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The Gift of the Holy Spirit

Christian Life Seminar Session 4

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We need a power of the Holy Spirit.

To overcome sin, to reform our lives, to be holy, to be true disciples, to love our neighbor, all these are very difficult. We cannot do this on our own.

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The Time of Ezekiel

Many people during the prophet Ezekiel’s time were enmeshed in sin and spiritual lifelessness, like many Christians today. This is what God said to them:

  • Ez 36:26. God’s promise of the Holy Spirit.
  • Ez 36:27. God’s promise of help and power to do what is right. The Holy Spirit gives us the power.

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Jesus gave the same Spirit

The Spirit that God promised through Ezekiel, Jesus gave to his disciples.

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  • First Jesus stressed the Spirit’s importance (Jn 16:7).
  • Then Jesus told them he would send them the Spirit so they can be true witnesses (Lk 24:48-49).

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We need Power

Much of Christianity today looks weak, lacking in power and effectiveness.

Much of Christianity today looks weak, lacking in power and effectiveness.

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  1. But Christians have not always been so lifeless. The early Christian movement was dynamic, strong, attractive.
    • From a small sect, it conquered the Roman empire.
  2. That same power is available to us today. That is the power of the Holy Spirit.

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We need Power

Much of Christianity today looks weak, lacking in power and effectiveness.

  1. We need to know the Holy Spirit not just as a doctrine, but as a Person Who truly affects our lives.
  2. Such life in the Spirit was normal for the early Christians. They truly experienced the Holy Spirit at work.
  3. In the book of Acts, we see the Holy Spirit acting among them, guiding them, speaking to them, giving them gifts, sending them on mission.

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God wants all people to have this new life.

This new life in the Spirit is available to all who turn away from a life of sin and receive Jesus as Savior and Lord.

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Receiving the �Holy Spirit

What does it mean?

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The early disciples

Jesus promises the Holy Spirit and tells them to wait. Lk 24:49.

On the day of Pentecost (a Jewish holiday), the Holy Spirit came. Acts 2.

  • An exciting event. Noise like a strong wind, fire, speaking in tongues.
  • Pilgrims from all over were amazed.
  • Peter proclaims the gospel. 3,000 are converted!
  • The Holy Spirit created bonds of love and unity among the new Christians. The Church was born.

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The early disciples

Others as well received the Holy Spirit.

  • Acts 8:14-17 (Samaria). Acts 10:44-46 (Cornelius). Acts 19:6 (Ephesus).
  • Those who received the Holy Spirit knew the Lord more personally and more experientially.

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The meaning of receiving the Holy Spirit

What does receiving the Holy Spirit (or being baptized in the Spirit) mean for us today?

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The same power and gift

We can experience the same Spirit as the early Christians.

We can experience the same power and gift of the Spirit that the early Christians did.

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• Same relationship with Jesus.

• Same transforming power.

• Same deep worship.

• Same power for speaking the gospel.

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We can receive the same spiritual gifts.

Now in regard to spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be unaware.

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There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.

1 Cor 12:1,4-11

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We can receive the same spiritual gifts.

To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit; to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.

1 Cor 12:1,4-11

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Gift of Tongues

A special kind of prayer

A word on the gift of tongues.

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Tongues is a common experience with the baptism in the Spirit. Just like in Acts.

It is a gift from God. Thus it is important.

Unlike the other spiritual gifts, tongues is a gift that is immediately manifest.

Tongues can have great consequences on one’s spiritual life, especially prayer and worship. 1 Cor 14:2 -- We are enabled to truly speak to God. 1 Cor 14:14 – We are able to connect with God in prayer because it is our spirit connecting also to God who is a spiritual Being.

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Receiving the Holy Spirit

How can we receive the baptism in the Spirit?

God has promised us the Holy Spirit. Lk 11:9-13.

So we simply take God up on His promise. We ask our Father to give us the Holy Spirit.

• We can be sure we will receive the Spirit because God said so. We just need to ask in faith.

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Pray-over Session

We would like to pray for and with you for the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

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The Pray-over Session

What we will do to receive the Holy Spirit

  • First, as a manifestation of repentance and faith, we will ask you to make your recommitment to Christ. This was your baptismal commitment.
  • Then we will pray over you.

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Obstacles

Be aware of obstacles and hindrances in receiving God’s gifts.

Be aware of obstacles to receiving God’s gifts.

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  1. An unrepentant attitude. Refusing to admit sin as sin.
  2. Feeling unworthy. As such, we draw away from God’s offered embrace.
  3. Fear.
    • Of what others will think, of looking foolish, of being overtaken.
    • Of what God might ask of us.
  4. Doubt. That God promised and will give the Spirit if we ask.
  5. Pride. Attitude of not wanting or needing God’s gifts.

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Ask for it.

You know what you need.

  • More courage to live the Christian life, strength to fight temptation, more knowledge of God, etc.
  • God is offering you various gifts. Be open to whatever God wants to give you.

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The Process

What we will do at this time.

  1. We will go into prayer. Take time to reflect on the message you have heard in this CLS.
  2. We will sing a reflection song.
  3. We will pray the “Commitment to Christ.”
  4. We will pray-over you.
  5. After the praying over, have a short worship time (including singing in tongues).

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Commitment to Christ

Q: Do you renounce Satan and all wrongdoing?�A: Yes, I do.

�Q: Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that he died to free us from our sins, and that he rose to bring us new life?�A: Yes, I do.

�Q. Will you follow Jesus as your Lord?

A: Yes, I will.

Answer this with conviction.

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Commitment to Christ

Lord Jesus Christ, I want to belong to you from now on. I want to be free from the dominion of darkness and the rule of Satan, and I want to enter into your Kingdom and be a part of your people. I will turn away from all wrongdoing, and I will avoid everything that leads me to wrongdoing. I ask you to forgive all the sins that I have committed. I offer my life to you, and I promise to obey you as my Lord. I ask you to baptize me in the Holy Spirit.

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AMEN.

Repeat after the speaker.

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Closing exhortation

After the pray-over session

  1. Different people have different experiences.

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    • Feeling is not the important thing. Rather, look for the new way that God is at work in you and respond to it (e.g., a new desire for prayer, for Scripture, etc.).
    • If you did not speak in tongues, do not worry about it. Do not equate being baptized in the Spirit with getting the gift of tongues.
    • Continue to be open to the Lord forming your praise into tongues.

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Closing exhortation

After the pray-over session

  1. Be aware that Satan can tempt you to doubt.

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    • Satan is seeking to rob everyone of God’s gift. For him the next best thing to keeping you from getting the gift is to keep you from using it.
    • Do not let feelings of doubt bother you. Just remember the fact that God promised it and that you asked for it, and so you have received it.

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Closing exhortation

After the pray-over session

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  1. Do not expect all your problems to go away all at once, though many will.

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    • The Holy Spirit will make a big change in you, and you will see it.
    • But not everything will change. Some things will take a while to get worked out.
    • But now you have a new power to use in working them out.

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