The Experience of the Holy Spirit
“But ye shall receive power,
after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:
and ye shall be witnesses unto me…”
Acts 1:8
Many today declare that by “believing” in Christ we have received all that God has to offer. This concept is easily negated by the simple question Paul asked of some of the new believers in Corinth. This narrative is near the end of the Book of Acts, many years past the initial Day of Pentecost. It is clear that the outpouring of this wondrous power was an ongoing reality unto all who believed, as it is today.
“He said unto them,
Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?”
Acts 19:2
How clear the Word is, and how sad it is that His people rob themselves of His rich provisions because of teachings rooted in unbelief. What was Paul’s response?
“And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on* him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in(into*) the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”
Acts 19:3-6
Our access to His power is bound up in our receiving the Holy Spirit. It is a sad and tragic day when many believers regard the Baptism of the Holy Spirit as optional or not relevant for today. Rather than it being an essential element of living a testimony that is more than mere words. It is our receiving the person of the Holy Spirit that enables us to be “witnesses unto Him”!
The question remains:
“Have ye received the Holy Ghost
since ye believed?“
Acts 19:2
There is a vast difference between “believing on Him” and being “baptized INTO Him”. The language of the inspired word of God is crystal clear to those who honor His Word.
*NOTE: εἰς; “eis; prep. governing the acc. with the primary idea of motion into any place or thing” New Testament Greek Dictionary
Brian Troxel
How are you doing, Brian?!
Making some progress… slowly. Thank you for asking it is appreciated!
Blessings to you and your family.
BT
🙏🏻
Thank you!
Well stated my Brother
Thank you for comment and blessings to your family.
BT
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (NKJV) 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.
The power is the confirmation that it is God’s and not man’s word that is being preach and directs us to put our faith not in man’s eloquence of but rather in God’s power.
Yes amen. If there was ever a day for the church to be filled with His Light and Power it is today.
Blessings
BT
Good post, Brian. Still praying for you.
So appreciated… Blessings!
BT
Hello Brother, I have seen resistance regarding the baptism into the Holy Spirit, and I believe that it comes out of doctrinal foundations that have moved away from being led by the Spirit, to being taught what makes good believers.
And, the question remains unanswered, because of those doctrines that have found their substitute.
Blessings to you, brother.
“But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:9
Also:
“…yet ye have not, because ye ask not” James 4:2 A general law of God. Weak faith believes little, expects little and receives little.
A large portion of the church is rich in word and lacking in the faith and power of His Holy Spirit.
“Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come” Psalm 71:18
This is a scripture that is a burden upon my heart. What have we shown unto the next generation of HIS Strength and His Power… May God move in us that we may be instruments that are motivated and burdened to see the New Wine poured in the generation that is arising.
I am constantly burdened by the lack of expectation that is sooo evident in our meetings, and in our times of prayer. If we become sensitive to His Spirit we can feel the conditioned unbelief and the acceptance of the mundane. Things will not change until there arises the seeing of our true condition.
Blessings
BT
“…But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off…”
Ezra 3:12-13
The diffence in the way those of the spiritual mindset can see it as opposed to those of a natural mindset, and it was only the foundation.
Concerning the gift of our spirit praying by the Spirit in tongues, silently or vocally in a solitary setting, the heart of our Father and the mind of Christ, as supernatural intercession for others, and also as personal edification, which by extension actually assists others and excellently extolls the one triune God, I would like us to read comments from the blogger and readership. 1 Cor. 14 teaches that in a public setting, interpretation is required or else refrain.
At 1 Cor. 14, verses that point for me most poignantly, regarding this marvelous gifting, are as follows (in the AMPC):
1 Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts)
2 For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding].
4 He who speaks in a [strange] tongue edifies and improves himself
5 Now I wish that you might all speak in [unknown] tongues
14 For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit [by the]Holy Spirit within me] prays
15 Then what am I to do? I will pray with my spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will also pray [intelligently] with my mind and understanding; I will sing with my spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will sing [intelligently] with my mind and understanding also
17 To be sure, you may give thanks well (nobly)
18 I thank God that I speak in [strange] tongues (languages) more than any of you or all of you put together
Yes amen. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty and above all there is order. Disciples are subject to the Lordship of God and learn how to flow in His Spirit in the harmony of His leading!
Blessings
BT