http://www.goingtojesus.com/tongues-at-spirit-baptism.html
Pastor John
After reading the response from Oral Roberts [in the Speaking in Tongues at Spirit Baptism book], there was a comment stating that nowhere in scripture mentions believers having not received the Holy Ghost. Please explain when believers responded to the question ‘Have you received the Holy Ghost?’ that they had not heard of it though they later received it. Thank you
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Dear Friend.
Thank you for reading my book and for writing. I looked but could not find the statement in my book that you said was in there, and I think you must have misunderstood something you read. You probably are basing your comment on this statement, which I did write after presenting Brother Oral Roberts’ letter: “There is no example in the New Testament of anyone being born again and, later, being baptized with the holy Ghost.” That statement is true.
The Ephesian disciples whom you mentioned had believed the story of the Gospel, but had not received the Spirit. The word of God had been sown in their hearts, but they had not come to the time of new birth.
There must always be a believing before receiving, just as there is always a conception before there is a birth. That is why the author of Hebrews wrote, “He who comes to God must first believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” In order to be born again, or be baptized with the holy Ghost, one must first believe that Jesus is the resurrected Son of God who died for our sins and that he will baptize us into his body if we repent.
The basic problem is that Christian ministers teach that the believing, not the receiving, is the new birth. My book, Speaking in Tongues at Spirit Baptism explains why that is such a dangerous doctrine.
Thanks for the question.
Pastor John
“When a lie becomes the norm, normal people become liars.”