Reformation Era And Puritanism
Huldrych Zwingli, a leading Protestant Reformer in Switzerland, taught three distinct baptisms: water baptism, teaching baptism and Spirit baptism. While full baptism included all three, Zwingli emphasized that the external baptisms of water and teaching could not provide salvation. The inner baptism of the Spirit alone could save because it conferred faith. According to Zwingli, the three baptisms could be given separately Spirit baptism could occur first or last in the sequence.
Many Puritans believed that the conversion experience was followed by a later and distinct experience of the Holy Spirit. This experience was characterized by receiving assurance of one’s salvation. English Puritan Thomas Goodwin equated this experience with the baptism in the Holy Spirit and the “seal of the Spirit” referenced in Ephesians 1.
Coming Of The Holy Spirit
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4.
Early Methodism And The Holiness Movement
Synan traces the influence of Catholic and Anglican mystical traditions on John Wesley‘s doctrine of Christian perfection or entire sanctification, from which Pentecostal beliefs on Spirit baptism developed. Furthermore, theologian James Dunn notes early Methodist beliefs can be directly linked to Puritan teaching on the Holy Spirit.
Wesley taught that while the new birth was the start of the Christian life, but “inbred sin” remained and must be removed through Christian perfection, which he stated had instantaneous and gradual aspects.John Fletcher, Wesley’s designated successor, called Christian perfection a “baptism in the Holy Spirit”. On the subject, Fletcher wrote:
Lastly: if we will attain the full power of godliness, and be peaceable as the Prince of Peace, and merciful as our heavenly Father, let us go on to the perfection and glory of Christianity let us enter the full dispensation of the Spirit. Till we live in the pentecostal glory of the Church: till we are baptized with the Holy Ghost: till the Spirit of burning and the fire of Divine love have melted us down, and we have been truly cast into the softest mould of the Gospel: till we can say with St. Paul, “We have received the Spirit of love, of power, and of a sound mind ” till then we shall be carnal rather than spiritual believers.
John Wesley’s Checks to Antinomianism later became a standard for Pentecostally-inclined holiness teachers.
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Baptism By The Holy Spirit
Baptism by the Holy Spirit is not manifested by speaking in other tongues . Paul said in I Corinthians 12:13 that all believers are baptized by the Holy Spirit, that each believer is given different gifts by the Holy Spirit , and that no single gift is for every believer .
Filling has nothing to do with the manifestation of tongues. Being filled by the Holy Spirit is not getting more of Him, but Him getting more of the believer! Many times the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit , yet there was no mention of tongues being spoken.
There Are Numerous Examples Of People Being Filled With Gods Spirit
Scripture gives numerous examples of people being filled with Gods Spirit. For example, the martyr Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit when he was about to be killed before a hostile crowd. We read in the Book of Acts.
But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God .
Stephen was full of the Spirit, or controlled by the Spirit, when he was about to be wrongfully stoned to death.
Barnabas was a man who was full of the Holy Spirit. He is described in this manner.
Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And large numbers of people were brought to the Lord..
These are two of the many examples in Scripture of people who were full of, or controlled by, the Holy Spirit.
In sum, it is important that each believer in Jesus Christ submit to Him in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This filling is something which takes place again and again.
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Baptism With The Holy Spirit
In Christian theology, baptism with the Holy Spirit, also called baptism in the Holy Spirit or baptism in the Holy Ghost, has been interpreted by different Christian denominations and traditions in a variety of ways due to differences in the doctrines of salvation and ecclesiology. It is frequently associated with incorporation into the Christian Church, the bestowal of spiritual gifts, and empowerment for Christian ministry. Spirit baptism has been variously defined as part of the sacraments of initiation into the church, as being synonymous with regeneration, as being synonymous with Christian perfection that empowers a person for Christian life and service. The term baptism with the Holy Spirit originates in the New Testament, and all Christian traditions accept it as a theological concept.
Prior to the 18th century, most denominations believed that Christians received the baptism with the Holy Spirit either upon conversion and regeneration or through rites of Christian initiation, such as water baptism and confirmation. Emerging in the mid-18th century, Methodism affirms the possibility of entire sanctification as a second work of grace, which it teaches is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In the 20th century that saw the spread of Pentecostal churches, which identified baptism of the Holy Spirit with glossolalia, the belief that this is an experience distinct from Christian initiation has come into increasing prominence.
How To Become Filled With The Holy Spirit
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
Romans 8:14
According to the late Billy Graham: To be filled with the Spirit is to be controlled by the Spirit to be so completely yielded to Christ that our supreme desire is to do His will.
The first thing we must do before becoming filled with the Holy Spirit is release our own will and submit to God to lead us by His will.
You cant become spirit-filled on your own, but must start the process
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
John 14:15-17
We cant become Spirit-filled on our own. However, we absolutely must be the one who starts the process by studying the Bible, following Christs words, loving God, and releasing our will as a way of opening our heart to the Holy Spirit entering us.
Once the Holy Spirit, which Jesus called the helper, comes upon us, the Spirit will go to work on our heart and mind. The Holy Spirit will foster our development, helping us to produce the fruits of the spirit. As the Spirit grows within us, we become more and more spirit-filled. Jesus said:
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
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The Holy Spirit Is Our Helper
4. John 14:15-17 If you love me, keep my commandments. I will ask the Father to give you another Helper, to be with you always. He is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor recognizes him. But you recognize him, because he lives with you and will be in you.
5. John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything that I have told you.
6. Romans 8:26 In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings.
He Makes Us More Like Jesus
Thereâs one important point to make about the Holy Spirit: Heâs holy.
In a general gist, the Holy Spirit produces holiness within us.
He will convict us of sin and lead us to become more like Jesus.
As we walk with the Spirit and stay in step with the Spirit , he will strip away our love for sin and make us more like Jesus .
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Receiving The Holy Spirit
The moment you trust in Christ as your Lord and Savior you will receive the Holy Spirit.
2. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
3. Ephesians 1:13-14 When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory.
The Holy Spirit Is A Person
1. Being a person, the Holy Spirit has feelings. He can become sad or angry, and others can insult Him and blaspheme against Him .
Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them. – Isaiah 63:10
And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. – Matthew 12:31
You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! – Acts 7:51
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. – Ephesians 4:30
How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? – Hebrews 10:29
2. He has intentions, shows willfulness and discretion, loves, communicates, testifies, teaches, and prays . These are qualities that distinguish Him as a person.
You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst. – Nehemiah 9:20
When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Fatherthe Spirit of truth who goes out from the Fatherhe will testify about me. – John 15:26
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We Can Only Be Filled With The Spirit When We Submit To Gods Commands
The filling of the Spirit can only occur in the life of the believer when that person submits to the commands of the Lord. It is only then that the filling, or control, of the Holy Spirit can take place. Disobedience quenches the work of the Spirit in the life of the believer. The control, or filling, cannot take place when the believer is practicing sin.
The Holy Spirit Guides Your Prayers
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words,Romans 8:26.
Sometimes I have no words. Or I have so much to say that Im not sure where to start. Ever experience that?
Sometimes we dont have to have the right words–the Holy Spirit knows just what to say. Lean into Him and allow Him to express to the Father what needs to be said.
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How To Receive The Holy Spirit
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Amy Bobinger. Amy Bobinger has been a writer and editor at wikiHow since 2017. She especially enjoys writing articles that help people overcome interpersonal hurdles but frequently covers a variety of subjects, including health and wellness, spirituality, gardening, and more. Amy graduated with a B.A. in English Lit from Mississippi College in 2011 and now lives in her hometown with her husband and two young sons.There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 96 testimonials and 91% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,066,411 times.Learn more…
If you’re familiar with Christianity, you’ve probably heard of the Holy Spiritbut what is it, and how does it become a part of your life? Theologians have filled untold pages with their thoughts on the subject, but the simplest answer is that the Holy Spirit is the presence of God, and it was sent to guide us after Jesus ascended to heaven. You will receive the Holy Spirit after you get saved and become a Christian. However, learning to recognize when the Spirit is moving in you can take a little practice.
Christian Quotes About The Holy Spirit
God speaks through a variety of means. In the present God primarily speaks by the Holy Spirit, through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church. Henry Blackaby
Souls are made sweet not by taking the acid fluids out, but by putting something ina great Love, a new Spiritthe Spirit of Christ. Henry Drummond
Trying to do the Lords work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you. Corrie ten Boom
There is not a better evangelist in the world than the Holy Spirit. Dwight L. Moody
Many saints cannot distinguish inspiration from emotion. Actually these two can be defined readily. Emotion always enters from mans outside, whereas inspiration originates with the Holy Spirit in mans spirit. Watchman Nee
To be filled with the Spirit is to be controlled by the Spirit intellect, emotions, will, and body. All become available to Him for achieving the purposes of God. Ted Engstrom
Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind. We are useless. Charles Spurgeon
Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will draw our hearts out to God and keep us engaged with Him it will take our attention from ourselves and give the Spirit room in our hearts. Andrew Murray
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Scriptures That Show That The Holy Spirit Is God
13. Acts 5:3-5 Peter asked, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart so that you should lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back some of the money you got for the land? As long as it remained unsold, wasnt it your own? And after it was sold, wasnt the money at your disposal? So how could you have thought of doing what you did? You didnt lie only to men, but also to God! When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized everyone who heard about it.
14. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Being Filled Happens Over And Over
Being filled with the Holy Spirit, however, is not a once-and-for-all experience. There are many fillings, as is made clear in Ephesians 5:18. In the Greek language, in which this command was originally written, the meaning is clearer than that in most English translations. This command of God means to be constantly and continually filled, controlled and empowered with the Holy Spirit as a way of life.
I cannot control myself and be controlled by the Holy Spirit at the same time. Christ cannot be in control if I am on the throne. So I must abdicate. This involves faith. As an expression of my will, in prayer, I surrender the throne of my life to Him, and by faith I draw upon His resources to live a holy and fruitful life.
The command of Ephesians 5:18 is given to all believers to be filled, directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit, continually, every day of our lives. And the promise of 1 John 5:14-15 is made to all believers that, when we pray according to Gods will, He hears and answers us. If you claim the fullness of Gods Spirit in prayer, He will hear and answer you. He will fill you. And in the process, you will inhale spiritually.
The Holy Spirit is not given to you that you might have a great emotional experience but that you might live a holy life and be a fruitful witness for Christ. So, whether or not you have an emotional experience is not the issue.
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