Subject: What were, are, they filled with? |
Bible Note: Ray, forgive my further incursion... After I signed off during my commute in, the Holy Spirit began to deal with me about the word 'ask'. Luke 11:13 13 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" Although I think this is often read..How much more willing is the Father to give 'salvation' to them who ask...but in context Luke 11 is teaching on persistent praying, persistent, unrelenting seeking..and verse 13 does not seem to fit here, sort of like an after thought unless one realizes we as believers are to 'ask' for the gift of the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit infilling as on Pentecost were instantaneous at the point of conversion, there would be no need to 'ask'. Let's look at another group of scriptures. And the scripture in Acts 2:37 CJB translation: On hearing this, they were stung in their hearts; and they said to Kefa ant the other emissaries, "Brothers, what should we do?" Kefa answered them,"Turn from sin, return to God, and each of you be immersed on the authority of Yeshua the Messiah into forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Ruach Hakodesh! For the promise is for you, and your children, and for those far away as many as Adonai our God may call!" A couple of key points... Peter says 1. Repent-turn from sin 2. Turn to God 3. Be immersed in the authority of Yeshua the Messiah... 4. Receive the gift...Receive means to 'take', such as a gift offered, one must respond by receiving. (Strongs 2983) I do not believe the Holy Spirit infilling was ever supposed to be considered 'optional' for the believer, and scripture seems to indicate (as I believe) it is something to be received after salvation. In Acts 10? the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit , in the same manner as the disciples, after believing and before water baptism, which proves two key doctrinal points.. 1. water baptism is NOT necessary for the infilling. 2. the Holy Spirit/Ghost fell... "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word." Strong's 1968 2. metaph. 1.to fall upon one i.e. to seize, take possession of him a.of the Holy Spirit, in his inspiration and impulse The Holy Spirit does not 'take possession of' without being 'received'. Acts 10:47 "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?" (received-Strongs 2983) God bless |