THE DIVINE METHOD OF DEALING WIT THE "OLD MAN" Part 2

The wisdom of the fathers

THE DIVINE METHOD OF DEALING WITH THE '' OLD MAN''? ?Part 2

?It was the fire laid upon Isaiah's lips that flew like electricity through his being and purged him of iniquity. There was no reference to pardon. The word "purge'' refers to the action of fire. Malachi is clear about it, as he prophesies that the Messiah is going to purify the sons of Levi (not sinners) and purge them with fuller's soap and fire. John the Baptist talked about it to forgiven people, for according to Luke 1. 77 John gave " knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins.'' To these same people who had received remission of sins he promises that Christ would baptize them with the Holy Ghost and with fire.?

This was first fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, when the '"fire" fell upon the one hundred and twenty. Peter, in speaking of it afterwards, said that their hearts that day were "purified." Evidently something was destroyed in the souls of the disciples, for they were transformed men ever after. The change that took place was so remarkable that a child in reading the Book of Acts can see it. This baptism of fire, destructive of sin in that it "purifies the heart" and delivers from man-fear as seen in the case of the disciples, is said by Peter to be for all.?

He calls it "the promise," as Jesus himself so termed it when he said, "Wait for the promise of the Father." Hence Peter addressing the wondering throng on the morning of Pentecost, said: " The promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.''?

Let the reader remember that a birth is one thing and a baptism another. Moreover, a baptism follows a birth in the natural world, and does the same in the spiritual life. Have we been born again? Then should we seek at once the baptism of fire that destroys sin and purifies the heart.?

(from "The Old Man" by B. Carradine)