The Well
The Well |
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Connecting Hope to the Hurting | |
Friday
August 29, 2008
"Well, I began telling them the Good News, but just as I was getting started,
the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as he fell on us at the beginning. Then I
thought of the Lord's words when he said, 'John baptized
with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' And since God
gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus
Christ, who was I to argue?"
Acts 11:15-17
Well, we have talked about the baptism of salvation and the baptism of suffering; I guess it is fitting to talk about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Some say there is no "baptism," but those who have received it know there is. Actually it is a refilling, but it is called a baptism. At least, that is my perspective of what took place with me.
One of the signs that marked the early Believers was the gift of an "unknown tongue." When they greeted one another this was one of the ways they could detect if they were being deceived. It was a time of severe persecution and this identifying characteristic was evidence enough for those Believers. No one could fake this language!
Some argue that once the Bible was written this manifestation of the Holy Spirit stopped. Well, I used to say that too – until it happened to me. I guess experiencing something that special makes one change one's mind.
In any event, from what I have observed, the only difference is the strength I receive when I use my prayer language. It builds up the Holy Spirit inside of me and helps me walk more in the Spirit than in the flesh. Unfortunately, I don't remember to do it often enough and that is one of the reasons I slip into depression.
Even so, if Jesus said it would happen – it happened and it continues to happen; and by the way, it isn't a necessary requirement for entrance to Heaven – that's my opinion anyhow.
Father, I thank You so much for the spiritual gifts You made available for us. Now, Lord, I ask You to help us not allow these gifts to become barriers between Believers. Help us use them in the way You intended it – to help us stay close to You.
