THE GOD KIND OF FAITH IN ACTION (PART 2) !

THE GOD KIND OF FAITH IN ACTION (PART 2). The formula of the God kind of faith in action can apply to receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit just as it does to receiving any of God's gifts. In the previous lessons I talked about how the God kind of faith is an action; Now, many have either put Satan thoughts are God's thoughts into action. Primarily by what they have said, they have gravitated towards those words. In putting Satan's thoughts into action, are putting God's Word into action. Many miracles of healing have come about as people have acted on their faith, stepping out on God's promises, and receiving from God. Or receiving from the enemy. Many good people do not understand that we are under a Word system. God set this word system in motion in the beginning (Genesis 1:3 through 31). Nothing happened until God said and then he saw: approximately 10 times, God said and then he saw ! The same things applies to receiving from God or the enemy. In order to receive this mighty endowment of God's power, we also must step out in the God kind of faith and lay claim to the promises of the Father. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: ALREADY GIVEN ! (Acts 19:1--6) "And it came to pass, that while Apollo's was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed ? And they said unto him, we have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, unto what then were you baptized ? And they said, unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Notice right here, the Scripture says they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus: not in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied." As we study the book of Acts, we notice that after the Day of Pentecost, the disciples always asked believers the question, "Have you received the Holy Ghost ?" They didn't say, "Has God Given You the Holy Ghost ?" God is not going to give you the Holy Ghost. As far as He is concerned, He already has. It is up to you to receive. It is something you do yourself. Some say, "I just wish it were as easy to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit as you make it sound." But just how difficult it is it to receive a gift ? I want you to understand that religion makes things hard ! If a man were to ask me for a book which I held, I would hand it to him. I would be giving him a gift of a book. But suppose he were then to start crying and begging, "Please, oh, please, Brother Lewis, please give it to me !" Of course, people would think he was crazy. They would wonder why he didn't just reach out and take it. Spiritual things are just as real as material things. God offers us the gift of the Holy Spirit. We don't have to cry and beg for it. God says, "here is the gift of the Holy Spirit. If you are born again, you can receive now. You don't have to wait; you're ready now to receive the Holy Spirit ! "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). We have His promise in the Word. The God kind of Faith is acting on the Word.