Spiritual Gifts part 101. The good conscience points to spiritual-self-esteem

Pastor-Teacher

John Farley

Sunday,

March 27, 2011

Phil Couturier

1960-2011

The Doctrine of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

C.  The Baptism of the Spirit is the ministry of God the Holy Spirit in placing every new believer into permanent union with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Body the Church.

Point 4. Definition and description of the Baptism of the Spirit.

10.  The baptism of the Spirit could not occur until there was the strategic victory of Jesus Christ in the angelic conflict.  

Now there was the need for a universal priesthood, since every believer was now a target of satan, 1PE 3:21.

Peter points  to the baptism of the Spirit as the thing that protects our conscience against the attacks from the kingdom of darkness in the form of persecution and accusations.

This letter of first Peter is about how to handle suffering as a Christian, particularly with respect to living in your ambassadorship and the persecution which follows.

1 Peter 1:6  In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,

1 Peter 2:19  For this finds  favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.

The conscience here relates to the soul condition of the believer after salvation when undergoing unjust treatment.

1 Peter 2:21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,

1 Peter 4:1Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

1 Peter 4:13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

1 Peter 4:16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.

1 Peter 4:19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

Then in chapter 5, we see the angelic conflict come into view (1PE 5:8-9).

1Pet 5: 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

1 Peter 5:14  Peace be to you all who are in Christ.

When it comes to experiential sanctification, there are these reciprocal activities going on between us and the Lord. He leads and we respond, consistent with grace.

1CO 1:2  To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

He calls us (to His highest and best, to glory) and then we call on Him (when we are in trouble).

He sets us apart (for a special purpose and destiny)  and then we set Him apart (as first in our list of priorities).