JOHN THE BAPTIST AND PETER, ETC.

Greetings –
This was originally published on Monday August 9, 2010, on alternate blog www.eaglelionflame.blogspot.com which is on hiatus until further notice. Please, my "Followers," register on this blog as you did on the alternate blog. This is a back up plan against the wiles of the Devil. Thank you for your love and indulgence.

Hi Timothy –
You mentioned that you believe that both John the Baptist and Peter overreached. Also, your belief is that John did NOT have the Holy Spirit as we do. I replied that I disagreed as to John and Peter overreaching but responded that I would seek the Lord. This a.m., I did Bible study on the matter. Here are scriptures that I found:


About John the Baptist:

Luke 1:15
For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.


In the book of The Acts 13:9 it mentions, …Then Saul…filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.


Sandra’s comment: I know that JESUS stated in the book of The Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me…”

Again, Luke 1:15 – it states that John was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb (before the resurrection of our Lord)

Again, The Acts 13:9 – it states that Paul was filled with the Holy Ghost (after the resurrection of our Lord)

Sandra’s question: Is there a difference in being filled with the Holy Ghost before the resurrection vs. after the resurrection?


Another Spirit issue – from Old Testament

Judges 14:6
And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him,…


Sandra’s comment: In the Old Testament, from what I presently understand, the Holy Spirit came upon GOD’s people. JESUS, in the New Testament (The Acts 1:8) also mentions the Holy Ghost coming upon… What is the difference between coming upon in the Old Testament as mentioned in Judges 14:6 vs.. coming upon as mentioned by JESUS in the New Testament? The only thing that I can think of is that they did NOT speak in tongues in the Old Testament or did they…do we know? It is understood that there are some things that we will NOT know until we get to heaven. I need, though, to do more study on that matter but am interested in the comments of others, please.


Also, Timothy, you mentioned that John the Baptist was an Old Testament prophet. Please explain your belief about that as he is only mentioned in the New Testament. Was he Elias? I ask because I read this in the scriptures:

Matthew 17:12
But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not,…


Matthew 17:13
Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.


More about John the Baptist:

Matthew 11:9
But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

Matthew 11:11
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Matthew 11:12
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Luke 7:26
But what went ye out for to see: A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.


Luke 7:28
For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

Sandra’s comment: Timothy, I know that John was NOT sinless for none of us are - but I notice nothing scripturally to indicate that John overreached, as you commented, relative to his judging of King Herod for having his brother’s wife. I believe that he was led of our Lord to do just that. Do you have anything scripturally to indicate otherwise?


You mentioned that Peter also overreached in the matter of Ananias and Sapphira (The Acts 5).

The Acts 5:4
Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart: thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.


The Acts 5:5
And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

Sandra’s response: Timothy, your comment mentioned that Peter used the gifts of the Holy Spirit to kill Ananias and Sapphira. The scriptures state that Peter spoke and Ananias fell down. He did NOT pronounce death on Ananias. He rebuked him for lying to GOD. As for Sapphira, Peter did say, “behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.”


Before he said that, he gave her opportunity to tell the truth. The Acts 5:10 states that she fell down “straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost:…”  I believe that Peter did as led by our Lord. Do you have scriptural basis that proves otherwise?

Relative to John and Peter’s subject actions, nothing in scripture, to my knowledge, indicates that our Lord was displeased. If anyone has scripture basis that shows otherwise, please share.

Thank you, Timothy, for what you share . Truly you teach and I am grateful for what I have learned from you and others who contribute to my knowledge base. May GOD help us all to be ever learning and teaching for the advancement of His kingdom. Thank you, Lord!!!

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