How do I know if I have the Holy Spirit and if I do not have him, am I saved?
What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
To answer these questions lets look at the Bible, it will give us our answers.
How are we saved?
Salvation is the work of God through the Holy Spirit upon receiving Jesus.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Receiving Jesus is through faith, the power to become son's of God is by the Holy Spirit and it is by the will of God. All three personalities of God are present in our transformation.
Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
God the Father changes us by his Spirit into the Kingdom of Jesus, the eternal King, who has bought us and forgiven our sins through his shed blood. Jesus spoke of this new life as coming as a wind, the Spirit is that wind, it comes to us at salvation. It is a mystery as to how it comes, but it must come to bring a new life.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
First we are drawn to Jesus by the Father, next we hear the gospel message of Jesus' death and resurrection.
Luke 10:22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
The power of God refers to his Holy Spirit. Hearing the gospel brings salvation through faith in Jesus, we also receive his righteousness.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
It is I suppose possible to hear about Jesus, to be baptized in water and join a church, but not really be born of the Spirit. These are those who fall away.
1 Tim 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
The evidence of a born again experience is a new heart and a new life.
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Cor 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
Do you love God and his word, doing good works? Do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ?
1 John 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
If we are saved from sins we are sealed by the Holy Spirit and his Spirit produces fruit through us.
2 Cor 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
2 Cor 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
The Spirit within you seeks the light of truth and loves the word while hating the lying spirit of darkness.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
The Holy Spirit teaches us the things of God.
1 Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1 Cor 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Is Water baptism salvation?
Is water baptism salvation? Some denominations teach that it is, but no, it is a step of obedience identifying the believer with Jesus. It is the symbol of the New Testament covenant.
Col 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
The sign of the Old Covenant was circumcision of the flesh. In the new covenant it is of the heart. The sign of the New Covenant is water baptism.
Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Being immersed completely in water, we identify with Jesus dying to the flesh and being buried. When we come out of the water , it is a symbol of our new life risen through the faith of the work of God, in the Spirit of God.
Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Our old person and life is dead in Christ. God has made you alive with Jesus, together forever by the promise of God and the indwelling of His Spirit. Water baptism is an outward symbolic act of obedience, a picture of the new birth.
What of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
John came preaching the baptism of repentance. Jesus came preaching repentance but also with the power for a new life. This power is also for ministry gifts and boldness to witness.
John 1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
John 1:34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
Those who are baptized with the Holy Spirit have experienced a change. Yes, this could happen at salvation with weeping and cleansing of the heart.
When Jesus was to ascend to the Father he told his followers to wait for the power that would come from above.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
This power came at Pentecost, cloven flames of fire, speaking in known languages and worship to God. This is the model for many Pentecostal Churches today. To my knowledge cloven flames have not occurred since this, but tongues do often come as well as worship. The Spirit glorifies Jesus.
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Acts 2:6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
Acts 2:7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
Acts 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
Another outpouring followed, this time no tongues, but they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
Acts 4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
The Gentiles also received and the Holy Ghost came with power and tongues with worship at the same time as they received salvation.
Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Acts 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Acts 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
The Holy Ghost baptism can come at salvation by this example. Let's look to Saul, the persecutor of the Church. He was struck down by a light and blinded, he was humbled and broken. A humble heart is necessary to receive salvation. Afterwards Saul received salvation and the Holy Ghost by laying on of hands.
Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Acts 9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
Often in scriptures people were ignorant of the Holy Ghost and received him later, after salvation. Apollos (Acts 18:24-19:8) Samaritans (Acts 8:12-17) Ephesians (Acts 19:1-7)
With the Holy Ghost came power and boldness to minister. As evidenced by Peter's sermons. Peter (Acts 2:14-41)
Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
Acts 2:15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Acts 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Paul also spoke by the Holy Ghost.
1 Cor 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1 Cor 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Holy Ghost anointings come on you for ministry. Whatever God calls you to do, he will equip you to do. Often after being called by the Holy Ghost, there will be laying on of hands for a ministry. Sometimes these gifts are revealed by prophecy from a word of wisdom given through a man of God.
1 Tim 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
If you feel you want more of God and his spirit, that is a good thing. Ask him.
Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Have I answered the questions? How can we know how the Holy Spirit comes? yet when it comes with believing in Jesus, a new life is born. The power of God is evident in a new life. If you feel you need more of the Holy Spirit, pray and seek God for more. That's what the church on Azusa Street did, in California early in the last century. They wanted more than a church service, they wanted more of God. They were rewarded with an outpouring similar to that which came at Pentecost. Many denominations do not accept this as from God. If we do not believe, we do not seek. We must believe that God has more for us when we seek him.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
James 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
The Holy Spirit is not for show, but it is for ministry. If we study God's word and seek more of God he will give us more of his power for ministry. Must you speak tongues? no, but it may come. There are many fillings of God according to His purposes and our desire for more. Those who receive a great outpouring of his Spirit will tell you that they have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, often they speak with tongues. The Spirit is a gift as are his gifts to us. Paul said we are to seek the better gifts; speaking God's word.
1 Cor 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
In speaking with Sarah, she said when we are saved he tells us so. Then we pray for more, do more, receive more of him. I agree, too often some rest in their salvation never seeking more of God, while others are fearful of missing God, while still others get their eyes off Jesus and fall into sin. The Holy Spirit is the power of God for a new life and for ministry, we should seek to receive more from God in study and prayer. We are to seek to become mature believers. Some pray for days, weeks even years, and God rewards them with a great outpouring of his Spirit. He will fill us according to our thirst for him. Bring your pure vessel to the Lord in prayer, ask him and he will fill you.
Gary
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