Receiving the Holy Spirit

[~Shalhevet~]

I had some people pray over me tonight to receive the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues. I don't know why but now I feel like maybe I did something wrong by allowing them to do this. What if I don't receive the gift? Does that mean I don't have enough faith?

Then something strange happened before that. While they were praying and speaking in tongues over other people I felt this strong sensation come over me. It was like a wave that went through me. I felt dizzy/lightheaded and began having muscle twitches. Then my heart started racing really fast. I have NEVER in my life experienced anything like this. First I thought it was neat but then it scared me! Was this God or the devil? I'm so confused!

[Blien]

I had some people pray over me tonight to receive the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues. I don't know why but now I feel like maybe I did something wrong by allowing them to do this. What if I don't receive the gift? Does that mean I don't have enough faith?

Then something strange happened before that. While they were praying and speaking in tongues over other people I felt this strong sensation come over me. It was like a wave that went through me. I felt dizzy/lightheaded and began having muscle twitches. Then my heart started racing really fast. I have NEVER in my life experienced anything like this. First I thought it was neat but then it scared me! Was this God or the devil? I'm so confused!

This same thing happened to me before. I felt strong emotions almost come over me - great fear. And I felt in my spiritual body that fire was rising from the bottom of my feet upward, I knew I was about to collapse if it proceeded anymore up. So I resisted. I also regretted it.. because I have never read anywhere in the Bible where it says the Holy Spirit came from the feet up.. it always said, the Holy Spirit fell upon them.

To this day, I still dont know why people call this 'receiving the holy spirit'... seriously which spirit ARE you receiving? Try this Or'el... ask GOD to protect you from any familiar spirits (that is demons) before you have anyone else pray over you to do anything like this. And see if you still get these signs.. For me, they completely disappeared when I prayed that! How odd!!

If it is the Holy Spirit, why would that happen? Yet most of the people at these churches, run away when you start asking them these kinds of questions. The rest just try to control the conversation instead of letting you ask and them answering in an honest way...

If it was me, I wouldn't trust them. After all, this is what Jesus said!!

Luke 11:13

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

If all we need to do is ASK, then why do these people say we need to come to church and be prayed over with the laying on of hands? All it says is ASK and God will give! Doesn't say anything else!

Be careful who you trust!

[Blien]

By the way, praying in tongues... I'm not entirely sure it's from God. They told me, essentially to just make up the words as I go! How stupid!

As if GOD needed anyone to speak in a different language for Him to understand us. How absurd!

[godrulz]

All believers receive the Holy Spirit (person) at conversion. There is an experience subsequent to conversion where He fills us in a new way with the initial, physical evidence of speaking in tongues (classical Pentecostal view that I believe is biblical).

We should seek the Giver, not the gift. There are occult, Hindu, etc. counterfeit tongues, but if you are in a Bible-centered Christ-honoring church, this should not be a major concern. It is also possible to act out in the flesh due to peer pressure, fear, confusion, etc. Some people receive this experience in a public setting. I would not blame yourself since you cannot earn a gift. You should search your heart for hindrances such as sin.

You must speak and move your mouth, but the Spirit gives utterance (Acts 2:4). I received this gift a few months after conversion in the quiet of my room. Continue to be open and seeking. Yield to Him and He will make Himself real. It should result in peace, power, love, etc., not fear, condemnation, etc.

[OneLight]

I had some people pray over me tonight to receive the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues. I don't know why but now I feel like maybe I did something wrong by allowing them to do this. What if I don't receive the gift? Does that mean I don't have enough faith?

Then something strange happened before that. While they were praying and speaking in tongues over other people I felt this strong sensation come over me. It was like a wave that went through me. I felt dizzy/lightheaded and began having muscle twitches. Then my heart started racing really fast. I have NEVER in my life experienced anything like this. First I thought it was neat but then it scared me! Was this God or the devil? I'm so confused!

You receive the Holy Spirit when you receive Christ. What they are trying to do is known as being baptized in the Holy Spirit. Remember that the gifts of the Spirit are given at His will (1 Corinthians 12:11), not at the will of man. Not everyone who is baptized in the Spirit will speak in tongues. Be weary of those who claim this. We can read in 1 Corinthians 12:30 and 14:5 that all do not speak in tongues. Paul wished that everyone spoke in tongues. Why woudl Paul state that if all did?

1 Corinthians 12:30

Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

1 Corinthians 14:5

I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

[OneLight]

By the way, praying in tongues... I'm not entirely sure it's from God. They told me, essentially to just make up the words as I go! How stupid!

As if GOD needed anyone to speak in a different language for Him to understand us. How absurd!

Brother, do you discard His gifts then?

[~Shalhevet~]

Thanks Blien. I really didn't know what to think at the time. Like I said nothing like this has ever happened. I always thought it was fake (the whole tingling thing). I know it's real but I question who it's from now. From now on I will do as you say and ask the demonic spirits to leave. I hope God isn't mad at me. I just sort of went with the flow and did it. They kind of put me on the spot.

[Blien]

All believers receive the Holy Spirit (person) at conversion. There is an experience subsequent to conversion where He fills us in a new way with the initial, physical evidence of speaking in tongues (classical Pentecostal view that I believe is biblical).

We should seek the Giver, not the gift. There are occult, Hindu, etc. counterfeit tongues, but if you are in a Bible-centered Christ-honoring church, this should not be a major concern. It is also possible to act out in the flesh due to peer pressure, fear, confusion, etc. Some people receive this experience in a public setting. I would not blame yourself since you cannot earn a gift. You should search your heart for hindrances such as sin.

If sin is a hindrance, why did the Apostle Paul receive the Holy Spirit? Or any of the early believers for that matter? Or Cornelius? This idea is absolutely unbiblical.. God says ASK and He will Give. Not, "do this, do that and then maybe I'll give you the Holy Spirit.. maybe... only if you are good."

NO! Totally wrong!

You must speak and move your mouth, but the Spirit gives utterance (Acts 2:4). I received this gift a few months after conversion in the quiet of my room. Continue to be open and seeking. Yield to Him and He will make Himself real. It should result in peace, power, love, etc., not fear, condemnation, etc.

How can you speak, if you have no words to say? Are you just saying, make up the words as you go along?

[Blien]

I had some people pray over me tonight to receive the Holy Spirit and the gift of tongues. I don't know why but now I feel like maybe I did something wrong by allowing them to do this. What if I don't receive the gift? Does that mean I don't have enough faith?

Then something strange happened before that. While they were praying and speaking in tongues over other people I felt this strong sensation come over me. It was like a wave that went through me. I felt dizzy/lightheaded and began having muscle twitches. Then my heart started racing really fast. I have NEVER in my life experienced anything like this. First I thought it was neat but then it scared me! Was this God or the devil? I'm so confused!

You receive the Holy Spirit when you receive Christ. What they are trying to do is known as being baptized in the Holy Spirit. Remember that the gifts of the Spirit are given at His will (1 Corinthians 12:11), not at the will of man. Not everyone who is baptized in the Spirit will speak in tongues. Be weary of those who claim this. We can read in 1 Corinthians 12:30 and 14:5 that all do not speak in tongues. Paul wished that everyone spoke in tongues. Why woudl Paul state that if all did?

1 Corinthians 12:30

Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

1 Corinthians 14:5

I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

Now this is biblical.

[Blien]

By the way, praying in tongues... I'm not entirely sure it's from God. They told me, essentially to just make up the words as I go! How stupid!

As if GOD needed anyone to speak in a different language for Him to understand us. How absurd!

Brother, do you discard His gifts then?

I discard no gift.. but I just copied what another man was saying because they wouldn't stop praying over me, after 30 minutes and not seeing any results. I really wanted to leave and they wouldn't stop.

I never had the gift in the first place, I just asked them if they could pray I receive it. And so, this is what happened.