Neither does the baptism of the Holy Spirit refer to cleansing men from sin and saving them. _It was not given for that purpose_. This is a foolish dream born out of the castaway doctrine of the total depravity of man and his total disability to hear, believe and obey the truth. Those who claim the baptism of the Holy Spirit to-day claim that it is the regenerating, converting, purifying power of God. _But the Bible does not so teach_. In every instance in which the word "purify" is found in the New Testament it is an act of personal volition--_something a man must do for himself._ John 11:55: "Now the passover of the Jews was at hand: and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the passover, to purify themselves." Acts 21:24: "These take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges for them, that they may shave their heads; and all shall know that there is no truth in the things whereof they have been informed concerning thee; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, keeping the law." Acts 21:26: "Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them went into the temple, declaring the fulfilment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them." Jas. 4:8: "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded." 1 Pet. 1:22: "Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently." 1 John 3:3: "And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." "Men must cleanse themselves from wrong in thought, word and deed, and purify their souls in obeying the truth. The Bible teaches that this is God's way of purifying sinners" (_H.R. Pritchard, "Addresses,"_ p. 323). From this chapter the reader will obtain the following Scripture facts: 1. The Holy Spirit rested on John the Baptist from his mother's womb. 2. The Holy Spirit filled his father Zacharias so that he prophesied. 3. The Holy Spirit bore witness to Jesus by descending and abiding upon him, enabling John to identify him. 4. John promised a baptism in the Holy Spirit to some of his auditors and threatened others with a baptism in fire. 1 Pet. 1:11, 12: "Searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them. To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven: which things angels desire to look into." V THE SPIRIT AND JESUS