PREPARED BY George Rendon Nava Jr.
HAVE YOU RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT SINCE YOU BELIEVED? DO YOU?
When Paul met some believers in Ephesus, he asked “have you received..” Acts 19:2,
We must understand that it takes more than just belief in God to be saved! “ He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.. but he that believeth not shall be dammed..” notice after Paul prayed for these believers they received the Holy Spirit and spoke in other tongues the same thing that happened on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-2. 35-39, (read).. remember even demons believe but there not saved? so says the bible.. people are not saved just because they believe?
WHAT IS THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR?
Jesus said that “..Ye shall receive power after that the holy ghost is come upon you..” Acts 1:8
power to live holy lives, to pray, to worship, to witness, to OVERCOME! to defeat! to obtain!
A. Power to understand! to minister, to believe! Romans 8:26-27 “..likewise the spirit helps our infirmities.. because he (notice: scripture calls the spirit a “ he“ because it is important that we realize with God it is personal, its real, he is substance) ..he makes intercession for the saints..”
For the holy spirit is given to empower us to utilize the gifts of the spirit! “..Now there are diversities of gifts.. but the same spirit.. is given to everyman to profit withal..” but covet ..the best gifts..” 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28-31, We all have hidden potential within us! use it!
B. In order for the gifts to operate among us we must learn to live in the fruit of the spirit? to mature, be responsible, be one of character, in order that the productivity (the fruit) from the use of our gifts would remain, notice Jesus asked or rather said “ I would that your fruit would remain? sure even a sinner can move in the gifts? but his results will not be the same? no lasting fruit will bare? remember the devil is an imitator? who would gladly trade a healing for sin? after all the devil is the author of sickness and if he can get you to worship some man in place of God? he’ll remove that sickness? in a trade? also God will not take back what he has given us in the way of gifts? remember the gifts do not reflect the receiver (us) but rather the giver (God) so just because someone may be used by God in mighty ways does not mean that God approves of his or her lifestyle? God honors faith! and meets the need? “what so ever you shall ask in my name that will I do, that the Father may be glorified..” “..ask that your joy may be full..” John 14:12-14, 26, 15:8,11,16, 16:24
C. WHY BE BAPTIZED? “..Arise and be baptized; washing away thy sins..” ..that so many as were baptized.. were baptized unto his death.. for if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we shall also be in the likeness of his resurrection.. that the body of sin ..be destroyed..” Rom 6: 3-13
So for one it is a washing away of our sins, for the water is representative of his blood and his grave, “we are cleansed by his blood” two it is our identification with Jesus suffering, sacrifice, death , and resurrection victory! a crucifying of the flesh and will of man, three the burial of the old nature, old man., and old ways, if no death, no resurrection? 11 Cor. 5:17
WHO IS THE BAPTISM OF HOLY SPIRIT FOR?
It is for all who will call upon him! “..for who so ever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.. ”.. for the promise is unto you, to your children, to as many as are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call..” Truly truly I say unto you except a man be born again he cannot enter the kingdom of God..” unless a man be born of spirit and of the water he cannot enter..” Acts 2:36-43, John 3:1-5,
So we see the spirit baptism is for all who are in need? who are hurting? confused? empty? hopeless? tired? for the rich and the poor alike! for all who are willing to realize that they have made a mess of their lives and others? who realize they can do nothing to help themselves! who realize they are the created not the creator? they are the lost? Jesus is the savior! Jesus says “ come unto me all ye that are weary..” Matt 11:28
WHO DOES THE BAPTIZING?
Jesus is the baptizer! Matt. 3:11 “he shall baptize you with the Holy ghost and fire..” realize it’s not the person doing the baptizing but the one doing the infilling! (God)! that is important, sometimes we put to much emphasis on the person doing the baptizing? like he’s some god? or a perfect saint? an interesting point to consider: Jesus did not baptize anyone not literally or physically ? his disciples did! Paul likewise baptize not? Another point to notice: Fire is used to purge, and purify? there are times when things have to be burned out of us? “behold I have refined thee in the furnace of affliction..” “ ..it was good that I was afflicted.. before I was afflicted I went astray..” sometimes a little trouble keeps us in touch with God and on the right course? saved?
CAUTION: We must be sure of our commitment and promise to let Jesus control or rather lead our lives “.. ye call me Lord and do not my sayings..” “..the steps of a good person are ordered of the Lord..” we must be willing to let God speak to us thru his voice? whether it be the bible, the spirit, or the man of God! another brother or sister etc. if we have ever partook in any of the occult we must renounce it! ( fortune telling, satanisn, witchcraft, horoscopes, channeling, tarot cards, ouigi boards, crystal charms, lucky charms (no not the cereal),matter of fact we must stay away from as much worldly literature and books as we can for they have very subtle yet strong and evil influences and can hinder our spiritual growth and communion with God.. some magazines to consider, people, we, palyboy, us, cosmo, eve, new age, teen, romance. astrology, etc. Realize these type of books may seem harmless in content but look deeper at the agenda? they are used to breed the spirit of adultery, lying, seduction, greed. intellectualism, man made philosophies, evolution, selfishness and vanity.. just to name a few..
HOW CAN I RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT?
Just ask and believe to receive! there is no certain posture requirement, you can stand ,sit, lay etc, just be relaxed you don’t have to be of a certain nationality, don’t have to be all together and cleaned up before coming to him, you can be rich or poor, smart or not so smart, and yes you don’t even have to be pretty or handsome (now that’s good news for some of us? ha ha ) he’ll take you as you are? but you do have to be serious and willing for change! humble and willing to admit that we are failures, weak, fragile and in need of him. We must also have faith and believe in him and his accomplishment “..for without faith it is impossible to please God.. for he that cometh to God must believe that he is!.. and that he is a rewarder..” ..that if thou shalt believe in thine heart.. for with the mouth confession is made unto salvation..” repentance is the key to receiving asking for his forgiveness. Hebrews 11: 6,10, Romans 10:9-11, Acts 2:36-39 John 3:1-5
It is important that you believe that Gods promise is for you then you can easily receive the gift, the holy spirit, just start asking his forgive-ness, tell him you realize you are a sinner, invite him into your heart, call him Lord! claim it, began to worship him in your own special way, began to speak unto him, don’t be nervous or afraid if you feel something different taking place if you feel your body warming, or shaking, if you feel your tongue tightening or loosening just relax and let it flow at first it may sound like gibberish to you but do not be worried about how you sound to God or to others? At first you may only speak a few utterances but do not worry you will grow in time. Do not be afraid of this unknown language as it is a communication between you and God and is not for the benefit of others as is the gift of divers tongues? Jude 1:20-21 John 4:24 (read this one: 1 Corinthians 14: 13-16 ) don’t try to figure it out in your mind? for you pray in tongues to God with your spirit not your mind? remember what was said in Romans 8:25-28 and 1st John 2:26-27
CAN I LOSE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT? LOOSING MY SALVATION?
Although you may at times find yourself not feeling the most spiritual of persons ? this does not imply that you have lost salvation? but there is a place of and for a refreshing in the holy ghost! (Ephesians 3:16) we must also learn to stir the gift (spirit) within us! if we are not careful we can let worldly things and people hinder our growth and dampen our fire and enthusiasm? remember we must learn to “..walk in the spirit! and we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh..” Galatians 5: 7, 16-21
But in this same scripture it also says “..God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that will he reap..” vs.7, Paul himself said least I should become a castaway ( indicating that there was a place where one could fall away and lose salvation! ) the bible is filled with many scriptures in regards to this fact, and many individuals who lost there place in the kingdom? Judas, Demas, Ananias, Sapphira, just to name a few.. indeed one can lose his salvation! but it is not an easy thing to do, for our God is patient and longsuffering, and will forgive time and time again quite unlike us humans? when we sin he doesn’t point a finger but rather encourages us to come back home to the fathers house! “..for God is faithful and just to forgive if we confess..” 1 John 1:1-9 “..for his mercy endureth forever and great is his faithfulness..” but by the same bible it also says (read Hebrews 2:1-3 ) “..Lest ..we should let them slip.. How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation..” Hebrews 2:1-3, “..Take heed lest there be in you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.. lest any of you be hardened thru the deceitfulness of sin” 3:12-15, (read) “Let us therefore fear, least, a promise being left us.. you should seem to come short of it” Heb. 4:1-2,
and in Hebrews again 6:4-7, “..For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the Heavenly gift (spirit)and were made partakers of the holy ghost, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” ( bare in mind that repentance means u come to a place of sorrow and humility over your sin )
When you get to the place where you lose your salvation it will be because you do not care? you become reprobate? heart hardened? and a seared conscience ? as in Romans 1:21-28, “..because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God.. neither were thankful.. and for this cause God gave them up to.. their vile affections.. as they did not like to retain God in there knowledge God gave them over to a reprobate mind..”
This does not justify sin behavior but when you fall God does not see your sin state he sees the blood that has washed you, cleansed you, bought you! remember his righteousness is imputed not imparted in you ? when u fall he sees his righteousness on you? he sees into the future and sees you coming to the altar in repentance and sorrow for your sin, he knows you will get back up and seek forgiveness? how do you think we were able to be saved by his death even before we came to a place of repentance? remember he died prior to the fact? he had already not only paid the price but also forgiven us ? knowing that in the future we would seek his forgiveness?
IT WAS A DONE DEAL! WE COULDN’T LOSE! and again in Hebrews it says that you may come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain
mercy and help in time of need! ever notice how Satan tries to make u wait a certain amount of time before going to the altar for forgiveness after you have fallen in sin?
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT: WHAT AND HOW THEY OPERATE!
“ AND THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE; IN MY NAME SHALL THEY CAST OUT DEVILS; THEY SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES; THEY SHALL TAKE UP SERPENTS; IF THEY DRINK ANY DEADLY THING IT SHALL NOT HURT THEM; THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK AND THEY SHALL RECOVER” Notice it did not say might recover? but shall recover!
The gifts are given to build, encourage, inspire, edify, and uplift the church! to give glory to God! but first let us discuss its origin and later decline then re-emergence among us? we should note that the gifts are a direct gift from God to the church! .. Ephesians 4:7-15 (read)
A. It began with Jesus in the gospels and later his disciples in the book of acts? Jesus demonstrated divine love thru his healing and saving ministry his purpose to bring glory to God and to restore the relationship between fallen man and his loving father! and that there would be a complete healing! Jesus demonstrated that “..with man that these things are impossible but with God all things are possible” his life reflected his word! his word reflected his life! “he’s the same yesterday, today and forever..” he changes not! he was followed by his disciples who also demonstrated his divine power of love and healing thru the ministry of the gifts of the spirit they left a mighty testimony and witness to what “ is possible to him that believeth! ” they in turn were followed by other believers thru out the years and centuries, who also worked in the power of the gifts, but somewhere in time the word began to be compromised, changed , twisted, and even taken for granted? new doctrines were added, new religions appeared with just a strain of truth in them, new beliefs, ideas, and man made concepts, traditions and new age philosophies began to influence society and the church? as a consequence some began to teach and believe miracles were no longer available, then the dark ages set in and relationship became religion, prayer routine, worship a ritual, and the church became more like the world? accepting more and more of the worlds ideas and ways into the church thus there was seldom a divine move of the spirit in services? then there was emperor Constantine who unified the church with the state bringing in more paganism and worldly ways, and traditions of man in place of the teachings of God? but in the mist of this coldness and compromise there were those who prayed sincerely and longed for a move back to the old apostolic holy ghost presence of God in there services and in their lives! they wanted the old time religion! the bible way! the book of Acts experience! for they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled..
And so one day while a group of bible believing saints were in a prayer meeting weeping and seeking after God! the year was 1900, the place Topeka Kansas, the first to receive the apostolic experience like it was foretold by Jesus himself and his disciples throughout the gospels and the book of Acts! including the epistles! was a young lady named Agnes Ozman others were filled with the holy spirit soon after, then the word and spirits power began to spread to other communities as they too were filled with the spirit and began to speak in other tongues and with this came the divine power of healings thru the gifts of the spirit many were healed and saved! it continued to spread finally reaching California, in 1906 at a place called Azusa street, from these two events and many others to follow came the birth of the Pentecostal/neo Pentecostal movement that is now sweeping across the world in a profound and miraculous way! miracles and divine interventions are once again taking place in the lives of many who believe and call on the name of Jesus...”for he that cometh to God must believe that he is.. and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him..” Heb. 11:1-6 for the gifts of the spirit had never really ceased just our ability to utilize them due to unbelief which in turn was due to incorrect teachings and a lost of reverence for the word of God and the God of the word!
THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT IN OPERATION:
“Now concerning spiritual gifts I would not have you be ignorant.. but the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal.. for to one is given the spirit of wisdom..” 1 Corinthians 12: 1-22 read also in Romans 12:1-21 and notice the character traits involved..
THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM: known as the word of wisdom “TO ANOTHER THE WORD OF WISDOM” VS. 8
This gift allows us to know how to best use the other gifts given us, it also gives us just a part of the divine knowledge of God that we would know what is the Godly thing to do in all situations! it is the divine impartation of his council upon us that we may also instruct others including ourselves in the principles of God.
THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE: “TO ANOTHER THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE” VS.8 This gift is the ability to speak to others regarding a situation or circumstance that only God could or would know of ? it involves knowing something about someone or something that may have severe consequences in another persons life? for instance if one were to be thinking of taking their life the very day that you speak to them a word of knowledge from the lord Jesus that suicide is not the answer and that there is someone who cares! or maybe its someone who is sick with a terminal disease and no one else knows about it? “come unto me all ye that labor and are burdened.. and I will give you rest for your souls..” for God so loved.. (you.). Matthew 11:28-30 John 3:16-19
THE GIFT OF FAITH: “TO ANOTHER THE GIFT OF FAITH” VS.9
This gift is the ability to believe God for great things were others cannot? You can be used to encourage others when their faith is weak? and they may have a very important need, you may encourage the church as a whole also with this gift! “ help thou mine unbelief lord..”
THE GIFT OF HEALINGS: “ TO ANOTHER THE GIFTS OF HEALING “ VS. 9
This gift or rather gifts are meant to bring healing to the body of a person and the church? an application many have not seen to the church itself for healing? the gifts are plural here because there are several types of healing gifts available? for specific and certain areas of sickness?
“ is there any sick among you? ..call.. let them pray over him anointing him with oil in the name of the lord and the prayer of faith shall save the sick.. and the lord shall raise him up..” James 5: 13-16, notice here how we see the gifts used in conjunction with each other? the gift of faith in use with the gifts of healing? the gifts can and should operate together.
THE WORKING OF MIRACLES: “ TO ANOTHER THE GIFT OF MIRACLES” VS. 10
This gift is where we see a Supernatural Divine intervention of God in the natural realm, it could mean a reversal of the natural laws of science? the human body? the mind? etc. a manifestation in a dimension so powerful it could only be attributed to God! “greater works than these shall you do..” but ye shall receive power after that the holy ghost is come upon you..” if thou shall say unto this mountain be removed ..
THE GIFT OF DISCERNING OF SPIRITS; “TO ANOTHER DISCERNING OF SPIRITS” VS. 10
This gift is the ability to know the difference between Human, Divine, and Demonic spirits? it is the ability to detect another persons spirit or allegiance whether to God, Satan or man? to know such spirits as alcoholism, spiritism, drug use, or pornography, or child perversion, etc.
This gift is not given lightly as it could cause some to become self righteous in that they may at times know the weakness or spirit of others? Don’t try to think and say that God has revealed to you another persons faults if you find yourself looking down on them and judging them by that sense of knowledge? because God probably didn’t give you anything on them rather the devil has deceived you, because if God shows you something its because he knows you will not judge and condemn that person but rather pray and weep for them! so the next time you feel like you know or feel something about another person ? watch your attitude, your heart, to determine whether it truly be of God or the devil? for if you are thinking bad about that person rather than feeling for them, it probably is not from God?
THE GIFT OF PROPHESY: “ TO ANOTHER THE GIFT OF PROPHESY “ VS. 10
This is forth telling and fore telling? what is happening and going to happen? It is Gods divine knowledge of the future shared with mankind for our benefit and warning! these messages are to be used to uplift, edify and encourage us, this is where tongues in the church should be used in their proper context? 1,2 or 3 should speak in tongues then there should be an interpretation of those tongues that the church would be edified! tongues should not be taken lightly, there should be no confusion nor vain babbling in the church? but rather silence and order after tongues have been spoken? “..wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.. wherefore tongues are for a sign ..to them that believe not.. we must also be careful not to confuse these tongues of prophesy with the tongues of the initial baptism of the holy ghost? more on this subject later? ( please read all: 1 Corinthians 14: 1-28, 31-35 )
THE GIFT OF DIVERS KINDS OF TONGUES: “ TO ANOTHER DIVERS KINDS OF TONGUES “ vs.10
Again this is not to be confused with the tongues of the holy spirit baptism? this form of tongues is to be used to declare and manifest Gods glory to the sinner, in his language, and to minister to another thru that language barrier! Acts 2:4, 1 Corinthians 13;1-3, (tongues of men
and angels?)
THE GIFT OF INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES: “ TO ANOTHER THE INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES” VS.10
The supernatural ability to reveal the meaning of tongues this is not a translation , but an interpretation ! in other words you will be able to put into a language understood by all the meaning of another’s tongues expression. when the divers and interpretation tongues work together they can equal a prophesy?
HOW MANY GIFTS DO I GET? CAN I HAVE MORE THAN ONE?
The holy spirit gives to each believer severally as he wills.... it is not up to us how many we get? though you can hunger for more? it is Gods doing and choice? it is your responsibility to find out what gifts you have been given and use then appropriately! some teach that you can only have 1 gift but that is not scriptural? as Paul said desire spiritual gifts (plural) he said he wished that all spoke in tongues ? he went on to say that all can prophesy in 1 Corinthians 14:31-35 and again we note that some gifts have to work together? word of knowledge with word of wisdom or discernment, tongues with interpretation, healing with miracles, remember when the gifts are wanting to manifest themselves thru you , you may feel a warmness in your hands or body a pain of some sort? or you may have a sudden desire to share a word or thought?
as we draw closer to God these impressions will grow stronger! and become more clear... learning to walk in the fruit of the spirit will aid us in our sensitivity to being used in the gifts of the spirit! (the fruit of the spirit is such qualities as gentleness, kindness, meekness, forgiveness, honesty, integrity, patience, longsuffering, etc.) as found in Galatians 5:17-26, but of all these the most important quality is LOVE! THE GIFTS CANNOT TRULY BE EFFECTIVE AND PRODUCTIVE AMONG US WITHOUT GODS LOVE OPERATING IN US, among us, AND THRU US! 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1- Prepared by : George R. Nava 2170 E. Market St. Stockton, Ca phone -46-59731
My web page: http://gospelstuffs.homestead.com/index.html