Seeking the Baptism of the Holy Ghost

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by noeticknight

This is the seemingly "manufactured" process that I struggle with. From your words, it sounds as if your are inducing the experience.

For example, You give the rationale for the experience, and then you "induce" the experience; however, how do you clear the seeker of doubts about self-performance after one has obeyed these instructions?

Where are your Biblical directives for giving these instructions? Which scriptures give a solid assurance equal to the precision and confidence demonstrated in your presentation?

I ask these questions with all due respect and in sincerity.

Yeah, it came off to me that way too, and is definitely phrased in a way that I am very familiar with. "10 tips to receiving the Spirit," yet none of them are tips given from the apostles in scripture, to those who tarried in the Upper Room, to the Samaritans, etc...

[Jay]

I know that it will come to a heart that is truly surrendered and submitted to Jesus. Although, I did see a backslider refilled against their will. We believe that God was telling the individual that he was not going to quit reaching for them, even though they are living in rebellion to Him. This is not a common experience.

The best that I can say is to not encourage them to seek tongues, but to seek the Holy Ghost. If they seek and receive the Holy Ghost, the tongues will follow. My recommendation would to pray in a position that feels natural be that sitting, standing, or kneeling. Also, they could get it at any time, and they should be encouraged to praise and pray at all times. I have heard reports of people receiving the Holy Ghost while doing house work, in daily devotions, driving the car, and many other ways. They should have no preconceived notions about the time, the circumstance, nor their reaction to it. Beyond this I can not say.

When they receive, most of them will never wish to stop. I know for I have been raised in this and have walked in this path for myself for nearly 17 years.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Jay

I know that it will come to a heart that is truly surrendered and submitted to Jesus. Although, I did see a backslider refilled against their will. We believe that God was telling the individual that he was not going to quit reaching for them, even though they are living in rebellion to Him. This is not a common experience.

The best that I can say is to not encourage them to seek tongues, but to seek the Holy Ghost. If they seek and receive the Holy Ghost, the tongues will follow. My recommendation would to pray in a position that feels natural be that sitting, standing, or kneeling. Also, they could get it at any time, and they should be encouraged to praise and pray at all times. I have heard reports of people receiving the Holy Ghost while doing house work, in daily devotions, driving the car, and many other ways. They should have no preconceived notions about the time, the circumstance, nor their reaction to it. Beyond this I can not say.

When they receive, most of them will never wish to stop. I know for I have been raised in this and have walked in this path for myself for nearly 17 years.

Things that still make me say "huh??"

[Jay]

What would you like me to explain, and I will endeavor to do so.

[Pendragon]

Originally Posted by noeticknight

This is the seemingly "manufactured" process that I struggle with. From your words, it sounds as if your are inducing the experience.

For example, You give the rationale for the experience, and then you "induce" the experience; however, how do you clear the seeker of doubts about self-performance after one has obeyed these instructions?

Where are your Biblical directives for giving these instructions? Which scriptures give a solid assurance equal to the precision and confidence demonstrated in your presentation?

I ask these questions with all due respect and in sincerity.

You are right to be concerned. There are many charismatic churches where people literally teach how to speak in tongues. I've seen ministers stand at the front and teach people to say weird stuff like 'jubba jubba jubba' or some similar nonsense. This is nothing less than a cheap imitation manufactured by Satan. If you have ever experienced the true infilling of the Holy Ghost as evidenced by speaking with other tongues, it is a disgusting sight.

Receiving the Holy Ghost is not about the experience of speaking with tongues. Speaking with tongues occurs at the culmination of the infilling, and is the evidence that the Spirit has completely taken over your spirit. But until you speak in tongues, you haven't let the Spirit take complete control; you've merely let Him touch you. I'm sure many people are convinced they're filled because they felt that unmistakeable touch of God, but until you've been completely filled, you're missing out on a huge part. It's the difference between standing next to a fire, and standing in a fire. (speaking from an allegorical sense - I don't recommend standing in fire.)

As Pastor Keith explained, some people talk about speaking in tongues (talking about the Evidence here, not the Gift as relates to prophecies) as speaking out words in their mind. This may be how it works for some, however I will explain how it happens to me. When the Spirit comes upon me so strongly that I begin to speak in tongues, my tongue is literally out of my control. It is a very strange and amazing feeling. Now, when I say 'out of my control', that doesn't mean I can't stop it if I want to, but the actual speaking part is beyond my power. I'm not articulating words, but I can hear and feel them coming forth.

It is also a very emotional feeling. The power of God feels like water flowing over me and through me. That phrase 'out of your belly shall flow rivers of living water' is a literal, physical feeling. I can feel God flowing down onto me like water, and then up and out of my midsection. It's the most indescribably wonderful feeling. It's like being in the safest, cleanest place you could possibly imagine. It feels like you're part of the biggest, strongest electrical current and you can defeat any demon, cure any sickness, or kick over Mt. Everest. It's a taste of the Love of God, and it's a taste of the Power of God.

I'm just trying to put it into words as best I can for those here who have not yet experienced this.

I can also feel when someone nearby is receiving the Holy Ghost, or is about to, because I can feel that same powerful presence of God. There is no doubting the infilling of the Holy Spirit is a real and powerful thing. It is far more than just a few tears of happiness as I contemplate nice things. It is a unique, one-of-a-kind feeling that I have never felt in any other setting (such as a concert, having sex, snuggle time with the wife, or any other emotionally charged event).

I've been to some churches where I never once felt this presence. I've been to churches that have fantastic music (for instance, a 'modern type' church with a friend, with people wearing flip-flops and whatnot). The music was great, they played the same songs my church plays, and they had a really good message and people prayed. But I never once felt even a tingling of that Presence that I feel around Holy Ghost filled believers.

Anyway, I know I didn't enlighten you with many verses and excellent logic and rhetoric to persuade your minds, but sometimes you just have to leap out by faith. For anyone who hasn't experienced the Holy Ghost as evidenced by tongues, or if you went to a church that 'taught' you how to speak in tongues, just give it a try. Sincerely ask God, 'If this is real, and there is more to this, please fill me with your Holy Spirit as evidenced by speaking in tongues.' Then, begin to thank Him, praise Him, tell Him that you love Him and want more of Him. You will begin to feel a faint hint of emotion here and there as you entertain His presence, and when you do, grab onto that thread and follow it. As it grows stronger, don't be taken aback when you feel that emotion start to overtake you. Don't stop (as you may have done in the past). If you keep reaching toward Him with praise, you will eventually feel His presence descend upon you, you will feel that river of living water spring up inside you, and you will lose control of your tongue.

From that point on, you truly will feel like a New Creature.

[faithit166]

the night the lord filled me with the holy ghost i was down at the altar repenting and praising him then all the sudden it was like a rushing mighty wind that began at my feet and went right thru me to the top of my head i found myself dancing and doing what the others were doing too,i then wanted baptized i had not yet spoken in tongues did not know anything about tongues or nothing just wanted baptized i went down in the name of the lord jesus christ and when i came up,this brother that was beside me was saying just praise him so i did,i love you lord thank you jesus,halleluah etccc.this brother beside me was speaking in another language i just kept praising god in my head i could hear me speaking in another language but i just kept praisin him in my own language then all of the sudden i heard in my head 'JUST DO WHAT HES DOING"and i thought for me to do what he was doing i would have to just speak it out and not worry how i sounded so i did, i felt the unction to speak i just wasnt sure how to release it,i think alot of people are like this,because i thought if i do this then that would be me, but the truth of the matter is if we speak he gives the utterance to cast a demon out you have to speak it out when god created the heavens and the earth he spoke it into existance. i would not tell anybody all these years about what i heard in my head in that baptismal tank those words just do what hes doing because i never wanted anyone to think i was telling them how to speak in tongues but last year i spoke to this brother and his wife the brother that baptized me and i told him about what i heard i told him also how i wouldnt tell anybody but he told me that was my testimony,i would not ever tell anybody to go blah blah blah i do not believe that is tongues but what i will say is this when youre praying and you feel a quickening in your spirit or if you can hear yourself speaking in your head in another language i urge you to release it in jesus name worry not about how you sound but release it by faith, i noticed being young in the lord i didnt quite sound like others there language seemed to sound more like a language but the more i prayed and prayed and prayed the more of a language it became remember you speak but it is god who gives the utterance god bless

[faithit166]

Originally Posted by Pastor Keith

It helps to believe that Jesus wants to fill you, he is the baptiser in the Spirit.

So first focus on loving and praising Jesus

Secondly open your mouth, no one gets filled with the Spirit by keeping it closed, be vocal and bold in your declarations of praise and love for Jesus, after a short time of praising him, ask Him for the Spirit and then continue to praise him, if words form in your mind speak them out, don't stop until you are done drinking in the Spirit!

Don't think about someone else's experience, while there may be similarities we have no instruction manual in scripture on what everything should be like

Some stand up, some lift their arms, other sit down (Billy Cole liked that) either way, get comfortable and start yielding to the Spirit of God.

Sometimes, hands have to be laid on by another person to have that Spark started.

Don't let the naysayers get you down, it is a NT promise and Gift that pays tremendous dividends in the life of a believer.

amen

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Pendragon

You are right to be concerned. There are many charismatic churches where people literally teach how to speak in tongues. I've seen ministers stand at the front and teach people to say weird stuff like 'jubba jubba jubba' or some similar nonsense. This is nothing less than a cheap imitation manufactured by Satan. If you have ever experienced the true infilling of the Holy Ghost as evidenced by speaking with other tongues, it is a disgusting sight.

Receiving the Holy Ghost is not about the experience of speaking with tongues. Speaking with tongues occurs at the culmination of the infilling, and is the evidence that the Spirit has completely taken over your spirit. But until you speak in tongues, you haven't let the Spirit take complete control; you've merely let Him touch you. I'm sure many people are convinced they're filled because they felt that unmistakeable touch of God, but until you've been completely filled, you're missing out on a huge part. It's the difference between standing next to a fire, and standing in a fire. (speaking from an allegorical sense - I don't recommend standing in fire.)

As Pastor Keith explained, some people talk about speaking in tongues (talking about the Evidence here, not the Gift as relates to prophecies) as speaking out words in their mind. This may be how it works for some, however I will explain how it happens to me. When the Spirit comes upon me so strongly that I begin to speak in tongues, my tongue is literally out of my control. It is a very strange and amazing feeling. Now, when I say 'out of my control', that doesn't mean I can't stop it if I want to, but the actual speaking part is beyond my power. I'm not articulating words, but I can hear and feel them coming forth.

It is also a very emotional feeling. The power of God feels like water flowing over me and through me. That phrase 'out of your belly shall flow rivers of living water' is a literal, physical feeling. I can feel God flowing down onto me like water, and then up and out of my midsection. It's the most indescribably wonderful feeling. It's like being in the safest, cleanest place you could possibly imagine. It feels like you're part of the biggest, strongest electrical current and you can defeat any demon, cure any sickness, or kick over Mt. Everest. It's a taste of the Love of God, and it's a taste of the Power of God.

I'm just trying to put it into words as best I can for those here who have not yet experienced this.

I can also feel when someone nearby is receiving the Holy Ghost, or is about to, because I can feel that same powerful presence of God. There is no doubting the infilling of the Holy Spirit is a real and powerful thing. It is far more than just a few tears of happiness as I contemplate nice things. It is a unique, one-of-a-kind feeling that I have never felt in any other setting (such as a concert, having sex, snuggle time with the wife, or any other emotionally charged event).

I've been to some churches where I never once felt this presence. I've been to churches that have fantastic music (for instance, a 'modern type' church with a friend, with people wearing flip-flops and whatnot). The music was great, they played the same songs my church plays, and they had a really good message and people prayed. But I never once felt even a tingling of that Presence that I feel around Holy Ghost filled believers.

Anyway, I know I didn't enlighten you with many verses and excellent logic and rhetoric to persuade your minds, but sometimes you just have to leap out by faith. For anyone who hasn't experienced the Holy Ghost as evidenced by tongues, or if you went to a church that 'taught' you how to speak in tongues, just give it a try. Sincerely ask God, 'If this is real, and there is more to this, please fill me with your Holy Spirit as evidenced by speaking in tongues.' Then, begin to thank Him, praise Him, tell Him that you love Him and want more of Him. You will begin to feel a faint hint of emotion here and there as you entertain His presence, and when you do, grab onto that thread and follow it. As it grows stronger, don't be taken aback when you feel that emotion start to overtake you. Don't stop (as you may have done in the past). If you keep reaching toward Him with praise, you will eventually feel His presence descend upon you, you will feel that river of living water spring up inside you, and you will lose control of your tongue.

From that point on, you truly will feel like a New Creature.

Why aren't there more posts like these on AFF? This moved me beyond measure. I've never experienced the HG baptism, and now I really want to. Thanks for such a great post, Pendragon.

[Purple]

Isaish, as Jesus instructed you, instruct them. Be their witness and tell them what you experienced. It isn't your job to make them accept the HG, just teach them. It is their decision whether or not they will seek it. I hope I've helped you!

[Purple]

Originally Posted by Pendragon

You are right to be concerned. There are many charismatic churches where people literally teach how to speak in tongues. I've seen ministers stand at the front and teach people to say weird stuff like 'jubba jubba jubba' or some similar nonsense. This is nothing less than a cheap imitation manufactured by Satan. If you have ever experienced the true infilling of the Holy Ghost as evidenced by speaking with other tongues, it is a disgusting sight.

Receiving the Holy Ghost is not about the experience of speaking with tongues. Speaking with tongues occurs at the culmination of the infilling, and is the evidence that the Spirit has completely taken over your spirit. But until you speak in tongues, you haven't let the Spirit take complete control; you've merely let Him touch you. I'm sure many people are convinced they're filled because they felt that unmistakeable touch of God, but until you've been completely filled, you're missing out on a huge part. It's the difference between standing next to a fire, and standing in a fire. (speaking from an allegorical sense - I don't recommend standing in fire.)

As Pastor Keith explained, some people talk about speaking in tongues (talking about the Evidence here, not the Gift as relates to prophecies) as speaking out words in their mind. This may be how it works for some, however I will explain how it happens to me. When the Spirit comes upon me so strongly that I begin to speak in tongues, my tongue is literally out of my control. It is a very strange and amazing feeling. Now, when I say 'out of my control', that doesn't mean I can't stop it if I want to, but the actual speaking part is beyond my power. I'm not articulating words, but I can hear and feel them coming forth.

It is also a very emotional feeling. The power of God feels like water flowing over me and through me. That phrase 'out of your belly shall flow rivers of living water' is a literal, physical feeling. I can feel God flowing down onto me like water, and then up and out of my midsection. It's the most indescribably wonderful feeling. It's like being in the safest, cleanest place you could possibly imagine. It feels like you're part of the biggest, strongest electrical current and you can defeat any demon, cure any sickness, or kick over Mt. Everest. It's a taste of the Love of God, and it's a taste of the Power of God.

I'm just trying to put it into words as best I can for those here who have not yet experienced this.

I can also feel when someone nearby is receiving the Holy Ghost, or is about to, because I can feel that same powerful presence of God. There is no doubting the infilling of the Holy Spirit is a real and powerful thing. It is far more than just a few tears of happiness as I contemplate nice things. It is a unique, one-of-a-kind feeling that I have never felt in any other setting (such as a concert, having sex, snuggle time with the wife, or any other emotionally charged event).

I've been to some churches where I never once felt this presence. I've been to churches that have fantastic music (for instance, a 'modern type' church with a friend, with people wearing flip-flops and whatnot). The music was great, they played the same songs my church plays, and they had a really good message and people prayed. But I never once felt even a tingling of that Presence that I feel around Holy Ghost filled believers.

Anyway, I know I didn't enlighten you with many verses and excellent logic and rhetoric to persuade your minds, but sometimes you just have to leap out by faith. For anyone who hasn't experienced the Holy Ghost as evidenced by tongues, or if you went to a church that 'taught' you how to speak in tongues, just give it a try. Sincerely ask God, 'If this is real, and there is more to this, please fill me with your Holy Spirit as evidenced by speaking in tongues.' Then, begin to thank Him, praise Him, tell Him that you love Him and want more of Him. You will begin to feel a faint hint of emotion here and there as you entertain His presence, and when you do, grab onto that thread and follow it. As it grows stronger, don't be taken aback when you feel that emotion start to overtake you. Don't stop (as you may have done in the past). If you keep reaching toward Him with praise, you will eventually feel His presence descend upon you, you will feel that river of living water spring up inside you, and you will lose control of your tongue.

From that point on, you truly will feel like a New Creature.

Couldn't have said it better. Beautiful and inspiring post!