Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
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From a sermon by Preacher Clark, May 27, 1973 in Louisville, KY
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,
and all these things shall be added unto you."
Matthew 6:33
The baptism of the holy Ghost should be the first thing that a sinner seeks. Pentecostal sects historically have taught people to seek the baptism of the holy Ghost second or third. The Assembly of God sect tells sinners to seek "getting saved" first, and then they are qualified to seek the holy Ghost baptism. The Assembly of God sect tells sinners to seek "getting saved" first, and then "getting sanctified" second, and only then are they qualified to seek the holy Ghost baptism. The Apostolic sect tells sinners to seek their form of water baptism first, and then they are qualified to seek the baptism of the holy Ghost. When the "Charismatic" revival of the 1960's and 70's blossomed, the Charismatics were so confused in their doctrines, they didn't have any idea what sinners were supposed to seek first. The only thing they all agreed upon was that it was not the holy Ghost.
All of them are wrong. And every other Christian sect that is called Pentecostal or Charismatic is wrong. The entire Spirit-baptized community on earth is wrong in its doctrine concerning the baptism of the holy Ghost. And they are all wrong for one principal reason: they are trying to make room for Christianity. If they would come out of that abomination and serve God in spirit, they would all agree that the holy Ghost is the first thing that men should seek if they want to be right with God.
Jesus commanded his followers thus: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." What is the kingdom of God, Paul? "The kingdom of God is not meat and drink [natural things], but righteousness, peace, and joy in the holy Ghost" (Rom. 14:17). Because God's people in Jesus' day were looking for an earthly kingdom, Jesus taught them, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. Neither shall they say, 'Lo, here!' or 'Lo, there!'. For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you" (Lk. 17:20-21).
Sinners don't need the Apostolics' ceremonial dip in the water; they don't need to repeat Romans 10:9-10 and then be told by a Charismatic minister that they are "saved"; they don't need the traditional Pentecostal claim of sanctification so that they can qualify for the baptism of the Spirit. Sinners qualify for the holy Ghost by repenting. Sinners who repent are the only candidates for the holy Ghost who exist on earth.
When Jesus said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God", he was saying, "Seek ye first the holy Ghost of God." The way of salvation is that simple. It is, as Isaiah long ago prophesied, so simple that "fools shall not err therein" (Isa. 35:8).