Asking/Inviting the holy spirit to come? Scripture??

Beauty4Ashes · #1 16th February 2004, 02:10 AM

Me and my mom have recently become exposed and involved in more charismatic encounters with the holy spirit and although it is great we want to be careful also that what we are doing is biblical. All of the church gatherings and whatnot I have been to with friends, involve asking for the the Holy Spirit to come even though we know it's already inside us, but more so to rest strongly upon us. My mom wants scriptures that show this is biblical. I had given her one in acts and one in ephesians and she also heard that from another pastor but she is still questioning because she doesn't think that scripture backs this up and that once we have the holy spirit in us, we shouldnt have to ask for it to come in any way. She has seen and experienced how how awesome it can be to be filled with the spirit but she wants to make sure that it is the spirit being invited by biblical proof. Because she says she doesnt see any of the apostles doing this in acts like it was just a one time thing. I don't see why its wrong to invite the holy spirit to a gathering or yourself and soak in his prescense and ask for more of him and for him to increase in his presence....but I also would like some responses. What do you all think. Any scriptures pls. Thank you

Andrew · #2 16th February 2004, 02:43 AM

I think they what they are asking is for the Holy Spirit to manifest himself in giftings -- healings, tongues, interpretations, miracles, word of knowledge etc.

Yes they know that the Holy Spirit is already present in them.

It's like when I go on a holiday. I know He will never leave me nor forsake me, but I still pray and "invite" Jesus along. This is just to express my heart -- that I really want his presence there. Not becos I doubt that he's not there.

It's like if you have a party, and you can either make a personal call to your best friend to invite him to come, or you can not call him and just expect him to show up becos he's your best friend.

I think your friend would really appreciate it if you did the former. It's somehow more 'polite' and genuine.

that's the best I can put it.

flyfishing · #3 16th February 2004, 06:44 AM

Your mothers concerns are quite valid. Jesus in John 16 tells of the role of the holy spirit in the believers life more than any other passages. A couple of thoughts, he will not speak of himself,v13.. he also leads people to christ.v14..

I am quite concerned about charismatic movements that are actually instructing people not to worship Jesus but to pray for the spirit to come. That is toatlly unscriptual and opens the door for another spirit to manifest.

If you are truly seeking JESUS the Holy spirit will reveal Him. What do we seek after when we gather? The hand of GOD or His face??

Our motives are very important because God warns in ezekiel 14 that he will answer some according to the idolatry in their hearts. Do we truly seek JESUS or just some religious blessing??? Be very careful...
with love in Christ

Godz Marine · #4 16th February 2004, 08:20 AM

Yes, when we are born again, Jesus comes to live in our hearts. In Acts 1 Jesus tells them to wait till they are endued with power from on high. In Acts 2 we see the result of the "infilling" of this power. Again in Acts 4 we see a refilling of this "power". Paul encourages us to "pray in the Spirit" he also calls the "tongue of angels". In Jude we are encourage to build up our "most holy faith" by praying in the Spirit. Paul boasts of the amount of time in which he prays in tongues. Hehas made it apparent that praying in tongues was an important part of his like and we can read of the resulting power that came from it.

As has been said, we are to keep our eyes upon Christ for it is He who is head of the Body, the church, not the Holy Spirit.

Sorry this is short. Time to leave for work.

Jim B · #5 16th February 2004, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by flyfishing

I am quite concerned about charismatic movements that are actually instructing people not to worship Jesus but to pray for the spirit to come. That is toatlly unscriptual and opens the door for another spirit to manifest.

Hmmm? You may be overstating your objection. You are treating an invitiation for the Spirit to take contol of your life as some sort of willful sin. Personally, I have never been in a Pentecostal, Charismatic, or Vineyard meeting where people have been intructed “not to worship Jesus” and I have been in literally thousands of P/C/V meetings. If you have attended such a meeting that would intruct people not to worship Jesus Christ, I would run for the exit!

I have, on the other hand, heard people invite the Spirit (and the Father and the Son) to come and, although it is not something I normally practice, I can find no biblical (NT) prophibition, or even caution, against inviting the Holy Spirit to come in power to a gathering of believers.

I prefer Andrew’s more balanced response,

I think they what they are asking is for the Holy Spirit to manifest himself in giftings -- healings, tongues, interpretations, miracles, word of knowledge etc.

Yes they know that the Holy Spirit is already present in them.

It's like when I go on a holiday. I know He will never leave me nor forsake me, but I still pray and "invite" Jesus along. This is just to express my heart -- that I really want his presence there.

\o/

flyfishing · #6 16th February 2004, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by Jim B

Hmmm? You may be overstating your objection. You are treating an invitiation for the Spirit to take contol of your life as some sort of willful sin. Personally, I have never been in a Pentecostal, Charismatic, or Vineyard meeting where people have been intructed “not to worship Jesus” and I have been in literally thousands of P/C/V meetings. If you have attended such a meeting that would intruct people not to worship Jesus Christ, I would run for the exit!

I have, on the other hand, heard people invite the Spirit (and the Father and the Son) to come and, although it is not something I normally practice, I can find no biblical (NT) prophibition, or even caution, against inviting the Holy Spirit to come in power to a gathering of believers.

I prefer Andrew’s more balanced response,

\o/

Oh thats ok.. i dont mind overstating my love for CHRISTS NAME, as i stated in the scripture of John 16 it is not the Holy spirits nature to bring attention to himself. And btw brother i did not bring the subject up. peace

enoch son · #7 16th February 2004, 08:31 AM

Fly; This is a charismatic congregation. Are you charismatic or a tongue talker? As for the thead. MLE; Go for it. It would be the very dumb demon to come into a charismatic meeting where the gifts of the Holy Spirit are in use. Talking about a quick trip to the pit! To seek God and express greeting to your lover to come unto you is not a wrong thing. It is expressing a very intimate relationship. It is our duty as high priest to praise Him. The GODHEAD who is the FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT.

flyfishing · #8 16th February 2004, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by enoch son

Fly; This is a charismatic congregation. Are you charismatic or a tongue talker? As for the thead. MLE; Go for it. It would be the very dumb demon to come into a charismatic meeting where the gifts of the Holy Spirit are in uses. Talking about a quick to the pit! To seek God and express greeting to your lover to come unto you is not a wrong thing. But is expressing a very intimate relationship. It is our duty as high priest to praise Him. The GODHEAD who is the FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT.

i thank God that i speak in tongues more than you all.

enoch son · #9 17th February 2004, 06:35 AM

Beauty4ashes. I looking for vers. on the topic I've only gone thou rom. 1&2 Cor. Gal, Eph. looking at the opening of the letter by Paul. Eph. 1-13-14. It state's that the Holy Spirit is part of or inheritance. In being part of the inheritance one has a legal right under the law of life in Christ Jesus to call on it. (rom. chap. 8. ) Which by the why is the same right of freedom in Christ Jesus that we can cry Abba Father!

Jim B · #10 17th February 2004, 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by flyfishing

i thank God that i speak in tongues more than you all.

Yes, but can you write in tongues?

Df lks jflkj l’kdf’j;fo - ier cperlm*** prauiicjhd - ;dhdfiAKL/ skddkh cnaldfunvhrf kjs jsahdnj!!

(excuse the big words)