We Need another Conversion

Luke 22:32

But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Acts 19:1-2

And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

² He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

The calendar has turned, and the month of June is upon us.  This is the month we honor our fathers, celebrate the coming of summer, and during a “normal” year, look forward to a break from school – vacation.  However, this is not a normal year and I feel compelled to write about the special day that occurred on the last day of May – Pentecost Sunday.

For the last few weeks, I have been preaching on the baptism of the Holy Ghost.  I enjoy discussing Him (not it) because He has played, is playing, and will play an important role in the lives of the believer and Body of Christ.  Unfortunately, many have neglected to teach and emphasize the importance of the believer receiving Him, and some do not even mention the Spirit at all.  For many, after receiving Jesus Christ as their personal Savior (receiving Salvation), they make no effort to go any further in their relationship with the Lord.  However, the Word of the Lord tells us after getting “saved” we need another conversion.

Note the conversation Jesus is having with Peter, one of the disciples within Jesus’ inner circle.  This is towards the latter stages of Jesus’ ministry.  Peter had walked on the water, gone out with the 70 and performed miracles, caught the draught of fishes, and participated in many other amazing feats by Jesus’ direction.  Yet still, Jesus alludes that Peter will have another conversion.

In the second referenced scripture (read Acts 19:1-6 for a better understanding), the Apostle Paul meets a few of John’s disciples.  He asks them if they had received the Holy Ghost since they believed.  They had not even heard of the Holy Ghost.  By reasonable deduction it is clear to see that one can repent, accept Jesus Christ, but yet lack another gift from God that will make their walk with God fuller.  This gift, this fullness, is the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

It is never my intent to debate doctrine or cast dispersions on another’s belief.  But as I look at the effectiveness and ministry of the Church today, I believe we need another conversion.  There appears to more attention given to material things than spiritual. It is becoming more difficult to distinguish the believer from the ungodly. Lifestyles and characteristics God identified as abominable are being accepted in the church.  The works of love and the fruit of the Spirit is lacking amongst the people of God.  The works of the flesh, the killing of the innocent, the disdain of our seniors, and violence, abuse and oppression of those most vulnerable has become common place.  We cannot stand idly by and ignore what God has summoned us to address.  The Lord needs witnesses, the world needs witnesses, and we need another conversion so that we can be the kind of witnesses that will win souls for Christ.

Do not stop at salvation: continue to seek the Lord for His fulness!

I bless you in the name of the Lord.