Once we are born as an infant we then need to learn how to walk and talk. Just like when we first get "saved", so the saying goes. First we believe and confess to be saved and then we must be born again. Romans 10:9,10 Believe in your heart that God (the Father) raised (His Son) Jesus from the dead, confess Jesus as your Lord and you will be saved. For with the heart you believe unto righteousness "and" with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 1st John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. After praying from the heart, the Holy Spirit is "with" us but, He might not be "In" us yet. John 14:17 Being able to say Jesus is Lord is the initial evidence of The Holy Spirit. For no one can say Jesus is Lord without the Holy Spirit. Ist Corinthians 12:3 Being baptized in water is Not the "only" way to receive the Holy Spirit. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. On their arrival, they prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit. For the Holy Spirit had "not" yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:14-17 If you have not had a physical experience from the Holy Spirit, you need to "desire" spiritual gifts in order to be "filled" with the Holy Spirit. Ist Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. English Standard Version Speaking in tongues is Not the only evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit. It is greater to interpret the tongues and even greater to prophecy yet, there are many gifts. 1st Corinthians 12:7-14 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To "one" there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to "another" the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, to "another" faith by the same Spirit, to "another" gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to "another" the working of miracles, to "another" prophecy, to "another" distinguishing between spirits, to "another" speaking in various tongues, and to still "another" the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines. The body is a unit, though it is comprised of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink. For the body does not consist of one part, but of many. 1st Corinthians 12:27-31 New Living Translation Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues. (No pope) Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all. 1st Corinthians 13:1-7 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. All of the gifts from the Holy Spirit are needed in the Body of Christ. (The Church) So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who 'ask' Him." Luke 11:13 New Living Translation Ask Him now and then let's take a step further. Re-Born Love
0 Comments
|
Author:
|