New Beginnings Christian Centre
God's gift and God's promise
“For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
Jesus satisfies those who believe in Him, meeting the deep-seated longing of the human heart for God. He is God’s great gift to us, to be received humbly and gratefully. John 1:12 tells us “as many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” Believing in Jesus and receiving Him are one and the same thing. Also in Revelation 3:20 Jesus makes us a lovely promise – “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any..hear my voice and open the door, I will come in.” So vary many have found this to be true, as they have asked Him into their heart and life.
Two of the great blessings which follow this are, first, Forgiveness of sins and second, Eternal life. St Paul says, as he writes to fellow Christians in Ephesians 1:7 – “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” That means forgiveness now, not at some far off future date. Then St John makes it clear that those who trust in Jesus have a place in that heavenly home He has prepared for those who love Him. In 1 John 5:11,12 he says “This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” That life is a spiritual life in Jesus, which begins now and goes on for ever. A deep peace of heart follows, as by His death on the Cross, we know that Jesus has paid the price for our sins. How precious to us is God’s gift of a Saviour!
But Jesus is not only our Saviour, He is also our Baptiser in the Holy Spirit. Here, as always, we are to take Scripture as it stands, not adding to it or taking away from it. John the Baptist says in Matthew 3:11 and also in each of the other gospels – He shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” One of the main reasons for His ascension into Heaven, was to send the Holy Spirit in power. – “If I go not away, the Holy Spirit will not come to you but if I go away, I will send Him unto you.” John 16:7. Not that the Holy Spirit was not already at work in believers, for as St Paul says, “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” Romans 8:9.
Is there then a need for anything further?
Jesus thought so, even though the disciples were already Christians. For example, St Peter had acknowledged Jesus as the Christ in Matthew 16:16 – “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” and St Thomas, in John 20:28 – “My Lord and my God” to which Jesus replies, “Because thou hast seen me thou hast believed.” Many of the disciples were exercising a significant ministry in preaching, healing and casting out demons, yet they needed further empowering by the Holy Spirit. In His last words on earth, Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem for the ‘Promise of the Father.’ He says “I send the promise of my Father upon you, but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” – Luke 24:49 and “Wait for the promise of the Father.” – Acts 1:4.
GOD’S PROMISE
What is the promise of the Father?
Jesus Himself calls this the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. “You shall be baptised with the Holy Spirit not many days hence.” – Acts 1:5. The promise of the Father is the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, and the Baptiser, as we have seen, is Jesus our Saviour.
For whom is this Holy Spirit Baptism?