Seeking the Baptism of the Holy Ghost

[noeticknight]

Originally Posted by Pastor Keith

Thanks for the response, I am too concerned about working things up, but I do feel that scripture bears this out.

John 7
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing[g] in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

While I don't want to be formulaic there is a pattern here to interaction and reception of the Spirit.

• Be Thirsty
• Come to Jesus
• Drink (Note I don't know of anyone drinking without opening their mouth)

Jesus is speaking at the Feast of Tabernacles analogizing the Holy Spirit to "rivers of living water." As far as Jesus establishing some kind of paradigm for "reception of the Spirit," that seems a very ambitious interpretation, imo.

Although this particular passage doesn't denote it, Jesus did explicitly reference "speaking in tongues" (Mark 16:17-18). However, he placed equal emphasis on casting out demonic spirits, healing the sick, and miraculous recoveries.

[noeticknight]

Originally Posted by Pastor Keith

Eph. 5 Another reference to the connection of the Spirit and something coming out of your mouth.

18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Be filled with the Spirit (ongoing interaction with the Spirit) involves
Speaking to one another with Psalms, hymns and songs
Singing
Giving Thanks

The common theme is something coming out of the mouth.

Does this mean that the Apostle Paul is implying all Christians should speak "to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs...giving thanks"...by "speaking in tongues?"

If the common theme is meant to mean that all are to personally exhibit something "coming out of the mouth", what do you say to the deaf and those who cannot produce "meaningful sounds?"

If these verses are supposed to be implying a "universal" and "guaranteed" experience for all believers, how do the mutes and those without literal tongues get to participate?

[noeticknight]

Originally Posted by Pastor Keith

My confidence arises out of seeing this pattern and the practical implications played out in my ministry and being connected with the Pentecostal movement all of my life.

My lack of confidence...well actually, my rejection of this theory comes from the practical side as well. Have you been able to witness in your ministry those who sought tongues but never exhibited it?

What about those who did speak in tongues, but doubted it. Can you differentiate whether they spoke in the genuine or not?

[bobhickman]

it says in EZEKIEL 2, "and the spirit entered into me", and thats what it felt like when I received the Holy Ghost. the word Spirit in that part of bible, is with little s like I have it written, lest in my bible it was

[onefaith2]

Originally Posted by noeticknight

Does this mean that the Apostle Paul is implying all Christians should speak "to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs...giving thanks"...by "speaking in tongues?"

If the common theme is meant to mean that all are to personally exhibit something "coming out of the mouth", what do you say to the deaf and those who cannot produce "meaningful sounds?"

If these verses are supposed to be implying a "universal" and "guaranteed" experience for all believers, how do the mutes and those without literal tongues get to participate?

God would not require something that cannot be done. He would either give them a tongue miraculously or not require it of them. Its that simple.

[KWSS1976]

When was anyone in the bible ever seeking the Baptism of the Holyghost..?

[Blessed56]

I thought that was what they were doing in Act's 2? Tarrying and waiting!

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Blessed56

I thought that was what they were doing in Act's 2? Tarrying and waiting!

[pastorrick1959]

awesome story brother..we are a holy ghost believing ..church here also...keep it up and ignore the naysayers..i got the holy in 1978 ..i awakened froma spiritual burst hearing myself speak in tonguess. if there is anyway we can help be glad too..dont worry about those leaveing ,god will replace them in time and they may even return as god revives that church and brings it to new levels in god..

[KWSS1976]

Seeking is looking for something..example the game Hide and "seek" when you seek something you are looking for it not waiting for it..Those in the upperroom were waiting on the holyghost they were not seeking it they were already told to go and wait for it..so they knew it was coming....so they were not seeking it...if they were seeking it..they would have been looking for it..but we know they were not looking for it cause they were told to go and wait for it.....Come on people stop trying to make scripture fit your doctrine that you have been taught..just use some good old fashion common since..