‘When jesus spoke of the coming of the Spirit and the accompanying gifts of power, He did not limit them to His immediate successors. “He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake He of the Spirit which they that believe on Him should receive.” John 7:38,39. The receiving of the Spirit and the flowing of rivers of living water are promised by the Lord to THEM THAT BELIEVE. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do because I go unto my father.” John 14:12. Again, those works are said to be done by HIM THAT BELIEVETH. “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name they shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.” Mark 16:17-18. Whom shall these signs follow? THEM THAT BELIEVE. If these promises of Christ are not fulfilled in the lives of men today, it is evident that the simple and only reason is, THEY DO NOT BELIEVE.’
Source: Ralph M. Riggs; The Spirit Himself (1949); The Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Available for Us Today; Gifts are for All who believe; p. 98.
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