This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
------=_NextPart_000_0082_01C3B0EF.330A6F20
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Blank
"Distributing the Good Gospel Materials of the Pioneer Tract Society"
=20
PO Box 2392 Daly City, CA 94017-2392 Phone: 1-650-757-5752 =
Fax: 1-650-757-5750
Webpage: http://www.isaiah58.com E-Mail:
=20
Conversion
by George C. Clark, Sr. and John David Clark, Sr.
"But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and when =
thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."
These words, spoken by Jesus at the last supper, indicate that =
Simon Peter was not at that time converted. In fact, it was impossible =
for anyone to be converted, or "born again", during Jesus' earthly =
ministry, for "the Holy Ghost was not yet given" (Jn.7:39). Those who =
followed Christ prior to the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost (Acts =
2) were considered faithful Jews, not born-again people. They were under =
the Old Covenant and stayed under it until Jesus brought that covenant =
to an end by his death, resurrection, and ascension to offer himself to =
the Father for our sins (Heb.9:24-26). "For a testament [covenant] is of =
force after men are dead; otherwise it is of no strength at all while =
the testator liveth" (Heb.9:17).
Some believe that Peter and his fellow disciples were converted =
during Jesus' earthly ministry, and that Peter somehow became =
unconverted when he denied knowing Christ, but Peter had not denied =
knowing Christ at the time Jesus said, "When thou art converted, =
strengthen thy brethren." Note, please, that Jesus did not say, "When =
thou art re-converted." The word he used was, "converted".
One can no more be born of the Spirit twice than he can be =
physically born twice. A man can be born only once, whether naturally or =
spiritually. A backslider can be forgiven and renewed in spirit, but not =
re-born. God gives His Spirit only once. As we receive our human spirit =
once, when we are born naturally, we can receive the Holy Spirit only =
once, when we are born of God.=20
Peter received the Spirit, and, so, was converted, at Pentecost, =
along with the other disciples. Altogether, about 120 men and women were =
admitted into the kingdom of God that day. During Jesus' earthly =
ministry, he continually stressed that the kingdom of God was "at hand", =
or "near", (Mt.4:17), even saying to his disciples, "there be some ... =
that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the =
kingdom of God come with power" (Mk.9:1). And on Pentecost morning it =
came, "For the kingdom of God is... righteousness, peace, and joy in the =
Holy Ghost" (Rom.14:17).
Paul told the saints in Colossae that God "hath translated us into =
the kingdom of his dear Son, in whom we have redemption through his =
blood, even the forgiveness of sins" (Col.1:13-14). This translation =
into the kingdom of God, this redemption and forgiveness, is conversion. =
Obviously, no one could be converted, or translated into the kingdom of =
God, before the day of Pentecost, when the kingdom was first given to =
men! It is astounding that so many today believe that men were born =
again before Jesus died, when his sacrificial death is what made the new =
birth possible. My friend, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by =
speaking in tongues, places us into the kingdom of God, just as it =
placed the disciples into God's kingdom on Pentecost morning. There is =
no other way to be converted.
Jesus' disciples were not the only ones who were waiting to be =
converted into God's mysterious kingdom. Among others, "Joseph of =
Arimathea, an honorable counsellor, also waited for the kingdom of God" =
(Mk.15:43). Watching the Master ride triumphantly into Jerusalem, and =
thinking that his kingdom would be an earthly one, Jesus' excited =
disciples "thought that the kingdom of God should appear immediately" =
(Lk.19:11). Even after his resurrection, as Jesus instructed them to =
tarry in Jerusalem for the Holy Ghost, they desired and expected an =
earthly kingdom. They inquired, "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore =
the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6). They didn't know that by speaking of =
the Spirit, Jesus was introducing them to his kingdom. Until Pentecost, =
they didn't understand Jesus' words,"Fear not, little flock, for it is =
your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Lk.12:32). This is =
conversion: citizenship in the kingdom of God.
As spring with its warm sunshine wakens the sleeping earth to =
renewed activity and new birth, even so individuals may experience a =
joyous awakening, and blossom forth with new hope, new freedom, new =
happiness, and new life. How gloriously refreshing is the appearing of =
spring with its perennial promise, its joyful renewing! Our lives, too, =
can be converted, even as the face of the earth is converted into =
freshness, beauty, color, joy, order, and harmony.
Spiritual conversion makes one a new creature in Christ Jesus, and =
makes real the biblical promise, "Behold, all things are become new" =
(2Cor.5:17). In Christ, one comes to know the perennial newness and =
freshness of eternal life, with its fadeless beauty and immeasurable =
joy.=20
The beginning of one's journey in this joyous life is when he =
hears the Word and is convicted of sin by its call. Jesus compared the =
preaching of the Word to a seed being sown in the human heart (Mt.13). =
Even in the case of spiritual birth, conception precedes the birth. In =
nature, not every seed sown produces fruit. Likewise, in God's kingdom =
many who hear the Word do not act upon the conviction which the Word =
causes them to feel. In vain the Seed is sown in their hearts.
Regrettably, many confuse conviction with conversion. The Apostle =
Paul, for example, was convicted on the Damascus road, not converted. He =
was converted three days later, when he received the Holy Ghost (Acts =
22:16). Not everyone who is conceived (convicted) will be converted =
(baptized with the Holy Ghost). Many were truly conceived by the Word =
during Jesus' ministry; yet, only about 120 continued in his Word to be =
born again in Acts 2. Remember, Jesus said, "If ye continue in my word, =
then are ye my disciples" (Jn.8:31). Many have been convicted of sin by =
the Spirit, but have not continued in that conviction, hungering and =
thirsting for righteousness. They were conceived, but not converted. No =
one is converted before receiving the Holy Ghost baptism. To say, "You =
must be born again" is to say, "You must receive the Holy Ghost".
The Lord warned his disciples, "Except ye be converted, and become =
as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." This =
godly counsel should stir every heart which has been conceived by the =
Word, but has not yet received the Spirit, to renewed zeal for the =
righteousness of God. Persevering in faith to make conversion into God's =
kingdom possible for us, Jesus triumphed gloriously over the errors of =
the elders of Israel, who attempted to supplant God's offer of eternal =
life with their traditions.=20
Conversion is another word for the new birth, or regeneration. It =
follows conception by the Word, and it is essential. This is the =
teaching of the Scriptures, and it stands unchangeable through all ages, =
for all people.=20
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-
We Believe in the Old-Time Power
We believe in the old-time power
That fell at Pentecost;
You may call Him the Holy Spirit,
But to us He's the Holy Ghost.
We believe they were converted
Who tarried there for Him,
We believe in the old-time power
From beginning to the end.
We believe that the spirit witnessed
With cloven tongues of fire;
We believe that the people heard Him
Who came from lands afar.
We believe they were confounded,
While others said, "Amen!"
We believe in the old-time power
From beginning to the end.
We believe if you would enter
The chosen bride of Christ,
You'll have to have His Spirit
And make the sacrifice.
We believe the Lord is saying
, "Ye must be born again!"
We believe in the old-time power
From beginning to the end.
We believe that old Cornelius
Received the Holy Ghost;
We believe that the Spirit witnessed,
Just like at Pentecost;
We believe he was a Gentile,
A Roman, we contend.
We believe in the old-time power
From beginning to the end.
We believe that Paul did enter
And passed "the upper coasts";
He came to the Ephesians,
To preach the Holy Ghost.
We believe twelve men received Him
When Paul laid on his hands.
We believe in the old-time power
From beginning to the end.
Questions? Log onto the Internet, Click Here,
and you can E-mail them to: GSAVELLI@aol.com=20
=20
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-------
Back to Top
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.542 / Virus Database: 336 - Release Date: 11/18/2003
------=_NextPart_000_0082_01C3B0EF.330A6F20
Content-Type: text/html;
charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>Blank</TITLE>
<META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; =
charset=3Dwindows-1252"><BASE=20
href=3D"file://C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft =
Shared\Stationery\">
<STYLE></STYLE>
<META content=3D"MSHTML 5.50.4134.100" name=3DGENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY background=3D"">
<DIV>
<P>
<P>
<CENTER><FONT face=3Darial size=3D3><B>"Distributing the Good Gospel =
Materials of=20
the Pioneer Tract Society"</B></FONT></CENTER>
<CENTER>
<TABLE width=3D550 border=3D0>
<TBODY>
<TR height=3D35>
<TD width=3D550 bgColor=3D#000000 height=3D35><IMG height=3D35=20
src=3D"file:///C:/Program Files/Common Files/Microsoft =
Shared/Stationery/bartop.gif"=20
width=3D550 border=3D0></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER>
<CENTER><FONT face=3Dverdana size=3D1>PO Box 2392 Daly =
City, CA=20
94017-2392 Phone: 1-650-757-5752 Fax:=20
1-650-757-5750<BR>Webpage: http://www.isaiah58.com =
=20
E-Mail: </CENTER></FONT>
<P>
<CENTER>
<TABLE width=3D600 border=3D0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD><IMG height=3D241 hspace=3D10=20
src=3D"file:///C:/Program Files/Common Files/Microsoft =
Shared/Stationery/
eli58.gif"=20
width=3D150 align=3Dleft vspace=3D5 border=3D1> <!-- ******** END =
OF HEADER *************** --><A name=3Dtop></A><FONT=20
size=3D4>
<CENTER>
<H1><FONT color=3Dpurple>Conversion</FONT></H1></CENTER>
<P>
<CENTER>by George C. Clark, Sr. and John David Clark, Sr.</CENTER>
<P>
<CENTER><B><I>"But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail =
not; and=20
when thou art converted, strengthen thy =
brethren."</B></I></CENTER>
<P>
<P>These words, spoken by Jesus at the last supper, indicate that =
Simon=20
Peter was not at that time converted. In fact, it was impossible =
for=20
anyone to be converted, or "born again", during Jesus' earthly =
ministry,=20
for <B><I>"the Holy Ghost was not yet given" (Jn.7:39).</B></I> =
Those who=20
followed Christ prior to the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost =
(Acts=20
2) were considered faithful Jews, not born-again people. They were =
under=20
the Old Covenant and stayed under it until Jesus brought that =
covenant to=20
an end by his death, resurrection, and ascension to offer himself =
to the=20
Father for our sins (Heb.9:24-26). <B><I>"For a testament =
[covenant] is of=20
force after men are dead; otherwise it is of no strength at all =
while the=20
testator liveth" (Heb.9:17).</B></I>
<P>Some believe that Peter and his fellow disciples were converted =
during=20
Jesus' earthly ministry, and that Peter somehow became unconverted =
when he=20
denied knowing Christ, but Peter had not denied knowing Christ at =
the time=20
Jesus said, <B><I>"When thou art converted, strengthen thy=20
brethren."</B></I> Note, please, that Jesus did not say, "When =
thou art=20
re-converted." The word he used was, "converted".
<P>One can no more be born of the Spirit twice than he can be =
physically=20
born twice. A man can be born only once, whether naturally or =
spiritually.=20
A backslider can be forgiven and renewed in spirit, but not =
re-born. God=20
gives His Spirit only once. As we receive our human spirit once, =
when we=20
are born naturally, we can receive the Holy Spirit only once, when =
we are=20
born of God.=20
<P>Peter received the Spirit, and, so, was converted, at =
Pentecost, along=20
with the other disciples. Altogether, about 120 men and women were =
admitted into the kingdom of God that day. During Jesus' earthly =
ministry,=20
he continually stressed that the kingdom of God was "at hand", or =
"near",=20
(Mt.4:17), even saying to his disciples,<B><I> "there be some ... =
that=20
stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen =
the=20
kingdom of God come with power" (Mk.9:1)</B></I>. And on Pentecost =
morning=20
it came, <B><I>"For the kingdom of God is... righteousness, peace, =
and joy=20
in the Holy Ghost" (Rom.14:17).</B></I>
<P>Paul told the saints in Colossae that God<B><I> "hath =
translated us=20
into the kingdom of his dear Son, in whom we have redemption =
through his=20
blood, even the forgiveness of sins" (Col.1:13-14).</B></I> This=20
translation into the kingdom of God, this redemption and =
forgiveness, is=20
conversion. Obviously, no one could be converted, or translated =
into the=20
kingdom of God, before the day of Pentecost, when the kingdom was =
first=20
given to men! It is astounding that so many today believe that men =
were=20
born again before Jesus died, when his sacrificial death is what =
made the=20
new birth possible. My friend, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, =
evidenced=20
by speaking in tongues, places us into the kingdom of God, just as =
it=20
placed the disciples into God's kingdom on Pentecost morning. =
There is no=20
other way to be converted.
<P>Jesus' disciples were not the only ones who were waiting to be=20
converted into God's mysterious kingdom. Among others,<B><I> =
"Joseph of=20
Arimathea, an honorable counsellor, also waited for the kingdom of =
God"=20
(Mk.15:43).</B></I> Watching the Master ride triumphantly into =
Jerusalem,=20
and thinking that his kingdom would be an earthly one, Jesus' =
excited=20
disciples <B><I>"thought that the kingdom of God should appear=20
immediately" (Lk.19:11)</B></I>. Even after his resurrection, as =
Jesus=20
instructed them to tarry in Jerusalem for the Holy Ghost, they =
desired and=20
expected an earthly kingdom. They inquired,<B><I> "Lord, wilt thou =
at this=20
time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6)</B></I>. They =
didn't know=20
that by speaking of the Spirit, Jesus was introducing them to his =
kingdom.=20
Until Pentecost, they didn't understand Jesus' words,<B><I>"Fear =
not,=20
little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you =
the=20
kingdom" (Lk.12:32).</B></I> This is conversion: citizenship in =
the=20
kingdom of God.
<P>As spring with its warm sunshine wakens the sleeping earth to =
renewed=20
activity and new birth, even so individuals may experience a =
joyous=20
awakening, and blossom forth with new hope, new freedom, new =
happiness,=20
and new life. How gloriously refreshing is the appearing of spring =
with=20
its perennial promise, its joyful renewing! Our lives, too, can be =
converted, even as the face of the earth is converted into =
freshness,=20
beauty, color, joy, order, and harmony.
<P>Spiritual conversion makes one a new creature in Christ Jesus, =
and=20
makes real the biblical promise, <B><I>"Behold, all things are =
become new"=20
(2Cor.5:17).</B></I> In Christ, one comes to know the perennial =
newness=20
and freshness of eternal life, with its fadeless beauty and =
immeasurable=20
joy.=20
<P>The beginning of one's journey in this joyous life is when he =
hears the=20
Word and is convicted of sin by its call. Jesus compared the =
preaching of=20
the Word to a seed being sown in the human heart (Mt.13). Even in =
the case=20
of spiritual birth, conception precedes the birth. In nature, not =
every=20
seed sown produces fruit. Likewise, in God's kingdom many who hear =
the=20
Word do not act upon the conviction which the Word causes them to =
feel. In=20
vain the Seed is sown in their hearts.
<P>Regrettably, many confuse conviction with conversion. The =
Apostle Paul,=20
for example, was convicted on the Damascus road, not converted. He =
was=20
converted three days later, when he received the Holy Ghost (Acts =
22:16).=20
Not everyone who is conceived (convicted) will be converted =
(baptized with=20
the Holy Ghost). Many were truly conceived by the Word during =
Jesus'=20
ministry; yet, only about 120 continued in his Word to be born =
again in=20
Acts 2. Remember, Jesus said, <B><I>"If ye continue in my word, =
then are=20
ye my disciples" (Jn.8:31).</B></I> Many have been convicted of =
sin by the=20
Spirit, but have not continued in that conviction, hungering and =
thirsting=20
for righteousness. They were conceived, but not converted. No one =
is=20
converted before receiving the Holy Ghost baptism. To say,<B><I> =
"You must=20
be born again"</B></I> is to say,<B><I> "You must receive the Holy =
Ghost".</B></I>
<P>The Lord warned his disciples, <B><I>"Except ye be converted, =
and=20
become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of=20
heaven."</B></I> This godly counsel should stir every heart which =
has been=20
conceived by the Word, but has not yet received the Spirit, to =
renewed=20
zeal for the righteousness of God. Persevering in faith to make =
conversion=20
into God's kingdom possible for us, Jesus triumphed gloriously =
over the=20
errors of the elders of Israel, who attempted to supplant God's =
offer of=20
eternal life with their traditions.=20
<P>Conversion is another word for the new birth, or regeneration. =
It=20
follows conception by the Word, and it is essential. This is the =
teaching=20
of the Scriptures, and it stands unchangeable through all ages, =
for all=20
people.=20
<P>
<HR>
<P>
<CENTER>
<H2>We Believe in the Old-Time Power</H2></CENTER>
<P>
<CENTER>We believe in the old-time power<BR>That fell at =
Pentecost;<BR>You=20
may call Him the Holy Spirit,<BR>But to us He's the Holy =
Ghost.<BR>We=20
believe they were converted<BR>Who tarried there for Him,<BR>We =
believe in=20
the old-time power<BR>From beginning to the end.
<P>We believe that the spirit witnessed<BR>With cloven tongues of=20
fire;<BR>We believe that the people heard Him<BR>Who came from =
lands=20
afar.<BR>We believe they were confounded,<BR>While others said,=20
"Amen!"<BR>We believe in the old-time power<BR>From beginning to =
the end.
<P>We believe if you would enter<BR>The chosen bride of =
Christ,<BR>You'll=20
have to have His Spirit<BR>And make the sacrifice.<BR>We believe =
the Lord=20
is saying<BR>, "Ye must be born again!"<BR>We believe in the =
old-time=20
power<BR>From beginning to the end.
<P>We believe that old Cornelius<BR>Received the Holy Ghost;<BR>We =
believe=20
that the Spirit witnessed,<BR>Just like at Pentecost;<BR>We =
believe he was=20
a Gentile,<BR>A Roman, we contend.<BR>We believe in the old-time=20
power<BR>From beginning to the end.
<P>We believe that Paul did enter<BR>And passed "the upper =
coasts";<BR>He=20
came to the Ephesians,<BR>To preach the Holy Ghost.<BR>We believe =
twelve=20
men received Him<BR>When Paul laid on his hands.<BR>We believe in =
the=20
old-time power<BR>From beginning to the end.
<P></CENTER><! -- ************ BOTTOM HEADER *********** -->
<P><FONT face=3Dverdana size=3D2><I><A=20
href=3D"mailto:GSAVELLI@aol.com">Questions? Log onto the Internet, =
Click=20
Here,<BR>and you can E-mail them to: =
GSAVELLI@aol.com</A></I></FONT>=20
</P></FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></CENTER>
<P>
<HR>
<P>
<CENTER>
<H3><I><A=20
href=3D"file:///C:/Program Files/Common Files/Microsoft =
Shared/Stationery/#top">Back=20
to Top</A></I></H3></CENTER></FONT>
<P>
<P><BR>---<BR>Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.<BR>Checked by AVG=20
anti-virus system (<A=20
href=3D"http://www.grisoft.com">http://www.grisoft.com</A>).<BR>Version: =
6.0.542 /=20
Virus Database: 336 - Release Date: 11/18/2003</P></DIV></BODY></HTML>
------=_NextPart_000_0082_01C3B0EF.330A6F20--
.
|
