INSIGHTS & NOTES FROM
CHAPTER 1, PART 2
"HOW TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT WITH THE SCRIPTURAL SIGN FOLLOWING?" "...preparation of the heart to receive the Holy Spirit, the other is the act of faith whereby one receives the baptism with the accompanying evidence." "PREPARATION OF THE HEART" "1. Believe the Scriptures teach that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a personal experience subsequent to salvation which is promised to every believer." "All of God's promises are appropriated by faith, & the promise of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is not exception. We must ground our faith in the Word of God, for faith comes by hearing & believing the Word (Rom. 10:17)." "The baptism in the Holy Spirit is clearly promised every believer in the Scriptures." "Old Testament Prophecy... Joel 2:28" "The promise of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is without question for all believers who will exercise the faith to appropriate it." "New Testament Promise... Luke 11:9-13." "Christ also promises the baptism in Acts 1:4-5, 8." "2. Recognize your need of the baptism in the Holy Spirit." Matthew 5:3 "'Blessed is that individual who recognizes his spiritual poverty; who is aware of his own insufficiency to fulfill My will in his life, & to give an effective witness, or to minister to the needs of the whole man.' It is only when one sees himself, as it were, a spiritual pauper & in dire need of power from on high, will he in humility cry out for divine enablement, desiring above all else the baptism from heaven." "...until one is aware of his spiritual poverty & need of the Holy Spirit, it is useless to attempt to persuade him with scriptural argument." "3. Receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit must be the greatest expectation of the heart." "One must have a deep hunger for the Holy Spirit." "...it must be more important than work, friends, eating or sleeping." "...do not ask for the Holy Spirit until you feel such need & desire due to your spiritual poverty - until you make it as important as the experience is." "God cannot fill one who is not hungry, nor quench the thirst of one who is not thirsty." John 7:37, 38 "Without a genuine thirst for the experience, one cannot exercise sufficient faith to receive the promise." "4. Finally, there must be a willingness to receive the Holy Spirit on God's terms." "...a willingness to receive the baptism with its evidence - that is, speaking in new tongues." "To reject the sign of the baptism, because one fears the so-called stigma of tongues, betrays a lack of awareness of the basic teachings of Jesus concerning discipleship, for He repeatedly emphasized that His disciples are called to suffer tribulations & persecution for HIs sake (Jn. 15:18f; 16:33; Acts 14:23; 2 Tim. 3:12; I Pet. 2:19)." "...one who desires the baptism in the Spirit should ask God not, 'How can I receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit without tongues,' but 'How can I receive the identical experience that the disciples at Pentecost received in the identical way in which they did, so that I might be what they were & do what they did?'" Ephesians 3:19 "Our motive must be that we desire this experience in order that we might become holy temples for habitation by the Spirit." "RECEIVING THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT" "1. Believe God's Word which promises you the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38, 29. The terms 'baptism,' 'filled,' & 'gift' of the Holy Spirit are used synonymously. Cf. Acts 1:5; 2:4; 10:45; 11:15-17. 2. Ask for the baptism with the Holy Spirit. Luke 11:9-13. 3. Confess that you have received the Holy Spirit by faith. Mark 11:24. For example, say: 'Heavenly Father, on the authority of your promise, I now ask for, & by faith receive, the gift of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus' Name.' 4. Act on your faith. James 2:17." "Determine not to speak a word of English at this time (for you cannot speak 2 languages at once). Lift up the sound of your voice & the Holy Spirit will give you utterance in a new language supernaturally." "Do not be concerned about 'what to say,' as the language is spoken supernaturally & does not come through the mind or intellect, but through your spirit quickened by the Holy Spirit. In faith, put your speech faculties into operation (vocal chords, tongue, lips) as in speaking any language, & the Holy Spirit, now indwelling you, will give the utterance." "We are to receive the Holy Spirit by faith, & as we act on our faith, the evidence & assurance will follow." Deeper Life In The Spirit, Hobart E. Freeman, pgs. 24 - 34.
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AuthorCross Preaching Pentecostal Pastor. Husband to Tonia, Father to 3 beautiful girls, Monica, Zoe & Briana, & Grandfather to Wesley & Elliott Archives
September 2023
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