Posts Tagged ‘Baptism In Jesus Name’
Why My English Teacher Wanted To Be Baptized In Jesus Name! (Anniversary Re-post)
December 2014 celebrates the fifth birthday of The Ballestero Blog. I personally wish to thank each one of my readers. In memory of this anniversary, popular posts will be showcased from each year. This one is from March 2010:
Why My English Teacher Wanted To Be Baptized In Jesus Name!
Ms. DeGroote, as she wished to be called, was from France and she taught my senior year English class at South Bend Central High. She was 63 and referred to herself as a spinster. We had more creative names for her. Most of the students dreaded her classes. We were taught diction and enunciation with a heavy French accent. It seemed to make learning to speak proper English an impossibility with her as the instructor. By much effort I received the only A in her class both semesters.
My class was filled with Catholic students. South Bend, Indiana still is a predominately Catholic town. Its claim to fame is the University of Notre Dame. I was the only non-Catholic in the class.
Ms. DeGroote was a stern woman who tolerated no-nonsense in any of her classes. I was highly confined in her restrictive and controlled environment.
During the course, we had many weeks of conjugation and diagramming sentences. Somehow the nerd in me found those subjects easy and interesting. No, that is not normal, but it happened nevertheless. (I knew I was a nerd and not a geek, because geeks make more money than nerds.)
One day Ms. DeGroote said, “Now students, tomorrow I want you to bring to class a sentence or sentences that you have diagrammed. You may go to the board and diagram your sentence, and I will correct your paper. Or, I will go to the board and diagram your sentence while you correct the paper.
For the life of me, I could not think of a sentence to diagram. Especially since the whole class would see. Then it dawned on me. What better sentence in the world to diagram! I went home, picked up my Bible, and copied Mt. 28:19 down. I proceeded to diagram the verse. This just had to be right.
The next day couldn’t come soon enough. I was ready for class. When 3rd period English finally arrived I knew I would be the second one called on. Everything in the class was by alphabet. Even our seating was arranged that way. I set behind Adams. We were all called by our last names.
When Adams was called on, he went to the chalkboard and almost got his correct. Ms. DeGroote sat at his empty desk and corrected his paper while he was at the board. When he finished, I heard “Ballestero!”
“I would like you to go to the board and diagram my sentence, and I will correct my own paper,” I said to Ms. DeGroote.
She said, “Read me your sentence.”
“It’s a Bible verse, if that’s OK,” I ventured.
She nodded and I read my Scripture.
Matthew 28:19 (KJV) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
“Go ye therefore (comma)” I said.
Ms. DeGroote prefaced her work with a (you) in front of the word “Go”.
When I read the verse aloud, I paused on the word “name,” while I waited for her to catch up.
“Of the Father,” I said.
“Now, here we have a prepositional phrase modifying the word name. At this point we do not know yet what the name of the person is, but we do know by this prepositional phrase, that whoever this person is, they are a Father,” she said.
She then drew the appropriate lines on her diagram.
“Of the Son,” I continued.
“Now we know, that this person is both a Father and a Son, but we still don’t have a name.”
“Ms. DeGroote,” a girl named Williams called out with her hand in the air. “Aren’t Father and Son names?”
“They’re just descriptive titles. They tell us something about the name, but they don’t tell us His name, they are only titles.” was her answer.
She again drew the second prepositional phrase on the board.
“Of the Holy Ghost.” I continued.
After the 3rd prepositional phrase was in place, my teacher looked carefully at the diagram on the board from end to end. She shook her head. “All we know here is that whoever this person is, they are a Father, a Son, and they are the Holy Ghost! But we still don’t know what the name is.”
“Martyn,” she said looking at me carefully, “What is the name?”
I had been waiting for this moment. I stood, and gently said, “Jesus is the name!”
Ms DeGroote looked at her writing on the board. Then she turned back to me with her arms wide in surrender. With a heavy French accent, my Catholic English teacher said, “I guess I need to be baptized in Jesus name!”
“Yes!” I said as I pulled my upraised clenched fist down from my chin area. The other 30 students in the class clapped. I did a modest jig in the class aisle myself.
Have you been baptized in Jesus name?
Acts 2:38 (KJV) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 4:12 (KJV) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
He Didn’t Know Anything About Sin.
He Didn’t Know Anything About Sin.
The little lamb watched as the two men approached. He continued to graze as they slowly walked among the flock and took a long time looking at each lamb with a critical eye.
He hadn’t been around humans very much. He knew little of them. He had no understanding of their nature. They were different from him. They were bold, loud, and they made him uneasy. He was a just a lamb.
As a lamb, all he had ever known was the peace of the morning sun, and the gentle breeze of the afternoon as he napped. He enjoyed the lush green grass of the pasture and the cool still waters of the little brook. He even liked the evening dew on his back. But, he knew nothing of anything else.
He didn’t know anything about sin.- He knew nothing of shame or condemnation.
- He didn’t know the meaning of stealing or robbing.
- He knew nothing about hatred, or bitterness.
- He didn’t know about addictions or substance abuse.
- He knew nothing of impurity or immorality.
- He didn’t know about lying or deception.
- He knew nothing about not honoring his father or mother.
- He didn’t know about idols or graven images.
- He knew nothing of coveting or lust.
- He didn’t know about jealousy or strife.
- He knew nothing about sin.
He watched as their eyes focused on him. Soon, the older one reached down and held him while the younger began to examine him.
The lamb stood silently still as a hand rubbed down his backbone.
“Perfect,” the younger man said.
The hand ran down his front leg as the man continued his commentary.
“He’s not bow-legged, or knock-kneed. He’s not splayed or pigeon-toed.
“He’s perfect!” The younger man said again.
Then firm hands held him still as the men critically examined his head.
“Perfect,” the old man said.
They looked at his ears, and their placement on his head.
They looked into his eyes, to see if he was wall-eyed, bug-eyed, cross-eyed, blind, or injured.
They also examined his eyelids to see if they worked properly.
“Every thing looks perfect on his head too,” the old man said.
Then, the hands rubbed down his nose, checking for bumps, lumps or dips, before pulling his lips apart to look into his mouth. They looked at his teeth placement and checked for any abnormality.
“Check him for a over bite or under bite,” the old man said.
The lamb felt the hands turn his head sideways as the two examined his jaw.
“He’s Perfect,” the younger man said.
“Let’s check him for scars, or scratches.” The young man suggested.
Hands slowly examined his back, sides and legs through the wool.
“He perfect!” the younger man said again.
“Does he have scabies, or eczema?
Oh, and check his conformation again, and look once again for any other deformity.” The older man ordered.
When the examination was finished, the older man turned to his son and became serious.
“When you go to the priest today seeking forgiveness for your sins, it will not be you, that the priest examines. He will only examine the lamb. As much as I love you son, you can’t pass inspection. Neither can I.
“If the lamb is perfect, then we are forgiven! Only the blood of a perfect lamb will cover our sins. Just like in the Garden when a perfect lamb was slain for the sins of Adam and Eve.
“Now, this lamb is perfect, so take it to the priest and your sins will be forgiven. You have found the perfect lamb.”
The young man picked up the lamb, held it carefully in his arms as he walked towards the Tabernacle.
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Old Testament – The Only Way To Remit Sin Was By The Blood Of The Lamb.
Exodus 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
New Testament – The Only Way To Remit Sin Was By The Blood Of The Lamb.
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
1Pet 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
1Pet 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Today – The Only Way To Remit Sin Is By The Blood Of The Lamb.
How Does This Story Apply To My Life Today?
Only the blood of the Lamb of God can cover our sins. That happens when we are baptized and the name of Jesus is called over us in obedience to Acts 2:38! (Just like everyone in the New Testament Church was baptized.)
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:39 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.
Are Your Sins Remitted?
1. If not, and you would like a Home Bible Study in your home, please let me know. I will be happy to assist you.
2. Also, It would be my honor to direct you to a great Apostolic church near you!
“I’m Going To Run Away From Home!”
“I’m Going To Run Away From Home!”
That’s what I told my mom. I looked at her face and she didn’t seem to be overly shaken by the news, which
Me, Daddy (Carl) & Mama (Content) Ballestero 1951
was a good thing for me. So I relaxed a bit. I had already handled the hardest part. I’d made my big announcement. She smiled understandingly at me, as she touched my shoulder.
“Would you like me to help you pack your suitcase?” She asked, still smiling pleasantly.
My seven-year old brain didn’t pick up on the fact that she wasn’t overly shaken or alarmed by my desire to go, and was asking to help me pack.
I quickly accepted her assistance, because I had never packed a suitcase before. Mama was good at packing and always making sure I had everything I needed for trips.
I watched as she put my clothes in the little suitcase. There were enough changes to maybe get me through a whole week, which was good. She made sure my little Bible and toothbrush were also packed in the suitcase. There wasn’t any room left for my brown teddy bear. I felt a major twinge about that. I hadn’t planned on being that alone.
Mama and I took a final look around my room looking for anything else I might need to take with me. Finding nothing, she closed the lid and handed me the small suitcase.
I stood there a little uncertain about how my goodbye should be handled. Our family was a kissy and huggy kind of family.
Should I kiss and hug her good-bye, or should I just say, “Bye” and leave? I was unsure. Before I had time to figure it out, mama made the decision for me.
“Honey, put down your suitcase right there, because I would like to take you on a tour of the house before you go.”
I sat the suitcase down and followed behind mama as she walked down the hall toward her bedroom. She stopped in the doorway as I joined her, and we both looked into her modestly furnished room.
“Since you are never going to get to see this room again, I thought you might want to see for the last time, where your mommy and daddy sleep at night. This is where you came every night to say your bedtime prayers and get your good night kisses.
“It’s also where you came every morning to get hugs and kisses from mommy and daddy. But, since you’re leaving you’ve probably outgrown all that now, so you won’t have to come back here any more, but I wanted you to see it.”
I took a big gulp. I didn’t want to cry now. I hadn’t expected a tour of any kind. I’d just wanted to runaway.
She then took my hand and guided me to my sister’s bedroom.
“This is where Beverly and your little sister Carlene sleep, take a good look, you’ll never get to see your sisters again. (Beverly was almost six and Carlene was two.)
Mama then guided me by my bedroom and I looked at my teddy bear proudly sitting on my bed. I felt a big twinge.
The tour continued into the kitchen. Mama took great pains to explain to me that this was where she fixed my favorite meals. She also pointed out where I used to stand and talk to her, as she cooked.
“Here is where I made your pancakes, and cooked your favorite meals. In here is where I baked you cookies, pies, cakes and your favorite orange crusted biscuits!” She said as she pointed at the oven.
“You probably won’t be having any biscuits, cookies or pancakes where you’re going. You don’t know how to make those, and you don’t even have anything to make them with, if you did. So take a good look around.”
I hadn’t thought about never having biscuits, cookies or pancakes again. There were some things about running away I evidently hadn’t thought out completely. I got very serious.
We then walked into the dining room and stopped at the foot of the table where I always sat.
“Here is your place at the table, son. It’s going to look awful empty without you in it!”
She let that sink in a moment before we moved on. She pointed at the chairs.
“Here is where your daddy always sits, and here is where Beverly sits, and Carlene sits here, and I always sit over there. Take a good look, Honey, because you won’t ever get to see this table, or eat with us any more.”
I began to feel more alone than I had planned. Mama walked toward the living room, and I joined her looking at the couch and easy chairs.
“Over here is your daddy’s chair. That’s where he always sits during family devotions when he reads us a chapter from the Bible or reads from The Bible Story Book.
“Here is where I always sit, and there is where Beverly and Carlene sit, and over there is where you always sit.
Mama placed her arm around me as we stood side by side looking the room over.
“Well honey, I think that about concludes the tour of our home. I know you won’t ever get to see it again, because you won’t be coming back. But I want you to know and I want you to always remember how much you mommy and daddy love you.
Never forget how much your little sisters love you too. We are going to miss you every day. You will always be welcome here, because we will always love you.”
Then without a lengthy delay she continued her goodbyes.
“Oh, one more thing, I know I’ve shown you all through the house for the last time, but why don’t you kneel down with mama where we always pray for our family devotions and tell Jesus goodbye.
“You probably won’t be talking to Him anymore either.”
Tell Jesus goodbye? That thought shocked me childish mind. I hadn’t planned on telling Jesus goodbye. All I thought I wanted to do was runaway from home.
Without waiting for me to give any verbal response, mama knelt down at the old sofa and began to pray as only my mama could pray.
Mama was one of those precious Holy Ghost filled mama’s that prayed them heart-felt and spirit filled prayers. She never prayed very long without everyone around her knowing she had touched something pretty wonderful in the glory world.
She began to pray fervently, crying quickly and speaking in tongues. This was how mama always prayed, but today’s prayer and her crying took on new meaning for me as I knelt there beside her.
I listened to her crying, and I felt sure I had made my mama cry because I was running away. I listened to her pray and speak in tongues and knew she was surely talking to Jesus.
I had only been on my knees less than two or three minutes when I began to cry. I placed my arm around my mama and pulled myself close to her.
“Mama, I am so sorry for wanting to run away. I’m not going to go anywhere. I’m going to stay home with you.
Please forgive me, mama. I love you. I promise, I will never leave you. I won’t even get married, or nothing. I’m just going to stay with you!”
She slipped her arm around me, and hugged me tightly as she gave me a sweet kiss. And then she went back to finish her prayer time with the Lord.
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By chance have you been thinking lately about running away from Home?
- Have you been considering leaving the Father’s House?
- Have you?
Well, before you go, please, please permit me to take you on a tour of the church you’ve been part of for so long.
I want you look with me again at the place where the plan of salvation was first preached to you. I am pointing at the pulpit.
Remember feeling like you had sinned so bad that God would never forgive you? Can you hear your pastor’s voice once again saying that there was no sin you had ever committed that Jesus wouldn’t forgive you of? Remember him trying to give you hope? He was trying to tell you that God loved you no matter what.
I’m sure you remember him saying that you needed to believe in God’s promise, repent of your sins, be baptized in Jesus name, and then receive the gift of the Holy Ghost speaking in other tongues. Just like they did on the day of Pentecost.
Please look right over here at the altar where you first knelt down and repented of your sins. Remember how you felt when you felt you repented that night?
Now, I want you to come with me over to the baptistery and look into the place where your sins got washed away in Jesus name! Remember how clean you felt and how wonderful that experience was?
Then, when you came up out of the water you lifted your hands and God filled you with the Holy Ghost. You spoke in a language you’d never spoken in before! Take a look at this place again and ask your self if the world has anything that matches that.
Oh, see that aisle right there? Remember all the times you shouted, and danced for joy down those aisles?
Remember the night you came up to the front and stood right there in a healing line and God healed you instantly of cancer? The world can’t offer you that.
Look over there at the third pew where you’ve sat all these years. Remember that Sunday night you stood and testified about God healing you? Remember that?
Come over here to this door, look in here. This is the prayer room you always went to before service each night. You fought a lot of battles and won a lot of victories kneeling right there.
Please walk with me down this hall. Here is the Pastor’s office. He sure loves you. Think of the many times he’s given you counsel, direction and encouragement.
I know you’ll never forget how he would pray with you, and for you, before you left the room. I hope you can remember what that was like, because you won’t have anything like that anymore.
Now, we need to come back out into the auditorium and look it over real slow. Let the faces of each one come to mind as you look at where they sat during service. They loved you. They rejoiced and shouted the night you got saved. Those dear people will pray for you daily, when they realize you are gone. They will never give up on you.
Never forget how much you are loved here. We are going to miss you everyday. Don’t ever forget that the Lord truly loves you and gave His all for you!
Well, that pretty much concludes our little tour.
Aw, before you go, why don’t you kneel with me right here where you always pray, and then you can tell Jesus good-bye too…
The Day Reading A Text While Driving, Saved A Life!
The Day Reading A Text While Driving, Saved A Life!
Most of us live or travel in states where texting or even reading a text while driving is illegal. Most Insurance Companies panic at the very thought.
Texting while driving is nothing new. It’s more than old hat. I actually happened before any of us were ever born. Reading Text while driving, first happened many centuries ago. Really!
Acts 8:26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
Acts 8:27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
Acts 8:28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
Acts 8:29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
Acts 8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
Acts 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Acts 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Acts 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Philip helped him understand that Isaiah’s writings were speaking of Jesus. He evidently, explained the whole plan of salvation because the eunuch stopped the chariot when he found water, and asked to be baptized!
See, I told you that a life got saved because of texting while driving!
Repeating, But Not Obeying!
Repeating, But Not Obeying!
There’s a difference between repeating a command, and obeying it. If the drill sergeant gave an order and the soldier simply repeated it back to him, something uncomfortable will surely happen to the soldier to improve his comprehension.
If a parent gave their child a command to ‘Eat your veggies,’ or ‘Pick up your clothes,’ and the child just looked at the parent, smiled and repeated the command back to them and didn’t obey. Things might get ugly.
What if the math teacher said, “Turn to page 73 in you textbook.” And all the students said, “Turn to page 73 in you textbooks.” And then they just sat there and did nothing else?
Imagine the pastor saying, “You may be seated.” And the crowd answered him back, “You may be seated.” And they all just stood there and looked at the preacher and never thought that something might wrong with their response.
- This type of thinking is not really far-fetched all.
- This kind of twisted response happens around the world.
- This lack of understanding is resident in most churches in America.
- Repeating and not obeying, places the souls in jeopardy every day.
Jesus looked at His disciples and gave them instructions for evangelism and baptism. He said:
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
That’s what He said. So, on the day of Pentecost, Peter didn’t repeat the command, he obeyed the command.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Philip obeyed the command. He didn’t just repeat it.
Acts 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
At the household of Cornelius, Peter made sure the command was obeyed, not just repeated.
Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Even the Apostle Paul understood the difference between repeating and obeying.
Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
If, when the preacher baptized you he said, “I now baptize you In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost,” he did not obey the command. He just repeated it, because he didn’t say what the name was.
To be obedient to the command of Jesus, you must be baptized in the NAME (singular) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. That NAME, is Jesus.
- Only those baptized in Jesus name have obeyed Matthew 28:19.
- All others just repeated the command without obeying it.
What did your preacher do? Did he obey, or did he just repeat? You’ve got make sure!
The Sinners In The Communion Line
The Sinners In The Communion Line
The place where The Apostolic Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma is now located, was originally a restaurant. It had started out as The Western Sizzler Steak House. It stood on a small hill overlooking Historic Highway 66 on the edge of town. Its four lanes of highway were closely paralleled by another four-lane road scarcely 100 yards apart.
Even with all the heavy traffic under it’s nose the old steakhouse struggled to survive and finally closed. It reopened eventually, as a Mexican restaurant. This new enterprise was not was not able to last very long either, and finally closed. The big sign overlooking the highway sadly announced that fact when the letters were removed. The restaurant then sat empty for a time.
Originally, The Apostolic Church had been closer to town and was temporarily housed in a storefront, They dreamed of the day when they would have a place of their very own. They gave sacrificially and saved. They had fundraisers. They prayed and they looked.
A couple of years ago the Lord made way for the empty restaurant to be purchased by the church and they worked hard to remodel their new facility.
Many work nights were needed to make the transition. The normal Thursday midweek service was often cancelled or temporarily changed to “work nights” to accommodate the workers schedules.
In January of 2010 Pastor Jeff Dykes called a three-day fast. He also announced special prayer meetings for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Communion would be served on Wednesday. This service was just for the church family. The pastor explained the sacredness of Communion and asked that no outside visitors be invited, especially… no sinners.
Unknown to anyone in the church, a stranger named Sam drove by the empty restaurant on his way to work everyday. Sam worked at a hospital a little farther west. He immediately noticed the new church name on the old restaurant sign. Something happened to him then when he drove by the church. It caught his attention and made him look toward it every time he passed by. He felt a peace in his heart when he drove by the church. He felt a peace so great he couldn’t get it off of his mind.
Sam was in pain. His memories hurt him. His heart hurt him. His conscience hurt him. He knew he needed church. He wanted to get right with God. He had been around an Apostolic Church before. Somehow, it had never worked out for him to get right with God. But now he was ready.
He drove back that night, but the service night had been changed due to the many needed work nights. Undeterred, Sam tried several more times to get there when there was church. He felt the need to be in service at this church. He felt a drawing from the Lord.
It happened, that on the night of the announced Wednesday Communion service, that Sam and his girlfriend showed up and sat in the back.
The pastor was caught off guard to see these new faces on a Communion service night. He didn’t feel he could serve Communion to those that not didn’t live for God. Almost apologetically, he explained what was getting ready to happen in the service and said that Communion was a type of the body and blood of Jesus Christ. He said it he only served communion to those that had been baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost.
Sam and his girlfriend never budged. The pastor had tried to warn them off in a nice way, but they had stayed anyway. Less determined sinners might have left. This was going to complicate things.
White cloths covered the trays that contained the Lord’s Supper. They sat on a table in front of the pulpit.
After worship and prayer, the pastor read his scriptural passages and explained that he wanted to serve communion to the church, one family at a time. He invited them to stand in line in family groups.
In so doing, he not only served them all, but personally prayed for each one of them as well.
Sam and his girl friend quietly talked. He wanted to go up and take communion. She invited him to go in front of her, thinking that if he got turned down, she wouldn’t have to wait to be turned down. She’d leave… or something.
Every one else in the building had been served except Sam and his girlfriend. Sam had stood at the back of the line. He didn’t know if anyone noticed or not, but tears were rolling down his cheeks. He was crying very hard.
It was like the floodgates of his heart had opened. The tears streamed and heavily stained his dark shirt. The whole front of his shirt was soaking wet with tears when he stood in front of the preacher to receive Communion. When the Pastor saw Sam crying, he laid his hands on his head. Sam immediately began to speak in other tongues. What an experience he got!
The church folks all said it was the best Communion service they’d ever had. Oh yes, Sam and his girlfriend both got the Holy Ghost and got baptized. They got married too.
Here is Bro. Sam beating on the old drum during a praise service a year later. He is a good worshipper.
His precious wife is now one of the praise singers.
Oh, yes… Before the night was over, they received Communion too.
To God be the glory.
I Flunked His Test Of Fellowship
I Flunked His Test Of Fellowship
“Pastor Ballestero?” The female voice on the phone asked.
“This is he.” I responded as I settled into the Lazy Boy recliner.
“I’m calling on behalf of Pastor Lester. He would love for you to come to our new FM Radio Station tomorrow night.
He would like for you to evaluate our new Christian Radio Station’s transmitter. Could you come at 7pm tomorrow night?
“He will give you a personal tour of our new facilities, and I think he will try to encourage you to come on board as on of our regular broadcasters.”
I laughed. “Tell him that I’ll do my best to be there, thanks.”
I was into Amateur (Ham) Radio; I had even worked as an Electronics Wholesaler but I knew next to nothing about Commercial Broadcasting equipment. Why would I get invited to ‘evaluate’ the new 50,000-watt FM radio station? I couldn’t.
What was the catch? Was that just a ploy to get me to move our church broadcast to their new station? Probably.
At 7pm sharp I walked up to the front office and announced myself to the receptionist.
“Pastor Lester is expecting you,” she said as she welcomed me and shook my hand.
I heard my name announced over the intercom and almost immediately I was shaking hands with Pastor Lester.
We walked down the hall towards the transmitter room and he placed his arm around my neck like we were old friends. Actually we’d never met. I only knew of him because I heard him on the radio almost every day for several years and he pastored a large Charismatic church in the area.
“I just got back last week from Africa.” He began. I saw over 100,000 get the Holy Spirit in one service in my Crusade!”
“That is amazing!” I blurted out! How do you get 100,000 people to get the Holy Ghost in one service?”
“Aw, that’s easy. I just stretched my hands toward the crowd, and said in Jesus Name, receive the Holy Ghost!”
“And they did?”
“They sure did. Not only that, but we had over 50,000 confirmed miracles the same day.”
I replied, “How did you get 50,000 people healed in one day? How do you do that?”
“Why, I just stretched my hands toward the people and prayed, be healed in Jesus Name!”
“And they were healed?”
“Yes they were. But I also cast out over 1,000 demons in one day as well.”
I stopped walking. “How did you cast out 1,000 demons in one day?”
“I just pointed my hands toward those that were bound and said, in Jesus name, come out of them!”
“And they came out?”
“Yes they did.” He said.
“I’m starting to see a pattern here. I notice that when you prayed for the Holy Ghost to be poured out, or when you prayed for healing, or even when you prayed for demons to be cast out, you said ‘In Jesus Name’ every time. Why is that?”
“Why, Bro. Ballestero, Pastor Lester said in his most condescending tone of voice, the Bible says that ‘Whatsoever we do in word or deed, do all in the Name of Jesus’.”
He smiled.
I smiled.
“Then why don’t you get baptized in Jesus Name?” I asked.
Pastor Lester took his arm off from around my neck and walked back to his office without a goodbye.
I never did get to see that new 50,000-watt transmitter.
Apostolic Expository Series
Christy Ballestero (My Beautiful DIL)
http://marciaballestero.com/
Pastor Anthony & Kim Ballestero, New Destiny Worship Center, Clearwater, FL (My Son)
Pastor Bryan & Christy Ballestero, Temple Of Pentecost, Raleigh, NC (My Son)
James Groce Blog – "Toward The Mark"
Kenneth Bow Blog
Kingdom Speak Podcast
Philip Harrelson – "The Barnabas Blog"
Verbal Bean Ministries
Holy Ghost Radio
The Ballestero Blog 