When Jesus
ascended into heaven, he said, “You shall receive
power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” Acts 1:8
The Lord
promised to send the Holy Spirit to take his place on the earth (John
In these last days of earth's history, we can expect an
even greater manifestation of the Holy Spirit than at Pentecost (Zechariah
12:10, Joel 2:28-29).
There is, however, a lot of confusion about the way the
Spirit works. Let us do as the noble Bereans, of whom it is recorded “searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were
so.” (Acts
1. There are many Christians who seem interested only in the things of
this life—money, food, fashion, etc. What does a true experience of God's
Kingdom consist of?
For the
2. What role does the Holy Spirit play in our living a Christian life?
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 things that I said to you.
John 14:26
3. Does this mean that when we recall the words of Jesus and think of him
that this is really the work of the Holy Spirit?
"But
when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of
truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will
bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning. John 15:26-27
Note:
The word “Helper” (“comforter” in the King James version) means
"mediator" or "go-between.” The Holy Spirit brings Christ's presence
to us. He is the official representative of Christ in the world. Where he is,
there is joy, peace, and righteousness.
4. What else does he do?
And
when he has come, he will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and
of judgment. John
16:8
5. When we feel this reproving voice in our hearts, is this evidence of
his leading?
For
as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:14
Your
ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in
it," Whenever you turn to the right hand, or whenever you turn to the
left. Isaiah
30:21
6. When we feel unworthy and sinful, surely the Holy Spirit isn't leading
us then, is he?
The
Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God; Likewise
the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray
for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with
groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:16,26
7. Does he continue to lead people after their conversion?
However,
when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth; for
he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak;
and he will tell you things to come. John 16:13
8. Jesus said, "Thy Word is truth" (John
But
God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all
things, yes, the deep things of God. These things we also speak, not in words
which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing
spiritual things with spiritual. I Corinthians 2:13,10
Note:
The Bible was inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter
9. When the Holy Spirit came and filled the disciples at Pentecost, what
happened?
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
Note:
They were supernaturally given the ability to speak other languages.
10. What was the Lord's purpose in giving them the ability to speak foreign
languages?
And
he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every
creature. Mark
Then I saw another angel flying in the
midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on
the earth--to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people. Revelation 14:6
11. Was this the reason the disciples received the ability to speak new languages at Pentecost?
“But
you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall
be witnesses to Me in
And
they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other
tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4
Note:
Jesus had promised the disciples the power of the Holy Spirit to enable them to
preach “repentance and remission of sins...among the
nations.” (Luke 24:47-49) This promise was fulfilled at Pentecost by
giving them the instant ability to witness in other languages. This was a sign
to the unbelieving Jews that their work was of God. They used this ability to
preach the good news about Jesus and the plan of redemption to all those who
were at
12. Isn't the gift of languages (tongues) a special evidence in the lives
of people to show that they are filled with the Holy Spirit?
By this
my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples. John 15:8
But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those
who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-24
Note:
Sounds can be faked, but the fruit of the Spirit: joy, peace, patience,
kindness, etc. cannot be!
There was no one
ever more filled with the Holy Spirit than Jesus, and he never spoke in tongues
or even talked about it.
13. I had always thought this gift was in an "unknown" tongue.
Could the people actually understand what the apostles said?
And
when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused,
because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Acts 2:6
Note:
There were at least 15 languages spoken that day (count them in Acts 2:8-12),
all intelligible to someone in that unbelieving multitude.
14. Didn't the Corinthian church speak in "unknown" tongues?
So
likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will
it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. If anyone
speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and
let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in
church, and let him speak to himself and to God. I Corinthians 14:9,27,28
Note:
The word "unknown" is a word supplied by the translators of the King
James version and does not occur in the original Greek—hence it is not found in
modern translations. When words are added in such a manner by the translators,
it is done so with the intention to help clarify the original meaning of the
text; however, at times they can actually change the true meaning intended by
the original writer.
15. If someone claims to have the gift of tongues and there is no one
present to interpret what is being said, what did Paul say that person should
do?
But
if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to
himself and to God. I Corinthians 14:28
Note:
In almost every Pentecostal church this counsel is not followed, and as a
result, mass confusion reigns.
16. Did Paul speak in languages?
I
thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would
rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also,
than ten thousand words in a tongue. I Corinthians 14:18,19
Note:
Paul spoke Aramaic, the language of the common people in
17. Some people teach that everyone should pray in tongues. Is this the
Lord's will and evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
Are
all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?
Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But
earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. I Corinthians 12:29-31
Note:
The baptism of the Holy Spirit came on Jesus (Acts
Cornelius, the first Gentile convert, and twelve Baptist
men in
18. Are there other gifts of the Spirit, besides languages?
There
are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of
ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is
the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given
to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom
through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,
to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same
Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another
discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the
interpretation of tongues. I Corinthians 12:4-10
Note:
See also verse 28 for the added gifts of “helps,
administration, and apostleship.”
Some comments
need to be inserted here regarding the gift of tongues which we hear so much
about today. Notice that the gift is mentioned LAST by Paul. How different this
is from much modern "Pentecostalism" which makes prominent the
so-called modern gift of tongues.
19. Who determines what gift we are given?
But
one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one
individually as He wills. I Corinthians 12:11
Note:
We are never instructed to tell the Holy Spirit what gift he must give us. Yet
today many teach that we must all have the gift of tongues as evidence that we
are filled with the Holy Spirit. Be afraid of this teaching, for it is unscriptural.
20. But doesn't everyone receive the same gifts?
And
God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third
teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations,
varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are
all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with
tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show
you a more excellent way. I Corinthians 12:28-31
Note:
All do not receive the same gifts. Yet today many in the so-called
"Pentecostal" churches claim that all must speak in tongues in order
to be truly Spirit-filled. This idea is totally unscriptural.
21. What about noisy church services where many pray at the same time and
where anyone speaks out, even if someone else is speaking?
If
anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn,
and let one interpret. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others
judge. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is
not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
Let all things be done decently and in order. I Corinthians 14:27,29,32,33,40
22. Can the Holy Spirit be the One Who brings the confusion and disorder
seen in some churches?
Beloved,
do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God;
because many false prophets have gone out into the world. I John 4:1
For
God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the
saints. I
Corinthians 14:33
Note:
Tongues speaking is not an evidence of the Holy Spirit, for it has existed in
certain pagan Greek and Roman religions even before the time of Christ. It
still occurs, accompanied by wailing, shouting, jazzed music, handclapping, and
dancing, in the religious orgies of devil worshippers in many lands. history
records occasional outbreaks of these manifestations among certain fanatical
Christian groups also, whose sincerity was unquestioned but whose beliefs were
unscriptural. There is a genuine gift of tongues, but it is not found in
emotionally charged meetings or self-hypnotic spells.
23. Then how does the Holy Spirit work? How does he arouse and lead people?
For
thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: "In returning and rest you
shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." But
you would not, Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is
the way, walk in it," Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you
turn to the left. Isaiah
30:15,21
Then
he said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And
behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains
and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the
wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake;
and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after
the fire a still small voice. I Kings
Note:
The Lord clearly declares how the work will be accomplished in the last days: “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the
Lord of Hosts.” Zechariah 4:6
Most people
understand this to mean the Lord as saying, "Not by human might, nor by
human power..." However, the Lord is clearly contrasting the way his
Spirit works with might and power.
Although he is
the active agent in the miracles and powerful manifestations of God, this is
not the way he wishes to win people. he rather brings the truth, as Jesus did.
24. How may we distinguish the leading of the Holy Spirit from another
spirit?
And
we are his witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God
has given to those who obey him. Acts
25. What specifically are we to obey?
Jesus
said, “If you love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he
will give you another Helper, that he may abide with you forever.” John 14:15,16
Note:
God cannot give the Holy Spirit to anyone who knowingly transgresses any of his
commandments, including the fourth, which identifies the true Sabbath. See
Ezekiel
26. How does the Holy Spirit seal us?
Nevertheless
the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows
those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ
depart from iniquity." 2 Timothy 2:19
Note:
The Holy Spirit will never place the seal of God in the forehead of an impure
man or woman. Notice what Christ says in Matthew 7:21-23: Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the
kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will
say to me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, cast
out demons in your name, and done many wonders in your name?” And then I will
declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice
lawlessness!”
27. Is this promise for these last days also?
And
it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of my
Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young
men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. For the promise is to
you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our
God will call. Acts
Note:
Our greatest need is the refining presence and power of the Holy Spirit. This
promised blessing, claimed by faith, brings all other blessing with it. We
believe we are living in the last days. Then let us pray for the promised
"latter rain" experience.
And
the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He that cometh unto me I will in no wise
cast out. Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Revelation
Do you want the
Lord to make you worthy to be filled with his Spirit?
My response to
Christ is:______________________________