Question: Why should a believer be filled with the Spirit?
Answer: After you make Jesus the Lord of your life, it is the will of God that you experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 says, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." It is the Holy Spirit's ministry not only to impart the nature of God to the spirit of man at salvation, but to come and live in the new creature. His job is to reveal the exact knowledge of God from the heart of the Father. A believer cannot understand, by his own spirit alone, the profound wisdom of God. This is why Jesus said in John 14:26 that the Father would send us the Comforter to teach us "all things."
When you receive the Holy Spirit, you receive the ability of God. Acts 1:8 says, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." The word power in that verse is translated dunamis, which means ability and might. It is through the energizing force of the Holy Spirit living in us that we are transformed into effective witnesses. So, to be born again and not filled with the Spirit is like being a train without a track.
The ability you receive to pray with your spirit when you are baptized in the Holy Spirit is powerful. It edifies and builds up your spirit man and puts you in contact with the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 14:4, 2:10). It also allows you to pray God's perfect will apart from your natural understanding and aids you in interceding for others (Romans 8:26-27). And according to Jude 1:20-21, praying in the Spirit strengthens and intensifies your personal relationship with God.
Question: How can you receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Answer: The promise of receiving the Holy Spirit is for everyone in the Body of Christ because God gave His Spirit to the Church on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:32-33, 39). As a partaker of your covenant with God, however, you must individually receive what He has given you.
When you ask for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God promises that you shall receive. Luke 11:9-13 says:
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone?...Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 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?
In the Bible, when believers received the Holy Spirit, they began to speak in a heavenly language. Acts 2:4 says, "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." This is still true today. When you accept the Spirit's indwelling, your spirit will immediately have a desire to express itself in praise to God. The Holy Spirit will give utterance through you as you give Him permission.
When you pray in tongues, you are praying in the Spirit. You are letting the Holy Spirit pray through your spirit. The Amplified Bible says in 1 Corinthians 14:14, "My spirit [by the Holy Spirit within me] prays...." Just as your native language is the voice of your mind, your prayer language is the voice of your spirit.
If you desire the in filling of the Holy Spirit or if you are unsure whether you have received it,
say this prayer:
" Heavenly Father, I come to You in the Name of Jesus. Your Word says, "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21). I am calling on You. I pray and ask Jesus to come into my heart and be Lord over my life according to Romans 10:9-10. "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." I do that now. I confess that Jesus is Lord, and I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. "
"I am now reborn! I am a Christian - a child of Almighty God! I am saved! You also said in Your Word, "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?" (Luke 11:13). I'm also asking You to fill me with the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, rise up within me as I praise God. I fully expect to speak with other tongues as You give me the utterance (Acts 2:4). "
Begin to praise God for filling you with the Holy Spirit. Speak those words and syllables you receive in your own language, but the language given to you by the Holy Spirit. You have to use your own voice. God will not force you to speak.
Now you are a Spirit-filled believer. Continue with the blessing God has given you and pray in tongues each day. You'll never be the same!
Find a good Word of God preaching church, and become a part of a church family who will love and care for you as you love and care for them.
We need to be hooked up to each other. It increases our strength in God. It's God's plan for us.
If you have prayed this prayer, we would like to send you some materials that will help you start your new walk with the Lord!
Click here for your free copies of Welcome to the Family, Now Are We In Christ Jesus, and God's Will Is the Holy Spirit. |
