Gospel
The Divine Initiation thru The Divine Exchange
When we desire to enter a sports team, or join the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, the Cadets, or an Exclusive Club, or maybe a Fraternity or Sorority in College; we usually undergo special training along with a strict diet, and try to meet certain physical requirements, pay a fee, or meet some kind of criteria that the special Club or Fraternity is looking for. There’s an INITIATION PROCESS we must go through in order to fit the bill, make the cut, or enter that team.
The amazing thing about the efforts we execute is, we will do whatever it takes to join or be a part of the team or club were interested on joining. Even if it’s humiliating or illegal or outright wrong at times. (I’m especially talking about joining a Fraternity or Sorority that usually places new people under some real foolish situations to prove their loyalty if they complete the dare or challenge.) However, when it comes to becoming a FULL-FLEDGED CHRISTIAN, we must consider THE DIVINE INITIATION that we must go through by what JESUS laid out for us in THE DIVINE EXCHANGE.
Hi Faith-writers, I’m grateful to God for allowing me another opportunity to share HIS WORD with HIS people. I’ve been instructed to teach in detail about the Process we must go through to become a FULL-FLEDGED CHRISTIAN. Why? Because just being Born-again is not going to cut it during these last days. We need to get back to the FULL GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, in order to become a FULL-FLEDGED CHRISTIAN according to the Gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and the Book of Acts;
1. We must be Born-again (John 3:1-21 NKJV)
2. We must be Baptized in water (Matthew 28:19-20/ Mark 16:14-20 NKJV)
3. We must be Baptized in the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49/ Acts 1:5, 8 NKJV)
4. Then when God Calls us to a specific Ministry, we will have to be Anointed and laid hands on to become a Minister by a Senior or Seasoned Minister after prayer and fasting; so we may become a modern day Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher, Deacon, Administrator, or Music Minister etc. ( See, Acts 6:1-6/ 13:1-4/ 14:23 NKJV)
Jesus Commands HIS Disciples to Preach about The Divine Exchange and experience it!
When Jesus appeared to the Disciples after being raised from the dead, we read how;
1. He expounded the Scriptures to them concerning HIMSELF (Luke 24:44 NKJV)
2. And Jesus opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures (Luke 24:45 NKJV) (We need Divine Revelation of the Scriptures to be able to Minister them to others.)
3. Then Jesus explained that it was necessary for HIM to suffer and rise from the dead (Luke 24:46 NKJV).
4. And that REPENTANCE AND REMISSION OF SINS SHOULD BE PREACHED IN HIS NAME TO ALL NATIONS, beginning at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47 NKJV)
5. And you are witnesses of these things (Luke 24:48 NKJV)
6. Behold, I send the Promise of MY Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with Power from on high (Luke 24:49 NKJV)
When Luke wrote this event that happened behind closed doors with Jesus and HIS disciples, after Jesus was raised from the dead. We can see several things here that brings the concept of THE DIVINE INITIATION and THE DIVINE EXCHANGE together, so we may become FULL-FLEDGED CHRISTIANS.
1. Jesus revealed HIMSELF to HIS disciples and expounded the Scriptures that Reveals all that HE had to go through to bring the world Salvation.
2. Then Jesus Commands them to Preach about the Remission of sins (The Divine Exchange) to all nations starting at Jerusalem.
3. Then JESUS said, to wait at Jerusalem for the Promise of the Holy Spirit so they may be empowered to Minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (The Divine Initiation).
Now, Luke continued to give us more information and revelation of Scripture about what is, “The Promise of My Father” and what does it mean to be endued with “Power from on high”, in (Acts 1:4-8 NKJV)
Luke wrote, And being assembled together with them, HE (JESUS) COMMANDED THEM not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the PROMISE of the Father, “which,” HE said, “you have heard from ME; (v. 4) (Notice: it’s a COMMAND from JESUS to be Baptized in THE HOLY SPIRIT).
“For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (v. 5)
I’m purposely skipping down to verse 8, to get straight to the point; “But you shall receive POWER when the HOLY SPIRIT has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to ME in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (v. 8) (Acts 1:4-8 NKJV)
Teachers Note: Notice how Luke clarified for us what is the Promise of the Father (THE HOLY SPIRIT). Luke also clarified what is being endued with Power (It means being Baptized in the Holy Spirit). But we had to read the Book of Luke and then the Book of Acts to gain more clarity that we needed. (This is how we do thorough research of Scripture. There will be more info and revelation as we continue to read on further).
Obedience to The Divine Initiation
We read in Acts chapter 2; that the Disciples obeyed and experienced the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Then they went out from the upper room and into the streets of Jerusalem. The people in Jerusalem thought they were drunk. Peter rose up and started to Preach and clarify what was this Supernatural experience of speaking in 19 different languages, by sharing the Old Testament Prophecies of Joel, that this is the outpouring of the Spirit of God in these last days. (Acts 2:1-21 NKJV)
Then Peter began to preach, teach and exhort the people about THE DIVINE EXCHANGE (Acts 2:22-36 NKJV). But the part I would like to highlight is that Peter present both—THE DIVINE EXCHANGE along with THE DIVINE INITIATION that the new believers must experience to become a FULL-FLEDGED CHRISTIAN.
Luke wrote what was going on when Peter was preaching and Luke detailed every word and the reaction of the people when they heard the Full Gospel of THE DIVINE EXCHANGE;
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the Apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37 NKJV)
Then Peter said to them, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38 NKJV) (This verse clarifies for us THE DIVINE INITIATION we must go through to become a FULL-FLEGDED CHRISTIAN).
Pausing here for a moment, we see 3 things mentioned by Peter.
1. Repent (which simply means to turn from religion and turn to God through Jesus Christ. When we do, we are (Born-again) as we immediately Believe the Gospel.
2. Be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins is clearly (water baptism).
3. Then they will receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit (Baptism of The Holy Spirit).
Theologians will argue that this is the full-process of being Saved or Born-again (ONLY). Other Theologians have said, this is Salvation and being Baptized in water only. Then we have other Theologians who will say that, that’s how they did it back then, but today you only have to be Saved. (Not Exactly)!
Well, we can believe these Theologians or just read the next verse Acts 2:39 NKJV, which says;
“For the Promise is to you and to your children, (THE NEXT GENERATION OR FOLLOWING GENERATIONS FOLKS) and to all who are afar off, as many as the LORD our GOD will call.” (Acts 2:39 NKJV)
This statement in Acts 2:38 NKJV; is THE DIVINE INITIATION—which is a 3 Step Process of becoming a FULL-FLEDGED CHRISTIAN. Then in verse 39; we have an ongoing Gospel for future Generations to experience THE DIVINE INITIATION, which is still active and required for us today to become a FULL-FLEDGED CHRISTIAN.
Luke gives us more Revelation
Just in case we cannot see the 3 Step Process in these verses in (Acts 2:37-39 NKJV). We have more Biblical examples to look at to confirm and reaffirm that THE DIVINE EXCHANGE and THE DIVINE INITIATION is the Protocol we must go through to become a FULL-FLEDGED CHRISTIAN. I love the way Luke and Paul continues to enlightened us. The more we read on in the Book of Acts, the more we will see the topic of THE DIVINE EXCHANGE presented by Peter and Paul along with the 3 Step Process of THE DIVINE INITIATION.
Biblical Examples of THE DIVINE EXCHANGE along with THE DIVINE INITIATION
EXAMPLE NO. 1: In Acts chapter 8, we have Philip Preaching in Samaria. They were Healed, Delivered, Saved (Born-again) and then Baptized in water by Philip’s Ministry. (Acts 8:5-13 NKJV). Then the Apostles in Jerusalem heard what happened in Samaria and they sent Peter and John to Samaria to ensure that they were completely FULL-FLEDGED CHRISTIANS. Then they Prayed for the Samaritans that they may receive The Holy Spirit and when they laid hands on them they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17 NKJV).
Teachers Note: Notice how the Apostles did not fail to carry out the COMMAND from JESUS. Philip did his job and Ministered Healing, Deliverance, Salvation then he baptized all new believers in water. Then Peter and John came after and prayed that they will receive the Holy Spirit, and when they laid their hands on those new believers who were Born-again and Baptized in water; they received the Baptism of The Holy Spirit and experienced the COMPLETE DIVINE INITIATION to become FULL-FLEDGED CHRISTIANS. (You see, the Bible is clear by itself when we do a chronological study in the Book of Acts about THE DIVINE EXCHANGE with THE DIVINE INITIATION).
EXAMPLE NO. 2: In Acts chapter 10, we have Peter who was Supernaturally connected to Cornelius by way of an Angelic visitation that Cornelius had when he was Praying and Fasting. The Angel directed Cornelius to send people to the city of Joppa to fetch Peter who was in Simon the Tanners house by the sea-side. Meanwhile, Peter was inspired to Pray, as he was Praying he falls into a trance and sees a symbolic Vision. After the Vision he sat down to meditate on that Vision. When all of a sudden there was a knock on the door. It was Cornelius’ servants looking for Peter. They explained why they were there and requested that Peter go with them back to Cornelius’ estate (Acts 10:1-33 NKJV).
When Peter arrived at Cornelius’ house and heard why he was summoned, the Vision made sense to Peter. God opened the Door of Faith to the Gentile Believers to receive the Gospel. Peter began Preaching about The Divine Exchange from verse 34-43;
It was in verse 43, that Peter said, to HIM all the prophets witness that, through HIS name, whoever believes in HIM will receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:43 NKJV)
Then they were immediately and simultaneously Born-again and Baptized in the Holy Spirit, because Peter and the Jews that came with him heard everyone in the Cornelius household speak with unknown tongues as evidence (Acts 10:44-46 NKJV).
However, notice carefully that Peter made sure that THE DIVINE INITIATION was implemented. In verse 47; Peter said, Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be Baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? (Acts 10:47 NKJV). Then they were Baptized in Water (Acts 10:48 NKJV).
THE DIVINE EXCHANGE AND THE DIVINE INITIATION
EXAMPLE NO. 1: In Acts chapter 8, we have Philip who made sure people in Samaria were Healed, Delivered, Saved and Baptized in Water. Then the Apostles sent Peter and John to Pray and Lay hands on the Samaritans to receive the Baptism of The Holy Spirit. (The 3 Step Process of THE DIVINE INITIATION).
EXAMPLE NO. 2: In Acts chapter 10, we have Peter and Cornelius’ household who were simultaneously Born-again and Baptized in The Holy Spirit, then Baptized in water. (The 3 step Process of THE DIVINE INITIATION).
EXAMPLE NO. 3: Finally, in Acts chapter 19, we have Paul’s Ministry of the DIVINE EXCHANGE along with THE DIVINE INITIATION. Paul saw certain disciples. So Paul asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? They said no, and explain what kind of Baptism they have encountered (Acts 19:1-3 NKJV).
Then when Paul found out that they were only Baptized by John the Baptist. Paul proceed to instruct them about THE DIVINE EXCHANGE and THE DIVINE INITIATION.
1. They believed on Jesus (v. 4) (They were Born-again)
2. They Baptized in the name of Jesus (v. 5) (water baptism again after being Born-again)
3. Then Paul laid hands on them and they received the Baptism of The Holy Spirit (v. 6)
4. All 12 men! (v. 7) (Acts 19:1-7 NKJV)
Word of Exhortation
Let’s not debate something that is clear in Scripture. Let’s just humble ourselves and accept the DIVINE INITIATION we must go through to become a FULL-FLEDGED CHRISTIAN. Let Theologians waste their time debating this topic as they do so many other topics, while you invest your time experiencing the Blessings of God, Amen.
In my next article, we are going to make sure that you are:
1. Born-again
2. Baptized in Water
3. Baptized in the Holy Spirit
4. Anointed for Ministry
I will share how to experience 3 of these things without me actually being present there to Minister to you. Now, the Water Baptism has to be done by the nearest Pastor you ask God to connect you with. But I can lead you in Prayer by article to experience being Born-again, Baptized in the Holy Spirit and then Anointed for Ministry. And God will do the Miracle in your life and you will speak in tongues as the Holy Spirit inspires you—after you sincerely Pray the Prayers we will share with you in the next article. May God Bless you to experience the FULL DIVINE INITIATION in JESUS’ name Amen.
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