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Holy Spirit questions

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SugarMag

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The Holy Spirit is a hot topic on the MB but I can't find a thread on my specific questions:

If you have the Holy Spirit in you, are you definately saved? (or a believer, or whatever term you want to use).

Does any other religion have a parallel to the Holy Spirit in their doctrine?

Can what one believes to be the H.S. actually be some other spirit (one not of the one truly G-d)? And if it is a different spirit would it only be an evil one? (i.e. not have the loving presence and guidance of the true Holy Spirit)

Does the Holy Spirit ever enter without explicit invitation? Or, is it possible you've had it quite a long time (or all the time) and it just "wakes up" at one point but a person thinks that is the first time it's entered.

Very grateful for any insight, references, etc.
 

2Timothy2

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First, the Holy Spirit is not an 'it', He is a He, God the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the trinity. If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, as the only way for salvation and the forgiveness of your sins, then He, the Holy Spirit dwells within you. This describes me, and all Christians.

As for other spirits, angels of God, the righteous angels, will not inhabit a person, I do not believe. That leaves only one other possibility for a person who has not come to Christ who has a spirit in him. It could only be a demon. However, many 'demon possessions' are nothing of the sort. We need to exercise caution and discernment here.

I suggest you post this question in the Paterology, Christology & Pneumatology forum, or the Soteriology forum. There are probably folks there who are better versed in the Theology of these things. They might have better answers for you. You also should talk with your pastor about this.
 
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vinc

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Q. If you have the Holy Spirit in you, are you definately saved? (or a believer, or whatever term you want to use).
Ans. Yes, you are saved (but you also have to work out your salvation through fear and trembling even after that so that you may not fall away but remain as an Overcomer till the end.).

In fact, you repenting sincerely and asking forgiveness itself happens when the Holy Spirit prompts you from within. The Bible clearly says that one cannot really say Jesus Christ is Lord (sincerely from the bottom of his/her heart) without having a little of His Divine Spirit in him/her. The moment you are born-again some amount of Holy Spirit comes into you. But, we ought to go on to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Baptism of Holy Spirit). Only the Baptism of the Holy Spirit can make us live the victorious christian life (ofcourse, one needs to be strongly rooted and grounded in the Word of God too) !

Q. Does any other religion have a parallel to the Holy Spirit in their doctrine?
Ans. I don't know. Maybe Satanism.

Q. Can what one believes to be the H.S. actually be some other spirit (one not of the one truly G-d)? And if it is a different spirit would it only be an evil one? (i.e. not have the loving presence and guidance of the true Holy Spirit)
Ans. Yes, there are chances of recieving a counterfeit Holy Spirit. Even Satanists have some kind of Spirit-filling or rather demon-filling experience called the Lucifer-initiation. Adolf Hitler had this kind of filling in a very strong way and went-on to kill the Jews. So, you can imagine! This is the reason why we need to ask God fill-us with the genuine Holy Spirit. Pls remember that the Genuine Holy Spirit WILL make us HOLY from the inside. Any other counterfeit experience WILL NOT make us HOLY from the inside. This is the perfect test which i can imagine as of now.

Q. Does the Holy Spirit ever enter without explicit invitation? Or, is it possible you've had it quite a long time (or all the time) and it just "wakes up" at one point but a person thinks that is the first time it's entered.
Ans. The Holy Spirit may enter in a small measure within you if God senses the your spirit feelings are aligning with His Spirit (i mean humbleness, sincere repentance, hunger for more of God etc.). And this only helps us to grow more in Him. Usually, the Baptism of Holy Spirit comes through explicit invitation. But, there are incidents in the Bible wherein the Disciples of Christ were filled with the Holy Spirit as they were all worshipping God with one accord and one mind. They only hoped and waited for the Holy Spirit to come upon them based on the promise from Lord Jesus Christ. The Book of Acts is an excellent book for this subject. In one Gospel meeting while Apostle Peter was preaching, it is said in the Bible that the Holy Ghost fell upon them even as they were listening to the Word being preached. In some other incident, Apostle Paul laid hands upon some Disciples who were only water-baptised and they recieved the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Assurance that we have His genuine Spirit in us comes over a period of time depending on each believer.

Hope that helps in anyway.

JMO, Lord Bless you,
Vincent :)
 
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12volt_man

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SugarMag said:
The Holy Spirit is a hot topic on the MB but I can't find a thread on my specific questions:

If you have the Holy Spirit in you, are you definately saved? (or a believer, or whatever term you want to use).

Yes. If you have the Holy Spirit, you are saved. The Bible tells us that every believer recieves the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation.

Does any other religion have a parallel to the Holy Spirit in their doctrine?

None that I know of.

Can what one believes to be the H.S. actually be some other spirit (one not of the one truly G-d)? And if it is a different spirit would it only be an evil one? (i.e. not have the loving presence and guidance of the true Holy Spirit)

Absolutely and the Bible warns us many times about other spirits.

Does the Holy Spirit ever enter without explicit invitation?

No.

Or, is it possible you've had it quite a long time (or all the time) and it just "wakes up" at one point but a person thinks that is the first time it's entered.

Yes. There are people who, although they are saved, do not believe that they have the Holy Spirit unless they have some esoteric experience.

Some believe that recieving the Holy Spirit is an altogether seperate experience from salvation.
 
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Lioness816

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vinc said:
Q. Does the Holy Spirit ever enter without explicit invitation? Or, is it possible you've had it quite a long time (or all the time) and it just "wakes up" at one point but a person thinks that is the first time it's entered.
Ans. The Holy Spirit may enter in a small measure within you if God senses the your spirit feelings are aligning with His Spirit (i mean humbleness, sincere repentance, hunger for more of God etc.). And this only helps us to grow more in Him. Usually, the Baptism of Holy Spirit comes through explicit invitation. But, there are incidents in the Bible wherein the Disciples of Christ were filled with the Holy Spirit as they were all worshipping God with one accord and one mind. They only hoped and waited for the Holy Spirit to come upon them based on the promise from Lord Jesus Christ. The Book of Acts is an excellent book for this subject. In one Gospel meeting while Apostle Peter was preaching, it is said in the Bible that the Holy Ghost fell upon them even as they were listening to the Word being preached. In some other incident, Apostle Paul laid hands upon some Disciples who were only water-baptised and they recieved the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
SugarMag said:
Does the Holy Spirit ever enter without explicit invitation?


12volt_man said:
I am a little confused. :scratch: Which is it? Is there somewhere in the Bible I can look?

Thank you SugarMag for asking these questions. :)
 
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vinc

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Pls read and ponder on the following Scriptural portions :-

Matthew 3:11 :- I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Mark 1:8 :- I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

Luke 3:16 :- John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

Luke 11:11-13 :- If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

John 1:33 :- And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 1:4,5 :- And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

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.

Acts 2:1-4 :- And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:16-19 :- But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

Acts 2:38,39 :- Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.

Acts 4:31-33 :- And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Acts 8:14-17 :- 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.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 10:44-48 :- While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Acts 11:15-18 :- And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Acts 18:24-26 :- And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

Acts 19:1-6 :- And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Hope that helps in anyway.

Lord Bless
Vincent
 
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SugarMag

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someone suggested I post the question in a different forum, which I did. No replies though.

Thank you for your replies.

Does the Holy Ghost ever leave you? I understand if it gets quiet a bit if you are separating yourself from G-d, but completely leave?

If the spirit isn't the Holy Spirit, what is the advantage of acting in the H.S. way? Guiding one to understand the word more completely, allowing G-d to be revealed to you, etc. I don't get what the point is to imitate. And how does one know which it is?

Thanks again. Very heavy on my mind.
 
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Friendship

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It sounds to me like you are scared am I right? Are you scared that you will have a false spirit or that you are not really saved or other concerns.
Trinity is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit they are all in the same how can that be well so are we, we are body soul and spirit as well and we were made in the image of God right so looking at it that way it makes since.
For starters if you pray and ask Jesus into your heart you are not going to get something else when you recieve Jesus you will know as you feel as a burden is lifted off of you instantly. When you recieve Jesus you are also recieving God and the Holy Spirit because they are a trinity ok the Holy Spirit is the one who convicts you and guides you and teaches so on and so on as you grow he comunicates to your spirit.
reecieving the Holy Spirit as being babitized in the Spirit well the word tells us to be babitized but concerning the Gifts of the Spirit seek the Lord about that and ask him to fill you with his Spirit as I said if you ask the Lord for something he will only give you what is of him. Pray and ask the Lord to give you descernment about spirits and the bible says to test the spirits in other words makes sure its from God and God will never conflict with his word and his Spirit will only Glorify and testify the word of God and nothing else if the Holy Spirit is leading you to do something it will not go against God's word and will only Glorify the Lord
 
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plmarquette

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some contend : once save , always saved ...
yet Paul warns us not to sin , be deceived , let our faith be shipwrecked ,
to not turn back once we have met Jesus

the fact that you are concerned , would indicate your heart is right ...
daily praise God for his help , repent for your failures , pray for enemies ,
forgive , intercede , read , meditate ... you'll get there
 
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Rafael

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SugarMag said:
someone suggested I post the question in a different forum, which I did. No replies though.

Thank you for your replies.

Does the Holy Ghost ever leave you? I understand if it gets quiet a bit if you are separating yourself from G-d, but completely leave?

If the spirit isn't the Holy Spirit, what is the advantage of acting in the H.S. way? Guiding one to understand the word more completely, allowing G-d to be revealed to you, etc. I don't get what the point is to imitate. And how does one know which it is?

Thanks again. Very heavy on my mind.
If you ask God in Jesus name for the Holy Spirit, He will not give you a counterfeit or allow a false one to enter. Observe these passages:

Luke 11: "And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.
10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.
11 "You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead?
12 Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not!
13 If you sinful people 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."

The Lord will never leave you or forsake you, and the Holy Spirit is God, just as the Father and the Son are. Observe again:

Heb 13:5 Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never forsake you."

You cannot act like you have the Holy Spirit. It does have these things as fruit or the result of having the Holy Spirit in one's life:

Galatians 5:22 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.

Without the Holy Spirit, the works of the flesh are:

Galatians 5:19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure,
20 idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group,
21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
 
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