Experiencing the Transformative Power of the Holy Spirit

The baptism with the Holy Ghost is something that happens to us that is clear surely in all these cases that are recorded in the book of The Acts of the Apostles which is as I tried to show last Sunday our ultimate Authority in this matter it is this history that is taken for granted as background to the teaching of the Epistles. [00:04:51]

The given element what I mean by the given element is this take the terms that are used that he's poured out or that they were filled or that he fell upon them now that's what I mean by the given element here they are they they are the recipients yes but the action is outside it's it's objective if you like it's given it is the Lord that does it. [00:07:49]

Revivals are most important in this matter the difference or if you like the difference between baptism of the Holy Spirit and the Revival is simply one of the number of people affected I would Define a Revival as a large number a group of people being baptized by the holy ghost at the same time or the Holy Ghost falling upon coming upon a number of people assembled together. [00:10:24]

You cannot get a Revival whenever you like you cannot work up a Revival it is wrong to say you fulfill certain conditions you do certain things and a Revival will come so many have said that I've known many who have taught that and who've practiced that who've done everything that they've been instructed to do but the Revival has not come and the answer is that it is in entirely his gift. [00:12:03]

The baptism with the Holy Ghost is always something clear and unmistakable something which can be recognized by the person to whom it happens and by others who look on at this person now this is obviously a most vital and important principle those of course who tend to identify the baptism of the Holy Ghost with regeneration those who say that all who become Christian when they become Christian receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost they naturally minimize this as they must do of necessity. [00:13:31]

The very essence of this is that it is conscious that it's experimental that it's obvious that it's plain that it's clear not only to the recipient but also to those who are familiar with him now this this I regard as in many ways the nerve of the difference of opinion between good Christian people who are all equally genuinely concerned to preach and to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. [00:15:00]

The biblical evidence makes it quite Beyond any doubt that this is something essentially experimental that it involves a mystical experience to use such a term and that it is something that is plain and obvious far from quiet and unobtrusive the whole emphasis upon the instances that we are given in the scriptures and what we deduce again from the teaching of the need of restraint and control in the Church of Corinth and so on all this indicates that far from being something quiet and unsensational it tends to be obvious and patent essentially experimental. [00:17:27]

In the New Testament it was highly spectacular and in the great revivals of religion there has always been a very prominent spectacular element and in the lives and experiences of individuals who talk about this and who testify to receiving this there is invariably something which again you are almost compelled to call a spectacular element to them at inate it was the most spectacular thing that has ever happened to them. [00:18:18]

When this happens you see it is Manifest there is a power given there is an Insight there's an understanding there is an authority there is a speaking loudly boldly this doesn't suggest something quiet controlled almost unobtrusive and unobserved it's the exact opposite but come along those are but the preliminary anticipations we have seen in the case of Our Lord himself that once the spirit had come upon him he begins his ministry he begins to speak and to act and to do his great works. [00:23:02]

The power of God came mightily Upon Us in so much that many cried out for exalting joy and many fell to the ground as soon as we were recovered a little from the awe and amazement at the presence of His Majesty we broke out with one voice we praise thee Oh God we acknowledge thee to be the Lord now you notice what happened the power of God came mightily Upon Us 3:00 in the morning they'd prayed many times before they'd had love feasts very regularly but it was on this occasion it happened in that way. [00:39:15]

A Revival I say is always something plain clear obvious when a Revival breaks out in a church or in a district it's known it becomes a topic of conversation it arouses great curiosity as exactly it did on the day of Pentecost and people come crowding out of sheer curiosity to see what it is that has happened now I'm simply trying to show you that the great characteristic in the first instance of the baptism of the spirit is that it is something obvious manifest plain clear. [00:36:50]

All I've tried to show you this morning is that it's something obvious it's plain it's clear the man himself knows it other people know it about it it is highly experimental may God therefore give us Grace to examine these things examine the scriptures read the history of the church keep your mind and your heart open to the gracious leadings and influences of the spirit of God. [00:44:02]