“¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

¹⁷ For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.

¹⁸ He that believes on Him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-18

Jesus Christ came to die on Calvary’s Cross to save fallen man from being eternally lost and condemned to hell.  The issue to those who reject this Truth is and can only be eternal condemnation.  In order for us to believe Who Jesus is (the Son of God) and what He did (die on Calvary’s Cross to pay sin’s penalty to a Holy and Righteous God), we must also believe we are a sinner in need of a Savior.

The proof of our complete and total Redemption came three days later when Christ was Resurrected.  If but one sin was not atoned, Jesus would not have been Resurrected.  If Jesus Christ was not the spotless Lamb of God; if He had indeed become a sinner as some have claimed, our Lord would still be in that tomb…His Sacrifice would have been rejected by God.  Knowing WHO Jesus is and what He has done, there is no doubt as to His Resurrection.

That third day DID come…Jesus HAS risen.  Our Lord is not among the dead but the living.  He sits at the Right Hand of the Throne of God making intercession for those who have freely believed upon Him as their Savior.  Simply knowing of Him does not make Him our Savior.  I knew my husband before we were married.  I believed he was “James Warren”.  Believing these facts did not make him my husband.  I had to accept his proposal and marry him before he became my husband.  We must believe in our heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, not just give a mental nod.  The devil will never try to convince a Believer they are saved and a sinner they are lost.  However, satan will absolutely attempt to convince the lost they are saved and a Believer that they are not.

To believe in Jesus, we must believe in His redeeming work.  To believe in His redeeming work, we must understand our need for redemption which all started with the fall of man. No amount of good works or lack of perceived evil in one’s life can atone for the inherent sin nature afforded all due to Adam’s original sin.  There is but one way fallen man is reconciled to God and that is through the Blood of Jesus Christ…for all others their issue remains eternal condemnation.

-Donna Clark Warren

“⁴² Nevertheless among the Chief Rulers also many believed on Him (Jesus); but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: ⁴³ For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” John 12:42-43

The preaching of Jesus Christ and Him crucified bears witness to many.  However, they will not heed to what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to the church in these last of the last days to forsake religion’s vain philosophies and turn back to Jesus Christ and His redeeming work on Calvary’s Cross for everything they need from God.  Jesus Christ is the Source and His Cross the means by which we receive everything from God.  Any other vain philosophy presented by man to touch the throne room of God other than faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified is another gospel and another Jesus (Galatians 1:8, 2 Corinthians 11:4).

To be plain and blunt, for those who have heard the message of the Cross but did not heed the warnings because their religious factions appeal to their flesh, they have in fact set themselves against God’s plan of Sanctification by faith through Grace (Romans 6:14) and counted God as less than men.  Sadly, they have loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

“For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the Power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

The heart is deceitful.  Is the Cross of Christ foolishness or is it the Power of God in your heart and life?  Prayerfully consider.

-Donna Clark Warren

“²¹ So the king (Jehoiakim) sent Jehudi to fetch the roll (Jeremiah’s scrolls): and he took it out of Elishama the scribe’s chamber. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king.

²² Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him.

²³ And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.

²⁴ Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words.” Jeremiah 36:21-24

How many modern day preachers and teachers cut out the parts of the Bible they do not want to preach and throw them in the fire?  The Scriptures about sin, hell and false teachers are conveniently tossed aside as to not offend the ticklish ears, while good works, personal prophecies and the next big thing just around the corner are boldly declared and proclaimed from the pulpits.  As long as the seeker sensitive church continues feeding the flesh with self help philosophies, social justice causes and weekly entertainment gatherings they have power over the person.  The flesh will always yield to that which feeds self righteousness and pride; giving it (the philosophies, causes, gatherings, encounters, etc.) power to reign over the lives of the congregation.

It is only the Spirit of God Who has the power to isolate the sin nature ruling and reigning in the heart of the carnal Christian and free them from this power of religion.  However, the Holy Spirit is not commissioned to do such when we are following man devised schemes, namely humanistic psychology, and not looking unto Jesus and His atoning work on Calvary’s Cross for EVERYTHING we receive from the Lord.  We will remain bound by the power of religion until we submit unto God’s Plan for our Sanctification – faith in Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He has done for whosoever will believe.

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2

If we are submitted to religion, we are not “in Christ Jesus” and therefore we are not free from the law of sin and death.  If you do not believe you are “submitted” to your religion or it has no power over you, try NOT doing that which they promote and then recognize that feeling you get when not performing those tasks.  Do you feel less saved?  Less righteous?  Point proven.

Just as satan deceived Eve through his cunningness, so too are the modern day King Jehoiakims deceiving the flock as they cut out Scripture and throw them in the fire.

“³ But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. ⁴ For if he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit, which you have not received, or another gospel, which you have not accepted, you might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:3-4

-Donna Clark Warren

When the Lord leads His Children into the wilderness, He is wanting to draw us closer…wanting to commune with us.  Unfortunately, we often tend to draw closer to Jesus only when our circumstances are unpleasant.  We are indeed thankful, as we most certainly should be, but we tend to stop actively seeking to grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ when our circumstances remain pleasing according to our will.

Remember, Jesus Christ is alive, searching the earth to and fro to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him (2 Chronicles 16:9).  Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross, is inexhaustible. There is no need for hypothetical philosophies such as harbingers, shemitahs and blood moons to conjure up vain imaginations which always and without fail excite the flesh.  We don’t need a “purpose” driven life, we need a FAITH driven life…a life driven by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved us and gave Himself for us (Galatians 2:20).  We must stop replacing simple faith in the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ with our man devised purposes and start contending for the faith which was once delivered unto us (Jude 1:3).

Believing is the action part of faith.  Faith is a noun and we all have a mustard seed of faith.  It is in the wilderness that our faith is put in action and we choose to believe or turn back to Egypt.  This exercise of faith is not for the Lord, it is for us – to show us in whom or what we are actually believing.  Our heart is deceitful and we often do not understand the spiritual fornication occurring in our very own heart.

If you have found yourself in the wilderness, rejoice.  There is Grace in the wilderness…His Name is Jesus.  Follow Him.

“Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the Right Hand of the Throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

-Donna Clark Warren

“⁶ For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. ⁷ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the Father chastens not?”  Hebrews 12:6-7

The unity of the seeker sensitive church stems from the root of compromise.  This compromise declares rebellion against God’s chastisement and yield’s to a false peace.   Peace at the expense of compromise is man’s way…not God’s Way.

The unity of the word of faith doctrine stems from the root of pride.  They too declare rebellion against God’s chastisement.  Just as Eve believed the devil’s lie of  “…ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5),  they go about proclaiming sin as demons and oppression as possession while wrestling against principalities, powers and rulers of darkness with spells and incantations devised by philosophies from the vanities of man’s mind under the banner of “Christianity”.

“¹¹ Put on the whole Armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole Armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”  Ephesians 6:11-13

The modern church does not teach submission to God’s Plan of Redemption through the atoning Blood of Jesus Christ, Who He is and what HE has done on Calvary’s Cross.  Instead, the Believer is taught compromise for the sake of “peace”, rebellion against God’s chastisement in the name of “spiritual warfare” and the resulting circumstance is dependent on the particular Believer’s amount of faith in their particular part…whatever part that may have been.

This yoke is heavy.  It is religious, therefore many Believer’s do not recognize the difference.   The only fight the Believer is called to fight is the fight of faith – faith in Jesus Christ and HIS redeeming work.  It is THERE, in the Cross of Christ, that even a mustard seed of faith grows into a tree of righteousness as God gives the increase…not man, not our self efforts but God – HE is the Author and Finisher of our faith.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

We cannot resist the devil unless we are submitted to God.  Religion will have the Believer unknowingly resisting God and submitting to their vain philosophies.

“And He (Jesus) said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23

Unless we deny ourselves, we cannot follow Jesus yet religion will have the Believer following their feelings, emotions and philosophies while confessing utter lies about their own righteousness which in reality is nothing more than filthy rags.

I do not say these things disparagingly but with a heart of grief for those who are under this yoke yet are blind to the bondage…seeing they see not.  They too need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  They too need to understand sin’s dominion is found by faith through Grace.  Precept upon precept, line upon line, old things pass away and all things become new for the Believer of God’s Grace, namely Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  We truly become a new creature in Christ Jesus when this yoke of religion is removed and our faith is placed solely and exclusively in Jesus Christ and His redeeming work.

“²⁹ Take M Yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ³⁰ For My Yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30

-Donna Clark Warren

“¹⁴ Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness?

¹⁵ And what concord has Christ with Belial? or what part has he that believes with an infidel?

¹⁶ And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? for you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My People.

¹⁷ Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

¹⁸ And will be a Father unto you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Fornication is mankind’s attempt to sanctify himself outside of the atoning work of Jesus Christ. Many Believer’s vain attempt to keep one foot in the world while at the same time being sanctified by the Blood of Jesus simply cannot be done.  Old things do not fall away when we mix and mingle with the world.

“Wherefore, my brethren, you also are become dead to the law by the Body of Christ; that you should be married to another, even to Him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

⁵ For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

⁶ But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.” Romans 7:4-6

The Believer, being crucified with Christ, is dead to the law.  However, when we begin mixing and mingling with the world, we begin placing rules (laws) on ourselves of certain things we can or cannot do and show ourselves once again alive to our former husband (laws), the one in which we died to through the Blood of Jesus Christ.

The born again Believer has been delivered from the law through our faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ.  The Mosaic Law was holy.  Man made laws are often with good intent.  However, they wrought in the Believer death because we unknowingly place our faith in these laws for our righteousness.  As long as we obtain a certain standard, we consider ourselves righteous.  However, in reality we are nothing more than self righteous and carnally minded as we persistently mind the things of the flesh.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

³ For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

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.” Romans 8:1-6

There is a freedom in minding things of the Spirit but this freedom is only found when our faith is placed solely and exclusively in the atoning work of Jesus Christ…not in mixing and mingling with the world.

-Donna Clark Warren

“¹¹ And He gave some, Apostles; and some, Prophets; and some, Evangelists; and some, Pastors and Teachers; ¹² For the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ:” Ephesians 4:11-12

Who is another to declare one who God has called to preach His Word, unfit to preach His Word?  Who is another to declare the Cross of Christ insufficient for forgiveness of sin and take it upon themselves to impose their own method of penance as an acceptable form of punishment? Was Christ’s punishment insufficient?

“⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.” 1 John 1:9-10

King David murdered Bathsheba’s husband. Moses killed an Egyptian.  Peter denied Jesus.  All of these men were godly men but they too were human and at one time failed the Lord.  HOWEVER, these men repented of their sins and to say that God used them mightily, is grossly inadequate.

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” John 7:24

Who is another to judge according to appearance and not according to the Word of God?

Many Believers have unforgiveness in their hearts for others who have at one time stumbled.  It seems as if their “punishment” was not sufficient.  Realize that which you are declaring insufficient is the Cross of Christ for forgiveness of sin.

“Who are you who judges another man’s servant? to his own master he stands or falls. Yes, he shall be held up: for God is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:4

Prayerfully consider.

-Donna Clark Warren

Religion’s reign of superstition is rampant in the church.  Serving a particular religion out of fear…fear of not doing, saying or performing something correctly will result in a bad situation, is nothing more than superstition.  Whether it is in the church or in the world, superstition is an abomination to God. It is this fear that allows religion to take hold in the hearts of man who are in reality seeking to secure moral perfection outside of faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  This fear/superstition becomes an idol and exalts itself above the Lord in the hearts of the Believer.  Sadly, many mistake superstition for obedience while never realizing it is the superstition to which they are actually being obedient.  This disobedience to the Word of God is due to lack of understanding of the Atonement; Jesus Christ and Him crucified, Who He is and what He did on Calvary’s Cross to deliver the Child of God from sin’s dominion.

If one believes they are not going to be healed when they are sick if they confess their sickness, they are superstitious.  The Scripture says “⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7.  How is a Believer going to be healed if they don’t cry out to God for their healing?  Lying to ourselves, or to God for that matter, about our condition does not give us the victory over that condition Jesus Christ paid for on Calvary’s Cross.

Please understand, in the eyes of God the Atonement is not just a mere “doctrine”. Jesus Christ came to die on Calvary’s Cross to pay the penalty of sin for the sinner AND break the power of sin for the Believer.  Sickness is caused by sin.  Maybe not the sick person’s sin, although that very well could be the case but by Adam’s original sin.  The fall of Adam allowed sickness to affect mankind.  Therefore when we turn to superstition for dominion over sickness, we are in fact placing it above the Atonement for our healing.

“Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the Right Hand of the Throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

God takes the death of His Son very seriously…just as many professing Christians take their superstition very seriously. Their religious superstition reigns over them and make no mistake, this is a heavy yoke to bear (been there, done that).  Jesus Christ is sitting at the Right Hand of the Throne of God; His eyes running to and fro throughout the earth to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.  The Lord Jesus Christ desires to help His Children but they must evidence faith in HIM, not their vain superstitions.

“²⁸ Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My Yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. ³⁰ For My Yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

Prayerfully consider that which obedience is placed.  Our obedience will be placed in that which we believe.

-Donna Clark Warren

“¹⁰ Hear the Word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah.

¹¹ To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

¹² When you come to appear before Me, who has required this at your hand, to tread My courts?

¹³ Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto Me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.

¹⁴ Your new moons and your appointed feasts My Soul hates: they are a trouble unto Me; I am weary to bear them.” Isaiah 1:10-14

Man loves outward ceremonies.  The superstructure of the modern church contains many religious ceremonies and outward sacraments which are controlled by man-made preachers and priests for the purpose of money and control.  Every born again Christian should give to the work of the Lord but sadly many give to satan’s ministers and therefore are in opposition to the work of God.

God grew weary of the Israelites form of godliness by maintaining all of the outward ordinances of the Mosaic Law.  The very worship which God commanded became an abomination to Him.  The Israelites had reduced God to a form; a religious ceremony of which they placed their faith to maintain righteousness.

“²² You worship you know not what: we know what we worship: for Salvation is of the Jews. ²³ But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship Him. ²⁴ God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:22-24

Just as the Israelites had turned the genuine God-given activity into a mere form of worship requiring nothing more than bodily attendance, so too has the modern church turned the worship of God in spirit and truth into an ungodly and debased worldly form of emotional masses being led by seducing spirits into a frenzy who make a mockery of those who have been touched by God.

It is true, no where in the Bible do we see Jesus running, jumping or shouting.  HOWEVER, we do see in the Scripture those who were touched by Jesus running, jumping and shouting.  The lame man at the gate of the Temple called Beautiful received a touch from God and “…he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.” (Acts 3:1-8).

The heart of the religious searches desperately to secure moral perfection and in doing so they destroy the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified in their heart by twisting and turning it into another gospel and another Jesus.  Satan cannot overcome the reality of the Truth, Jesus Christ paid the penalty of sin for whosoever will believe upon Him, Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross AND He broke the power of sin for those who believe (Romans 6:14).  The devil can however corrupt this Truth with his counterfeit.  He will in fact use Truth to exalt his lie.  Remember, a little leaven leavens the whole lump.

“Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; ² Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” 1 Timothy 4:1-2.

We are warned throughout the Scriptures of false teachers, false doctrines, seducing spirits and the devil himself being transformed as an angel of light…yet many do not believe this to be true.  The continue to defend the false teachers who are ministering death to God’s Children.  Because the false teachers stand behind the pulpit and tickle the ears of many with sincere philosophies designed by man to help our infirmities, many will happily follow, support and defend these wolves in sheep’s clothing…and many will follow them right into a ditch and die eternally lost.

“¹⁶ Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My Eyes; cease to do evil; ¹⁷ Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

¹⁸ Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:16-18

Because of the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, the invitation remains open and forgiveness available for those who see the error of their ways and repent.  Though our sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow upon proper confession and repentance. Come now, let us reason…

-Donna Clark Warren

There is a difference in being “born of the Spirit” and “Baptized of the Spirit”.  At Salvation we are born of the Spirit.  We are Baptized into the death of Jesus, buried with Him in the likeness of His death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  Being justified freely through the Blood of Jesus Christ, we are freed from sin.  Sin has no more dominion over us. (Romans 6:1-23).

“⁴ And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the Promise of the Father, which, said He, you have heard of Me. ⁵ For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Acts 1:4-5

The last commandment Jesus gave to His followers and disciples was that they be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

“But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you 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.

To be clear, Jesus did not suggest that His disciples be baptized with the Holy Spirit; He commanded them to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and they would receive power to witness.

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ² And suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. ³ And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:1-4

The Day of Pentecost portrays the Promise of the Father (the Holy Spirit, John 14:16-17) coming in a new dimension.  The baptism with the Holy Spirit comes after  Salvation.  This mighty Baptism is not a condition of Salvation but it is certainly a commandment of Jesus and is available for all Believers. Again, to receive power to witness, one must be baptized with the Holy Spirit.  That’s not this writers opinion but the Word of God (Acts 1:8).  The initial evidence of being Baptized with the Holy Spirit is always and without exception speaking with other tongues.

Below are 5 occasions in Scripture of Believers being Baptized with the Holy Spirit.  Three of these times the Scripture specifically states the Believer spoke with other tongues, while the other two speaking in tongues is heavily implied.

• Acts 2:1-4 we have already dealt with above as the Day of Pentecost ushered in a whole new dimension for the Disciples and followers of Christ to be “…filled with the Holy Ghost..” and they spoke with other tongues.  There is no where in the Scriptures telling us this outpouring of the Holy Spirit has ceased. God forbid NO!
• Acts 8:14-17 gives the occasion of Philip preaching a revival in Samaria and they Samarians “…received the Word of God,“, meaning many had been saved.  However, none were Baptized in the Holy Spirit.  Thus the reason for Peter and John to go and pray for them that they […might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)] If the Samaritans had been saved, baptized in the Name of Jesus and received the Baptism with the Holy Spirit at their initial Salvation, why then would Peter and John be praying for them to believe?

In Acts 8:20-21, Simon the Sorcerer offered Peter and John money to receive this power and Peter replied, “…your money perish with you, because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. ²¹ You have neither part nor lot in this matter:…”.  In the Greek the word ‘matter’ is ‘logos’ which means word or speech.  Simon the Sorcerer had no part nor lot in this word/speech…in this utterance the Samarians were speaking. 

• Acts 9:1-17, the story of Saul (the Apostle Paul), who was saved on the road to Damascus and “…filled with the Holy Ghost.” three days later at the home of Ananias.  Later the Apostle Paul would write in 1 Corinthians 4:18, “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all.“

• Acts 10:44-47, speaks of the conversion of Cornelius and his household when “…the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word.”  and they spoke with other tongues and magnified God.

• Acts 19:1-6, The Apostle Paul asked the Ephesian disciples “…Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?..”.  The Apostle then “…laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.“

Tongues and Interpretation are both Gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) which which are given for the church.  However, praying in tongues as one’s personal prayer language, edifies the Believer (1 Corinthians 14:4) and is a sign to them who believe not (1 Corinthians 14:22).

“¹¹ For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. ¹² To whom He said, This is the rest wherewith you may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.”  Isaiah 28:11-12

There is indeed a difference in being “born of the Spirit” and being “Baptized of the Spirit”.  There is a rest; a refreshing which edifies the Believer while praying in other tongues.  The Believer receives power to witness with the mighty Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Not all may understand this commandment given by the Lord Jesus Christ, nonetheless it is for whosoever will believe.

For those of us who have received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in other tongues, no one can convince us this power to witness and refreshing is not true, for we know differently.  If you are interested in learning more regarding the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, I invite you to visit https://livinginthespirit.net/baptism-of-the-holy-spirit/.

Prayerfully consider.

-Donna Clark Warren.