Originally published in "The Lord's Coming Herald & Wesleyan Bible Prophecy Advocate," Winter Edition 2004
The Kingdom And Pentecost
Jesus predicted that there were some of His contemporaries who would not taste of death till they had seen the kingdom of God come with power (Matt. 16:28; Mk. 9:2; Lk. 9:2). These words clearly refer to the Day of Pentecost in which the promised, primary messianic baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire should be fulfilled (Matt. 3:11; Mk. 1:8; Lk. 3:16; Jn 1:333; Acts: 1:4-5, 8).
The New Testament teaches that the great messianic gift of the Holy Ghost is the gateway into the promised kingdom of Messiah (Jn. 7:37-39; Acts 2:39; Rom. 5:5, 8; Gal.3:14; 4:6). Those who prepare themselves through repentance and baptism are translated into it (Col. 1:13) when the sanctifying Spirit falls (Acts 10:44-48; 15:8-9).
This personal coming of the promised Comforter is to be received by ordinary believers through the offering up of themselves to God (Rom. 12:1-2; 15:16). Such an offering involves, at the deepest level of one's personhood, the yielding of one's entire will to Christ (Rom. 6:13). The result of the Spirit's coming is a pure heart, or competed freedom from sin (Lk. 1:74-75; Rom. 6:16-22; I Tim. 1:5; I Jn. 3:9).
Never in the New Testament is this experience of Spirit-in filling shown to come at the end of protracted subjective struggle. Always, rather, it follows naturally and easily upon the believer's obedience in repentance and faith, as evidenced by a proper experiential understanding of the rite of water baptism. Those of us today who may have agonizingly struggled with carnality half our lives before finally realizing the cleansing fire of the baptism of the Holy Ghost, as well as those in the "recycling syndrome" of mistaking emotional manifestations for a genuine experience of entire sanctification, need better indoctrination in the Christian faith.
To often the pentecostal blessing is presented as an achievement that comes through works, as in so much excruciation over inbred sin equaling so much progress toward finding a pure heart, or inward holiness. Saved by faith, but entirely sanctified by subtle works is to often implied, especially among those who lose sight of the glorious provision for our cleansing through the fountain opened wide in the house of David for sin and uncleanness (Zech. 13:1).
We must never, forget, dear friends, that inward holiness of heart, complete freedom from sin, is preeminently the messianic gift of the kingdom, and it is the Farther's good pleasure to give us the kingdom (Lk. 12:32).
Have you ask the Father for the fullness of the kingdom to be experientially realized in you? Make a completely consecration. Then believe God. He is faithful that promised, who also will do it (I Thess. 5:23-24).
Related Article Links
The Kingdom Of Grace
The Pentecostal Promise Of The Last Days
The Old Methodist Doctrine Of Entire Sanctification