On the day of Pentecost, the Apostle Peter underwent a dramatic change. He received the Baptism of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit were released in his life. He experienced a significant change of heart, and he obtained a clear understanding of the work of God in Christ. He no longer resisted the plan of God. He no longer wondered what the other disciples were doing. He knew who he was, and that his very life and existence fulfilled the will of God. We are at a stage in our own development when we are experiencing an accelerated change of heart, mind, and soul. That is why we continually emphasize the potential for a comprehensive outworking of the Spirit of God. Every believer who has received Jesus Christ as Savior has the Holy Spirit abiding in them; if you have received Jesus Christ, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit reside in you.

The Lord desires to lead us into the fullness of the knowledge of His Son, and increase our spiritual understanding. It is vital that we not neglect the gift that is in us. The Holy Spirit is our teacher, instructor, guide, and intermediary, interceding for us according to the will of God. Praying for the baptism of the Holy Spirit or continually experiencing the Baptism is not about getting the Holy Spirit into you, it is about a release of the indwelling Spirit so that there can be an out flowing. Jesus expressed this on last day of the feast of Tabernacles, so it is particularly significant for us.

In John 7:37-39 He says: "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink." (This pertains to the inflow of the Spirit) Then He continued: "He who believes in me… out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."

Here Jesus is talking about the second part of the process. The living water flows in and then out. We have the instance of the woman at the well in Samaria.

John 4:14-15 "Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

God gave you the Holy Spirit when you received Jesus. Now you must fully receive or agree to its further manifestation, in that there is revealed to us the power of commitment. It is the authority of His resurrected life.

Having been joined to Him in His death and resurrection we have been granted the honor and the blessing of experiencing the Spirit bearing witness in our hearts, regarding the value of any issue or matter that we consider. The anointing that you have received of Him teaches you all things. The Baptism of the Spirit is essential for the complete healing of the soul through the ministry and working of the Spirit.

"Be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, acceptable, and the perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2

Prove means to apply the knowledge that has come to you through the word and the exercise of your faith. The proof is established in your soul as you perform it. It is clear that when Paul speaks about application and renewing the mind he is talking about our active participation. 'The Lord has more light and truth to show forth from His Word even though we are compassed about with a mighty cloud of witnesses. We receive all the benefit of that which has been revealed and understood; yet God seeks to establish those that can attest to His work in this present age. Christ is risen and ever lives. None can exhaust the meaning and power of that. He is without measure. Even with the help of the Spirit, we have only begun to know the meaning of Christ risen.

Paul declared, "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection." Philippians 3:10

Receiving the fullness of the Baptism is an ongoing process. It continues the work of being born again and saved. It is a response and openness to the work of the Holy Spirit whose vessels we are. You receive the benefit by allowing the Spirit free access.

"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered."Romans 8:26-28

Your will is involved directly in the process. You must be willing to receive the work of the Spirit in your heart, soul, mind, and body. The Holy Spirit brings healing to the thoughts. Everything in your heart and your soul had to be processed and transformed so that it can be stored and accessed. This processed information is the essence of the experience, the substance of the experience, not the event itself. Events can be recalled; it is the essence of events, stored in the heart and soul that becomes the motivation.

We are seeking the healing of the soul. I see that if there is going to be a transformation of our minds we have to instruct our soul as to what we really want. The mind and soul finds responses the same way it finds information when you have a thought or pose a question. When you observe your soul seek out responses, you will know that you can redirect its search. Jesus has imparted to us His power to talk to the soul. It was manifested in His ability to overcome when He was tempted in all ways as we are. Jesus has given us the power to change by our own will. When He guides us, we become co-workers with Him. Christ who dwells in us, will reveal all things. It is His progressive revelation; but our will is engaged and we are willing. Jesus Christ will reveal to you everything that is relevant to understanding human nature and existence.

Our life is about giving expression to our faith and vision. It focuses on giving expression to the drawing of the Spirit of God. Our walk is about new connections, new streams of wisdom, new directions, the redirection of the flow of our lives and the bringing of all thoughts into submission to Christ. Jesus Christ is our hope of glory.

*For more information on this topic simply E-mail Michael Brod at: michaelbrod@hotmail.com