>>>I find your title 11. very contrary to the Word of God though… and I’m not willing to shrug it off as what is commonly taught in churches. (I mean no offense)

<<<11. The promise of the Holy Spirit is a down payment (earnest) of heaven (our inheritance).

Eph 1:13, 14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

In above scripture it states that the Holy Spirit is “the earnest of our inheritance”. So the question is what is our inheritance.

We are told in Peter 1:4 that the Christian’s inheritance is “incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away” and that it is “reserved in heaven for you”. This inheritance is “in the kingdom of Christ and of God” (Eph 5:5).

I would hold that the Kingdom of God is within you (Lk 17:21) , that “man presseth into it” (Lk 16:16) in John’s time, but also that there is also a phase of the kingdom of God (kingdom of God, kingdom of heaven, heavenly kingdom, and kingdom of Christ being all the same) that we will not experienced until after we die.

The Holy Spirit is a down payment of the phase of the reign of God which is yet to come. Whether it is in heaven or on earth doesn’t really matter to me. I choice to believe it is in heaven.

The issue of where this shall take place is not of such great importance. What is important is to make sure you are in the kingdom of God and ready and have that inheritance working in us now.

Bob.

I pray that I too will receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

I find your title 11. very contrary to the Word of God though… and I’m not willing to shrug it off as what is commonly taught in churches. (I mean no offense)

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Psalm 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Earth is the inheritance of man… not Heaven… Thus saith the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ…

God Bless you…

The Holy Spirit is a promised gift from God…just receive it by faith. According to your faith be it unto you. Be blessed Jesus loves you.

Min. A. Johnson
http://blessedtohelp.com