March 13
HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM
-Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? In Acts 19:1-7, we find the apostle Paul coming into Ephesus and
addressing this very situation. He simply asks the disciples there … HAVE YOU RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT SINCE YOU BELIEVED?
They did not even know what he was talking about.
-Many today in Christendom do not know what Paul was talking about either. They reject the baptism with the Holy Spirit,
saying, … it passed away with the early apostles, or they say that you are automatically baptized with the Holy Spirit
at the moment you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition to this, they are strongly against the idea of speaking in
tongues, for they say that this too did pass away with the early apostles. SAD … ISN’T IT?
-The very Holy Spirit of the living God is available to us, and many either reject it ( because of their denominational
beliefs ), or they find some way to explain it away. Well … Such is the story of the Gentile Church.
-The baptism with the Holy Spirit is clearly a separate experience after believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul cleared
this issue up for all to see. Paul asked the question, … Have you received the Holy Spirit SINCE YOU BELIEVED?
Paul was obviously making a distinction between believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, and then receiving the baptism with the
Holy Spirit, which is then evidenced by speaking with tongues. Acts 19:6 states, … And when Paul had laid his hands
upon them, THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME ON THEM; AND THEY SPOKE WITH TONGUES AND PROPHESIED …
-For those who say that this experience has passed away with the early apostles, FOR THEM IT HAS! But for those who believe
the Bible, IT HAS NOT PASSED AWAY, FOR WE KNOW BY EXPERIENCE THAT IT IS STILL REAL TODAY!
-Read also:
-Acts chapter 2 …
-The entire book of Acts …
-Paul’s comments on speaking in tongues in his epistles …
-Mark 16:17 states, … And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; THEY
SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES; …
-Are you a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? Seek God for what He
wants to give you! As well, keep in mind that it is not just a one time experience ( read Acts 4:29-31 ). The Holy Spirit
of God was over His people in the Old Testament ( a cloud by day and a fire by night ). The Holy Spirit of God was with His
people as He came to be manifested in the flesh ( Jesus … Emmanuel … God with us ). And finally, the Holy Spirit
of God is IN US, and shall come forth out of us as rivers of living water.
-Even the Spirit of truth; Whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not, neither knows Him; for He dwells with
you, AND SHALL BE IN YOU ( John 14:17 ) …
-HAVE YOU RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT SINCE YOU BELIEVED?-
