Spirit Baptism & Evangelism
- by David Berthiaume
-
in Slider
-
Hits: 2536
Jesus foretold that the “gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matt 24:14). Just before Jesus comes there will be a tremendous evangelism explosion that shall produce a mighty witness of the gospel in this earth.
The prophet Joel foretold two great Holy Spirit outpourings: the former or early rain and the latter rain (Joel 3:32). The outpouring of the Holy Spirit known as the former or early rain began on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). The book of Acts describes the great evangelism explosion that took place at that time. Thousands were won to Christ.
I am sure every Christian who has read the book of Acts has longed for the day when a similar mighty working of the Holy Spirit will take place again. In the fall of 1999 I began to better understand how the mighty moving of God’s Spirit will happen again. At that time the Lord led my wife, Patty, and me to study the biblical teaching on the baptism of the Holy Spirit. God next led us to specifically claim the promise of Spirit baptism in our lives. What God taught us in His Word about this very important Bible truth, and what we experienced in our lives as the result of seeking Spirit baptism is described in my previous book, The Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
As I continued to study into the subject and grow in the Lord in this experience, God began clarifying how “anointed, Spirit-filled” believers will be mightily used by Him to win thousands to Christ. I began to realize that the professional radio or television evangelist would not finish God’s last day work, though they will play a role. Rather, God’s work will be finished when His people seek and experience the baptism of
the Holy Spirit and allow Christ to reach out to others through them. God’s work will not be finished by some new program or method; but it will occur through Spirit-filled believers who surrender themselves completely to Christ and not only allow Him to live in them but minister to others through them.
When consecrated Christians experience Christ in this way, the second great evangelism explosion will take place. It is then that the second great outpouring of the Holy Spirit called the latter rain will fall upon this earth. This book is dedicated to helping the reader understand how a second great evangelism explosion will take place and how every believer can be a part of it. In fact, all who are ready to meet Jesus when He returns will have had a part in the second great evangelism explosion.
Prayer is as essential to the work of evangelism as breathing is to everyday living. If one refuses or is unable to breathe, his life ceases. If one refuses to pray for the lost, his efforts to win them to Jesus Christ will be of no avail. It requires prayer to bring life to those who are spiritually “dead.” Prayer is required to sustain spiritual life.
I am sure many Christians, at least those living in these last days, have asked themselves: “Why is prayer so important? Isn’t God going to do what He wants to do whether I pray or not?”
Satan wants to confuse the believer concerning prayer. He wants to keep us from understanding the vital role prayer plays in the work of God on this earth and in the saving of the lost. Satan knows that if he can get the Christian to be negligent in the area of prayer, he has little to fear concerning his effectiveness as a laborer
for God in the work of saving the lost.
I believe God’s Word teaches that prayer is necessary for an individual and church to experience revival. Prayer is necessary for the “strongholds” of Satan to be cast down as well as for the saving of the lost. Prayer is necessary for a Christian to remain strong in the Lord. I find it amazing that prayer, which seems so powerless and insignificant to the natural man, is so necessary and powerful for the spiritual man. Why is prayer so important and necessary in God’s work? Let’s look at the creation of mankind to find the answer.
When God created Adam He created man in His own “likeness” and “image.” (Gen 1:26-27). The Hebrew word translated “likeness’ is “damah,” which means “similar to.” The Hebrew word translated “image” is “tselem” and means a “resemblance” or “representational image.” The word is used when referring to an idol, which represents a god. When God created man, He created him in many ways like Himself.
God did something else when He created man. He gave man “dominion” on earth (Gen 1:26-27). The Hebrew word translated “dominion” is “radhah,” which means “to rule” or “reign” over. Adam was to be the ruler of this world as God’s representative. He was to “keep” the earth (Gen 2:15). The Hebrew word translated “keep” is “shamar,” “which means to “guard against intruders,” “to preserve and keep safe.” Adam was to be God’s authoritative representative on earth. He was to be the earth’s watchman or guardian. He was to “re-present” God on this earth.
The psalmist further describes the position God gave man at creation. David was inspired to write that God crowned man with “glory and honor” (Ps 8:5). Looking again at the original Hebrew words translated “‘glory” and “honor,” we find that man was given “majesty” similar to a king’s reigning authority. Hence, we see that at creation the earth was put under Adam’s authority. What happened on earth depended on Adam.
Adam’s authority and rulership on earth was so complete that Adam was in a position to give this authority away to another. We know the sad story of Adam’s fall as recorded in Genesis 3. Adam gave the authority of this earth over to God’s archenemy, Satan. Satan well knew what he had gained when Adam yielded to his temptations to disobey God. When tempting Christ in the wilderness, Satan showed Him all the “kingdoms of the world” and stated: “All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.” (Luke 4:6). Jesus never disputed Satan’s claim to have authority and dominion over this earth. In fact, three times Satan is called the “ruler of this world” in the New Testament
(John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11).
Even though Satan gained dominion over this earth through Adam’s fall, God has not changed His decision to work through humans to carry out His will on this earth. So complete was this decision that it was necessary for God to become man to win this world back (John 1: 1-3, 14). The first Adam relinquished man’s authority over this earth. The second Adam, Christ, won it back and brought deliverance to Satan’s captives (Rom 5). At the creation of this world God established the principle that humans were to forever be His means of exercising His authority and activity on this earth.
This brings us to the main focus of this chapter on prayer and evangelism. Prayer is necessary because from the beginning, God intended to work through humans in carrying out His will on this earth, not independent of them. God works through the prayers of His people.
When God wills to do something on this earth, it is necessary for man to pray that God accomplish it. Many examples of this are seen in both the Old and New Testament. We are to ask for “God’s will to be done on earth” (Matt 6:10). We are to ask for our daily bread (Matt 6:11). We are to pray “laborers be sent into the harvest field” (Matt 9:38). Paul asked believers to pray for the advancement of the gospel (2Thes 3:1). All these things are God’s will. However, since prayer releases God’s power to carry out His will on this earth, it is necessary for man to pray for them. Remember, it is God’s plan to work through man, not work independent of him.
We see a very clear example of this in the experience of Elijah. God told Elijah there would be a drought for three and one half years. In order for the drought to happen, it was necessary for Elijah to pray that it happen (James 5:17). Three and a half years later, God promised to send rain and end the drought (1Kings 18:1, 41- 44). Again, even though it was God’s will to send the rain, Elijah knew it was necessary for him to pray for the rain if it were to come. We are told that Elijah had to pray seven times before the rain came. Elijah knew if he stopped praying for God to fulfill His promise to send rain, the rain would not come. Ellen White, writing of Elijah’s experience stated:
“Had he given up in discouragement at the sixth time, his prayer would not have been answered, but he persevered til the answer came.” SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 2, p. 1034.
Persistent prayer is often required in releasing God’s power in this earth. When God desires to do something, He moves upon the hearts of His children to pray for it. However, we are always free to refuse to yield to His call to prayer.
Another clear example is seen in the book of Ezekiel. Israel had gone into great apostasy (Ezekiel 22:17-29). A very enlightening but sad text follows. Israel justly deserved severe judgments from God because of her sins. However, God in His compassion sought a man in Israel who would pray for mercy that His judgments would be averted. The sad words are recorded: “...but I found none.” (Ezekiel 22:30). As a result of no one being found willing to pray that God withhold His judgments, the Almighty sadly declares: “Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them.” (Ezekiel 22:31).
As we read incident after incident recorded in the Bible about how vital prayer is in carrying out God’s will on this earth, there should be no question in anyone’s mind concerning the necessity of prayer. God works through the prayers of His people, not independently of them.
Next, let’s apply this principle concerning prayer to the work of evangelism; God’s saving power for men and women. It should become very clear that our prayers are necessary for the salvation of those in our circle of family and friends. Everyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour has done so because someone prayed for them. Dear reader, you are a Christian today because someone who cared about your eternal destiny took the time to pray for you.
One important point when it comes to the salvation of others is that not only do we pray, but we must also work for their salvation. A discussion of how we are to work - or cooperate - with God for the saving of mankind is covered in the chapter entitled Christ’s Method of Evangelism. Pray and work, work and pray - this is the formula for the release of God’s saving power on this earth.
What happens when we intercede in prayer for someone? Let’s take a look at how the word is used in the Old Testament. The prophet Isaiah describes what Christ was to do for us on the cross. We are told that Jesus “made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah .53:12). The Hebrew word translated “intercession” is “pagha,” which means, “to meet, to push against, to attack, to urge a request, to make peace.” You can see that this word has a wide variety of meanings. When “pagha” happened at the cross of Christ, significant meetings took place: mercy met judgment; righteousness met sin; love met hate; and life met death.
Paul exhorts the Christian to make “intercession” for all men (1Timothy 2:1). We are to bring about “meetings” through intercessory prayer. Our prayers for the lost bring about “meetings” of reconciliation between them and God, and a “meeting” of dissolution between them and Satan. This reconciliation and dissolution is found in the promise God gave Eve shortly after the Fall. God promised to put “enmity” between the believer and Satan, which implies reconciliation between the believer and God (Genesis 3:15). Intercessory prayer is a major element in the “ministry of reconciliation” in which every Christian is called to participate (2Cor 5:18-19).
When we examine Christ’s prayer to the Father in John 17, we hear Him praying an intercessory prayer that “oneness” or “unity” takes place between the Father and the believers. He is praying for complete reconciliation between the Father and all believers. Christ not only prayed that intercessory prayer for us two thousand years ago, He continues to pray an intercessory prayer for us today (Hebrews 7:25).
The Hebrew word translated intercession also carries the meaning of dissolving a relationship. It can mean a meeting for destruction (see 2Samuel 1: 15). Our prayers of intercession for the lost are requests for God to destroy the relationship between Satan and the one for whom we are praying. We see this same kind of intercession in Christ’s prayer in John 17. He intercedes for us that we are “kept” from the “evil one.” He prayed for the dissolution of Satan’s power and influence in the believer’s life.
One aspect of the “intercession” (Isaiah 53:12) that took place at the cross was that the power and authority of Satan on earth was broken (1John 3:8). At the cross the legal claim Satan had on the earth as the result of Adam’s fall was dissolved. The power of Satan over the lives of men and women was broken. This is why Jesus could assure His followers that in Him they now had power and authority over Satan (Luke 10:17-19). However, few Christians truly realize this aspect of the intercession that took place at the cross.
We see this type of intercession when Jesus told Peter that Satan aimed to become completely victorious over him. Realizing Satan’s plan, Jesus told Peter that He had “prayed” for him that his “faith fall not.” (Luke 22:31-32). This is an example of intercessory prayer aimed at breaking the power of Satan in the life of the one being prayed for. This is the reason James admonishes all believers to “pray one for another.” (James 5:16). James knew that intercessory prayer played an essential role in breaking the power of Satan in individual lives.
Throughout the letters of Paul we read of his continual intercession to God on behalf of those to whom he is writing (Rom 1:9; Eph 1:16; Col 1:9). Paul certainly understood the necessity of continually making intercession for all the saints.
It is clear from this study why Satan will do everything in his power to make us believe that it is not essential or important that we specifically pray for one another. He wants us to believe that it is not really necessary for us to pray for those who are out of Christ. He wants us to believe that God will work for the salvation of he lost even if we don’t specifically pray for those in our circle of family and friends. It is hoped that by reading this chapter, you will not believe Satan’s lies about the insignificance of praying both for others and ourselves. We must be alert to the fact that he will perhaps attack our prayer life more strenuously than any other aspect of our spiritual life.
Those who we know are outside of Christ and living under Satan’s power are in a very dangerous position. If they don’t change, their eternal destiny is in jeopardy. Yet, of themselves, they are powerless to change. Paul describes them as those whose minds “the god of this world hath blinded . . . lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2Cor 4:4). The lost are blinded to the gospel because it is “hid” from their view (2Cor 4:3). The word translated “hid” is the Greek word “kalupsis,” which refers to a “veil.”
The key to the saving of the lost is the removing of this “veil” that blinds them. By adding the prefix “apo” to the Greek word translated “veil,” the word becomes “revelation” or “unveiling.” Thus it is true that the lost need an “unveiling” or a “revelation” of God’s truth. The lost don’t need more information; what they need is “revelation,” which is an unveiling of their understanding so they can “see” the truth of the gospel. An important question then is: How can this “unveiling” happen in the lives of the lost?
There is only one answer to that question. Only by intercessory prayer will the veil that causes spiritual blindness be removed from the mind of the unbeliever. Satan has false “imaginations” or thoughts and “strongholds” well established in the minds of the lost. The good news is that God has given the Christian the authority to “pull down” Satan’s “strongholds,” and to “bring into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ.” (2Cor 10:4-5). These two verses in 2 Corinthians 10 are very important when it comes to understanding the place of intercessory prayer in the lives of the lost.
Referring to the spiritual weapons of intercessory prayer on behalf of the lost, The Living Bible translates verse 5:
“These weapons can break down every proud argument against God and every wall that can be built up to keep men from finding Him. With these weapons I can capture rebels and bring them back to God, and change them into men whose hearts’ desire is obedience to Christ.” 2Cor 10:5.
Satan doesn’t want us to realize it, but we are to play a major role in lifting that blindness from the eyes of the lost. Our intercessory prayers open their minds to receive the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Praying intercessory prayers for them will remove this veil of blindness. God wants them saved (2Peter 3:9). However, it is essential that the believer pray for them so that God’s power can be released in their lives and Satan’s power over them broken. Remember Elijah’s prayer for rain. It was God’s will for rain to come and the drought broken. Yet Elijah knew he had to pray in order for God’s will to be carried out. The same is true concerning the lost. Even though it is God’s will to save the lost, believers must pray for them in order for God’s will to be carried out and bring them to salvation. Ever since the creation of this earth, it has been God’s plan to work through the prayers and efforts of man, not independently of him.
Ellen White clearly understood this when she wrote:
“Through much prayer you must labor for souls, for this is the only method by which you can reach hearts. It is not your work, but the work of Christ who is by your side, that impresses hearts.” Evangelism p. 525.
“The Lord will hear our prayers for the conversion of souls.” MYP 315.
“Their persevering prayers will bring souls to the cross. In cooperation with their self-sacrificing efforts Jesus will move upon hearts, working miracles in the conversion of souls.” 7T 27.
The 19th century Christian, Andrew Murray, wrote:
“God’s giving is inseparably connected with our asking . . . Only by intercession can that power be brought down from heaven which will enable the Church to conquer the world.” The Ministry of Intercessory Prayer, p. 22-23.
Philip Samaan in his book, Christ’s Way of Reaching People, states this concept very well.
“. . . in the context of the great conflict between good and evil, where Christ and Satan contend for human hearts and minds, our intercessory prayers allow God to more actively participate in a situation than He would otherwise. In other words, God can answer Satan’s objections and justify His special intervention in behalf of the object of our prayer by presenting our petitions as giving Him an invitation to act. Thereby, He
is simply honoring our choice in inviting Him to intercede.” P. 152.
Samaan continues by pointing out that Wayne McDill in his book, Making Friends for Christ states that we, as Christ’s disciples, “are responsible for leading a fellow human being to Christ, and ‘we have the right to press the legitimate claims of Christ in his life. . . Prayer is a matter of pressing the legitimate right of Jesus to rule in every life, since He died for every person in the world.” Ibid. 152.
An additional quote from McDill concerning our prayers for the lost states:
“. . . remember that you are not trying to convince God. He is already convinced. You are putting yourself in line with His wishes in your prayer. By the authority of Christ take your rightful stand in your neighbor’s life and exercise your faith in opening that territory to the extension of kingdom authority. Insist that the enemy retreat in the face of the rightful authority of Christ . . . Realize that the real battle will be won in prayer.” Ibid. 152-3.
The conclusion is clear. There will be souls lost if we do not pray for them and work for their salvation. Ellen White understood this when she wrote:
“Every year millions upon millions of human souls are passing into eternity unwarned and unsaved. From hour to hour in our varied life opportunities to reach and save souls are opened to us. The opportunities are continually coming and going. God desires us to make the most of them.
“Into one scale put the loss of your soul, and the souls of those whom you might have been instrumental in saving . . . Christ’s Objects Lessons, p. 373-374.
“Many have gone down in ruin who might have been saved if their neighbors, common men and women, had put forth personal effort for them.” DA, p. 141.
Wesley Duewel wrote concerning the importance of prayer for the lost:
“Satan is more afraid of your praying than of your pure life or zealous witness. One’s life may be a beautiful witness that cannot be silenced, but prayer is a militant force that has the potential of defeating Satan, destroying his works, and driving him out of places and lives he claims for his own.” Christ’s Way To Spiritual Growth, by Philip Samaan, p. 212.
How then should we apply this important teaching on intercessory prayer in our lives? First, we should make a list of the names of all those in our circle of family, friends, co-workers, and other acquaintances who need our prayers. We should then begin specifically praying for each one using the principles of intercessory prayer. Pray in faith believing that God will hear your prayer and begin removing the veil from their minds. Believe that through your prayers the “strongholds” of Satan that are keeping them from Christ will be “pulled down”. In short, pray for what you know God wants to do in their lives.
The Praying Church Sourcebook gives the following list of what God’s will is for the unsaved. As believers in Christ we have the right to press these requests before the throne of grace on behalf of the lost. Include in your prayer the following:
• That God will draw them to Himself (John 6:44)
• That they seek to know God (Acts 17:27)
• That they believe the Word of God (1Thes 2:13)
• That Satan is bound from blinding them to the truth (2Cor 4:4; 10:4-5)
• That the Holy Spirit works in them (John 16:8-13)
• That they turn from sin (Acts 3:49)
• That they believe in Christ as Savior (John 1:12)
• That they obey Christ as Lord (Matt 7:21)
• That they take root and grow in Christ (Col 2:6-7)
When you pray for the unsaved believe God is able to bring those for whom you pray to Christ. Then allow God to work through you to make this happen, a process which is further examined in the chapter entitled “Christ’s Method of Evangelism.”
Ellen White clearly alluded to this approach of praying for those we know who are unsaved when she wrote:
“In times past there were those who fastened their minds upon one soul after another, saying, ‘Lord, help me to save this soul.’ But now such instances are rare. How many act as if they realized the perils of sinners?” Gospel Workers, p. 65.
“Let the workers grasp the promises of God, saying ‘ . . . I must have this soul converted to Jesus Christ.’” Medical Ministry, p. 244.
Jesus stated there would be even greater effectiveness when two believers unite in prayer (Matt 18:19). The church received the baptism of the Holy Spirit after ten days of “united” prayer claiming Jesus’ promise (Acts 1:14, 2:1-4). Concerning believers uniting in prayer for the lost, Ellen White wrote:
“Why do not believers feel a deeper, more earnest concern for those who are out of Christ? Why do not two or three meet together and plead with God for the salvation of some special one, and then for still another? In our churches let companies (small groups) be formed for service . . .
“ . . . as they work and pray in Christ’s name, their numbers will increase; for the Saviour says: ‘if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven.’ Matt 18:19.” 7T, p. 21-22.
I pray that every sincere Christian who reads this book will never again doubt the importance of prayer for the lost. I also pray that from this day forward you will earnestly intercede to God for the salvation of the unsaved in your circle of family, friends and co-workers, believing it is God’s will to save them. Dear reader, if you in faith press such petitions to the throne of grace, you will see God’s hand of salvation in the lives of those for whom you are praying.
Note:
An excellent resource for a church that desires to become a praying church is the book, The Praying Church Sourcebook, by J. Vander Griend, published by Faith Alive Christian Resources, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
At the time of the writing of this book, Dennis Smith is serving as pastor in the Southern New England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Dennis has served the church as an active layman, and in pastoral and departmental positions for over 35 years.
Dennis received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Colorado State University. While at Colorado State, he became a Seventh-day Adventist Christian. After working in engineering for a short time, he felt the call to full time ministry. To fulfill that calling, Dennis attended Andrews University Theological Seminary and received a Masters of Divinity degree. Dennis has also done studies in the area of public health from Loma Linda University.
Are you interested in reading the whole book on
Spirit Baptism & Evangelism ?
The cost for: Spirit Baptism & Evangelism is US$ 4.99 + Shipping
The Author can be contacted through E-mail at:
smith06515@msn.com