Baptism in the Spirit

[Linkoln]

I have been doing some research and Bible Study on the work and gifts of the Holy Spirit. I am very curious of hearing the experiences from those who are Pentecostal or Charismatic about their first encounter with Speaking in Tongues or a Word of Prophecy.

[Linkoln]

I was hoping for some responses here. Give a guy some insight.

[Live for the Lord]

This is my first post and I am a new member, so I start by saying HI to everyone.

When I first got baptized in Holy Spirit, I was at a men's conference with my dad (I was only about thirteen or fourteen, I am only 17 now).  It was at the end of the convention on a Saturday and I remember the preacher, Ray Berryhill, say that anyone who has not been baptized in the Holy Spirit to come up to the front.  I had never desired the Holy Spirit or speaking in tongues before, besides hearing them in my church.  The preacher said to just open your mouth and the Holy Spirit would start to speak through you.  Then words came out of my mouth that I knew was from the Holy Spirit because they were not pre meditated and  I had no clue what I was saying.  I told that long story to say that the Holy Spirit does and will come into ANYONE who asks Jesus.  I was going to church my whole life and was not living truly how God wanted me to live and He still showed grace and mercy to me.  God is not a respector of any person above anyone else.  For every person, the timing of receiving the Holy Spirit is different.  Some of my friends are still praying to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  Now, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not what saves a person.  As Jesus said in Acts 1:5  "for truly John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."  I believe that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for EVERY believer and that every person would seek God in prayer and through His word to find out what He says about it, not just man.

Hope this is able to help someone.  Dan

[BornAgain]

I do wish to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
A friend of mine told me that she believes we all are baptised in the Holy Spirit as soon as we accept Jesus and the speaking in tongues comes from the "overflowing" of the Holy Spirit.
She believes that some Christians are complacent and do not want to go further with the Lord ..............therefore never receive the "overflowing" because they don't ask.......

The Bible says Ask and you shall receive so I guess this is something that I really need to pray for.

[Live for the Lord]

I do wish to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
A friend of mine told me that she believes we all are baptised in the Holy Spirit as soon as we accept Jesus and the speaking in tongues comes from the "overflowing" of the Holy Spirit.
She believes that some Christians are complacent and do not want to go further with the Lord ..............therefore never receive the "overflowing" because they don't ask.......

The Bible says Ask and you shall receive so I guess this is something that I really need to pray for.

Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
God promises the gift of the Holy Spirit to whoever asks Him, He is no respecter of persons.  I am So glad that you want this Gift, Bornagain.  Don't ever give up until you get it and when you do, do not let the flame run out!  God will answer your prayer, he promised us and He is not one that should lie.

[larry2]

I taught the young people in a Baptist Church, and concerning Pentecostal teachings of receiving the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, and other similar gifts ended with the printed word of God. 1 Corinthians 13:10  "But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away."

One day during class one of the thirteen students I believe it was asked about speaking in tongues. She had visited a church that did believe that. To make a long story short, we all went together to a church I knew of that believed that, and after the meeting we gathered at the altar with others praying, and soon all but the one that had asked about it received the Holy Spirit exhibited by speaking in other tongues. Did I know what I said? No, but my Hispanic wife heard another woman speaking in Spanish so perfectly she asked her about knowing Spanish, and she said knew no Spanish. And I have heard testimony of similar things over the years.

For some time I continued to seemingly repeat some of the language at different times, but I evidently do not have the gift of tongues, I was only given the evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit.

In Jesus' name - larry2

[Lifesaver]

I have been doing some research and Bible Study on the work and gifts of the Holy Spirit. I am very curious of hearing the experiences from those who are Pentecostal or Charismatic about their first encounter with Speaking in Tongues or a Word of Prophecy.

I believe the Holy Spirit is around everyone, but those who actually receive him inside themselves are those who firstly believe this is possible, and not some fairy tale. As He says "Signs will follow those who believe."

I attended the Catholic Church for many years and did not know anything about receiving the Holy Spirit. However at various occasions during that time, I used to communicate with 'spirits'.  It was only after I started attending a pentecostal church that I learnt that good and bad spirits can communicate with you.  From that pentecostal church I was able to differentiate between evil spirits and good spirits, as evil spirits cannot read your mind.

When I look back I realise that the Holy Spirit had been in my life for decades
but because some churches preach that hearing voices and other communications are from evil spirits, I had rejected all communications of that nature.  On discovering that evil spirits cannot read your mind, I then began to communicate in my mind with God directly in June 2007.  To my surprise, He would reply back to me directly, in my mind.  This has been happening upon demand now till today. 

I feel the sessions with God/The Holy Spirit is very fulfilling.  I can ask Him any question, I mean any question on any matter and 90% of the time He would give me an answer.  On the occasions He did not give me an answer are when, on reflection, I already new the answer.

Receiving the Holy Spirit and utilizing resourse to its fullest extent is extremely powerful and beneficial for those who are strong.  Yes, those who are strong - because if you get to communicate with Him to the level I do, He will remold you, as He points out home truths about yourself that you thought was unimportant and OK with Him and which needs to be changed.  The Holy Spirit is my No. 1 adviser on every aspect of life.  My life will not be complete with Him

Just one point.  All my children know about my very close relationship/ communicatin with God.  They also know about the connection of speaking in tongues and the Holy Spirit.  One day my daughter asked me  very intelligently.  "Why don't you speak in tongues, since you quite clearly have the Holy Spirit?"  I considered this was a very good point.  The next day I did not hesitate to put it to God in one of our communicating sessions.  The answer was more or less "To speak in tongues you do not understand what you say, but as you are communicating with God directly, you are closer to God, since you are understanding what He is saying to you..."

So I conclude that speaking in tongues has its place in the bible somewhere and in life generally, but to really experience God in your life, you need to start to speak to Him directly, whoever you are, holy or unholy - whether or not you  currently speak in tongues.  If you do not communicate with God directly, you are missing out big time ... 

Just shut yourself in your bathroom, bedroom, toilet etc., turn off all music/noise, zip your lips open your mind and connect with the Holy Spirit.  Do this regulary, whether or not you receive any response; but be persistent.   Eventually He will respond - when He knows you are serious.

[Elaine]

Lifesaver,
 What a great post and the others above, too.

One thing you said - when he knows your serious. I believe that also. Very good point to remind us of. Also to encourage us to 'be still' does not happen often enough here.

I am reminded of the story of a mother washing dishes and her little one whines for her attention ---so she gives him a candy bar -soon the little guy whines again  so she gives him a toy -- after awhile nothing satisfies him when she realizes--it is her he wants. That is all that he ever really wanted was her attention.

Yes, when he knows your serious... :)

I am presently practicing the gift of tongues after being baptized in the HS at an Andrew Wommack Family Conf, if you know him --- I'm letting go more and more -but I didn't realize my mind wants so much control.  I witnessed in front of my own eyes  a friend just spontaneously speaking like an American Indian or something.  It amazes me - but hasn't "happened" yet.  I will continue in faith it, will happen --I realized it may happen a bit later so that maybe I can be a better teacher to someone else.  I'm ok.

XXOOElaine

[walker starr]

                        And the LORD said ask and thou shall receive.  Thank you JESUS, AMEN.


               

[Lifesaver]

Lifesaver,
 What a great post and the others above, too.

Yes, when he knows your serious... :)

I am presently practicing the gift of tongues after being baptized in the HS at an Andrew Wommack Family Conf, if you know him --- I'm letting go more and more -but I didn't realize my mind wants so much control.  I witnessed in front of my own eyes  a friend just spontaneously speaking like an American Indian or something.  It amazes me - but hasn't "happened" yet.  I will continue in faith it, will happen --I realized it may happen a bit later so that maybe I can be a better teacher to someone else.  I'm ok.

XXOOElaine

XXOOElaine, good to see you eager to speak in tongues.  However, it does not seem right to me that you should be practicing speaking in tongues.  This should come naturally, without direct practice.  Although I do not speak in tongues myself, my inner senses tell me that God will make you speak in tongues, if He wants you to speak in tongues.   Besides, if you eventually get to speak in tongues, how would you know it is from God and not some other evil spirit trying to deceive you?  The only one who will be able to confirm that is God Himself - if you communiate with Him directly.

I would suggest that you concentrate on communicating with God directly first, if you are not already doing so, as I described above.  Once you have perfected that, God can tell you Himself whether it is His plan for you to speak in tongues.   If it is not His plan for you to speak in tongues, you could be wasting your time and energies now trying to do so!   His plan for you is probably greater than speakng in tongues.... but you ould miss it, if you place speaking in tongues as too great a priority.

You said you have the Holy Spirit, may be you could put it to Him straight and hear what He says.

Lifesaver 

[Elaine]

Let's see - that post of mine was July 7  --by July 8 - no more practicing!!! :)

[Lifesaver]

I do wish to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
A friend of mine told me that she believes we all are baptised in the Holy Spirit as soon as we accept Jesus and the speaking in tongues comes from the "overflowing" of the Holy Spirit.
She believes that some Christians are complacent and do not want to go further with the Lord ..............therefore never receive the "overflowing" because they don't ask.......

The Bible says Ask and you shall receive so I guess this is something that I really need to pray for.

Born Again,  " ...She believes that some Christians are complacent and do not want to go further with the Lord ..............therefore never receive the "overflowing" because they don't ask......."

Likewise, some Christians who alrady have the Holy Spirit are also too complaicent just to know He is around them.  They are not spirityally ambitious enough to seek to communicate with God directly and think they are not 'holy' enough for that.  Those complaicent Christians are forgetting that they can take God at His word any time "... You can seek me and find me, if you seek me with all of your heart..."

This 'seek Me with all of your heart" only means an unflinching belief that ordinary people, including you, can speak to God, and nothing and no one can convince you otherwise - and that you will be one of those that He speaks to directly.  Once you believe that, and ask it of God, then He will communicate with you.  As the saying goes "The tutor appears when th student is ready".

The approach I outline above confirms your statement - "The Bible says Ask and you shall receive so I guess this is something that I really need to pray for.

No, you do not 'pray' for it because you will not be doing what the bible says  anyway!  The bible says to ASK and you are praying...   You need to jump straight in and ASK, not 'pray'.  Do not winge or complain about your situation, just speak to God directly with questions like "My God, tell me, will it be to my benefit to sign for that business deal, or whatver."  Or my God fill me with Your Holy Spirit and tell me that you have done so."   Get straight to the point, do not say anything else, and wait for an answer.  

 Leave the 'praying' for less urgent matters ...!


Lifesaver

[Elaine]

  "not spirtually ambitious enough" and spiritual ambition....

I love that phrase!!  

Lifesaver -I just saw you are new here -I like you.
:)Elaine

Born Again and I did an "altar call" and received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit on the SAME day!! Wild, huh?   We don't know each other...

[Lifesaver]

 Born Again and I did an "altar call" and received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit on the SAME day!! Wild, huh?   We don't know each other...

Elaine and Born Again, good to hear you received the Holy Spirit.

Do not forget to utilise the Holy Spirit  to maximum extent - He expects it.  Make it a habit to communicate with Him in your mind daily and wait for His response (in your mind).  If you are already doing that - great!

Lifesaver
 

[Elaine]

 Born Again and I did an "altar call" and received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit on the SAME day!! Wild, huh?   We don't know each other...

Elaine and Born Again, good to hear you received the Holy Spirit.

Do not forget to utilise the Holy Spirit  to maximum extent - He expects it.  Make it a habit to communicate with Him in your mind daily and wait for His response (in your mind).  If you are already doing that - great!

Lifesaver
 

BIG SMILE   Thank You, thank You!!!    Hug, too.