United Under God

"Teacher," John said to Jesus, "we saw a man drive out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him because he hasn't been with us."

"Don't try and stop him," Jesus said. "Anyone who does a miracle in My Name cannot turn around and speak evil of Me. Anyone who isn't against us is for us. I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward."
Mark 9:38-41

The Church in our day has become so divided. Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Charismatics, there are so many different views. We can't be like this.

"Fellow Christians, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I urge you all to agree and not be divided but perfectly united in your understanding and judgment. Chloe's people told me you are quarreling, my fellow Christians. I mean, each of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Peter," or "I belong to Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? or were you baptized in God's name?" 1 Corinthians 1:10-13

The single biggest division in the church today is about the Holy Spirit. For example, my own church has been condemned and labeled by other churches in the area because we believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit. They have even "warned" people not to come to my church because of this.

I don't say this in anger, but in sadness. The Holy Spirit is so important and not to believe in Him? It astounds me.

Luke 24:49 "And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven."

Acts 2:1-21 "On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
   At this time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.
   They were completely amazed. 'How can this be?' they exclaimed. "These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! Here we are Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene visitors from Rome(both Jews and converts to Judiasm), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!" They stood there amazed and perplexed. "What can this mean?" they asked each other.
   But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, "They are just drunk, that's all!"
   Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, "Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o'clock in the morning is much too early for that. No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel: In the last days," God says, 'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants - men and women alike - and they will prophesy. And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and in the earth below - blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives. But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"

I would ask of everyone who doesn't believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit to read your Bible. You won't find a place in Scripture that says that the baptism of the Holy Spirit doesn't apply to us today. Then, look at the major revivals going on in the world, like in Africa and China. You won't find a major revival without the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

I ask that you disregard all of the human opinions you have ever heard/read regarding the Holy Spirit, and to look in your Bible for the truth. Regardless of what you find, do not judge your fellow believers on whether or not they believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We are not to judge each other.

"As the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, many as they are, form one body, so is Christ. By one Spirit all of us - Jews or Greeks, slaves or free - were baptized to form one body, and that one Spirit was poured out for all of us to drink." 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

Sam