How to receive the filling (Baptism) with the Holy Spirit
T. J. de Ruiter, Pentecostal Pastor & Bible Teacher in The NetherlandsVisit the site 'Dynamic Christian Teaching'
There are different opinions and teachings – even between the various Full Gospel and Pentecostal movements – about the experience and of the phenomenon of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. Some maintain that you can only be sure that you are baptized with the Holy Spirit, if you or others heard you speaking in an unknown language (tongue). A negative result of this teaching is that believers, who earnestly seek for the baptism, develop a forced and strenuous attitude for they want so much to speak in tongues. This is not necessary and even hinders the Holy Spirit to manifest the evidence of the Baptism wth the Holy Spirit. In most cases there is a difference in time of the experience of the rebirth and the Baptism with the Spirit, but it cannot be excluded that sometimes the Baptism with the Spirit is received simultaneously with the rebirth.. Let's also not forget that speaking in tongues is a sign of the baptism and that the real work is the empowering for the work to which the Lord calls the believer. A well-balanced Scriptural teaching ant a relaxed attitude could prevent these problems in serious believers.
Below I give a few points to bear in mind if you seek for this wonderful experience. They are absolutely not meant to be systematic method, but rather as a guide with important principles to bear in mind.
1. Be
ready
to receive the Holy Spirit and His power.
a. All sin should be confessed and
forgiveness received in faith.
b. You should be serious making a
decision to avoid all sinning.
c. All fear for possible manifestations e.g. ecstasy and prejudices
against the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (as the teaching
that this
Baptism is
nothing else then a conversion to Faith in Christ) should be overcome
and be no
obstacle to receive
the
Spirit with His empowering and refreshing power.
2. Ask
the Lord
for the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. Ask yourself
in prayer and/or ask a Spirit
filled leader with a good testimony to prayfor you
4 Open
your mouth, praise and
worship
the Lord. Speaking in an unknown language (tongue) may be manifested
immediately or at a later time
(could even happen much later).
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A question,
please contact Pastor
T. J. de Ruiter
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