By Larry Holloway
I am compelled by the LORD to write this article concerning the release of the HOLY SPIRIT in each of our lives. I am convinced that the only way to live a victorious Christian life in the world today is to receive and release the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT. I want to teach in this article how you can receive and lead others into this awesome experience.
It is very interesting that in the last few hours before JESUS ascended into Heaven, in Acts 1:4-8, He commanded the disciples not to attempt to do anything but to wait until the HOLY SPIRIT would come into them. From that time on the HOLY SPIRIT has abode in every born again person, for our bodies are the temple of the HOLY SPIRIT! Basically he was saying, we can do nothing spiritually in our flesh outside the HOLY SPIRIT.
An important fact to realize is that once we are born again into God’s supernatural kingdom, we have been adopted by a supernatural Father, therefore we are all supernatural beings and we must learn to operate our lives like GOD in the spirit realm. The baptism or release of the HOLY SPIRIT has always been controversial and divisive throughout the church age because of false doctrines of dominations, making the Word of GOD of no effect, Math. 15:6 (amp.) “So for the sake of your tradition (the rules handed down by your forefathers), you have set aside the Word of God- depriving it of force and authority and making it of no effect.” Satan knows the potential that is in the people whom have received and released the HOLY SPIRIT.
A point of confusion is baptism! The Word of GOD in at lease five locations, Math. 3:11, Mk. 1:8, Lk. 3:16, Jn. 1:33, Acts 1.5, states that John the Baptist, representing the ministry done by man, is a baptism of repentance of sins, but JESUS is the only baptizer of the HOLY SPIRIT. These scriptures testify to the fact that there are distinct experiences.
In II Cor. 13:1 the word tells us that, “in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” This scripture is the basic law of interpreting scripture. With this foundation I wish now to establish the importance of speaking in tongues, as an initial sign of the release of the HOLY SPIRIT. The following scriptural testimonies establish tongues as the initial sign of release of the HOLY SPIRIT.
1. Acts 2:2-4, “ And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the HOLY GHOST, and began to speak with other tongues, as the spirit gave them utterance.”
2. Acts 8:14-17, “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of GOD, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the HOLY GHOST: (for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord JESUS.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the HOLY GHOST.
3. Acts 9:17-18, “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. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.” Paul testifies in I Cor. 14:18, “I thank my God. I speak with tongues more than all of you.”
4. Acts 10:44-48, “While Peter yet spake these words, the HOLY GHOST fell on all them which heard the word. 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. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify GOD. Then answered Peter, can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the HOLY GHOST as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tary certain days.
5. Acts 19:2-6, “He, (Paul), said unto them, have ye received
the HOLY GHOST since ye believed? And they said unto him, we have
not so much as heard whether there be any HOLY GHOST. And he said
unto them, Unto what then were ye Baptized? And they said, Unto John’s
baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of
repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him, which
come after Him, that is, on CHRIST JESUS. When they heard this, they
were baptized in the name of the LORD JESUS. And when Paul had laid
his hands upon them, the HOLY Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues,
and prophesied.
I Cor. 14:39 commands us, “Wherefore Brethren, covet to prophesy, forbid not to speak in tongues. At this time I would like to present three scriptural principles of why tongues.
1. Isa. 28:11-12 “For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people. To whom he said, this is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing...” When we are weary and stressed out with all the pressures of today’s living, this promise tells us in tongues we can soar above all stresses in a super-natural rest and refreshing.
2. Rom. 8:26-28 (Amp.) “So to the HOLY SPIRIT comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the SPIRIT Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearning and groanings (tongues) to deep for utterance. And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the HOLY SPIRIT- what His intent is- because the SPIRIT intercedes and pleads before GOD in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God’s will. We are assured and know that GOD being a partner in their labor, all things work together and are fitting into a plan for good to those who love GOD and are called according to His design and purpose.” We really are very limited in our knowledge of how we should pray, but praying by faith in tongues we pray God’s will always and therefore all things will then work together for good to them who love GOD, and who are called according to HIS purpose.
3. Jude 20-21, “but ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the HOLY GHOST, keep yourselves in the love of God...” This promise tells us that when we speak in tongues we build our spirit man. What a way to grow! The LORD has truly given us an awesome gift through the baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT to do His will in the ministry to mankind.
© 2001 Prayernet Ministries – Website: www.prayernetministries.org
Larry Holloway is the owner of
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