Baptism In The Holy Spirit
Now that you are saved and born again and baptized in water, you have the Holy Spirit already (Romans 8:9). The Holy Spirit is freely available to those who will trust and obey (Acts 5:32). We as true believers know that God has something more for us and that is the Baptism in the Holy Sprit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
It is not essential to have hands laid on you to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, but it is helpful provided the believer who lays hands on you is spirit-filled and of good character. There is a spiritual impartation that comes with the laying on of hands. We see the laying on of hands mentioned in connection with receiving the Holy Spirit in Acts 8:17, Acts 9:12 and Acts 19:6. It is important to realize that we receive the Holy Spirit by faith, and not merely by the laying on of hands. This is what needs to happen for you to be mightily filled with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus explains in John 7:37,38 "If any man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. He who be-lieves in Me, as the Scripture has said, 'From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water'". The next verse tells us that this refers to the Holy Spir-it.
We must have a desire to experience more in God in order to be filled with the Spirit. The more intense our desire is, the more powerfully we will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. We should never give up seeking God. Faith is born out of desire.
Jesus said, "If you then, being evil, know how to
give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him" (Luke 11:13). "Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16:24) We can have faith because we know from God's word the promises such as these. See also Acts 2:17,38-39. It is obviously God's will to keep His promises.
We receive the Holy Spirit as a gift, not on the basis of works, but by "hearing with faith" (Galatians 3:5). We do not receive by doing outward things; we must simply believe that we receive.
As the expression of our faith in God's word, we yield control of our tongue to God. This yielding is an ACTIVE thing - WE do the speaking, and the Holy Spirit gives the language.
Paul says "For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful" (1 Corinthians 14:14). Acts 2:4 says "And they ... began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utter-ance (which means the "ability to speak out").
You must begin speaking, trusting God to give the language. Do not worry about whether you understand the sounds you make - you will make the sounds according to the language that the Holy Spirit gives you. You will probably want to know more about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Contact us and we will be pleased to answer your questions and assist you in receiving this precious gift from God.
It is not essential to have hands laid on you to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, but it is helpful provided the believer who lays hands on you is spirit-filled and of good character. There is a spiritual impartation that comes with the laying on of hands. We see the laying on of hands mentioned in connection with receiving the Holy Spirit in Acts 8:17, Acts 9:12 and Acts 19:6. It is important to realize that we receive the Holy Spirit by faith, and not merely by the laying on of hands. This is what needs to happen for you to be mightily filled with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus explains in John 7:37,38 "If any man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. He who be-lieves in Me, as the Scripture has said, 'From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water'". The next verse tells us that this refers to the Holy Spir-it.
We must have a desire to experience more in God in order to be filled with the Spirit. The more intense our desire is, the more powerfully we will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. We should never give up seeking God. Faith is born out of desire.
Jesus said, "If you then, being evil, know how to
give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him" (Luke 11:13). "Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16:24) We can have faith because we know from God's word the promises such as these. See also Acts 2:17,38-39. It is obviously God's will to keep His promises.
We receive the Holy Spirit as a gift, not on the basis of works, but by "hearing with faith" (Galatians 3:5). We do not receive by doing outward things; we must simply believe that we receive.
As the expression of our faith in God's word, we yield control of our tongue to God. This yielding is an ACTIVE thing - WE do the speaking, and the Holy Spirit gives the language.
Paul says "For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful" (1 Corinthians 14:14). Acts 2:4 says "And they ... began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utter-ance (which means the "ability to speak out").
You must begin speaking, trusting God to give the language. Do not worry about whether you understand the sounds you make - you will make the sounds according to the language that the Holy Spirit gives you. You will probably want to know more about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Contact us and we will be pleased to answer your questions and assist you in receiving this precious gift from God.
