Θεόφιλος (Theo-Philos)

After carefully studying 1 Corinthians 2:10-16, I realized everything we understand is a gift granted to us by the Spirit of God. Not taught by "human wisdom". But taught by the Spirit that is in us who have received His Spirit.


And I have also been thinking a lot about something Paul says to some believers he came across. He asked them, "have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?" Acts 19:2


I was baptized in the Spirit over 24 years ago and know the exact time and place and how it happened. I have noticed that many people cannot say this but yet claim to be born again. And so I'm looking for others who have received the Spirit of God and know exactly when and how it happened. It is very difficult to find one who is able to verbalize this baptism in Spirit they experienced since believing in Christ.


Paul pointedly asked the question. That fact speaks volumes. It means one would KNOW they received the Spirit if they did. And this lines up perfectly with John 14:20


"On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you." And the context is very important too. Because Jesus says we are orphans without His Spirit in us. John 14:18


The statements made by Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:10-16 also sound a lot like what the Lord says in John 14:17. Jesus says, "the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you." Compare with "For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us." 1 Corinthians 2:11, 12



So, "have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?" (Acts 19:2)



God tells us many times how He wants to give us the gift of the Holy Spirit. But what must happen before that? "Belief" in Christ. No small thing. Much bigger than many realize. "Belief" is the same word as "faith". And as most of us probably know, faith is a spiritual gift from God and leads us to the baptism in God's Spirit and in the end, salvation and eternal life.


Belief in Christ comes after the understanding of our NEED for Christ. And we all need Christ. Jesus said the whole world is condemned until we BELIEVE in Him. Our personal sins have separated us from a holy God. Those sins must be atoned for by the blood of Christ. THEN we must be willing to turn our back on the world and enter the New and holy Covenant with God. These things I am saying are powerful revelations from God and not like simply understanding a mathematical equation or repeating a nursery rhyme. God opens up our understanding of the most powerful spiritual truths never imagined by man but only uttered by God through His Spirit. The shocking revelation of sin, judgment, condemnation, and Christ the Savior from heaven.


Those who experience this, experience passing from guilt, condemnation and eternal punishment into eternal life and the promises and blessings of God. Jesus says there is much rejoicing in heaven and joy in the presence of the angels over the repentance of one sinner (Luke 15:6-10). And those who receive the Spirit, receive the "Spirit of adoption whereby we cry out ABBA FATHER!" This event far exceeds anything else we've ever experienced in this world. We become a new creation IN Christ Jesus. This isn't something we aren't sure about or second guess. We KNOW what happened. And now, experiencing the love of God and His mercy, we desire to share this amazing gospel that set us free. And we desire to know further about these things of God. And God increases our knowledge and power and love. And because we have experienced God's reality, we are able to be witnesses for God. And go places we never would be able to go without the Spirit of the living God dwelling within us.


For anyone who understands their need for Christ and the fact that He died for you and raised again and ascended to the right hand of God and became the baptizer in the Holy Spirit as John the Baptist foretold, then simply kneel, if you can, and pray to God, acknowledge you are a sinner in need of forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Then invite Him to dwell in your heart, and receive His Spirit. In the mighty name of Jesus! Amen

Websites:

www.septuagint-lxx.com
www.spirituallysmart.com

4 years ago | [YT] | 11