The Promise Still Good

Hello everyone.  Praise the Lord!

The hundred and twenty on the day of Pentecost were baptized with the Holy Ghost according to promise.  The converts of Philip in the Samaritan revival were baptized with the Holy Ghost, when Peter and John came from Jerusalem and preached the doctrine to them.  The household of Cornelius received the same endowment and power, showing that the promise was also extended to the Gentiles. Again to the Corinthian church is the record given of the fulfillment of the promise.  That the Apostolic Church had wonderful power is evidenced by its remarkable growth, as well as by the record of the Word.  We have the promise of the same power today.  How about it's fulfillment?

But did not Paul prophesy that these things should  should be done away?  Let us see. 1 Cor. 13:8 Charity never faileth:. Whether there be prophecies they shall fail  whether there be tongues, They shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.  Sometimes, not stopping to find out when this shall be, we jump at the conclusion that these things have been done away.  We have only to read the next two verses to be set clear.  "For we know in part, And we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.". Paul knew only in part, and prophesied in part, And spoke in tongues only in part; but when that which is perfect is come, then the knowledge, prophecy, and tongues of Paul shall be done away.  If they are to be done away on that great and notable day of the Lord, They must be in existence when He shall come.  Divine love never faileth. So when he comes these other things shall fail.  God's promises must last till by God's own word they are withdrawn.

William James Roop, MABS

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Ascension Robes

Hello everyone.  Praise the Lord!

This was a small article published in the Azusa Street Mission newsletter, by William J Seymour in 1906, in Los Angeles, California.,

The secular papers have said, "These people are buying their ascension robes.". Now it is not our place to refute any reports, but as this brings up the subject of Ascension robes, we do believe in buying them of Jesus, or He said, "buy of me... raiment.". We believe the time of ascension is drawing nigh when "The Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, And with the Trump of God, In the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds." (1 Thes. 4:16, 17). 

We shall not rise to meet Him in grave clothes or any earthly clothing. We shall leave them behind as Jesus did when he left the tomb.  For John saw the linen clothes lying," and Peter following him, "saw the linen clothes lie and the napkins that was about his head." Yeah Jesus was clothed when the disciples met him.  So will we be when we are changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, Clothed in garments not made with hands, fit for the bride of Christ to wear in the courts of Heaven. 

 

The garments that Jesus wore after his Resurrection could appear and disappear and pass through bolted doors and walls.  They were none such as were worn on earth.  Benny who are proud of their clothing here are selling their birthright for a mess of pottage and no not what they are losing.  It matters not how poor are clothing may be, The Lord knows those who are ready and all glorious within."

William James Roop, MABS

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Apostolic Theological Seminary

Fire Falling At Hermon

Hello everyone.  Praise the Lord!

This is a story about a Bible study and a small village of Herman California which is now part of the greater Los Angeles area. It was told by William j Seymour in his book called, "The Azusa Street Papers," in 1906.

Hermon is a small Free Methodist settlement in the hills near Los Angeles.   At cottage prayer meetings being held there, The Holy Ghost has manifested His presence in a marvelous way.  The church people stand aloof to a great extent, but God is overthrowing all opposition. 

At a meeting recently held in a cottage near the church, One sister was baptized with the Holy Ghost on the front porch.  She lay under the power of God for something like 2 hours, praising God and speaking in an unknown language.

Two nights afterward, add another cottage prayer meeting, The house was filled to overflowing with people.  The meeting lasted until one o'clock in the morning.  Five were baptized with the Holy Ghost and three were sanctified.  Two sisters lay under the power of God until after one o'clock, speaking and singing in an unknown tongues.  Was singing could be heard over the hills.  This is stirring the people, And God is going to work wonders in this place.  He recognizes no man-made creeds, doctrines, your classes of people, but "the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land."

William James Roop, MABS

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Pentecostal Faith Line

Hello everyone.  Praise the Lord!

Here are some stories about Christians living in faith, in California, at the turn of the 20th century. Written by William J. Seymour in his book called, "The Azusa Street Papers," in 1906.

There are a dozen or more Christian workers who are devoting their time to the salvation of souls, haven't been called of God from other lines of appointment to devote their time and praying with the sick, preaching, working with souls at the alter, etc.  We believe in the faith line for Christian workers, And no collections are taken, during the four months, meetings have been running constantly, And yet with working day and night and without purse or scrip, the workers have all been kept well and provided with food and raiment. Workers who have received calls to foreign lands are going out, The Lord providing the means with no needs being presented.  The ones that give, give as the Lord speaks to them and do not want their names mentioned.  It is a poor time in these last days to hoard up treasures on earth.  When the Lord speaks, it is a blessing to those who obey Him, but we covered no man's gold, nor silver, nor apparel.

A sister who was called to Oakland had her faith tested as to her fare, That's the time was near and she had not received it.  That night she was caught away in the Spirit And when the Lord brought her back, The words came to her, "if I can carry you around Los Angeles without a body, I can take you to Oakland without a fare." So that day she received the money.

William James Roop, MABS

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 Apostolic Theological Seminary 

Evangelist T. W. McConnell's Testimony

Hello everyone.  Praise the Lord!

This is a true testimony, told at the Azusa Street Mission in Los Angeles, California in 1906. It was published by William j Seymour in his book, "The Azusa Street Papers," in 1906.

About 28 years ago, I went into a meeting to break it up, And the Lord broke me up. My conversion I never could doubt.  I was called to preach and refused, and went on for a number of years trying to get away from the call.  Finally I obey the Lord, and started in to work for Him, but not to preach.  The Lord sanctified my soul.  Did I commence to try to preach.  About two years after, The Lord appeared to me in a dream.  He's so filled me with His Spirit that people were not able to stand up before me, for a time.  A few days after, He told me to give up my business, And make my wants known to Him, and not to man.  I obeyed.  The Lord supplied my every need, and was with me in revival meetings and in healing many that I prayed for.  But heard of people receiving the Holy Ghost and speaking with tongues.  I came to Los Angeles to investigate, and found it was a fact, and earnestly commence to seek the Lord for the baptism with the Holy Ghost.  And the Lord, Knowing my heart, Came and took possession of me and spoke with my tongue.  I want to say to every person, test God and you will never deny the baptism with the Holy Ghost.

William James Roop, MABS

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Two Works Of Grace And The Holy Ghost

Hello everyone.  Praise the Lord!

This is the Plan of Salvation as told by William J. Seymour in his book, "The Azusa Street Papers," in 1906.

1st. Justification deals with our actual sins.  When we go to Him and repent, God washes all the guilt and pollution out of our hearts, And we stand justified like a new babe that never committed sin.  We have no condemnation.  We can walk with Jesus and live a holy life before the Lord, if we walk in the Spirit.

2nd.  Sanctification is the second and last work of grace.  After we are justified, we have two battles to fight.  There is sin inside and sin outside.  There is warfare within, caused by the old inherited sin.  When God brings the word, "it is the will of God, Even your sanctification," we should accept the word, And then the blood comes and takes away all inherited sin.  Everything is heavenly in your soul; you are a son of God.  The Spirit of God witnesses in your heart that you are sanctified.

3rd.  The Spirit begins then and there leading us on to the baptism with the Holy Ghost.  Now, as a son of God, you should enter into the earnest of your inheritance.  After you have a clear witness of the two works of grace and your heart, you can receive this gift of God, which is a free gift without repentance.  Pray for the power of the Holy Ghost, And God will give you a new language.  It is the privilege of everyone to be filled with the Holy Ghost.  It is for every believing child.

William James Roop, MABS

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 Apostolic Theological Seminary 

No Bottom

Hello everyone.  Praise the Lord!

This is a true story told by William J. Seymour in his book, "The Azusa Street Papers," in 1906.

We meet many honest souls these days who are under the delusion that they have committed the unpardonable sin.  The following incident should be an encouragement to such.

A child of God was attacked by the enemy with the suggestion that she was forsaken of God and had committed the unpardonable sin.  She was then on a mission field in the South, separated from other Christian workers; And without any apparent cause, The archenemy that tempted our Savior told her that God hated her.  The words, "God hated you" seem to be continually shouted in her ears and she cannot get away from it.  She lost her faith and believed the enemy, not knowing his power.  The next suggestion was, "drown yourself in the river." She stood looking into the dark water, but the thought of her dear mother made her turn away.

She returned to her room, and throwing herself down, fell asleep and dreamed.  She seemed to be on a boat on which all the people but herself were rejoicing and praising God.  She heard the Captain call out to the pilot, "sound the depths and compare it with the love of God." The depths were sounded in the call came back "No bottom! No bottom!" She awoke in the ocean of God's love, All darkness past in the cry bringing in her ears, "No bottom!" For your sense then she has been in Gospel work on both sides of the ocean.

William James Roop, MABS

 My website 

 My hospice blog 

 Apostolic Theological Seminary