Receiving the Holy Spirit

[Ovedya]

Here are a few scriptures I already gave that clearly shows the baptism of the Holy Ghost in scripture. No, they do not show the Apostles teaching it, but they do show them practicing it. There is clearly a Biblical pattern present.

A Biblical pattern, but not a teaching. Yet the apostles taught concerning all the gifts and their proper place and function in the church. If the gifts are initiated by the BoHS, as some are teaching today, then why didn't Paul think to include it in accordance with their teachings concerning the gifts of the Spirit? My conclusion is because the BoHS is not necessary for the operation of the gifts in the church.

[Vickilynn]

Shalom,

The point has already been made that Acts was Acts and no place else do we see someone being baptized in the Holy Spirit the way they did it in Acts. That is because Acts records what happened, it does not set the standard for future Believers. Now, we are baptized with the Holy Spirit WHEN we are saved.

[Vickilynn]

The New Testament is conspicuously absent any teachings or doctrines regarding the BoHS. That is extremely unusual given the fact that entire doctrines have been constructed and have even been taught as "essentials of the faith" by a sect of Christianity. Simple logic tells me that if those doctrines are true, then they would have been also taught by the apostles. But we find no such doctrines contained in the Scriptures. Where are the writings of Peter, Paul, or John regarding the BoHS? Where does the Bible say that all Christians should experience the BoHS?

Now, Butero may argue that, just because the Bible doesn't say it doesn't mean that it's not true. But the absence of evidence is not evidence of itself. That's called "arguing in a vacuum." So in my estimation all those doctrines that are related to the BoHS are founded upon sand. They have no support from Scripture: The apostles didn't emphasize or teach it, and the church did not continue in it.

Shalom Ovedya,

Amen!!

[Floatingaxe]

You know, all this over-emphasizing that tongues is the least of the gifts doesn't negate tongues as a wonderful gift, nonetheless. The way it is portrayed by critics of those who exercise this gift, it's as if God handed us a pine-cone instead of a glorious gift! It may be the least in usefulness for evangelization, but it is very useful for self-edification, which we all need, and for the building of the Church, which is needed desperately always.

There is a warning, I believe inherent in Paul stating it being least...DO NOT LEAN ON IT.

I don't see any of that being touted here in Worthy.

[Floatingaxe]

Blessings dear Sister Ruth. What an awesome testimony. I know what that "empowerment" is called. You decreased so He could Increase. Its when we are weak that He is strong. Its when we humble ourselves to His will and not ours.

I believe every born-again believer is Spirit filled at conversion, and as one grows into the maturity of the Lord, seeking His will not their on, decreasing so He can increase in and thru them, that their gift will be made manifest.

For me, recieving of the Holy Spirt happens at conversion. Acts 2:38-39

Shalom Yahsway,

For me as well and according to the Scriptures, to EVERY Believer in Jesus. BUT, I didn't allow myself to decrease and allow the Holy Spirit to work in me until later, and THAT'S when I saw the manifestations. I didn't need to be re-baptized in the Holy Spirit, I was when I was saved, but I did need to move out of the way to let Him work and that came with time and maturity and a desire to die to self and be Spirit-led.

God gives His Holy Spirit at conversion, and one is born of the Spirit of God and God dwells in him. Any other way is salvation by works.

How can any other way that God moves on us be salvation by works? It's God's pleasure to move upon us whenever He so chooses, and especially when we ask.

[Floatingaxe]

Blessings dear Sister Ruth. What an awesome testimony. I know what that "empowerment" is called. You decreased so He could Increase. Its when we are weak that He is strong. Its when we humble ourselves to His will and not ours.

I believe every born-again believer is Spirit filled at conversion, and as one grows into the maturity of the Lord, seeking His will not their on, decreasing so He can increase in and thru them, that their gift will be made manifest.

For me, recieving of the Holy Spirt happens at conversion. Acts 2:38-39

Shalom Yahsway,

For me as well and according to the Scriptures, to EVERY Believer in Jesus. BUT, I didn't allow myself to decrease and allow the Holy Spirit to work in me until later, and THAT'S when I saw the manifestations. I didn't need to be re-baptized in the Holy Spirit, I was when I was saved, but I did need to move out of the way to let Him work and that came with time and maturity and a desire to die to self and be Spirit-led.

God gives His Holy Spirit at conversion, and one is born of the Spirit of God and God dwells in him. Any other way is salvation by works.

How can any other way that God moves on us be salvation by works? It's God's pleasure to move upon us whenever He so chooses, and especially when we ask.

I did not say that at all, FA. I said God gives His Holy Spirit at conversion, and one is born of the Spirit of God and God dwells in him. Any other way is salvation by works.

Yes, and that is the truth.

[Ovedya]

Salvation by works is the truth?

[Floatingaxe]

Salvation by works is the truth?

Get a clue, Ovedya!

I was agreeing that the Holy Spirit dwells in a man at conversion. Any other way for salvation is works, and is an invalid pursuit.

[Godsloft]

Those who come displaying the Power of the Holy Spirit are those who for sure have the Holy Spirit. These are the ones who bring people into the kingdom by securing their converts faith in the Power of God and not in the wisdom of men. Anyone can be this person by understanding the elementary principals of Christ and coming out from among them and being separate to God. Asking God for His Spirit is also one of the requirements. It is all in Christ's example and teachings.

1 Corinthians 2

4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

What is your Faith in?

[EricH]

Saints,

I would like to site a passage, then make some comments:

For you are called to freedom, brothers; only don't use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. For the entire law is fulfilled in one statement: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another. I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don't do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar, about which I tell you in advance-- as I told you before-- that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. We must not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians 5:13-26 HCSB

This topic of this duscussion has merit. All believers should have a clear understanding regarding the role of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The passage above describes the results of the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life. The passage speaks pf those who live according to the Spirit as serving one another, and not back bitiing and devouring others. It tells us that those who are indwelt by ths Spirit should not be characterized by hatred, anger strife, and dissensions.

The results of having the Holy Spirit should be the lving out of peace, joy, love, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Paul even ends the passage with another warning that we should not attempt to provoke one-another.

Sadly, a discussuion about the Holy Spirit, degenerated into behavior that did not reflect his presence in our lives. I removed several posts that contained personal attacks on specific individuals and churches. How ironic that a discussion about the Holy Spirit degenerated into behavior that did not reflect the fact that we as believers are indwelt by Him. The enemy is indeed clever.

I have closed this thread. I would ask each participant to ask God if they need to make any relationships right that have been damaged.

Blessings in Jesus!