By Heny Albert Erdmann

Chapter 14

A DEFINITE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

The destruction of the carnal mind by the mighty baptism with the Holy Ghost is a definite experience, and a definite epoch in the life of him who receives it. When the Holy Ghost comes into the heart and life of a believer and takes up His abode there, He does a definite work. It is not something hazy and indefinite.

1. He purifies the heart. "And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith" (Acts 15:8, 9).

Here we are told the believers' hearts were purified when they received the Holy Ghost. When He comes in He casts out all the evil tempers that are contrary to God's plan and purpose. He casts out anger, malice, wrath, jealousy, peevishness, stubbornness, self-will, pride, unteachableness, and everything else that God cannot use for His glory, and that never can be admitted to heaven. Thus He purifies the heart and gives one a sense of spiritual cleanness.

2. He gives power. "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you" (Acts 1:8).

Not power to succeed in politics, or power to become a social leader, or power to accomplish great physical feats, etc. The Holy Ghost gives power to live right; power to sacrifice for God, and for others; power in prayer; power in testimony; power to love God with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength. It is power to hold one's tongue steady; power to keep from quarreling with one's wife, or with one's husband; power to keep from saying harsh and cutting things; power to defeat the devil on any battle-field; power to keep from lording it over others; power to remain sweet and gentle under all provocations, etc. All this requires tremendous power, but the Holy Ghost is ample and sufficient for every occasion.

3. The Holy Ghost gives fitness for heaven. We read of a king who prepared a wedding feast for his son's marriage and invited guests to come in for the banquet. When the king came in, he found there one who did not have on the wedding garment. He turned to his servants and commanded them to bind the man hand and foot and cast him out into outer darkness. Let us not overlook the fact this man had as much right to be there as anyone else that was there. He had been invited, and all who had been invited had a right to be there. I have the right to attend any social function to which I have been properly invited. It may not be right for me to attend some functions to which I may become invited; but so far as the gathering is concerned, I have a right to attend if I have been invited. Then why was the man cast out? Not because he was an intruder, coming in where he had not been invited. He was cast out because he failed to dress properly for the occasion. Those who imagine they can get to heaven by merely accepting the invitation of regeneration, and neglect to put on the wedding garment of holiness, are making the same fatal mistake that this man made.

In Hebrews 12:14 we are told to follow "holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." In Revelation 20:6 are the words, "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection." This implies that the unholy shall have no part in the first resurrection. Then we are assured, in the same statement, that upon those who have part in the first resurrection the second death shall have no power. This Scripture implies that the second death shall have power on all who do not have part in the first resurrection. This verse, then, plainly teaches that the second death shall have power on all who are not holy.

In Second Thessalonians the Apostle Paul declares, "God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." In Hebrews 13:12,13, we are told that Jesus suffered "without the gate" -- on the cross -- for the express purpose of making our sanctification possible. And in the Ephesian letter we read, "Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it."

4. The Comforter dwelling in the heart gives a consciousness of the fulness of God -- Such a heart is "filled with all the fullness of God." He gives the consciousness of divine cleansing. He gives a consciousness of constant freshness. "Like a tree planted by the rivers of water . . . his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." The Holy Spirit will walk with us and help us over every obstacle, comfort us in every sorrow, and bring us safely through every conflict. He knows every trial, understands every difficulty, and knows the solution to every perplexity. He gives us sweet, blessed communion with Himself. We can tell Him every heart-beat, and He never misunderstands. This communion implies fellowship, an intimacy in which He talks over with us all the things that trouble us. We tell Him the things that we think are hindering us, then He tells us what really does hinder us. Not sin, that has all been settled. But there come experiences into our lives that we think hinder us. Often the Comforter reveals to us that they are good for us; and then He reveals things that may, or do, hinder us.

There are times in the Spirit-filled life when one cannot shout, but one feels a holy awe; one is almost afraid to stir for fear of disturbing it. One wants no one to disturb him by talking to him, one wants not even the birds to sing. This is holy rapture. Then there are times when one will weep. He cannot quit, he does not want to quit. Then again there are times when one may have a regular "tear-up" and disturb all the neighbors. The Holy Ghost knows what we need, when we need it, and how to give it to us.