The Holy Spirit is not an "it", He is a person of the Godhead who wants to relate to you and empower you every day. Discover how to encounter the Holy Spirit in a way that makes a difference in your life.
Let’s review what Scripture reveals about the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.
Firstly:
A. Four Transactions at salvation
1. Sealing with the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:21,22; Ephesians1:13; 4:30; 2 Tim 2:19)
On salvation to denote ownership, security, authenticity
Eph 1:13 reveals that when we believe we are placed ‘In Christ’ and sealed ‘In Him’ so that:
• We are a New Creation - 2 Cor 5:17;
• Have no condemnation – Rom 8:1;
• Have every spiritual blessing – Eph 1;3;
• Seated in the Heavenlies – Eph 2:4-6
2. Future Inheritance (2 Cor 1:21,22; 2 Cor 5:5-8; Eph 1:13,14)
Down payment or pledge of a future inheritance; gives us the ability to face physical death with the certainty of a future!
3. Anointing of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:21,22; 1 John 2:20; 2:27)
‘To set apart’ or ‘consecrate’ at salvation As the Holy Spirit teaches us the truth (John 16:13,14), we are sanctified or set apart from the world
4. Indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 7:39; 14:16-18; Rom 8:9,11; 1 Cor 6:19; 2 Tim 1:14)
With us from salvation onwards – God’s Spirit lives within us so that our bodies are indeed temples of the Holy Spirit – 1 Cor 6:19
Secondly:
B. Ongoing Transactions
1. Walking or Abiding in the Holy Spirit – Rom 8:4-6; Gal 5:16-ff:
1 John 3:5-9
Walking in the Spirit enables us to have victory over the flesh. When we focus on the Spirit, the ‘Fruit of the Spirit’ will be the evidence that we are walking in the Spirit
2. Filling of the Holy Spirit – Eph 5:18; Acts 2:3-4; 4:8-9; 4:31
The verb meaning in Eph 5:18 is literally ‘keep on being filled’. The 3 Acts references above show Peter being filled with the Holy Spirit on 3 separate and distinct times in the first four chapters. (Note in Acts 2:2-4 we have not only a ‘filling of the Holy Spirit’ but also Baptism in the Holy Spirit – see below) Picture yourself as a bucket with holes – you leak and need to becontinually refilled!
Thirdly:
C. Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matt 3:11: John 1:33: Luke 24:49;
Acts 1:5,8)
Occurrences: Acts 2:3,4; 8:4-17; 10:43-47 (11:15-17); 19:1-6
• Reason for the Baptism is given in Acts 1:4-5 & 1:7-9 – about POWER for evangelism
• Normal outward sign to others of the Baptism is Speaking inTongues
• Comparison between the 2 Types of Tongues
1. Manifestation gift of the Holy Spirit – 1 Corinthians 12:10
– Not in our initiative
– Temporary
– For the benefit of the hearers
– Must be translated so all understand
2. Tongue as main initial evidence of the Baptism in Holy Spirit
As we shall see later
– Yours to use as you wish
– Permanent
– For your own communication direct to God - 1 Corinthians 14:2
BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. SALVATION IS THE ONLY PREREQUISITE.
* Salvation always precedes water baptism and baptism of theHoly Spirit.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to youunless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
2. THE GIFT HAS ALREADY BEEN GIVEN
1. SALVATION IS A GIFT TO SINNERS
2. HOLY SPIRIT IS A GIFT TO THE BELIEVERS
ACTS 2:1-4 The Holy Spirit was poured out upon 120 at Pentecost in the Upper Room
A. Acts 2: 1-4 - ALL RECEIVED
B. They spoke with TONGUES as the Spirit gave the utterance (inspiration)
C. TONGUES IS THE INITIAL EVIDENCE OF RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT!
D. Acts 2:1-4 says they were seated. THE HOLY GHOST FELL AND THEY RECEIVED
E. DO NOT BEG GOD to be filled with the baptism of the Holy Spirit
Acts 10:38-46
Peter was preaching at Cornelius’ house: And all received the baptism of the Holy Spirit that heard the word.
Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
1. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a gift
2. Holy Spirit has already been given (Given upon the day of Pentecost)
3. Receive by FAITH
Mark 11:24, What things soever you desire when you pray, believe that you receive them and you shall have them.
GOD IS IMPRESSED BY FAITH
Heb. 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him.
Rom. 12:3
God has given to each one of us a measure of faith.
AND WE CAN MAKE THAT FAITH GROW BY:
Rom. 10:17
Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Rom. 10:8
The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. (that is, theword of faith which we preach)
Jude 20
But you beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith,praying in the Holy Spirit.
4. CONTROL
You’re the one who has control over the tongue
1. You do the speaking as the Spirit inspiresyou.
2. You can start and stop whenever you want
3. Speak as long as you want
4. Speak as short as you want
1Cor. 14:14-15
For I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the
Spirit, and I will pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, I will sing with the understanding.
NOTICE: unknown tongue (You do not know what you’re speaking)but my understanding is unfruitful (You don’t understand it; it isn’t comingfrom your mind. It’s coming from your spirit man.)
1Cor. 14:2
You’re speaking not unto men, but unto God, for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
5. RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. Expect to speak in tongues.
2. Don’t wait for feelings
3. Cast down any thoughts of doubt and unworthiness.
4. Do not fear receiving something False. Luke 11:11-13
‘And I say unto you, ask it shall be given you, seek, and you shall find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone that asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. “If a son ask for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he ask for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!’
