eyes of our hearts become truly enlightened.
We can only take people as far as we have been. What I do know is that this promised blessing of being clothed with power, praying in the spirit with other tongues, and beginning to hear Christ in new and beautiful ways…is for everyone.
You need it. I need it. Others depend on us walking in power rather than human skill or wisdom. Often, divine wisdom is contrary to what we know in the human realm.
If this is a prayer of your heart to receive that which is already a promised inheritance for you…then ask him for it…and wait for Him to send it. He will be faithful. Be patient.
I see the church that looketh well
It’s plainly precious and pristine
The Word is preached yet there’s no life
No breath that transformeth these.
It’s doctrine straight to the “t”
But the Spirit of God is restrained
For teaching not the Holy Ghost
Has left the bride but lame.
If Christ said it was good to go
For soon He’d sendeth “Thee”
A comforter to reveal the truth
Then ought we not learn of He?
If power it comes by Spirit not flesh
Then how then can we conclude
The Holy Baptism fallen then
Is not needed for us now too?
Oh Satan has robbed us of treasures more
That are lovely and taught in His Word
And we’ve become a lifeless bride
With no breath of God on our tongues.
For John did come to baptize men
With water with cause to repent
Yet Christ did come to baptize too
With fire and power to be “sent.”
It’s time to dig down deep with Christ
Into Thy secret place
Where the Teacher Himself, the Spirit of Truth
Will show you what men have restrained.
Dare not be robbed Thy Holy work
That calls forth the gifts that He gives
Take to the Lord the asking for “more”
That’s in accordance with His heart and will.
