Receiving the Holy Spirit

[Scarletprayers]

Amen Butero Amen!

[Scarletprayers]

We are all questioning things in this thread, Fiosh didn't say she thought thats what happened, she only asked could it be, there are times when I feel the Spirit moving in me more than others, I don't think its because I've been baptized again with the Spirit, only that I'm probably listening to Him more. If it is a gift, and somehow I am missing out by withholding belief, then I pray that I open my heart and accept it. I firmly believe that God is working in my life, I see the changes in myself and sometimes I'm amazed at the changes He has already accomplished in me. Two years ago when I first came here I would have no more joined in on this conversation than I would have robbed a bank. I feel a peace and contentment lately than can only be God given. Not through my power, but through His, you know of what I speak, and I firmly believe that your prayers for me in this area (as well as a few others that know) have helped bring me to this peace, through God's grace.

Shalom SP,

I do believe that is exactly what is happening. The Scriptures show plainly that you are indwelt (and baptized) in the Holy Spirit and as you listen to Him more in your life, He will work more. It is really that simple. You can trust the Scriptures for that is what it says.'

AND the Word says that not everyone receives EVERY gift, including tongues. So SP, you do not lack faith, nor is there anything wrong with your walk. Trust Jesus sis! He loves you and would not withhold anything from you!

Thanks Vickilynn

Sometimes I do come off sounding to harsh in my answer, I explained to Butero its because of nervousness, not arrogance and I hope anybody I might have offended because of that will forgive me and realize and understand it for what is, not what it appears to be.

[methinkshe]

I think thats and unfair example Butero since Fiosh has already stated she believes that there are different baptisms of the Spirit. As well as no one is denying that it is the work of the Spirit in their lives, as in your scenario. I know I rec'd the Spirit when I believed, I haven't ever received the gifts of tongues, so does that make me a 2nd class citizen in yours eyes. The fact that I do not find scripture to back up all of these claims of speaking in tongues as a baptism of the Spirit, yet I don't deny that belief to those of you who do. If it is true, and I haven't rec'd it, that means one of two things going by your criteria, either I am really not a Christian or I somehow lack faith. And I must admit to resenting that implication.

No, not true...your contentions. My father was the most godly man and loving Christian father any daughter could hope for. Yet he never experienced speaking in tongues or any other of the empowering gifts of the Spirit. Yet my mother DID receive the gift of tongues but tended to downplay it so as not to cause anxiety between herself and her husband, my father. I know this may sound really silly, but my children were wondering about the gift of tongues and why they hadn't received it, and then went on to listen to a Bible Study by a really gifted teacher of God's Word, and the result was that it set them free to receive. It wasn't that they didn't HAVE the gift of tongues always available, it was more that they had never had the confidence to move into the gift. Oh, that sounds so trite. But I know if for myself that one has to move into the gifts - they don't just plop themselves on your lap. It's faith all over again. Is there a bridge over the ravine? I don't know, but I'll never know for certain until I step out into the unknown and find that, lo and behold, there I am walking on firm ground. Everyone whom I have known who speaks in tongues had at the first instance to step out and risk looking like a complete fool. Who is to say, for instance, that saying wee-wee is not speaking in tongues? Oui, oui, is yes, yes, in French. But somebody is going to say you are just talking toilet rubbish! But as one utters the first word.....wow! Whole sentences follow! Did my father ever seek tongues? No, he didn't. Do I believe that it made him a lesser Christian than my mother? No I do not. I have nine children. Why? Because I believe that God says that children are a blessing. Like the greedy soul I am I decided not to limit God's blessings so I kept 'em coming! Do I believe that a couple who decide to have only two children are deficient Christians? No way! According to your faith be it unto you.....Go for as much or as little and either way it makes no difference. Far more important is that whatever you do you do by faith becaus if it is not of faith then it is sin.

Oh dear, I expect I'm talking a load of rubbish again. Just so identified with your post especially when thinking of my dad. Please excuse if I have come accross as either preachy or, worse still, arrogant. I'm only a mother and housewife so I really do not have any laurels to rest upon save knowing Jesus.

Blessings in Jesus,

Ruth

[Scarletprayers]

I think thats and unfair example Butero since Fiosh has already stated she believes that there are different baptisms of the Spirit. As well as no one is denying that it is the work of the Spirit in their lives, as in your scenario. I know I rec'd the Spirit when I believed, I haven't ever received the gifts of tongues, so does that make me a 2nd class citizen in yours eyes. The fact that I do not find scripture to back up all of these claims of speaking in tongues as a baptism of the Spirit, yet I don't deny that belief to those of you who do. If it is true, and I haven't rec'd it, that means one of two things going by your criteria, either I am really not a Christian or I somehow lack faith. And I must admit to resenting that implication.

No, not true...your contentions. My father was the most godly man and loving Christian father any daughter could hope for. Yet he never experienced speaking in tongues or any other of the empowering gifts of the Spirit. Yet my mother DID receive the gift of tongues but tended to downplay it so as not to cause anxiety between herself and her husband, my father. I know this may sound really silly, but my children were wondering about the gift of tongues and why they hadn't received it, and then went on to listen to a Bible Study by a really gifted teacher of God's Word, and the result was that it set them free to receive. It wasn't that they didn't HAVE the gift of tongues always available, it was more that they had never had the confidence to move into the gift. Oh, that sounds so trite. But I know if for myself that one has to move into the gifts - they don't just plop themselves on your lap. It's faith all over again. Is there a bridge over the ravine? I don't know, but I'll never know for certain until I step out into the unknown and find that, lo and behold, there I am walking on firm ground. Everyone whom I have known who speaks in tongues had at the first instance to step out and risk looking like a complete fool. Who is to say, for instance, that saying wee-wee is not speaking in tongues? Oui, oui, is yes, yes, in French. But somebody is going to say you are just talking toilet rubbish! But as one utters the first word.....wow! Whole sentences follow! Did my father ever seek tongues? No, he didn't. Do I believe that it made him a lesser Christian than my mother? No I do not. I have nine children. Why? Because I believe that God says that children are a blessing. Like the greedy soul I am I decided not to limit God's blessings so I kept 'em coming! Do I believe that a couple who decide to have only two children are deficient Christians? No way! According to your faith be it unto you.....Go for as much or as little and either way it makes no difference. Far more important is that whatever you do you do by faith becaus if it is not of faith then it is sin.

Oh dear, I expect I'm talking a load of rubbish again. Just so identified with your post especially when thinking of my dad. Please excuse if I have come accross as either preachy or, worse still, arrogant. I'm only a mother and housewife so I really do not have any laurels to rest upon save knowing Jesus.

Blessings in Jesus,

Ruth

Ruth.................no, that wasn't pointed at you at all, I liked the way you explained it and think thats how all of us should approach differences, with love and understand and trying to be considerate of others beliefs. Please if I offended you or hurt your feelings in any way, accept my humble apology!

[methinkshe]

I think thats and unfair example Butero since Fiosh has already stated she believes that there are different baptisms of the Spirit. As well as no one is denying that it is the work of the Spirit in their lives, as in your scenario. I know I rec'd the Spirit when I believed, I haven't ever received the gifts of tongues, so does that make me a 2nd class citizen in yours eyes. The fact that I do not find scripture to back up all of these claims of speaking in tongues as a baptism of the Spirit, yet I don't deny that belief to those of you who do. If it is true, and I haven't rec'd it, that means one of two things going by your criteria, either I am really not a Christian or I somehow lack faith. And I must admit to resenting that implication.

No, not true...your contentions. My father was the most godly man and loving Christian father any daughter could hope for. Yet he never experienced speaking in tongues or any other of the empowering gifts of the Spirit. Yet my mother DID receive the gift of tongues but tended to downplay it so as not to cause anxiety between herself and her husband, my father. I know this may sound really silly, but my children were wondering about the gift of tongues and why they hadn't received it, and then went on to listen to a Bible Study by a really gifted teacher of God's Word, and the result was that it set them free to receive. It wasn't that they didn't HAVE the gift of tongues always available, it was more that they had never had the confidence to move into the gift. Oh, that sounds so trite. But I know if for myself that one has to move into the gifts - they don't just plop themselves on your lap. It's faith all over again. Is there a bridge over the ravine? I don't know, but I'll never know for certain until I step out into the unknown and find that, lo and behold, there I am walking on firm ground. Everyone whom I have known who speaks in tongues had at the first instance to step out and risk looking like a complete fool. Who is to say, for instance, that saying wee-wee is not speaking in tongues? Oui, oui, is yes, yes, in French. But somebody is going to say you are just talking toilet rubbish! But as one utters the first word.....wow! Whole sentences follow! Did my father ever seek tongues? No, he didn't. Do I believe that it made him a lesser Christian than my mother? No I do not. I have nine children. Why? Because I believe that God says that children are a blessing. Like the greedy soul I am I decided not to limit God's blessings so I kept 'em coming! Do I believe that a couple who decide to have only two children are deficient Christians? No way! According to your faith be it unto you.....Go for as much or as little and either way it makes no difference. Far more important is that whatever you do you do by faith becaus if it is not of faith then it is sin.

Oh dear, I expect I'm talking a load of rubbish again. Just so identified with your post especially when thinking of my dad. Please excuse if I have come accross as either preachy or, worse still, arrogant. I'm only a mother and housewife so I really do not have any laurels to rest upon save knowing Jesus.

Blessings in Jesus,

Ruth

Ruth.................no, that wasn't pointed at you at all, I liked the way you explained it and think thats how all of us should approach differences, with love and understand and trying to be considerate of others beliefs. Please if I offended you or hurt your feelings in any way, accept my humble apology!

Dear SilentPrayer,

Of course you have not offended! I just love to talk about Jesus and anything to do with God's Word. But I am aware that on occasions I can sound preachy, which is not my intent. I just LOVE the beauty of the truth of God's Word and could ramble on about it forever! And in so doing I am aware that I can often become soullish along with all the attendatant problems of arrogance and wherever that leads. God bless you, dear sister. Oh, Jesus is so glorious, His truth is so wonderful and liberating! May we never diminish the freedom that is in Christ Jesus.

In Jesus

Ruth

[Fiosh]

It is difficult to deny experience. I know for myself that I recieved Jesus as my Saviour many years before I was baptised in the Holy Spirit and experienced a supernatural indwelling and empowerment of the Spirit.

Blessings in Jesus

Ruth

Hi Ruth,

If you don't mind me asking, how do you know that is was a "baptism" of the Holy Spirit, rather than a time when the Holy Spirit (whom you already had dwelling within you) made His Presence known in a powerful way?

Peace,

F

I don't know - that's the honest truth. With hindsight one tries to reconcile one's experience with Scripture. You could be absolutely correct when you say that the Holy Spirit who was already indewelling was at a certain time in my life given enough space, so to speak, to manifest in a powerful way that I had never before experienced. But in a way, it doesn't really matter how or why or what or when, all that really matters is that at some stage in my life the Holy Spirit powerfully manifested to me and in me and gave me power to witness and to love and to hunger for God's Word that had not previously been the case. Whether one attaches the label "baptism in the Holy Spirit" to such an experience, or not, seems to me to be very secondary and rather unimportant. Call it what you will....all I know is that at a specific moment in time I was empowered spiritually in a way that I had not previously experienced. Praise Jesus!

Ruth

Awesome, Ruth! You're right--- however we try to define it, it is a tremendous blessing from God.

Thank you for sharing this with us.

Peace,

Fiosh

[Fiosh]

Dear Ruth, I meant no disrespect at all; if I offended you in any way, I apologize. In fact, I believe that we can receive an anointing of the Holy Spirit. As I stated in an earlier post, in my Church, we believe that we receive the Holy Spirit at Baptism; then another anointing at Confirmation. We also have special healing/spiritual renewal services where we can receive an anointing.

I was in no way trying to diminish your experience. I think it is beautiful.

Your sister in Christ,

Fiosh

[methinkshe]

Dear Ruth, I meant no disrespect at all; if I offended you in any way, I apologize. In fact, I believe that we can receive an anointing of the Holy Spirit. As I stated in an earlier post, in my Church, we believe that we receive the Holy Spirit at Baptism; then another anointing at Confirmation. We also have special healing/spiritual renewal services where we can receive an anointing.

I was in no way trying to diminish your experience. I think it is beautiful.

Your sister in Christ,

Fiosh

Nor did I receive any disrespect or offence! Please, you have nothing to apologise for. Are we not just dicussing the beauty of the Lord Jesus? For you it happened this way, for me, another way, for for him over there, another way too! Isn't it just so glorious that God deals with us as individuals? I would so hate it if Jesus applied a methodology concerning our personal sanctification - then I would have real reason to doubt! I just so love to hear how Jesus is working in other people's lives. I simply LOVE it that the Lord doesn't treat us as clones but imparts his truths to each one of us on an individual basis. And isn't is just glorious to share how He has done it for me, for you, for him down the road! I just get so excited about our Lord who knows each one of us and treats with each one of us on an individual basis. Glory hallelujah!

Blessings in Jesus,

Ruth

[Vickilynn]

Sometimes I do come off sounding to harsh in my answer, I explained to Butero its because of nervousness, not arrogance and I hope anybody I might have offended because of that will forgive me and realize and understand it for what is, not what it appears to be.

Shalom Silentprayer,

I don't think you've ever come off sounding harsh and I know you've never offended me.

Dear Sister, you are precious, you really are. Precious to our L-rd and to us, your brothers and sisters.

We are family, and even in the best families there are sometimes squabbles.

I pray the L-rd's blessings upon you and may you know His love in a very tangible way.

I love you.

[Fiosh]

Does anyone understand why Peter and John had to lay hands on them---and Philip could not? I'm a little confused.

There are some people that seem to be more gifted in imparting spiritual gifts through the laying on of hands. I would imagine that was the case with Peter and John.

That's actually close to my understanding.....that we receive an anointing from someone who has the gift to be able to impart the Holy Spirit. That is not to say that there aren't exceptions. God is all-powerful, and can certainly choose to give the gift of the Holy Spirit to whomever He chooses.

But Scripture often talks of believers receiving the Holy Spirit after the laying on of hands.

Any comments/thoughts on this???

Peace,

Fiosh