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NASB | 1 Thessalonians 5:21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Thessalonians 5:21 But test all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good. |
Bible Question:
If Acts is a blueprint for all church history, where in the Book of Acts does one find *INDIVIDUALS* SEEKING for the Holy Spirit and EXPECTING TO RECEIVE TONGUES as the sign that He's come? --Radioman2 [DO077-1] |
Bible Answer: Dear Radioman2: The disciples did not seek for the Holy Ghost but rather waited for it to arrive as spoken by Christ. Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. This spoke He of the Holy Ghost which would empower them to be witnesses throughout the world. 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. There clearly is a distinction between receiving the power of the Holy Ghost and being born by the Spirit into God's family. All people that follow Romans 10:9 are born into the family. The disciples were born into the family because-- Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: Acts 8:14-16 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Notice they had received the word of God. So it's safe to say they were converted already. Yet they lacked the power of the Holy Ghost with signs and wonders following. James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; The greek word for tongue is Glossa which means: The language or dialect used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations It was on the Day of Penecost that this form of expression was introduced and the people gathered heard the wondrous works of God in their own language though they were not of that region. The bible says tongues accomplishes the following: 1 Cor. 14:2-4,14,22,37-39 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Tongues are an invaluable part of a believers life when used according to scripture. Man communicates directly to God what he has no clue to pray about. It is a powerful form of intercessory prayer. Romans 8:26-27 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. The Holy Ghost is a person that God has given to us as a gift to all believers to broaden and deepen our personal relationship with God and His Son Jesus Christ. A gift is something you simply receive and the only time you wait for it is if you've been told in advance that it will come like the disciples did in the upper room. In conclusion no seeking is needed, neither is it in scripture that believers had to seek the Holy Ghost. Once made aware of God's willingness to give them the Holy Ghost they simply received Him after being converted. They were born into the family of God by the Spirit and then they received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and power! |