The Two Comings of the Lord for Salvation
To our Father and Lord in heaven, we praise your Holy name and give thanks for the blessing of your Spirit and calling on us to preach your Gospel. May we be found worthy of this calling.
This is one of the most impactful letters we have written. We ask all who are led to read it, pray over it, and ask the Lord for wisdom. He will answer if you ask in faith.
Receiving Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit involves a two-step process: first, receiving Christ, His Word that is the commandments, and second, gaining the power of the Spirit of His commandments within us. These two pivotal milestones are also known as the Baptism of John and the Baptism of Christ. There are innumerable lies and false doctrines to navigate to find the Truth. All things are ours, the election of God to fulfill. This includes falling into error and strong delusion, abiding in darkness, before the Lord brings us into the marvelous light of the Truth.
1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Concerning these two baptisms, we err at first and believe many false doctrines until the brightness of His coming to our inward heavens burns all the lies up. Being baptized in Spirit and Truth has nothing to do with a literal 10-second dunk into physical water. That is merely a parable to show us the spiritual significance of what is happening.
Mar 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
The purpose of this letter is to make clear and distinguish between the two baptisms and hopefully bring greater unity among the believers the Lord has put together. We have all been called by the Lord, but need to learn patience as we wait on the Lord and tarry with one another. Tarrying and waiting on the Lord is far more important than we first understood. Every man is on their unique timeline established by God before they were even born. This creates trials as we have a mix of brethren, both Jews [long-time students of Scripture] and Gentiles, at varying stages of maturity. When we come together to partake of the Lord’s supper, we are told to tarry one for another.
1Co 11:33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
Everybody is clay in Potter’s hands and is exactly where they are supposed to be. By the Lord’s design, there is contention and hardship amongst us between those who are further along and those who are not. Some have received the Promise, the second baptism of Christ, and some have not. This makes no man any better than another, as indeed all good gifts are given to us in the appointed times. When the gift of the promise comes, only then are we a kind of firstfruits.
Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Yet we tarry for all, until all come to the fullness of understanding in Christ Jesus. Indeed, this is why the Lord appoints some earlier than others, so those given it first can minister to the rest until we ALL come to unity in the one true faith and have knowledge of the Son [the commandments]. Then there shall be no division, as Christ is not divided.
Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Why did the Lord give some to be these roles Here is why.
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
We are just helpers of others’ joy in the Lord and zealously doing the work the Lord has given us.
The Baptism of John:
The baptism of John comes in the Spirit of Elijah and all the Holy Prophets. The Prophets all spoke of the commandments and the standard of godliness to come right with the Lord. The prophets speaking is Christ speaking, because all their words were what the Lord put in their mouths.
Luk 1:70 As he [Christ] spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
John the Baptist was a prophet, as was Jesus Christ before He was resurrected. Both spoke the Words of the Living Christ, that are Spirit, and by the words they spoke were baptizing those who heard them by the washing of the Word. All prophets, even John, speak of the commandments as do the Lord’s Apostles and prophets today. It is always about the commandments, the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
2Pe 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
Hearing these commandments and the promises of Christ to come is how we are prepared for the eventual coming of the Spirit of Christ into our hearts to take root and abide in us. This second coming of Christ is salvation coming to us as we then gain dominion over our sins and Satan; our carnal mind is bound. But we do not get there in a 10-second prayer; it takes much time, years, as the Lord ordains for every man.
John’s baptism is known as the baptism of repentance towards God and the first step in bringing us to Christ. Keep in mind, everything in the orthodox churches is just a shadow; it is one of many other Jesus’s also known as false Christs. While some washing may be done, that experience puts lies and false doctrine [the trinity, eternal hell, free will of man, etc] into us, so it is not the Baptism of John.
Only those whom the Lord draws to Himself are granted repentance and turn to the Lord. This baptism is a lot more than what we at first understand. We are drawn to Christ and learn true doctrine through John’s baptism. This is mercy as our eyes and ears are opened to see the truth. The second coming is the grace of God, the Spirit, the baptism by fire. When both are done, the throne of mercy and grace is established in our hearts, and we are henceforth taught of God.
Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
Anyone in a clay body who has the true doctrines of Christ can give this baptism to those chosen of God to receive it. We give it to others by laying hands on them. John baptized many, and the ritual of dunking in water is only a symbol of what is happening. We are being washed by the water of the Word. This cleans us of all the lies.
With this baptism, we can preach if we are so anointed. The disciples were sent out and came back rejoicing that all the demon spirits [the lies] were now subject to them because they had true doctrine, the words of Christ. They now know the Truth and have been washed of false doctrines. Yet Christ tells them not to rejoice over this but in what was yet to come. What comes afterwards is the Promise. This is the biggest blessing we have ever received, the return of Christ with the Father, to our heaven. This is the baptism of Christ, the true anointing of God.
Luk 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
Luk 10:18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Luk 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luk 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Ananias laid hands on Paul, which removed the scales from his eyes by the washing with the water of the word. This was Paul getting the baptism of John. To receive the Holy Spirit, we first start with John’s baptism, and the promise of the Holy Spirit only comes later. Paul straightaway got up to preach boldly.
Act 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost [in time]
Act 9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
We have been getting our baptism by John all these years in our prior fellowship, where little by little we learned truth, [Christ comes little by little and is the truth], and the false doctrines begin to fall away. Yet we all have to tarry or wait for the second coming of Christ with the power as promised. None of our prior time was wasted; it is all used for good to prepare us.
Mat 11:10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
To physically dunk in water does not cleanse one of lies and false doctrines. That was just a symbol, a parable, as are all things done in the Scriptures. The completion of the baptism of John is not an immediate washing. It takes time; in fact, it takes two spiritual days to complete. What that means in actual time, only God knows for every man. Christ walked with the carnal disciples for 3.5 years washing them of false doctrines and lies. John was a messenger of Christ doing the same.
The original 12 Disciples that walked with Christ physically for 3.5 years only had the baptism of John when Christ ascended into heaven. Nobody has anything but the baptism of John until the first Pentecost.
Act 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
All the people who heard Christ preach, even the heathens, when He walked in a flesh body, received the Baptism of John, even the disciples.
Luk 7:29 And all the people that heard him [CHRIST], and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
This cannot be overstated. Christ must come again for the fire and power unto salvation to be given to us. The end of the age is not the end of the outward world when Christ comes. No, it is the coming of Christ to us for salvation, every man in their appointed time. This is the fulfillment of the Scriptures in us, and that is the mystery of godliness now being revealed.
We see this also in the parable of the woman at the well. Christ abode with them for two days and then He departed to come again in the appointed time. Faith comes by hearing, and those who listened received faith as they received the baptism of John. This can also be known as the first coming of Christ when we hear, receive faith, and turn our hearts to the Lord in repentance.
Joh 4:40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
Joh 4:41 And many more believed because of his own word;
But there is yet a long journey ahead. We need to walk a good way in John’s baptism. Then a day comes, the third day, when Christ comes again as John prophesied. The Living Christ, the Promise, comes AFTER we get John’s baptism, and that means after we have walked with Christ in the flesh for a long time, just as it was for the disciples.
Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Mat 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
We have waited well over a decade for Christ to come the second time, and that excludes the decades we spent pursuing another Jesus in the orthodox churches. We see that Paul had to wait years. We need to tarry and wait on the Lord and not advance ourselves before our time comes.
Christ is resurrected in all of us on our “third day,” which begins our day of the Lord. This is the coming of the Promise, the fire, the indwelling Gospel. It is salvation which is come to us. Then our perfection begins in earnest.
Hos 6:2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
Luk 13:32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
Christ tells us that after we receive this first baptism of John, it is expedient for Him to go away and then return. This is because we need to tarry with just John’s baptism until the appointed time comes for the Father to send Him to make their abode in us.
Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Joh 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
The return is the Promise, the baptism of Christ by the fire of the living words of commandments put into our hearts. It is the true grace of God that brings salvation, and much quicker than we can believe.
Rom 9:28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
Physical baptism is just a parable, and immersion in water does nothing to change one’s heart. The yet carnal disciples and even John did not understand this back then, and neither do we, if and when we are baptized with physical water or baptize others. The Apostles all came to see this later, and hence Paul baptized very few and focused on preaching the Gospel. This Gospel gives the Baptism of John and the Baptism of Christ at the appointed time to those who hear.
1Co 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Christ’s Baptism by John:
Jesus Christ did not need to be baptized by John because there was no guile or lie in Him. Christ was pure. Jesus Christ was baptized by John to fulfill the Scriptures. This was done to demonstrate that we must go through this baptism as part of our journey with the two comings of the living Word. Like all things written, it is done in parables. Here are the Scriptures.
Mat 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
Mat 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
Mat 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
Working in the Kingdom with John’s Baptism
One can do mighty works for the Lord, even with the Baptism of John. The 12 disciples did many good works before Pentecost, and there are other witnesses in the Scriptures. Paul immediately began preaching with only John’s baptism, as we review later. Our work can testify as well, as we have written many studies over the years, some with errors, and even if in the letter, they all worked for the greater good in those whom the Lord led to read them. It is all useful in preparing ourselves and others for the coming of Christ with the fire.
Apollos, a man of God who later became mighty in the Lord’s Gospel, preaching with Paul to the Corinthians, was first found preaching fervently and teaching, knowing only the letter of the commandments, having not yet received the Promise. It all works for good; nothing is ever wasted.
Act 18:24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
Act 18:25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
The appointed time for Apollos had arrived, and the Lord sent two angels to bring the Gospel, the baptism of Christ, to Apollos. And thus, a new saint is born again by the water and by the Spirit. John’s baptism is the water, and the second coming of Christ with the power of the Spirit is the Spirit. We are not born again until BOTH have occurred.
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water [John] and of the Spirit [Christ], he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
All our time walking in John’s baptism is our time of travail, waiting for our appointed time to be born again of water and the Spirit. The natural teaches us that we have nothing to do with our physical birth, and so it is in the Spirit. It is the Lord’s work, and we are His workmanship. The Lord is going to finish what He has begun. He is coming, we are being raised to new life.
Isa 66:9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.
Apollos first got the water baptism of John and then tarried until the Spirit came, when he received the Promise of the Father. Acquilla and Pricilla, ministers of the Gospel, having Christ resurrected in them, took him aside and showed him the more perfect way of Christ.
Act 18:26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
Now instructed and given the understanding of the Father, Apollos, like others, immediately began preaching boldly in power and all authority, the words of fire working mightily in him. Apollos, being a Jew, being circumcised with all the knowledge of the law and the prophets, became very useful in convincing many “Jews” with similar Scripture knowledge, the more perfect way of the Living Christ in them.
Act 18:27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
Act 18:28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
The Timing of Christ’s Second Coming:
After we receive John’s baptism, and the time varies for everyone, the Holy Spirit descends upon us, and we receive our baptism by fire. Jesus Christ already had the fullness of the Spirit and the Baptism of Christ; the fire seen in the Scriptures is again showing us what we fulfill in our time. Jesus Christ got the Promise of the Father sent immediately upon fulfilling the Scriptures and being baptized by John.
Mat 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Receiving the Spirit of Christ and the Father, the Holy Spirit, symbolized by the Dove lighting upon Christ, is the Promise, the second Baptism. This is also the former and latter rain coming upon all of us when the Father says it is time. The exact day or hour no man knows, not even the angels, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Mar 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
The Resurrected Christ Brings the Baptism of Spirit [Fire]
Christ blowing on the disciples was BEFORE they got the Promise and the power unto salvation. It was done to fulfill the Scriptures in the same way Jesus was physically baptized in water by John. It signifies that when Christ in us is resurrected, we then become the instruments through which the Father brings the Baptism of Christ in the appointed time for every man. As He was sent, He now sends us to do the same to others.
Joh 20:20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
Joh 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
Joh 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
These events are all parables to teach those given to know the mysteries now being revealed. The resurrected Christ, before the Ascension and before the first Pentecost, brought understanding to two disciples on the walk to Emmaus when they ate bread. It opened their eyes, and they knew Christ who vanished into their heaven.
Luk 24:30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
Luk 24:31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
Luk 24:32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
These two went and told the eleven they had seen the risen Christ, and the lesson was learned that receiving the baptism of Christ, making Him known, is done by the breaking of bread with those who were first raised with Christ.
Luk 24:33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
Luk 24:34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
Luk 24:35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
This is how the Gospel is spread, it is by preaching the Gospel [breaking bread, eating the Lord’s supper] with one another. This is why we tarry with one another until the Promise, Christ in every man, is formed. The focus of our fellowship and studies is on the breaking of bread, meaning eating the Living commandments that are the Body of Jesus Christ. This brings the Baptism of John and the Baptism of Fire in the appointed times.
The True Shepherd Christ brings the firstfruits through the door that is His Spirit of the living Word. Those who come through this door that is Christ [Joh 10:9] become the shepherds of the sheep. It is not us; it is Christ in us. The Apostles were the first to enter the door, and everyone has entered by the subsequent work of ministers whom the Lord has raised to new life since.
Joh 10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
We hope some come to see why we are commanded to tarry together until the Promise of the Holy Spirit comes. The church and gatherings at any point in time have a mixture of those given only the Baptism of John and those with the second baptism. When the Spirit is given, we are born again, raised to new life, and given a ministry to go and preach the Gospel. We become ministers or shepherds to the flock of God. Not everyone becomes a shepherd of the sheep. Only some, and they are all appointed by the Lord. Preaching the Gospel requires long-suffering and patience as we wait for all to come to the fullness and unity of the faith.
Mat 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
Mat 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
Mat 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
Those who minister the Gospel do not exercise dominion over anyone. But we do serve in all patience and longsuffering until Christ is formed in all with whom we partake of the Lord’s supper. We tarry with patience so long as the peace remains in the house and our words are being received. We wait on the Lord, teach, and pray for one another that Christ may come. The angel showed John these things as we show brethren today.
Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Only God the Father Gives Understanding
The ministers of the Gospel are made ministers by receiving Christ’s baptism. We, in turn, lay hands on others that the Lord has prepared and puts in our path. Laying on hands is a spiritual symbol for teaching and preaching. We saw above that the Father sets the time; only He knows the day or hour until it comes. The ministers who preach the Gospel, plant, and some water, but only God the Father gives the increase when the time comes.
1Co 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
1Co 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
1Co 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
The truth has always been there; we just do not see it until the appointed time. Understanding is the same as revelation.
Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.
Pro 4:1 Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding;
Jesus Christ is wisdom, and the Father is the revelation or understanding.
Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
With the second coming of Christ, Christ’s Christ gets both wisdom and understanding.
Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
When we are baptized into Christ, we have both. Christ and the Father are ONE; they are One Spirit. Salvation has come to us in down payment form. We shall know in that appointed day set for every man.
Joh 14:20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
The ministers of the Gospel work and travail until Christ is formed in the sheep. Thus, the purpose of the ministration of the Gospel.
Gal 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
Paul tarried in the churches the Lord led him to establish until the Spirit of Christ, the power fell upon the flock. He saw an opportunity and judged the time was ripe for the harvest at Ephesus. Acts 19 shows the fruit of this tarrying as the Promise fell on many in Ephesus.
1Co 16:8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. [until the Spirit comes to the church at Ephesus]
1Co 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
The witnesses at the first Pentecost were the first to receive the promise of the Father, as the Apostle Peter’s bold speech cited. The strange things following, the speaking of tongues, the wonders in our heaven and earth are all the works of the Holy Spirit now dwelling in those given the blessing.
Act 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
This letter gives much additional insight into the Promise. Receiving the Promise
End of Part 1. Part 2 covers the Second Baptism, the receiving of the Promise, and the challenges of waiting and tarrying for the Lord to come.
Three Witnesses of How the Promise Comes
Let’s review three confirming witnesses in the Scriptures that establish how the Promise, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, the living and abiding Word, comes to us and what the immediate impacts are on those so blessed.
The First Pentecost – The 120 Gathered: We saw in Part 1 that the resurrected Christ opens the Scriptures and imparts understanding to us. Yet we still need to tarry and gather together and wait for the promise to come. That day is Pentecost for all of us. The disciples walked with the resurrected Christ for 40 days, who gave them understanding before He ascended into heaven. Before he ascended, He told them to tarry in Jerusalem, gathered together, and that it would not be many days before the baptism of the Spirit comes. So we do the same today.
Act 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
Act 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
Act 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
These letters the Lord gave us to write are infallible proofs of the Gospel and the Promises of God.
The disciples tarried, and in a little while, the Spirit came upon all of them at the same time to start the church of Jesus Christ.
Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The immediate effect was everyone speaking in tongues, a parable and symbol for speaking the hidden wisdom and truth of the mystery of the Gospel and the Scriptures. The letters we write are speaking in tongues, as those outside the faith reading this would think we are drunk or mad. The other immediate effect is that we speak with great boldness and authority just as our Lord did. He is now speaking through us as He lives in us. Peter arose to preach and told the bystanders what they had just witnessed. The former and latter rain had fallen upon them as Joel had prophesied.
Act 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
Act 2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
Act 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Act 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Act 2:19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
Act 2:20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
Act 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Signs and wonders in their inward heavens and earth is the coming of salvation to the temple of God. Our eyes are clear now, and we can see the kingdom of God with clarity. Big changes immediately come into our mind [heaven] and in our earth [walk or deeds]. We are changed, all things are now being made new. We have a renewed mindset, the mind of Christ, and a new earth is being formed by the living Word of the commandments that now abide in us. The seed of Christ has sprung forth quickly. We have been born again! Now, so long as we walk in the Spirit we have been given, we CANNOT SIN.
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
1Jn 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Being born again, we still need to move onward to maturity and grow into the full stature of Jesus Christ. Do not make the mistake of thinking all the revelation and all the understanding come at once. Christ comes to us little by little as we grow into maturity and can bear it. Our faith has grown through many trials, and we still make mistakes and err, because we only have an earnest deposit of the Spirit.
2Co 5:5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
2Co 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
We do not get haughty or high-minded. We make our calling and election sure by remaining steadfast and heeding the Apostles. We are sealed with the Spirit when Christ comes the second time and dwells in us. We continue to grow into maturity as we run the race to the end.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Soon thereafter, Peter and John were taken by the chief priests of the Jews, who commanded them to stop preaching the Gospel, which they refused. They had healed a lame man [Acts 3] and began attracting followers like Christ had before He was crucified. We, too, begin to heal people through the living words of power we now speak. Returning to the assembly of the saints in Jerusalem, Peter prayed, asking for boldness for all the disciples. The Lord answered with the rain that is the Holy Spirit, thus expanding the church and equipping it with great power and more ministers. This was a second Pentecost, and there have been others in every generation since.
Act 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
Act 4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
Act 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
The Disciples at Ephesus: A third witness and Pentecost event is what happened to the disciples who assembled in Ephesus. The disciples only had John’s baptism until this day.
Act 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
Act 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Act 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
Act 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Act 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
These people had certainly heard about the Holy Spirit. What they meant by saying they did not know of the Holy Spirit was that the Spirit was not in them as of yet. The resurrected Christ in Paul then laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit and the baptism of Jesus Christ, which are one in the same.
Act 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Act 19:7 And all the men were about twelve.
Act 19:8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
They immediately began to preach the Gospel boldly in the assemblies and synagogues as the Lord led them. This is a common theme.
The Exception of Paul:
Paul was an exception to the general rule, as he did not receive the revelation that is the Baptism of Christ from any man or in a gathering with others. He was washed in John’s baptism when Ananias came to him in Damascus. But then Paul, like all of us, had to wait a long time to get the Baptism by fire that is the living Spirit of Christ. The Lord just gave it to him by revelation, as no man who had the resurrected Christ in them laid hands on Paul.
Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
This was many years after the Damascus incident, when the scales were removed from his eyes when he got John’s baptism.
Gal 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,
Gal 1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Gal 1:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
Gal 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
Paul shares his experience of the vision through which the Holy Spirit and the fire came into him. Paul was not glorying in himself; he just wanted to share this with the churches he had borne for their edification.
2Co 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
2Co 12:3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
2Co 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Nothing is impossible with God. In the same way, He can rain the revelation into Paul or any man, at any time the Father says so. This is how we likewise received the Promise so we in turn can give it to those the Lord has prepared.
The Revelation of John on Patmos:
The Apostle John was in the room at Pentecost when the Spirit fell upon all. That was his Pentecost and baptism of Christ. But remember Christ does not come all at once; He comes little by little, both in the baptism of John and the baptism of the Spirit. The new man born again needs to grow into maturity, and John is not different. That requires more rain upon our earth.
Col 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Col 1:11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Let us never think we have arrived, especially after the Spirit comes and we have our baptism of Christ. We need to press on to the high calling to receive the fullness of our crown in Jesus Christ.
Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
The Book of Revelation shows us growing into greater knowledge and understanding and being matured. The Lord uses His angels, His ministers, and priests to spread the fire and increase understanding one saint at a time. The Lord sends an angel who shows us the more perfect way and to show us things to come as we are in our day of the Lord for the rest of our lives.
Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
The Book of Revelation was given to show us in Spirit, how the Lord sends His angels, the shepherds He first brings through the door, the firstfruits, to then, in turn, go spread it to others. This is how the lake of fire works and the fire spreads. It is signified by the many angels whom the Lord sends.
How We Know We Have the Spirit
We can only know we have the Spirit of God when the Spirit Himself bears witness and tells us so.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. [We have the understanding that is The Father]
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
When Christ comes, there is no missing Him. Everything has changed, even in the down payment form, in the twinkling of an eye. We do not have to guess, and if we examine ourselves, we know without a doubt. Here is how we know that we have Christ’s baptism.
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
This is much more than the outside of the cup being cleaned up; this is a thorough purging on the inside. We don’t have the fullness, but there is no way we miss the Lord coming to us. The life we now live is no longer for ourselves; we are living for Christ, we are His Bond Servants.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
We know we have been redeemed and belong to Him now, a true son.
1Jn 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
We can only say it and mean it, in our heart, that Jesus Christ is Lord over our life when the Spirit of the Living God is actually in our heart.
Mat 16:15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Mat 16:16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Mat 16:17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
Christ is calling things that are not yet as if they already were [Rom 4:17] as Peter had not yet had the Promise. A final witness here from 1Cor.
1Co 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
Trials in Our Assemblies
Christ is not divided and is indeed One. Yet in our assemblies, we have a mix of people both called and chosen, all at varying stages of maturity and in the process of their two baptisms and maturation. The result of this is trials, as the flesh and the Spirit do indeed clash. The Apostles endured brutal hardships and persecution from carnally minded men, and so do the Lord’s ministers and Apostles of today. It is guaranteed and to be expected.
Luk 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
Luk 12:52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
Mat 10:36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
Christ, the Wisdom of God, tells us persecution goes with the job.
Luk 11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:
The Lord’s ways are higher than our ways. He purposed all of these conflicts in getting the Gospel out to test everyone’s faith and teach us many things through our suffering. This is also how the Lord sifts the flock and winnows the herd. Some endure to the end, while some fall away and stop walking the road with Christ. These trials with one another teach us to be forgiving, long-suffering, patient, gentle, kind, meek, and many other fruits of obeying the commandments. This is how our faith is being exercised; it takes irritation, trouble, and conflict to make a pearl of great price in our hearts.
Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
We preach the Gospel to all who give us their ear, knowing many reject it for many reasons. A big reason the Gospel is rejected is when someone has the false belief, they already have the Promise and therefore reject our preaching and no longer hope for something they already have.
When one claims they already have the Spirit, even though they do not, they are saying the resurrection is already past, even though they only have the baptism of John. This is a huge deception; we lived through ourselves until God shows mercy and is come. This deception greatly hinders one from receiving the Gospel in hope, so Christ can come again.
2Ti 2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
2Ti 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
When one believes this falsely, their faith is weak, and they overthrow the faith of others. This is because without the baptism of Christ, we do not get overcoming, and we have not been born again, even though we think otherwise. We remain dead in our sins. Without power, our hope is drained over time because we claim something we do not yet have and no longer truly hope for it. So the Promises of God seem distant and are not making a dramatic difference in our lives. Even those with the Promise still struggle, waiting for the fullness of the adoption, having only the earnest deposit. But without the earnest deposit of the Spirit by the baptism of Christ, we have no chance to overcome. When hope is lost, we disobey the commands to tarry and do not pray for Christ to come with the power.
Rom 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
Rom 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
To get the Spirit, the Lord must have mercy on us. He had mercy on Apollos to receive the correction and a more perfect understanding of Christ. We don’t choose to have eyes to see and ears to hear. It is not up to any man; it is the Lord.
Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. [opens eyes and ears]
Without mercy, flesh reacts negatively to anyone suggesting there is a more perfect way of the Gospel than what we already know. Flesh takes offense to such an invitation, especially if one has spent years of work and study in the Scriptures and striving to obey the Lord. It takes a humble heart to admit they were wrong and receive the needed correction. The Lord gives mercy to those so ordained, and so we tarry with the brethren and work to save as many as the Lord gives us.
Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
Rom 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
We only see clearly when looking behind ourselves after we have received the promised power unto salvation. We know it was none of ourselves and 100% the work and coming of the Lord into our heavens. It is an amazing thing to understand the Lord’s purposes in blinding Israel, both flesh Israel as well as Spiritual Israel who profess the faith, but know not the Spirit of the Lord. It is all grace and none of our works. It is the Lord’s purpose to save a remnant in every generation, known as the elect, and to blind everyone else. He is the Saviour.
Rom 11:5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
Wait on the Lord to Come
After Peter’s speech at Pentecost, those who witnessed the event and heard the bold speech asked what they should do to be saved.
Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
The answer is always repent and be baptized, starting with John’s baptism for the remission of sin, and then we wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit. The formula or method has never changed; it was always a simple answer that carnal men have greatly complicated. God is true to His Word and Promises; we need to trust Him.
1Th 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
1Ti 4:10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
Waiting for the Promise is where many who start well go astray and fall away from faith before the Spirit comes. We are told to be patient, to wait, to tarry, to watch, to pray always as we wait for this to come. This coming is our resurrection from the dead. This is receiving eternal life now, even in down payment form. But we must believe and wait through the suffering and then the Lord comes to make us perfect and strengthen us.
1Pe 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
We hope to tarry with as many as the Lord gives to teach and preach this Gospel, and pray together that the Spirit falls upon the whole house like it did in the three witnesses covered in this letter. If we tarry and wait with patience, the Promise shall come.
Luk 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
All the Scriptures about waiting, patience, long suffering, watching, and praying have an enhanced understanding if one has received the lessons in this letter. None of our time waiting is wasted; we are being exercised daily if we have the Spirit or even if we wait for it. All is used to perfect us and pave the way for the coming of the Lord with the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. I encourage all to wait and believe these words and the promises to come. Here are just a few of the scores of witnesses and admonitions from the Scriptures.
Psa 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psa 37:34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.
Lam 3:26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
Act 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
When faith comes near, we are close and salvation is not far off, considering life is just a vapor. We just wait a little longer till it comes.
Isa 46:13 I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
We are to pray for the Lord to come, to hasten the coming to us with His power of the Spirit. This is why we are given the Lord’s prayer. We are commanded to pray this daily, and He hears us and gives us what we ask.
Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
We are to tarry for one another and all wait together for the Lord to bring them along and give them the Promise. Everyone needs to make ready for the coming and not be a foolish virgin with no oil in their lamp. When Christ comes, we need to be ready, having prepared ourselves. We make ready by watching and praying [obeying the commands, being as Holy as we can]. When the cry comes, do not miss the Lord. Many sleep and are not ready.
Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Final Exhortations:
One can easily get discouraged, as we attest. But know the Lord loses none of the sheep given Him by the Father. Our patience and tarrying were rewarded as the Promise finally came. It comes to all, it is a gift, it is the true grace of God and none of our own works. Do not lose your confidence and be patient.
Heb 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.
Heb 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Heb 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
Hold fast until the Lord comes. Tarry and wait. Do not harden your hearts as Israel of old did, who grew weary of the wait.
Heb 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
Heb 3:15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
Many are near, at the very door. It will not be long until Christ comes and your baptisms are completed.
Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Christ is coming again. Occupy till He comes the second time. Tarry with brethren, eat the Lord’s supper daily, and strive to be holy in all your behavior. The coming is not about the end of the world, it is about Christ coming to you with power.
Luk 19:12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
Luk 19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
God can’t lie. He is busy preparing a place for you now through all the experiences He has given you. But He is coming back, so where He is, you will also be forever. He is coming to live in your heart; just wait a little longer.
Joh 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Praise be to the Lord of all mercies.
Love to the scattered brethren in this world.
Pete and Ronel
