Baptism in the Spirit
On the day of Pentecost two separate groups received the Baptism in the Spirit, numbering 120 (Ac. 1:14) and 3,000 (Ac. 2:38-41).
The First Group (Ac. 1:14) were followers of Jesus from the days of John the Baptist to His resurrection (Ac. 1:21-22). A sound from heaven like rushing wind filled the house, and tongues of fire sat upon each of their heads and they spoke in languages of Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya, Cyrene, and Rome (Acts. 2:8-10).
The Holy Spirit filled (Ac. 2:4) their spirit (Rom. 8:5-16), God breathing into their souls the breath of lives (Gen. 2:7), they became “new creatures” (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15) risen in Christ (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12), born “from above” (John 3:7-8; 1 Pet. 1:3) .The “washing of regeneration and renewing” (Tit. 3:5) gave birth to their “inner man” (Eph. 3:16; Col. 3:10). They became partakers of divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4) passing from death into life (John 5:21, 24-26).
Only their soul was made alive, all of this was Spirit to spirit (Rom. 8:5-16) because our Holy God cannot abide with sin and touches no unclean thing (Rom. 7:18; 8:7-13). The flesh must wait for the resurrection yet future (1 Cor. 15:12, 51-55; Rev. 20:5).
Of these 120 unique followers of Christ only the Twelve Apostles did signs and wonders (Ac. 2:42-43).
When the Second Group received the Holy Spirit (Ac. 2:38-39) there was no sound from heaven like a rushing wind. Tongues of fire did not rest upon their heads. They did not speak foreign languages.
Confirming the 3,000 saved that day did not manifest revelatory gifts is the fact these were so uncommon they were deemed a “sign from God” of something new (Acts 10:44-47; 15:7-8). God also employed this sign to confirm salvation is only by public confession Jesus is LORD (Acts 19:1-7; 4:12). That this was a special group of Jews who received the revelatory gifts is evident by it being specially noted these were “Twelve” in number (Acts 19:7), clearly implying they were part of this exclusive group of Jews who would establish the Church (1 Cor. 12:28).
The “outward physical evidence” the 3,000 were filled with the Holy Spirit was their changed heart and mind towards God and His Truth, and love for His people (Acts. 2:42-47 Compare 1 Pet. 1:22-23).
That the “outward physical evidence” was the SAME for BOTH the 120 and 3,000 follows from it being a function of “the One Body of Christ”, “the One Spirit who regenerates”, “the One Faith all belong to”, “the One Baptism common to every believer”. Every believer is baptized in the Holy Spirit of God whether they “feel” it or not.
Just as the “soul” cannot be “physically felt”, neither can the soul’s regeneration into a new creature be “physically felt”, it happens in the dimension of the spirit senses cannot sense. That is why Scripture is silent about “physical sensations in body or brain” as though any could indicate when the Holy Spirit is working. None can. The regeneration of the human soul into a “new creature” can only be spiritually discerned (1 Cor. 2:14) and logically inferred from many lines of evidence in the Holy Scriptures. Unless God specially grace the believer nothing will be “felt” as “the Spirit communicates to the human soul His divine nature animating the soul with eternal life. It is born again, from above. What formerly was like a ghost is now a “new creature in Christ.” The believer spiritually discerns the changed perceptions, now they “KNOW” God is their Father! Truth formerly obscure is now wonderfully illuminated. The beauty and necessity of Christ, His incarnation and ransom sacrifice are understood beyond natural understanding.
Therefore, on the Day of Pentecost we expect to see THE SAME EVIDENCE of the New Birth in both the 120 who received special empowerment and the 3,000 saved who did not
Both the 120 and 3000 show “holy fear” at the signs done by the Twelve Apostles, and BOTH manifest the Holy Spirit is in them by their devotion to God’s Truth and His people:
43 Then fear came upon EVERY soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:43-47 NKJ)
The “outward physical evidence” they were baptized in the Spirit was in their changed perception, their love for God, His Truth, and His children. Being baptized in the Spirit, the “washing of regeneration” is the SAME for every born from above believer from the Day of Pentecost until today:
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Eph. 4:4-6 NKJ)
The one Spirit Personally indwells every member of the body of Christ, BUT to “each one” was given “the grace” (ἡ χάρις) to accomplish the work God appointed they do (Eph. 2:10):
But unto each one of us was the grace (ἡ χάρις) given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. (Eph. 4:7 ASV)
The church receives gifts (Eph. 4:10-13) according to God’s will (Eph. 4:7; 1 Cor. 12:11), but the One Spirit Personally indwells every member of the church equally so all are “the children of God”.
Therefore, the 120 unique followers of Christ who received special grace to establish Christianity while the New Testament was still being written, were precisely like the 3000 born from above on that day. Never is it said they were superior in any way, to the 3,000 saved that day.
Today’s “born again experience” is the exactly the same believers experienced on the Day of Pentecost, the time of the maximum manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit. All perceive they are changed, loving God, His Truth and His People like never before.
According to Romans 8:5-16 the Holy Spirit bypasses the carnal nature to commune with the human spirit. As He bypasses the flesh entirely, everything He does is beyond the physical senses of touch and physical sensation. Perception will be changed, they will know God is their ABBA Father, and the truth of God and love for His people will be the new paradigm.
When the spiritual man is created, “the ghost in the machine” regenerated by God’s Spirit so it becomes “a new creature” (2 Cor. 5:17). Any physical sensations are the body’s reaction to what the Spirit has done to the human spirit. Adrenaline endorphins etc. produced in reaction to the spiritual new birth aren’t unexpected, but we cannot confuse the horse with the cart. None of them are evidence of the New Birth as each person will physically react differently to this supernatural event called “the new birth.” Many will “feel nothing physically but know in their heart of hearts, God is now their ABBA Father!”:
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Rom. 8:16 KJV)
This “bearing witness” can’t be physically felt, its spiritually discerned just like the Holy Spirit’s bearing witness to our conscience can’t be physically felt:
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Cor. 2:14 KJV)
I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, (Rom. 9:1 NKJ)
What is Spirit is spirit, beyond physical senses (1 Cor. 2:13-14). God speaks to us “face to face” through our conscience (Rom. 9:1) teaching us as we read the Word of God the Bible—the “sword of the Spirit” (Heb. 4:12):
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Heb. 4:12-13 NKJ)
27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
28 “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. (Jn. 10:27-28 NKJ)
Telepathic suggestion to the (flesh) brain is a satanic counterfeit to God’s Spirit bearing witness to our conscience, the mind of our inner man. It is qualitatively inferior, lacking the power of God’s witness (Heb. 4:12). Its on the surface, to the flesh only (1 John 4:4-6):
Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. (Lk. 8:12 KJV)
3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. (2 Cor. 4:3-4 NKJ)
Theophanic voice isn’t telepathic, its a breaking into our realm of existence a manifestation of God (1 Sam. 3:4-10). When God spoke from heaven, some heard the voice of an angel, others only thunder (John 12:29). Not telepathic for then all would hear the same message. It was to their spirit, requiring “spiritual ears to hear” God. Same when a light shone around Paul from heaven and Jesus’ voice spoke (Acts 9:2-5). Paul’s associates heard a voice but without spiritual illumination to their human spirits they understood it not, nor did they see the light of God (Ac. 9:7).
When God the Holy Spirit commanded the disciples, His voice was theophanic (Ac. 13:2) existing in our realm just like the dove John saw at Jesus’ baptism (Mat. 3:16; Lk. 3:22; Mar. 1:10). When John in Revelation-experienced a vision “in the Spirit” (Rev. 1:10), it clearly was on the immaterial spiritual level, not something “downloaded into his physical brain” (Rev. 4:1). Perhaps the analogy of our LORD’s incarnation can be cited as corroborating God’s appearances in our realm are real, not telepathically communicated mirage (John 1:14; 1 John 1:1-2) as in gnostic belief.
Satan and his angels communicate telepathically and influence the world via “voice thought impressions” (Lk. 8:12; 1 Cor. 12:2; 1 John 4:1; 5:19; 1 Tim. 4:1; Eph. 2:2-3). God’s angels could telepathically communicate but lacking any desire to deceive they never do (Lk. 1:26-38; Ac. 7:38; 8:26; 10:3-7; 12:7-10; 23:9; 27:23-25; Rev. 22:8-9)
Back to the point of all Christians being equal in Christ our LORD (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 4:5)
As Sherlock Holmes might say: “As there is one Lord one Faith one Baptism, it is elementary there is one regeneration process for everyone who believes.”
Scripture says the Person of the Holy Spirit is received “when we believe” (εἰ πνεῦμα ἅγιον ἐλάβετε πιστεύσαντες Acts 19:2) confessing Jesus is LORD, the PETRA revelation of God that He is the Christ the Son of the Living God (Mat. 10:32; 16:16-17; Rom. 10:9-10), upon that divine revelation the Church is built (Mt. 16:18; 1 Pet. 2:4-10; Rom. 10:13). Therefore, the regeneration by the Spirit must be the same for all believers in the Church and not only a few”. [See End Note 3 below]
God permitted I “feel” what happened in the realm of the spirit during my regeneration, “extrasensory”. I believe He did so I could pen this blog, discuss the Bible’s revelation all believers in Christ are equals, they all are regenerated by the same Holy Spirit equally. We pass from death into life equally. It is not material some not “feel” anything spectacular “when they believed”, only the “new creature” is probative (2 Cor. 5:17). Having been regenerated they are born, everyone equally children of God.
God the Holy Spirit fell upon me like a warm wind, filling my soul regenerating it. The washing of regeneration (Tit. 3:5) renewed my spirit (Rom. 8:16), not my flesh body or brain (Rom. 7:18). My soul, the “ghost operating the machine” became a partaker of the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4). God breathed into my soul the “breath of lives” and the filling gave rise to a “new creature” (Gen. 2:7; 2 Cor. 5:17), risen from the dead in Christ Jesus my LORD (Rom. 6:4).
Over forty years ago this happened, and never has the Spirit left or forsaken me. God is more real to me than anyone or anything existing. And I “know” the same has happened in every believer in Christ, even if they never “felt it”. I see their faith, their love for God’s Truth and His people, that is the proof we are one in Christ Jesus our LORD.
Did this revelation of the experience of regeneration contradict my “cessationist” position regarding the revelatory gifts? Not at all, nothing apart from scripture truth was revealed.
All who truly repent and confess Christ as LORD publicly (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:8-13) will manifest the “outward physical (objective) evidence they are filled with the Holy Spirit. Their devotion to God’s Truth and love for His children is evident to all just as it was on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:43-47). Physical experiences may follow the salvation experience because our flesh may (or may not) react to the changed reality of our inner man, so it is different for everyone. Scripture never identifies a physical experience as “the evidence of God’s presence because He communes with our spirit, not the flesh.” How do we “objectively” know we are Born of God’s Spirit? Satan cannot counterfeit obedience to God’s Word or love for God’s children because “Satan cannot fight against himself” (Mt. 12:26; Mk. 3:26; Lk. 11:18; 1 Jn. 4:6 compare 2 Thess. 2:13-15). Obedience (devotion to God’s truth) and love for His children THE evidence the Holy Spirit dwells within, for these are fruits of God’s Spirit (Gal. 5:22-25).
Scripture plainly reveals there aren’t “classes of Christians”:
“But you, do not be called `Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. (Matt. 23:8 NKJ)
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal. 3:28 NKJ)
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. (Eph. 4:4-7 NKJ)
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit…
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? (1 Cor. 12:27-30 KJV)
In summation, those who made Christians sad they did not receive the Holy Spirit fully when they believed, are despicable liars. Scripture clearly says otherwise, and as Scripture says it, it must be true for God never lies (Titus 1:2)
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! (Ezek. 13:3 KJV)
22 “Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and you have strengthened the hands of the wicked, so that he does not turn from his wicked way to save his life.
23 “Therefore you shall no longer envision futility nor practice divination; for I will deliver My people out of your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.”‘” (Ezek. 13:22-23 NKJ)
Thus says the LORD …
3 Do not let the son of the foreigner
Who has joined himself to the LORD Speak, saying,
“The LORD has utterly separated me from His people”;
Nor let the eunuch say, “Here I am, a dry tree.”4 For thus says the LORD: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, And choose what pleases Me, And hold fast My covenant,
5 Even to them I will give in My house And within My walls a place and a name Better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name That shall not be cut off.
6 “Also the sons of the foreigner Who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, And to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants– Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And holds fast My covenant–7 Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices Will be accepted on My altar; For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Isa. 56:3-7 NKJ)
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END NOTES
Miscellaneous misunderstood scriptures:
#1.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (Eph. 5:18-20 KJV)
Literally translated: “Be filled IN spirit” (πληροῦσθε ἐν πνεύματι) not “be filled WITH Spirit
The antithesis is not “experience with wine” versus “experience with Holy Spirit”, its “carnal mind (soul) filled with excess (810 ἀσωτία asotia)” by ingesting wine VERSUS filling the Christian’s “spirit” (“inner man, new creature etc.”) filled with godliness by ingesting the spiritual things of God: “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”
Compare:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Rom. 8:4-6 KJV)
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#2.
The Prophecy tongues and revelations listed in 1 Corinthians c. 14 were NOT the word of God:
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. (1 Cor. 14:36-38 KJV)
These gifts edified the church with truth about God (1 Cor. 14:2-5, 26) but were not the Word of God. Just like today, they are insights into the mystery of God believers have when reflecting upon God their Savior.
Tongues ceased. Their function as a sign to the evil and wicked generation of Jews that rejected Jesus (1 Cor. 14:21-22; Isa. 28:11-18) ended when God gave the ultimate sign the Old Covenant was now replaced by the New. The Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed (70 A.D.) along with the genealogical records that enable the Jewish Priesthood to offer sacrifices.
Christian “tongues”are not “ecstatic utterances” as some claim, like those found in the pagan cult of Apollo in the 1st century. The Corinthians asked Paul (1 Cor. 7:1; 8:1) about converts who still did pagan “spirituals” (pneumatikos) (tongues prophecy and healing by a spirit). In response Paul reminds the Corinthians how they know these are very different from true charisma. Unlike the Holy Spirit, the demon spirits inspiring the “spirituals” controlled the will of those they possessed, and completely subverted their ability to think driving them to do incredibly stupid things however the spirits wanted to mislead them.
Paul then gives them an objective test that will positively identify the spirit controlling a “prophet”, no one inspired by God says “Jesus is accursed’ nor can demon spirits confess “Jesus Christ is LORD”.
[This recalls John’s “test the spirits” command in 1 John 4:1-3. ONLY while the spirit is speaking through the “prophet” can it be tested if it can confess “Jesus Christ is come in the flesh” or “Jesus Christ is LORD”. If the alleged “prophet” is not under direct control of a spirit, humans can lie and confess anything they want.]
Another fundamental difference the Corinthians should not be ignorant of, unlike different demon spirits inspiring different “spirituals” pneumatikos such as tongues, prophecy, and healing; there is only One Holy Spirit inspiring Christian charisma:
1 Now concerning spiritual (4152 πνευματικός pneumatikos) [gifts], brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:
2 You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led.
3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are diversities of gifts (5486 χάρισμα charisma), but the same Spirit.
5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit [of all]:
8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,
9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts ((5486 χάρισμα charisma) of healings by the same Spirit,
10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another [different] kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. (1 Cor. 12:1-11 NKJ)
Christian tongues in the NT were a gift from God where a believer could speak a language either of angels (1 Cor. 13:1) or men (Ac. 2:8-11) which have syntax and grammar that can be interpreted. They were not meaningless babble a person can train themselves to do. Although some question if angels speak non-human languages (Gen. 18:5; Lk. 1:19) as they sang out for joy while God laid the foundations of the earth before humans existed (Job 38:4-7), they certainly must.
The main purpose of Tongues was to be a sign to Jews when they heard God glorified by gentiles in languages they never learned (1 Cor. 14:21-22).
1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
2 For he who speaks in a tongue (1100 γλῶσσα glossa) does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries (3466 μυστήριον musterion).
3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? (1 Cor. 14:1-6 NKJ)
God sometimes gifted a believer with a unknown (to him/her) language while revealing mysteries (3466 μυστήριον musterion) or divine secrets to their spirit that they could express to God, even though the revelation wasn’t intellectually understood by the believer’s mind (3563 νοῦς nous). While speaking this tongue “in the spirit” it edified the believer but couldn’t profit anyone else in the church until it could be interpreted. No doubt, in time the believer’s mind would intellectually comprehend what his spirit “knew” and then the believer would share the enlightenment in the church as a “revelation, knowledge, prophesy or a teaching” (1 Cor. 14:6).
I see no material difference between this 1st century ” revelation, knowledge, prophesy, or teaching” and what modern “on fire believers” believers experience when God grants them perception into a mystery of the faith through diligent study of the Holy Scriptures, and they can’t wait to share that with others of like mind and faith, perhaps during Bible Study and such. Suddenly God grants a “moment of clarity” and the mystery God the Holy Spirit wanted understood is known to the believer by God’s deft handling of His Word the Sword of the Spirit. Examples would be the moment the divine truth of the Holy Trinity is understood, that the reality of this is woven in the very fabric of scripture. Or more specifically, when the Deity of Christ or Personhood of the Holy Spirit is understood. Who doesn’t remember the time when the love of God for us was “proven” by His sending His Only Begotten Son to be our Ransom Sacrifice? Such spiritually understood truth astonishes, and clearly is the equal to spiritual insight the believer receives from the Holy Spirit that he could still corrupt because he is a vessel of clay. So “others” must judge anything believers desire to share in church, lest error be given a place.
How is this different from what Paul said the Corinthians were doing, given they did NOT speak the Word of God as the apostles did and it had to be judged, corrected by those who knew the doctrines of the faith?
Scripture has taken the place of such extra-biblical revelation. rendering the man of God complete fully equipped for every good work::
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17 NKJ)
Therefore, the book of Corinthians describes a church unlike a modern Pentecostal church. There is order, not babbling by everyone in attendance. Most of the book relates to “non-Pentecostal issues” that might be found in any modern born-again Bible Believing church if it arose and existed in the same context as the Corinthian Church. The same edification of the church found in prophecy tongues and knowledge exists today in the expository teaching preaching of pastors and teachers—often edifying our spirits beyond human capability to express in words:
when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. (1 Cor. 14:26 KJV)
Confirming the Corinthian “prophets” were only giving their interpretation of the faith is the fact a “prophet” could be wrong, and yet not declared to be a false prophet if the “others judging” (1 Cor. 14:29) rejected the “prophecy.” Moreover, Paul puts these “prophets” (4396 προφήτης prophetes) on the same level as SPIRITUAL believers (4152 πνευματικός pneumatikos)”
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. (1 Cor. 14:37 KJV)
πνευματικός pneumatikós …(A) Of persons who are spiritual, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, enjoying the influences, graces, gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:13, 15; 3:1; 14:37; Gal. 6:1).-Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.
A Prophet or Spiritual man who is NOT channeling the “inerrant word of God” 1 Cor. 14:36 would be equal to a born again Christian soaring in the Spirit because God opened his mind to perceive a truth of the faith in Holy Scripture. That is being “filled with the Spirit” [“godliness” inspiring godly thoughts cf. End Note #1] Compare “Mystery of Godliness” versus “Mystery of Lawlessness”. Also
Recall the context. Even on the Day of Pentecost only the Twelve did the great signs and wonders (Acts 2:43), causing the rest of the 120 (Acts 1:21-22 who grew from the Seventy Christ sent out Lk. 10:1, 17) to marvel, be in godly fear (Acts 2:43). Only this historically unique group of believers received special grace to establish Christianity as the NT Scriptures were being written. The tongues, prophecies, knowledge 1 Cor. 13:8 THEY alone manifested (1 Cor. 12:28-30; Eph. 4:11-14) were ceasing and eventually did cease (cf. “was confirmed” Heb. 2:3) as they departed to be with the LORD.
As Paul insists Corinthian prophecy then practiced was NOT the inerrant word of God (1 Cor. 14:36) and could be “corrected” by other “prophets” (1 Cor. 14:29), it is the “HUMAN spirits of the prophets” that are “prophesying” what they believe God has revealed, enlightening their minds to perceive for the first time. History shows the Church gradually stopped calling such “on fire believers” “prophets”, reserving that for the “founding prophets” in the 1st century.
Just like today during Bible Study or fellowship, a born-again believer Filled with the Spirit can’t wait to share a revelation of the Holy Spirit he perceives for the first time in Holy Scripture. In the case of the ancient Corinthian, he now perceives a truth in the apostolic preaching not yet written down. Therefore, the Corinthian “prophet” is NOT prophesying in the classic sense—as Paul denied it is the “word of God.” As we all receive revelation (“guidance”) of the Holy Spirit in imperfect “earthen vessels” (2 Cor. 4:7) that continue to “see through the glass darkly” (1 Cor. 13:12), we often BOLLIX the revelation, get it wrong. Therefore, for the safety of the church, other “prophets” (1 Cor. 14:29) well founded in doctrinal truth would immediately correct any error. Once the error is corrected, Paul’s overriding concern everyone be edified is accomplished (1 Cor. 14:3-12).
If such “prophets” were prophesying “the very words of God” then any falsehood revealed them to be “false prophets” and Paul would have commanded expelling them from the church. As Paul did not, its clear everyone knew they were not actually prophesying in the classic sense.
Therefore, Prophecy in the classic foretelling and forthtelling the Word of God sense is not in view in 1 Corinthians c. 14 as Paul denied their prophecy, tongues or revelations were the infallible “word of God”:
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. (1 Cor. 14:36-38 KJV)
The Apostles and Prophets (1 Cor. 12:28-30) who founded the Christian Church were a unique group who followed Christ from the time of His earthly ministry and saw His Resurrection (Acts 1:21-22), Paul being the only exception (1 Cor. 15:3-11). It does not appear any of those prophets were in Corinth when Paul wrote 1 Corinthians.
This special group of apostles and prophets who alone revealed the Word of God in the 1st century passed from history leaving us the completed Bible, which is sufficient for every “man of God” to know all that is necessary to the Faith. That is WHY God wrote it, so even a child can be made wise unto salvation by studying it, in Jesus Christ:
God wrote Holy Scripture (ἵνα) “in order that” children of God be completely furnished with all they need to know
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That (ἵνα) the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Tim. 3:15-4:1 KJV)
2443 ἵνα hina
Meaning: 1) that, in order that, so that-Strong’s Concordance.
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#3.
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (Matt. 16:16-17 KJV)
Peter is the First born from above when he publicly confessed the divine revelation Jesus is the Christ, Son of the Living God (πρῶτος Σίμων ὁ λεγόμενος Πέτρος Matt. 10:2. See Aramaic petros פטרוס Jesus’ Janus Parallelism on PETROS in Matthew 16:18
As Jesus’ parallelism implies, Peter’s “blessedness” begins then, but must also include the Pentecost event. His being the “firstborn” of the faith (Mt. 10:2), proves all receive the Holy Spirit “when they believe” (Acts 19:2) because there is only One Faith One Baptism One Body. Perhaps for Peter, Pentecost was “a filling” (Acts 4:8), which is consistent with his similar power when preaching (Acts 2:14 ff.). However, the Janus parallelism places Peter’s “blessedness” both present and future, transcending time. Therefore, it would be “special pleading” we infer Pentecost Peter proves the doctrine of a “second blessing” of the Holy Spirit.
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#4
An argument from silence is unsound unless silence is impossible because of one obvious reason. For example, “not breathing” is impossible if a person is alive. Therefore, “not breathing” is proof a person is dead. Likewise, Scripture’s silence about “the physical experience of receiving the Holy Spirit” is impossible if receiving the Holy Spirit is a physical experience. Therefore, said silence is proof receiving the Holy Spirit is not a physical experience.
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End
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