Have you received the Holy Spirit?

[kenod]

Receiving the Holy Spirit for some of the Christians in Acts was an experience subsequent to believing in Jesus Christ.

Is it any different today?

Acts 8:15-17

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 9:17

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 19:2-6

He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

[mrcorey]

Kenod;

Are you referring to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit by means of speaking in tongues? If so, do you believe that gift is for everbody? Or do you believe that some people just are not blessed with that gift?

corey

[Benobi1]

THe WORD says that not all gifts is for everybody, but gifts are there to help the community

what is you rtake on this??

[firehill]

A leader of a church I attended once asked me this very question. He siad that because I couldn't speak in tounges that therefore I hadn't received the Spirit. I tried to explain to him that not all speak in tounges and that it is the least of gifts. He wanted to pray over me so that I would specificaly 'receive the Spirit' and in turn speak in tounges. Boy, did I make my exit quickly before he could work his magic!

[Metin]

Boy, did I make my exit quickly before he could work his magic!

clear error on that leaders part.

Edited December 29, 2006 by Metin

[Live4Eternity]

Receiving the Holy Spirit for some of the Christians in Acts was an experience subsequent to believing in Jesus Christ.

Is it any different today?

Acts 19:2-6

He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

I think this is where the situation is at hand. The difference in being baptized of John the Baptist and of Jesus of Nazareth. Who ever is baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus, whether by 'Father, Son, and Holy Spirit' or simply 'In the Name of Jesus' (because Jesus' diety), you recieve the Holy Spirit. That's how you're saved. That's the seal that gets you to heaven. Without it, you don't make it to eternal life with Him.

Hope that helps!

God bless!

[Sideir]

Boy, did I make my exit quickly before he could work his magic!

clear error on that leaders part.

Amein!

[bethshemaiah]

A leader of a church I attended once asked me this very question. He siad that because I couldn't speak in tounges that therefore I hadn't received the Spirit. I tried to explain to him that not all speak in tounges and that it is the least of gifts. He wanted to pray over me so that I would specificaly 'receive the Spirit' and in turn speak in tounges. Boy, did I make my exit quickly before he could work his magic!

I find it very interesting that this Pastor considered the action of speaking in tongues as a result of your baptism in the Holy Spirit to have to be simultaneous. I do believe that the evidence of this will come but that it will be in His time. The Holy Spirit is gentle and does not push Himself on anyone. His timing is perfect and for His purpose. I was baptized in the Holy Spirit for many months prior to receiving my prayer language. But when He gave me the evidence, wow there was no doubt that it was Him. Tongues is a powerful prayer weapon that the enemy cannot discern, I earnestly desired it but it was at least five months before I received it. I was never pressured by my brothers and sisters in Christ that one had to immediately follow the other. I do believe the evidence will come in His time and for His purpose if we are willing and submitted to His Holy Spirit. God Bless.

Bethany

[EricH]

All believers receive the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion.

[Live4Eternity]

The reason this debate keeps occuring is that people do not understand the difference between the gift of tongues, which only some receive and which requires an interpretation, and prayer tongues, that everyone receives when they receive the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. While the Bible never says everyone that is filled will speak in tongues, there is a clear pattern of that occuring throughout the book of Acts. It is also obvious that it is something that occurs after salvation because while on an evangelistic journey, the Apostles came upon believers and asked them if they had received the Holy Ghost since they believed. They said they hadn't even heard of the Holy Ghost but had only received John's baptism. They were filled after the Apostles prayed for them.

There is no way I can show conclusively that all that are Baptised in the Holy Ghost speak in tongues, because there is no scripture that states it to be so, however for those who are open minded to the possibility and desire to know the truth, I challenge you to go through the book of Acts and read about the people that received. Notice the pattern that occurs. If you still come away believing that prayer tongues are only for a select few, fine. I don't expect all to agree on this matter, but personally, I do believe that every believer that receives the baptism of the Holy Ghost will speak in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance.

No where in Scripture does it say that everyone baptized in the Spirit has the gift of prayer tongues either. It doesn't even mention prayer tongues in the Bible. The only place I've foun that could even suggest prayer toungues is when Pauls says,

1 Corinthians 13:1 "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal

. So here we can see that there is another language that is not of this earth. I do have this gift and have recieved it. But, no where are we taught that all who have the Holy Spirit will have this gift. What's wrong with the tonue that we already have? lol

God bless!