theinspiredhillbilly

To catch up on this series of teaching, read the following preceding articles…

  “What is a Pentecostal?”
 
  “A Sound, A Fire, A Power – Part 1″
 
  “A Sound, A Fire, A Power – Part 2″  

So, in quick summary, we’ve covered just what the importance of the Day of Pentecost was, what events transpired that day, and lastly what the sound was that occurred, as well as the initial evidence that occurred to the 120 in the Upper Room.

Now as you will remember, not only was there the sound of the mighty rushing wind, and the sound of tongues by those that received the Holy Spirit, but there was also the appearance of cloven tongues of fire above all those in the Upper Room.  The writer of Acts recorded the occurrence like this, “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” – Acts 2:3-4

Almost anytime that you see Fire used within Scripture, whether it be Old Testament or New Testament, it is representative of the spirit, or presence of God.  Think about Moses hearing the voice of God from the burning bush that was aflame but not consumed.  Or the pillar of fire that guided the Children of Israel through the wilderness by night, guiding them and protecting them.  Or even the fire that came down out of heaven to consume the sinful cities of Sodom and Gomorrah… all were representative of the spirit of presence of God in those instances.  One might even look at the presence of fire in the consumption of burned sacrifices… the fire would consume the sacrifice given before God.

And then fire is mentioned many times in the New Testament regarding the Spirit of God.  Luke stated in Luke 3:16, “John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but on mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire.”  The writer of Hebrews said in Hebrews 12:29, “For our God is a consuming fire.”

So we can see, fire is very much a symbol that God uses to communicate characteristics of Him; of His Spirit. 

I grew up in a very spiritual Independent Baptist Church.  To hear people shouting, clapping their hands, and running the aisles was not uncommon at all.  Very often they would speak of the “power of God” and the Holy Ghost, as they even vaguely, realized the Spirit of God is a force very needful in the life of a Christian.  Then as I came into Pentecost, it was obviously understood that God worked within His church with not only this power for exuberant worship and praise, but through the manifestation of gifts, that enables a church full of flawed individuals to supernaturally make a mark on this cursed world.

Now as an Apostolic, I see that the Spirit of God which fills a believer born of the water and the Spirit is provided to the church for more than just to make us shout, dance and speak in tongues.  This baptism of fire that John spoke about, is to make a difference in the life of a believer, while pursuing the will of God in their life while yet living in this curse ridden world.

And what are the attributes of fire that are also attributes of the Holy Ghost? One, Fire purifies!  Job said in Job 23:10 “But he knoweth the way I take; when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”  Anyone who has ever researched the refinement of metals and resources such as gold, will tell you high temperatures of fire and heat are applied so that the impurities are burned out, and only that which is sought, the pure treasure, remains. 

Friends, the Holy Ghost was given to us to do more than just make us speak in tongues and shout.  God gave us this manifestation of Him to reside in us so that we might be sanctified, purified is you will for use by Him.  Once we pray the prayer of repentance, and go down in the watery grave, that by no means makes us perfect, or makes our flesh decide to lay down and never rise up again.  Most will tell you, that was just the beginning of their battles with their old nature.  It is through the provision of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost that God’s spirit can enter us and provide a fire that will expose and burn up the garbage, and many distractions that try to deter our focus and work in the kingdom.

A second attibute of fire is guidance, it provides light.  Think about the Children of Israel being guided by night by the pillar of fire.  Think of the light provided in a campfire, provided sight and safety to those who partake.  In John chapter 16, Jesus was speaking of His need to “go away”, so that the comforter would be sent.  Jesus actually said, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…” (John 16:13). 

When we are born again, we are babes in Christ.  And there is no new born baby, or even young child that has all the answers, knows all the things they need to do, or needs no assistance in knowing how to live.  And so is the Child of God.  The Holy Ghost is provided to us so that we might be guided into all truth and know how to live as Ambassadors of the Kingdom of God.  Yes, so many ignore the leading of the Spirit, but the Spirit of God is not provided to keep us from enjoying life, having an abundant life, or to keep you from having fun; to put it plainly.  One of the great attributes of the Spirit of God is to be a fire that lights the path we should walk, so that we are kept safe!

And yet another attribute of fire, and also the Spirit of God is warmth.  How many times have we been warmed by the coals of a fire in a nice Warmmorning Stove, or a fireplace over the years.  This is very true of the fire of the Holy Ghost as well.  Jesus said in John 16: 7, that the Spirit of God was “The Comforter”.

How many times in my life has the world around me seemed like the coldest place a person could live.  How many times have I found myself feeling alienated not only from the people around me, but maybe even the church people who share my life.  And in those times, I can tell you that I found warmth, and comfort, and consolation in the sweet, sweet Holy Ghost.  It has been in those times, when my soul was chilled, that God has surrounded me with His sweet Spirit and reminded me that He would never leave me nor forsake me.

Friends, there are so many attributes I could ascribe to physical fire, which are also paralleled attributes of the Fire of the Holy Ghost.  But in closing, let me just re-iterate that I’ve desired this whole series of teaching to state all along.  Being a Pentecostal, being a believer that has been born of the water and the Spirit, makes me a candidate for God’s Spirit to indwell and live within me.  But this is not so that I might seem Holier than thou, be self righteous, just shout and speak in tongues, or be some strange nutt that serves as no witness in the this real world around us.

The provision given to us on the Day of Pentecost is a promise of a Power that will change us, deliver us, and dwell within us making us witnesses to this world around us.  God has not only charged us with a commission to change this world, but has given us a power to make the commission a reality.

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