Part II:
“During the centuries that the Christian religion has been the religion of the Occident, “conversion” has been the line between the Christian and the non-Christian. We find from reading the experiences of the apostles given in Acts, Romans, and Corinthians, that in their time, conversion was called “receiving the Holy Ghost.” In modern times, revivalists have found in order that a man be converted he must accept Jesus as his Savior; he must in a way enter into covenant with God, make a solemn promise that he will thenceforth live the Christian life as far as he is able. As soon as the soul within him unites with the intellect in this covenant, he receives the Holy Spirit that gives him a consciousness of his acceptance with God.
We wish to emphasize the thought, that the reception of the Holy Spirit – the consciousness of the acceptance with God – is dependent upon man’s covenant with God, which is simply man’s promise that thereafter he will make it the chief object of his life to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.”
Every converted soul that has made this covenant has been illuminated by the Spirit, perhaps but for a short time; but just so far as the person keeps his part of the covenant and follows carefully the leading of the Spirit, doing as nearly right as he knows (for it is the office of the Spirit to cause him to know what is right and what is not), so far will he be led, given knowledge, his mind illuminated on various subjects, and as Jesus promised, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, will lead him into all truth and show him things to come. If the one receiving this Holy Spirit that is received at the time of conversion, is absolutely obedient to it, it will lead him into a complete and perfect knowledge of the truth.
Here the question arises: How is it that so much error has crept into the church in regard to the general beliefs of the people? The answer to this question is: Instead of following the leadings of the Spirit, the people have accepted leaders among men and have followed their dictum, even to the crushing out of the higher and holier impressions given by the Spirit. True, many thought that they were doing right, and therefore, they have not been condemned, only so far as they have jeopardized themselves by error and by an imperfect life and have shut the door against God’s Spirit so that it could not illuminate the mind and fulfil its mission – to lead them into all truth.
Why has this been permitted? There are two reasons. First, as we have hitherto shown, it is in the line of the Divine Purpose that man shall have freedom of choice, within the limits of his own qualities and inherent ability, in order that he may grow into the Divine Likeness. Second, it is in the order of the Divine Purpose that generation, labor, sorrow, and death shall continue until man can grow and develop to a state where he is able to overcome generation and to enter into life.
The Lord Christ said, “He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.” Who is able? The first ripe fruit of the earth; they that have developed to where they have a desire sufficient to make the decision, a will to seek first and all the time “the Kingdom of God and his righteousness”, and to make every other consideration of every name and nature subject to this one purpose – these, and these only are able to receive it.
There is at the present time, a great Body of people who have received the Holy Spirit, who have been begotten from above, but who have been misled through the education of our age, and as we look into the churches and among men, probably we feel as did Elijah, for after he had brought down fire to consume the sacrifice and even the water that was poured upon it, and he thought that he had restored the true worship to Israel, he was forced to flee for his life, and he made complaint to God and said: “The children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only am left; and they seek my life to take it away”, but God assured him that there were still seven thousand in Israel, “All the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” And at this time, according to the Revelation made to John, God has reserved not seven thousand, but 144,000, yea, 288,000 souls. Are you one of that company? You may be, if you will.”
Hiram Butler
The Mark Of God: Understanding Your "I AM Presence" 