Category: baptism with the Holy Ghost

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #88

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Precious few realize that “glossolalia” (speaking in tongues) is not confined to Pentecostal and charismatic groups of Christendom. “Ecstatic utterances” have been documented in world religions for millennia, including Islam, Buddhism, and Shamanism. Ancient Israel knew of such “peeping and muttering” in devil (!) worship (!) in Isaiah 8:19,20; God directed them to use the Law of Moses (as in Deuteronomy 13:1-18) to gauge the trustworthiness or deceitfulness of these “strange sounds.”

Consequently, we cannot automatically assume glossolalia is of the Holy Spirit; in contrast, Pentecostals and Charismatics are not so discerning. In their terminology, “speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of baptism with the Holy Ghost.” This is an advertisement of Bible ignorance. Heathen priests and devotees of idols in Corinth spoke “the languages of the gods” during their worship services. Such was the culture, the evil world system, out of which God had called the Corinthian believers when He sent Paul to preach to them in Acts chapter 18. Never abandoning their former conversation, they abused and counterfeited the Holy Spirit’s gift of speaking in tongues in 1 Corinthians chapter 14!

Mysterious, supernatural, ecstatic utterances, or guttural sounds, are not necessarily the God of the Bible or Christianity. Hence, in 1 Corinthians chapters 12–14, the tongue must always be interpreted (so the content can be analyzed). Left untranslated, it must be rejected as false, for it cannot be reduced to sound doctrine. Chanting “Lapafa shabala doolaba” gives the speaker an adrenaline rush, a warm or fuzzy feeling, but it creates perplexity in the minds of listeners and makes them recoil in shock, embarrassment, or revulsion. There is no building up of souls—except that of the speaker who “feels special” because he or she delighted in the publicity received while bragging, “I have a spiritual experience you do not!” Remember, the Holy Spirit wrote in the context of the misuse of spiritual gifts: “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Without sound doctrine, spiritual disorder and spiritual division and spiritual destruction are guaranteed….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #79

Monday, August 10, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Contrary to public opinion, Paul/Saul operated under a commission different from that given to the 12 Apostles. For example, the 12 were instructed, “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). This pairs with the sequence of early Acts: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). In prophecy, salvation and blessing come to Israel first (Matthew 10:5-7), and Jerusalem is Israel’s capital, “the city of the great King” (Matthew 5:35). Therefore, Jerusalem was where the Holy Spirit was poured out on Israel’s believing remnant in Acts chapter 2 (Pentecost) and Jerusalem was where the 12 Apostles (Matthias as Judas Iscariot’s successor) and the rest of believing Israel conducted their ministry during Acts chapters 1–7. With Israel persisting in unbelief during that time, the 12 Apostles did not expand to ministering to the (Gentile) world (nations). Matthew 28:18-20 is yet future!

However, Paul/Saul began his ministry in Damascus rather than Jerusalem (see Acts 9:19-25). Additionally, Gentiles come first in his commission: “But the Lord said unto him [Ananias], Go thy way: for he [Saul/Paul] is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:…” (Acts 9:15). Christ had notified Saul/Paul outside of Damascus, “Delivering thee from the people [Israel], and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee [‘apostello,’ make thee an ‘apostle,’ ‘sent one’],…” (Acts 26:17). With Paul’s ministry, there was no more distinction between Jew and Gentile, but he was preaching to people who had known nothing but that difference. Therefore, his apostleship had authenticating “signs” during the Acts period for a two-fold purpose. Firstly, it showed Israel how their God was now with the Gentiles, and, secondly, it showed the Gentiles how Israel’s God was now with them (the Gentiles)….

The Spiritual Dexterity of Our Physical Posterity #73

Monday, August 3, 2026

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).

If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?

Remember, Israel and signs go together. “And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people. And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped” (Exodus 4:30,31). “Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe” (John 4:48). “For the Jews require a sign…” (1 Corinthians 1:22). Actually, Israel declares in Psalm 74:9: “We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet:….” Signs are Israel’s national birthright; they belong to them!

The sign of the New Covenant is the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. “And I will put my spirit within you…” (Ezekiel 36:27). “And shall put my spirit in you,…” (Ezekiel 37:14). “…for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD” (Ezekiel 39:29). “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh… And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit” (Joel 2:28,29). Israel’s believing remnant underwent this in Acts 2:1-4,16-18,33. The opening chapters of Acts preview the New Covenant that will be ratified at Christ’s Second Coming (Acts 3:19-21; Romans 11:25-29).

In early Acts, Israel’s believing remnant filled with the Holy Spirit is empowered to perform signs. “And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles” (Acts 2:43; cf. Mark 16:20). “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people;…” (Acts 5:12). “God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?” (Hebrews 2:4). “…[A]nd were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,…” (Hebrews 6:4,5). These miraculous demonstrations (spiritual gifts) of Matthew through John and early Acts preview God’s literal, physical, visible, earthly kingdom to be founded at Christ’s Second Coming….

Peter’s Vision of the Unclean Animals #9

Sunday, August 17, 2025

“On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,…” (Acts 10:9,10 KJV).

What can we really learn from this Bible passage?

Before Peter went to the Gentiles in Acts chapter 10, God had already broken down the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile with Paul’s salvation and commissioning in chapter 9 (check Acts 9:15,16; Acts 22:13-15; Acts 26:17,18). Israel had already fallen in chapter 7 and was now diminishing for the rest of Acts (Romans 11:11-14). With the Lord sending Peter to witness a drastic change in program at Cornelius’ house, Peter can now come to Paul’s defense 10 years later at the Jerusalem Conference.

Acts chapter 15: “[7] And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. [8] And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; [9] And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. [10] Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? [11] But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”

Peter recognized Cornelius and those other Gentiles were saved without keeping the Law of Moses and without submitting to physical circumcision. This knowledge allowed Peter to defend Paul’s Gentile believers as not required to be physically circumcised or keep the Law of Moses to be saved (check Acts 15:1-5). The unusual words heard and unexpected events associated with Peter’s visit with Cornelius and other Gentiles at Caesarea, demonstrate how there has been a change in prophecy—and this makes it easier for the Little Flock to see how mystery now works with Paul’s ministry. Using dispensational eyes, we appreciate how this was God’s design in arranging the meeting between Peter and Cornelius all along.

Peter’s Vision of the Unclean Animals #8

Saturday, August 16, 2025

“On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,…” (Acts 10:9,10 KJV).

What can we really learn from this Bible passage?

Read Acts 11:1-3: “And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.” Once Peter left Cornelius’ house in Caesarea and returned to Jerusalem, the other Jewish Apostles and the rest of the Little Flock castigated or fussed him. They knew their commission about Israel first (Acts 1:8) and they understood how they were not to reach Gentiles until Christ came back to reign (Matthew 28:18-20). How dare Peter minister to those uncircumcised non-Jews!!

In Acts 11:4-17, Peter narrates the account in great detail—starting all the way back with the “unclean animals” vision he received in Joppa, to the words of God he heard about not calling anything “unclean,” to the visitation of the three men Cornelius had sent from Caesarea to him, to what he learned from Cornelius face-to-face about what Cornelius saw and heard from the angel, to what confirmation Peter and the other believing Jews witnessed in Caesarea (the Gentiles being baptized with the Holy Ghost).

On the defensive, all Peter can say in conclusion is (verse 17): “Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand [prevent, hinder] God?” Now, verse 18: “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” Like Peter, the Little Flock cannot make sense of what happened—but they cannot deny it either. They rejoice. Indeed, though national Israel is unbelieving, Gentiles have believed under Peter’s ministry.

Several years will pass before it is clear to all of them….

Peter’s Vision of the Unclean Animals #7

Friday, August 15, 2025

“On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,…” (Acts 10:9,10 KJV).

What can we really learn from this Bible passage?

Cornelius was an uncircumcised Gentile who did not observe the Law of Moses, but he walked in the spiritual light he had by blessing Israel (verses 2,4,22,31). Based on what Peter heard about him from the trio and from Cornelius himself, Peter responded: “…Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (verses 34,35). (Cornelius parallels the Gentiles who will bless Israel during Daniel’s 70th Week; Matthew 25:31-40.) Yet, good works are insufficient, so Peter preaches to those Gentiles with Cornelius all about the Lord Jesus Christ and His earthly ministry to Israel (verses 36-43), closing with, “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”

As if Peter has not been perplexed enough, something else unexpected takes place! Verses 44-48: “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed [six Jewish saints; Acts 10:23; Acts 11:12] were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”

In Acts 11:15-17, Peter recounts how those Gentiles were baptized with the Holy Ghost and spoke in intelligent human languages never formally learned—reminding him of what happened with believing Israel on Pentecost (chapter 2). Once more, the Gentiles have faith, but Israel is in unbelief. Peter sees more confirmation God is working with Cornelius and these other Gentiles in Caesarea, though he does not fully comprehend the scope of these events until several years later….

Peter’s Vision of the Unclean Animals #3

Monday, August 11, 2025

“On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,…” (Acts 10:9,10 KJV).

What can we really learn from this Bible passage?

It is a real shame that almost everyone in Christendom misunderstands Acts chapter 10—whether the charismatics who gravitate toward the “pouring out of the Holy Ghost” and speaking in tongues, or the shallow dispensationalists who fail to see the full worth of the passage because they are not pure Pauline dispensationalists.

Cornelius was not a proselyte (Gentile convert) to Judaism (“uncircumcised” according to Acts 11:1-3). He even engaged in pagan idolatry such as human worship (Acts 10:25,26). Nevertheless, he still possessed more spiritual light than most other Romans and non-Jews of his time. For example, he was familiar with, and obeyed, the Abrahamic Covenant about materially blessing Israel to be blessed of God (Genesis 12:3; Acts 10:2,4,22,31,35). He wanted additional spiritual understanding, and, apparently, prayed for it (Acts 10:2,4,6,31). Israel’s God responded by first sending an angel to Cornelius with a message and then using a vision to direct Peter to Cornelius’ house.

Here is some useful geographical information. Caesarea (Cornelius’ home—Acts 10:1) is on the Promised Land’s Mediterranean Coast, some 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Joppa (where Peter is staying with Simon the tanner—Acts 9:43; Acts 10:5,6). God works with Cornelius and Peter separately to bring them together. Firstly, to repeat, an angel tells Cornelius he will hear words of salvation from Peter (Acts 10:22,32; cf. Acts 11:14). Secondly, obeying the angel’s instructions, Cornelius sends three men to lead Peter from Simon’s house and back to Cornelius’ house (Acts 10:7,8). As those three men make their way from Caesarea to Joppa, Peter in Joppa receives a message from God in today’s Scripture.

As Peter resides with Simon the tanner (animal-hide preparer), Peter goes up on the housetop to pray around noon—lunchtime—and he feels quite hungry! Here, he has a vision of unclean animals, which prepares him for those three special visitors….

Paul and The Pause of Prophecy #6

Thursday, June 7, 2024

“Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him” (Acts 13:9 KJV).

How is the Apostle Paul connected to the pause of prophecy?

Read Psalm 2: “[1] Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? [2] The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, [3] Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. [4] He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. [5] Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. [6] Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” The order of the prophetic program was: (1) the Lord Jesus Christ’s First Coming with consequent rejection and crucifixion (verses 1-3; cf. Acts 4:24-28), (2) Father God responding in wrath and war during Daniel’s 70th Week and Christ’s Second Coming (verses 4,5), and (3) Christ’s Millennial Kingdom Reign in the Earth (verse 6).

Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, knew the outpouring of wrath and war were to follow the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:16-21,34-36; cf. Joel 2:28-32). Stephen, also filled with the Holy Ghost, finally saw the wrath just moments away, with the one-year extension of mercy on Israel of Acts chapters 1–7 now expired (cf. Luke 13:6-9; cf. Matthew 12:31,32)! See Acts chapter 7: “[51] Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. [52] Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:…. [55] But he [Stephen], being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, [56] And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.”

Unlike Psalm 110:1 (cf. Acts 2:34-36), Christ was no longer “sitting,” but “standing” in preparation to return and destroy His enemies! Yet, no wrath came….

NOTE: Concerning our New Testament Survey Project, we have now begun studying 1 Corinthians verse-by-verse. Those videos will be archived here.

Categorized! #5

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night” (Revelation 12:10 KJV).

Behold, the evil categorizer!

We return to Zechariah chapter 3: “[4] And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. [5] And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.

“[6] And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying, [7] Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by. [8] Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. [9] For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. [10] In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.”

Joshua the High Priest is given clean clothes, a type of Israel’s redemption to be God’s kingdom of priests in the ages to come. In verse 8, we see Messiah Jesus (“the BRANCH”). Of course, verse 9 hints at the New Covenant, Israel’s forgiveness, the LORD promising, “I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day” (cf. Zechariah 13:1,2—also Christ’s return; note chapter 12, verse 10, and chapter 13, verse 6).

Now, light has been shed on today’s Scripture….

Categorized! #4

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night” (Revelation 12:10 KJV).

Behold, the evil categorizer!

“Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?” (Isaiah 49:24). When the Devil disputed the validity of God’s promise to use defiled Israel in the ages to come, the Divine reply thundered: “[25] But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. [26] And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.” While it was unclear to Satan and Israel in Isaiah’s day precisely how the LORD would address Israel’s sin problem, we (with a completed Bible in hand) realize that was Messiah/Christ Jesus promising to fight Satan face-to-face at Calvary 700 years into the future!

Though Israel is Satan’s spiritual prisoner, under the control of sin and useless to God, Messiah will liberate them and make them His people and cause them to be righteous. “For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he” (Jeremiah 31:11). Also see verses 31-34, the promise of the New Covenant, when Christ’s shed blood is applied to Israel’s national account, rendering her forgiven and cleansed of her filthiness (cf. Hebrews chapters 8–10). This new arrangement to permanently cancel the sin debt accrued under the Old Covenant (Law of Moses), will be ratified at the Lord’s Second Coming (Acts 3:19-21; Romans 11:26,27; Hebrews 9:14-17). Here, the Holy Spirit is poured out on Israel to cause them to walk in God’s ways, to be God’s people in the Earth, free from Satan’s evil categorizing of them (Ezekiel 36:25-38)….