ROSE AND LINDA'S BLOG WHO, WHEN AND WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

Recently a study guide on the Holy Spirit came across my desk.  It looked good, it sounded good, it came from Pastors I felt comfortable with.  As I began to read though my Spirit said wait a minute.  What seemed innocent at first, included half truths and untruths.  Before we discuss it with you we have a few questions for you.

 

1. When you are saved were you filled with the Holy Spirit?

2. Do you have to ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit?

3. Can you only ask once you are saved?

4. How do you  know you are filled with the Holy Spirit?

5. What proof do you have you are filled with the Holy Spirit?

Maybe it would be better to ask:  After you are saved and filled with Holy Spirit, what evidence do you have you are filled?

6. Is God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit the same?

 

Acts 2:38 'Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." 

 

Let's look at the entire 2nd Chapter of Acts.  In the fourth verse it tells us all were filled.. and began to speak with other tongues.  this was on the day of Pentacost.  Verse 15 Peter tells us that those over hearing these speaking thought they were drunk. Verses 17b tells us My Spirit will be poured out on all flesh, while verse 18 says  He will pour out My spirit ...and they shall prophesy.  In verse 33 speaking of Jesus we are told 'received from the father the promise of the Holy Spirit.'   And lastly verse 39 tells us the promise is to you, your children, to all afar off, as many as the Lord god will call. [We encourage you to read the entire 2nd Chapter.]  Include in your reading John 4:2 which clearly tells us that Jesus Himself did not baptize anyone.

 

Now lets go back to our questions.  1.Yes when you are saved you do receive the gift of the holy Spirit.  2. No, you do not have to ask for it, it is a gift freely given when saved. 3. Again you do not have to ask, it is given.  4.  How do we know?  The Word of God tells us.  5.  The second question better answers this.  If we have a gift but it has not been opened, how then shall we have evidence of this gift.  Verse 18 tells us He shall pour out His Spirit..and they shall prophesy.  Verse 17 tells us they shall prophesy. 

 

It is only in verse 4 that we are told that they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.   

God Bless,

recj/LJG