ALTHOUGH the Bible is clear about being born again and being baptised in the Holy Spirit and eternal life assurance, there are a lot of church groups and cults who confuse themselves with such simple matters.
Salvation is a gift which is received and believed by those who hear and accept the Gospel of Christ.
A gift has to be received to become yours. Oftentimes, we groan in prayer for church members to exhibit a God-like character, but never realising that they never believed in the Gospel, but just joined the denomination or ministry.
One issue that needs to be addressed is being born of the Spirit, baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues and eternal life.
Many have failed to exercise spiritual authority because of wrong teaching. We are born of the Spirit.
Within that is the same Spirit that we use to speak in tongues and our calling, whether pastor or evangelist.
That Spirit secures our place in heaven (eternal life) the moment we are born again.
Our place in heaven does not come when we sleep (die). It is heaven at first and not heaven at last.
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Let us read 2 Corinthians 1:21-22: “[21] Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; [22] Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest [down payment] of the Spirit in our hearts.”
This seal of the Holy Spirit will keep us until the trumpet sounds. We saw last week that by laying of hands, the disciples began to speak in tongues.
Let us look at a different scenario in Acts 10:44,46a, “[44] While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the word. [46a] For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
“We now know that believers can speak in tongues at the point of salvation, when elders lay hands on them or when the Gospel is preached even after a week. The problem many face is that they are led to fast in order to speak in tongues. That’s unbiblical. Everything that comes from God as a blessing to the church is not worked for. It’s just a gift.
We read Romans 8:32: “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”
Please note; with him, freely and all things. The way you are taught in spiritual growth will help or hinder the discovery or unveiling of your dominant calling.
More verses will help. Ephesians 2:8-9: “[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
We cannot do better than what Jesus did as our substitute and harvest His results by identification.
I really wanted us to go back to the A B C of salvation. Jesus speaks in John 3:5-8, “[5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. [7] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. [8] The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
Please use a Bible version you are comfortable with, but read like four times.
We cannot leave0 1 Corinthians 2:13-14: “[13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. [14] 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.”
If you receive this, you will be able to pray as prompted and directed by the Holy Spirit and see results.
How were you introduced to Christianity? We freely received and we freely give.
Be careful of a transactionary gospel that asks you for a seed for your calling, speaking in tongues and securing a place in heaven.
Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy; To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.
Amen.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you through knowledge.
- All Bible quotations are from the King James Version unless otherwise stated.
- Fellowship with Pastor Makarimayi on Facebook and on www.twitter.com/PEMAKARIMAYI.
