All Over the World!

By Bishop Charles R. Grisham

What's all this talk about the Holy Ghost?

"Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?" This question was asked by the Apostle Paul in Acts 19:2, and it is the question we wish to ask you today... It could be the most important question of your life!

Joel, the Old Testament prophet foretold, "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions; and also upon the servants and the handmaids in those days will I pour out of My Spirit." (Joel 2:28)

In the New Testament, John the baptist, speaking of Jesus, said, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; ...but He who cometh after me shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." (Matthew 3:11)

Further, we see that Jesus commanded His disciples, "...not to depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, Ye have heard of Me. For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." (Acts 1:4-5)

This faithful band of believers obeyed the command of Jesus and they received the promise. Thus the church was born. We can read the powerful story... "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 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 2:1-4)

Jesus had told them it would happen. Prophecy had been fulfilled. Jesus had sent back His own Spirit to fill the hearts and lives of true believers!

This immediately caused a stir among many devout men who were dwelling at Jerusalem. They were amazed and inquired, "What meaneth this?"

Peter replied, "This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel."

As Peter preached, "they were pricked in their hearts and said, Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

Peter's answer contains the plain, simple, positive plan of salvation for our dispensation...

"Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:38-39)

In Romans, Paul declares, "But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you." (Romans 8:11)

The Holy Ghost is actually "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27). Jesus said, "Except a man be born again of water and of the Spirit, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." (John 3:3). The Holy Ghost is that spiritual birth.

Jesus could come today! We need to examine our experience to make sure we are ready. We must have the Holy Ghost if we are to be caught up to meet Him in the air.

Repent... Be baptized in Jesus' Name... and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost!