Holy Spirit & the Sanctuary 5

Church On Earth / Sanctuary in Heaven

Study given by W. D. Frazee - February 23, 1968

Hebrews 8, beginning with the first verse:

“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum” Hebrews 8:1,

The chief point, the pith, this is the point. What is it, Paul?

“We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man” Hebrews:1, 2.

Jesus is the minister of the sanctuary in heaven, and this, Paul says, is the sum of what he is seeking to bring to our minds. Indeed, it is the chief point in the message of God for us today, my friends. To exalt Jesus, to understand what He is doing for us in the heavenly sanctuary, is of first importance.

Now, this evening, let us review briefly what we have been studying in recent evenings in order to get ready for the wonderful things that we are going to study tonight. We have found that the sanctuary in heaven is the center of Christ’s work in behalf of men, and that in order to help us understand it, God had Moses, there in the wilderness, make a copy. Paul says here in Hebrew 8:4, 5 that this that Moses made was the example and shadow of heavenly things. So as we study what went on in this sanctuary, we understand what is now going on in the sanctuary above. That is the real [the sanctuary in heaven]. This was copied after it or patterned after it, but the genuine, the real work, is in heaven.

The work of the sanctuary is basically the work of getting rid of sin. And surely everyone of us is interested in that problem, aren’t we? And we found that it is accomplished only by the shedding of blood - that blood shed in the court, ministered in the holy place in order that sins may be forgiven, ministered in the most holy place that they may be blotted out.

We have been studying in recent weeks, the work of the Holy Spirit in connection with this sanctuary service. The third person of the Godhead, the Holy Ghost, works intimately with the Father and the Son. This has been true in all ages. It is true today.

And when Jesus entered upon His special work in the sanctuary, the Holy Spirit was directly involved. You remember it was when He went to heaven after His death, resurrection, when He ascended, He prayed the Father, as He said He would, for a special gift for His church.

And when He was enthroned as priest and king in the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, He sent upon His church that wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit. The result was what we read in the book of Acts: the mighty ingathering of souls, the marvelous miracle-working power that was displayed there; the healing of the sick, speaking in various languages, and above all, the gift of prophecy in harmony with Joel’s prediction, fulfilled, said Peter, on that occasion.

“It shall come to pass ... I will pour out of my Spirit ... and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy” Acts 2:17.

Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit the early church, looking to Christ in the sanctuary above as its head, spread the knowledge of the gospel throughout the known world in the brief space of forty years. It was a wonderful work, dear friends.

Now, we have been studying how that down here in these last days, as Jesus has gone into the most holy place to finish His mediatorial work in the sanctuary, again there is a special work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit who comes from the sanctuary, leads to the sanctuary. This is one of the great tests of the Spirit.

You remember the apostle John says in the fourth chapter:

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” 1 John 4:1.

So whenever anyone claims to be speaking by the Holy Spirit, or working by the Holy Spirit, we need to examine His credentials. And so the apostle says, “Try the spirits.” And this is one of the great tests: test them by their relation to the sanctuary, for where Jesus is, is where we want to be in our faith. Isn’t that right? Certainly.

The last two Friday nights we have been showing the wonderful work the Holy Spirit has been doing and will be doing in connection with this closing work in the most holy place. This evening, I want to bring you what to me is one of the most interesting and important lessons in this series. It has to do with the relationship of the church on earth, to the sanctuary in heaven, and the Holy Spirit’s work in each.

As we shall see in the scriptures presently, the church on earth is called a sanctuary or a temple. That is a very fitting and appropriate symbol. The sanctuary is God’s dwelling place, and God dwells not only in the temple above, but He dwells, by His Spirit, in His church on earth. And the tabernacle made by Moses there in the wilderness is a fitting symbol, an appropriate type, not only of the sanctuary in heaven where Jesus ministers, but the church here below.

We shall find this brought to us very beautifully in Ephesians 2:19, 20. Turn to that, if you will. Here Paul is writing to the church at Ephesus. He had raised up this church and he was glad to write to them by inspiration of the Spirit confirming them in the faith and building them up in the things of God. Here in the second chapter of his letter, he says:

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God” Ephesians 2:19.

What is the household of God? Well, that is the church. Just hold that place in Ephesians and we will go over to Paul’s epistle to Timothy:

“If I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” 1 Timothy 3:15.

So the house of God or the household of God is what? The church. Now let us go back to Ephesians 2:

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners” Ephesians 2:19.

You see, these Ephesians were outside. They were in the heathen world. The Jews looked down upon them. “But now,” Paul says, “that you have accepted Jesus and become a part of His church, you are no more strangers and foreigners.” Isn’t that nice, friends, to be accepted?

“But fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household” Ephesians 2:19,

“Of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” Ephesians 2:19, 20.

You remember Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build” what? “My church.”

“In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” Ephesians 2:21, 22.

Notice, then, this is a living building. It is built of people. God is building it, and He is building it what for? A habitation of God through the Spirit. That is what we are studying about, the work of the Holy Spirit in connection with the sanctuary. And that same good Spirit which is working with the Father and the Son in the heavenly sanctuary, is working here in His church on earth.

You remember when the sanctuary was built back then at Mount Sinai, God told Moses to make it like the pattern. The church on earth ought to be built after the pattern, too, don’t you think so, friends? Oh, yes. You remember that it was built of the very best material. God wants the very best material put into His church on earth. What do you say? Not wood, hay, and stubble, which will be burnt up, but gold and silver and precious stones.

You remember that back then the material which was put into this sanctuary had to come from willing hearts. It was a voluntary offering. In fact, the people brought so much that Moses finally had to issue a proclamation all through the camp, “We have more than enough.” So today, friends, the only material that God can use in building His church, which is the sanctuary or temple here on earth, is that which is willingly dedicated to Him.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” Romans 12:1.

Oh, friends, I am glad we can all be a part of this earthly temple which is the counterpart of the heavenly temple. What do you say? And the Holy Spirit is working in each. He is working in the earthly sanctuary, the church, to direct our minds to the heavenly sanctuary, where the closing work of mediation is going on there at the mercy seat. God help us to get the two connected in our hearts.

And my dear friends, right here you have a most important test of the church of God on earth. For if God has a church in the world, and He has, according to the Bible, certainly it will be in direct connection with that church in heaven, that sanctuary in heaven, and be linked with it. As I showed you two weeks ago that is exactly what God has accomplished through the gift of prophecy given to His church in these latter days.

“For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” Revelation 19:10.

It is through the gift of prophecy that Jesus keeps in active communication with His church, and this is, of course, the gift of the Holy Spirit.

I would like to read a very interesting statement from the Spirit of Prophecy comments in Volume 7 of the Bible Commentary. Listen carefully. This is interesting:

“The Jewish tabernacle was a type of the Christian church. The church on earth, composed of those who are faithful and loyal to God, is the true tabernacle whereof the Redeemer is the minister. God and not man pitched this tabernacle on a high elevated platform. This tabernacle is Christ’s body, and from north, south, east, and west He gathers those who shall help to compose it. A holy tabernacle is built up of those who receive Christ as their personal Saviour. Christ is the minister of the true tabernacle, the High Priest of all who believe in Him as a personal Saviour” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Volume 7, page 931.

So, we ask: Which does this sanctuary that Moses built represent or typify, the sanctuary in heaven, or the church on earth? And we answer, “Both.” In fact there is one more lesson from it, and that I am going to give you next Friday night, a very important application. But tonight we are noting that the church on earth, as well as the sanctuary in heaven, is represented by the word “sanctuary” or “tabernacle” or “temple.”

Now let me hasten to explain and to make very plain, that this in no way takes away from the reality of the heavenly sanctuary. It in no way lessens the importance of what Jesus is doing there for us or the reality of it - not in the least. The two things belong right together.

Remember this friends, whatever Jesus is doing in the sanctuary in heaven He is doing for His people that make up the church on earth. It is for us that He was born; for us that He died; for us that He rose; for us He ascended; for us He entered into the holy place; for us He entered into the most holy; for us He sprinkles the blood; for us He covers the sin; for us He blots out the record of transgression. It is all for us, from beginning to end. What a wonderful Saviour we have. And the gift of the Holy Spirit is for us.

Turn to Acts 2:38, and I want you to notice what Peter made plain there on the Day of Pentecost. In the thirty-seventh verse you notice that the multitude was under deep conviction. As Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit was talking to their hearts, and they cried out:

“Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37. Now the answer:

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” Acts 2:38, 39.

Now, friends, I want you to notice the three steps in this verse. First, Peter said do what? Repent. That means to be sorry for sin, and sorry enough to quit. What is the second thing? Be baptized. What for? For the remission of sins. Now, Peter said if you will repent and be baptized, then you will receive a gift. What gift? The gift of the Holy Ghost. Then he adds:

“The promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” Acts 2:39.

Tell me, friends, is He still calling people? Has He called you? Well, Peter says this lasts as long as God calls people. So here is the program today just as much as it was back then on the Day of Pentecost. To every convicted sinner, God speaks and says, “Repent, be sorry for sin, sorry enough to give it up. And then be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission or putting away of sins.” That is the work of the cross and the sanctuary. Then He says, “You will receive” what? “The gift of the Holy Ghost.”

And friends, those experiences come in that order. They belong in that order. Now you will see why. God cannot give His Spirit to the unconverted sinner. What would he do with It? The Holy Spirit doesn’t come for us to use for our personal pleasure or profit. The Holy Spirit comes to possess us, to use us in the work of God. And until a man has repented of his sins there is no room in his heart for the Holy Spirit. You can see that, can’t you? So the first step is to repent of sin.

But what about that second step? Why does God wait until one has been baptized to give him this gift of the Holy Spirit? Well, let’s turn over to 1 Corinthians 12 and we will get a point here that may help us. We will see what baptism really involves. It isn’t just a personal matter between the one who is baptized and Jesus. It is that, but it is more than that.

Involved in baptism is a union with the church, which is Christ’s body.

“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body” 1 Corinthians 12:13.

We are baptized into what? We are baptized into one body. And notice, we are all baptized into one body, he says:

“Whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” 1 Corinthians 12:13.

Now, let us look at this for a moment. Here is a man. He is outside the church, outside of Christ. But he comes and, as Peter says, he repents. He gives up his sins. Then he is baptized. Now, before he is baptized, where is he as far as the body of Christ is concerned? He is outside. But when he is baptized he is inside.

You know, I had an interesting experience a number of years ago when I was in city evangelistic work. A man came to me and said, “Now, Brother Frazee, I would like to have you baptize me, but I don’t want to join the church.”

Well, he didn’t understand this, you see. And of course, I had to explain it to him from the Bible. That is like saying that I would like to come in that door, but I don’t want to get in the chapel. Baptism is the door to the church. And the proof is this verse we are reading. Look at it again and you will see it:

“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body” 1 Corinthians 12:13.

How do we get into the body? We are baptized. Where are we before we are baptized? Outside. And how do we get into it? We are baptized into it.

Someone may have a question as to whether the body here is talking about the church. Well, let’s get that clear. Turn over a few pages to Colossians 1 and we will read. I want to make this very clear, not only that it will be clear in your mind, but you can make it clear for somebody else, friends. Because, you will be surprised how many people are foggy or fuzzy on this subject, a lot of good people. They love the Lord, but they do not understand this subject. Let’s get it clear from the Bible. Colossians 1:18, talking about Jesus, as the preceding verses show, what does it say about Jesus?

“He is the head of the body, the church” Colossians 1:18.

Who is the head? Jesus. And He has a what? A body. Paul says the body is what? The church. Well, that makes sense. The church, then, is the what? The body. Whose body? The body of Christ. Who is the head of the church? Jesus is the head.

And may I say in all kindness, that is where the man over in the Vatican has it wrong. He sets himself forth as the head of the church. Well, he is the head of a church, but not the head of the church. He is the head of the Roman Catholic church, but in all kindness I summit that according to the Bible, the head of the church of Christ, the true church, is Jesus Himself. That is what this says. And friends, I want to belong to the body that has a head in heaven. What do you say? Oh, yes.

You know there are many organizations in this world. And men may make various organizations. There are clubs and lodges and unions, societies of all kinds for business purposes, educational purposes, social purposes - all sorts of organizations. Some of them are doing a good work. But there is only one organization in this world whose head is in heaven. That is the true church of Jesus Christ.

Oh, I wonder if as members of the church we are always conscious of the fact that our Head is invisible, that He is in heaven.

Now a head, using the figure of the human structure, requires a body through which to operate, doesn’t it? And when Jesus was here in this world, He began the work of organizing His church that it might carry on His work after He should leave and go to heaven. That is why He sent the Spirit to superintend for Him and in His behalf, the work of the church. That is why that Spirit manifests itself in the church.

Now, let’s go to 1 Corinthians 12:28, and you will see that; back to that same chapter we were in. We have so many Bibles here tonight, I am just going to let you read this with me. I like to hear you read it. You all have it? Let’s read:

“And God hath set some in the church” 1 Corinthians 12:28.

Wait a minute! Where has He put some? In the church. Who put them there? [God] Now that word “set” suggests positioning and fixing it there permanently. A jeweler takes a stone, a ruby or a diamond, and sets it in a ring. It is not wobbly. It is not there today and gone tomorrow. It is set. All right. Now we are ready to read our verse again. All together:

“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” 1 Corinthians 12:28.

All these gifts, Paul says, are set where? Well, if you were looking for them, where would you look? Where God set them, wouldn’t you - if you wanted the true gifts? Ah, my dear friends, how many people would be saved from being deceived if they would only look for these gifts of the Spirit where God put them. They are not out there, here, there, and yonder. No, no. God has set some in the church - apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, miracles, healings, tongues. All these gifts He has set where? In the church. That is what the word of God says.

Now, of course, that doesn’t keep the devil from having false apostles here, there, and yonder; from having false prophets in a half a dozen churches; and false healings and false tongues and false miracles, and all the rest. If we had time tonight, we could show from the Bible, that the devil has exactly those things - false apostles, false prophets, false teachers, false miracles, false tongues, false healings. That is what the word of God says. But we are not studying the false, tonight. We are studying the true. And after all, friends, if you get the true you won’t be troubled about the false.

A number of years ago the United States government, troubled by the flood of counterfeit money at a certain time, decided they would hold a six-week school for bank cashiers and tellers, training them in how to detect counterfeit money.

During the entire time they did not look at a single piece of counterfeit money. They spent the entire six-week period under the instruction of the government experts, minutely examining and becoming intimately connected with every detail of every one of the dollar bills and the five dollars bills, and tens and so on. Do you see why, friends? The government knew that if a bank teller actually knew the genuine, he would detect the counterfeit, because it would be, somewhere along the line, a little different.

If you and I will spend our time, not studying the counterfeit, but becoming well acquainted with the genuine, we too, can be safe in this world of deception and confusion. So, back to this wonderful verse. I love this verse. Would you read it with me, again? 1 Corinthians 12:28. All together:

“And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles” 1 Corinthians 12:28.

Wait a minute! Let me ask you something about that. Why does it say “after that miracles?” Some people don’t want miracles after that. They don’t want miracles after anything. They want miracles here, right now, before anything else. Well, you will see presently why he puts it that way. Because we are going to find out why it is “after that.” All right, we will start at the beginning now and go through:

“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” 1 Corinthians 12:28.

Now, back to what we were looking at about the matter of baptism. The gift of the Holy Spirit, Peter said, was given when? Before baptism or after? After. And why? We are beginning to see. God wants to get people in His church, because the gifts of the Holy Spirit have been put where? In the church.

Then if I am out here in the world and I want to share in this wonderful gift which comes from the sanctuary, I need to get inside what? The church. And certainly, friends, if I want the true Spirit I had better get in the true church, hadn’t I? If I want the right Spirit, I want to get into the right church.

“Well,” says one, “I don’t see that it makes any difference. They are all going to the same place.”

Oh, are they? Are they, now, really, friends? Is that what the word of God teaches? Then what is the point of all Jesus’ warning about false prophets and false teachers? Turn to Matthew 7. Let’s get this clear once for all:

“Enter ye in at the strait gate” Matthew 7:13, (That is the narrow gate.)

“For wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” Matthew 7:13, 14.

Then He adds immediately: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you” Matthew 7:15,

Looking like wolves? What?

“In sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits” Matthew 7:15, 16.

Now, my point is, Jesus says there are not many ways to heaven. He says there is one narrow way and how many people in it? Few. Now, He is sorry that, that is so. You and I should be sorry. But, friends, it is the truth, and we had better know it. If we are going with the crowd, then we are going the wrong way to the wrong place.

When Jesus is talking here, He is not just talking about the heathen world. Proof? The twenty-first verse:

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 7:21.

What are people called that call Jesus Lord? They are called Christians. But Jesus says not all that call Him Lord are going to enter:

“But he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you” Matthew 7:21-23.

He never knew them? And yet they did miracles and said they were doing it in the name of Jesus? Listen, friends, if Jesus never knew them, where did they get their power? They didn’t get it from Jesus, did they? From whence came the “holy ghost” which they said they had? You see, it didn’t come from the sanctuary. It didn’t come from Jesus.

Oh, take these words of warning from Jesus in His sermon on the mount. Write them on your hearts, my friends. Remember, God has a truth and a message, and that truth and message come from heaven and lead to heaven. And there are a lot of counterfeits.

Turn to Acts 5:31, 32 and see how plainly Peter puts it here. Speaking of Jesus and His exaltation, His ascension to heaven, His work there in the heavenly sanctuary, Peter says:

Who?

“Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also” Acts 5:31, 32,

“The Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him” Acts 5:32.

God is not in the business of pouring out His Spirit on a rebellious, unconverted, sinning world. And even though they associate themselves together in religious organizations, and take the name of Christ and call themselves churches, if they are in rebellion against God’s will, God’s law, God will not pour out His Holy Spirit there. Do you believe that? Is that what we are reading from the word of God? All right, friends. Do you see then why God says, “Before you expect to receive the gift of the Spirit, repent of sin, be baptized into the church?”

Let me show you why that represents a turning from the world and accepting the truth. Turn to Matthew 28, the last three verses of the book of Matthew:

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” Matthew 28:18-20.

Tell me, as Jesus sends His church out into the world what does He send them to do? To teach and then to what? Baptize. And they come in that order. Suppose somebody comes and says, “I want to be baptized. I want to be baptized right now.” The church must say to that individual, “Well, now, first we must teach you.” Isn’t that what Jesus said. Go and teach all nations, and then baptize them?

Baptism, obviously, is a sign on the part of the church that the individual has been taught. And God help us to remember that, friends. And it is a sign on the part of the individual that he has listened to that teaching and accepted it.

Who knows when he is ready to graduate, the student or the teacher? That is what we have teachers for, isn’t it? Yes. Suppose here is a student. And he comes along in February or March, and says to the teacher, “I think I would like to graduate. If you will just give me my piece of paper, I think I will transfer now to the high school or university.” Is that the way things are run? Well, not quite. Not, yet, anyway.

The teacher is supposed to decide when a person has finished a course of study. After all, if the teacher cannot do that, he is not a teacher. Am I right? And if the student already knows that he knows enough to graduate, he doesn’t need to be there at all, does he?

And yet, friends, the way many people look upon baptism, I suppose, they get from this christening idea, where babies are brought and sprinkled with a little water and that is called baptism. But of course, the word “baptize” means to immerse. The baby is not immersed. And even if it were, it would not mean a thing, because Jesus says:

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” Mark 16:16.

But the point is, before we can believe we must be what? Taught. Who is the teacher? The church. That is one of the great reasons God has a church in this world. And may I say it, friends, every Tom, Dick, and Harry running around the country teaching and baptizing people, that is not God’s plan. Oh, no. There are plenty of people who will put you under the water and say you are all right now. And it doesn’t mean a thing, my friends, unless that man has authority from God, given him through the church of Jesus Christ that has connection with the sanctuary in heaven. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear, friends.

You know, we have tax collectors in this country. We have our friend, Mr. Morrison, down here at Trenton. Suppose a man comes around to you next week and he says, “Now, I am the tax collector and I want you to pay your taxes to me.”

And we say, “Well, I don’t know about that.” He says, “Oh yes, I am. I am the tax collector.” So I go ahead and pay him my taxes. And he might even give me a receipt, but what is it worth? Not the paper it is written on. At the right time I will find out that I still owe my taxes. Is that right? And I can produce all the receipts I want to, signed by some bogus tax collector. It doesn’t mean a thing.

Oh, my friends, if men would understand that God has a church in this world with authority from heaven, linked with the sanctuary above, and the Holy Ghost is given to those that obey Him. It means something whether we listen to the teaching of the church, and whether we submit to that teaching. Now, don’t misunderstand me. I don’t mean that God gave any man, or any set of men, the authority to make up things. Jesus says plainly what the church is to teach here. What is it?

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” Matthew 28:20.

A teacher in a school does not make up a lot of things. A teacher teaches out of a textbook. The textbook is the Bible, friends. And anything the church cannot teach me out of the Bible, I don’t accept. Would you? Why, no.

But friends, do you remember that man that was riding along in the chariot from Jerusalem one day out across the desert, and he was reading the book of Isaiah. And guided by the Holy Spirit a representative of Christ’s true church drew near to him and he said to him, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

What did he say? Did he say, “Oh, sure, I can understand all right. I don’t need anybody to teach me?” No, he didn’t. He was a government officer, a man of education and position, but he had sense enough to know that he needed a teacher, my friends. So he said, “How can I, except some man shall guide me?” And he desired that Philip would come up and sit with him.

So Philip started in right where the man was reading in the Bible, and led him step by step into a knowledge of Jesus Christ and His message of truth for the hour. When he got through, the man wanted to be baptized. Philip put the question to him clearly. “If you believe with all your heart you can.”

He said, “I do.”

Oh, friends, God help us to do thorough work. What do you say? Every grown person that is baptized, every child that is baptized, should be thoroughly taught and throughly repentant for sin. And if they are not, putting them in water does not mean any more than taking a bath, my friends - not a bit.

But, when a person has been instructed by the church and accepted the message of God for this hour, has repented of his sins and then is baptized by one having authority from Jesus, he is baptized into what? Into the church. And then he may receive the gift of the Spirit of God.

But my dear friends, even then there is something that He needs in order to get the fullness and I am going to tell you about that next Friday night.

Shall we arise.

As we close this service tonight and have our closing prayer, I wonder if there is somebody that has a burden on your heart, either for yourself or somebody else, and you want the Saviour to answer that prayer and lift that burden and help you or the one for whom you are burdened, and you would like to lift your hand in prayer that Jesus may see it and grant your request. Thank the Lord, dear friends. Everyone is precious to Jesus.

Let me ask another question. Is there somebody here tonight that as you hear this message from the Bible, you are impressed that God is speaking to you definitely, about a decision that you need to make, whatever that decision may be? Is there somebody here tonight that is under conviction that God is calling you to make a decision about something, and you would like our prayers that Jesus will help you with that, will you raise your hand? Somebody that God is talking to, just lift your hand right up. Yes, my brother.

Somebody else? Somebody else that God is talking to? You need to make a decision about something, and you either need wisdom or else you need the power to do what you already know to do. Somebody else that says “I am needing help”? God bless you, my brother, and you my sister, my brother. Somebody else that says, “There is either something I need to know about (God bless you brother), or I need some power to do what I know”?

All right dear ones, now we are going to go to the Lord in prayer.

Heavenly Father, we thank Thee with all our hearts tonight, for speaking to us through the Bible. We pray that every ear shall be open, every heart wide open to the influence of the Holy Spirit speaking through the Word.

We see, Lord, that Thou hast not only a sanctuary in heaven, but a tabernacle on earth where Thou doest abide. We see that that Holy Spirit which came from the heavenly sanctuary is given as a special gift to Thy church on earth. God help us to gather in everybody we can, to share the wonderful gifts and may we do thorough work in teaching, that as they come in, they may be ready to submit to the Holy Spirit.

Now, Lord, we pray that Thou wilt see these many hands that were lifted, testifying of some burden, some need. God grant their prayers, everyone, right now. And then, here are these that are needing some help in a decision, either knowledge or power. God give them the wisdom and the strength they need right now. We thank Thee for it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God bless you everyone.

To access part 6 click HERE