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What is the Holy Spirit?

What is the Holy Spirit and why he is so extremely important for every Christian? Find out today what the Holy Spirit is and start experiencing the presence, power and love of God as never before.

WHERE DOES HE DWELL
WHO IS HE
WHAT DOES HE DO
IS HE A PERSON
THE PURPOSE OF THE OUT POURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Mike Connell

What is the Holy Spirit? Some abstract force or a loving person? The Bible shows us clearly what the Holy Spirit is. He is not some impersonal power, like energy. The Holy Spirit speaks, He has emotions, He makes choices, He interacts with people, He gives love, wisdom and power, He guides us and teaches us, and so on. The Holy Spirit is a real person, like the heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

The following scriptures show you what the Holy Spirit is, in all His diversity.

He is in fact the very best Friend you can ever imagine. He was sent by the Father to help you become a true child of God and know God as a reality, in your daily life. Without the Holy Spirit our christian life is a religion: we know a lot of information, but it’s no reality for us. The Holy Spirit is the One who makes our life with Jesus Christ real, alive, full of true love and power. He is God in us and God with us. The more we live with the Holy Spirit, the more He will be able to reveal Jesus Christ and the Father to us.

The Holy Spirit is your Helper, your Friend, your Guide, your Teacher, and so much more…

The Holy Spirit is the One who brings the Father and the Son very close to you. He reveals the kingdom of heaven to you and clothes you with the power of God to make you a witness of Jesus Christ. He is the One who transforms you from the inside out.

WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT? DISCOVER IT IN THE BIBLE!

Read these scriptures listed below, which reveal one by one what the Holy Spirit is and what He wants to do for you. He is far more than you can ever imagine. When you truly hunger for Him and open your heart to him – without holding back – He will amaze you, again and again.

The Holy Spirit is far more important than we all realize.

The very first words of the Bible begin with the Spirit of God. And the very last words of the Bible are about the Holy Spirit. This shows us how important the Spirit is.

AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD WAS HOVERING OVER THE FACE OF THE WATERS.’ (GENESIS 1:2)
AND THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY, “COME!” (REVELATION 22:17)

WE LIVE IN THE MINISTRY OF THE SPIRIT

The Bible teaches that we live in a time that is indicated as ‘the ministry of the Spirit’. Everything in the christian life is about the working and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, not the law.

‘…SO THAT WE SHOULD SERVE IN THE NEWNESS OF THE SPIRIT AND NOT THE OLDNESS OF THE LETTER.’ (ROMANS 7:6)
‘…WHO ALSO MADE US SUFFICIENT AS MINISTERS OF THE NEW COVENANT, NOT OF THE LETTER BUT OF THE SPIRIT; FOR THE LETTER KILLS, BUT THE SPIRIT GIVES LIFE. (…) HOW WILL THE MINISTRY OF THE SPIRIT NOT BE MORE GLORIOUS?’ (2 CORINTHIANS 3: 6, 8)

WE BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit causes the second birth and the Spirit of God also confirms in our hearts that we are children of God.

‘YOU RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION BY WHOM WE CRY OUT, “ABBA, FATHER.” (ROMANS 8: 15)
‘BECAUSE YOU ARE SONS, GOD HAS SENT FORTH THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON INTO YOUR HEARTS, CRYING OUT, “ABBA, FATHER!” (GALATIANS 4: 6)
‘UNLESS ONE IS BORN OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT, HE CANNOT ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD. THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE FLESH IS FLESH, AND THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT IS SPIRIT.’ (JOHN 3: 6)
‘ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY HE SAVED US, THROUGH THE WASHING OF REGENERATION AND RENEWING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,’ (TITUS 3: 5)

We live as children of God, through the Holy Spirit

The true life of a christian is only possible through the work of the Holy Spirit in us. He changes us from the inside out, so that the love of God becomes visible in our life.

‘WE DO NOT WALK ACCORDING TO THE FLESH BUT ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT. (…) FOR AS MANY AS ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, THESE ARE SONS OF GOD.’ (ROMANS 8:4, 14)
‘WALK IN THE SPIRIT, AND YOU SHALL NOT FULFILL THE LUST OF THE FLESH. (…) IF WE LIVE IN THE SPIRIT, LET US ALSO WALK IN THE SPIRIT.’
(GALATIANS 5:16, 26)

THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS TO US AND GUIDES US

When we submit to the Holy Spirit, he will guide our path. He can drive us gently in a certain direction, and he can speak to us in may ways to reveal his will.

‘THEN THE SPIRIT TOLD ME TO GO WITH THEM, DOUBTING NOTHING.’
(ACTS 11:12)
‘AS THEY MINISTERED TO THE LORD AND FASTED, THE HOLY SPIRIT SAID, “NOW SEPARATE TO ME BARNABAS AND SAUL FOR THE WORK TO WHICH I HAVE CALLED THEM.”
(ACTS 13:2)
‘SO, BEING SENT OUT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, THEY WENT DOWN TO SELEUCIA’.
(ACTS 13:4)
‘AND NOW, COMPELLED BY THE SPIRIT, I AM GOING TO JERUSALEM.’
(ACTS 20:24)

THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES REVELATION AND WISDOM

The Word of God is spiritual matter and we need revelation from the Holy Spirit to understand it. The Holy Spirit is our teacher who gives un insight in the depths of God.

‘I KEEP ASKING THAT THE GOD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE GLORIOUS FATHER, MAY GIVE YOU THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION, SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW HIM BETTER.’
(EPHESIANS 1:17)
‘AS IT HAS NOW BEEN REVEALED BY THE SPIRIT TO GOD’S HOLY APOSTLES AND PROPHETS.’
(EPHESIANS 3:5)
‘BUT WHEN HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, COMES, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL THE TRUTH.’
(JOHN 16:13)
‘BUT GOD HAS REVEALED THEM TO US THROUGH HIS SPIRIT. FOR THE SPIRIT SEARCHES ALL THINGS, YES, THE DEEP THINGS OF GOD.’
(1 CORINTHIANS 2: 10)

THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES US THE POWER OF GOD

A well known attribute of the Holy Spirit is that he gives us the power of God. This can be enormous physical strength (Samson) or amazing spiritual power like with Peter whose shadow healed sick people. Jesus Christ said we needed to be clothed with the power of the Holy Spirit in order to be able to effectively spread the gospel, with miracles following.

‘TO BE STRENGTHENED WITH MIGHT THROUGH HIS SPIRIT IN THE INNER MAN’
(EPHESIANS 3:16)
‘FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT IN WORD BUT IN POWER.’
(1 CORINTHIANS 4:20)
‘BUT YOU SHALL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS COME UPON YOU; AND YOU SHALL BE WITNESSES TO ME.’
(ACTS 1:8)
‘THAT YOU MAY ABOUND IN HOPE BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.’
(ROMANS 15:13)
‘IN MIGHTY SIGNS AND WONDERS, BY THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD.’
(ROMANS 15:19)
‘MY SPEECH AND MY PREACHING WERE NOT WITH PERSUASIVE WORDS OF HUMAN WISDOM, BUT IN DEMONSTRATION OF THE SPIRIT AND OF POWER.’
(1 CORINTHIANS 2:4)

THE HOLY SPIRIT INSPIRES PRAYER

The purpose of our life with God is to grow in an intimate relationship with him. This happens mostly through prayer. The Bible distinguishes two types of prayer: praying with your mind (in your mother tongue) and praying with your spirit (praying in tongues).

‘BUILDING YOURSELVES UP ON YOUR MOST HOLY FAITH, PRAYING IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.’
(JUDE 20)
‘PRAYING ALWAYS WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION IN THE SPIRIT.’
(EPHESIANS 6:18)
‘GOD IS SPIRIT, AND THOSE WHO WORSHIP HIM MUST WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH.’
(JOHN 4:24)
‘I WILL PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT, AND I WILL ALSO PRAY WITH THE UNDERSTANDING. I WILL SING WITH THE SPIRIT, AND I WILL ALSO SING WITH THE UNDERSTANDING.’
(1 CORINTHIANS 14:15)

THE FIRE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

A remarkable aspect of God is that the Bible often refers to him as ‘fire’. John the Baptist said Jesus Christ would baptise us with Holy Spirit and with fire.

‘HE WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FIRE.’
(MATTHEW 3:11)
‘DO NOT QUENCH THE (FIRE OF THE) SPIRIT.’
(1 TESSALONIANS 5:19)
‘SEVEN LAMPS OF FIRE WERE BURNING BEFORE THE THRONE, WHICH ARE THE SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD.’
(REVELATION 4:5)

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Lord gives us powerful gifts of the Holy Spirit, to build us up, make is strong and healthy and to help us grow to maturity in Jesus Christ.

‘THERE ARE DIVERSITIES OF GIFTS, BUT THE SAME SPIRIT.’
(1 CORINTHIANS 12)
‘BY PURITY, BY KNOWLEDGE, BY LONGSUFFERING, BY KINDNESS, BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, BY SINCERE LOVE…’
(2 CORINTHIANS 6:6)
‘THEREFORE I REMIND YOU TO STIR UP THE GIFT OF GOD WHICH IS IN YOU THROUGH THE LAYING ON OF MY HANDS.’
(2 TIMOTHY 1:6)
‘HAVING THEN GIFTS DIFFERING ACCORDING TO THE GRACE THAT IS GIVEN TO US, LET US USE THEM.’
(ROMANS 12:6)

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit transforms our carnal, selfish character and makes us like God: full of love, peace, joy and patience.

‘BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUFFERING, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL.’
(GALATIANS 5:22)

JESUS CHRIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

Although Jesus Christ is the Son of God, he was still dependent on the Holy Spirit. Jesus was begotten by the Spirit, he was being led by the Holy Spirit, he received his power from the Spirit of God and he offered up himself through the Holy Spirit.

‘THEN JESUS, BEING FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, RETURNED FROM THE JORDAN AND WAS LED BY THE SPIRIT INTO THE WILDERNESS.’
(LUKE 4:1)
‘THEN JESUS RETURNED IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT TO GALILEE.’
(LUKE 4:14)
‘THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME.’
(LUKE 4:18)
‘AND HE SAW THE SPIRIT OF GOD DESCENDING LIKE A DOVE AND ALIGHTING UPON JESUS.’
(MATTHEW 3:17)
‘I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE WILL DECLARE JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES.’
(MATTHEW 12:18)
‘BUT IF I CAST OUT DEMONS BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, SURELY THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS COME UPON YOU.’
(MATTHEW 12:28)
‘WHO THROUGH THE ETERNAL SPIRIT OFFERED HIMSELF WITHOUT SPOT TO GOD.’
(HEBREWS 9:14)
‘FOR HE WHOM GOD HAS SENT SPEAKS THE WORDS OF GOD, FOR GOD DOES NOT GIVE THE SPIRIT BY MEASURE.’
(JOHN 3:34)
‘HOW GOD ANOINTED JESUS OF NAZARETH WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND WITH POWER.’
(ACTS 10:38)

CONCLUSION: WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

So what is the Holy Spirit? He is too much for words. He is fire, anointing, power, love, peace, joy, adoption, wisdom, guidance, healing miracles, and so much more.

If we realize how extremely powerful the Holy Spirit is, we can understand why there is so much resistance against him in many churches. Many christians are filled with an aggressive fear against the Spirit of God. I believe this fear is inspired by satan and his armies of evil spirits, who are terrified of the Holy Spirit. Satan is not afraid of religion, as a matter of fact he is the most religious spirit you can imagine, who loves to invent religions as a hobby. He is also not afraid of man-made christian religion. But satan is terrified of the Holy Spirit because he is able to unmask and destroy the works of satan.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO LAY ASIDE ALL FEAR AND SURRENDER YOURSELF TO THE HOLY SPIRIT MORE THAN YOU HAVE EVER DONE.

‘NOT BY MIGHT NOR BY POWER, BUT BY MY SPIRIT,’ SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS.’
(ZACHARIAH 4:6)

WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT? HERE’S HOW…

WOULD YOU LIKE RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT? HERE ARE FOUR SIMPLE STEPS THAT SHOW YOU HOW YOU CAN RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF THE SPIRIT. ONCE YOU ARE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, YOU WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.

The Bible shows us that God wants to give us the greatest gift you can think of: He comes to live inside of us with his own holy, almighty, wonderful Spirit. He wants us to receive the Holy Spirit so we can experience heaven on earth, God’s kingdom becoming reality in our life.

The problem with many Christians is that they don’t experience that God is real. God seems to be far away from them. Their prayers seem to be ineffective. Their faith is weak and they lack the boldness to tell others about Jesus Christ. Christians perform many religious activities but it is questionable whether is bears as much lasting fruit as we would like to see. What is the cause of that? It is because we do too much in our own strength. We do not realize which wonderful gift God wants to give us.

JESUS CHRIST WANTS YOU TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO HELPS YOU IN YOUR CHRISTIAN LIFE.

The holy Spirit elevates the Christian life to a whole new level, where God can really meet us and He becomes an awesome reality in our daily life. The difference between the Old and the New Testament is not only that Jesus Christ died for our sins. It stretches far beyond. The difference is also that God is no longer distant.

GOD CAME CLOSE. HE LIVES IN US AND WITH US. HE WANTS TO FILL US WITH HIS SPIRIT.

He wants to become a reality for us that is so beautiful and special, as if we are experiencing heaven on earth. Of course with persecution because it is still the earth, where we wage war against the powers of darkness. But we are able to get to know God as a wonderful, intimate reality. His light can shine so amazingly bright in our lives. His love can fill our hearts and control our actions. His goodness can flood us and his peace can govern us. God’s reality isn’t something we will experience much later, after we die. No, God is here and now with us and wants to baptise us in his holy Spirit.

HOW TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Bible shows us four steps that every person needs to take, in order to receive the baptism of the Spirit.

‘REPENT, AND EACH OF YOU BE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS; AND YOU WILL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.’ (ACTS 2:38)

Do not be like others who want to replace the clear truth of the Bible by human traditions and reasoning. Don’t be inhibited from the wonderful glory that God wants to give you. Read what the Bible says and do what the Bible says.

1) Start a new life

Of course the first step is to repent of your life without God, your life in sin, dishonesty, impurity. Repentance is the basis. Turn away from evil, towards God. Start a completely new life with God.

2) Believe in Jesus Christ

Believe in Jesus Christ as your saviour. Realise that Jesus Christ is the saviour or mankind and died for your sins on the cross at Golgotha. He shed his blood as a sacrifice for the sins of man. If you believe in Him and bow down for Him, your sins will be forgiven.

3) Be baptised

Be baptised in water. That is a basic act that goes together with conversion. In many traditional churches baptism has been replaced by infant baptism. But Jesus Christ let himself be baptised in water, so who are we to claim that we are more than the Son of God and we don’t need to be baptised? Jesus was dedicated and blessed as a child, but He still was baptised when He started His ministry.

‘After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove on Him.’ (Matthew 3:16)

Every Christian who wants to be filled with the holy Spirit would be advised to follow Jesus Christ’s example. Jesus Christ is the Son of God… and He was filled with the Spirit of God when He was baptised in water.

4) Receive the Spirit

When reading the Bible you will notice that the Spirit of God came upon people after they had received prayer with laying on of hands by the apostles.

‘Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.’ (Acts 8:17)

‘Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. (1 Timothy 4:14)

In some Christian circles they have replaced the clear biblical truth on this topic by the opinions and traditions of man. But if you are really longing to receive the holy Spirit, let go of all the human objections and let trustworthy and pure Christians pray for you while laying on hands, just like the Bible tells us.

What are these gifts of the Spirit? How can you know that you have particular gifts of the Spirit? Can others give us an indication of what our gift is? What does the believer do with these gifts in the church? Are some gifts more important than others? Are the gifts of healing still being accessed today by believers? Is the gift of miracles still existent in the church today?

Each and every believer has been given by the indwelling of the Spirit of God, gifts of the Spirit (Acts 2:38).  In Acts chapter 8 and in 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14 we see external gifts of the Holy Spirit. They were not gifts that they have been developed by human capacities, therefore the believer has absolutely no right to brag on these gifts. If we exalt in our gifts, we are taking credit for something that we have not earned ourselves. It is like taking credit for a gift you receive on your birthday. It is just that; a gift that was not yours but given to your freely and it is given apart from any inherent capabilities that you have within you. It is not like changing the old hymn from How Great Thou Art to How Great I Am.

No believer can say that they have no gift of the Spirit from God. God has given all believers gifts; some have several but everyone has these gifts. These gifts of the Spirit are given not for the believer but for the Body of Christ. It is to make the Body complete. These gifts are intended for the church to edify it, to strengthen it, to feed it, to exhort it, to encourage it and to have the Body of Christ empowered to do the work of Christ. These gifts are always to exalt Christ, to witness of God’s power, to build up the Body, and to work to enlarge the Body of Christ by sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost. There are several biblical tools and surveys that believers can use to discover their own gifts of the Spirit. These are helpful applications to allow the Christian to see what their gifts are and therefore how they can best help the church. There is no believer in Christ that does not have the gift of the Spirit.

Isaiah 11:2-3 speaks of seven different spirits or gifts: “And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He will delight in obeying the Lord.
He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay (called discernment).” These are important gifts and some of them are similar to but different from the gifts of the Spirit that Paul talks about in the New Testament in I Corinthians chapter twelve. There are nine gifts of the Spirit mentioned by Paul in I Corinthians chapter twelve:

1) Word of Wisdom

2) Word of Knowledge

3) Faith

4) Gifts of Healing

5) Working of Miracles

6) Prophecy

7) Discerning of Spirits

8)Divers (or different) kinds of Tongues

9) Interpretation of (different) Tongues

This is not an exhaustive list of the gifts of the spirit, for example some are said to have the gift of mercy which is a person who is quick to forgive and not judge others who have sinned while others are not so quick to do so. God gives these gifts as He sees best and not what we think they are for (v 11). We can not receive gifts we are not intended to receive but we can desire certain gifts, indicating that we can receive gifts of the Spirit that may fulfill the desires of our hearts while still fulfilling God‘s purpose for them (v 31). Let’s examine what these gifts are and what is their intended use is for in the church today.

Romans chapter twelve has a similar listing of the gifts of the Spirit but I Corinthians chapter twelve is more comprehensive in nature. I Corinthians chapter twelve begin with Paul telling the Corinthian church, and for the most part, all believers in the church today. Paul wants to make these gifts crystal clear to us and so we will depend upon the inspired Word of God to reveal them to us (v 1).

Paul tells us that “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them” (v 4). No two gifts are the same and generally no two believers have exactly the same gifts but always these gifts are given for the common good of the church (v 7).

The Gift of Wisdom

The first gift Paul mentions is the gift of wisdom (v 8). It is listed first perhaps because it is foundational to the church and this is a gift that the believer can earnestly desire (v 31). Wisdom is clearly taught in the Word of God and “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding” (Psalm 111:10). This is the precious gift that Solomon asked for and received from God to be able to rightly rule God‘s nation (I Kings 3:12). With this wisdom, Solomon could understand what do in difficult decisions. Wisdom is also associated with fearing the Lord. Fear is simply standing in awe of God in reverence and respect. It entails loving His Word and being obedient to what it says. There is no wisdom in disobedience. This means that if some members are revering God’s laws and statutes, including loving God and loving your neighbor, that many members in the church can have this gift. Of course, many can not have it either. This gift is of supreme importance for members in the Body of Christ for if we can love God and our neighbor, we can greatly contribute to the church and those outside of the church. This love is another way of showing unbelievers and attracting them to Christ by it (John 13:35).

The Gift of Knowledge

The next gift of the Spirit is that of knowledge (v 8). Some people have such a gift of remembering scriptures. They have knowledge of God and His ways. They seem to be able to quickly distinguish which is biblical and which is not. Some translations say it is the “Word” of knowledge while others say that it is the “utterance” of knowledge. The Word is most certainly the Word of God. The “utterance” of knowledge could indicate that those with the gift of knowledge know when to speak particular words, when not to, and what words to speak with. Both words seem to fulfill what true knowledge is. These with this gift make excellent teachers, deacons, elders, or pastors.

The Gift of Faith

The next gift of the Spirit Paul mentions is the gift of faith (v 9). Those with this gift are truly amazing in how they see things. They tend to exude confidence in all situations. For example, our church deacon has said about our church growth “when” it grows we will need more Sunday school books, while others say “if” we grow we will need additional books. I met an evangelist once that spoke about things as if they already had existed or had come to pass. He spoke about finances that God would provide while simultaneously have nothing to show for it in the church’s bank account. He would always later prove to be right. This is a person more like God. He sees things that aren’t as if they already are!

The Gift of Healing

The gift of healing has been a controversial one (v 9). Some “faith healers” claim to have this gift yet have often been exposed to be frauds by undercover reporters. Many of those “healed” have been interviewed prior to their supposed healing. Some tap the power of positive thinking to convince them that they are healed. Others have even used “scam artists” or actors to portray someone that has been healed from an infirmity that they never actually had. This gift was more prominent in the New Testament church to confirm that Jesus Christ’s name had power and that God was working in the church. I am not saying that people are still not healed today but the days of having someone’s shadow passing over them and they are instantly healed is over. The gift of healing may be in relations to the power of prayer and we know that the effectual prayer of a righteous man or woman can accomplish miracles (James 5:16). In any event, we must attribute any healing that is done is “…by that one Spirit“ and not by humans (v 9).

The Gift of Miracles

The gift of “miraculous powers“ is another gift of the Spirit that appears to be unique to the New Testament church (10). This may also be associated with faith healers who claim that that have the gift of miraculous powers but they must remember that any gift or its results are always credited to the spirit and not to humans. It could also be attributed to those who are prayer warriors. There is an elderly lady that I know I want her praying for me. I have had some pretty interesting results when this lady has prayed for me. I would call some of the things that have happened miraculous in some ways. The greatest miracles that occur today are, for the most part, the miracle of human conversion. I see this as the greatest miracle of all since only the Spirit of God can illuminate the Word of God and reveal to us Who Jesus Christ is (John 6:44, Matt 16:17).

The Gift of Prophecy (Speaking)

The next gift is that of prophecy (v 10). Prophecy has several different interpretations and it is clear that in this context, within the church at Corinth, prophecy is the gift of teaching and/or speaking. The literal translation here is that it is “publicly speaking” or “speaking forth” the Word of God. This gift is associated with those who are teachers or pastors since God would not gift someone in the church to teach or preach without having an ability to do so. It is not inferring that they know the future or know what is to come since only a sovereign God alone knows the future.

The Gift of Discernment

The gift of “distinguishing between spirits” is having the gift of discernment. It is able to discern scriptures and their application to believers in the church. It is also being able to tell whether someone is earnest and sincere, or they appear to have an agenda. Peter displayed this in Acts chapter five when Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property and kept back part of the money and brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet but lied saying they had given it all to the church (Acts 5:1-10). Those with this gift of discernment or “distinguishing between spirits” may be able to know whether the church should or should not do particular things.

The Gift of Tongues

The next gift is the ability to speak in different tongues (v 10). This has been one of the most controversial and most misunderstood gifts of all. When the original outpouring of the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost, there were many speaking in tongues. Paul wrote about tongues extensively in 1 Corinthians, chapters twelve through fourteen, but he was reproving the Corinthians for misusing the gift. It’s very difficult out of this passage to get any kind of mandate to speak in tongues, to get any kind of affirmation that this is something to be sought, because what you have here are primarily corrective orders given to the Corinthians. They had actually prostituted the gift of tongues into something pagan that wasn’t even representative of the work of the Spirit. All you need to do is to go back to Acts 2 and read verse 4, “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other languages”. The literal translation in Greek is “glossa” and means tongues. This same word “glossa” (language) is used again in Acts 2:11. This means it is a known language not some unknown tongue. Then it says (in Acts 2:5-11) that there were unbelievers present at Pentecost and were hearing God’s message in their own “dialektos” dialects or language: “Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues” (dialektos or dialects)! So there were unbelievers present at Pentecost hearing God’s message in their own languages and their own local dialects, not ecstatic gibberish.

The Gift of Interpretation of Tongues

The next gift Paul mentions is the gift of interpretation of tongues (v 10). This gift is someone who is able to interpret another tongue or language. I am bilingual and can speak English and Spanish but I would not say that I have this gift necessarily. Some have a natural gift or ability to learn a foreign language. It was not natural nor did it come easy for me. For those who this is easy, then they may be imbued with such a gift. If anyone was speaking in tongues in the church, there absolutely had to be someone there to interpret or they were to be silent. And no more than one person was to speak in tongues because there is only one interpreter available to translate at a time. If several were speaking in tongues at the same time, there would be confusion and God is not the author of confusion, but He is the God of order (1 Cor 14:33). It would not be edifying the church to have several speaking in tongues at the same time and with no one to interpret. Tongues are a sign for unbelievers and not for the church. Paul writes, “In the Law it is written: ‘With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.’ Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers” (1 Cor. 14: 21-22). Isaiah 28:11-12 is where Paul quotes Isaiah the prophet, “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, ‘This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.’” This clearly indicates that the gift of tongues (Greek for languages) and the interpretation of them is that of a known language as a witness to unbelievers.

Paul wants to make clear that we should not elevate one gift over another but esteem each and necessary for the completeness of the Body of Christ as Paul says in I Corinthians 12:12-23, “Now if the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor.”

Other Gifts of the Spirit

Romans 12:7-8 also speaks of additional gifts; “if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” This shows that some are gifted at teaching, some at showing mercy, some in giving to the work of the Lord, and some who show an unusual amount of forgiveness (called mercy).

Ephesians 4:11 reveals yet more gifts as Paul indicates there are, “…apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers.” Again teachers are mentioned, evangelists are those who are unusually gifted at sharing the gospel with the lost, pastors and prophets (again, this is those who proclaim the gospel). Apostles can no longer exist because by definition, they would be those church leaders who have been commissioned by the risen Christ and having been done so in His presence. Those who call themselves apostles have no such authority given by God and they are self-designated only, thusly disqualifying themselves as a true apostle.

Many Gifts, Many Members, One Body

Each and every church member is clearly a part of “… the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles (no longer in this church age), second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 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? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts“(I Cor. 12:28-31). I pray you not only seek and discover your gifts but that you utilize them to the strengthening of the Body of Christ, for which you are a part. If you are not, then today is the time to become part of Christ’s church because members of this body will live on into eternity.

1.Charles Stanley :

God the Holy Spirit- Our Helper

Walking in the Holy Spirit :

2. Andrew Wommack

Baptism in the Holy spirit:

Spirit, Soul and body :

3. Jerry Brandt

Spirit, Sould & Body :

IS SPEAKING IN TONGUES FOR TODAY?

Question: “Is speaking in tongues still in operation by the Holy Spirit as in the early church? Should I learn to speak in tongues?”

Bible Answers

You do not have to speak in tongues in order to be saved or to have the Holy Spirit in you, but for the free and full outpouring that is the power of the Holy Spirit, you must seek the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Speaking in tongues is a gift from God, and we know that God only gives good gifts to those who are obeying Him.

Jesus said

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues (Mark 16:17). This was the last thing Jesus said before returning to heaven. He said that speaking in a new tongue was a sign that accompanied those who believe and was for all believers who would be open and seek the gifts.

What is speaking in tongues

Speaking in tongues is speaking in a language that you do not know as provided by the Holy Spirit, it being one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He may provide a heavenly language or an earthy language that someone else may understand.

Do only a few speak in tongues

Today, over 400 million Christians, around the world, speak in tongues and this number is quickly growing. The gift of tongues is not reserved for just a few but for everyone as Paul said in 1 Cor. 14:5, I would like every one of you to speak in tongues.

God gave us His Holy Spirit to teach us, guide us, and empower us. The power and gifts of the Holy Spirit are for everyone, not just a select few.

Is speaking in tongues just babble

Some who do not believe claim that speaking in tongues is just babble but science has proven them wrong. The language center of the brain, the frontal lobes that are normally busy when we speak, during testing, were quite quiet when subjects were speaking in tongues.

Speaking in tongues is clearly not fabricated but from another source, God.

Is speaking in tongues for today

Some claim that speaking in tongues is not for today, that it ceased with the early church, but the apostle Paul said to the early church approximately 25 years after Jesus’ crucifixion, Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:39).

Many claim that the apostolic and charismatic gifts stopped after the original 12 apostles passed away. However, several well known early church fathers, including Justin Martyr (100-165 AD), Irenaeus (115-202 AD), Tertullian (160-220 AD), and Origen (185-254 AD), wrote that the spiritual gifts, including speaking in tongues, were very much active in the church, long after John, the last apostle had passed away around 100 AD.

Today, it is estimated that some 100,000,000 Christians speak in tongues.

It is a shame that many are afraid and criticize those who do believe and operate within the gifts of the Holy Spirit, a gift from God to help and benefit, when the Bible clearly says we are to operate in the gifts and speak in tongues.

Paul told us to …eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1).

Nothing in the Bible indicates that this gift would cease several hundred years later. Nor is there any logical reason to assume that a gift God gave to the early church to advance His children and proclaim His wonders and miracles would not be needed by the later church.

God would not take away a gift to His children as long as they needed it.

Claimed as proof that tongues has stopped

The following verse is the most popular proof used by some to prove that speaking in tongues have stopped.

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away (1 Corinthians 13: 8).

Now that sounds rather impressive, but wait. It ends with as for knowledge, it will pass away. Has all knowledge passed away? No. Then how can they claim tongues have passed away at this time. The real issue is timing.

When they show you 1 Corinthians 13:8, they fail to also show you verses 9 and 10. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. Verse 10 is very important as it provides the needed timing. Verse 8 will occur when the perfect comes. The perfect is Jesus Christ. Only when the perfect comes will prophesy, tongues, and (man’s) knowledge no longer be needed. Only then will they cease.

What does speaking in tongues accomplish

1. Speaking to God. , For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God (1 Corinthians 14:2).

2. Praising God. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God (Acts 10:46).

3. Declaring God’s wonders and majesty. We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues (Acts 2:11).

4. Edifying selves. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself (1 Cor. 14:4).

5. The Holy Spirit declares God’s will. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express …because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will (Romans 8:26-27).

How can I learn to speak in tongues

If you desire to speak in tongues, pray for it until you receive it. Jesus said, How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13). Keep praying until you receive.

How often should you speak in tongues

Paul said, I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you” (1 Cor. 14:18).

Are there abuses in the use of tongues

As with nearly everything, some will and do misuse and abuse the gift of tongues. But do not reject the wonders of God because of misinformed fear caused by a few.

Rather, let us remember the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Cor. 14:39. …“do not forbid speaking in tongues.”

Summary

God gave a gift to the early church, in which we have no indication that He ever took it back, in which over 400 million Christians will tell you that the charismatic gifts are real and a blessing of the Lord.

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20).

These powerful gifts are available today for those who seek them. For more details.

WHERE DOES THE SPIRIT DWELL?

Question: “Where does the spirit and the Holy Spirit dwell in believers and is there a difference between our spirit and the Holy Spirit?”

Bible Answers

The spirit of man is provided at birth by the Lord Almighty (Genesis 2:7, Psalm 104:30), and upon our death, the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He gives us the Holy Spirit who resides with out spirit. the Spirit of truth [Holy Spirit], whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and is in you (John 14:17).

While the Holy Spirit dealt with man before Jesus crucifixion, afterwards, He dwells with man. By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified (John 7:39).

We become the temple of God when we accept Jesus. Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?(1 Corinthians 3:16). Most believe that the Holy Spirit resides with our spirit.

But were does the spirit dwell within us?

Jesus said that the spirit literally dwells in our belly.

He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spoke he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive (John 7:38-39).

The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly (Proverbs 20:27).

So where does the spirit of man dwell? He dwells in our belly.