To My Baptist Friends
I was raised a Baptist. From the earliest days I remember, I only remember the Baptist Way.
I cut my teeth on a Baptist Hymnal and grew up in the Church. I am, by God’s Grace, not a Baptist today, but I am nothing but non-denominational and ON JESUS.
I do not write this note to discredit the Baptist or to harm them. I do not write this in order to shame them or certainly not to Judge them.
I write this to warn them in love to beware of false teaching which MANY OF THEM have embraced and welcomed.
Now as one who has been there and done that, having sit where they sit, I must speak or forever answer why.
It would not matter if I said nothing, if what most Baptist teach was of no consequences, but the fact is certain things they are teaching can be and are VERY HARMFUL; many a good man and woman have come up short in ministry and practice of their faith because of the false teaching.
It is not necessarily their teaching about salvation itself that is wrong because in most cases Baptist are right about salvation.
They in fact do help many find Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. I myself was saved at the early age of 12 while attending a Baptist church with my parents.
I was later baptized in water because I had been saved as a testimony to all that I was saved and following Jesus.
In their teaching of the Scripture, that a man must be born again of the Spirit and become a new creature as Jesus taught in John 3, Baptist have been successful to bring many into the New Birth.
The clear teaching that salvation is attained purely by Grace and through Faith is most definitely true.
But were it not for Grace and Faith in the Word of God itself they would not be successful. Salvation is accomplished by the preaching of the Word of God or the teaching of it.
One must know that SIMPLY GIVING THE WORD OF GOD CLEARLY ABOUT THE GOSPEL OF SALVATION will result in power because the Gospel (the death, burial, and resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ, for our sins) IS THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION.
Thus it is the CORRECT MESSAGE OF THE WORD OF GOD that God does use to illuminate ones mind to the need of salvation that is fundamental.
If the message is twisted than the truth will not stand, but if the message is given clearly from the Word of God, than salvation can be understood and received.
God does use the preaching of the Gospel to bring men to salvation. One needs only understand what is said in Isaiah 55:10-11 to know why men come to Jesus Christ; it is because THE WORD WILL WORK ITSELF and bring men to Christ. Consider these verses:
“For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall MY WORD BE THAT GOETH FORTH OUT OF MY MOUTH: it shall not return unto me VOID, but IT SHALL ACCOMPLISH THAT WHICH I PLEASE, AND IT SHALL PROSPER IN THE THING WHERETO I SENT IT,” Isaiah 55:10-11.
So the Word will Work. If a man is in a motel room and picks up a Bible put there by a concerned christian, he can read it and be saved. It is the Word that Works.
Now the Scriptures do teach that the Word must be revealed by the Holy Spirit in order for one to even know it. Thus it is important to know that the Lord will work in the sinners heart by the Holy Spirit to reveal the Word.
God wants men to be saved, so he moves in mercy and uses the Word to bring men to salvation.
It is clear to us that IF THE ONE WHO IS DOING THE PREACHING IS NOT EMPOWERED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT than the words spoken will not effect the hearer with power.
Thus it behooves God to move in Grace and Mercy and illuminate the Sinners heart through the Word if the preacher is not preaching in the Power of the Holy Spirit.
So, IF THE SAME PREACHER WAS FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT than 100 times the results would be noted.
Many today have and see little done simply because they are not filled with Power when they preach or teach. Their words given are not effectual.
This is exactly why Jesus told his early Apostles to terry in Jerusalem until they were endued with Power to become witnesses.
He said that when that Power came they would be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and unto all the World.
So there was a necessary equipping with the Power of the Holy Spirit to do the job that he was calling them to do.
As a Baptist preacher I labored long and hard trying to teach the Word of God so men could hear it and be saved. I was aware that God must do this work, so I could merely give the Word and have Faith in that Word that it would accomplish the needed effect.
Sadly to say only a few were saved after much labor. But I often wonder just how much could have been done had I had more Power of the Holy Spirit.
After almost ten years of failure in a backslidden state, having quit preaching, running into the desert of New Mexico, I was arrested and touched by the Holy Spirit.
In 1999, Easter Week, I had a God Encounter in this Desert Place and went into the Desert one way and came out another…
I had received the Baptism with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of Talking in Tongues. Since that time I have had other gifts as well such as Prophecy, and revelation Gifts.
Because Baptist (not all Baptist but many) have misunderstood how the Power of the Holy Spirit comes upon the preacher or witness, the overall work of saving the lost is greatly effected.
The teaching that says ALL BELIEVERS HAVE RECEIVED ALL THEY NEED AT SALVATION and overlook that Jesus did command and admonish them to Terry in Jerusalem until they did receive Power is of great harm in the advancement of salvation of mankind.
The doctrine of the Coming of the Holy Spirit is most relevant to believers. If the teaching is wrong and men are somehow not empowered with ALL THE HOLY SPIRIT THEY NEED TO BE EFFECTUAL, than that teaching is MOST DREADFUL when it comes to the LOSS OF MEN FOR ETERNITY.
The Baptist theology about WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME INTO THE WORLD THE FIRST TIME is than MOST IMPORTANT.
WHEN DID THE HOLY SPIRIT COME INTO THE WORLD THE FIRST TIME IN THE NEW TESTAMENT?
Teaching is an absolute necessity when it comes to understanding the truth about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. False teaching concerning this event has been the cause of great confusion in the Body of Christ.
It is a very important lesson. A lesson all must understand to have a clear understanding of the difference between the INDWELLING AND THE POWER of the Holy Spirit.
First… I will explain the difference
The indwelling of the Spirit refers to the fact, taught in scripture, that all believers have been given the Holy Spirit [with- in] at the moment of the new birth. This is taught in Ephesians.
“In Him you also who have heard the Word of Truth, the glad tidings (Gospel) of your salvation, and have believed in and adhered to and relied on Him, were stamped with the seal of the long-promised Holy Spirit.
That [Spirit] is the guarantee of our inheritance [the firstfruits, the pledge and foretaste, the down payment on our heritage], in anticipation of its full redemption and our acquiring [complete] possession of it – to the praise of His glory,” Ephesians 1:13-14.
Notice that in verse 13 it says “were stamped with the seal of the long-promised Holy Spirit.”
It is clear that the verse above is speaking of the new birth. Thus, when the new birth takes place there is the sealing of the Holy Spirit with-in.
Everyone knows that salvation is through the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught in John 3:5 that, “unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
It is the work of the Holy Spirit that brings about the new birth.
Notice in the same verse it states each Believer was “Stamped with the seal….of the Holy Spirit.”
This teaches us that every Believer has been sealed with [indwelt with] the Holy Spirit and that it is our “pledge and foretaste, the down payment on our heritage.”
In other words, in the words of the King James Version, we are “SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.”
Sealing is like a sealing of an envelope to ensure its contents until opened. We have been given the Holy Spirit as the earnest of our inheritance, “down payment”.
This guarantees each Believer that they will be saved and ready to meet The LORD when He returns to this earth. Every BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN has received the Holy Spirit THE DAY HE WAS SAVED!
CAUTION !!! WARNING !!!
CONFUSION ENTERS HERE FOR MANY
The coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost was NOT WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME THE FIRST TIME!
This event (the day of Pentecost and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit) has been confused with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Many teach that PENTECOST was the “FIRST TIME” the Holy Spirit came to this earth to INDWELL MEN. This is not true!
If there are no other references to the coming of the Holy Spirit than one might be led to believe this teaching, but in fact, there is another teaching in the scripture.
If men are led to believe that The Holy Spirit first indwelt believers at Pentecost than the meaning of the day of Pentecost looses its true meaning!
We Know that we must rightly divide the Word of God in order to maintain its truth, (2 Timothy 2:15).
The truth is, the “Indwelling” [salvation] of Believers and the “BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT” are taught as two separate works of grace.
To confuse these events and change the clear teaching of these truths causes great misunderstanding and hurt to the Body of Christ.
SECOND: I will teach you the truth [from the scripture] concerning the first coming of the Holy Spirit.
In John 20:19-23 we read of an event that took place after the resurrection of Jesus but before Jesus went back to Heaven.
“Then on the same first day of the week, when it was evening, though the disciples were behind closed doors for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace to you! So saying, He showed them His hands and His side. And when the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy (delight, exultation, ecstasy, rapture). Than Jesus said to them again Peace to you! [Just] as the Father has sent Me forth, so I am sending you. And having said this, HE BREATHED ON THEM AND SAID TO THEM, RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT!
[NOW HAVING RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT, and being led and directed by Him] If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of anyone, they are retained,” John 20:19-23.
You should note that this scripture says that Jesus breathed on them and told them to receive the Holy Spirit.
This is the first time The Holy Spirit was given to them, and it is the time when they were indwelled by The Holy Spirit.
I will now remind you that this event preceded the Day of Pentecost. Since this event occurred, we can no longer say the Holy Spirit came FIRST at Pentecost!
Since this is true, let me ask you the question….
Then what was the day of Pentecost all about?
In answer to that question I must say; the Day of Pentecost was when the HOLY SPIRIT POWER CAME UPON THE EARLY BELIEVERS THE FIRST TIME.
This event was not the indwelling, for the indwelling had already taken place in John 20:9-13.
The fact of the matter is; this tells us that the Holy Spirit coming again refers to a “SECOND WORK OF GRACE” It was an event that CAME AFTER SALVATION.
This is interesting because many Believers (like I have already stated) have been taught that the Holy Spirit first came on the Day of Pentecost.
What trouble has this caused?
The fact of the matter is: this teaching has caused a large part of the Body of Christ to miss the POWER NEEDED TO WORK FOR GOD.
We cannot effectively work for God in our own strength. We need the power of the Holy Spirit. The coming of the Spirit, like a mighty wind, at Pentecost was for power to be wittiness’s of Jesus Christ and to effectively preach the Gospel.
If men are taught they do not need anything more than the indwelling, and there is no other work of grace, than they go on without this power.
The very fact is that the NINE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT are received at the giving of this power and the entire work is evidenced by the speaking of heavenly languages that enables and helps the Christian to pray, and move in revelation knowledge.
No wonder so many are in trouble and the church in terrible condition!
This is a very serious charge and immediately it becomes necessary for me to “contend for the faith” that was once given.
If a large part of the church has become “POWERLESS” because of this false teaching, it is time to stand up and proclaim the truth.
Consider the verses found in…
“And while being in their company and eating at the table with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised (Matthew 3:11-12), of which [He said] you have heard Me speak. [John 14:16; 26; 15:26] 5. For John truly baptized with water, but not many days from now you whall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
“But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth,” Acts 1:4-5 and 1:8.
Jesus told His disciples plainly to wait in Jerusalem and to not begin their witnessing and preaching until they had received the POWER.
He told them plainly “DO NOT LEAVE TOWN WITHOUT FIRST RECEIVING THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!”
The fact is there are whole sections of the church, INCLUDING THE BAPTIST, that teach false doctrine concerning this power. We can clearly see how they have been led astray through the confusing of these two events.
I myself went for over twenty years in the service of THE BAPTIST DENOMINATION (most of them but not all)that taught false teaching about this.
I was led astray, without knowledge, of how to receive the power of the Holy Spirit. Consequently my ministry was greatly hurt and hindered.
In the desert in 1999, the Lord was gracious to me and showed me the truth. I came out of the desert walking in the power of the Holy Spirit for the first time in my life….. To fully describe to you how badly I was hurt by these false teachers would take too long. Let me suffice to say; it was a terrible loss.
This is the reason I take in hand to instruct others on this subject. It is my prayer that you will not be hindered as I was. I want you to clearly understand.
YOU CAN BE SAVED, Having the indwelling of the Spirit, and be POWERLESS! Thus I speak to MY BAPTIST FRIENDS of whom I love and pray for that they may see the truth of their error
. It is very important to listen to me, a man who was a strong Baptist Pastor, trained in Baptist Bible School and sent out to preach being ordained by Baptist laying on of hands.
It is IMPORTANT TO LISTEN because I myself HAD TO BE TAUGHT THIS TRUTH BY THE VERY REAL WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
I am one who can testify to you that you (if you have rejected the Baptism with the Holy Spirit) that the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is relevant and really still being given and poured out upon today’s believers.
Do not let false teachers keep you from this truth. If you have been deceived, correct it now and receive the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
If you are a Baptist Friend and you are deceived and willing to receive, after reading this teaching, please contact me by sending me a message and I will be glad to assist you. Contact Us
My family that remains is still mostly Baptist. I love them dearly and pray for them. God has told me to not destroy the Faith of my Father who is in heaven tonight and my Mother, now with the Lord.
One of my Daughters has been Baptized with the Holy Spirit out of my Family, my Sister and a Nephew.
I married a wonderful Christian lady, Celeste, who did receive the Baptism with the Holy Spirit in my sisters house along with my sister, Janelle, before we were married.
My father went on to be with the Lord never knowing the Baptism and my Mother, but they are IN HEAVEN. I believe the Baptist will largely be saved, but I only pray, Lord let me be of aid to my brethren that no not the way of the Baptism.
Let me help Lord. You opened my eyes, you can open theirs. Lord open their eyes, and give them the wonderful Power of your Spirit, followed by gifts, miracles, and signs of the Holy Ghost. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray.
~ Desert Prophet Ken Dewey
The light will shine in His glory… In the desert.
Evangelist/ Prophet/ Pastor Ken Dewey is the founder of “OUT OF THE DESERT MINISTRIES“ in Belen, New Mexico, USA. He writes on this Web Site, many Prophetic words, Sermons and teachings while leading people into true church settings and preaching in an End Time Gospel Ministry.
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Hi I have been attending a Baptist Church since July 2018
Preach it brother. Phenomenal. Thanks a lot.
Thank you for this article, I have a feeling I’m here for a purpose, I have prayed, fasted done all I think possible but still haven’t experienced the anointing of the Holy Spirit,I wish there is a way I can pray to receive it. For indeed without the Holy spirit all seems empty and self made.
Harriet, don’t get discouraged. As I said above, I have been desiring the HS baptism too, but I am staying expectant and am not going to let the enemy discourage me. Maybe He needs to do more perfecting in me and I’ll have to wait awhile longer. I know the problem is not with Him. He wants all things good for us so I just have to trust His timing. Maybe you can find someone under the annointing to lay hands on you for the baptism.
Thank you for this article and I believe all that you say. I have been prayed over to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit a couple different times, but nothing has changed for me. I have been told to stand in faith and just open my mouth and start uttering syllables and to believe that is speaking in tongues and that if I will practice, my prayer language will develop more and more. I have come to believe I will not receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit by faith and that this method being taught is false. I want what happened at Pentecost to happen to me but so far nothing. This is also true for my sister and brother in law who have been pursuing the baptism of the HS. Any suggestions would be appreciated. We are saved, having received the indwelling of the HS, we have no doubt of that!
Diane – it took me over a year before I received tongues. I wanted it very badly and got discouraged often when I didn’t receive it instantly like others.
A pastor walked me through tongues and that’s how I received it. Remember, the words may not sound like others.. and don’t try to hard. It’s easy. Don’t try to sound spiritual when speaking in tongues but allow whatever words you think it may be to flow out of your mouth.
Lastly, I feel like that lord is saying to me for you “believe that I want to give you it to you. I enjoy giving it to you and I’ll enjoy watching you speak. I love you. Don’t freight, don’t fear for I am with you as you begin to speak.”
Thank you, James, for the encouragement. I too have been walked through speaking in tongues but I now believe, at least in my case, that is not an authentic baptism of the HS. I want to feel something come over me (in a physical sense) as a sign of His presence. He knows what I need and I believe He will honor my request if my motives are pure.