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Zac Poonen

Zac Poonen (1939 - ). Christian preacher, Bible teacher, and author based in Bangalore, India. A former Indian Naval officer, he resigned in 1966 after converting to Christianity, later founding the Christian Fellowship Centre (CFC) in 1975, which grew into a network of churches. He has written over 30 books, including "The Pursuit of Godliness," and shares thousands of free sermons, emphasizing holiness and New Testament teachings. Married to Annie since 1968, they have four sons in ministry. Poonen supports himself through "tent-making," accepting no salary or royalties. After stepping down as CFC elder in 1999, he focused on global preaching and mentoring. His teachings prioritize spiritual maturity, humility, and living free from materialism. He remains active, with his work widely accessible online in multiple languages. Poonen’s ministry avoids institutional structures, advocating for simple, Spirit-led fellowships. His influence spans decades, inspiring Christians to pursue a deeper relationship with God.
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Sermon Summary
Zac Poonen emphasizes the significance of the new covenant, highlighting that while the Holy Spirit was once limited to specific individuals under the old covenant, now He is available to all believers to reveal Jesus' glory and transform them. He points out that the New Testament begins with two essential promises: salvation from sins and baptism in the Holy Spirit, marking a new era in God's relationship with humanity. Poonen urges Christians to embrace their full birthright as children of God, which includes both salvation and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, as many have overlooked this vital aspect of their faith.
Our New-Covenant Birthright
Under the old covenant, the Holy Spirit came only upon certain people, to enable them to fulfil a specific task for God. Under the new covenant, however, the Holy Spirit can be received by all. He has come to show us the glory of Jesus and to transform us into His likeness. John the Baptist pointed to two ministries that Jesus would fulfil - one was to take away sins and the other was to baptize people in the Holy Spirit (Jn. 1:29,33). We need to experience both of these. The first promise in the New Testament is: "He will save His people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21). The second promise in the New Testament is: "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 3:11). It's significant that the New Testament opens with these two promises. This was the beginning of a new era in God's dealings with man - the new covenant. This is then our double birthright as children of God - to be saved from our sins and to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And God certainly wants to give us our full birthright - not just half of it. The first five books of the New Testament each begin with the promise of the baptism in the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11; Mk. 1:8; Lk. 3:16; Jn. 1:33; Acts 1:5). Yet so many Christians have neglected to claim this for themselves.
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Zac Poonen (1939 - ). Christian preacher, Bible teacher, and author based in Bangalore, India. A former Indian Naval officer, he resigned in 1966 after converting to Christianity, later founding the Christian Fellowship Centre (CFC) in 1975, which grew into a network of churches. He has written over 30 books, including "The Pursuit of Godliness," and shares thousands of free sermons, emphasizing holiness and New Testament teachings. Married to Annie since 1968, they have four sons in ministry. Poonen supports himself through "tent-making," accepting no salary or royalties. After stepping down as CFC elder in 1999, he focused on global preaching and mentoring. His teachings prioritize spiritual maturity, humility, and living free from materialism. He remains active, with his work widely accessible online in multiple languages. Poonen’s ministry avoids institutional structures, advocating for simple, Spirit-led fellowships. His influence spans decades, inspiring Christians to pursue a deeper relationship with God.