Things to know about the Holy Spirit:
i. The Holy Spirit is a personality
ii. In view of the above He is addressed as a person and not as a thing
iii. In the Godhead / Trinity He is the number 3 person
iv. He is referred to as the Executive arm of the Godhead, the one who carries out assignments such as:
• Brings conviction
• Ministers healing
• Ministers deliverance
• Speaks to people
• Gives direction
• Gives directives
• Teaches
• Reminds us all things
• Gives gifts etc
v. Jesus Christ called Him ‘another comforter.’ This means that there was a comforter before He manifested – Jesus Christ was the primary comforter. John 14:16
vi. He is called the Spirit of Truth. John 14:17. See 1John 4:1 ‘Believe not every spirit but try the spirits..’
vii. He can be received by believers. John 20:22
viii. He cannot be received by the world
ix. The Holy Spirit abides with you for ever if you also abide in Jesus without looking backwards
x. The Holy Spirit can be vexed / grieved. Eph 4:30.
xi. He may depart from one.
xii. He is also called the Spirit of God.
xiii. He speaks. There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word (Son), and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
xiv. If you do not know the Father or the Son, there is no way you can know Him (the Holy Spirit). John 14:17.
xv. The closer you are to the Father the closer He is to you and the more He is in you.
xvi. He manifests in believers’ life in measures.
xvii. Every believer has a presence of the Holy Spirit in him. This is because when you give your life to Christ. He is the one who convicted you to surrender to Christ.
xviii. He is a teacher of all things. This confirms that He is all knowing (omniscient). John 14:26.
xix. He reminds us also all that Jesus Christ has taught us.
xx. God may take the Holy Spirit away from one. Psalm 51:11.
xxi. He is a giver of righteousness, joy and peace. Rom 14:17.
xxii. One may have the Holy Spirit in one (e.g. new believer) and not be baptized in the Holy Ghost. The earlier is like operating at minimum capacity while the latter is at an enhanced capacity. When you are baptized, you are filled. Acts 2:4.
xxiii. Receiving the Holy Ghost baptism is a condition for every believer to experience the power of God. Acts 1:8 ‘’and ye shall receive power…’’
xxiv. The number of years one had spent being a believer has nothing to do with receiving the Holy Ghost baptism. You may give your life to Christ today and be baptized (e.g. the house of Cornelius) while another who had given his life to Christ some 20years do not have the experience.
xxv. Your position in the church, also, is inconsequential.
xxvi. If you had been taught to speak in tongue, you have received NOTHING.
xxvii. The Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit are used interchangeably. The issue of wanting to distinguish does not arise.
xxviii. Holy Ghost baptism is a gift of God. Acts 2:38,39. Luke 11:13 ‘’If ye being evil…’’
xxix. The gift cannot be bought. Acts 8:15-21. Ability to impart cannot be bought either. Remember Simon the sorcerer.
xxx. Holy Ghost has been given by God at Pentecost once and for all. It is for believers to tap into it (the gift) and receive. That is why believers pray to receive and not that he (the Holy Ghost) be sent. Acts 19:1-2; 8:15,17; 9:17.
xxxi. Every believer can receive. The gift is for those whom God is their Father. John 14:16,17; Lk 11:13. ‘If ye being evil…’ Note that God is not everybody’s Father, but He is the Father of those who are born again, those who have left the old things. 2 Cor 5:17. New wine new bottle (Holy Ghost in Born again) Mk 2:21-22.
xxxii. The Holy Ghost can be offended, despised (Heb 10:29), blasphemed (Mk 3:29-30), provoked (Pslm 106:33).
xxxiii. He has a will i.e. can take decisions. 1 Cor. 12:11. ‘’He gives gifts to men according to His will’’
xxxiv. He has the attributes of the Father. He is eternal. Heb 9:14.
xxxv. He is holy and dwells NOT in unclean vessels.
How to receive the Holy Ghost Baptism – 7 Key Ways:
i. Laying on of hands by men of God. Acts 9:17. Ananias laid hand on Paul. Acts 8:20 Peter and John in Samaria
ii. During prayer sessions, in the name of Jesus.
iii. During ministrations by men of God. Acts10:44. Gentiles received under Peter’s ministration.
iv. During personal prayer in the name of Jesus. Luke 11:9-11.
v. By release of prophetic utterances by men of God.
vi. During praises unto God.
vii. While studying the word of God – meditating thereon.
How Long must you be a believer before you receive the HGB.
• No given time; no stated period. A man can surrender his life to Christ today and be baptized today.
• The example of the household of Cornelius is there for us . acts 11:13-15. The example of Saul who became Paul is there for us in Acts 9:17.
• Kenneth Hagins says ‘no waiting / tarrying is required.’ If someone says he wants to give his life to Christ on a non-service day will you ask him to wait until the service day? No sir. There is no day fixed; these are the gifts of God.
• The Holy Ghost is a gift. He comes unexpectedly; you don’t wait for a gift.
If the above is true why did Luke 24:49 say ‘’… tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high?’’
• The waiting here (tarrying) is for specific people, for specific place, that they may pray together. Moreso this is the first time this gift was being expected.
• If all is required to wait ‘’in the city of Jerusalem’’ would have been removed from the verse and it becomes ‘’tarry ye until ye be endued with power from on high’’
• And if all is required to wait at Jerusalem as some believe, it means all will have to go to Jerusalem before receiving the HGB. But here we are in Lagos being baptized at various points.
Christian experience fundamental to receiving the HGB:
Salvation
Though a man may give his life to Jesus now and receive the HGB same day, it must be understood that the two experiences are distinct. Salvation experience comes first. Without it you cannot receive the HGB.
Saul who became Paulwas saved on the way to Damascus before Ananias came to him and laid hand on him. He received his sight and the HGB. How to know that he gave his life to Christ: 1. God called him a chosen vessel when speaking to Ananias. 2. Saul (Paul) called Jesus Lord. 3. Ananias called him ‘Brother Paul’. Acts 9:15-17.
Cornelius and his household. Acts 11:13-15 (v14).
The disciplesin Ephesus. Acts 9:2.
Evidence of the Holy Ghost Baptism
Acts2:4. ‘And they were all filled with the Holy Chost, and BEGAN TO SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES, as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 10:46. Speaking in tongue is the primary evidence of having received the HGB.
What believers should do in other to receive:
• Salvation experience is inevitable.
• Thirst i.e. have strong desire to receive. John 7:37-39. Isaiah 44:3.
• A new heart. Ezek, 36:26,27.
• Faith to receive. Mark 11:22,24.
• Pray to receive. Luke 11:13. ‘if ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?
• Concentrate. Focus on heaven. Know what you are doing. Follow the minister’s instruction.
Other evidences of the Baptism:
• Bursting into songs and praises unto God. Acts 2:47.
• Joy unspeakable. Acts 2:46.
• Burden and desire to work for God, especially to publish the good news. Acts 1:8.
• May be accompanied with the spirit of prophecy. Acts 19:6.
Evidences that may manifest at later times
• Passion for prayer. Your prayer strength is enhanced. Acts 3:1.
• Increased passion for soul winning. 1Cor 2:4,5 (Paul). Acts 1:8.
• Deeper love for God and to understand Him more by searching thru His words / meditating thereon.
• Power of God to do exploit released upon the believer.
• Manifestation of the Gifts of the Spirit: 1Cor. 12:4-11:
1) The Word of Wisdom. 1 Cor 12:8 :this is not the same as the wisdom of God for daily living (Hagins). This comes by diligent search of God’s words and prayers. It is supernatural insight into how to solve a problem that may arise. It is divine exposition of God’s will on a mater (in a specific situation). Examples include:
o When Elisha said to Naaman ‘Go and bath in Jordan…’
o In Matt 2:20. The angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said ‘arise, take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.’
o The message of the colt tied down, which Jesus asked the disciples to go and untie. They met it as he told them.
2) Word of Knowledge: utterance inspired by the Holy Spirit revealing knowledge about people, circumstances or biblical truth. This is connected closely to prophecy. Examples:
o Acts 5:3-4. Revelation to Peter what Ananias and Sapphira did.
o Acts 9:1-12. The vision Saul had about Ananias who would come and pray for him. Same also was revealed to Ananias (knowledge).
o 2 Kings 6:8-12. Elisha reveals to the king of Israel whatever the king of Syria plans in his bedroom.
o When our daddy in the Lord, Dr. DK Olukoya says ‘there is somebody there, the cancer in you has just dried up’
3) Gift of faith. I Cor. 12:9: this is not the same as saving faith. This is special or supernatural imparted by the Holy Spirit to enable the believer believe / trust God for the extraordinary / the miraculous. This often works with Gifts of healing and miracles.
4) Gifts of Healing. 1 Cor. 12:9: This is stated in the plural (gifts) to indicate healing of various illnesses. Though not all believers have the GOH, all believers may pray in faith for the sick and he will be healed..
5) Gift of the working of miracles: these are deeds of the unbelievable by supernatural power of the Holy Ghost.
6) Prophecy: 1 Cor 12:10: prophecy as a ministry gift – given to specific believers to enable them function as prophets in the church. Prophecy as temporary manifestation – this is available to every spirit –filled believer. You may receive messages for specific occasions.
7) Discerning of Spirits. 1 Cor. 12:10: Enables you: i) to distinguish spirits (good and bad). ii) to know whether an utterance / performance is from God or satan.
8) Diverse kinds of Tongues. 1 Cor. 12:10: this may be: i) existing language or ii) unknown language such as the language of the angels. 1 Cor 13:1. The unknown is often taken to be meaningless to those hearer and speaker who don’t know what he says. Tongues not interpreted do not edify the church / hearers. The better if interpreted as there could be messages in them. 1 Cor. 14:1-5
9) Interpretation of Tongues – Cor. 12:10: this is divine ability to understand and interpret utterances spoken in tongues. Congregation is edified when ‘I’ is added to ‘T’. the speaker of tongues may possess this gift and interpret by himself.
Did the Holy Spirit exist in the old testament days ?
The name Holy Spirit / Holy Ghost may not have been expressly used in the Old Testament but the following give clear indications that the Holy Spirit existed:
i. The fact that the word Bible does not appear in the Bible does not make the Bible another book. Therefore the fact that the name Holy Spirit is not stated in the OT does not imply its inexistence.
ii. The Godhead is made of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. All are one and work together from the beginning. These have been together inseparably.
iii. The Spirit of God that moved upon the face of the waters at creation in Gen. 1:2 is referring to the Holy Spirit. The three in 1 was present for the ugly state of the earth (being void, being without form and the darkness) to be arrested.
iv. The Bible says in 1 John 5:7 ‘there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and these are one. If they are one and the Father was present in the OT, then the Son and the Holy Spirit are present.
v. The Holy Spirit is the arm of the Godhead which enabled the Holy men of God to walk with God. Gen 6:9 “… Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God”. The Holy Spirit is the enabler of his working with God. And so it is with other holy men and friends of God.
vi. Gen 6:3. “And the Lord said My Spirit shall not always strive with man …. 120 years.” Ref to My Spirit here is to the Holy Spirit.
vii. David the Psalmist spoke and wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit as did other men of God who authored various books of the Bible.
viii. The various books of the OT, just like the NT, was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
ix. God took, at a time, of the Spirit that was on Moses and put same on the 70 elders chosen to help him in the work of bearing the burden of the people with Moses. Numbers 11:17.
x. The Spirit of God was upon specific people in the Bible (OT) for specific assignments e.g. Bazalel and Aholiah for artistic work of the tabernacle. Exodus 31:1-11.
xi. Miracles were done by men of God in the OT. This is only achievable by the presence of the Holy Spirit.
xii. Prophecies issued by Prophets of God in the OT is only doable by the awesome presence of the Holy Ghost.
INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Hagins calls indwelling ‘’Holy Spirit within’’.
John 14:17. Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth within you, AND SHALL BE IN YOU.
The above confirms that the third person in the Godhead will only come in and reside in abeliever. That is why our body is called the tabernacle of God.
1 Cor. 3:16. ‘’Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirt of God dwelleth in you?
God does not dwell in houses made with hands but he dwells in the believer through the Holy Spirit.’
The Bible says ‘all things are possible to him that believeth’ Mark 9:23.what makes all things possible for the believer is the presence (indwelling) of God through the Holy Spirit in us.
When the Bible says ‘greater is he that is in you…’ it talks about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. John 4:4.
The 9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit is upon us as a result of the Holy Spirit indwelling.
The 9 Gifts of the Spirit is upon us as a result of the Holy Spirit infilling (upon).
All believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor.6:19.
The Holy Spirit is automatically resident in the believer at conversion. The more you do the will of God the more the HS resides in you.
INFILLING
We are admonished to be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18.
The word ‘’filled’’ means ‘’to be controlled’’. Filling does not mean that the believer gets more of the Holy Spirit but rather, He (the Holy Spirit) gets more of the believer.
Pp: Holy Spirit, possess me.
Filling, unlike indwelling, is a repeated experience, crucial for successful Christian living. A believer can be filled numerous times in a season.
Christians are filled more than once. Infilling is not a once and for all experience.
In Acts 2:4; Acts 4: 31 believers were filled.
The believers who were filled in Acts 2:4 were also filled in Acts 4:31.
Filling is a command to be obeyed and not an option. Christians are admonished to be filled. Infilling is not automatic like indwelling.
A Spirit-filled believer manifests the character of Jesus as in Gal. 5:22,23.
One baptism, many filling.
Shalom!
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