People's imaginations concerning 'receiving the Holy Spirit' (Example #2)

People's imaginations concerning 'receiving the Holy Spirit' (Example #2)

This post is written for the sole purpose of illustrating the ignorance of sound doctrine on social media these days. My aim is to emphasize the absolute necessity of studying the Bible for oneself and seeking answers from the source instead of relying on imaginations or opinions given by people, who may be sincere, but are as ignorant as the one who asked the question to start with. 

So, let's begin by stating the question that was asked in the beginning of the thread,

QUESTION: "How can Christians catch the Spirit?"

Below is the second of a few answers that were supplied to this question on social media. They appear to be sincere but are unfortunately completely false or have parts that are from the imaginations of men who have not sought out the truth in the Word of God. After this 'answer', and a few more that I will write about later, I add comments as to why the answer is wrong and what the Word of God actually says about it.

False Imagination #2

You will get the Holy Spirit if and when God Almighty chooses to grant it to you. The fact is most do NOT receive the grant of Holy Spirit, but that is NOT a bad thing.

Born again (baptized/anointed) by Holy Spirit is reserved for just a very few here on earth. This anointing or appointing only is for those who have been selected from among humans by God Almighty HIMSELF to serve in heaven as kings and priest alongside Jesus Christ. They receive a gift of Holy Spirit that assures them that they are HIS adopted children. The number of these is exactly 144,000, no more, no less.

My comments:

This answer is a direct result of mixing up the dispensations and creating a complicated mess of corrupt information. This is a terrible calamity in the modern church today since they teach a kingdom orientated doctrine, believing that the church is spiritual Israel, and that they can claim all the blessings of Israel but conveniently decline or ignore their curses. The modern church doctrine ignores the command to rightly divide the word of truth, 2Tim.2:15, and has thus formed a doctrine where everything in the Bible is either for them or about them. It creates confusion and contradiction and corrupts the mystery doctrine of Paul concerning the purpose of the Body of Christ and the plan that God has for us in the ages to come.

Concerning the above answer, we do not get the Holy Spirit as described. Rather, it is through the Holy Spirit that our new man is created, Eph.2:10, or regenerated, Tit.3:5, and also sealed unto the day of salvation, Eph.1:13; Eph.4:30. This is not only reserved for a select few, but for EVERY person who has heard and responded to the grace gospel and has believed in its message, Rom.3:22; Rom.5:18. They are added to the Body of Christ, 1Cor.12:27, and each member of this body will have a measure of the glory of Christ, Eph.4:7; Rom.5:2, and have a part to fulfil in the heavenly government in the ages to come, Eph.4:16.

Regarding the 144,000 who are sealed by God during the end-times tribulation period of 7-years, they serve God and do His will during the tribulation and on earth, Rev.7:4. Each of the 144,000 will come from the 12 tribes of Israel, Rev.7:4. No Gentiles will be part of this select group of people who will preach the gospel to Israel during the tribulation. It is not only these few who become the children of God from out of Israel. It is all Israelites who receive the kingdom gospel and who believe in their Messiah, Jesus Christ, and obey His commandments to flee to the mountains during that time, Matt.24:16.

Thus, if we compare this example #2 answer according to the rightly divided scriptures, we will find that it is another figment of man’s imagination, completely corrupt and void of truth.

Conclusion

If you are one who is asking questions on social media, I implore you to be careful with the replies that you get. Most of the replies will most certainly be replies that are based on absolute ignorance and the imaginations of men. Whatever replies that come, do not receive them without weighing them up with what the Bible says. As the Bereans did, do your own searching of the scriptures to prove whether the advice is sound and according to our doctrine,

Act 17:10-11  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.  (11)  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

If you are a person that is posting a reply to someone who asked a question, I pray that the fear of God will be upon you as you write up your answer. The scriptures are a double-edged sword and can do as much harm as good. Make sure that you are sincere in your desire to reply and help the person. Then ensure that your replies are filled with confirming scripture references that validate your answer. James 3:1 tells us that masters (teachers) who abuse the office, shall receive greater condemnation than those who are hearers, and the same chapter tells of the power of the tongue which can speak both truth and lie in the same breath. Make sure of your answers and be sincere in leading people on the path of truth and reconciliation.