I was wondering if you could give me some information on receiving the Holy Spirit?
BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
Foreword:
I am aware that the above topic is controversial. Some people have had unpleasant experience listening to and encountering some individuals who claim to have been filled with the Holy Ghost. Since Satan is a counterfeiter, I will encourage everyone to study this study with an open mind. The fact that some people have counterfeited the gift does not mean that it did not happen and is not happening today – Hebrews 13:8. Just as we have original things today, so also we have the counterfeits.
I sincerely pray that the devil will not steal what you should have just because you are biased taking your inheritance.
I will be pleased to answer your questions and response from this unique study that has blessed many lives in the world!
TEXT:
Joel 2:28-29; Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Lk. 3:16; 24:49; Jn. 7:37-39; Acts 1:5-8; 2:1-18; 10:44-46; 19:1-16.
MEMORY SCRIPTURE: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh.” Acts 2:17.
CENTRAL STATEMENT: Baptism in the Holy Ghost is the secret of effective Christian Service.
DOCTRINAL STATEMENT: We teach that BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT is the enduement of power from on high upon the sanctified believer. It is the promise of the Father, and it is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking a language unlearned previously, referred to as speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. We also stress the necessity of purity before power. We strongly believe that the Gifts of the Spirit for today. Acts 2:38, 39; I Cor. 12:1-31; 14:1-40.
LESSON OUTLINE
1. What Is The Holy Ghost Baptism?
2. Promise and Purpose Of It
3. Receiving The Experience.
1. WHAT IS THE HOLY GHOST BAPTISM? To start with, Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a doctrine of the Scripture. It is promised by God, Joel 2:28, experienced, preached and promised by Christ, Matt. 3:16, 17; Jn. 7:37-39; Acts 1:5. It is experienced by the early Christians, Acts 2:2-4; and every believer called by the Lord is expected to have this experience, Acts 2:38, 39; Mark 16:15-17. Holy Ghost Baptism is not the New birth or salvation. It is neither sanctification nor illumination, joy, feeling, liberty, victory in prayer as many assumed. It is neither self-denial nor zeal; all these have been in the disciples’ life before the day of Pentecost was fully come. More still, we need to understand the difference between having the Holy Spirit and Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
The moment someone believes in Christ, the Holy Spirit begins to indwell such person. This is established in the following passages. Jn. 3:5; 4:14; Eph.1: 13; 4:30; 2 Cor. 1:21; 22. Before Pentecost the disciples had been breathed upon to receive the Holy Ghost Jn. 20:22. Consequently after salvation and sanctification comes the experience of baptism in the Holy Spirit which is definitely established in the following Scriptures: Jn. 7:37-39; Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:5-8; 2:1-4; Matt. 3:11; Acts 9:17; Eph. 5:18. In a way of definition therefore, Baptism in the Holy Spirit is enduing mortal man with divine power. It is being enwrapped, over-whelmed or in filled with God’s power.
2. PROMISES AND PURPOSE OF IT Right from Old Testament down to the New we have promises of God regarding Baptism in the Holy Spirit as seen in Isaiah. 44:3; Joel 2:28-30; Matt. 3:11; Jn. 7:37-39; Acts 1:5; Lk. 24:49. There are four main purposes for Baptism in the Holy Spirit (a) It is to have God’s power for God’s service Lk. 4:18-19; 24:49. (b) It is to have boldness in our service before men, Acts 4:31; II Tim.1:7. (C) It is for an effective witness for Christ Acts 1:8; 2:1-4, 14; 37, 41; cp Joel 2:19 (d) It is to have divine ability to accomplish much for God, Acts 1:8; 9:15-17; Jn. 14:12. Any minister or child of God without the Baptism in the Holy Ghost cannot make much success neither accomplishes much for God.
3. RECEIVING THE EXPERIENCE Since God has promised us this blessing it is definite that He will fulfill what He has said. The initial evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues (language unknown to the seeker). It is noteworthy that we do not teach or instruct people how to speak in tongue, the Holy Spirit Himself gives the utterance Acts 2:1-4; 10:4-47; 19:1-6.
To receive this blessed experience
(a) let us believe all the promises concerning it as valid for today Acts 2:38-39, (always remember that this promise is not for the unconverted).
(b) Let’s have strong desire, that is to be “thirsty” for the experience Isa. 44:3; Jn. 7:37-39; Matt. 5:6;
(c) Let’s ask with faith to receive Lk. 11:13; Mk. 11:24. (d) Let’s exercise our faith to speak as the Spirit gives us Utterance II Cor. 5:7; Acts 2:4.
CONCLUSION: It is one thing to have peace with God – justification. It is also very essential to have purity of heart – sanctification. It is absolutely necessary to have the power from high – baptism in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has much to do in us, for us and through us. Until we are filled with Him to overflowing then can He do as much as He is scheduled to do in, for, and through us? Jn.14: 16, 17, 26; 15:12-14; II Cor. 3:18.
Rev Debo Adeyemo Dirctor, Bible Question for the Week ppraise@skannet.com
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We are filled with the Holy Spirit by faith. How did you become a Christian? By faith. “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him.” You receive Christ by faith. You live by faith. Everything you receive from God, from the moment of your spiritual birth until you die, is by faith. Do you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
You can be filled right now, by faith. You do not have to beg God to fill you with His Holy Spirit. You do not have to barter with Him by fasting or weeping or begging or pleading. For a long period of time, I fasted and cried out to God for His fullness. Then one day I discovered from the Scriptures that the “just shall live by faith.” You do not earn God’s fullness. You receive it by faith. Let me illustrate. Suppose that you want to cash a check for a hundred dollars. Would you go to the bank where you have several thousand dollars on deposit, place the check on the counter, get down on your knees, and beg, “Oh, please, Miss Teller, cash my check?” No, that is not the way you cash a check. You simply go in faith, place the check on the counter, and you wait for the money which is already yours. Then you thank the teller and go on your way. Millions of Christians are begging God, as I once did, for something which is readily available – just waiting to be appropriated by faith. They are seeking some kind of emotion al experience, not realizing that such an attitude on their part is an insult to God – a denial of faith. But faith is the only way you can please God.
Though you are filled with the Holy Spirit by faith and faith alone, it is important to recognize that several factors contribute to preparing your heart for the filling of the Spirit. First, you must desire to live a life that will please the Lord. You have the promise of our Savior, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Second, be willing to surrender your life totally and irrevocably to our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul admonishes in Romans 12:1,2: “I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – which is your spiritual worship. Do not conform any longer to the pat tern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Third, confess every known sin which the Holy Spirit calls to your remembrance and experience the cleansing and forgiveness which God promises in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” I call this process “Spiritual Breathing.” Just as you exhale and inhale physically, so you also breathe spiritually. You exhale spiritually when you confess your sins.
If you have wronged a brother or have taken that which is not rightfully yours, the Holy Spirit may lead you to make restitution to right your wrong. If so, obey Him, or you will miss His blessing. The blessings of the fullness of God’s Spirit come only to those who willingly obey Him. Jesus promised, “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”
Again, you are not filled with the Holy Spirit because you desire to be filled nor because you confess your sins or present your body a living sacrifice – you are filled by faith. There are two very important words to remember. The first is command. In Ephesians 5:18, God commands you to be filled: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” Not to be filled, controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit, is disobedience.
The other word is promise – a promise that makes the command possible: “This is the assurance we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him.” Now, is it God’s will for you to be filled and controlled by Him? Of course it is – for it is His command! Then right now you can ask God to fill you – not because you deserve to be filled, but on the basis of His promise.
Why Did God Send the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit came to glorify Christ and to lead believers into all truth. On the eve of His crucifixion while still in the Upper Room, the Lord Jesus said to the disciples, “The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” The Holy Spirit came to enable you to know Christ through a new birth and to give you the power to live and share the abundant life which Jesus promised to all who trust and obey Him. The Holy Spirit inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures.
As you read the Bible, He reveals its truth to you. I read passages of Scripture that I have read many times before, and suddenly, at the moment I need a particular truth, a certain passage comes alive to me. Why? Because the Holy Spirit makes the Word of God relevant and meaningful when I need it. It is a living Book inspired by the Spirit, and only Christians who are filled with the Spirit can understand the true meaning of God’s Word. I pray and – except for the prayer of confession – I cannot expect God to answer my prayer unless I am walking in the Spirit.
I witness, and no one responds unless I am controlled and empowered by the Spirit. I cannot live a holy life apart from the help of the Holy Spirit for, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.” A minister friend said to me, “I don’t like all of this talk about the Holy Spirit. I want to talk about Jesus Christ.” I reminded him that was the reason the Holy Spirit came – to exalt and glorify Christ.” It is impossible to even know Christ apart from the regenerating ministry of the Spirit. It was Jesus of Nazareth, Himself, who said, “Unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” It is impossible for you to become a Christian, to understand the Bible and other spiritual truths, to pray, to live a holy life, to witness or do anything for the Lord Jesus apart from the person of the Holy Spirit of God.
What does “the abundant life in Christ” mean to you? How is the Holy Spirit’s power evident in your own life? Explain the concept of Spiritual Breathing. List two or three Christians you know who do not understand the Spirit-filled life. Make plans this week to share with them how God has filled you with the Holy Spirit and how they, too, can experience the Spirit-filled life.
Bailey Gertrude E NSSC
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First of all, Who is the Holy Spirit? We are told in the bible that the God head consists of three personages; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (or Ghost). We are also told that the three have ‘one mind’. A common intelligence. They are all a part of the Deity we know as ‘God’. All three working together are needed for the salvation of mankind. The Father forgives those who accept the Son as savior. The Son shed His blood and gave His human life so that He can apply His shed blood as a worthy sacrifice for the sins of those who accept Him. He ministers in the Temple in Heaven as our High Priest, figuratively applying his shed blood to all who accept Him and to all who confess their sin to Him. The Holy Spirit works on the hearts and minds of men, to convict them or make them aware of, their sin and their need for repentance.
Before discussing how one ‘receives’ the Holy Spirit, let us examine the work of the Holy Spirit, what it is that He does.
John 14:16-AV And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:17-AV [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:22-AV Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
John 14:23-AV Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Jesus said that the Father would send a Comforter who shall dwell ‘in’ us. This would be restricted to those who love Jesus and keep His words. Note that Jesus said both that the ‘Holy Spirit’ would dwell ‘in’ us and that ‘We’ would dwell ‘in’ us. This is another indication of the unity between the three parts of God.
John 15:26-AV But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
John 16:8-AV And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Romans 8:11-AV But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Romans 8:26-AV Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
2Peter 1:21-AV For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth from the Father who testifies of Jesus. He reproves the world of sin. He raised up Jesus from the dead. He quickens our mortal bodies and helps with our infirmities by living in us. When we pray in our feeble human way, the Spirit makes intercession for us. He is the author of Scripture.
Now let us look at how we get Him in us and what happens to us after that takes place. First of all we should understand that He will not come in unless invited. He does not force Himself on us. It has to be our decision.
Revelation 3:20-AV Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
We must be born again. That is that an infant Holy nature is born within us. This results from a decision on our part, to surrender ourselves to God. We must admit our guilt and acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior. It is that simple. There is a tendency among humans to disbelieve that something so precious can be obtained without a cost to us. Many churches even, have rules that say for instance, you must give up smoking, or drinking and be judged good enough by the membership before admittance to membership and access to baptism.
John 3:7-AV Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The example of the ‘thief on the cross’ is my favorite example. When Jesus was crucified, two thieves were also crucified with Him. One of these mocked Him, saying that if He was truly the Son of God, He should use His power to come down off the cross. He did not understand that had Jesus done that, and He could have, the redemption price would not have been paid and we would have all been lost. The other thief rebuked the first one, saying that they were guilty of their crimes and deserved to be where they were, but that Jesus had done nothing wrong. He then turned to Jesus and asked to be remembered when Jesus came into His Kingdom. He was promised by Jesus on the spot, that he would be in that Kingdom with Jesus.
That is all there was to it. An admission of guilt and an acknowledgment that Jesus is Lord. No hoops to jump through. No preparation by having to study for 12 months. Nothing to give up first. No elders or membership to seek approval from. No price to pay. It is a decision for us to make. In many cases it will also involve an emotional experience when we go forward in a meeting, in front of all present.
John 3:16-AV For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
This is how we get that infant Holy nature started. We then need to ‘feed’ it, because it will be in conflict with our carnal human nature, and the nature we feed is the one that will grow. The food for this nature is the ‘bread of life’.
John 6:35-AV And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
The ‘bread of life’ is Jesus. We get this in two ways, by praying and by the study of the bible which is His word to us.
John 5:39-AV Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
The Holy Spirit also testifies of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit inspired the written word recorded in the bible. It is the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth.
1John 2:27-AV But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
The Holy Spirit will be our teacher. Does this mean that we do not need to listen to teachers and ministers? No of course not! What it means is that we do not need anyone to make rules for us to follow. Some churches will exclude you if you smoke tobacco. The Holy Spirit will not. In His own time, when He judges you are ready for that step, He will make it an issue with you. It is not for any man or church to dictate to your conscience. Another thing that happens when the Holy Spirit inhabits us is that God’s laws are written on our minds. That means that we will instinctively know what is the right thing to do and will get a jolt if and when we do something we shouldn’t.
Hebrews 10:16-AV This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Many who seek the Holy Spirit look for a dramatic experience such as happened to some in the apostolic era, such as suddenly being able to speak another language (speaking in tongues). This early church needed to expand rapidly into areas where the disciples did not know the language. It was for this reason that the usage of other languages was given as a spiritual gift quite frequently at that time. At least one missionary to Japan that I know of has experienced this gift in more recent times.
One last observation. It is evident that some people enjoy a more intense relationship with the Holy Spirit than others. We have all seen testimonies of those who converted from complete dead beats to become ministers etc. in a remarkably short space of time, whilst others take half a lifetime to reach the same state of sanctification. I believe the reason for this lies in the totality of surrender of self by such individuals. Many of us let go of ‘self’ somewhat reluctantly and the Holy Spirit has a long and arduous struggle to bring us to the point of complete surrender. It is only then that He is able to work through us with strength and power.
May the Lord add understanding to readers of this study, that they might seek Him in the proper way, by surrender of self, the better to be able to do His will.
Lance Wearmouth
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Hello, I felt the urge to answer the question here, the Bible says Matthew 28:19 What we are to do, Acts 2:38 Tells us HOW to do it. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
You will see that whenever there was an infilling of the Holy GHOST that there was Evidence, These scriptures support this & show you how to do so. Please feel free to E mail me with any questions you might have, Thank you.
Gary Sauter
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I think the answer to that question could be summed up in” seek and you shall find ,knock and the door will be opened”.
Dave Schiefele
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I believe that too many people seek for the tongues and not the Holy Spirit Baptism. Tongues are just a part of the power you received. He said you would receive Power after the Holy Ghost is come upon you. I do believe in speaking in tongues as the initial evidence that the Holy Spirit Abides
Jherron597@aol.com
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I think you meant to say receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, as in Acts 2 when they all went forth with boldness. There are so many Christians that truly and verily believe that God is a trinity, inseparable, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as we are threefold in Spirit soul and body, as no man can come to the Father God save through the blood of Jesus, when we accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, we get the lot, as Jesus said, as I am in you and they are in me, therefore, QED.
However there is a monumental event available to all Christians, it is the fullness of Jesus, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, the elders can lay hands on one to receive, I received my Lord in a Pentecostal Church, I even heard of a lady in Mexico, an ex- hooker, that on hearing of the BOTHS ( Baptism of the- oh you got it) filled her tub with warm water, placed burning candles all around the perimeter, climbed in, and said, “Well God if this is real I want your fire, I want your Holy Spirit” Then dunked herself under the water and emerged praying in tongues, Glorious Deous, She has now gone on to be an evangelist among those bound by her prior profession, Alleluia.
Please have your brothers and sisters pray for us here in Canada, we are having Canada in Prayer in Winnipeg in May, there will be many intercessors praying for both our nations. Your friend and brother, Andrew in London (Ontario)
The Stubbs
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In response to the question on the Holy Spirit: Acts 2 states that you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you shall be my witnesses. The Holy Spirit is given to us from God our Father to help us to live victorious lives and to be a witness of Christ in word and in deed. If you take the time to read the book of Acts, you will see that those who received the Holy Spirit wspoke in other languages as the Spirit gave them utterance. This is an important and necessary part of our Christian walk. If it were not important, Jesus would not have taken the time to tell us about it and command the early disciples to wait for this experience. While the infilling of the Holy Spirit is not necessary for salvation, it is a gift for us to live a victorious Christian life with. Why should Christians live in defeat when God has planned for us to live in victory through the Holy Spirit’s power in our lives?
Jackie Quattrocelli
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John 6:63 It is the Spirit that quickeneth [gives life; the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I speak unto thee, they are Spirit and they are life. Here we see that it is through God’s words that we receive the Spirit and life.
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again; not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible by the word of God that liveth and abideth forever.
Receiving the Spirit of God is completely tied in with putting the Word of God into your life.
John 14:26 But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name. He will teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you.
The only words which He has to speak with to you are the words of God which are in your mind.
That’s why God says in Deuteronomy 6:6 These words which I command you today shall be in your mind.
That’s why Psalm 119:105 says Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Jesus through the Holy Spirit is that lamp.
Read also the story of the virgins in Matthew 25. There our minds are the vessels for the oil and the oil is the Word of God/the Holy Spirit. Zechariah chapter 4 tells us that the oil comes from the two witnesses–the Old and New Testaments being poured into our vessels–our minds.
Sandra Cruz
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Wow!!! What an open ended question. I can remember one of the most heated debates I had ever encountered was, does the Holy Spirit dwell within everyone from birth or, do we receive Him when we say yes to Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit at that time. I must admit that I was a babe in Christ then so I didn’t get into the debate to soon. Finally I could no longer be silent.
It is and has been my belief that the Holy Spirit dwells within us from birth. That’s why we know the difference from right and wrong, it’s referred to as conscience. When we say yes to Jesus that gives the Holy Spirit the freedom to work in different ways than just being that little voice of you know that’s wrong whispering in our ear. The sad part is that most Christians I have met are afraid of the power of the Holy Spirit, Not that they are going to go to hell because of it but they miss out on the most special gifts God wants us to be able to experience. I won’t go into all the gifts you can read them for yourselves in 1Cor. God is the same today as He was yesterday. So why would He not give to us the same gifts He gave to the disciples at Pentecost !!!!!
If their is anyone who felt that God wasn’t using them and giving them gifts look around you. Maybe you have the gift of mercy, hospitality, compassion, prayer warrior, or maybe you are the servant, ready to wash the dishes after every one else seems to have forgotten that clean up is part of pot luck family dinner night. When we think of gifts we tend to think of the greater Spiritual Gifts. I have found that most people don’t trust if they have been given a “Word of Knowledge” or a vision. Have you ever been prompted to pray for something for someone that has never been discussed, so you don’t pray it. Sometime later you find out that person needed the prayer that the Holy Spirit was laying on your heart. I could go on and on but I am sure their are others that could say it more eloquently than myself.
Debbie habear51@aol.com