Acts 19 ... Today!

Pastor Chuquipiondo was elderly and ill. A sincere preacher and believer in Jesus Christ in the jungle city of Iquitos, Peru, he was now faced with situations beyond his control...and he didn't have answers.

Then Pastor Tomás Sánchez visited him. He prayed for him, in the only saving Name: Jesus. Pastor Chuquipiondo felt that God had begun to touch and heal him...Pastor Sánchez invited him to our regional conference for the Amazon area which was starting that night (last weekend).

The next night, Pastor Chuquipiondo and his wife came. He told Pastor Sánchez that he felt that we had something that he was lacking...so there he was. Seeking what we have. As Missionary Kevin Nix preached the Word, God touched him and his wife.

That's Pastor Chuquipiondo (white shirt, tie, 2nd row R) and his wife (red blouse, next to him) below:

They came again Sunday night...and then the conference was over...

 

But the story wasn't!  I received this photograph last night from Pastor Sánchez:

Why is this so important? Why would an elderly pastor of many years' experience be baptized again –and in a different Name? (He had formerly been baptized in the titles, "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost"). The answer is found in Acts 19:1-6:

19:1  And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2  He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3  And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4  Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6  And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

How about you, sincere believer? Have you been baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins? Have you been filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking with other tongues as God gives you utterance?

Acts 19 is still being experienced today!!