09 - Chapter 09
CHAPTER IX. The Gift distinguished from its Counterfeits. In this world so largely ruled by the father of lies, counterfeits are common. There are false prophets, false Christs and false Gods! Preachers in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly ravenous wolves, abound. There are sham conversions, and even men pretending to have received this last Great Gift of the Spirit, whose claims are spurious and whose examples have brought the doctrine into reproach. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, and we can plant our feet upon it, and distinguish between the solid rock and a heap of sand. Real gold has abiding constituents that base metals and imitations never possess.
1st. The baptism of the Holy Ghost causes its beneficiaries to adhere tenaciously to the Bible, because He inspired it. Holy men of old who wrote it, spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. And when He enters a soul, it is not to lead it to re pudiate His own words, or to treat them lightly.
Christ prayed "Sanctify them through thy truth thy word is truth. Show me then a man who substitutes his own fancies for the obvious teachings of God’s Word, or has loose views regarding its authority, and I will show you one who is still in his sins, and has not the Spirit. The central sentiment of those who have received Him is thus expressed, "To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to his Word, it is because there is no light in them."
2nd. Another distinguishing feature of the Holy Baptism is, an increased affection for the Church of God, and a firm adhesion to it. I mean, of course, true Churches, such as believe in Conversion, in the Bible, and in Christ. Albeit men receiving this Gift, see more clearly than before, the low grounds on which most of their brethren are walking, they do not separate themselves from them saying, "Depart from me for I am holier than thou." But with loving sympathy akin to that of the Master, and inspired by the Holy Ghost, they abide with them, and seek to lead them up to the heights of privilege above. How lovingly Peter and John went to those in Samaria, converted under Phillip, but had not received the great blessing, took them by the hand, greeted them lovingly, and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. And so wherever the preachers of those days went, they gathered the converts, instructed them in their privileges, and sought to lead them into the possession. Depend upon it therefore, that when professed receivers of this blessing withdraw from their Church connections, voluntarily, and unforced, another Spirit than that of love actuates them, and it is another baptism diverse from that of the Holy Ghost, which has fallen on them. Says Jude, "There be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit I "
3d. The true Baptism is eminently, charitable in the modern sense of that word, while the false is sensorious and given to severe criticism and judging. "Charity thinketh no evil. " It ""covers a multitude of sins. " The more of Divinity there is in a man’s soul, the more his heart is filled with love to God and his brethren. He will not judge them coldly and without sympathy. How lovingly and tenderly Paul speaks of his brethren of the Jewish Church in Rome 9th : " I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have ,great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish myself accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites," &c. Such a spirit is given a man when the Pentecostal blessing comes and stays with him, while he enjoys it. When therefore, a man professing to have received this gift becomes a sharp critic on his brethren and delights in parading their faults before others, you may safely regard his experience, as at heart, only a counterfeit of the true coin of heaven.
4th. The genuine baptism leads to increased activity in all useful lines and in all Gospel work. How quickly the Apostles went to work, after the baptism came upon them! Paul received the blessing and what a life of labor he entered upon at once. So in these last days, when men like Moody, Finney, Spurgeon and Mills receive this gift, then the great work of life begins. Whittier well says:
"Not to ease or aimless quiet, Doth the inward answer tend, But the works of love and duty, As our beings end."
Wherever this baptism is professedly received, if it does not lead to increased activity and unselfish labors, where it leaves a man selfishly ruminating on his personal security and rich experiences, content to see others drift down the stream while he is on the shore, there we may be sure the Great Pentecostal blessing never came. It is only a counterfeit.
5th. Greatly enlarged fruitfulness is another feature, which distinguishes the true anointing from the false. Manifestly, the original and primal advent of this gift upon the Apostles and early Christians greatly increased their moral and spiritual fruitfulness. What multitudes were converted under their labors! Jesus said, John 15:5, "He that abidethin Me and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit." And again, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit " More forcible still and entirely conclusive on this point are the words of Jesus, recorded in John 7:38-39. "He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall -flow rivers of living water] But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive, for the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. “This immensely rich promise affirms a vast increase of spiritual power and fertility, ever attending the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Why should it not be so, when to our natural power, there is added that of the Holy Spirit? Shall I be more specific in elucidating this part of our subject? Let me say then:
1st. When you pray, you will have a consciousness that the Holy Spirit helps you and others will feel it too. God will seem to them very near!
2d. When you speak in testimony or exhortation God will help you and make your words impressive.
3d. Your very silence, will at times impress people more strongly than words could do, that God is with you, enabling you to control the unruly member.
4th. Your exemplary and conscientious conduct, will after a time impress those who look on and see it with the reality and practibility of the religion you profess. You may not see much of it on earth, but you will in heaven. For your prayers are all laid up, your tears bottled, your words of warning registered and your general influence the Holy Ghost is gathering in a cloud above, which by and by will descend in showers of blessings. Only believe, thou baptised child of God, persevere in prayer and labor and you will yet see the verity of Christ’s words, “He that abideth in me the same bringeth forth much fruit. " But the counterfeit baptism beareth only briars and thorns. “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. "