REINSTATING THE GOVERNOR

Acts Chapter 1






Today we are walking in: Reinstating the Governor






Joel 2:28


And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit H7307 upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:



SPIRIT




Today we look to the word-SPIRIT- H7307-RUWACH-wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being:—air, anger, blast, breath,





The Torah Testifies……………………….


Genesis 1:2


And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit H7307 of God moved upon the face of the waters.




Genesis 6:3


And the LORD said, My spirit H7307 shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.



Exodus 28:3


And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit H7307 of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.








The Prophets Proclaim……………………….



Isaiah 31:3


Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit H7307. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.



Ezekiel 2:2


And the spirit H7307 entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.




Haggai 1:14


And the LORD stirred up the spirit H7307 of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit H7307 of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit H7307 of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,







The Writings Witness………………………..


Job 10:12


Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit H7307.



Psalm 34:18


The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. H7307



Proverbs 15:4


A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit H7307.





Reinstating the Governor


A puzzle remains a puzzle until all the parts are in place.


Our entrance into the kingdom of heaven, also called the “new birth,” results in the restoration of our legal authority as rulers on earth. Then, our baptism in the Ruach HaQadesh results in the restoration of our power or ability to carry out that authority.


Understanding these two concepts will enable us to be effective as we live out the culture of the kingdom on earth, for both have to do with the reinstatement of the Governor to his place and role in the lives of human beings.


Let us now take a closer look at these two concepts, comparing the new birth to a well of water, and the baptism in the Ruach to the power of a moving river.


The New Birth:


Reinstating the Authority of the Kingdom


John the disciple recorded these words of Yahusha regarding the restoration of the Governor within humanity: “Whoever. drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Water in this context is a symbol of the Ruach HaQadesh. The reality of the new birth is that there is now a continuous reservoir of Yah’s Ruach within us. Picture a spring forever bubbling up with fresh, clean, life-giving water. As we continually drink deeply from this water of the Ruach within us, we will constantly be connected to the life of the kingdom.


Let’s look more closely at how the Governor restores the life of the kingdom to us through the new birth.


Reconnects Human Beings to the Government


When we initially receive the breath of the Ruach HaQadesh— the return of the Governor within us—we are given what theologian Paul of Tarsus referred to several times in his writings as a “deposit” showing that we now belong to the King and that he gives us an inheritance in his heavenly kingdom:


Now it is Yah who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Ruach in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.


Now it is Yah who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Ruach as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.


And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Ruach HaQadesh, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are Yah’s possession—to the praise of his glory.


Restores Human Beings’ Citizenship in Heaven


Whereas, before, we were merely inhabitants of the earth, we have become children of the King and full citizens in the realm. Paul wrote, “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with Yah’s people and members of Yah’s household.” Our citizenship in heaven has been conferred on us by the King himself, with the full rights and privileges that encompasses.


Reinstates the Kingdom on Earth through Humanity


Because the Governor is resident in the kingdom citizens who live on earth, the kingdom of Yah itself is on earth. This reinstatement first occurred with the King-Son’s coming to live as a human being in the world, and first returned to fallen humanity when Yahusha breathed the Ruach HaQadesh on his disciples. The heavenly government has representatives on earth again through the new birth. The more inhabitants of earth who enter the kingdom of heaven, the more the kingdom influence should be felt in the world.


Restores Inter-Realm Communication and Access to the Unseen World


The new birth restores two-way communication from heaven to earth and earth to heaven. It is what I earlier called inter-realm communication. Humanity had perfect communication with the King-Father in the beginning, but we lost it when we lost the means of that communication, the Governor. With the reestablishment of our relationship with the King, he is now able to have direct access and contact with us, and we are able to have direct access and contact with him. The new birth means that we have admittance to the unseen world in which the King dwells, and even have influence there as we pursue the purposes of the kingdom. This is what Yahusha meant by the following statement, which we noted earlier:


I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.


Restores the Nature of the King within Humanity


This concept is what Yahusha taught to Nicodemus, the Pharisee, who was trying to understand the meaning of the new birth. Yahusha told him, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of Yah unless he is born of water and the Ruach. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Ruach gives birth to Ruach. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’”


This account is the only reference to the term “born again” in the Scriptures, yet the expression has become almost a catchphrase today so that we have lost its meaning. Being born again means that we have received the Governor and have therefore been given a new nature that enables us to be citizens in the territory of the kingdom. We become “imitators of Yah” once more, as Paul wrote: “Be imitators of Yah, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to Yah.” Because we are children of the King, we have his nature in our spiritual “DNA” and can now reflect it in the world.


The Baptism in the Ruach HaQadesh: Reinstating the Power of the Kingdom


The new birth, or conversion, prepares us for heaven— for reconnection with the heavenly government and restored relationship with the King. The baptism in the Ruach, on the other hand, prepares us for earth—for our restored dominion assignment to make the earth into a replica of heaven. I want to contrast these encounters with the Ruach because they are distinct experiences.


Just before the King-Son returned to the Father in the heavenly government, he told his disciples, “You will receive power when the Ruach HaQadesh comes on you.” The Greek word translated as power here is dunamis, which means “miraculous power.” Remember our earlier discussion about what we call “miracles.” They are merely the manifestation of the influence of the kingdom of heaven on earth. So this power comes directly from another world, the heavenly government, to enable us to exercise authority on behalf of the King in the world.


The book of John records these words of Yahusha: “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes inme, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” John added, “By this he meant the Ruach, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Ruach had not been given, since Yahusha had not yet been glorified.”


The Ruach already dwells within us at conversion. The baptism in the Ruach HaQadesh is our yielding to the King and allowing him to release in power what is already inside us. While the new birth is like a continuous well, the baptism is like a forceful river; it is like waterpower that is harnessed as energy to run equipment, such as in a mill, for the betterment of humanity and its needs.


Let’s look at how the baptism in the Ruach HaQadesh restores to our lives the power we lost at humanity’s rebellion.


Restores the Power of Dominion


While the new birth restores us to the heavenly government, the baptism gives us the ability to carry out the author- ity that the government has given back to us. Remember that power refers to our ability to influence and control circum- stances. This is the power we must have to exercise dominion over the physical earth and the various situations we will encounter in the world.


Restores Humanity’s Ability to Represent the Government


It is one thing to be recommissioned as a representative of the heavenly government, but it’s another to demonstrate proof that you have been sent by that government. The baptism gives you the power to prove the claims of your King. This is where the gifts of the Ruach become important. The context of the gifts is governmental administration on earth. The Governor empowers us to fulfill the assignments given to us by the heavenly government. So the gifts are not some strange supernatural manifestations but very practical endowments.


Yahusha said, “If I drive out demons by the Ruach of Yah, then the kingdom of Yah has come upon you.” He was saying that driving out demons was evidence that the heavenly kingdom had returned to earth. The same is true for all the gifts of the Ruach, whether we are talking about faith, healing, or miracles. The gifts are evidence of the presence, authority, andpower of the government of Yah on earth. This is what Yahusha was referring to when he answered John the Baptist’s questions about whether he was indeed the King-Son who had come to earth to bring back the Governor. The book of Matthew records,


When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” Yahusha replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.”


Yahusha was giving John proof that he had come from the heavenly government and was exercising kingdom dominion in the earth. He referred to everything in terms of the kingdom, and since this was also John’s message, Yahusha knew he would understand his reference.Enables Human Beings to Prove the King’s Claims and


Demonstrate the Kingdom’s Presence


The book of Matthew also records this statement of Yahusha: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations.” The word testimony generally refers to speaking as a witness to the truth about a situation. The word in the original Greek in the above statement means “something evidential, i.e. evidence given.” Exercising power through the baptism is a means of presenting the truth to the world about the reality of the kingdom and its purposes.


Gives Human Beings the Ability to Display the Glory of the King and His Kingdom


The power of the baptism enables us to demonstrate both the characteristics and works of the almighty Creator of heaven and earth. The psalmist King David wrote,


The heavens declare the glory of Yah; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is not speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.


The glory of Yah as demonstrated in nature transcends language. People of all races and nations and backgrounds see it; it is a continual and articulate testimony to the Creator of the world. In a similar way, the works that kingdom citizens do through the power of the Governor transcend human language and culture. If you were to go to another country where you don’t speak the language, and the Governor were to use you to bring healing to a man who had been paralyzed for years, it wouldn’t matter if he could understand your words; he would understand your action. The word glory refers to the essential nature of something. The man would come to realize that it is the nature of the King to be concerned about his personal needs, and that he has the power to meet them. He would be open to hearing about this King and his kingdom. As Yahusha told his disciples, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”


Gives Human Beings the Ability to Demonstrate Heavenly Citizenship


In line with this, the power demonstrated through the baptism proves that we are citizens of a heavenly kingdom. It is like a passport; it both identifies us as belonging to the King and gives us credibility in carrying out the work of the kingdom. Just trying to do the works of the kingdom is not enough; you must have the authority to back up your work. This is what the sevens sons of Sceva, written about in the book of Acts, found out the hard way. They noticed Paul driving out demons in the name of Yahusha, so they thought they would try it, too. But they weren’t a recognized authority of the heavenly kingdom:


Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this [trying to expel demons in Yahusha’ name]. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Yahusha I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpow- ered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Yahusha was held in high honor.


Paul was an authorized citizen of heaven, and his authority in the heavenly kingdom was respected and obeyed by agents of the kingdom of darkness. The power of the heavenly kingdom is never to be used lightly, but only by those authorized by the King through his indwelling Ruach.


Receiving the Governor in Your Life


In coming teachings, I will be discussing more about the power that comes through the baptism in the Ruach HaQadesh. Right now, I would like you to consider how to receive the Governor in your own life, because this first step will reconcile you to the King-Father and enable you to receive the authority of his kingdom.


Reconciliation through the new birth is the best news you could ever hear! It means you can approach the King without fear. Yahusha has paid the penalty for your rebellion and independent Ruach. When Yahusha’ disciple Peter spoke to the crowds who had gathered on the day of Pentecost, and explained to them what was happening, the people asked him what their response should be. He answered, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Yahusha Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Ruach HaQadesh.” Therefore, to receive the new birth, you are to...


First, repent. Change your mind about how you have been living and desire to live by the standards of the heavenly kingdom.


Second, receive the forgiveness provided through Yahusha’ sacrifice. One of the greatest problems of humanity today is a heavy weight of guilt for the wrong things we have done, for the actions we have committed that are contrary to the nature of the King and his kingdom. To forgive means to release from accountability and guilt. So, in order to live in the freedom of the kingdom, you must accept the forgiveness provided for you through Yahusha, and then walk, as Paul wrote, in “newness of life.”


Once you have gone through the above steps, you will receive the gift of the Ruach HaQadesh within you. This is the “deposit” and proof of your entrance into the kingdom. Offer thanks to your King-Father for giving you this priceless gift.


Note that we are also instructed to be baptized in water. Being baptized in water in the name of Yahusha shows that you are submitted to Yahusha’ kingdom school, acknowledges that your allegiance and identification from this time on is to him as your Master Teacher, and demonstrates that you have received full forgiveness for your rebellion.


The new birth means you no longer have to try to figure out life on your own. The King has removed that burden and stress from you. Just as a colony relies on the kingdom to build its roads, supply its water, and so forth, a kingdom citizen has all his needs supplied as he puts the priorities of the King first in his life. This is why Yahusha said,


Do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans [people outside the heavenly kingdom] run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.


This is the kingdom life: seeking the good of the kingdom first and allowing the King to provide for all your needs as you serve him in the authority and power he gives you through the heavenly Governor.