II Corinthians 4:5-7
"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."
September 15th
"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" Luke 11:13
That is what I teach: that the person must first dedicate oneself unto God; then live a sacrificial and holy life, which is made possible through the glorified seed (John saw Him in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks). Then, when in the sight of God, the person is fully consecrated, the fire comes out from God to accept that offering. That is the Spirit Baptism. And as a consequence thereof, that person is then enabled to live a life fully pleasing in the sight of Christ our Lord.
Observe the words I used, that when in the sight of God that person is fully consecrated, then comes the fire of God. It is God Who knows the human heart; it is the eye of Christ which sees what we are; it is He Who knows what is unto our greatest good and when. Therefore, there is no specific time factor involved: it might come almost in a moment of time unto the one whom God sees has walked with Him in holiness – even though not especially seeking the Baptism through a consecrated life. However, to others, days, weeks, months, years, or even the best part of a lifetime….
My own perspective is that it depends largely on the intensity of the consecration which lives within that person's heart. Wishful thinking, pleading and even tears may be for a moment: such emotional experiences are common to multitudes. But what is the spirit tempo of the life in between?
Letter 1/19/74