Saved at 8 years old, baptized in water at 24, in the Spirit at 44, my walk has not been “normal” by any measure…
Apollos, on Orthodox iconography
Does that sound vain or prideful to even ask? In Acts 18, we are introduced to a Messianic Jew from Egypt who just arrived in Turkey named Apollos who was “eloquent”, “instructed in the way”, and “fervent in spirit” who “taught accurately about Jesus”. I have had these same complements paid to me at various times over the years. It is extremely humbling to hear such things, as I know it is the Lord Himself using me despite my best attempts to screw it up.
Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Acts 18:24-19:6
The example in the New Testament for becoming a disciple of Jesus is simply laid out: Repent and Believe the gospel, get baptized in water and receive power from the Holy Spirit. In my walk, those things were all separated by YEARS. Trust me, this is NOT the way you want to do it. Though I would imagine many of you reading this share the same story, or are still in the middle of it.
Raised in the Catholic church, I came to the cross and to saving faith at age 8 in the 3rd grade after reading CS Lewis’ “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”. It was then that I realized “I am Edmund” – the Lion of Judah had done nothing to deserve death, He laid down His life for me. After years of wrestling with my calling and fighting through bad doctrine like “infant baptism”, I realized I had never actually been baptized! So at age 24 after getting serious about learning the Word and obeying it, I attended a Christian conference in Branson, Missouri and was baptized in a hotel pool. Praise God! By the way, if you are one of those Christians who was “baptized as a infant” by your church – THAT’S NOT BAPTISM and you need to do it right – and right now! Baptism has always been and will always be a free-will choice actively made by sober-minded Believers as a public, conscious act of dying to self and declaring our willingness to die for Jesus. No infant has ever done such a thing and never will. So even if you have been waiting 16 years like I did or even longer, don’t put if off anymore.
So by the time I got to my late 30s, God had pulled me out of the wrong-headed use of my gifts in politics and the corporate world, and into service at a local church and international online ministry. Ever since then He has been constantly “nudging” or “reminding” me of the aspect of Christianity I had hesitated to embrace all along, the supernatural. In other words, the Power that only the Holy Spirit can provide! All my life I had been given dreams by the Lord, even seen a Vision or two, and I never felt closer to God than when learning about and exercising my “prophetic” giftings during that time. So something was definitely cooking…
Arriving at today, I’m now 44. I have reached a point where I just want to submit to what Jesus wants. I’m done doing things – including ministry or church work – in my own strength. No more “systems” or “striving” or general spiritual frustration. I want holiness; no, I need it. I’m sick of grieving Him and quenching Him. I want Him to have His way, all the way, up to and including signs, miracles, tongues and any “crazy” thing He wants. I KNOW there is more. The Bible SAYS there is more! So just 8 days ago, February 18, 2020, a Brother in Christ who knew I was thirsty and ready to receive, laid hands on me and prayed. As he did, I opened my mouth in faith to “drink”. I felt a red hot “ball” swell up in my chest/belly, the “heat” radiating out to my skin. I could feel what I can only describe as “electricity” coming out to the surface of my body and staying there. Out of my opened mouth I wanted to praise God and pray – and it came out in a new language! I asked for it and He gave it.
“how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:13
“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38
I realize this topic is opening a can of theological worms for many who are reading this. Half of you are likely now thinking I’m deceived and are regretting ever having anything to do with my ministry. Others are right now so happy for me and are shouting at their screen AMEN HALLELUJAH! It is very sad that such animosity and distrust exists over the power of the Holy Spirit Himself. Is the Lord desiring to end this needless division in the Body of Christ once and for all? I hope so.
So is my walking mirroring Apollos? He who needed understanding “more accurately”? In that respect, it appears so. I now believe and pray that the next step of his journey would also mirror my own: “the brethren (who were also baptized in the Holy Spirit) wrote, exhorting the disciples (in a new land) to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed…”
Comment below or reach out to me if the Lord is speaking to you about all this. Thank you Father for being so good to me and all of Your children!
Your Brother,
~ Christopher Mantei
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