Baptism in the Holy Spirit

In the process I found them "disconnected' as though to be considered separate
Hello Bondman!

Actually we need to be born again, experience the rebirth before we get water baptized. It is an outward physical expression of what has happened inwardly, spiritually.

I was baptized years ago but was not yet saved, born again. So all I did was I went down a dry sinner and came up from the water a wet sinner LOL.

It didn't change me. Only GOD can change our heart, not the act of being baptized.
 
You were one of the first I met when I found CFS at the very end of 2007, and it will be our joy to have you here whenever you can be.

With many, many blessings!!

Thanks , I guess that means we go back a ways ... LOL ... not many of us old folks around ... he he

Dusty, I really like your concept of the washing of rebirth as referring to a washing by the Holy Spirit (rather than my suggestion of water baptism) and I can understand your logical connection with Jesus' living water. He certainly did say to come to him for this!! How wonderful!

But thus far I can find no Scripture actually connecting water and the Holy Spirit, or actually connecting washing with the Holy Spirit (or both). In the process I found them "disconnected' as though to be considered separate: John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Thus born of water AND of the Spirit as two separate things.

John 4:10
Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

John 4:11
"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?

John 4:13
Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,

John 4:14
but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

John 4:15
The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."

Bondman ... As I read this pasage again , it becomes clear to me that Jesus told us that when He returned to heaven He would send the comforter the Holy Spirit . and is He not talking about this here is this passage ? The woman at the well did not understand what He was talking about but my undertanding is the the water is associated with the Holy Spirit.

And what is water significant of .. life , cause if we did not have water in the natural we would not survive so in the spiritual we cannot live in Christ without the Holy Spirit. Right .?

And I go back to the other point where water is also cleansing so as we try to understand we can say that the H. S. is cleansing us of our sins. because He give us new life in Jesus Christ .

And when Jesus said "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink " , He was talking about the Holy Spirit. We need to come to Jesus in order to experience and receive the H. S. for our spiritual birth .

I think it is also hard sometimes to understand a lot of what Jesus was talking about because He spoke metaphorically .
 
Isaiah 44:3

3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
and my blessing on your descendants.


John 4:14

14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

John 7:37-39

37On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." 39By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
 
Hello Bondman!

Actually we need to be born again, experience the rebirth before we get water baptized. It is an outward physical expression of what has happened inwardly, spiritually.

I was baptized years ago but was not yet saved, born again. So all I did was I went down a dry sinner and came up from the water a wet sinner LOL.

It didn't change me. Only GOD can change our heart, not the act of being baptized.

Hi, GodSpeaks!

I totally agree with your post, brother: salvation then baptism (nothing I said was meant to indicate otherwise). I'd still love to have had it all like: 1, 2, 3 and I'm totally in the Kingdom!! Not to worry, many of us seem to have long experieces, but being God's son or daughter is where it's at, hey!

A lot of Americans have now told me about being baptised when not a Christian, some of having been baptised 3 times! I'm not aware of this happening much, if at all, in Australia, certainly not in the past, so this was all new to me; and when I first heard of multi-baptism it was quite a shock to me actually.

I was fortunate to have a lovely (once only! *hee!*) baptism when I was about 23, I think.

Blessings!

- BM
 
Isaiah 44:3

3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
and my blessing on your descendants.

John 4:14

14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

John 7:37-39

37On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38Whoever believes in me, asthe Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." 39By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

I'm so glad you're so persistent, Dusty!

When I read the John passage above, well that sure settles it, doesn't it! How clear can it be. "He meant the Spirit!" *der!* I said I couldn't find the connection between water and the Spirit - but my search missed that completely. Yikes! I can see now how I did, and I have to modify how I search, so a great BIG thanks for that, dear friend!

That's then brought a new appreciation for what you've been saying about the woman at the well (and the other verses). In fact the whole passage with this Samaritan woman has got so much in it!

Great job!! Thankyou so very much!

Much love!

- BM
 
This thread has been just awesome to me to read! So much more understanding then I had before...thank you all for sharing so much great insight in the scriptres..I know the Holy Spirit wanted me to read this and get a better understanding.

Praise the Lord!!

Mary

:smiley90: so you discovered the same thing I did ?
Im still gaining in understanding even now as I tell you
re - reading this thread :smiley90:

why is it this way with this thread ? :smiley60::jesus-cross:I am getting the feeling the Holy Spirit is working behind the scenes so I can grasp little here and a little there of the precepts :smiley90::groupray: Id call that a full circle thread
 
:smiley90: so you discovered the same thing I did ?
Im still gaining in understanding even now as I tell you
re - reading this thread :smiley90:

why is it this way with this thread ? :smiley60::jesus-cross:I am getting the feeling the Holy Spirit is working behind the scenes so I can grasp little here and a little there of the precepts :smiley90::groupray: Id call that a full circle thread

Praise God EM ... each of us as the Lord leads can teach things to our brothers and sisters and I don't know all so that is why it is a blessing to read what the Holy Spirit has given to us . It is so awesome and when we are receptive just think of the possibilities that God has for us . God Bless .
 
Hello everyone. I hope you don't mind me stepping into the conversation.

I too am thankful to have been baptized with the Holy Spirit many moons ago, and I understand it as a potentially seperate event from being born of the Spirit. Notice that I said "potentially" for in scripture there are examples of both people recieving the baptism with the Spirit "when" they are born of the Spirit (Cornelius and his household, Acts 10) and "after" they are been born with the Spirit (the Samaritans, Acts 8).

I find the difference between being born of the Spirit and baptized with the Spirit being like the difference between taking a drink of water and swimming in a river. The first gives you life and the second moves you. Being born of the Spirit is evidenced by a person recieving Life in the Spirit, a restored relationship with God, and a change in character (heart change).

Being baptized in the Spirit is evidenced by some outward manifestation of the Spirit, often speaking in tongues, but can be evidenced by other manifestations of the Spirit such as ecstatic praise or prophecy. The evidence though is some outward manifestation of the person being moved supernaturally by the Spirit.

Of couse, being born of and baptized with the Spirit involves the same medium - the Spirit. Subsequently there is naturally significant overlap in two experiences, though they are different.

Also note that scripture, especially Luke in Acts, uses several different phrases to reference the baptism with the Spirit - "filled with", "poured out", "come up", "baptized with", and "gift of" the Spirit. It's a spiritual experience that the authors of the NT, especially Luke, tries to describe by using physical terms.

It's also significant to note that one can be filled with the Spirit multiple times. It's almost as if we get in and out of the river, or maybe a better analogy would be the difference between wading in the shallows, swimming in the river, or going through the rapids; it's all the Spirit but various degrees of intensity and power of manifestation.

Well, I look forward to discussing this with everyone.

Blessings,
Sherman
 
Hi Sherman ,

That is so well said and I love the analogy :
I find the difference between being born of the Spirit and baptized with the Spirit being like the difference between taking a drink of water and swimming in a river. The first gives you life and the second moves you. Being born of the Spirit is evidenced by a person recieving Life in the Spirit, a restored relationship with God, and a change in character (heart change).

You explained it all so well . Thankyou and God Bless . Yes it is of course good to be born of the Spirit ( salvation ) but to further our Christian experience and be baptised in the Spirit is even more powerful . For me that is ultimate comfort , and when I am having a problem or difficulty that is overwhelming ,. Holy Spirit fills me to overflowing with His love and blessings and then I feel the peace of God flouding my very being . It is almost unexplainable as I cannot speak in English and my heavenly language is expressed.

We serve an awesome God .
 
:smiley90: Blessings to you sherman that you say is very interesting , I hope you will share and tell more :smiley90:

[/QUOIt's also significant to note that one can be filled with the Spirit multiple times. It's almost as if we get in and out of the river, or maybe a better analogy would be the difference between wading in the shallows, swimming in the river, or going through the rapids; it's all the Spirit but various degrees of intensity and power of manifestation.

Well, I look forward to discussing this with everyone.
TE]

sherman I can relate to that significance about the "spirit" one of my first times of filling was when I was focused on a study and it was about a river and inside I saw hands and in the hands was Living water :smiley90: I believe after my spirit had one sip of that living water I realized how thirsty I was and I also realized in that moment I could not live with out the living water It was quite a experience
 
I just want to add that this is an awesome thread. I think that everybody has dealt with this sensitive topic very well. :smiley90:

In my experience, I was water baptised and only a few months later when a pastor prayed for me and layed his hands on me did I recieve the Holy Spirit.

What was awesome is that I did not expect to recieve the gifts I have recieved. When I prayed in tongues for the first time, it felt as if I had plugged directly into God.

God bless
 
:smiley90: That is a awesome testimony Kevin , it is yes exact like that , we do not expect it when it happens that is the sweetest part of the GIFT I think :smiley90:

When I prayed in tongues for the first time, it felt as if I had plugged directly into God.

:smiley90: Kevin that is a awesome way to say it
 
About 100 years ago - give or take *grin!* - LukeLuke and I were into deep discussion about the Spirit. I got sick and haven't got back here since...

One thing unfinished was the relationship of a person filled with the Spirit and the ability to speak in tongues. It appears to be true that only those filled with the Holy Spirit speak in tongues and therefore this gift may be considered to indicate that the person has been filled with the Spirit. However the reverse is certainly not true, i.e., you do NOT have to have the gift of tongues as proof, if you like, that you are filled. Paul said in 1 Corinthains Ch 14:5a I wish you all spoke in tongues, and in the context it appears that he was speaking of those filled with the Spirit.

Here's a very interesting graphic to show the fact that very little to do with the coming of the Spirit was ever 'consistent'. This is fascinating, as it appears that the Holy Spirit tailored how it all worked according to the situation and the people involved. If I'm right on that, I think it's just wonderful!

holyspirit-acts.gif

As you can see little fits with anything else. In one case prayer proceeded the coming of the Spirit, and tongues were involved. But in the next, no tongues! Then next laying on of hands brought the Spirit. So the Holy Spirit being very practical! Please note that the Acts verses shown are the START of the situation, i.e., you may need to read on, sometimes quite a distance, to get to the end of the situation spoken of.


Sherman spoke of 'multiple fillings' and some agreed that they'd experienced this. I basically have no problem with that, but I've not seen anywhere that the Scriptures speaks of this. What God does say in fact is a verse that all of us filled with the Spirit of the Living God need to have a daily awareness of. Ephesians Ch 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.

But this command of God in the original Greek language says MUCH MORE than just "be filled with the Spirit". It is what I call in English "Present Continuous Tense" and so we are actually commanded is to be being filled with the Spirit. Do you like that!!! Continual filling!! I seem to go through stages in my life where every day I'm praying to the Lord, saying something like: "Always BE FILLING me with Your blessed Spirit!!"

When we're NOT filled right up to the brim, as it were, why would this be? Numbers of reasons: including being disobedient, having sinned but not repented of it (both quite common faults of Christians) Things like this need to be dealt with on the spot, so we can retain our Spirit filling!! Back in my day we referred to this as "Keeping a short account!" Important, and works great!!

More I want to write, such as why do most say "baptised with" when "filled with" is, well, just that much 'better'! - but it will have to wait for another day.

Always be being filled!!

- BM
 
Luke, that's what I call a friendly, informatory, succinct, time-saving post response!! *wide grin!*

I've just started a series of 3 Messages on the Holy Spirit in The Inner Room. Number 1 is HERE.

- BM
 
Being baptized in the Spirit is evidenced by some outward manifestation of the Spirit, often speaking in tongues, but can be evidenced by other manifestations of the Spirit such as ecstatic praise or prophecy. The evidence though is some outward manifestation of the person being moved supernaturally by the Spirit.
While I have never spoken in tongues, I have experienced ecstatic praise.

This has happened during a service and at other times. When it happens I just want to praise the Father. Praise wells up in me and just overflows. Couldn't stop it even if I wanted to.

It will often lead to prayer. It opens my spirit to the leading of The Spirit.

It is just the best feeling, like I'm doing exactly what I was created for: to praise God and enjoy His presence.
 
HMS, I just love how you said:

Praise wells up in me and just overflows. Couldn't stop it even if I wanted to.

It will often lead to prayer. It opens my spirit to the leading of The Spirit.

This is SO wonderful, and such an awesome example of God's love for us - unworthy though we all be. It's why I sometimes say that He is absolutely the BESTEST!!!

- BM (who does not deserve the blessings he receives from the Lord)
 
Blessings to you sherman that you say is very interesting , I hope you will share and tell more

Sherman said:
It's also significant to note that one can be filled with the Spirit multiple times. It's almost as if we get in and out of the river, or maybe a better analogy would be the difference between wading in the shallows, swimming in the river, or going through the rapids; it's all the Spirit but various degrees of intensity and power of manifestation.

Well, I look forward to discussing this with everyone.

sherman I can relate to that significance about the "spirit" one of my first times of filling was when I was focused on a study and it was about a river and inside I saw hands and in the hands was Living water I believe after my spirit had one sip of that living water I realized how thirsty I was and I also realized in that moment I could not live with out the living water It was quite a experience

Many people question the concept of "multiple fillings" of the Holy Spirit, and as far as I'm aware such is not specifically taught in didactic passages of scripture. However, it does seem to be the case in Acts. In Acts 2.4 the disciples/apostles were baptized in the Spirit, then later as they were in prayer or encountering specific obsticles it says they were again "filled with the Spirit" (Acts 4.8, 4.31). Of course, instead of "multiple fillings", it might be more like living in the river of live. Some times we're just wading in the shallows on calm sunny day, other times the river faces obsticles that it moves us to overcome, boulders and rapids where we are overwhelmingly moved by the Spirit.

Either way, regardless of how we speak of it, the important thing is to Live in the Baptism with the Spirit, to live in the power of God that brings live, heaven to earth, healing to the sick, salvation to the lost, provision for the poor,.......!!!!
 
Dear Luke,
You have such wonderful Love for the Word of our Lord!
You ask the right questions :)
Definetly, woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes.
 
It wasn't until 1982 when I recognized from scripture that Jesus was the only Holy Spirit and He was awaiting me to invite Him to indwell my Temple body. So when I did, He filled me!
The most incredible undescribable experience ever. Since then I've had such deep communication with Jesus personally. Never once have I not understood what He has spoken to me, and never once have I spoken with him in words that I didn't understand in my need for Him.
Never once have I spoken in a different language and never once have I been led by scripture to ask Jesus to give me to speak in a different language or "tongue". I have been blessed with many gifts of the Spirit of Christ, too many to describe. But never tongues.
And no man has experienced more joy in Christ in the Spirit than me, I know that :)
But the other day a Pastor from the UPC (friend's son) told me that if I didn't speak in tongues by the "Holy Ghost" that I didn't have the evidence that I even had the "Holy Ghost" and that I still needed saved and to receive the "Holy Ghost" and speak in tongues!
I asked Him what the Name of His Holy Ghost was and he just stared and sputtered a little bit and then turned away.
Would anyone like to comment on this? Is this typical amongst UPC?
Do UPC know "WHO" the Holy Spirit is by name or don't they?
Thanks,
Son of Jesus
 
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