Have you been baptised in the Holy Spirit??

It seems like every sermon I've listened to lately, describes the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I know that I am filled with the Holy spirit, but I know from the testimonies that I've heard that I have not been baptised by the Holy Spirit.

A few years ago I began to pray earnestly for the baptism, but the more I talked to other Christians I began to think that perhaps I was asking for something that I didn't necessary need.

After listening to Duncan Cambel's testimony a few days ago, I was determined that I do need the baptism!! I have never met anyone personally who has claimed to be baptised and have not talked to anyone who has suggested that it is a good thing to have.

I've listened to Ten Shekels and a Shirt about 20 times and I always wonder if I am asking for something to spend on my own consumption. But I know when I get alone before God, my heart's desire is to glorify HIM!! I can't tell you one single desire or goal that I have, other than that JESUS be glorifed and that HIS kingdom be advanced!!!

Can anyone else relate to my frustrations!?!?!? I would also love to hear any personal testimonies.

In HIM,

Tina

Dear Tina,

I am at work right now so I can't give you my testimony of being baptised with the Holy Spirt in 1976. I shared in on this forum before, but couldn't find it, it was months ago. However I will give it to you as soon as I can.

Keep seeking.

I was baptized in the Holy Spirit when I was about 18 years old. I didn't quite know what it was, but I simply knew from my limited knowledge of the Scriptures that there was more to the Christian life than I was experiencing. So one night when I was really hungry for God, I simply lay on my bed and sought God really hard. I told him that I'd go anywhere He wanted me to go, and do whatever He wanted me to do.

Then all of a sudden I became aware of God's presence like I never had before since the first time I heard the gospel. Then God filled me with His Spirit, and since then I have been filled with a constant urge to preach the word of God. I didn't know at the time that I was "baptized in the Spirit," as I hadn't yet heard the term. But later in Bible college when I was learning various theological terms and such, and realized that is what I had experienced some time before.

Just keep in mind, being 'baptised in the Holy Spirit' is something to empower you to be a witness for Christ.

I have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, but I don’t think it is in the way you seem to be referring to. When I became a Christian, I was filled with the Spirit of God. Romans 8:9-10 says, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”

Also, the Holy Spirit is a seal to all believers:
2 Corinthians 1:22, “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”
Ephesians 1:13, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”
Ephesians 4:30, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”

The Baptism of the Spirit is not a second step for a believer, but is a present reality for all Christians. The problem is that many do not heed the Spirit’s word and in essence grieve Him.

Mark 1:7-9 says, “And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.”

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 says, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 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. For the body is not one member, but many.”

These verses speak of the Spirit given to us at conversion, not a second blessing.

Hope this helps.

These verses speak of the Spirit given to us at conversion, not a second blessing.

Every Christian is automatically Baptized in the Spirit at his/her conversion?? Brother, how can the church sleep on if this were true?

One of the problems we have is that there probably isn't even a consensus on what the term "Baptism in the Spirit" actually means!

Hey, sister, I was just thinking that! ;-)

Maybe I'm just a little simplistic- but I say:
1- don't bother arguing about it with people, hang out with God and see what he thinks
2- read your Bible and take the time to see what the overall description the Bible gives
3- ask God in faith to give you whatever He wants you to have-
4- then simply leave it in his hands that way you don't have to worry about whether or not it's your flesh

Thanks to all of you who responded!! In reading some of your testimonies, I think the thing that I struggle with, is that I can't say, "on such and such a day, I was baptised in the spirit."
I can remember very specific moments with the Lord that have changed me forever and I know that I am not the person I was a few years ago.

I like timmyspitz's simplistic advice and I know that most of my stuggle lies in trusting the Lord. I also think that HE has put this burning in my heart. And I know that He will give me what I need, when I need it.

Every Christian is automatically Baptized in the Spirit at his/her conversion?? Brother, how can the church sleep on if this were true?

By church are you referring to all professing believers or all truly regenerate believers? Big difference and it would explain why there are so many "asleep".

By church are you referring to all professing believers or all truly regenerate believers?

I am talking about all true professing, regenerate believers.

I heard Zac Poonen say how he was baptized in the Holy Spirit, then ten years later he received the gift of speaking in tongues. He said he was baptized in the Spirit a number of years after after his conversion.

Question I have is: Can saints be baptized in the Holy Spirit and not even know it???

I am talking about all true professing, regenerate believers.

1 Corinthians 12:13 says, "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."

Notice that Paul does not say that some Christians are baptized in the Spirit, but all are baptized in the Spirit.

Is there any scriture that tells us to seek a second baptism of the Spirit?

The closest I can think of is Ephesians 5:18, "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit"

But this verse does not tell us to seek a 'second blessing' but tells us not to be drunk and show the fruits of drunkeness, but to be filled with the Spirit and show the fruits of the Spirit!

Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control"

RepentCanada, I don't think so. Because in Scripture (Book of Acts) there was some kind of physical sign of knowing this. There was something that made their meeting distinct.

Because in some cases in the book of Acts the church was praying and that's it. Other's preaching and then it happened. Not every time when someone got saved is there a reference to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Now, here are a few Scriptures on the difference between Salvation and Baptism of HS.

Acts 11:17 (NASB)
17 "Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also [b]after[/b] believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?"

Acts 2:4 (NASB)**Keep in mind, this is [b]AFTER[/b] Peter's "positive confession" (Belief in Jesus as the Son of God)**
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

Acts 8:9-24 (NASB)[url=http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%208:9-24;&version=49;]link[/url]
Key Scriptures in this:
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.
13 Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.
**(These Scriptures show that they BELIEVED in Jesus as their Lord)**

14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John,
15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.
**(So, AFTER their Belief in the Lord, they hadn't had the Spirit fall upon them. Showing 2 different events; or then you must support a belief of a need of 'confirmation' or laying on of the hands for regeneration. Regeneration happens at belief. Bap. in Holy Spirit happens upon earnest prayer. *Look at the ask, knock, seek examples; they are referring to the HS*)**

Acts 10:47-48 (NASB)
47 "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?"
48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.

Acts 19:2 (NASB) *(Context nails the coffin on the matter; Vs. 1-10)*
2 He said to them, [b]"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you [u]believed?"[/b][/u] And they said to him, [u]"No,[/u] we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit."
*(Believed, in what? Answer= The Lord Jesus Christ. You can't refute (maybe try) that he[Paul] is referring to something AFTER conversion.

Jesus said, "Wait for it." This is after they preached the Kingdom of God for a maximum of 3 1/2 years. Don't try to say they were unregenerate. That word 'regenerate' isn't really used in Scripture that much, so don't make a distorted doctrine out of it.

Christ referred to His second coming as 'Regeneration.' So, be careful using that term. Cause, technically, we are ALL UNREGENERED because Jesus hasn't come back yet.

lovegrace,

how do you differentiate betweem true tongues and false tongues?

if we have so many who are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we do we have such a decrepit church here in North America??

Christ referred to His second coming as 'Regeneration.' So, be careful using that term. Cause, technically, we are ALL UNREGENERED because Jesus hasn't come back yet.

Lovegrace, the regeneration of the person happens at salvation, the regeneration of the world happens at Christ’s Second Coming. All Christians are regenerated.

Titus 3:3-6, “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;”

I myself think to be stuck somewhere between Easter and Pentecost. If regeneration is equal with baptism of the Holy Ghost then where is the power to witness?Forgiveness of sins we receive at the cross that has to do with justification by faith but where is the evidence of the personal pentecost at the lives of those who are truly regenerated? Theologically it seems more sound to relate baptism of the Holy Spirit with conversion experience but when it comes to actual experience something is 'missing'.

Whatever our personal evangelical convictions, we may disagree with terms and modes of expressing spiritual experiences,special emphasis of the Holy Spirit, his blessings and ministry ect. Some emphasize the need of daily being controled by the Spirit,some believe that we dont need a second pentecost because that was once and for all experience (event) which inagaurated the birth of the church, some teach the need 4 a second blessing experience, a spiritual crises that wil lead you to being baptised with the Spirit. Whatever the theological 'language' someone may use as long as they experience the power of pentecost and show forth evidences of a totally trasformed life by the grace of God and their witness of Christ is so powerful and their authority over the kingdom of darkness is so feared by the devils that satan will better wish an angel preaching the gosple then these burning flames.

The Holy Spirit is a person we cannot seperate him and his power and we should not confuse His baptism to be witneses to Christ with his ongoin work of sanctification or his indwelling in the heart of the believer who walks daily in the grace of God.
I dont have problems with theological terms and how 'orthodox' my convictions or your views are but rather with the lack of power and victorious life in me and others.

I think the tragedy of us today is that the many fake experiences of being baptized with spirit(s) have been substituted 4 the authentic experience of the Holy Ghost, so not without reason many have gone to the other extrime and 'cleared' their theological vocabulary and mind from 'any second blessing experience' or you name it ...

2 Peter 1:3-4 says, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

I believe that one problem we have is that we do not realize all that God has given us at the moment of conversion and regeneration. We have been given all things that pertain to life and godliness, there is nothing left for us to ask for.

I am reminded of Ephesians 6:10-18 and I will emphasize some words I want to address:
Ephesians 6
“10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”

Did you hear those words: Put on, take up, fasten on, put on, put on, take up, take, these are all commands. What God impressed upon me is that we—Christians—are not to ask for these things because they have already provided…we are to put them on! Let me use an example: Suppose one of you walk up here and place $50 in front of me. Then I ask for $50 explaining to you all about how much I need $50. What would your response be? “It is provided, pick it up and use it!” This is God’s Word for all of us today, “I have provided everything you need pick it up and use it!”

I am not saying that we shouldn't pray for things, not at all, but sometimes we pray for things already provided. I believe this is similar to the Baptism of the Spirit some speak of.

I admit that we can grieve the Spirit and not listen to Him as we should, but how do we ask for 'more Spirit'? If anything we should ask God to help us listen to Him.

Dear Tina,

I am finally back with my testimony. I believe, because I experienced it, that the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit is a distinct event, which might happen at the time of conversion, or as in my case, happen latter.

In 1976 I was the most aweful individual you could imagine. Left my husband and kids to party and find out "what I missed in life" to " find myself". Ugh! Well I found myself alright, I found out I stunk.

A friend of mine who was in jail for two years for selling cocaine, a preachers kid, got saved. He began to minister the gospel to me through 20+ page letters. I began to see more and more clearly my own sin and that I was on the fast road to hell. Also God set me up in other ways too lengthy and involved to relate here.

One day I was at my sink and the realization of my condition came over me and I wept and wept and wept. I repented that day and then confessed to my husband all my awefulness to the last detail. Miracle of miracles, he forgave me and he wasn't even saved.

Next I attended the church my friend in jail suggested and I made it official be going forward for the altar call. I was truly saved. I felt clean for the first time in all my life.

Then they asked me if I would like to recieve the baptism of the Holy Spirit? I really was ignorant to what that was, however after just experiencing my burden rolled off and feeling snowy white, I wanted everything God had to offer. So I said yes, my husband also. They took us down into a room and several began to pray for us and had us pray and ask for the infilling. They went on and on encouraging us to yield to the Holy Spirit and to open our mouths an allow Him to fill it. This went on and on and finally out of embarassment or ignorance we muttered a few words. We were told, that's it, you got it. Well my husband and I left there and each acknowledged that we hadn't recieved anything. However I continued to seek God asking Him if it was real and something He wanted me to have to please fill me. My husband never went beyond this point.

Three days later, I was sound asleep and sat bolt upright in the bed with my arms out cross-fashion and I was speaking in tongues. It felt like electricity was coursing through my body and I startled my husband awake by the sound. At that point I knew that I knew that I knew I had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For months afterwards I had what I can only describe as a big lump of love in my heart that gushed out to anyone I came in contact with. Just about everybody I knew got saved as the result of the power that accompanied this event.

To this day I have no, I mean no, desire to return to my former life. It is all darkness to me and my life is light. That was thirty years ago and it revolutionized my life to this day.

I know that there comes a lot of theological discussion when I share this on this forum about whether it is the baptism of Jesus or the Holy Spirit, etc. However I just want to say. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are one. They are not jealous of each other. We want to walk in all the fulness of God and in my experience this is the only way to recieve this.

I see many folks who know a lot of the word and I believe we should study to show ourselves approved, rightly dividing the word of truth. However after the Holy Ghost comes upon you you shall be witnesses. He empowers.

I wouldn't trade anything this world has to offer for my baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Thank you Jesus!

I hope this encourages you to press in to all He has for you as well.

God bless you with His fulness.

tinluke,

Praise the Lord for your heart! The "baptism of the Holy Spirit" is something that I have sought as well. I came to know the Lord and was discipled in a conservative Baptist church where tongues are not widely accepted. I used to doubt that these gifts existed...until being in prayer meetings and working with some of the most godly people I know!!

I would highly suggest a lesson by A.W. Tozer - I can't remember the name exactly...it was something like, "How to be useful to God" or something (I'll leave the link when I get to my lap top)... He does an AMAZING job with teaching and with steps..

Keep seeking the Lord and serving Him....with or w/o the second baptism (which is a gift...a beautiful gift!) praise the Lord for the opportunity just to love Him with all of our hearts!

DO
I Pet 4:2

Probably the best Biblical teaching on the baptism in the Holy Spirit that I've heard to date is on [url=http://www.waltermartin.org/realaudio.html]Walter Martin's site[/url]. They have several good messages up this month on this very subject. The message "Charisma: Cultic, Occultic or Christian?" is probably the best one. Don't let the title keep you from listening. In it, he defends and defines "the baptism of the Holy Spirit."

Jaysaved wrote:

I believe that one problem we have is that we do not realize all that God has given us at the moment of conversion and regeneration. We have been given all things that pertain to life and godliness, there is nothing left for us to ask for.

Paul's continually prayed 4 ephesians (end chapter 1), he kept asking God to give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation that they may know God better, now if the ephesians had received the Spirit(as they did) after they believed why would Paul pray for the Spirit of wisdom?
Someone could well pray (in the same logic)to receive the Spirit of power so he can witness/preach Christ effeciently, can someone say you can pray for Spirit's wisdom and understanding but not for his power?

If we have all the spiritual blessings in Christ why then are we commended in the NT to ask for them? There is a positional truth and experimental truth.All Blessings are given to us in the heavenly realms in Christ but they become part of us practicaly when we experience them by faith in our dayly life and unless we ask for them how will we receive them?

The Holy Spirit has been given us (the church) since pentecost, he has been here for 2000 yrs and still we need to pray for His outpouring. You may believe that like the air he is now present and all we need is breath by faith Him in our hearts and yet there are times when he is outpoured like a mighty rushing wind (especially in times of revival), who can understand the ways God deals with us?

We are commended to live and walk in the Spirit, also to be continualy filled with the Spirit, then our cup will overflow and we will be a blessing to others, such an immerssion in the Holy Spirit can we not dare and call baptisme with the Spirit? Like a fish in the sea is it not possible for us to be in the Spirit and like a swimmer swim in the water of the Spirit? yes this kind of experience is possible but unfortunatly only a selected few really have known or know by experience what it means.

You guys have so encouraged my heart! Thank you Kathy for that amazing testimony. I love to hear how the Lord works in the hearts of His saints!!

As I seek the Lord about this, I feel as though He is saying "Just strech out your hand, and I'll give you what you need exactly when you need it". I think I've had it backwards...I'm waiting for this supernatural experience to occur then I'll be able to go out and be HIS representative. But the Lord is saying "Go and then I'll give you what you need".

Jaysaved, Jeanette, Saltlicker and Corey, you all blessed me with what you said! I wish I could work the "quote" button, so I could tell you exactly. I think I need to visit the technical support forum next!!

Jeanette, I don't have a spiritual reason for my nickname...although I do like your analogy alot! It actually come from my kids! My youngest called his sister, Kirsten and brother Luke "tinluke" when he was a baby. So it reminds me of all 3 of them...corney I know!! A proud mom can only hide under an internet alis for so long!

In HIM,

Tina

Krispy, You've seemed to ignore the Scriptures I posted.

RepentCandana said:

"how do you differentiate between true tongues and false tongues?

if we have so many who are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we do we have such a decrepit church here in North America??"

From my point of view, much of 'tongues' today in the Church is fake.

Second, discernment is the only way to know between genuine and false. That's a gift of the Spirit. I personally don't know how one would judge the difference without this gift. *(I do have this gift, I don't boast, just letting you know how God has shaped/designed me)*

Elected brought up some great points. Why are they different feasts? (Passover and Pentacost; which foreshadow salvation and baptism of the Holy Spirit; that they are separate for a reason)

Jaysaved said:

the regeneration of the world happens at Christ’s Second Coming.

So, is the whole world going to be saved? I think not. Regeneration by your definition and those of anyone using the word is salvation. Regeneration = Salvation.

If your gonna say that ‘regeneration [meaning salvation] of the world happens at Christ's Second Coming.' I'd say you've miss interpreted Scripture. Because the entire world IS NOT going to be saved. Instead, JUDGED at the Second Coming (1 Cor. 4:5, 2 Thess. 1:8-9, Ps. 50:3-4, John 5:22; 2 Tim. 4:1; Jude 1:15; Rev. 20:11, Heb. 5:11-6:3)

I've given you guys Scriptures. You've given me others. My response to the Scriptures you quoted is simply that Paul could be simply talking to people who ALREADY had the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

How can someone be saved and not have the Spirit? (Acts 19:2) Yet it's in Scripture.

I believe Baptism of the Holy Spirit, defined biblically, is an EMPOWERMENT to do ministry.

In Acts, "Laying on of Hands" was a commissioning and so was "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:8). I believe both of these terms are related (Acts 8:9-24).

The only way I can compare Salvation and Baptism of the Holy Spirit is this:

You’re a beggar, poor and filthy. But somehow, someway, gracious you've been adopted by the richest man in the world. You accept, of course.

You’re now a son of this wealthy man. You can live with those great riches from him, but you've shown your interest in his business and talk with him about owning his business after he leaves. You show yourself worthy and he gives you the keys to his business.

** Interpretation:

Adoption = Salvation
Keys of Business/Inheritance = Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Now, what do I mean about inheritance?

Hebrews 6:4-5 (NASB)

4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit,

5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,

Powers of the age to come? Is that just in salvation? I don't think so. Cause Christ said WAIT TILL YOU RECEIVE POWER. Unbelievers referred to Paul as a ‘god’ because he was so powerful. (Acts 28:6)

[b]True[/b] people that are baptized in the Holy Spirit CHANGE things. They bring the kingdom of God manifest. [u]Most of the people that say they have it, most-likely (sadly) don't have it because the only thing that is getting changed is them and in an ungodly way.[/u] But because of this, we shouldn't reform the Scripture to what we see instead conform our mind to His mind, granted by His Spirit.

May God grant His precious Spirit, for empowerment, to those diligently seeking His will.

Luke 11:5-13

5 Then He said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves;

6 for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him';

7 and from inside he answers and says, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.'

8 "I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

9 "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

10 "For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.

11 "Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he?

12 "Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he?

13 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father [b]give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" [/b]

Keep in mind, the Greek says exact ally what verse 8 says "I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of [b]his persistence [/b] he will get up and give him as much as he needs."

If the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and Salvation were linked, then why is this about PERSITING on a request?

Romans 10:9-10 states that it’s a simple, whole-hearted confession, not persistence. Sanctification is a process, not salvation.

Passover and Pentecost aren't the same day. Adoption and Empowerment aren't the same. Submission and Persistence aren't the same. Neither are Salvation and Baptism of the Holy Spirit the same. They are two quite different events in a believer’s life. They can happen simultaneously but are normally two different events.

The word baptized means to be immersed (into a liquid).

It is possible for people to be saved without being baptized in the Holy Spirit. That is not to say that they are without the Holy Ghost, it's just that they haven't been totally immersed. (I'm not baptized in the Holy Ghost myself).

Acts 8 demonstrates that Salvation and Baptism in the Holy Ghost are two separate events (even though they can occur at the same time) :-

[color=000099]
Act 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and [b]preached Christ unto them[/b].
Act 8:6 And the people with one accord [b]gave heed[/b] unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
Act 8:7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
Act 8:8 And [b]there was great joy in that city.[/b]
...
Act 8:12 But when [b]they believed[/b] Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, [b]they were baptized[/b], both men and women.
...
Act 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria [b]had received the word of God[/b], they sent unto them Peter and John:
Act 8:15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, [b]that they might receive the Holy Ghost[/b]:
Act 8:16 [b](For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)[/b]
Act 8:17 [b]Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.[/b]
[/color]

Smith Wigglesworth in his early days as a Christian & preacher also insisted that he was already baptized in the Holy Ghost. He changed his mind when he was actually baptized in the Holy Ghost at a later date.

PassingThru

I have to say I agree with lovegrace because that is exactly my experience. I know I was saved when I repented and wept over my sin. I felt clean and new. However three days later when I was whelmed, filled, baptized, I received the power to be a witness. It was shut up in my bones. Love compelled me. I also know that the scripture that says be filled with the Spirit in the Greek means - be being filled. It is an on-going process. We must stay connected to the source.

I too am seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I would highly recommend going to David Wilkerson's audio sermons on this site and listening to the series "The Mission and Ministry of the Holy Spirit." He simply explains the purpose of the Holy Ghost in our life, and our desperate need for Him. He is the one who prepares us to meet the Bridegroom.

One thing I do know, we must have the Spirit in His Fullness. Eph 5:18 commands us to be filled with the Spirit. It's not an option. We cannot fill ourselves. So what do we do? We do what He tells us in Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
If you have a hunger for the Holy Ghost, then it is God given. HE alone stirs up the true hunger for this. He said in Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

That word "witnesses" in the Greek is martus, where we get our word 'martyr' from. Jesus said Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his friends. We cannot do this without the help and power of the Holy Spirit. He said in Zec 4:6 it's "not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord." We have to remember He promised it to all who obey Him, to all He calls. I would also recommend that you listen to BH Clendennen. He also breaks down in simple terms the battle of the flesh and spirit and the need for the Holy Spirit. There are 24 messages of his on this site, too, and all of them have challenged my heart. Don't let anyone convince you that believers get the baptism when they are saved. They get a measure of the Spirit, yes. But God promised us the fullness of the Spirit. We just have to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and not our own agenda.
God bless you, Tina.

Hi everyone.

Am reading through here and wanted to stop to respond to a couple things although I'm not through the thread yet...

Jeannette,

"It was as ordinary and unemotional as that, and so were the "tongues" that followed about a week later..."

This reminded me very much of a testimony of Jackie Pullinger that I heard recently, where she talks a bit about her own experience.

If anyone is interested, you'll have to listen through the message because I don't know where exactly in it she talks about this but I think it is worth listening too anyway....

[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=14438&commentView=itemComments]The Dream of the Kingdom[/url]

Also,

Elected shared this...

"If regeneration is equal with baptism of the Holy Ghost then where is the power to witness?"

I think that is a fair question to ask. My conversion took place over a short period of perhaps a couple weeks, where looking back I believe I was being [i]awakened[/i] and drawn by God and converted through reading the Bible. I definitely remember coming to a point of decision in my own heart that I wanted to give up my life to Christ and follow Him. This was all without being evangelised or "witnessed to".

But!

After and leading up from all of that, there was one evening in particluar, when my wife and I were at a church we had been invited too(a woman from this chruch had been talking to her) that it all broke through, so to speak. It was that night, on January 21, 2001, sometime between 8 and 9pm, or there-about, while the evangelist was preaching, that God really broke through.

I went down leaning over the pew in front of me, sobbing in sorrow for sins. I described it later as feeling as though God Himself was pointing His finger at me. I wept and sobbed and wept and finally some brothers asked if I wanted to go up to the altar.

We went up to the altar and they all prayed for me and I continued to cry and sob and cry some more. At one point, I remember crying out with a loud voice so that I'm sure everyone in the sanctuary could hear me

"Jesus!"

And then, sometime after this it happened. I distinctly rememeber saying in my own heart "Ok God, ok." It was as if to say "I give up. I give in to you."

And I describe what I felt next as [i]a baptisim of love[/i]. My body shook and later on I told others that it felt as though the whole room was filled with love. Like an ocean of love. I did speak in what some may call [i]tongues[/i]. But after this I went up to be baptised in water and I tell you I just had love for everyone. I loved everyone it seemed and didn't mind telling them so and hugging them and telling them I loved them.

I don't think I slept much that night. In the days that followed I could really relate to the scripture that says if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation....everything felt like it was new. And the thought of sinning against God was a terrible thing.

Some people in the church, at least one lady in a particular, asked me if people were saying anything to me about all this on my job, because as she said my face was glowing or shining.

And that leads me to this point about the power to [i]witness[/i]. No one had to tell me to talk about the Lord Jesus. Or to convince me to go out and evangelise. It was a natural desire.

As I was thinking about all this the passage came to mind where the Lord Jesus says

[b][color=660033]The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.[/color][/b]

I wrote down some of my experiences after my conversion and put them in a thread [url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=9738&forum=44&7]here[/url]

Maybe they will be usefull or encouraging to someone.

All of this is to say I do beleive there is [b]power[/b] to testify about the Gospel and Christ.

As the days and years a have started to go by, I have found myself being more and more mechanical in my efforts to tell others about the Gospel and less and less relying on the power of the Holy Spirit. In fact I'm in need of refreshing and being re-filled. I know the difference in my own life anyway.

I wish all of you, us, all the fulness of God in Christ.

Christopher

Thank you guys for picking up this thread again!! I think the timing is perfect and it is nothing short of devine intervention! I can't tell you how many times I have felt this fire in my heart, but when I seek men's council, I have the tendancy to put the issue on the back burner. The root issue (for me) is unbeliefe. I am looking for man to approve or confirm what I feel the Holy Spirit is speaking. Yes, the Lord uses members in the body to encourage and exhort, but I think I am so in doubt of how the Lord wants to use my life that I'm looking for people to talk me out of or approve of something that can only be worked out by the HOLY SPIRIT. Everytime I become overwhelmed with this deep inner working of the Holy Spirit, I have turned to man...not GOD!! I am overwhelmed with GOD'S mercy and patients toward me...I would have given up on me along time ago.