As "The Promise of the Father", the Holy Spirit was a SPECIAL PROVISION for the church -- clearly foretold by Christ, her Founder, Lord and Head, (John 14:16-17; Acts 1:4).
    His special ministry, as foretold by Jeremiah and sent by Christ, involves a gracious and glorious enduement. This is provided for a COVENANT PEOPLE -- enabling them to BE a people who can truly show forth the praises of Him who hath called us "out of darkness, into His marvelous light", (Jer. 31:31-34).
    This SPECIAL MINISTRY of the Spirit involves:
    1) An ANOINTING, for authorized priestly service, (I John 2:20-27; Hebrews 13:15).
    2) An ENDUEMENT with power from on high -- enabling us to BE and DO all that is required by our risen Lord, (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8).
    3) A SEALING, whereby we are IDENTIFIED as our Lord's own PURCHASED POSSESSION -- with the fulness of our redemption in view, (Ephesians 1:13-14).
    4) A FILLING -- involving the Spirit's actual control over our

lives, to the extent of our being EMPTIED OF SELF and made AVAILABLE for His indwelling.
    5) A PERMANENT, continuous dwelling, in the church -- which becomes a "HOLY TEMPLE and HABITATION OF GOD through the Spirit", Eph. 2: 21-22). It is as "The COMFORTER" that He dwells in the body.
    This SPECIAL MINISTRY of the Spirit is experienced by those whose lives are marked by such faith-obedience as recognizes and yields to the ACTUAL LORDSHIP of Jesus Christ -- following His "order".


    In Acts 2 one may observe a series of extraordinary happenings -- marking the initial fulfillment of that which Jesus spoke to His apostles in John 14-16, The disciples were all together IN ONE PLACE when it happened -- according to the specific instruction of their Lord who had promised: "Ye shall be BAPTIZED with the Holy Spirit NOT MANY DAYS HENCE", (Acts 2:1-13).
    These physical phenomena were not all, nor even the most important aspect, of what happened that day.
    1) The disciples experienced

such a RENEWAL as transformed them into NEW MEN -- no longer fearful, but bold.
    2) They were "filled with the Spirit" -- their minds illumined to understand the full truth of God's love in Christ.
    3) Without PLANNING to do so, and for the benefit of those Jews and proselytes assembled in Jerusalem from other nations, the apostles "began to speak with other tongues", as the Spirit gave them utterance.
    In verses 14-35 we have the apostolic interpretation of the phenomena of Pentecost:
    1) This is in fulfillment of Joel's ancient prophecy, (vs. 14-16).
    2) It is evidence that "the last days" are at hand, (vs. 17-21).
    3) It is a further authentication of the life, ministry and message of Jesus of Nazareth, (vs. 22-24). 4) It manifested the fulfillment of David's prophecy -- identifying

Jesus Christ as the Son of David, Son of God and King of Israel, (vs. 25-31).     5) It validates the apostolic witness of Jesus' resurrection and is God's own witness that Jesus is now exalted by His right hand, (vs. 32-33).
    6) David, being a prophet, had foreseen and prophesied that this would happen, (vs. 34-35).
    7) And Israel may now "know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, WHOM YE HAVE CRUCIFIED, both Lord and Christ", (vs. 36).


    When Peter had completed his interpretation of the SPECIAL OUT-POURING OF THE SPIRIT, on the day of Pentecost," many were, by the Spirit's power, "Cut to the heart."; They cried out: "Men and brethren, WHAT SHALL INE DO?" (And it should be noted that they did NOT ask how to be saved; nor did Peter instruct them how to be saved. Rather, he told them how to enter into the experience of the SPECIAL MANIFESTATION, or ministry, of the Spirit that was this day poured out upon such as were "disciples indeed".)
    Peter instructed them to "REPENT" -- everyone of them; and to "Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ" (acknowledging the supreme, sovereign authority of Him whom they had previously despised, rejected and crucified) "FOR THE REMISSION OF YOUR SINS". Then there was the promise: "And ye shall receive THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.

    It is always a source of encouragement, as we go among the brethren throughout the country, to hear testimonies of blessing through the ministry of the CLARION HERALD. And it should be understood that this IS A MINISTRY of the Landmark Missionary Baptist Church of Rockford, Illinois. It is our belief that there is a need for such a ministry as sounds forth a clarion call unto salvation, sobriety, watchfulness, fidelity and brotherliness in view of our Lord's return".
    In a real sense this ministry is a MISSIONARY endeavor -- reaching into areas where there is no other witness that really concerns itself with God's order and the praise of His glory and grace. Thus, we unashamedly express our deep appreciation for your prayers, and welcome your assistance in the sounding forth of a message that we consider essential to the maintenance of a pure gospel in this dark hour.
    THANKS, BRETHREN!        E.G.

    Pastor Mike Little, and the Washita MBC, of Mt. Ida, Arkansas, have announced their intention to host a Fellowship Meeting on April 12-13, 1979. This is a young church and pastor with a great vision and deep love for Christ. May we look forward, Lord permitting, to another opportunity for fellowship -- as Springtime comes to the beautiful Ozarks. E.G.

    Pastor Richard Kamerman and his people did a great job of hosting the Fellowship Meeting at Judsonia, Arkansas on November 23-24. More than 150 out-of-town guests accepted their invitation to share in this time of fellowship around the Word of God; it was a real blessing.
    Thirteen different speakers were heard. Besides the opening message, brought by this editor, the speakers were brethren: Homer Bryan, Ray Williamson, Jim McCoy, Willard Spilman, Edward Byrd, Mike Little, Leonard Garlington, Jim Burks, Sam Arnold, Bill Belcher, Eldwyn Rogers and Jim Clark.
    An offering, of $1,904.00, was taken to assist Missionary Reed Williams in purchasing some means of transportation for his work in Madeira.

    On Saturday, January 6, 1979, there will be an organization of the Georgetown, Louisiana mission into a New Testament Church. This mission has been sponsored by the Corinth MBC, of Dry Prong, Louisiana. Bro. Bill Belcher has been leading in the work at Georgetown for some time.
    Pastor Sam Arnold, and Corinth Church, will welcome brethren who are able to share with them in the joy of seeing another New Testament church come into being.
    The place for the organizational meeting has not yet been decided. If interested, you may obtain that information by contacting Pastor Sam Arnold. Call: 318-899-3937.

THE RESULT ..... Continued

    For 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".
    Three thousand souls "g1adly received the word", were baptized and added to the (already existing) church on that very day. Nor is that the end of the story. They CONTINUED STEDFASTLY in: the apostles! doctrine, and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Fear came upon every soul. Many wonders were wrought by the apostles. Men ceased their selfishness and experienced the fellowship of sharing all things in common. Continuing daily with one accord,

in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food "with singleness of heart" -- praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church DAILY such as were being saved.
    Pentecost stands for God's decisive gift and adequate endowment of the church -- equipping her for the task committed to her trust. Foolish and ignorant men sometimes say: "O, for ANOTHER PENTECOST!" It would be as logical to pray for another CRUCIFIXION! Each of those incidents represented a DIVINE ACTION that needs no repetition.
    On Pentecost the church of Jesus Christ was given the abiding Holy Spirit IN FULL MEASURE; and the gift has NEVER BEEN WITHDRAWN. The previously-existing and functioning church was "BAPTIZED with the Holy Spirit -- according to the promise of her risen and now ascended Lord, (Acts 1:5). This involved a super-natural dedication and accreditation of the church AS AN INSTITUTION -- empowering it for the fulfillment of its divinely-appointed mission. This baptism was ONCE-FOR-ALL; it was the experience ONLY of the covenant-community at Jerusalem and there is absolutely NO BIBLICAL GROUNDS for men to SEEK, desire, expect or presume that they have experienced it ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS! The benefits of this baptism continue to the end of the age. But it is high minded presumption that claims the benefits without submitting to God's order for a New Covenant people. This requires identity with Christ as a functioning member of His body, the church. E.G.