Thursday October 22, 2009 BAPTISM OF THE SPIRIT
"When I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came to these people. This was the same thing that happened to us in the beginning. I remembered that the Lord had said, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized by the Holy Spirit.' When they believed, God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. So who was I to interfere with God?" Acts 11:15-17 Well, we have talked about the baptism of salvation and the baptism of suffering; I guess it is fitting to talk about the baptism of the Holy Spirit - even though it stirs some folks up and even makes them angry. Some say there is no "baptism," but those who have received it know there is. Actually it is a refilling, but it is called a baptism. At least, that is my perspective of what took place with me. One of the signs that marked the early Believers was the gift of an "unknown tongue." When they greeted one another this was one of the ways they could detect if they were being deceived. It was a time of severe persecution and this identifying characteristic was evidence enough for those Believers. No one could fake this language! Some argue that once the Bible was written this manifestation of the Holy Spirit stopped. Well, I used to say that too - until it happened to me. I guess experiencing something that special makes one change one's mind. In any event, from what I have observed, the only difference is the strength I receive when I use my prayer language. It builds up the Holy Spirit inside of me and helps me walk more in the Spirit than in the flesh. Unfortunately, I don't remember to do it often enough and that is one of the reasons I slip into depression. Even so, if Jesus said it would happen - it happened and it continues to happen; and by the way, it isn't a necessary requirement for entrance to Heaven - that's my opinion anyhow. Father, I thank You so much for the spiritual gifts You made available for us. Now, Lord, I ask You to help us not allow these gifts to become barriers between Believers. Help us use them in the way You intended it - to help us stay close to You. O. Addison Gethers e-mail address [email protected] [email protected] twitter URL http//:twitter.com/OAddisonGethers Messenger contact window live/msn messenger: [email protected] aim: durangoadd64 skype: cowboys62 yahoo messenger: OADDISONGETHERS rs --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/dbilg?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
