Ground Zero and the New Reformation

How to Be Baptized with the Holy Spirit - Part 2

Speaker

Dwight K. Nelson

Dwight Nelson served as lead pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University from 1983 to 2023. During his time at Pioneer he spoke on the “New Perceptions” telecast, taught at the theological seminary and has written books, including The Chosen. He and his wife, Karen, are blessed with two married children and 2 granddaughters.

Offering

Saturday, September 09, 2017
Program: 
As We Begin
Jesus, Guide Our Way • Paul Manz
Praise
Lord I Lift Your Name On High • I Will Lift Your Name Higher Holy Spirit Rain Down
Prayer
Sharon Terrell
Tithes & Offerings
Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire • Alec Wyton
Children's Story
Ben Martin
Worship in Music
O Holy Dove of God Descending / It's Beginning to Rain B. Leech / W. Gaither
Sermon
"Ground Zero and the New Reformation: How to Be Baptized with the Holy Spirit"—2 Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card
Holy Spirit, Light Divine • 268

"Ground Zero and the New Reformation:
How to Be Baptized with the Holy Spirit"—2

www.newperceptions.tv

 

Jesus—"If you then who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him [GK—continually]."
—Luke 11:13
"Morning by morning [Jesus] communicated with His Father in heaven, receiving from Him daily a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit."
 (Signs of the Times November 21, 1895)

 

  • One Story
    • Matthew 25:1-13
    • Helmut Haubeil: "The lamps of the foolish virgins that only burned for a short time show us that they did have something from the Holy Spirit. But it wasn’t enough. There was too little oil. That was the difference." (Steps to Personal Revival: Being Filled with the Holy Spirit 33)
    • "When the five came asking to be let in, Jesus answered: ‘I do not know you.’ They were too late in attending to the oil, the Holy Spirit. The door remained closed. Jesus’ statement shows us that our personal relationship with has something to do with the Holy Spirit." (Ibid)

 

  • A Letter
    • Revelation 3:14-20
    • Question: Why did Jesus call the believers in the church of Laodicea lukewarm?
    • Answer: Because they kept Him .
    • 1 John 3:24—"The one who keeps God’s commands lives in [Christ] and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the He gave us."
    • Note this carefully:  When we have the , we have Jesus.
    • Romans 8:9—"If anyone does not have the of Christ, they do not belong to Christ."
    • Note this carefully:  When we don’t have the, we don’t have Jesus.
    • Because the Holy Spirit is all about a very relationship with Jesus.

 

  • Three Groups
    • #1—The person—no relationship with God (in Laodicea called ).
    • #2—The person—full, genuine, real relationship with God (in Laodicea called /10 virgins ).
    • #3—The person—divided, feigned or pretended relationship with God (in Laodicea called /10 virgins )
    • 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:3
    • Helmut Haubeil: "Paul addressed the carnal people as ‘dear brothers’ [15:58]. This shows that he was dealing with church members. Paul couldn’t speak to them ‘as to spiritual people’ . . . [meaning] they weren’t filled with the Holy Spirit or weren’t sufficiently filled with the Holy Spirit. He had to speak to them as ‘babes in Christ.’ This shows that they haven’t grown in faith as they should have. A person can have great biblical knowledge and still not grow spiritually." (33)
    • "Carnal church members can be very active and even have leading positions in the local church or even in the church administration. They may even do a lot for God." (Ibid)
    • Jesus: "Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name and in Your name drive out demons and in Your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.’" (Matthew 7:22-23)
    • "Spiritual growth has to do with our complete dedication to Jesus and a constant life in the Holy Spirit." (Ibid)
    • John 15:4—"Abide in Me as I abide in you."
    • Desire of Ages: "Abiding in Christ means a receiving of His Spirit, a life of unreserved surrender to His service."

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock" —Jesus

For study guide answers download the Study Guide PDF

Offering for April 25, 2026

Michigan Advance Partners

God still impresses His people to give sacrificially, without fanfare, to build up His work. The writer (Anthony) reported sitting in a meeting where the discussion centered on the commitment and benevolence of some donors. As he listened, goosebumps erupted on his forearms. This particular story was riveting. He was in awe. He was thrilled. To think that this person in question was not a baptized member of the church at the time—he was inspired.

According to the story, the donor’s only association with Adventism was through an encounter with a George Vandeman (founder of It is Written) evangelistic series he attended in his early life. And yet he had no
reservation in giving millions to help in the construction of a new phase of the conference headquarters. The report says he gave over and over again, willingly, not caring to be mentioned. And he refrained from living a lavish
lifestyle. In fact, it is said, he would often say, “It’s not my money, it belongs to God.”

God is still inviting willing persons who are able to contribute to His cause. As He instructed Israel, He’s calling us to, “Give generously…without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you, in everything you put your hand to” (Deuteronomy 15:10, NIV).

Today, as we return our tithes and offerings, and give to our conference’s needs, may the promises of God be ours.

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Young Adult Mission Trip in Peru!

Maranatha Volunteers International invites young adults, ages 18-28, to join Catalyst, a service experience for their age group. Build a church for the Calapuja Adventist Church, operate medical clinics, and lead VBS programs. Learn more at Maranatha.org/volunteer or call 916-774-7700

ZOOM IN! Summer Camp 2026

 ZOOM IN! to God’s Amazing World at The Crayon Box Summer Camp, running June 1–August 20, 2026. Children entering Kindergarten through age 12 will enjoy a summer filled with nature, science, creativity, teamwork, and play as they explore how God’s hand is at work all around them. Each themed week encourages campers to notice the small wonders, big ideas, and amazing details of God’s creation. Located on the beautiful campus of Andrews University, The Crayon Box offers a safe, joyful, faith-centered place for children to spend their summer vacation with on-campus adventures, campus field trips, and visits from zoo and wildlife educators. Enrollment is open now at andrews.edu/services/crayonbox/summercamp. Space is limited. Forms are due May 18, 2026.