Believers Without the Holy Ghost

Believers Without the Holy Ghost by Samuel Chadwick

The Church knows quite well both the reason and the remedy for failure. The human resources of the Church were never so great. The opportunities of the Church were never so glorious. The need for the work of the Church was never so urgent. The crisis is momentous; and the Church staggers helplessly amid it all. When the ancient Church reproached God with sleeping at the post of duty, God charged His people with being staggering drunk. The Church knows perfectly well what is the matter. It is sheer cant to seek the explanation in changed conditions. When were conditions ever anything else? The Church has lost the note of authority, the secret of wisdom, and the gift of power, through persistent and willful neglect of the Holy Spirit of God. Confusion and impotence are inevitable when the wisdom and resources of the world are substituted for the presence and power of the Spirit of God.

Proofs abound. The New Testament furnishes examples of Churches filled with the Spirit and Churches without the Spirit. The differences are obvious. The Church of which Apollos was minister had not so much as heard that the Spirit was given. The Church in our day has no such excuse. Ours is the sin of denial. He has been shut out from the province in which He is indispensable. Religion has been reconstructed without Him. There is no denial of the supernatural, but it is insisted that the supernatural must conform to natural law. It is admitted that truth is inspired, but its inspiration must develop along the lines of natural selection and growth. Religion cannot be allowed to have come upon any other lines than those of literature, philosophy, and ethics. The Christian religion has simply the honor of being less faulty than the rest. Jesus Christ must be accounted for in the same way. He is simply the crown and consummation of a progressive humanity. The emphasis is upon the Man, and in that emphasis there is reason to rejoice but the strange thing is that in the intense interest in Jesus the certainties about Him that come through the Spirit have been lost.

The Church still has a theology of the Holy Ghost, but it has no living consciousness of His presence and power. Theology without experience is like faith without works: it is dead. The signs of death abound. Prayer-meetings have died out because men did not believe in the Holy Ghost. The liberty of prophesying has gone because men believe in investigation and not in inspiration. There is a dearth of conversions be cause faith about the New Birth as a creative act of the Holy Ghost has lost its grip on intellect and heart. The experience of the Second Gift of Grace is no longer preached and testified, because Christian experience, though it may have to begin in the Spirit, must be perfected in the wisdom of the flesh and the culture of the schools. Confusion and impotence are the inevitable results when the wisdom and resources of the world are substituted for the presence and power of the Spirit.

The rebound from materialism is seen in such movements as Christian Science, Spiritualism, and Theosophy. It is the truth in these things that gives them their power, and it is useless to denounce them. They are the reaction of the spirit against the bondage of the flesh and of the mind. The cravings they represent must be met by the experience of Pentecost. Modernism and Mysticism are also the products of a religion that is not baptized of the Holy Ghost. Sacerdotalism is another. These things flourish on impoverished soil and dunghills. They are the works of the flesh, and the product of spiritual death. The remedy for them is not in reproach and bitterness, but in floods and rivers, winds and sun. The answer is in the demonstration of a supernatural religion, and the only way to a supernatural religion is in the abiding presence of the Spirit of God.

Edit to remove paragraph...

I think one thing we miss, is that the believers in Acts 2 did not have the Holy Spirit. Which is why Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem.

They elected the replacement for Judas by drawing lots.

But, it can be that so many function according to the word of God, and yet not have His Holy Spirit.

As an aside, one paragraph was repeated twice.

God bless.

Quote: As an aside, one paragraph was repeated twice.

Thanks it been deleted.

Quote: But, it can be that so many function according to the word of God, and yet not have His Holy Spirit.

Is this a good thing or bad thing?

How can it be a good thing to function without the Holy Spirit?

Quote: How can it be a good thing to function without the Holy Spirit?

Just checking didn't want to jump to any conclusions..

Quote: How can the question be valid for Christians seeing that everyone who believes has the Holy Spirit?

Take a look at this part of article

"The Church of which Apollos was minister had not so much as heard that the Spirit was given"

Also

"The experience of the Second Gift of Grace is no longer preached and testified, because Christian experience, though it may have to begin in the Spirit, must be perfected in the wisdom of the flesh and the culture of the schools."

So the article is about the Holy Spirit that is given in Acts 2.. not the Holy Spirit that comes at justification...

Hi Approved

Approved wrote ///If I received the Holy Spirit when I repented and gave my life to Jesus, why should I bother looking for another Holy Ghost when I got the whole deal at the first///

What is your definition of revivle??

What is your understanding of being filled with the Holy Ghost??

Was the early church in acts constantly filled with the Holy Ghost??

Interesting title: Believers without the Holy Ghost...having the Holy Ghost is what makes a believer, a believer.
Quote: "Confusion and impotence are inevitable when the wisdom and resources of the world are substituted for the presence and power of the Spirit of God.Proofs abound. The New Testament furnishes examples of Churches filled with the Spirit and Churches without the Spirit. The differences are obvious. The Church of which Apollos was minister had not so much as heard that the Spirit was given." Is he making a contrast between churches with and without the Spirit, and using Apollo in a negative sense?

Quote-,
If I received the Holy Spirit when I repented and gave my life to Jesus, why should I bother looking for another Holy Ghost when I got the whole deal at the first?
Seems kind of stupid to me that I should seek for something that I already have.
End quote-,

Approved, please speak for yourself.

If you (edit - anyone) still cannot see it after the previous thread, and what is written in scripture, (Acts 4:29-32 for example) it is because you (edit - that person) do not want to see it. I find your (edit - such an) attitude stiff necked and rebellious, an attitude towards the Holy Spirit that is not uncommon, especially amongst the religiously proud.

Joch.

edit - After reading your post again, I might have misunderstood you. If that is the case, the above does not apply to you, sorry.

wow thats a false blanket statment ,,,many people are still seeking to be filled with the spirit and to be baptised with the spirit for power to serve and greater times of refreshings

it is close to a devilish statment ,,becasue it what the devil wants ,he wants us to have a laking in power to serve ,and an unholy satasfaction with our state of being

amamased to hear some one on sermon index say that

Why do doctrines on predestination get locked, but not clear false doctrine on the Holy Spirit?

I think we need to understand first what Samuel Chadwick is saying (not putting words in his mouth) according to the quoted article (and the whole book, The Way to Pentecost, for that matter). He is not talking about salvation but in essence the need of believers to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. That is why the second chapter is entitled "The Church without the Spirit."

Here's the link to the entire chapter 2 entitled "The Church Without the Spirit":
http://www.raptureready.com/resource/chadwick/chadwick31.html

As armkelly said the original post was taken from Chapter One of The Way to Pentecost. This book is highly recommended.

edited.

A Church without the Holy Spirit was the cause of grief to Martyn Lioyd- Jones as well.

The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones by Pastor John Piper

http://youtu.be/LDIuYIDqeDk

Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace. 2 Cor 1:15 ESV

This scripture is where the saying of a “second blessing” or “second work of grace” might come from.

But does scripture point to two works of the Spirit in the believer.

Paul encountered Jesus outside of Damascus in verses 3-6, in a powerful vision. Here he met the Lord and committed himself to follow Christ's directions. There is little question whether or not this was when he became born-again. Then later in verse 17 Ananias layed hands on him that he might be filled with the Spirit.

Acts 8:14-17. Here the apostles ministered to a group of Samaritans who previously “had received the word of God” but had not been blessed with the fullness of the Spirit. Verse 16 explains, “For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Immediately the apostles laid hands on the Samaritans and they visibly received the Spirit's manifest presence.

Acts 19 Here again the distinction between salvation and Spirit-baptism is clear. They received Christ and were baptized with water as an outward sign. Then, encouraged by Paul's laying on of hands, they responded to the Holy Spirit Who had come to live in them, and began to pour out the praise of God in new languages. The release of the Spirit's power was therefore separate from the Spirit's earlier indwelling in their hearts.

How do you know you've recieved the second blessing?

Quote: How do you know you've received the second blessing?

You’ll have a pure heart..

Acts 15 -7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

In this passage of scripture we can see the duality of the work in a believers life.

1.\tThey should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
2.\tAnd God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us.

What is the sign that they had received the Holy Spirit, Peter saw that the Holy Ghost coming into the believer’s life made you “pure in heart” Peter doesn’t relate to speaking in tongues to getting the Holy Spirit although the first record of speaking in tongues was at Pentecost.

Paul speaking in his first letter to Corinthian church says he can’t talk to them as Spiritual but babes in Christ like the carnal. To these belivers he writes about spiritual gifts so it safe to say that a babe in Christ is someone who acts walk and talk like a mere man and can operate in the gift of the spirit. He goes onto say in 1 Cor 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

We are told to covet the gifts but there is a “more excellent way”. 1 Cor 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. What he saying is that you can talk in tounges of Angels, and have no love…

Having love is the “more excellent way” a pure heart is a heart that is full of love. A pure heart suffers long, and is kind; it doesn’t envy; its not full of pride, it puts other first, it’s not easily provoked, doesn’t plan evil deeds, it doesn’t behave unseemly, it does like iniquity, but rejoices in the truth, it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Cor 13: 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

To become Spiritual we must put away “childish thing” what are childish things envying, and strife, and divisions, how is that accomplished by a second work of the Spirit where your hearts is made pure.

Edit for spelling

Quote: I just started reading in John 3. Jesus tells Nicodemus. In order for one to see tbe kingdom of God. One must be born of water and tbe Spirit. As Jesus likens tbe wind blowing. He tells Nicodemus. Just as you cannot tell where tbe wind is coming from or where it is going. So is everyone born of tbe Spirit.

If the Holy Spirit is present in the birthing process of the believer so the Spirit is present in the child of God. Again there us no such thing as a believer in Jesus Christ without the Holy Spirit.

Okay I could have named the thread differently.

But picking up on you point “see tbe kingdom of God” there is no doubt in my mind that a believer has the “Spirit”, but does that mean there is no need for a Baptism of the Spirit later.

Is it right to claim that we Quote: Everyone is settled with the fact that they have received the Holy Ghost at confession by faith. If that is the case, why seek for something more?

Why should we seek for something more..?

There is a difference of between “see tbe kingdom of God” and inheritng the kingdom of God.

Paul warns us in Gal 5:19-21 that those who practice the works of the flesh will not inherit the Kingdom of God..

The reason why I say we need more is because that a further or a deeper work deals with the flesh, to truly say your Christ’s you must have your flesh crucified with the affections and lusts Gal 5:24.

For all those who believe they are already filled with the Holy Spirit, Please answer these questions.

Are you wholly consumed with God and the lost world.

Have you given the gospel to every one you know, your neighbors, loved ones and are you known by your surroundings as the "Gospel freak"

When you talk of Christ and salvation, is there life to your words that bring conviction of sin and reveal Christ to the lost.

Can you tell the sick physically and spiritually: Silver and Gold I have not but that which I have I give to you, in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord, get up and walk.

Do you get up in the middle of the night with anguish and burden knowing that during your sleeping hours thousands of souls dying and perishing for eternity.

Is your prayer daring as to plead with God: " Give me America or take my life, save the souls of my loved ones or take my soul".

Are you absolutely consumed with the things of God? Does He trust you with His heart burden? Are you standing in the gap? Is this you food and drink?

If these things are not true of you, then at least humbly admit it and ask God for the fulness of His Holy Spirit.

You will notice that all the traits I mentioned were received instantaneously upon the baptism of the Holy Spirit. They did not have to grow into them.

On the first day Finney was converted and Baptised by the Holy Spirit he spoke to every one he knew about Christ and almost every one he spoke to was converted immediately or shoptly after.

Now, ask yourself how long have you been a Christian?

quote"
A daily continual filling of the Holy Spirit is taught. But a second work of grace or a second blessing. No"

Brother, the time these things I have mentioned are true of you is the time you recieved the Holy Spirit"

If your daily filling causes these things to be birthed in you, so be it. If ones upon a time in the moment it happens, so be it, but the truth remains that these things must take place in every single Spirit filled believer, and if these things are not there, to be really scriptural you are not Spirit filled.

By dear brother bear,

Regarding Finney, the revival was hardly in full force when he was converted.

And regarding Moody, here is the story of his baptism of the Holy Spirit if you care to know.

"The secret of why God used D. L. Moody was that, he had a very definite enduement with power from on High, a very clear and definite baptism with the Holy Ghost. Mr. Moody knew he had “the baptism with the Holy Ghost,” he had no doubt about it. In his early days he was a great hustler, he had a tremendous desire to do something, but he had no real power. He worked very largely in the energy of the flesh. But there were two humble Free Methodist women who used to come over to his meetings in the Y. M. C. A. One was “Auntie Cook” and the other, Mrs. Snow. (I think her name was not Snow at that time.) These two women would come to Mr. Moody at the close of his meetings and say: “We are praying for you.” Finally, Mr. Moody became somewhat nettled and said to them one night: “Why are you praying for me? Why don’t you pray for the unsaved?” They replied: “We are praying that you may get the power.” Mr. Moody did not know what that meant, but he got to thinking about it, and then went to these women and said: “I wish you would tell me what you mean,” and they told him about the definite baptism with the Holy Ghost. Then he asked that he might pray with them and not they merely pray for him.

Auntie Cook once told me of the intense fervor with which Mr. Moody prayed on that occasion. She told me in words that I scarcely dare repeat, though I have never forgotten them. And he not only prayed with them, but he also prayed alone. Not long after, one day on his way to England, he was walking up Wall Street in New York (Mr. Moody very seldom told this and I almost hesitate to tell it) and in the midst of the bustle and hurry of that city his prayer was answered; the power of God fell upon him as he walked up the street and he had to hurry off to the house of a friend and ask that he might have a room by himself, and in that room he stayed alone for hours; and the Holy Ghost came upon him filling his soul with such joy that at last he had to ask God to withhold His hand, lest he die on the spot from very joy. He went out from that place with the power of the Holy Ghost upon him, and when he got to London (partly through the prayers of a bedridden saint in Mr. Lessey’s church), the power of God wrought through him mightily in North London, and hundreds were added to the churches, and that was what led to his being invited over to the wonderful campaign that followed in later years."

Lastly brother, I commend you for being in the Word daily. Bless you for that, but please do not despise the baptism of the Holy Spirit or imagine you have it if you do not.

quote

"It is like you buy a new car with a full tank if gas"

I like you illustration,

Does that mean there was a time when you had a full tank but let it run out.

I 'd like to hear about that.
Would you mind sharing?

What can I say, brother
AMEN to your last post.

By the way, I am not unti babes nor anti babes:D

Bump

Post by unto babes

For all those who believe they are already filled with the Holy Spirit, Please answer these questions.

Are you wholly consumed with God and the lost world.

Have you given the gospel to every one you know, your neighbors, loved ones and are you known by your surroundings as the "Gospel freak"

When you talk of Christ and salvation, is there life to your words that bring conviction of sin and reveal Christ to the lost.

Can you tell the sick physically and spiritually: Silver and Gold I have not but that which I have I give to you, in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord, get up and walk.

Do you get up in the middle of the night with anguish and burden knowing that during your sleeping hours thousands of souls dying and perishing for eternity.

Is your prayer daring as to plead with God: " Give me America or take my life, save the souls of my loved ones or take my soul".

Are you absolutely consumed with the things of God? Does He trust you with His heart burden? Are you standing in the gap? Is this you food and drink?

If these things are not true of you, then at least humbly admit it and ask God for the fulness of His Holy Spirit