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Book Author
Robert G. Witty,  B.D., Asbury Theological Seminary; Th.M., Th.D., Burton College and Seminary; Ph.D., University of Florida

Robert G. Witty, October 6, 1906 - June 20, 2007 - Known as the father of theological distance education, Dr. Witty helped pioneer one of Christendom's most important educational forces.  Dr. Witty served with Master's from its founding, providing invaluable guidance, instructional and teaching resources as well as serving as a mentor and spiritual leader to the president of Master's.  His presence will be missed but for a short season, after which we shall all be gathered into the house of our Father.

_______________________

             THE ENABLER

                              The Story of the Spiritual Journey made
                               by a Study Group of Christian friends

                              By Robert Gee Witty, Ph.D.

CHAPTER ONE
Frustration and Perplexity
      You are reading the real-life experiences of twelve Christians who sought for "more" in their personal relationship to God. Sensing that God could satisfy their yearning, they covenanted together in a spiritual journey. In their joint search, they learned that God has given available methods that contribute to spiritual fulfillment. They learned the power of prayer, the riches of Bible study and meditation, and the benefits of sharing with other Christians. They discovered that as they obeyed what they knew to be God's will, He revealed greater truths. 
                As you read the record of the journey of these twelve, may the Lord lead you into fulfillment in your fellowship with God.

	THE CLAYTON DISCONTENT
      Tom Clayton is the Minister of Education at the First Baptist Church. He holds the M.R.E. degree. His duties at the church require administration and program promotional skills. His friendly spirit and innovative approach add to his effectiveness. His wife, Jane, received her education at a Bible college. They enjoy a happy family relationship. Her spirit is direct but humble, devotional, and optimistic.
 	January 10 about 9:30 pm,...............
      Jane Clayton watched her husband stare blankly at the TV.
	“Tom, I have the feeling that you aren't even seeing the program you are supposed to be watching."
	"You are right as usual," Tom sighed. "I was thinking about my work as Minister of Education. Frankly, I feel totally confused about what I should do next."
	"Are you having trouble with someone?" Jane asked.
	"No more than usual. My confusion goes deeper than any administrative problem. I am honestly confused about the whole idea of ministry. When I surrendered to the Lord, I was so excited and happy. Now I am barely hanging on."
	" I guess I don't really understand," Jane replied, "but I love you and I wish I could help. Why don't we talk about it? Maybe talking would help."
	"Jane, I know you love me," Tom told her. "You are my greatest comfort. I really don't fully know what my problem is. I know that when I read the Bible, I read about power, joy, and fulfillment. When I do my work, I feel frustrated and discontented. So many of our people seem to take the Christian faith for granted. There must be something that I am missing."
	"Maybe what I am saying is no solution," Jane answered, "but I have a friend who has been talking with me about the Holy Spirit. She says that she has been studying what the Bible teaches about the Holy Spirit. She says that what she is learning about the Holy Spirit has transformed her life."
	                 ***********
                       THE GOODMAN PERPLEXITY
	Dr. James Goodman was the successful pastor of the prestigious First Baptist Church. His ministerial preparation included a doctorate in theology. His denominational activity had produced increasing personal recognition. Sincerity, kindness, and an earnest commitment to service had earned strong loyalty from his congregation.
January 9 at 10 am. .........................  
	It was Saturday morning. None of the church staff was on duty. Dr. James Goodman had sought the refuge of his quiet study. There he sat alone, staring blankly out of his study's window. As never before in twenty years of pastoral ministry, he was perplexed.
	"James!" Mary always knocked or called before entering.
	"Come in, Mary. Come in an let me talk with you."
	"You look worried, James. Is there some kind of trouble?"
	"No church trouble, Mary. My trouble is personal. I have never been so perplexed in my whole ministry."
	"Do you want to talk about it? Or pray about it? Or do you want me to go and let you meditate alone?"
	"Let's talk about it, Mary. My trouble relates to my entire ministry. As you know we are having a lot of new people coming into the church, the finances are good, the staff is efficient, our relation to the denomination is the best."
	"Then what are you worrying about? What you say sounds good to me."
	"There is honestly no spiritual commitment in most of our people. And, to be perfectly honest, my own relationship with the Lord is too formal. Our people relate to the church almost like it was a club. I have tried programs and promotions. I have fussed at them and also tried to challenge them. I feel that I am simply spinning my wheels. Something very vital is missing... both for me and for them."
	"James you know that I love you and would like to help, I just don't know the answer. I think that I am a Christian because I believe what the Bible teaches, but, as you say, I have little personal fellowship beyond that."
	"Mary, there must be something more that we are all missing. God helping me I am going to find the answer or leave the ministry."

THE JIM LOCKE YEARNING
	Jim Locke had gained a prosperous leadership as a building contractor. Though only a high school graduate, his direct manner, his honest record, and his friendly humility had gained many friends. People trusted Jim Locke to do what he promised. His wife, Betty, was a constant helper to others in civic and church service. Her training as a nurse added to her effectiveness. Though they had no children, both were loved by many for their generosity.
	January 9 10 pm.........................          
	Jim Locke pushed back his chair from the dinner table, smiled at his wife, "Betty, that was a swell dinner. Let me help you with the clean-up. I need to talk with you about our church."
	"I'll do better than that, Jim," Mary replied. "If you want to talk about church instead of a building, it must be important. Let's leave the dishes and go in the den and talk."
	Instead of his favorite chair, Jim sat by his wife on the sofa.
	"God has been good to both of us," Jim spoke slowly. "While God has never blessed us with children, we have each other. To me you are more than any man could ask. God has prospered me in the construction business and you in your nursing service. I think we both enjoy our work as well as our home."
	"That is certainly true for me, Jim, and I am more than happy with you."
	"What has been bothering me concerns the church," Jim continued. "It seems . . . empty. I try to be loyal. We tithe. We go regularly. But I am not getting what I need to fill the emptiness inside me."
	"To be honest with you," Betty admitted, "I get more spiritual uplift from helping others in my nursing work than from church."
	"Betty, I am convinced that there is more to life than a happy home and financial prosperity. Somehow we are missing the secret. God helping me, I am going to find the answer."

THE KIM DILEMMA
	Dr. Paul Kim, a native Korean, graduated from theological seminary with the intention of becoming a medical missionary. After completing his medical training, he married Martha Cho, who was also an earnest Christian. Martha, a college graduate, devoted her energies to assisting in his family practice and to working with the children at the church. Both were well-loved and respected workers at the First Baptist Church.
	January 9 at 3 pm...............................
	"Chung Cho continues to pressure me about the spiritual needs of the Koreans who have come to our city," Paul Kim explained to his wife.
	"Did you tell him that we have all that we can do in our own church?" Martha replied.
	"Martha, I have told him over and again. He continues to argue that others can do what we are doing at First Church. He contends that we should lead in establishing a church to meet the spiritual needs of our own Korean people."
	"I don't want to leave our church, Paul. We have made a place for ourselves and our children. I don't want to give it up."
	"I know," Paul replied. "I feel the same way about what we are doing. But sometimes I feel that we are withering spiritually even when we are in full blossom socially.  Could it be that we are missing God's will for our lives?"

THE JONES PERSONAL CRISIS
	Both Theodore Jones and his wife, Sandra, were professors in the local college. At great personal sacrifice and commitment they had earned the doctorate in the fields in which they taught; he in psychology and she in sociology. Both were aggressive in civil rights efforts and held the respect not only of their black friends but also of the leadership of both races. Both taught classes in the First Baptist Church.
	January 9, at 8pm...........	 After enjoying dinner at their favorite restaurant, Theodore and Sandra Jones were driving home. They passed the First Baptist Church.
	"Theo, do you ever think about the fact that our church would have refused admittance to our parents?"
	"And now I am a deacon and you lead the youth choir. It is a different world for us and our children."
	"Lately I have had some very serious thoughts about out Christian experiences," Sandra continued. "We enjoy good fellowship with other members. We are faithful in our attendance, our tithing, our service."
	"That's the truth," Theo replied. "What else do you want?"
	"I am not sure, Theo, but I keep having the feeling that there must be something more. . . something very important that we are missing."
	"Strange that you should tell me that at this time. Just today in my psychology class a student asked me a question. 'What is the real value of a Christian experience?' I gave him a stock answer about fellowship and moral standards. But the question has kept on plaguing me."
	"Theo, I am sure that there is more to being a Christian than we are experiencing . . . much more. I wish we could find some way to discover this 'more'".

THE MORRIS DETERMINATION
	John and Ann Morris were key members of the First Baptist Church. A successful and affluent merchant and a graduate in Business Administration, he performed a valuable service as chairman of the church's finance committee. As they had no children, Ann devoted much of her time to social clubs though she was a faithful and sincere member of the church. 
	January 8, at 11 pm......................         
	"Ann, do you know that little old lady who sits about three rows ahead of us in the church?"
	"O yes, her name is Linda Brown. She is the widow of a retired pastor. He died about ten years ago. She has a real struggle to make ends meet but she is always cheerful. Why, what about her?"
	"Well, I met her when she was shopping in our store. I spoke to her and said, 'Isn't it great that our church is going over our budget every Sunday?' We have had no contact except at church. It seemed like a good thing to say. I wanted to say something that was friendly."
	"It sounds good to me, what did Linda say?"
	"Funny, but I haven't been able to get her reply out of my mind," John Morris continued. "She said, 'That is fine but what about our baptisms?'"
	"How did you answer her?"
	"I didn't," John said. "I didn't know what to say. But the question made me think. We haven't had a baptism for weeks. We have people come by letter but we haven't had a baptism for I don't know when." 
	"So, what it the problem?"
	"Maybe I have failed to see what is really important about our church. I have been so pleased with the finances that I may have forgotten what is really important. I think that I will talk to the pastor about her question."
	"I think that I would leave that up to the deacons if I were you."
	                                     *     *    *     *
     The conversations that follow record the spiritual journey of these twelve church members who sought by Bible study, prayer, and fellowship to discover the spiritual "more" for which they yearned.
	As you read, you may discover the spiritual secret that you seek. Through their conversations you may find the answer to your confusion and perplexity about a closer walk with God.
	Sincere Christians do have a strong DESIRE to please God by being truly spiritual and by obedient service. But they need the ENABLER. the Bible declares that the Holy Spirit is that ENABLER.
	Only the Holy Spirit can fill this inward personal need!

CHAPTER TWO
N o w   I   C a n!
       Tom Clayton, minister of education, was defending his failure to fill teaching vacancies to his pastor, Dr. James Goodman.
       "Dr. Goodman, my failure to obtain the needed teachers is partly your fault," Tom stated.
       "Well, Tom, to say the least, that is a new excuse. How on earth am I to blame for your failure to enlist teachers?" 
       "Your preaching makes the requirements for service to God so high," Tom explained, "that I keep getting the answer, 'I can't do it. I would like to serve but honestly I can't do the job.'"
      "Are you suggesting that I lower the standards for Christian service," Dr. Goodman asked.
       "Not at all, pastor. I admit that would be wrong. In fact, I honestly have no intention of criticizing your messages. I have the greatest respect for you as my pastor," Tom replied.
       "Then what would you suggest for me to do or say?" the pastor asked.
       "I really don't know what to suggest," Tom admitted to his pastor. "And I certainly don't want to seem that I know the solution to this problem better than others.  But, at the same time, I can't keep from believing that there are some Bible messages that could help our people to change their defeated 'I can'ts' into  glad 'I cans'".
       "What about a teacher training class?" the pastor suggested.
       "Pastor, I've repeatedly offered to train those I've tried to enlist; but their problems about Christian service go deeper than a training class can cure."
       Both men sat silently searching in their minds for some better solution to what each knew was a very real problem to many sincere church members.
       "Tom," Dr. Goodman said finally, "I just remembered something about my struggle with God's call to preach that may help us find an answer to the need of our people. But before I share my own experience with you, may I ask you a very personal question? When you were called to the ministry, did you accept God's call quickly and easily?"
       "No, sir," Tom admitted, "I surely did not. The fact is that I did not want to be a minister. I resisted what I knew was God's call for several months." 
      "What made you change?"
      "My wife, more than any other influence," Tom said thoughtfully. "One night my wife told me that she felt that if I continued to resist the Holy Spirit, she was sure that we would lose our happiness even in our home and that I would not be successful in any other field of work. The more I thought about it, the more I knew that she was right. Finally I said 'Yes' to God's call. Strange as it may seem, after I surrendered, I not only had peace but I actually became very thankful that God had called me. But why do you ask?"
       "I asked you about your call, Tom, because I wondered if your experience might be similar to mine. I also wondered if our struggles with God's call would help us understand why some of our best people say, 'I can't' to God's call to serve. But your response to God's call was very different from mine."
       "Would you share with me, Dr. Goodman, how our calls were different? I would really like to know."
       The pastor was silent for what seemed a long moment. Tears came to his eyes. His voice trembled with strong emotion as he slowly answered, "To be frank with you, Tom, I have never shared with anyone the truth about my call. It has always seemed so very personal to me."
     "That's okay. I understand and I really don't want to pry," Tom said.
     "I know you respect my privacy, and I thank you, Tom," Dr. Goodman replied. "But I want to tell you my experience. I think it may help us understand these "I can't"  people in our church. And opening this personal door may help me to bring the kind of messages that our people need."
       It was so obvious that his pastor was opening a secret place in his very heart that Tom could sense a closeness of fellowship he had never dreamed possible with his pastor.
       "I did not receive Christ as my Savior until I was a senior in college," Dr. Goodman began. "The evangelist who brought the message that transformed my life was eloquent and dynamic. Immediately after I was saved, I felt God's call to preach. Oh, how I wanted to say 'YES' to God!"
       "I guess you wonder why I didn't surrender to answer to God's call. Let me try to explain just a few of my reasons. Though it may seem strange to you, at that time in my life I was extremely timid. For me to stand before a group of people was an embarrassment; to speak would have been torture. Much as I wanted to answer God's call to preach, I knew the task was impossible. I was a true example of what you have called an 'I can't' person."
       "What you are saying is so unlike the person you are now, pastor, that it is almost incredible. How did you change so radically?"
       "Well, one day I became so miserable that I knew I had to talk to someone," Dr. Goodman continued. "I cried out to God to lead me to someone who could help me. On our campus was a Dr. Steele who taught Bible courses. He was a kind, elderly person who seemed sincerely to want to help his students. As I prayed, it seemed that God led me to go to this professor. What Dr Steele told me became my deliverance. I became an 'I can' Christian."
       The pastor walked to the window and stood silently staring out the window as he sought to control his emotions.
       "Perhaps my experience, Tom, can help the people who have refused your attempts to enlist them in Christian service.  For though what Dr. Steele said to me and did for me is well known to most of us, we just don't seem to apply it to ourselves as we should."
       "Will you share with me what your teacher said?" Tom asked.
       "Yes, because that is really the reason I have begun to tell you of my experience. First, Dr. Steele told me about Gideon. He said that Gideon was a true example of an ‘I Can't' person. Gideon, he said, wanted to serve God but felt completely inadequate. So he tried to excuse himself, saying, ‘O, my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house (Jud.6:15).’ God did not allow Gideon this personal refuge. God insisted that Gideon change his 'I can't' into 'I can'."
       "Then Dr. Steele showed me - in fact, I remember he asked me to read in his Bible - that Jeremiah also was certainly an 'I can't' person," continued Dr. Goodman, "he asked me to read aloud Jeremiah's lame but genuine excuse to avoid service: 'Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child' (Jer.1:6). But, again, God refused to accept Jeremiah's 'I can't' personal refuge.  God demanded 'I can'".
       "Then Dr. Steele asked me if I thought that God would excuse me when he did not excuse them. When I started to reply, Dr. Steele interrupted me, saying, 'Let me tell you one other story.'"
       "He reminded me that David, who was said to be a man after God's own heart, was an 'I can' person. He told me the familiar story how all the soldiers cringed in ‘I can't’ fear of Goliath, that is all but David."
       "He pointed out to me that David's ‘I can’ spirit arose from a two-fold remedy for spiritual cowardice. First, David believed that living for God's cause was worth any danger. David expressed  his  faith by replying, What have I now done? Is there not a cause (l Samuel 17:29). Moreover, to this young shepherd God's past enabling power assured him the ability to fulfill his duty of achieving deliverance from the blaspheming giant (l Sam.17:46). And did not God confirm David's ‘I can’ faith with memorable victory?"
       "But how did Dr. Steele make these Bible stories apply to you so that you could overcome your 'I can't' fear ?" Tom asked as his pastor paused.
       "Tom, that is exactly what I asked the professor," replied the pastor. "How is this enabling possible for me?"
       " 'I am coming to that, but  first I want you to consider Moses,'"  Dr. Steele replied to me. 'When God commanded Moses to construct the tabernacle, the divine pattern required special workmanship skills. Evidently Moses could not depend upon the natural abilities and talents of available craftsmen. Their skills were inadequate for the intricate and precise requirements.'"
       " 'How did Moses solve the problem?' Dr. Steele asked me."
       "I will never forget Dr. Steele's question nor his answer. He said that the Spirit of God became the Enabler. The Bible record declares - and he asked me to read it right out of his Bible - that God provided, ‘See, I have named Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in all knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship’ (Ex.31:2-5).   To accomplish what Moses required, God supplied adequate enabling.'"
       "Dr. Steele also took the time to point out to me that from the beautiful symbolic workmanship in the tabernacle to the amazing victories of the armies of Israel, there was one Enabler, God's Spirit. No one said it better than Zechariah, ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts’ (Zech.4:6).  The Spirit of God was always the Enabler of God's people."
        "'James,'" Dr. Steele laid his hand kindly upon mine as he looked straight into my eyes, "'God wants to be your Enabler. God is searching not for capability but for availability. Uncle Bud Robinson, the unique Nazarene preacher, once declared that God can take a worm and beat a mountain into a plain if he can get the wiggle out of the worm. God is not searching for the world-wise, legally worthy, culturally noble, and naturally talented to glorify his service. God is seeking for the submitted, the people of faith, the dependent upon God, the committed to his redemptive plan. The naturally capable can glorify themselves; the Spirit-made capable  glorify God. For only those whose power comes from God show that God is the Enabler. The Apostle Paul shared this glorious revelation with the church in Corinth. God chooses people who have only human ‘I can't’ capacities and equips them with the spiritual enabling of His presence so that they become ‘I can’ servants of God. The reason for God's choice is obvious. Only those who depend upon God and not upon self can meet God's requirement, That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord" (Cor. 1 :31). The crucial questions for you, James, is not: Am I capable or incapable? The crucial questions are: Has God called me? Does God want me to serve in this capacity? Am 1 willing to depend upon the enabling of God's Spirit rather than personal ability?'"
       "'What is your answer to God, James?', Dr. Steele concluded.”
       " And, Tom, right then and there ln that class room I knelt with Dr. Steele and we prayed. That prayer opened the closed door. God worked a miracle. God's Spirit transformed my whole life."
       As Tom reached out and grasped his pastor's hand, he knew there was a new and deep bond of fellowship between them that had never existed before.
       With deep sincerity Tom spoke,  "Pastor, thank you for opening your heart to me. I honor you in a new and deeper way."
        "I thank you for understanding, Tom," Dr. Goodman replied, "it has been good for me to open this closed door in my heart, especially because God has shown me a very strange omission in my teaching and preaching ministry. As I shared with you how the Holy Spirit had liberated me, I realized that I have failed God and my church by not preaching and teaching about the person and work of the Holy Spirit. I think you can help me rectify my failure."
       “ What can I do?" Tom asked.
      " Will you help me enlist a small group of capable and earnest Christians who will study the work of the Holy Spirit with us? Strange as it may seem I have never - not even in seminary after this life changing experience - I have never made a thorough study of the person and work of the Holy Spirit."
       Very quietly but with deep and sincere earnestness, Tom continued, "I believe I can do this especially because some of our business and professional people have been approached by an outside group which emphasize what they call 'the Pentecostal experience.' These outside people have confused some of our people who really yearn to know the truth about the Holy Spirit. And, pastor, pray for me that the Holy Spirit may do his full work in my own heart. What you have told me about the Holy Spirit has challenged me personally."
       " Tom, you are right about the need our people are experiencing. And because of what God's Spirit did for me, I am sure that he can lead our people into a life-transforming experience. Pray for me that I can preach the message so that they can grasp this truth. Let's begin by praying together now."
       The pastor put his arm around Tom's shoulder and both men prayed quietly but with earnest entreaty for God's enabling.
       As Tom walked down the hall to his own office, he kept thinking, "The pastor and I have counseled together many times but today, we really PRAYED.  I think we must have prayed in the Spirit. What a difference!"

CHAPTER THREE
Discovering Bible Truth
       The church members who responded to Tom's invitation proved that he was correct in thinking that there was a genuine concern in the church leadership to know more about the Holy Spirit and his work.
       Twelve were present. Other than Dr. and Mrs. Goodman and Tom Clayton and his wife, Mary, there were Dr. Paul Kim, a physician, and his wife, Martha, Mr. John Morris, a merchant, and his wife, Ann, Dr. Theodore Jones and his wife, Sandra, both professors in the community college, and Mr. Jim Locke, a building contractor, and his wife, Betty. All were active members of the church. All had demonstrated loyalty to Dr. Goodman’s leadership.
       After a brief time of pleasant fellowship, Tom began the proposed discussion.
       "Dr.Goodman and I decided to make a fresh study of the person and work of the Holy Spirit," Tom began, "and we hoped that you friends would be interested in joining us in our spiritual journey."
        "I strongly endorse what Tom has said," Dr.Goodman added. "So I am certainly pleased that you have come. I trust that you are indicating a real interest in a most vital subject."
        "If you others are as ignorant about the Holy Spirit as I am," said Dr.Jones, "we really need for you, Dr.Goodman, and Tom to teach us. Some people seem to think that because I am a professor, I am supposed to know all the answers; but, when it comes to the Holy Spirit, I don't even know the questions."
       "That is certainly my position," added Jim Locke. "I know how to construct a building but I am lost when you raise questions in theology."
        "Dr. Goodman and I appreciate what you say," Tom interrupted, "but this is not to be a teaching class. What the pastor and I propose is that we all join in the study and learn together."
        "That appeals to me," stated Dr. Paul Kim, "and I would like to tell you my reason. I have a friend, really a colleague, a Dr. Winstone. He has been attending a luncheon of business and professional leaders at which they listen to messages and share personal experiences about the Holy Spirit. He's been trying to get me to come with him. But I'm a little hesitant about being taught by people I don't really know when it comes to my Christian faith. So I would much rather study this subject among friends I have learned to trust."
        "I feel the same need," Ann Morris said quickly, "for I have some friends who attend a similar women's meeting. They are studying the same subject and have been urging me to attend.  They are quite aggressive. I have been thinking about attending just to discover the reason for their enthusiasm. So few people seem excited about being a Christian any more."
       " Dr. Goodman," stated Jim Locke, "while we appreciate your wanting us to study with you, I feel totally inadequate. I need guidance.  I don't know where to start or what to do. Won't you at least help us get started?"
       " Please don't think that I am trying to take your place, Dr. Goodman," interrupted Dr. Kim, "but I have had an experience that may be pertinent to our discussion."
        "This is the kind of sharing input that we want," interjected Tom. "Everyone should feel free to lead us in any direction which you think will help us find the truth."
        "When I was in medical school", the physician continued, "I became very skeptical about all religion. When I read in the Bible about the so-called 'virgin birth', this doctrine gave me a real problem with my already weakened Christian faith. Everything that I knew about medical science told me that such a 'virgin birth' was a physical impossibility. I wondered how I could hold on to the biblical faith I had been taught in church."
        "To be frank with you, Dr. Kim, I do not understand the 'virgin birth' either," John Morris admitted. "At the same time I don't see how this problem relates to the teaching about the Holy Spirit."
        "Let me tell you my experience and I believe you will see," continued the doctor. "As I was saying, everything I knew about medical science told me that a 'virgin birth' was humanly impossible. So I went to the only Christian professor I knew and told him of my problem. What he replied about the Holy Spirit really stabilized my thinking."
       For a moment the physician paused as though he was remembering a very pleasant experience.
       " The professor began by admitting to me that I was correct in thinking that the 'virgin birth' was a scientific impossibility. Then he opened his Bible and read to me how the Holy Spirit came upon Mary so that Jesus was conceived not by natural means but by the supernatural work of the Spirit of God. So the 'virgin birth' was beyond science."
       " Next he told me that the whole Christian religion, though not irrational, was beyond human reason and, therefore, acceptable only on the basis of faith. That was the beginning of my stability. I saw that my relationship to God depended upon more than physical science. In fact, I saw that a religion of reason only was merely a human philosophy and lower than a relationship with God based on faith."
       " Thank you, Paul, for sharing your experience with us," the pastor added. "And I think that what you have told us opens a starting place for our study. So I raise this crucial question: If Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, how much of the rest of Jesus' earthly ministry also depended upon the Holy Spirit?"
        "Jesus was God, wasn't he?" Mrs. Morris asked. "So I don't see why Jesus had to depend on anyone or anything.”
        "Didn't he have all power, pastor?"
        "As you have asked me a direct question," replied Dr. Goodman, "I will give you a direct answer and also ask all of you a question."
        "First, to answer your question: yes, Jesus was and is God. As God he did have all power. But, in turn, I want to ask all of you a question: doesn't the Bible also teach that Jesus is our example?"
        "I see where you are going. If Jesus lived his life and performed his service by his own unique supernatural power and ability," Dr. Jones interrupted, "then I, as an ordinary Christian, who am only human, have no basis for the hope that I can follow Jesus' example because of my human limitations."
        "That is correct. If I were God like Jesus," declared Ann Morris, "then I could live and serve like Jesus did. But I do not have his divine nature nor his supernatural power. How does God expect me to live like his Son? "
        "God forbid that I seem irreverent," Jim Locke interjected, "but Ann's complaint makes sense to me. Does it to the rest of you?"
        "The fact is that making sense is not an adequate basis for acceptance," Paul interrupted. "Why? Because, as I shared with you, everything about Jesus is incredible to scientific reasoning. Jesus is credible to faith only. That is the great fact that changed my whole view of religion. Jesus was born of Mary but without a human father. Impossible, says science. But it is the only truth that will fit the other facts of Jesus' diety."
        "When you put it in that light, Paul, I can't argue against what you say," admitted Jim. "But doesn't such evidence of divinity make it even more difficult to accept the teaching that Jesus is our true example?"
        "I think I have an answer that will be of help to resolve this confusion, Let me ask all of you to open your Bibles and read a section that is pertinent here," Dr. Goodman requested. "The passage is found in the second chapter of Philippians. Let's all find it in our Bibles and read together beginning with verse five."
       As the passage was being found, Jim Locke said, "Dr. Goodman, this is what I meant when I asked you to help us. We need your guidance in finding answers."
       " I appreciate your confidence, Jim, but I really believe that each of us can contribute to our study just the same as I can," replied the pastor. "Now let's read this statement in Philippians:
                Have this attitude in yourselves which was
        also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in
        the form of God, did not regard equality with God as
        a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking
        the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the
        likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a
        man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the
        point of death, even death on a cross.
        "Am I right in thinking that this scripture teaches that Jesus, though divine, became like other human beings in that he laid aside his divine powers?" asked Ann Morris.
       "That is exactly what it says to me," stated the professor.  "But, granting this to be true, how did Jesus perform his miracles?"
       "Let me share with you what I have read only this week in a book called Holy Spirit Power," interjected Tom. "I copied the statement in my Bible. This book declares that .the entire work of Jesus Christ during his incarnate life on earth was in the power of the Spirit. "
       "Are you saying that Jesus did not work miracles by his own personal supernatural power but only by the power of the Holy Spirit?" asked Mr. Locke.
       " That is precisely the question that I asked myself when I read this claim," Tom replied. "So I made a special study that I can share with you if you want to hear it. According to what I feel that the Bible teaches, Jesus not only performed his miracles but also lived his life and ministry by the power of the Holy Spirit."
        "Share with us. It would help," several of the group said almost as one.
       Taking a typed paper from his Bible,  Tom continued, "Here is the result of my study. I will read it to you just as I listed each fact."
       " 1. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 2:35).  The Spirit of God enabled Mary to conceive. In short, Jesus birth was not the result of a sexual union.
     “2. Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit when he began his public service (Luke 4:17-19). And at that time, the biblical record recognized the presence of the Holy Spirit as his supernatural Enabler.
       “3. Jesus confessed that he performed his ministry in word and work by the power of the Spirit of the Father (John 14:10,11).
       “ 4. Jesus presented himself as the atoning sacrifice for human sin to God by the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 9:14). His atoning work, therefore, was completed by the enabling of the Holy Spirit.
       “5. Jesus was raised from the dead by the Holy Spirit (Rom.8:11). This does not deny that he had the authority both to lay down his life and to take it up again (John 10:18). This does assert that he did not use his own ability to rise from the dead. He did not raise himself. He was raised by the Holy Spirit. 
        “ I would like to have a copy of your findings," stated Dr. Kim. "If what you say is true, then Jesus performed his entire ministry by the power of the Holy Spirit, the Enabler. He did nothing by his own personal power."
       " Then, because we as Christians have the indwelling Holy Spirit, we have the same power within us that Jesus had," added his wife. "On this basis Jesus is our Example in the truest sense. And the Holy Spirit will enable us to serve God according to his will. He wants to be our Enabler also."
       " That is exactly what I believe you will decide that the Bible teaches", Dr. Goodman stated. "To me this truth which Paul explained in the passage I read from Philippians - the self-emptying of his divine powers - makes Jesus the perfect example of the proper work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a completely human Christian."
       " This teaching would destroy all my excuses for not serving," admitted Betty Locke.  "Because, if Jesus laid aside all his divine powers and depended only upon what is also available to the ordinary Christian, then he is a true example of what God can rightfully expect of someone as personally incapable as I am. But I still have a big problem here.
       " What is this big problem, Jane," Tom asked.
       " Some of the ladies who attend these meetings," explained Betty, "declare that no one has received the Holy Spirit unless he or she 'speaks with tongues'"
       " That can't be true," interrupted Tom.
       " Why not?"
       " Because it is contrary to the Bible," Tom answered.
"In Romans 8:9 the Bible declares, Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. This certainly teaches that every Christian has the Holy Spirit. Then Galatians 4:6 declares, And because ye are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. This teaches that the only qualification for receiving the Holy Spirit is the fact that you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior and thereby have become God's child. Nothing is said about 'speaking with tongues'."
Tom paused as though he would calm himself.
        "Please forgive me for interrupting with such force," Tom apologized. "It is just that I have heard these unbiblical claims from so many who base their beliefs chiefly on experience and ignore the teaching of the Word of God."
        "Tom, you don't need to apologize," Betty replied with a smile. "In fact, you have also given me the answers that I needed.  I thank you for showing me the truth in the verses you have quoted from the Bible. I see now that the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit dwells in every Christian."
        "Recently, I was asked to teach our men's class," Dr. Jones added. "The subject was the experience of personal salvation. The members of the class and I were deeply impressed that the Bible teaches that every Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Now you have led us further to see that the most ordinary Christian has the same power available to him that was available to Jesus himself."
       " Then Jesus is truly our example," breathed Martha Kim. "Praise God."
       " Dr. Goodman, please forget your decision not to teach and show us how this truth applied in the life and ministry of Paul," requested Jim Locke.
        "Instead of going into a lot of detailed teaching," replied the pastor, "let me suggest two of Paul's statements for all of us to consider."
        "First, let's look at what Paul wrote in l Corinthians 2:1-5. Notice that Paul rejects the usual methods and procedures of the effective orator and decides to rely solely on the work of the Spirit. As he expressed it: And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Isn't Paul emptying himself of dependence upon natural ability to depend solely upon the enabling work of the Holy Spirit?"
       " Again, consider his personal dependence upon the Holy Spirit when he writes in Romans 8:13,14 saying, For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
        "Basically what I am trying to say is that Paul lived by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. In fact, he told his Philippians friends that he counted all his natural abilities and assets as rubbish (Phll. 3:1-11). Like Jesus, Paul emptied himself. He took Jesus as his example in depending upon the enabling power of the Holy Spirit."
       Jim Locke spoke very slowly as though he was weighing every word but his face showed how much they meant to him. "Then even an ordinary Christian such as I am has the same power available to him that was available to Jesus. It is incredibly wonderful."
       "Tom, this is about all that I am able to absorb in one session," Locke continued. "I remember the cows back on the farm. After they had eaten, they needed to chew the cud. I need to chew on what I have learned. It really blows my mind to know that I have the same power available to me that Jesus had and used."
       "I guess you are right, Jim," Dr. Goodman concluded. "Let's join in a circle of prayer to thank God for this illumination that God has given us about the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, our Enabler. Then we will be dismissed to meet at the same time next week."
       Tom interrupted to add, "During the week please try to find out all you can about two things: one,  the time when the Holy Spirit came; two, the reason why the Holy Spirit came at that exact time. Why did he come on the day of Pentecost? Did he come because of human solicitation or divine decision?"
              Dr. Goodman responded, “Tom, I will promise you that I will do what you asked but I want to make a confession to the whole group. All my life I have read the Bible because I was taught that Bible reading was required of the church members. Today, I have seen the value of Bible study in order to understand what I need to know. I guess I have discovered there is a vast difference between casual Bible reading and earnest Bible study.”
             As the discussion ended, the group lingered briefly for a time of unusually warm fellowship.		

CHAPTER FOUR
T h e    E n a b l e r    C o m e s
       John and Ann Morris rushed into the meeting room where Dr. Goodman and Tom Clayton had arrived early to be sure that all was in readiness. Obviously John and Ann were excited.
       "We have learned so much in our study that we can scarcely wait to share it with the others," Ann told them. "John and I had no idea that serious Bible study combined with sharing could produce such wonderful benefits."
       "Practical, too," added John. "And this has been very surprising for we have never had much interest in religion until we joined this church."
       Looking out the window, Tom commented, "Well, I don't think you will have to wait long to begin sharing. I see the others are coming up the walk now."
       As the other members of the study group entered, they radiated new warmth to the growing fellowship. All were conscious that a joyous spirit of Christian love united them.
          After prayer Dr. Goodman began the discussion saying simply, “I know that some of you are excited about beginning to share what you have learned  thus far in our biblical journey. So let's get started with the time problem: Why did the Holy Spirit come on the day of Pentecost? Why not some other time?"
       " I am more than ready to share our findings," Ann's rapid speech showed her excitement. "When Tom first raised the question about the time of Pentecost, I thought that the particular day was unimportant; but I was surely mistaken."
       " How did you develop this insight," Tom inquired.
       " I really can't take the credit. It all came about through my discovery of a new neighbor who had recently moved into our block. Another neighbor and I were talking about our study group and she told me that I should talk with this new neighbor -  an elderly man who had taught in a Bible College for many years. So I went to see him and told him what we were doing."
       John interrupted to say, "Honestly, I haven't seen Ann so wound up for a long time as she was when she came home. She insisted that I go with her on her next visit to our new neighbor. I found the professor was elderly, quiet, very friendly, and more ready to be helpful than I can tell you.”
       " What on earth did he tell you to create such excitement?"  Jim Locke inquired.
        " What thrilled me was the fact that I found a definite proof that God is in control of this world even when things seem to be in the devil's hands," Ann replied. "John and I have always felt that everything was dependent upon our human efforts."
       "Faith holds this truth that God is always in control, l will admit," Dr. Kim interrupted, "but proof is another matter."
         "I thought the same thing," Ann admitted, " but let me explain what this professor showed John and me. Believe it or not, the proof all centers around some Jewish Feast days that we had never even heard about."
       Jim Locke interrupted, "Well, I don't . . . "
       "Don't stop me, Jim," Ann was excited, " I know that you are going to say that you see nothing exciting about Jewish feasts. I felt the same way but give me a chance to explain."
       "First, I learned that in the Old Testament there are seven Jewish feasts that are explained in Leviticus 23. They are called - I wrote them down so that I could remember (1) the Sabbath, (2) the Passover, (3) the First-fruits, (4) the Pentecost, (5) the Trumpets, (6) the Atonement, and (7) the Tabernacles. These feasts are Old Testament types".
        "You have lost me again," Jim admitted. "What do you mean by an Old Testament type?"
       "That is exactly the question that I asked the professor," John told the group. "He explained that even though an Old Testament type was a symbol, it was more than a symbol."
        "All of us know that the Bible uses symbols," Jane Clayton interrupted. "For example, look at Psalm 31. We have been studying symbols in our Bible study group. In verse three, God is symbolized by 'rock' and by 'fortress'. In verse four the 'net' symbolizes human opposition. Verse twelve compares David to a 'broken vessel'. However, you are saying that a type is more than just a symbol."
       " Pastor, you had better help us make this explanation," said Ann.
       "You are doing fine, Ann," Dr. Goodman smiled. "If you get lost I will help, but you are doing fine. Just go ahead."
       "Okay. Here is the definition that the professor led me to see: an Old Testament type is a symbol that has a New Testament fulfillment," Ann continued.  "I wrote down how the professor explained the meaning of a type. He said that a type was a person or event or ceremony that is recorded ln the Old Testament to foreshadow some future New Testament person or event or ceremony. He led us to look in our Bibles at John 1:29. Here is the statement by John the Baptist concerning Jesus: Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Here John is declaring that the type of the Old Testament sacrificial Lamb is fulfilled in Christ."
        "That impresses me as a very clear explanation of what a type means," said the pastor.
        "I agree," Jim said, "but I don't see how this relates to the Holy Spirit's arrival on the Day of Pentecost."
        "John, you were there," Ann appealed to her husband. "Help me explain how the Old Testament type related to the time of Pentecost."
        "Wait a minute. I believe it is coming to me," Dr. Kim spoke while John hesitated. "You are saying that these Old Testaments feasts were types that related to New Testament events in their final fulfillments."
        "That is exactly what the professor explained," Ann continued. "Think of this. The second feast was called the Feast of the Passover. In l Cor. 5:7 Jesus is declared to be our Passover. He offered up himself on Calvary at the exact time of the very anniversary of that Old Testament feast. He fulfilled the type. But to fulfill the type required that his sacrifice be offered at the exact time of the Feast."
       As though a sudden illumination had flashed before her, Jane Clayton interjected, "That explains some other Scriptures to me. For example, John 17 makes it clear that it was not until the hour - his special time - that Jesus would go to Jerusalem. Time was a necessary part of the fulfillment of Jesus' redemptive sacrifice. Jesus was God's Lamb and, therefore, must be offered on Calvary at the exact time specified by the Old Testament type."
        "That is exactly the point about the first Feast,” continued Ann. "Now consider the second Feast. According to Leviticus 23:11, the second Feast - the feast of the 'firstfruits' - occurred on the morrow after the Sabbath. The professor explained that this second Feast was fulfilled by the Resurrection of Christ. Think how important was the time factor in Jesus' resurrection."
        "By this time we were beginning to see the professor's point about types and time and we were getting excited,"  John interjected.
        "In addition to seeing that Old Testament types were being fulfilled, what was the exact reason for your excitement?" asked Jim.
        "What really excited me," Ann explained, " was the fact that God is in control. He cannot be cajoled or manipulated into being in a hurry; he cannot be hindered or obstructed into being late. What he does is to keep his promise and he keeps it right on time."
        "That is amazing," interjected Sandra.
        "To continue," Ann added, "the third Jewish Feast took place exactly fifty days after the second. The professor read the schedule in Leviticus 23:15,16. This was a time for a new offering to the Lord. On this basis the Holy Spirit came at exactly the time set in God's calendar rather than at a time influenced by human action. The coming of the Holy Spirit was exactly fifty days after the Resurrection. To me all of this proves that God is in control even at times in which man seems to be in opposition. That is really a blessing to me concerning my own problems."
       For a moment all were silent. The comforting wonder of the truth of God's power filled their minds.
       Martha Kim was the first to speak. "In addition to the comfort I am sure all of us feel at this manifestation of God's control," she declared, "I am especially glad to have an answer to those who have talked with me about the time of the coming of the Holy Spirit. They have claimed that the Holy Spirit came at that time because the assembled Christians were all of 'one accord.'"
       "I have heard a number of preachers declare that the Holy Spirit came because the people had reached this degree of unity" Martha stated.
       " Obviously human accord could not be the cause because Acts 1:14 states that the company of believers had been of one accord before the day of Pentecost. But what you have explained, Ann, shows that the Holy Spirit came because it was God's time for his coming. The time was established by God rather than by man."
        "My study showed me the fact that the Holy Spirit was sent is the constant teaching of many Scripture passages," Tom emphasized. "In John 16:7 Jesus says, I will send him unto you. And in Acts 2:33 Simon Peter explains that Jesus Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. These two verses certainly prove that the Holy Spirit came at a time set by the will of God rather than by the desire of man."
        "You are doing so well without my help," Dr. Goodman said, "but I would like to add one additional factor: the sequence of New Testament events in the life of Christ that led to the coming of the Holy Spirit."
        "Does the sequence of  these events contradict what we have said about the Old Testament types?" Ann asked.
        "Not In the least. In fact, the New Testament sequence emphasizes the truth that the time of the coming of the Holy Spirit followed God's sovereign will rather than human solicitation. I will ask you to read John 7:39 which declares, (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) Now add what Tom has just said about Acts 2:33. It is obvious that the coming of the Holy Spirit depended upon the exaltation of Jesus and not upon the spiritual condition of the disciples. You are right: the Holy Spirit was sent by God's decree at this particular time and not by man's desire."
        "I really thank all of you," concluded Dr. Kim. "My patient load was especially heavy this week. You have given me the answer to some questions that troubled me about the reason for the coming of the Holy Spirit. I am now convinced by the Bible verses that God sent his Holy Spirit by his own sovereign decision and in his own pre-determined time. I am ready to call it a most profitable session. Do you, Dr. Goodman or Brother Tom have any suggestions for our next study."
       "I would urge you to prepare for our next session in a special way for we begin our discussion of the so-called  'signs' such as the sound of the wind, the fire-like tongues, the 'speaking with other tongues'."
        "Just before we break up, I have something l would like to say to Tom and to all of you," Jim Locke controlled his emotion with difficulty. "I admit that I am slow about understanding spiritual things, but I have certainly learned one thing tonight. The disciples were waiting on God, on the coming of the Holy Spirit for power to obey Jesus' command. We are not waiting for the Holy Spirit. He has already come. God is waiting on us. And I want to admit to you, Tom, that my excuses for resistance to the field of service that you have offered to me are really wearing thin. Our Enabler was on time. I should be using my time to better fulfill God's will for my life."
       "What you have said, Jim, must be in the minds of all of us. This is a good place to end our study," Dr. Goodman said quietly. "I think that we will go our way with some decisions to make in our service."
       As the group joined hands in a prayer circle, their emotions were deep and joyous.

CHAPTER FIVE
The “Wind Sound” Baptism
         Jim Locke was waiting when Dr. Goodman  and Tom Clayton arrived early to check the room arrangements.
       " I came early," said Jim, "to thank both of you personally for this study group. I have always felt inferior because of my lack of schooling. I guess that I still do but I want you to know that these studies have helped me more than I can tell you. Never before have I understood how the Holy Spirit is available to help me. I praise God, but I also wanted to thank you very much."
        "Jim, I don't think that you should ever feel inferior," the pastor replied. "God has blessed you richly with business success. More than that all who know you also respect you for your character and service to others."
        "Thank you, pastor, but I still hesitate to try to teach others in the field of the Christian faith. I am beginning to see, at least in my thinking, that the Holy Spirit is sufficient to enable me to do whatever is God's will for me."
        "Let me add," Tom interjected. "When you are ready, the church has an opening for you. And as you are coming to see, the Holy Spirit will give us whatever we need to serve him. He is the Enabler."
       The arrival of others interrupted the conversation with happy  greetings. All noticed that a sweet spirit of growing fellowship united the members of the group.
       "All of us are here except the Joneses," Tom said in calling the meeting into session. "They are returning from a trip and will be late. So we will not wait but begin with prayer."
        "Honey, will you lead us in prayer for God's guidance," he continued as he turned to his wife.
       As they bowed their heads, many of the group reached out to grasp the hands of the ones next to them in the circle of chairs.
        "Heavenly Father, we come to you in the name of your Son, our Lord," Jane began softly. "Thank you for the love that we feel for you and for one another. May this love reach out to others so that they too will experience what you have given to us. Thank you for the privilege of studying your Word together. May your Holy Spirit lead us into a greater knowledge of your truth through our Lord Jesus."
       Quiet "Amens" came from many lips.
       " Jean, as you led us in prayer, what you said brought to my memory what Jesus promised as he talked with his disciples about the Holy Spirit," Dr. Goodman said.
        "Which promise, pastor?"
        "It is one of my favorites," continued the pastor. "In John 16:13,14 the Bible states that Jesus said, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he will not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and he shall shew it unto you." It was this last verse that impressed me especially for I think that the Holy Spirit is really showing us the things of Christ in our discussions."
        "The Holy Spirit has certainly opened my eyes to new truth," Dr. Kim stated. "For example, what caught my attention as I have studied Acts 2 this week was the use of 'as' in all of these symbols. This word 'as' seemed to say to me that we are reading about more than the assembled Christians saw and heard."
"What do you mean by 'more than they saw and heard? '" Jim inquired.              “ I mean that the 'wind sound' and the 'tongues of fire' were really visible or audible signs of some invisible or inaudible reality."
        "Do you mean that the 'sound' and the 'fire' were signs or symbols of something else?" Jim Locke asked.
        "Not in the usual limited meaning of the word 'signs'," Kim explained. "But I think these words go deeper than what we usually mean by 'sign' or 'symbol'."
        "When I was in seminary, I was told that the Bible is full of symbols," Tom added. "This is especially true of the biblical presentation of the Holy Spirit. Many symbols are used for the Holy Spirit. Let me read this list that I made in the back of my Bible for future quick reference: oil, water, fire, wind or breath, dove, earnest, and seal. There may be more but I listed these six."
        "I understand that these symbols which you have listed are used in Scripture," agreed Klm, "but it should be noted that what the Bible sometimes uses as a symbol is not always symbolic in every use. For example, everytime the Bible mentions 'water', it does not symbolize the Holy Spirit. When it is used to symbolize the Holy Spirit, however, it seems to me that it is more than a symbol."
        "I still don't understand what you mean by 'more than a symbol'." Tom confessed.
        "Let me take the symbol 'dove' for an example," Kim replied. "When John baptized Jesus, the Bible explains, And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode on him. (John 1: 32). Let me say that I believe that the dove is here used as the visible symbol of the invisible Holy Spirit. To me the 'dove' is, at least in this example, more than a symbol; it is a manifestation."
       Kim's pause was such a obvious attempt to find a better way to express his thought that no one interrupted. Then he continued.  “I think I have it," he continued, 
the 'dove' symbol was really not a dove but was rather a visible manifestation of the actual but otherwise invisible presence of the Holy Spirit. The visible symbol denoted invisible presence. God was showing visibly that the Holy Spirit was actually, though invisibly, present. Now, in just the same way, this sound from heaven is not just a sign or a symbol or a wind but is an audible sensory manifestation of the actual spiritual presence of the Holy Spirit."
        "Paul, you have clearly stated a wonderful truth," Dr. Goodman  declared. "Years ago I read a book about this section of the Acts of the Apostles by an English scholar named Richard Rackman. I memorized his comment. He wrote, ‘These miraculous phenomena however are not merely external signs of some unusual occurrence. There is in them a definite correspondence with the reality they signify. Isn't that what you are saying?"’
        "Exactly," agreed Kim. "The 'sound' symbol indicated that the true 'reality' which was not sensory but rather spiritual was actually present. In short, the 'sound' was not just a sound or a wind but was a sensory manifestation of the coming of the Holy Spirit."
       "But how do you know that this particular 'sound' manifested the presence of the Holy Spirit?" Jim asked.
        "Do you want to answer this, pastor," Kim asked.
        "No, thanks. I would like to hear what you have to say. I think the Lord has illuminated your mind about this."
        "There are two reasons for my belief," Kim began. "The first reason lies in the word here used in the Bible; the second is in the sequence by which these events, and really no other events, fulfilled the promises concerning the coming of the Holy Spirit. May I explain the words first?"
       "Are you referring to the New Testament word translated by the English word 'wind'?" Jane asked.
        "That is the word that impressed me," Kim answered. "When Jesus was talking to Nicodemus, he used the word 'wlnd' in referring to the work of the Spirit. Isn't this the same word, pastor?"
        "Yes and no," Dr. Goodman  replied. "In both cases the English word 'wind' is used to translate a Greek word. In the Greek original, however, there is a difference."
        "How different are the two Greek words for 'wind'"? Tom inquired. "I confess that Greek is really Greek to me for I did not study that subject in seminary."
        "In the reference in John 3, the word is pneuma. This is the usual New Testament Greek word used for 'spirit'. However, the word used in Acts 2:2 is pnoas. While the two words do vary, both are derived from the same root. So the connection is close. In fact, though the two Greek words vary, I would agree with Dr. Kim's opinion that the word for 'wind' is significant because both words refer to 'wlnd' or 'breath'. Certainly the Holy Spirit is the breath of God."
       "That clarifies the word but what about the sequence?" Jean asked.
       "This sequence impressed me more than the word," Dr. Kim admitted. "Jesus had promised his disciples that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence. If this Pentecost sequence is not the fulfillment, what is? To me it is this or we have no fulfillment."
       As Dr. Klm was speaking, the Joneses came in the door. They paused until he had finished before joining the circle.
       "Sorry to be late," Dr. Jones apologized. "The plane was delayed. But we have some wonderful things to share and the word 'baptize' that I heard from Dr. Kim as we came in the room really sparks what I have to say."
        "Well, we are ready to listen," Paul Kim stated, "and if you can give us more light about this Spirit baptism, I will be grateful for sometimes I think that I am getting in over my head."
        "When we were in the Dallas-Ft.Worth area, we spent our free time asking questions of the theological professors that teach there," Dr. Jones began. "They certainly gave us some ideas that challenged our thinking about the Holy Spirit and the baptism that they received at Pentecost."
        "We had just finished discussing the question of symbols," said Dr. Goodman.  "We feel these symbols in Acts 2 were more than symbols. Did the theologs give you any insights there?"
       "They certainly taught us that this passage gives us more than symbols; they declared that they are really manifestations. This Scripture portion in Acts 2 records what some people call a "happening". God manifested himself - his personal presence and work - through that which was visible and audible," Mrs. Jones replied.
        "What did these scholars teach you is the real meaning of this 'sound' which you say is more than a symbol?" Mr. Locke asked pointedly.
        "They taught - and we have come to believe - that the 'sound' indicated the real presence of the Holy Spirit. And notice that the 'sound' surrounded all that were in the house. How could the Bible teach more clearly that this is the Baptism with the Holy Ghost?" replied Dr. Jones. "Nothing else fulfills the prophecy of John the Baptist or the promise of Jesus for power from on high."
        "That is what I meant by the proper sequence of events," Dr. Kim asserted.
        "But why would you call what happened at Pentecost to be a baptism?" Mr. Locke persisted.
        "Because of the action of the 'sound'. How the sound enveloped them has all the character of a baptism," Dr.Jones answered. "Grant that the 'sound' is a manifestation and not just a meaningless sign. The 'sound' came from heaven so that it was 'poured out' as Simon Peter explained in Acts 2:33. The 'sound' filled all the house where they were sitting so that they were immersed in the manifested presence of the Holy Spirit. Whether you think of baptism as a pouring or as an immersion, either way you look at it, you have the characteristic action of baptism, pouring or immersion."
        "So you would agree with us that the 'sound' was a true manifestation of spiritual reality and presence and not just a 'sign'?" asked Dr. Kim.
        "Absolutely."
        "If this is granted," Mrs. Kim spoke up, "then the Baptism with the Holy Ghost is past history. This raises a question: how are present-day Christians to be baptized with the Holy Spirit? My friends say that the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is for individual Christians today. And they tell me that I should seek this experience. Are they correct?"
        "Before you decide the correct answer to this question, Dr. Jones, may I call attention to a Bible fact about this very question," interrupted Tom Clayton. "There is no place in the New Testament in which the Christian is asked to seek the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. If your friends are correct, doesn't this seem like a strange omission?"
        "If you will let me share what was shown to me, I think it will clear up this problem," Dr. Jones continued. "First, it is true that the Baptism with the Holy Spirit which took place at the first Christian Pentecost was an historic event that has never been repeated. In that aspect, Pentecost is like Calvary."
        "I can see that Calvary could not be repeated because Christ's death was a sufficient sacrifice that needed no additional atonement," Jane agreed. "As the song states, 'Jesus paid it all'; but why is Pentecost a one time event?"
        "Calvary was once and for all time just as you have stated," Theodore answered, "because of the complete atonement of Jesus. In the same way Pentecost and the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is a one-time event because there is only one Holy Spirit who came at Pentecost but never left. Remember what Jesus promised in John 14:16: And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;."
        "On that basis," interjected Mrs. Goodman , "we do not need a new Pentecost because we do not need another Holy Spirit. But more than ever before in my life I see that we need to participate in the benefits of the first Pentecost.”
       "You are exactly on target with what we nave learned," answered Mrs. Jones.
        "The essence of the teaching is that we do not need to seek the Baptism with the Holy Spirit if we are Christians. Why? Because, If we are Christians we are a part of the Body of Christ. And the Body of Christ was formed by the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. As Christians we are already baptized with the Holy Spirit," declared Dr. Jones.
        "That is a statement that I do not understand at all," Mr. Locke stated. "I know that I have been saved but I do not recall any time in which I have been baptized with the Holy Ghost? What do you mean? "
       "Turn in your Bible to I Corinthians 12,"  requested Dr. Jones. "Here is the explanation that clears up the mystery."
        "I am ready to listen," said Mrs. Kim. "I would like to have a Bible answer to these ladies who keep after me to seek the Baptism."
        "Read verse 13," Dr. Jones continued. "It says, For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."
        "What does this verse mean?" Mr. Locke asked.
        "Think of it this way," explained Dr. Jones. "On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was sent to baptize the waiting disciples. This baptism formed the separate and individual believers into one body. There cannot be another body for there can be only one Body of Christ. Another Spirit cannot be given for there is only one Holy Spirit and he has never left for that is Jesus' promise. So the church, the Body of Christ, was baptized with the Holy Spirit once and for all at Pentecost. Then as new believers are added to that one Body, they enter into the benefits of the historic Baptism with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost."
        "I understand your explanation about the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost but please explain again how present-day Christians are baptized with the Holy Spirit," Jane inquired.
       "When we are saved, we are made members of the already baptized Body of Christ. Therefore, we actually participate in the Pentecostal Baptism just as we also participate in the Calvary crucifixion."
        "Then the baptism of the Holy Spirit is like indwelling, sealing, and regeneration," suggested Martha Kim.
        "Martha and I have been reviewing the work of the Holy Spirit at the time a new believer receives Christ as his Savior," Paul continued. "Galatians 4:6 tells us that the Holy Spirit automatically indwells us when we are regenerated. Ephesians 1:13 explains that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit when we believe. These are real benefits of our salvation. God gives all of these provisions when we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. They are separate only because of theological thought divisions. We do not seek each one separately. They are all given when we receive Christ. The Baptism into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit is received in the same way according to I Corinthians 12:13. It is inseparable from the other works of the Holy Spirit."
        "Then all these benefits which Paul has mentioned were given to me when I was saved," Martha repeated. "I know I did not consciously seek them. I did not consciously feel these benefits. But I see that the Bible teaches me that all these are the unsought but real benefits of becoming a child of God. These are sovereign works of God for all his children at the time of their salvation. Our Spirit-Baptism is like these other benefits. I think It is wonderful."
        "Martha, you have stated the truth exactly. And isn't it wonderful?" Mrs. Jones rejoiced.
        "This teaching certainly fits the picture that the 'sound' was the audible manifestation of the inaudible Presence of God," Jim said. "I think I am beginning to see and to understand more about my relation to the Holy Spirit. I do not need to seek what God has already given. I do need to recognize and utilize the benefits that are available to me."
        "Praise God for his abundant provision," breathed Jane Clayton. "We are surrounded by the presence of the Enabler. He also indwells each one of us."
        "This seems to me to be the high point at which we should pause in our study before we break up for our homes," Dr. Goodman  told the group. "And I know that it is getting late. But before we dismiss I want to ask each one of you to look up every use of 'fire' in the Bible and ask yourself what the next verse in Acts 2 really means. If 'fire' is another manifestation of spiritual reality, it must have a special meaning for us."
       After a rich and happy time of prayer, the group, though dismissed, lingered to fellowship in a warm spirit of love and joy.

CHAPTER SIX
Tongues  like  Fire
       As the members of the study group arrived at the usual meeting room, they found a notice on the door. The big print read, "MEETING PLACE MOVED. PLEASE FOLLOW THE FOOTPRINTS. TOM."
       Looking down on the floor of the hall-way large paper foot-prints lead them toward a new and surprising location completely outside the main building. The footprints ended at an unused vacant garage on the back of the church parking lot.
       Tom opened the garage door saying, "Welcome. God bless you."
       Except for the light from the opened door, the garage was dark and smoky from a small wood fire on the cement floor.
        "Won't you be seated?" Tom invited his puzzled friends.
        "Seated on what?" asked Jane. "There are no chairs that I can see."
        "Sit on the carpets, of course," Tom replied. "What is a chair, anyway?"
        "Tom Clayton, have you lost your mind completely?" Tom's wife was incredulous and obviously not very pleased with her creative husband.
        "All right," said Tom. "But please sit down first and I think I can explain so that you will see the reason for meeting out here."
       "I hope so," Dr. Goodman laughed. "Sitting on the floor is not easy with my weight. I reminds me that I had better get back on my diet."
       With a number of groans the members of the group seated themselves on the floor.
       " I have been reading about fire in the old Hebrew houses," Tom began. "And I thought that I would try to make real to us how the ancient Hebrews must have thought about fire."
      " In the ancient Hebrew houses," Tom continued, "the family had little light except from the door, and perhaps a high latticed window. In the center of some of the rooms, a fire was built. Inevitably the smoke filled the room at times. Then, of course, there was fire in the little lamps. So I thought that your coming here would make it more real."
       "You have certainly made your point with me, Tom," replied his wife. "But I vote that we go back to our room, get out of this smoke and into some comfortable chairs."
       " Amen to that," voiced several at once.
       When they had re-assembled in the regular room, Dr. Goodman began, "Tom, in spite of our temporary complaints, I think you made a helpful impression. All of us were forced to realize that fire would have a special meaning to the ancient Hebrews, much more than we ordinarily think. It was a good experience for us."
       "You are right, pastor," added Dr. Kim. "It causes me to remember that in my native land of Korea, fire has a different meaning than it does to many in this country. But to get started again with our study, I was impressed by what I read in Genesis that the Bible ignores the domestic uses of fire. In fact, fire is mentioned only two times in the book of beginnings: the first, relates to God's judgment on Sodom; the second, relates to Abraham's sacrifice of his son. Both cases refer to a work of God."
       "This has been a busy week for me," confessed Jim Locke, "so I have had no chance to study. I would have thought the first mention of fire would be about warmth or cooking. What you say really surprises me."
       "What amazed me," added Dr. Jones, "was the unique relation of fire to the presence of God as shown in the book of Exodus. I had never realized how fire indicated God's presence."
        "Are you saying that in the Bible fire always manifests the presence of God?" asked Jim.
        "Yes and No", returned Dr. Jones. "Yes, in many key scriptures. No, when referring to the light from a household lamp or to ordinary burning."
        "It would help me if you would share with us some of these key scriptures in which fire manifested the presence of God."
       "Gladly," continued Theodore. "For example, fire represented God in the so-called burning bush. Fire represented God's presence in the 'pillar of fire' that overshadowed the camp of the Hebrews. 'Fire' represented the presence of God in Moses' miracles against the Egyptians.”
        "On that basis fire was often used as a visible manifestation of the invisible presence of God in various aspects of his dealing with the Hebrews?" questioned Sandra Jones.
        "That is exactly correct," her husband replied.
       "What you are saying reminds me of heat," Tom Locke added. "Heat will melt butter but it will harden clay. So the manifestation of God and of his working has blessed some and judged others."
        "There is no question about it," Dr. Goodman said. "You are uncovering an amazing fact: the appearance of fire as the visible manifestation of God is an undeniable fact in the biblical revelation to the ancient Hebrew people."
        "This symbolic use of fire so impressed me that I made a listing of two special uses of the word fire in the Old Testament," Dr. Jones interjected. "One use related to God's presence to bless; the other to God's presence to judge. I admit the list is not exhaustive but it is sufficient to show the two uses."
       "Share them with us, won't you," asked Tom.
       " I do want very much to hear this list," interrupted the pastor, "but before you share with us, Dr. Jones, I want to emphasize that it is possible for God to bless or to judge with no visible manifestation. So I raise the question: why did God use the appearance of fire in some experiences? Don't answer now. Just think about the question. Now, your list, Dr. Jones, if you please."
        "I was surprised to discover that the first mention of fire in the Bible concerned judgment," Dr. Jones began. "Fire was a part of God's judgment against Sodom (Gen.19:24). Then when Nadab and Abihu, two sons of Aaron, offered "strange fire" before the Lord, fire from God killed them (Lev. 10:1,2). Again, when the Hebrew people complained, fire from the Lord killed until quenched by Moses' prayer (Num. 11:1-3). These are enough examples to indicate the place in the Old Testament that a visible appearance of fire manifested the actual presence of God in judgment.
        "What about fire as a sign of blessing?" Jane Clayton asked.
        "There are also many references to the use of the fire manifestation of God to bless," answered Dr. Jones. "To mention a few: When Moses saw the burning bush (Ex.3:2) is an amazing example of a visible manifestation of the presence of God. Then I think of the very wonderful manifestation of the pillar of fire which gave protection and light to God's people (Ex. 13:21,22). There is another manifestation that is so important to our study that I would like to read to you. lt is found in Leviticus 9: 23,24, which reads, And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people. And there went out a fire from before the Lord, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted and fell upon their faces. Doesn't this passage show that the Hebrew people were being trained to believe that the fire appearance was a manifestation of the presence of God. These are a few of many such Old Testament references that show that fire manifestation was of vital significance both in judgment and in blessing.”
       "Both what Tom said and what Dr. Jones has shared have been interesting," interjected Jim Locke, "and excuse me if I am out of order, but what do these Old Testament happenings have to do with our study of the work of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost?."
        "Your very practical question really gets to the heart of the matter," Dr. Goodman stated. "The people who were having the strange audible and visible experiences at Pentecost were all Jews. From their childhood, they had been taught all these Old Testament stories in which God manifested his presence by the appearance of fire. In fact, how could Jews mistake the significance of fire-like manifestations? Such were inescapable teachings of their religious background. So God was using the past history of the Jewish nation to show these first Jewish Christians two things: one, the meaning of what they were audibly and visibly experiencing at Pentecost;  two, the additional fact that what they were experiencing was an actual continuation and fulfillment of the Old Testament. But, excuse me, I did not intend to start teaching."
        "Well, I am glad you did. I needed what you have said for it helps to bring these teachings into focus," Martha Kim declared.
        "Haven't you really answered your own question,Dr. Goodman, about why these manifestations were visible?" pointed out Dr. Jones. "Isn't it true that God was teaching these first Christian Jews, and through them was teaching us, that as these fire manifestations in the Old Testament taught the presence of God, so these fire-like tongues were used at Pentecost to teach the presence of God?"
        "Please repeat that a little slower and explain a little more clearly," Jim asked. "I think I am beginning to see something but it is not quite clear to me."
        "Take the matter of judgment,"  Dr. Jones continued. "When fire came out from the Lord against evil, it showed that the holiness of God's presence consumed the evil. If the disciples had not been cleansed by the blood sacrifice of Christ then the fire would have destroyed them. It revealed their God-given purification."
        "That is wonderful for them, and also for what it teaches us about our cleansing through the shed blood of Christ," breathed Jim.
       "Let me say a word," Tom was excited. "I believe I am beginning to see something wonderful. When Moses saw the burning bush, the Bible says that God told him that the very ground about the bush was holy. Because the bush was holy, it was not consumed. It simply glowed with the presence of the holy God. Can it be . . “  Tom's voice trailed into silence.
        "Can what be, Tom?" Dr. Goodman asked.
        "Can it be that we are saying that God was showing the disciples that each of them was actually holy because each was washed in the blood of Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit"
        "That is exactly what it means to me," answered Dr. Goodman. "That explains why Paul called the disciples 'saints.' That explains why Simon Peter wrote that we are a 'holy priesthood'(lPet. 2:9). How could God have shown these Jews more clearly than with the tongues of fire manifestation, in fact, how could God have shown them in any other way that would have related to the Old Testament? Christian believers are revealed to be a true 'holy priesthood.'"
        "Are you saying that I am a priest of God,?" asked Locke with tears in his eyes.
        "That is exactly what you are, Jim, and so am I and Dr. Jones and Dr. Kim," the pastor's voice choked with emotion.
        "Wait a minute, pastor," interrupted Jane Clayton, "you mentioned only the men. Are we women left out of the priesthood?"
        "I am sorry, Jane, for stating this truth of the 'priesthood of the believer' as I did," Dr. Goodman smiled. "All God's children are priests. Thank God for the truth expressed in Galatians 3:28 that in Christ there is neither male nor female but all are one."
        "And I would like to add there must not be any black or white for there is neither Jew nor Greek in ICor.12:13," added Dr. Jones with a laugh.
        "Now that we have that settled, may I get back to your original question about why fire was used, pastor?" said Mrs. Kim. "What you said about God's use of these particular visible symbols to manifest both his presence and the disciples' condition has raised another question in my mind: if God had not used the fire symbol, how would they in fact, how would we - know what meaning God intended to convey at Pentecost?"
       "May I pass that very important question on to the group for some additional discussion?" Dr. Goodman replied.
        "You know, I never thought about this question," admitted Tom. "Now that you have brought it to me, I must admit that if God had left out the visible and audible symbols, I can see no way by which we could know what God was doing,  no way to understand the meaning of what they were experiencing."
        "It seems to me that the audible and visible manifestations were really necessary because they gave evidence of the meaning that the Bible later amplifies," agreed Jane.
       "When I gave you some examples from my list, I saved what I consider to be the most important conclusion that came to me," declared Dr. Jones.
        "What is your conclusion?" asked Dr. Goodman.
        "When Aaron and his sons made the first sacrifice in the first tabernacle, fire came out from the Lord and consumed the sacrifice (Lev. 9:24). By this special fire manifestation God showed the Hebrew people that he had entered into the first tabernacle and established his presence there with his people. Then, when Solomon built the new temple, the same thing happened - fire came down."
        "Are you telling us that God manifested his entrance into each of these places of worship, both the tabernacle and the temple, by a fire symbol," asked Locke.
       "On the basis of my study, that is exactly what I believe happened," replied Jones. "And for that reason I have come to the conclusion that it is reasonable to suppose that God would use the same symbol - the fire manifestation - to show that he had entered into his New Testament temple, the body of the Christian. In fact, how else would these descendants of the Old Covenant know what God had done?"
        "That is a remarkable conclusion," replied Dr. Kim. "And I believe you have presented strong evidence to prove that your conclusion is correct."
        "Let me add to what you have said something else that I discovered in my study," continued Dr. Jones. "In the Old Testament Exodus 24:17 states that the sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire...; then Deuteronomy 4:24 we read For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire.; then, and this puts the puzzle together, Hebrews
12:29 declares, For our God is a consuming fire. As l studied these verses then I knew that this fire manifestation was necessary to teach both the disciples and us two facts: first, that God's New Testament temple and priesthood are holy and, second, that God has entered into the temple of the human body of the Christian believer and made each Christian to become a priest."
        "I must add one word of encouragement to what has been said," Dr. Goodman interjected. "You have proved to me that lay people can effectively study the Word of God and be led by the Holy Spirit into the truth. You have stated the truths that the Holy Spirit dwells in the believer better than I have heard from many lectures on theology."
        "Let me ask you, pastor, to do me a favor," requested Jim Locke. "Will you summarize what has been said?"
        "Let me begin the summary," Jane Clayton interjected quickly. "The likeness of fire manifested the presence of God to judge or to bless or to enter in."
        "Let me will add another truth," continued Mrs. Kim. "The likeness of fire consumes what is evil and reveals that the holy manifests the presence of God."
        "What about this truth," said the usually quiet Mrs. Goodman, "The likeness of fire showed that the apostles had been made a holy priesthood by the blood of Christ."
        "The presence of the likeness of fire demonstrated that God was entering into his new temple," continued Tom.
        "Jim, I don't think that I need to summarize," replied the pastor.
       "You are right, pastor, they preached that sermon for you," Jim admitted with a smile. "I have really learned some wonderful truths today."
        "While we have not exhausted the study of the fire manifestatIon, I think we are ready for the next verse," Tom stated. "Why don't we conclude here for this week."
        "I think you are right," Dr. Goodman agreed. "Moreover let me warn you that in our study of the second chapter of Acts we have come to the most controversial of all the symbols. We need to study all the books, see all the people, and do a lot of praying to know what is meant by speaking with "other tongues". Different views of the meaning of this symbol have divided more churches and Christians than all the rest put together. We need to find the truth. And, almost as important, we need to avoid the errors."
       "Well, I am certainly not prepared to go into that subject tonight," said Dr. Kim. "But I really look forward to finding  out just what some of my friends will say about this "speaking with tongues".
        "I guess we have had enough for one night," interjected Dr. Goodman. "But let me caution you to test everything that you read or hear with the statements in the Bible. It is easy to get mixed up."
        "Well, I just hope that the next session will profit me like this one," said Jim. "And, Tom, the more I learn about the Holy Spirit, the harder and harder it is getting for me to reject your opportunities to serve. My old 'I can't' excuse is melting away."
        "That is good news," laughed Tom.
       As the group stood and joined hands in prayer, there was a sense of a strong spiritual bond that bound them into a lasting unity. Though unexpressed in words, each member of the group had a growing awareness of “oneness” in Christ. 

CHAPTER SEVEN
Spirit  Utterance
       When Dr. Goodman and Tom Clayton arrived at the church for the study group, Dr. and Mrs. Kim were waiting in the meeting room.
       "We came early in order to make a request," Paul Kim said.
        "I will be glad to do anything possible," replied the pastor.
        "As you suggested, we have been studying the passage about speaking with other tongues. We have had so many thoughts and questions about this strange scripture. Would it be possible to limit our discussion today to just what the biblical text actually states?"
        "That makes it unanimous," laughed Dr. Goodman.
        "I don't know what you mean," Kim replied.
        "Strange as it may seem, Paul," the pastor explained, "every other family of our group has called me to make the same request. They felt that we should reach a thorough understanding of what the Bible taught before we discuss contemporary teachings. Now you have made it unanimous."
        "Well, I am certainly glad to hear what you have told us," Martha Kim interjected. "This 'other tongues'passage raises a lot of unanswered questions for me. Before we discuss what others believe, I want to be sure I understand what the Bible means."
       As the other members of the group began to arrive, the warm spirit of Christian fellowship displayed the growing trust that each had developed for the others.
       "While we must admit that our prayers are based upon God's grace and not just the spiritual state of the person who prays, nevertheless, we value the prayers of those who have proved their faithfulness to God," the pastor began. "In my life no one has earned that confidence more than my wife. Mary, I want you to lead us in prayer as we begin."
       As the pastor reached out his hand to his wife, others followed his example almost unconsciously by joining hands.
        "Our Father, thank you so much for the fellowship of Christian love in our homes and among our spiritual brothers and sisters here in the church," Mary began. "Thank you for the promise that your Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth. We ask you to fulfill that promise today as we begin our study of this part of your precious Word. In the name of Jesus we pray."
       Quiet "Amens" followed the prayer.
       "Mary, what you prayed is what I really need, the guidance of the Holy Spirit." interjected Jim Locke. "This is a very difficult scripture for me to understand. If I ever needed the Enabler it is now."
        "Do you want to begin with the statement that they were all filled with the Holy Ghost or with the statement that they began to speak with other tongues?" Tom Clayton asked.
       Several spoke and the consensus was that they should start with the "other tongues" passages because these verses were the cause of their greatest confusion.
        "This is the only reference that I have found to 'other' tongues in the entire New Testament," Dr. Jones began. "There are other experiences in which new Christians spoke with 'tongues' but I found no other instance where they are said to speak with 'other' tongues. Do you think there is special significance in this word 'other'?"
        "What would you say, Dr.Kim?" the pastor asked.
        "To me the word 'other' is very significant. While I am not really qualified as a  Greek scholar," confessed Kim, "I have studied New Testament Greek. There are two Greek words for the English word ‘other’. One refers to another of the same kind; the other refers to another of a different kind. It is the latter word that is used here."
        "That is my understanding," Dr.Goodman agreed. "I might add that the word ‘other’ is here joined to the word for tongues to make one word. And the combination is never used again in the New Testament. So this combination must be important to the correct interpretation."
        "Wouldn't what you have said indicate that there is something unique about the disciples' Pentecostal experience?" asked Jane Clayton.
       "It was not only unique but it is confusing to me", replied Jim.
        "Jim," said Mrs. Jones, "When you say that you are confused, you are in a company that goes back to that very first Pentecost day. Notice that the sixth verse tells us that the people who were present and heard the 'other tongues' speech were 'confounded'. So our study starts with confused people."
        "Let's try to examine this confusion by asking some questions. First, let's ask ourselves: Who were the speakers?" suggested the pastor.
        "I am sure the twelve apostles were speaking," Locke began and stopped.
        "The first verse states that all were there," Mrs. Locke added. "I would think that the entire group of one hundred twenty must have been assembled. That is what Acts 1:15 indicates to me."
        "I would believe that you are right,” agreed Dr. Kim. "and this fact is very important because lt means that what happened involved the whole church body and not just the twelve. Am I correct, Dr. Goodman?"
        "That agrees with my understanding. Pentecost was a whole church experience," Dr. Goodman corroborated. "And that is the interpretation that all scholars I have read place upon it. This Pentecostal experience involved the whole body of believers and not just a select few. In fact, it is where the church as the Body of Christ was formed. There is only one limitation in this speakiing experience but it may be an important one."
          "What is the limitation?" asked Locke.
        "Notice the seventh verse. The statement is made, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? On this basis I would infer that the hundred and twenty were mainly from Jesus' Galilean ministry."
        "The Galileans must have had a strong local accent like some Southerners or Bostonians," declared Mrs. Kim. "l think we Koreans still have an accent that is very different from others even when we speak English."
        "Then I think we are agreed about the identity of the speakers," concluded the pastor. "The entire assembled disciples spoke."
        "Then wouldn't the next question be: Who were the hearers?" asked Sandra Jones.
        "I think you are on target, Sandra. And I have made a study of that question," Tom declared. "May I share it with you?"
        "Please do, Tom," encouraged Dr. Goodman. "For Sandra has raised my next question."
        "First, notice in Acts 2 and verse 5, that the hearers included devout Jews out of every nation under heaven." 
       "Are you saying that all of the hearers were members of the Jewish nation?" asked Betty Locke.
        "I am sure they were not all members of the Jewish nation," Tom replied, "because verse 10 calls some of them 'strangers' and 'proselytes'. I think this would mean that they were not all racially Jewish but it does mean that all were Jewish by religious preference. No doubt they had come to Jerusalem to observe the Feast."
       "This agrees with the New International Version which translates this verse as follows: 'visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism).' " agreed Dr. Jones.
        "Okay," continued Tom. "We are agreed that the Bible describes the hearers as predominately Jewish by nationality or by conversion."
       "May I add that they were certainly not Christians," commented Dr. Goodman. "It is quite possible that they knew a great deal about Jesus and may have seen him crucified and heard the news that he had been resurrected. But they were not Christians."
        "Who the hearers were must be an important fact," Tom continued. "because we read the specific nations from which they came. There are sixteen different and specific localities. When I found these places on the atlas, I was amazed to see that the specified locations covered thousands of miles and widely different cultures. Perhaps the most pertinent fact is that Arabic, Hebrew, Egyptian, Greek, and Latin are among the native languages involved. The language barriers between these nations were very great and gave evidence to the racial and political division."
     "I know that no Oriental country is specifically mentioned," interjected Dr. Kim, “but I wonder if any Orientals were represented. Just a thought. Go ahead, Tom, I didn't mean to interrupt."
       "That's okay," Tom replied. "I simply wanted to point out how many languages and dialects were involved in the ' other tongue' experience because the biblical record emphasizes that every man heard them speak in his own language and how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born."
        "My past solution of the speaking," Jane began with hesitation, "is breaking down. I have thought that when the crowd came to see what was happening they gathered in little national groups. Could it be that some of the speakers spoke in Greek and others in other languages so that many languages were spoken by the various groups? "
        "I don't think that your solution fits what the Bible states," Dr. Kim objected. "Notice verses 6 and 7 and 11. These verses explain that the amazement centered in the astonishing fact that every hearer heard every speaker as though the speaker was speaking in the hearer’s own native language. Am I right, pastor?"
        "That is the only solution that fits the biblical record," Dr. Goodman agreed. "Would you like for me to read to you how one author explains why the multitude of hearers were confounded by what they heard?"
        "Please do," several said.
        "'At such feast times pilgrims out of every nation crowded Jerusalem streets,'" the pastor began to read.  "'Most spoke the varied tongues or languages of the country of their birth.'"
       "Excuse me," Jim interrupted. "I didn't want to admit my ignorance but what you have read clears up a question in my mind. I see now that a 'tongue' is really an understandable 'language'. It is what we call a foreign language. But please go on with your reading, pastor."
       "Okay. I will continue."
       "'To pass down the street or to pause by a public meeting place and hear many languages would have been neither strange nor unusual. For while most could speak a common language, a profusion of native tongues was ordinary. So nothing was amazing about a group simply speaking other tongues. The Bible record, however, repeats that the confusion and amazement sprang not from failure to understand but rather from the fact that each hearer did understand the speakers as though the speakers were speaking ln the hearer's own native tongue.'"
        "I was impressed that no interpreters were needed or were mentioned," Dr. Kim added. "When Americans come to Korea, they must have an interpreter to communicate at all. English is a foreign language to the Korean and Korean is a foreign language to the American. Without an interpreter language is a complete barrier to communication."
        "Spiros Zodhiates has produced a Hebrew/Greek Study Bible in which he states, 'The dialects were immediately understood by others and they needed no interpreter'," Dr. Jones added. "To me this 'other tongues' experience was a true miracle in which language barriers were removed."
        "If I understand what you are saying," Jim began slowly, "You are saying that when the disciples spoke with 'other tongues', the Jews born in Rome heard Latin and the Jews born in Macedonia heard Greek and the Jews born in Egypt heard Egyptian. If that was true it is no wonder the people were amazed. I am still amazed."
        "That is exactly what the Bible says to me," agreed Dr. Jones. "Every hearer understood every speaker as though the speaker was using the language in which the hearer was born."
        "This clears up a problem in my mind," Martha stated. "I have a friend who claims that she has spoken in tongues according to Acts 2:4. When I asked what language she spoke, she told me that there was no interpreter present so that she did not know. She said that she had spoken in another language just like the disciples at Pentecost. But now I see that if she had spoken according to Acts 2:4, everyone, and without an interpreter, would have understood her as though she was speaking in their own native language."
        "That is my understanding," the pastor agreed.
        "Then if I had been there and had heard the disciples on the day of Pentecost, I would have heard English," Jim Locke added quickly.
        "Right," several agreed together.
        "But, why?" asked Mrs. Goodman. "Why did God do this? What does it mean?"
        "Mary, that is exactly the question that the hearers asked on that wonderful day. Notice verse 12 which asks, What meaneth this?" her husband stated. "And that is my third question about the Pentecostal experience of other tongues: what does it mean?"
       "Perhaps my wife and I are best able to answer this question," Theodore Jones stated. "And I believe the fact that we are black makes what I will say to be most appropriate."
        "Dr. Jones, I want to hear what you have to say but I don't see how your race has anything to do with it," Tom replied.
        "Let me explain," Mrs. Jones said. "All of us are aware of the integration struggle. Theodore and I were a part of it; but we have suffered many disappointments because we never found any real brotherhood between races on the basis of compulsion. Believe me when I tell you that we are not belittling the value of what our leaders accomplished. We have made great advances in both races in social justice."
       When Sandra paused, Jane Clayton said quickly, "I want you to know, Sandra and Theodore, that we understand and that we think of you as a true brother and sister in Christ."
        "That is the very point that we are trying to make," Sandra continued. "The only true brotherhood that Theo and I have found is here in the sweet fellowship of this church. It has been more than a token of integration. You have accepted us as persons or, as you say, as a brother and sister. You don't know what this has meant to us."
        "Now let me apply this to our Bible question," said Dr. Jones. "And I admit that I am not sure that I can prove what I am suggesting. I believe that the 'other tongues' experience was to show that the Body of Christ is the only basis for a true brotherhood. What do you think, Dr. Goodman?"
       Obviously deeply moved, Dr. Goodman took out his handkerchief, wiped his glasses and his eyes before he answered.
        "When we began these studies, I said that I would not teach you," the pastor began. "You have demonstrated your ability to get the true meaning from Scripture without my help. This is the work of the Enabler, the Holy Spirit. Now I feel that our divine Teacher is leading me to break this rule for I think that Theo and Sandra have pointed out a great truth. To me it is the most important truth in this record of Pentecost. It is the answer to the meaning of the ‘other tongues’ experience."
        "I would like for all of you to turn to the eleventh chapter of Genesis. Notice that in the sixth verse, the Bible states, 'Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language;...'"
        "Pastor, may I interrupt to say that we in Korea are very proud of our language and believe that it is a strong element in uniting our nation," Dr. Kim stated.
        "Evidently that was true in these ancient time," Dr. Goodman continued. "Now the question I would like for you to answer is this: by what means did God separate these ancient people one from the other?"
        "Obviously, by making them so that they could not understand each other when they spoke. God gave them different languages," Jim Locke answered.
        "That is exactly what verse seven declares," Mary said. "But how does this relate to Pentecost?"
        "The sign of separating the people was a language sign: God confounded their languages so that they could not understand one another," the pastor continued. "And from that day to the day of Pentecost there was no basis for uniting all mankind in one brotherhood. When the Holy Spirit formed the Body of Christ, he provided for the first time since Babel, just as Theo and Sandra have pointed out to us, the only basis for human brotherhood. That basis is not in social pressure but in the Body of Christ which was formed by the historic Baptism with the Holy Spirit."
        "That justifies what I was saying," Dr. Jones almost shouted. "Just as God made the sign for racial and national division in confusing the languages so the sign of racial and national brotherhood in Christ was language understood by breaking down the language barriers."
        "That is exactly right," stated the pastor.
        "That explains something to me," Locke exclaimed.   "I have noticed in my business that many times different races are in the same labor union but have no real fellowship but I have experienced a real brotherhood with Christians of other races. It is just as you say, Dr. Jones, real brotherhood is possible only in Christ."
        "Praise God, I believe it and have experienced it,"  exclaimed Mrs. Jones.
        "May I review some conclusions from our studies?" inquired Dr. Kim.
        "Please do," agreed several.
        "Well, I have decided on four conclusions," Dr. Kim continued. "The wind-sound was never repeated because there is only one Holy Spirit. He came and will never depart from Christ's disciples. So there can be only one such sound."
        "I agree," Tom interjected. "And I would like to add that the enveloping sound showed that the disciples were baptized with the Holy Spirit just as Jesus promised."
        "And all who now receive Christ are baptized with the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ. That was important to me," added Mrs. Kim.
        "You are absolutely correct," agreed Dr. Kim.  "Secondly, the fire-like tongues never appeared again because there is only one new temple. God gave the historic Old Testament sign of fire when the Holy Spirit entered the Christian."
        "To know that changed my life,"  Jim added.  "Thank God for 1 Corinthians 3:16. I put it right along with John 3:16.” 
      "And, thirdly, the 'other tongues' has never been repeated for there is only one brotherhood that unites all Christians." concluded Dr. Kim.
        "That really agrees with what Simon Peter wrote in his first epistle, chapter two," added Tom Clayton. "Let me read these verses:  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, ....But ye are a chosen generation, a holy priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.”
        "To me this has been one of our best sessions," Dr. Goodman said. "And I think that this is a good place to stop and begin again next week. My cup is full and my body is tired."
       After prayer and lingering greeting the group left for their homes.

CHAPTER EIGHT
        "Our study this week is to center upon the meaning of the passage, And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost," Dr. Goodman began. "If you share my experience, this study has gotten to your heart and not just to your mind."
       "Frankly, Martha and I are rather upset as well as confused," replied Dr. Kim. "While we agreed about the 'other tongues' question at our last session, we have been wondering if what the charismatics call 'baptized with the Holy Ghost' may not be the same experience that the Bible calls 'filled with the Holy Ghost.'"
        "To say a little more," added Mrs. Kim,  "even if 'speaking in other tongues' is unique to the first Pentecost, shouldn't the born-again Christian seek the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit?"
        "That same thought is what has disturbed Sandra and me," added Theodore Jones.
        "I guess this has been a disturbing study for all of us." Dr. Goodman answered. "It has set us to wondering if our present spiritual condition is really what God wants for us."
        Several nodded in agreement.
        "Could we begin to clarify our problem by asking what the Bible means by the word 'filled'?" said Tom. "I know that the Holy Spirit indwells every Christian but does that mean that every Christian is Spirit-filled?"
       "My thought would be that 'filled' means to change something empty to something full," said Jim. "But I wonder how I would ever get myself empty of some things that trouble me spiritually."
        "We had a speaker at a retreat for women who instructed us in self-emptying,"  Mary Goodman suggested. "She had each person take a piece of paper and pen, go to a secluded place, write down all their sins, confess them to God in accordance with l John 1:9."
        "That would certainly be a soul-searching experience," agreed Mrs. Locke. "What was the result?"
        "It really showed me the value of confession of sin to Christ. From that time on I have valued lJohn 1:9 as never before. You are emptied in the sense that you are forgiven and cleansed of your sins. I think that every Christian needs this procedure many times because the New Testament offers no other way to be cleansed."
        "That explains what it means to be emptied, but what about the filling?" asked Jane Clayton.
        "I was told to claim it," Mary said, "but I never really understood what they meant by just claiming the filling. What I have read about the experience of Dwight L. Moody and Charles Finney seemed like more than just a claim. They had very definite experiences."
       "I looked up a number of ways in which this word, 'filled', was used in other places in the Bible," said Dr. Kim. "Would you like for me to share them with you?"
       "That would help us I believe," Mary encouraged.
        "As you know I do not claim to be an authoritative Greek scholar so I went for help. I was shown that there are several Greek words that refer to 'filling,'" Paul explained. "One is the word PLE'THO a form of which is used in Acts 2:4 to describe the experience of the disciples at the first Christian Pentecost. In fact, this is the word that is characteristically used in the book of Acts to describe Spirit-filling."
        "That is interesting even though it is over my head," replied Jim Locke. "But what does the word actually mean?"
        "Patience, Jim," smiled Dr. Kim. "The same word is used in Acts 3:10 to describe the wonder and amazement that filled the crowd when Peter and John healed the cripple. And the same word is used to describe the indignation of the high priest and the enemies of the gospel in Acts 5:17. And the same word is used in Acts 13:45 to describe the Jews who were filled with envy and began to contradict Paul and to blaspheme."
        "So, what is your conclusion," Jim insisted.
        "Well, the thing that helped me the most to put it together was the statement in the lexicon that defined the word by stating, what wholly takes possession of the mind is said to fill it. On this basis I concluded that what the Bible meant in Acts 2:4 was that the Holy Spirit wholly took possession of the mind of the disciples and therefore filled them."
        "Now that makes sense to me," agreed Locke. "I well remember a time that anger took such possession of me that I lost all sense of reason. To fill would equate with to control."
        "But as I studied further I found that in Ephesians the Apostle Paul chose another word, the word, PLER'O. This is a more common word for filling what is empty, but when I read that it meant among other things possessed and moved by, it all began to fit together to mean just what you have stated."
        "Paul, you have done all of us a real service," Dr. Goodman said. "The important thing about filling is not in the outward signs but in the control."
       "What troubles me - and it has been troubling me more and more during this study - is very personal," confessed Tom. "I know that I have been saved and that the Holy Spirit lives within me. The New Testament makes this relationship very clear. Of that I am sure and for that I am very thankful. BUT - and this is what troubles me - I do not honestly believe that I have ever been filled with the Holy Spirit in the sense that he possessed and controlled me. My ambitions and my desire to control my own destiny stand in the way."
        "I feel the same way," admitted his wife, "but I don't know what to do about it."
        "That raises what is a strange puzzle to me,"continued Sandra. "The Bible is very clear about what an unsaved person must do to be saved; but where does it tell a saved person how to be filled with the Holy Spirit?"
           "Pastor, will you help us" Mrs. Locke asked.
           Mary Goodman spoke before her husband could reply.
        "We have been talking about this same matter in our home as we have made this study. Frankly, we have not arrived but we will share with you what we have discovered. Some of the most helpful material was in an old book written by James H. McConkey entitled The Three-Fold Secret of the Holy Spirit."
        "Of one thing we are sure," continued Dr. Goodman. "It is God's will that every Christian should be filled with the Holy Spirit. One verse makes that clear. Look with me at Ephesians 5:18."
       While they were finding the passage, Jane Clayton added, "Of one thing I am sure. Tom and I need all that the Lord has for us. The root of our 'I CAN'TS' lies in our own self-directed spirits. Only the Enabler, the Holy Spirit, can remedy this unwillingness."
          The pastor continued, "Ephesians 5:18 states, And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. So there can be no doubt that it is the will of God for every Christian to be filled with the Spirit. And now, as you have stated, the question is how, what must we do?"
           "You are right, Dr. Goodman," agreed Dr. Kim. "This is one of the passages that I studied. The verb that is translated 'be filled' is the present, passive, imperative. This means that obedience requires three things: (1). The filling is to be continuous. It can't rely on past experience because it refers to a present happening. (2). The filling is to be received. You can't fill yourself with the Holy Spirit by your efforts. You are to be filled. You are to be God-filled not self-filled. (3). The filling is a necessity. It is an imperative;it is God's command. It is not an option for the obedient Christian."
           "I was listening to some pastors discussing the 'filling with the Holy Spirit," Tom stated. "One of them claimed that because the Holy Spirit was a person it was impossible to receive only a part of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, all Christians already had all of the Holy Spirit that they could receive because God's Spirit cannot be fragmented."
           "I would partially agree with that statement," Paul Kim agreed. "But I would not equate the 'indwelling' of the Spirit with the 'fullness'. There is a clear distinction between presence and control."
        "How would you distinguish the one from the other?"
        "I would agree that the Holy Spirit cannot be divided because he is a person. When he comes to abide, you have the entire person," Kim answered. "But, and this is quite a difference, while all Christians have the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit does not have all of many of us who are Christians. "
        "You mean that the Holy Spirit is like a guest in my house who is prohibited from some of the rooms," suggested Martha Jones.
        "That is correct," Kin agreed. "We have the person of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us but the Holy Spirit does not have all of us. He does not possess us nor control us. For that reason we are not 'filled with the Holy Spirit'."
        "That still does not answer the question of 'how?', Locke said. "As you know I am not very knowledgeable in these matters, though I admit that I have grown through these studies. At this time I am thinking about one of the beatitudes. I learned this many years ago: Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled. Don't you believe that if I really hunger and thirst after righteousness that God will fill me even though I don't know all about the proper method? My problem with this answer is how do I develop this hunger."
        "What you have said, Jim, reminds me of something I have thought about a lot this past week," Tom answered.
        "When I was in high school, we studied Hawthorne's story of The Great Stone Face. You remember that because Ernest kept looking at the face on the mountain, he became like him. Perhaps this is what is meant in Hebrews 12 which says, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. If we would look to Jesus, wouldn't we become hungry to be like him until God would fill us with the Holy Spirit?"
        "I have one major problem with your solution, Tom," stated Dr. Goodman. "You are talking about being filled with the Holy Spirit as a long process but the Bible is talking about an initial experience."
        "We have some suggestions," Mrs. Goodman declared.  "'Spirit-filling' has become a personal challenge to James and me. We have tried to study what those who have been Spirit-filled say about the method. Let me read what has been the most challenging statement to us. It is from this same book by McConkey."
        "I really want to hear what you have to suggest, Mrs. Goodman," interrupted Dr. Kim. "But I would like to add this fact that amazed me as I studied the Scripture. I never found one time in which any disciple ever said of himself, 'I am a Spirit-filled Christian.' That was always something that others said about the person. While I am sure that each person knew his relation to the Spirit, it struck me as important that no one ever boasted about his condition."
       "I think what you have stated is of vital importance," agreed Dr. Goodman, "because Jesus said in John 16:14 about the work of the Holy Spirit, The Holy Spirit never glorifies himself nor the Christian. He glorifies Christ alone. I think what Mary will share will be very helpful."
       "I will read to you what McConkey wrote," Mary began. "'Granted, then, that we have received the gift of the Holy Ghost; that we have been baptized with Him; that He has come into our lives to abide forever; what then is the secret of His fullness, of His abundant life of Peace, Power, and Love? We answer: THE ABSOLUTE, UNQUALIFIED SURRENDER OF OUR LIFE TO GOD, TO DO HIS WILL INSTEAD OF OUR OWN.'"
     "To make this surrender has impressed me that we must first do what Jim has suggested,"  Mrs. Goodman continued. "We must hunger to be possessed by the Spirit. God does not force himself upon anyone. So I think, Jim, that your beatitude is very pertinent. And we surely agree with you, Tom, that focusing upon Jesus makes us want to be like him."
     "I was impressed about what you said about the difference between a gradual process and an experience," interjected Mrs. Kim. "I believe that the indwelling Holy Spirit continues the process of molding  us into the likeness of Christ. Consider  2Cor.3:19 which declares, But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. But as you say, what the disciples received was an experience not just a gradual process. Moreover, the Old Testament types of the Holy Spirit's filling of the temple were events not gradual processes.”
     "That fact is what has brought conviction to me,"  admitted Dr. Goodman.       
 "To continue with our findings," Mary said, "We found that every person who had shared his experience had faced the fact of unconfessed sin in his life. In fact, in most cases it is a matter of uncovering sin. We allow some part of our life to be in rebellion without really facing that true condition."
     "You mean we make excuse so long that we believe our own excuses," Jim suggested.
     "That is exactly the truth. We must uncover these sins and confess them to God in order to be cleansed."
     "I would like to add one word of caution," interrupted Dr. Goodman. "Martin Luther, at one stage of his life, became obsessed with the idea of confession and actually made 'sin' out of things that were not sins at all. God is simply asking for honesty."
     "I am familiar with confession as stated in l John 1:9 and thank God for this needed provision to our salvation," stated Dr. Jones "But for our confession God promises only forgiveness and cleansing, not fillIng."
     "That is true," agreed Mrs. Goodman, "And every book we have studied agreed on the next - and perhaps this is the critical step. Some call it presentation, some committal, some dedication, McConkey calls for unqualified surrender. All are teaching that it is necessary to commit the whole life of the Christian to the Lord. Paul expressed it in Romans 12 when he said, 'I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.' We must hold nothing back. We must give God the keys to every room. We must deliberately present ourselves to God."
     "I asked Mary to present these steps because I wanted to confess to you, my dearest friends and most dependable members, that this total and unqualified surrender is the step that disturbs me," confessed Dr. Goodman.
     "And I also," several agreed.
      "Are you saying that we need a second work of grace?"  Tom asked.
     "Not at all," Dr. Goodman replied. As I see it, being 'filled with the Spirit' must be God's answer to faith just like our initial salvation. For when we actually make this presentation of ourselves in unqualified surrender, we have a right to believe that God does his part and fills us with his Spirit. We must stand on 1 John 5:14,15. Please look in your Bible and read with me: And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. Being filled with the Spirit is a matter of faith. We know It is God's will from Ephesians 5:18. We must really present ourselves and believe that God does his part. He loves us and is not reluctant to bless us. In fact, God wants to bless us more than we want to be blessed. He is simply waiting on our obedience."
      "Pastor, my heart is very full," Jim Locke said with tears in his eyes. "I want to go home, talk to my wife and then to God. I really want to be the Lord's and let him use me."
    Without a further word, each member of the group reached out to another to Join hands in a moment of silent prayer. After a few quiet "Good nights" and "God Bless Yous" Dr. Goodman and his wife were left alone.
     "Mary, let's go into the sanctuary and pray," Dr. Goodman suggested.

CHAPTER NINE
Epilogue
       After the final meeting of the study group, the faithful Enabler, the Holy Spirit, brought to fruition new spiritual growth in the lives of those who had studied God's Word together.

The Clayton Commitment
       As Tom and Jane drove home after the last session of the study, both were unusually quiet.
        "Jane, are you upset about something?"
        "Why do you ask?"
        "Well, it isn't like you not to say anything for this long a time."
        "Tom, I haven't known what to say," Jane admitted. "All this week as I have studied about the 'fullness' of the Spirit, I have had a growing conviction that my life is not pleasing to God."
       By this time Tom had turned at their driveway. He stopped the car and sat very still for a long moment.
        "Jane, I really know what you are saying. I am deeply burdened. I think both of us need to confess our need to God, make a full surrender of our lives, and trust our Savior to make us what he wants us to be."
       There in the car Tom and Jane bowed their heads and together prayed silently.
       With tears streaking their cheeks, they looked at each other for a moment before they embraced.
       "Honey, for the first time in my life I can truthfully say that Jesus is really my Lord. Praise God," Tom said joyfully.
       "Yes, Tom, and thank God for Jesus is now my Lord. And I am so glad and so relieved."

The Goodman Commitment
       Saturday night at the Goodman home was a special time of peace and quiet. The children, now young people, were usually away with friends. James Goodman would spend most of the evening in his study in final preparation for his pulpit ministry; Mary would complete her preparation to teach her class of young adult women.
       Tonight was different. Though the children were away as usual; both James and Mary were restless. Study was increasingly difficult, then impossible.
       James came out of his study into the living room where Mary was seated.
        "I guess I need to talk to my best friend," James said quietly.
        "And I guess your best friend needs to talk to her best friend," Mary smiled and held out her hand for him to join her on the sofa.
       "I need a make a confession," James began slowly. "For some time now I have had a growing conviction that I am failing God in my ministry."
        "In what way, dear?"
        "It is not so much in what I do," James answered. "My failure is more in myself. I will admit to you and to God that much of what I do as a pastor is done in the hope of advancement to a larger church. To be perfectly honest I am serving more because of ambition and desire for recognition and professional advance than I am for the love of Christ and his people."
        "I did not know for sure about your ambition but sometimes I have wondered about why both of us ministered," Mary confessed. "And I need to open my heart to you for I am inwardly very distressed myself."
        "Is there anything that I am doing that disturbs you?" James asked with concern.
        "No, James, I am very happy and in love with you, Mary answered. "In fact, I think our relationship is deeper and more satisfying that at any time in our lives. My problem, James, like yours, is with God. I have been living with a different kind of ambition. I have had my goals in social acceptance rather than in service to Jesus. I am ashamed to admit even to you, my husband, how much I am influenced by social position but it is true."
       James was smiling but tears were running down his cheeks as he put his arms protectively around his wife and said to her, "Honey, I would like to give an invitation to you and me."
       Together James and Mary knelt by the sofa. For a long moment no word was said but tears dropped upon their joined hands.
       "Heavenly Father, forgive me," James began to pray. "I have put selfish ambition before your will. I confess it to you with sorrow. By your help and by the work of your Spirit, I surrender my self to your will without reservation."
       Mary gripped James' hand more firmly and prayed, "O My Father, forgive me and cleanse me of my selfish and fleshly desire for social advance and acceptance. I surrender to you and ask you to use me to serve the humblest in the Spirit of my Savior."
       Almost as one person, James and Mary spoke through happy tears, "Thank you, Lord, we surrender all."

The Locke Commitment
       "Jim Locke called yesterday afternoon while you were visiting at the hospitals and asked for an appointment for him and his wife to meet with you this morning," Dr. Goodman's secretary said when the pastor came to the office Tuesday morning. "He said it was urgent so I suggested 10:30 this morning."
        "Did he tell you what he wanted?"
        "No, he simply said that it was very important."
       Promptly at the appointed time, Jim and Betty Locke rushed into the pastor's office.
        "You both appear in a hurry," Dr. Goodman greeted them. "It is good to see you. Sit down and tell me what is on your mind. I must say that both of you look radiant. What is the good news?"
       "You tell him first, Betty," Jim said.
        "Pastor, we are especially happy," Betty began. "Jim and I have been having some real problems. I felt that he was neglecting me for his business. So I reacted by putting up a barrier against Jim. Sunday night after your messages we confessed to each other what was troubling us, made a new committal to our love, really started a new honeymoon of mutual love and understanding. We wanted you to know of our happiness."
       "Well, I certainly praise God with you and thank you for sharing it with me," the pastor rejoiced.
        "Now you tell the pastor about your decision, Jim."
       "Pastor, all this rush is simply to cover what has excited me more than anything in my life," Jim began. "And it is really all an outgrowth of our study."
        "Well, that really pleases me, Jim, for I wanted the study to be productive. It has also been a great challenge to Mary and me."
       "When we finished last week, I was frankly very depressed," Jim continued. "As never before I saw the failure of my spiritual life. I knew that God had saved me but I also saw clearly how little I had grown spiritually and how little I had served my Lord. It was depressing. Then I remembered what we had studied about the Holy Spirit as our Enabler. I saw the challenge and determined to change my whole life."
       "Mary and I came to the conclusion that God's purpose in what we have called depression is to really challenge us to new obedience," the pastor agreed.
       "That is exactly what God did for Betty and me. And as we have been taught the Holy Spirit became our Enabler to make the necessary changes."
        "Please share with me what you have been led to do."
        "Basically, pastor, we made one decision," Jim answered with excitement, "but that one decision has caused three great changes that affect our entire existence. The decision we made was to make an unconditional surrender of our lives to God. And I must tell you that both of us, for the first time in our adult lives, have a joy and reality in Christ that we have never had before."
       "That is glorious, Jim. I am getting excited with you. But what about the resulting changes."
       "First, Betty has told you about what it has done for our home. That is a blessing beyond value. Then, in the second place, I want you to know that I am going to Tom and take the class that he has been asking me to teach. I know the Holy Spirit will enable me to do it. So I am going to be a more productive church worker."
"That is very encouraging."
       "Finally, pastor, I am making real changes in my business. No longer will I squeeze my employees. I will be fair with their wages. I am developing a better pension plan and a better insurance coverage for them. I am giving opportunity for a weekly devotional servIce both in the shops and in the office for those who wish to come. I am determined to make my business Christian in every way possible.  Betty and I want to continue to experience this 'fullness' of the Spirit."

The Smith Commitment
       On Monday morning John and Ann Morris we waiting for Dr. Goodman when he arrived at his office.
       "This is an unexpected pleasure, John and Ann," the pastor greeted them. "Won't you come into my study?"
       As they walked together, Ann was the first to speak, "Pastor, we almost called you last night. We have hardly slept at all. We spent most of the night talking."
       "I guess that Ann and I actually talked more than at any other time in our years of marriage," John added. "In a way this has brought us closer together than every before."
        "If I had known I would have come," Dr. Goodman said simply.
       When they were seated, John and Ann were silent for a moment.
        "Pastor, you may have noticed that we have been very quiet during the last few meetings of our study group," John began.
       "I hope that the study has not confused you and Ann."
       "It has really disturbed us," Ann interjected. "But it has been a good disturbance, perhaps the most important we have ever had. And it has led us to the greatest happiness we have ever experienced."
        "Pastor, we want to be baptized," John interrupted.
        "Well, I will certainly be glad to baptize you. As I see it, a person can be baptized more than once if he chooses to do so; but I really don't understand why you make this request."
       "John, you are the man of the home. l want you to tell  Dr. Goodman what has happened to both of us."
       " Okay. To put it simply: Ann and I have been born again. We have been saved," John almost shouted out the good news.
        "That is wonderful," Dr. Goodman replied. "Please tell me what happened."
        "It started with these studies," Ann began. "We came to realize that we had never really been saved. We had simply joined the church. The Holy Spirit did not dwell in us We had never asked Jesus to come into our hearts. At first John and I would not even talk about it to one another but after the last meeting, we were so miserable that we talked together."
        "Yesterday, there was something about your sermon that spoke to us as never before. When he went home, we talked more.........."  John continued but tears choked his speech.
       "After we had talked a while," Ann continued even though tears were running down her cheeks, "we got on our knees together and asked Jesus to come into our hearts. Jesus saved us, pastor. Jesus saved us . Isn't it wonderful?"
        "And it is the most happy experience that we have ever had," John concluded. "So we are asking for baptism?"
       " Well, praise the Lord," the pastor, weeping with joy, welcomed the new members of the Body of Christ with open arms.

The Jones Commitment
       Just before the Wednesday night service, Dr. and Mrs. Theodore Jones approached Dr. Goodman.
        "Will you allow Sandra and me to say a few words to the church?" Theodore requested.
        "Of course, you may at any time," the pastor agreed.  "I will call for you after the second song.
        "Thank you, pastor. Thank you very much."
       As the service progressed, Dr. Goodman stated, "Dr. Jones has a personal word for us tonight."
       Both Theo and Sandra stood and came to the front of the church. It was evident that both of them were fighting to control their composure.
       "During the past three months Sandra and I have been studying God's Word with other members of our church," Dr. Jones began. "It has been a life-changing experience, especially for the last two or three weeks."
        "Since last Friday night Sandra and I have sought to make an unconditional surrender of our lives to Christ," Theo continued. "As we searched our hearts, God brought a total surprise to us."
       "Some of you know that we have been very active ln movements for social justice for those of us who are black," Sandra interjected. " This has been in the secular world for no one received us in the spirit of brotherhood as much as you here in this church. We are concerned that you know how much we love and respect you for your Christ-like spirit. Nothing that we will say is critical of you or our pastor.
        "Thank you for adding that word, dear," Theo agreed and continued. "What we have done has been done in the firm belief that great injustice has been done to our race; but we have a deeper problem. In opposing this injustice, we have allowed ourselves to harbor a deep bitterness against those who opposed us. We have come to realize that no matter how wrong others may have been in the past is no excuse for us to harbor unChristian feeling toward them."
       Tears were flowing down many faces as the congregation sensed the soul anguish that both members of the Jones family were experiencing.
        "So we felt that we must come and publically confess these unChristian feelings,"  Sandra continued. "We want to be all that God wants us to be. It is a part of our total surrender."
         As the pastor came down from the pulpit to the Jones family to put his arm about their shoulders, many of the congregation joined him to take the Joneses by the hand or to hug them in Christian love.
       Dr. Goodman wisely gave the remainder of the service to praise and testimony and confession, saying, "Theo and Sandra have given us a great message that the Christian must love even his enemies."

The Kim Commitment
       On the first Friday after the series of studies, the Kims had arranged to meet with Dr. Goodman and Tom Clayton.
       "While I believe you will be surprised at our request," Dr. Kim began. "I believe you will be pleased."
       "Paul, God has been working such wonderful changes since last Friday, that it will be hard to surprise me," Dr. Goodman smiled.
       "Though you may not have realized," Kim continued, "there are nearly five hundred Koreans in our city. Only a few of them are attending any church. Many of them, especially the older members of the family, are unable to understand English well enough to participate in our service."
        "I really had no idea that there were so many in our city," Tom stated. "Did you know, pastor?"
       "I certainly did not."
       "Martha and I were brought face to face with our spiritual need by our recent studies," Paul continued.
       "We have been thinking of our own pleasure and forgetting the needs of our people," Martha interrupted.
       "But the Lord would not allow us to go on in our present course," Paul added. "So we want to ask your permission to use some room here at the church and start a mission service for our nationals. We hope this will lead to the establishment of a Korean church."
       "That is wonderful," Dr. Goodman was enthusiastic. "I will take it before our Missions Committee on Sunday but I am sure that they will all be thrilled with the project. In fact, I believe our local association of churches will get behind the movement. Praise God for his wonderful leadership."
       When the Kims were gone, Dr. Goodman turned to Tom, saying, "When we first discussed making this spiritual journey with our friends, we little thought what a life-transforming result would come to us as individuals and also to our church."
       "I think we will never be the same," Tom replied. "And hasn't it been amazing how different the transformation has been for each of us?"
       "In that context, let me read you what McConkey wrote In the book to which we referred in one of our sessions. Commenting on the variety of ways in which the Holy Spirit manifests his fullness, he wrote, ‘Two of God's children yield their lives to Him in entire surrender. In response to that surrender the same even will come to them both - a fullness of the Spirit never known, never thought possible, before. But the manifestation, the experience of that fullness, will not be the same in both; it will necessarily vary with the individual temperament. For God not only gives the fullness, but He also made the vessels that contain the fullness, and has made them all slightly different. The cup, vase, and goblet of gold, are all full, but the water within them takes shape from the fashioning form of the vessel.’"
        "And to each one the Holy Spirit is the Enabler to be and to do that which is God's will," Tom agreed joyously.

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