I agree being born again of the Spirit is obviously a work when God's spirit enters our heart.
But I disagree that baptism of the Holy Spirit, merely has the Spirit upon us. We are temples of the Spirit, and as such the spirit indwells us. Scripture is full of such evidence.
I'm in no way overlooking the abundant evidence in scripture concerning the Spirit of God dwelling within the believer.
I did say in my previous post that there is a difference between the Spirit within (thus acknowledging it), and the Spirit upon (acknowledging it). I can only presume that you have no awareness of the latter.
Two scriptures for reference are: Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me." (to preach and perform mighty miracles)
And, Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses."
Paul made it clear that gifts are available for all and that we should seek God for them.
1Cor14v1Earnestly pursue love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you might prophesy.
Yes, I'm aware of that verse. It seems that you think that I said that a believer cannot operate in any gift? No. I pointed out that the apostle Paul said (vs 28-30) that not all would operate in the listed gifts of 1Cor.12.
My only mistake was to assume that a person reading my post would know the precise verses I referred to without taking the time to put them in, as I've seen the need to do it in this post.
And yet, concerning those gifts listed in 1Cor.12.. in verse 11 the apostle Paul said "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will."
Therefore, we can seek to operate in all, yet, the Spirit gives as He will. Therefore, not as we would choose a particular one only.
Therefore how can anyone ask "What gift do you have?" as if God chose to give each person one particular gift to use as their own.
That is not what the teaching of the apostle Paul indicates.. in verses 28-30.
28 "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?"
The answer to Paul's question in every case is, no.
That's being a bit silly,
Well, if you think that it's alright to use the word "silly".. then you'll have no problem if I use it concerning things that you've said.
In regard to your opinion of my emphasis of specific differences.. it would indicate that you are not aware of the differences.
which causes you to say the following silly statement..
there's absolutely nothing wrong with asking what gifts a person has.
The phraseology used and the implications within such statements is what I was responding to. In light of that, it's silly to ask what gifts a person has.. when Paul clearly stated that believers don't
have them. Because it's the Holy Spirit that has them.
We are invited to seek the Holy Spirit that He use us to manifest what He has, through us. He does so according to the individual needs of a person.
But if we each had only one particular gift that we individually sought.. then if a person needs healing (1Cor.12:9), an individual who has only the interpretation of tongues (1Cor.12:10), then he or she would have to say "sorry, I don't
have the gift of healing."
That is not how God provides the gifts. The perfect way is for the Holy Spirit to have them all.. so that He manifests whatever is needed for the occasion. So that the person who ministers and the person who is the recipient will not be lacking in what is needed.
Now, maybe you meant that very thing.. but if you did, you didn't say it, so a person reading can only go by what you say, and not be able to read your mind to know what you meant.
Therefore leaving it up to the reader what you meant. And therefore I thought you meant that asking for a gift means each person choosing what gift to exclusively operate in.
But excuse me for being so silly, if you didn't mean that. No matter how clear a person thinks that they are, there's going to be someone who will think that you said something else.