I've grown up in either Charismatic or Non-Denominational churches my whole life. I became a Christian when I was really young, but I have never been filled with the Holy Spirit. Lately I have been very discouraged. I don't know how many countless times I have attended a church where there was an alter call for everyone how wasn't filled. And every single time I'm left standing there with the sickest feeling in my stomach; why couldn't it happen now? I completely know and understand that it doesn't have to happen at church, it can happen anywhere. Once I wept for hours, crying out to the Lord, begging for the Holy Spirit. I know you can't really answer this, but what's wrong? Am I trying too hard, when it's not really something you necessarily "try" for? Thanks ahead of time for any advice you may have.
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Why not me?
- Thread starter AlliL389
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Well... the church I attend now believes that tongues accompanies baptism. But, as for myself, I believe that a person can be filled with the Holy Ghost and not speak in tongues. 1 Corinthians 12 asks, "do all speak with tongues?" I'm not saying that I don't believe in it. I just don't think that is has to accompany baptism.
And to answer your question, people have told me before that you will know when you are filled. Different people describe it differently, but that all say that you will know (you won't have a doubt about it). The Holy Spirit will completely indwell in you.
And to answer your question, people have told me before that you will know when you are filled. Different people describe it differently, but that all say that you will know (you won't have a doubt about it). The Holy Spirit will completely indwell in you.
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Optimax
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Consider this: 
Jesus spoke of water. When He did as in the following verses he was using water as a symbol of The Holy Spirit.
Jesus in the scripture below was speaking of the new birth, referred to as being born again, Rom. 10: 9-10 tells how. When a person is born again they have eternal life. Jesus describe it as a well of water that springs up into everlasting life.
Jn 4:13-14
13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
KJV
The result of being born again is the The Holy Spirit actually comes to dwell in us.
Jn 14:17
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you .
KJV
Ro 8:9-11
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.
10 And if Christ be in you , the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you , he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you .
KJV
Jesus also spoke of a river.
Jn 7:37-39
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
KJV
Jesus said that they that believe on him ( born again) would receive the Holy Ghost. He also describe an event symbolized as rivers of living water. The rivers would flow from his belly. That term is used to refer to the part of man that is most central which is the spirit man.
The book of acts records the event when it first occurred.
Ac 2:1-4
2:1 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.
KJV
There is a difference in the event that caused the well to spring up which resulted in eternal life and the event that caused the rivers to flow. There is also a difference in the results of the events.
A person being born again causes the well to spring up into everlasting life resulting in The Holy Spirit to be in you.
A person that receives the Holy Ghost, same as Holy Spirit, causes the rivers of living water to flow from the spirit man. What is the result? Scripture tell us that the Holy Ghost comes upon you.
Ac 1:5
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
KJV
Ac 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.
KJV
When we are born again the Spirit comes in us and dwells there.
When we are baptized with the Holy Ghost the Spirit comes upon us.
The Spirit comes upon us so that we can be a witness with power. When The Spirit comes upon us He stays as long as we need the power, but does not stay upon us all the time, only when we need the power to witness.
From where does the Spirit come upon us. From within us where He dwells.
The Spirit in us, The Spirit upon us.
Jesus spoke of water. When He did as in the following verses he was using water as a symbol of The Holy Spirit.
Jesus in the scripture below was speaking of the new birth, referred to as being born again, Rom. 10: 9-10 tells how. When a person is born again they have eternal life. Jesus describe it as a well of water that springs up into everlasting life.
Jn 4:13-14
13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
KJV
The result of being born again is the The Holy Spirit actually comes to dwell in us.
Jn 14:17
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you .
KJV
Ro 8:9-11
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.
10 And if Christ be in you , the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you , he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you .
KJV
Jesus also spoke of a river.
Jn 7:37-39
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
KJV
Jesus said that they that believe on him ( born again) would receive the Holy Ghost. He also describe an event symbolized as rivers of living water. The rivers would flow from his belly. That term is used to refer to the part of man that is most central which is the spirit man.
The book of acts records the event when it first occurred.
Ac 2:1-4
2:1 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.
KJV
There is a difference in the event that caused the well to spring up which resulted in eternal life and the event that caused the rivers to flow. There is also a difference in the results of the events.
A person being born again causes the well to spring up into everlasting life resulting in The Holy Spirit to be in you.
A person that receives the Holy Ghost, same as Holy Spirit, causes the rivers of living water to flow from the spirit man. What is the result? Scripture tell us that the Holy Ghost comes upon you.
Ac 1:5
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
KJV
Ac 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.
KJV
When we are born again the Spirit comes in us and dwells there.
When we are baptized with the Holy Ghost the Spirit comes upon us.
The Spirit comes upon us so that we can be a witness with power. When The Spirit comes upon us He stays as long as we need the power, but does not stay upon us all the time, only when we need the power to witness.
From where does the Spirit come upon us. From within us where He dwells.
The Spirit in us, The Spirit upon us.
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sebastian
is invisible...
When I was baptised in the Spirit, I didn't speak in tongues for a long time after, thsi was because I didn't really understand it at the time, but I beleive the gift was given to me at that time, I just didn't use it till much later.
I get the feeling you see others get baptissed in the spirit and then speak in tongues or shake a bit or fall over etc. I don't know if I'm right about that, but of that is the case, you shouldn't look at other people's experiences as some kind of litmus test for your own.
It may be the case you have been filled with the Holy Spirit, you just might not think you have because you didn't do what you expected?
I tell you now, God wants you to live in the fullness of all He has for you, that includes the filling of the Spirit, you don't have to have people pray for you, you just need to pray and ask God, ask Him to fill you and recieve by Faith, God is not holding it back from you. also with the tongues thing, all Christians should be able to speak in tongues, that verse is refering to the tongues people bring which require interpretation, or like the one peter did when people from all nations heard the same message and understood him y'know? So after you have prayed for the Spirit, receive it in faith and then ask God to give you the gift of tongues. God will also gove this to you straight away, pray until you feel a prompting, I can only describe it ( in my exerience) as a kind of sound in your head and a welling up in the heart to express somehing, like the begining of a word, then as a step of faith just speak that sound and go with it, you might feel a bit silly at first but just pray and pray. you won't have a clue what your saying!
just wrote a bit of an essay! sorry..
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-Kyriaki-
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Being filled with the Spirit is different for everyone.
Personally I believe that we are filled with the Spirit at the time that we accept Him - but sometimes a baptism occurs later, as some have noted. I dont think this is at all necessary though - many Godly people have had such an experience, and many haven't!
I think it also has to do with the gifts that we are given. Some people experience God in a noisy, excitable way - exuberant joy and outward works that are noticeable, but others are called to the quietness and to listen to the still, small voice of God.
Listen for it. I believe that you are called to be in the stillness, and that it is in the seeking of God that your gifts lie. Don't be discouraged by the lack of what you see as outward manifestations - seek God, the one that dwells within you and in all creation. Seek and listen for the still, small voice, the One who calls you to Him, calls you as His child.
Charismatics can be caught up in the obvious, the outward - but be called to quietness, and stillness, and calm. God is a God of peace just as He is a God of outward joy - cling to Him, cling to His promises, listen to His voice and His leading. Take the time in worship and in private to close yourself to what is outside - focus on Him, and let Him reveal Himself to you.
May God bless you.
Personally I believe that we are filled with the Spirit at the time that we accept Him - but sometimes a baptism occurs later, as some have noted. I dont think this is at all necessary though - many Godly people have had such an experience, and many haven't!
I think it also has to do with the gifts that we are given. Some people experience God in a noisy, excitable way - exuberant joy and outward works that are noticeable, but others are called to the quietness and to listen to the still, small voice of God.
Listen for it. I believe that you are called to be in the stillness, and that it is in the seeking of God that your gifts lie. Don't be discouraged by the lack of what you see as outward manifestations - seek God, the one that dwells within you and in all creation. Seek and listen for the still, small voice, the One who calls you to Him, calls you as His child.
Charismatics can be caught up in the obvious, the outward - but be called to quietness, and stillness, and calm. God is a God of peace just as He is a God of outward joy - cling to Him, cling to His promises, listen to His voice and His leading. Take the time in worship and in private to close yourself to what is outside - focus on Him, and let Him reveal Himself to you.
May God bless you.
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You sound very dedicated, and I think the only thing you need to realize: is that you will grow in your faith.
2Ti 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Wanting the Holy Spirit to take control of your life, and lead your paths is the ultimate goal. But it becomes an awsome responsibility once it has. The Lord may ask you to do some act of goodness, that you may not be ready for. Something that your mortal body would normally not do, and you know would not be the best for anyone around you. But for God's sake and his ministry and purpose; you would have to do. It becomes an awesome responsiblity. God knows his own, and before you know it, you will not remember: Not being lead by the Holy Spirit.
Blessings,
Everlasting
Bible Inspired Author
Moon Over Key Biscayne
ISBN: 1-4241-6884-8
booksandmore.4t.com
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holo
former Christian
The altar call isn't like a holy Spirit dispenser. The Lord doesn't need anybody but himself to fill you with his Spirit.
God's Spirit is already in you. Perhaps the reason you don't seem to sense him is that you're still looking for him and expecting him to show up when certain people perform a certain ritual.
You're drawn to God, aren't you? Well, that's the Spirit right there. Inside you, drawing you to God.
God's Spirit is already in you. Perhaps the reason you don't seem to sense him is that you're still looking for him and expecting him to show up when certain people perform a certain ritual.
You're drawn to God, aren't you? Well, that's the Spirit right there. Inside you, drawing you to God.
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There are so many ways that the Spirit flows through us. It can be much more wholistic than an expression of tongues or a feeling of excitement.
God knows the personality He made you with, and the potential He has placed in you. He wants us to sit in fellowships as individuals with roles and skills that complement each other, not match. The person next to you might feel that all should heal because they can heal, but God has other things in mind for you.
I am certain that the Holy Spirit already works through you to heal and support others -- whether it's kind words and understanding, or ideas and a grasp of their situation, or scriptural truths that come to mind -- the gifts and expressions of the Spirit can be much simpler than we make them!
The point is that the infilling is used to draw others to Him. He empowers us to fulfill His will, which of course is a great relief for us, but what people associate with infilling is meant for others. The tongues spoken in Acts 2 were the languages of the visitors... telling the gospel without translators.
He loves you. He is not neglecting you at all. He just understands who you are, and is approaching you as differently as a parent would their children.
Notice --
Ex 31:3 - I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make [SIZE=-1][/SIZE]artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze...Also Ex 35:31
Matthew 7:7-11
"For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Or what man is there among you who,[SIZE=-1][/SIZE] when his son asks for a loaf, will [SIZE=-1][/SIZE] give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how [SIZE=-1][/SIZE]much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
God knows the personality He made you with, and the potential He has placed in you. He wants us to sit in fellowships as individuals with roles and skills that complement each other, not match. The person next to you might feel that all should heal because they can heal, but God has other things in mind for you.
I am certain that the Holy Spirit already works through you to heal and support others -- whether it's kind words and understanding, or ideas and a grasp of their situation, or scriptural truths that come to mind -- the gifts and expressions of the Spirit can be much simpler than we make them!
The point is that the infilling is used to draw others to Him. He empowers us to fulfill His will, which of course is a great relief for us, but what people associate with infilling is meant for others. The tongues spoken in Acts 2 were the languages of the visitors... telling the gospel without translators.
He loves you. He is not neglecting you at all. He just understands who you are, and is approaching you as differently as a parent would their children.
Notice --
Ex 31:3 - I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make [SIZE=-1][/SIZE]artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze...Also Ex 35:31
Matthew 7:7-11
"For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Or what man is there among you who,[SIZE=-1][/SIZE] when his son asks for a loaf, will [SIZE=-1][/SIZE] give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how [SIZE=-1][/SIZE]much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
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KingZzub
Blessed to Be A Blessing
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You need to buy a book called "The Holy Spirit" by Kenneth Hagin and read it. This will enable you to receive the fulness of the Spirit that the Lord wants you to have.
Cheers,
|ZZ|
Cheers,
|ZZ|
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KingZzub
Blessed to Be A Blessing
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What she needs is wisdom. This book is full of wisdom. She could keep searching for the baptism the way she is going about it and hope against hope that something happens to change. Or she could go about learning wisdom in the area in which she wants change.
Cheers,
|ZZ|
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Thanks for all the responses. I've been getting pretty discouraged lately, but I guess I need to just relax and trust God. I've been thinking that maybe I do get a little distracted, waiting for an outward sign or a certain feeling, which is not the reason I should be seeking this. I need to focus on God. I'm definitely going to think and pray about all the things mentioned here. Thanks again.
By the way, I haven't read Hagin's book, but I've read "The Counselor" by A. W. Tozer. An amazing book that I probably need to read again to help get myself back on track (along with the Bible and MUCH prayer).
By the way, I haven't read Hagin's book, but I've read "The Counselor" by A. W. Tozer. An amazing book that I probably need to read again to help get myself back on track (along with the Bible and MUCH prayer).
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