Bible Question:
In my seeking and searchng to be a Man of God, A Man after the heart of God. I found verse after verse in the new testiment about being baptized in the Holy Ghost. As well as the gifts of the Holy Ghost. My question is who baptizes us in the Holy Ghost and what are the gifts of the Holy Ghost. I see in John 20:22 where John breathed on them and said unto them Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Also in Acts 19:6 Paul laid hands on them and the Holy Ghost came on them. And it seems that the gift of the Holy Ghost in this instance was speaking in tongues and prophesied. What I've gotten from my study and writing you right now is that the gift of the Holy Ghost is power to speak on to your mountians, to have power over the enemy of our souls. If that is the case please guide me to how I may be baptized in the Holy Ghost that I will not be whiped time in again in areas I should have command over. ASuba jaasyl@Hotmail.com |
Bible Answer: Baptized by or filled with the Holy Spirit Question: Do BAPTIZED BY the Holy Spirit and FILLED WITH the Holy Spirit mean the same thing? Answer: No, they do not mean the same thing. Being BAPTIZED BY the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13) is not the same as being FILLED WITH the Spirit (Eph. 5:18). Let the Word of God show us the difference between the biblical terms baptized, filled and indwelt. 1) BAPTIZED At the time of our salvation we are *baptized* (placed) into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). NASB 1 Corinthians 12:13 For BY one Spirit we were all BAPTIZED into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. AMPLIFIED 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by [means of the personal agency of] one [Holy] Spirit we were all, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, baptized [and by baptism united together] into one body, and all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit. 2) INDWELT Also, at the time of our salvation, we are *indwelt* by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9). NASB Romans 8:9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God DWELLS in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. AMPLIFIED Romans 8:9 But you are not living the life of the flesh, you are living the life of the Spirit, if the [Holy] Spirit of God [really] dwells within you [directs and controls you]. But if anyone does not possess the [Holy] Spirit of Christ, he is none of His [he does not belong to Christ, is not truly a child of God]. [Rom. 8:14.] 3) FILLED We are also commanded to be *filled* with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18). Eph. 5:18 'be filled with the Spirit. Paul has taught in this epistle that all believers are sealed with the Spirit when they believe (Eph. 1:13-14; 4:30), but not all are filled, since that depends on yieldedness to God's will (5:17). 'Filling' describes an experience that can be repeated (Acts 2:4; 4:31), and here, as in Acts, it is connected with joy, courage, spirituality and Christian character' (Ryrie Study Bible: Expanded Edition, note at Eph. 5:18). *filled with the Holy Spirit.* "In contrast to the baptism with the Spirit, which is the one-time act by which God places believers into His Body (1 Cor 12:13), the filling is a repeated reality of Spirit-controlled behavior that God commands believers to maintain. Peter and many others in Acts 2 were filled with the Spirit again (e.g., Acts 4:8,31; 6:5; 7:55) and so spoke boldly the Word of God. The fullness of the Spirit affects all areas of life, not just speaking boldy (compare Eph 5:19-33)" (p. 1635, MacArthur Study Bible, Word Publishing, 1997) Amplified Ephesians 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit. And the evidence of being filled with the Spirit? Amplified Ephesians 5:19-20 Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices and making melody with all your heart to the Lord, at all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. (For my personal testimony of being filled with the Holy Spirit, see ID# 9759.) Grace to you, Kalos |