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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
An important verse in understanding the filling of the Holy Spirit is John 14:16, where Jesus promised the Spirit would indwell believers and that the indwelling would be permanent. It is important...
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Singapore Moses
Supporter
"Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption" (Eph 4:30) The Father God has sent us the Holy Spirit as a Comforter who abides with us forever. He is resident in us. It is our duty to keep Him comfortable in our lives and make Him feel at home. The New Testament teaches us how to do it: The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of "Holiness" (Rom 1:4). We are the temple of God, wherein He dwells (1 Cor 3:16,17). He desires truth in the inward parts (Psa 51:6). Is it not natural that He desires his dwelling place to be clean? Defiling it displeases Him. He is the Spirit of "Faith" (2 Cor 4:13; Rom 15:13). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6). When we believe in His Word and depend on His promises, the Holy Spirit is well-pleased. He is the Spirit of "Love" (Eph 4:2,3, 26-32; Gal 5:22; Rom 5:5; 15:30). He demonstrates practically divine love amongst us and binds the people of every language and nation with cords of love. If we strive to love others without pretence, then that will please Him. He is the Spirit of "Intercession" (Rom 8:26,27). Since we know not what we should pray for as we ought, He is there to help us pray. He is well-pleased when we set aside our selfish motives and wait for His will. We must respect the burdens He specifically places on our hearts to pray for. He is the Spirit of "Teaching" (1 Cor 2:10-14). Instead of approaching the Bible as a learned professor, we must seek the help of the Holy Spirit, as a little child, to learn God's ways and mysteries. This pleases Him. He is the Spirit of "Truth" (Jn 16:13). The Bible is the only Book that speaks the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. The Holy Spirit is its Author (2 Pet 1:20,21). We should ensure that the Bible is given due place in our lives and we interpret it with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He is the Spirit of "Wisdom" (Isa 11:2; 1 Cor 12:8). When we don't depend on our smartness and intelligence but His wisdom to guide us, He is well-pleased.
Chelsea Miller
Supporter
First, you must be saved, as Jesus depicted in his parable about how new wine must be put into new bottles (Luke 5:36-39). I know that sounds simple, but some people do not know they have not yet been born again! Second, the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues is imparted through the laying on of hands. 1) Acts 8:17-18 says, "Then they laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money." 2) Paul was filled with the Holy Ghost when Ananias put his hands on him (Acts 9:17). 3) Paul laid his hands on certain disciples in Ephesus and "the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied" (Acts 19:1-6). That being said, there are occasions in which the laying on of hands is not necessary, because God just moves. But for the most part, you have to have someone who is filled with the Holy Ghost lay hands and pray for you to receive it. And third, you have to be thirsty for it! Revelation 21:6 says, "...I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."
Terry Gillard
Supporter
This is a wonderfully encouraging subject, with great encouragement for us all! However, please note a couple of fundamental items that should be considered: 1. Most (if not all) of the scriptures that deal with the work of the Holy Spirit at salvation say He will be “with us” – “alongside”. And He is! But that is very, very different to what we refer to as the “Baptism in the Holy Spirit”(I'm not sure I like the phrase at all) 2. For those who do not see a difference, please refer to the Apostles. In Acts 8:14-17 there is no doubt of the salvation of the Samaritan Converts – yet they were not filled: the scriptures mentioned above must have all applied – so the Apostles certainly understood there was a difference between the work of the Holy Spirit at Salvation and the Holy Spirit “coming down on them” Even Paul, when he met the Ephesian believers (at this time, he was unaware they had been baptised into John’s baptism, and did not know Jesus) asked them the very straightforward question, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Acts 19:2 The very fact the question was asked showed that Paul was in no doubt whatever that there is an experience of the Holy Spirit separate to Salvation. Believer, there is something glorious in what our Saviour has prepared for us. Our Living Lord wrote every tongue – ancient and modern and He will, if you seek, “fill your hearts today to overflowing, with Holy Ghost and power” as the old hymn puts it.
Lawrence wong
Supporter
The question is How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit? First: there has to be a recognised need or hunger to be filled. If you find that your walk in life is missing something particularly as a “Christian” then the principle of A.S.K. applies (Mt 7:7—12 “Ask, and it will be given to you; Seek, and you will find; Knock and it will be opened to you ” v7 Second: You must repent of your sins. Repenting is knowing that “you are missing the mark” (Grk ‘Harmartia’), that no matter how hard you try you can’t aim and shoot straight or you keep falling off the narrow road (Mt 7:13-14). The Holy Spirit through Paul describes this condition in Romans Chapter 7 - there is a desperation within knowing that the harder I try to do the things I know I should do, the more I realise that I am unable to do the things I know I should be doing. I think Paul had this personal experience, and was describing his own life as a self-righteous Jew. King David also had such an experience and he penned Psalm 51 as a response – “a broken spirit and a broken and a contrite heart - these O ALHYM You will not despise.” (Ps 51:17). Many have had this such an experience. I am one. The answer is to cry out “I need Christ, to be My Saviour, My Redeemer” Brokenness is to know the uselessness of self-effort, to die to self, to be cracked open like “unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” (Jo 12:24).I know that I am a dirty rotten sinner and I need to confess my sins to Christ and have my sins forgiven, cleansed by the blood of The Lamb (1 Jo 1:9) This is why we seek Water baptism (to be fully immersed in water). But that’s insufficient for me to live a life in Christ. I need his power (Grk ‘dunamis’, as in dynamite) to do so. It is for this reason that Christ commanded his disciples “ Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem (Heb. ‘Yerushalayim’) until you are endued with power [dunamis] from on high” (Lk 24: 49). Third. On SHAVUOT, Pentecost (50 days after PESACH, Passover), the harvest festival of Wheat, Christ’s promise was fulfilled. Our Heavenly Father poured out of heaven the Holy Spirit in Yerushalayim, into a house where 120 or so disciple were obediently waiting (Ac 2:1-4). These disciples agaped (were filled with our Father’s sacrificial love) and obeyed Christ (Jo 14: 21). That promise was for all who trust and obey Him. In answer to the cry of men whose hearts were “cut” by the word (Heb 4:12) “What Shall we do?” Petros’s reply was “Repent and let everyone of you be baptised in the name of iEsou christou (Christ’s name in Greek Mt 1:1) for the remissions of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as YHWH our ALHYM will call” 40 And with many other words he (Petros) testified and exhorted them saying ‘Be saved from this perverse (crooked, perverse) generation (age)’ Then those who gladly received his word were baptised, and that day about 3,000 souls were added to them.” (Ac 2: 38-41). It is clear that the context is the outpouring from heaven of the Holy Spirit by Our Father (Ac 2: 17, 18, 33). Many wonders and signs (healings casting out of demons etc. Heb 4:13) were performed by the apostles. (Ac 2:43) The New Covenant from Acts to Revelation is about the Holy Spirit’s work leading and guiding and performing ALHYM’s work. Matthew to John is about iEsou christou The Messiah, the Saviour, the Redeemer by his blood sacrifice (1 Cor 5:7). There are three baptisms (Mt 3:11). The baptism (being fully immersed in the Holy Spirit is the 2nd. The 3rd is full immersion in fire, for sanctification by the Holy Spirit a process of being made holy like ALHYM (1 Pe 1:7,16). The Holy Spirit strengthens, enables us to walk to talk! (Jo 14:26) Lawrence NZ
Jeffrey Johnson
Supporter
How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit? Being filled with the Holy Spirit means continually yielding every part of your life—your thoughts, actions, and will—to God's control. It is not a one-time event, but an ongoing lifestyle of faith, prayer, and obedience. Ask in Faith: Jesus promised that God readily gives the Spirit to those who ask. Pray daily, humbly asking God to fill you and guide your steps. Surrender Your Will: Relinquish control of your life to God. Actively confess known sins and step away from habits that hinder your closeness with God. Walk in the Spirit: Read Scripture, maintain a habit of prayer, and practice gratitude and worship. Actively aligning your daily choices with God's word is "keeping in step with the Spirit". While with his apostles on the last evening before his sacrificial death, Jesus spoke about yet another provision that his heavenly Father had made to comfort them. John 14:16 ESV: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you forever." How did the holy Spirit actually bring comfort to them? The apostles had received extensive teaching from Jesus. They would certainly never forget the experience, but would they remember what he actually said? Would important instructions be lost because of their imperfect memories? Jesus assured them that the holy Spirit would 'bring back to their minds all the things he had told them. More than simply bringing words back to their minds, the holy Spirit taught the disciples and guided them to a fuller understanding of God's purpose. While Jesus was yet with his disciples, he told them things that they did not then clearly understand. Later, however, moved by the Holy Spirit, John, Peter, James, Jude, and Paul wrote explanations of further developments in God's purpose. Thus, the holy Spirit served as a teacher, giving valuable assurance of divine direction. And, the Spirit strengthened the members of that congregation to be bold and fearless witnesses.—Acts 4:31ESV: "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness." God can empower his servants to "speak the Word of God with boldness'’ (Acts 4:31). Even those young in the ways of Bible truth and inexperienced in the evangelising activity need not hesitate to speak the good news boldly. How does a person get filled with the Holy Spirit? You have to pray the prayer of the early Church—"Come, Holy Spirit.” As recorded in Acts 4:31.
Leslie Coutinho
Supporter
Matthew 6:6: But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Lord Jesus, as He has revealed, one who goes in a closet, prays in secret, one who loves Him and keeps His Words, God the Father will love you, and they will come unto you and abide in you. (Mat 6:6/Joh 14:23) Today, one needs to be aware that, as in the past ye walked according to the course of this world, that ye were led by, that is, the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. (Eph 2:2) In times that passed, the conversation was through the lust of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and mind. But God the Father, who is rich in mercy, we who were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with our Lord Jesus. (Eph 2:3-5) By grace that we are being saved, God the Father, who has ordained us, knowing our faithfulness and humbleness, has given us the gift of God, that we should walk in them. For then through Him our Lord Jesus, by His blood, He has broken down the middle wall of partition between us, through Him, we are made nigh, and we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. (Eph 2:13,18) The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father sends, through our Lord Jesus, will bring all things to remembrance whatsoever He has spoken unto us. (Joh 14:26) One to be rewarded by God the Father, one needs to seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all blessings shall be added unto you by the Holy Spirit. (Mat 6:33) There are many who seek with vain repetitions, as the heathen do, for they think that they shall be heard, for their much speaking (boasting). God the Father knoweth what things we have a need of! Before we pray and ask Him. (Mat 6:7-8) For your need, therefore, one should not look out for your selves' treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and the thieves break through and steal. Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupts, and where thieves do not break and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Mat 6:19-21) The treasures of the heart that one has, need to be aware of the lamp of your body, that is thy eye that sees; if thy eye be single, that is to be in the right spirit of humbleness, the whole body shall be full of light with the Holy Spirit guiding you. (Mat 6:22) In the past, those who were filled with the Holy Spirit: when our Lord Jesus was crucified and buried, His Spirit descended into the lower parts of the earth, and then He ascended upon the earth, and then to heaven. (Eph 4:9) When Lord Jesus descended into the lower parts of the earth, the earth did quake, and the rocks rent, and the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints which slept arose. They came out of the graves after our Lord Jesus’s resurrection and went to the holy city and appeared unto many (Mat 27:52-53), as our Lord Jesus was then seen for forty days and then taken up in a cloud to heaven. (Act 1:3,9) Those who had passed away, after His resurrection, who sleep in Lord Jesus, God the Father will bring with Him when He descends in the cloud. For the dead in Christ shall rise first, and those who are alive shall be caught up together with them in the clouds and ascend to heaven. (1 Thes 4:14-17) Luke 11:13: If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Romans 8:11: 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.
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