"The Ghost" – A 2 Week Series Worth of My Notes
THE major distinction between us, as pentecostals, and other churches and denominations simply is found in the present-day Move of the Spirit. I just finished a 2-week series on foundational/scriptural truths about the "present" move of THE GHOST. A lot of the students I am priviledged to pastor are from diverse backgrounds. It was important for me to show them the Word through this distinction. Many of them has asked for my notes from the past two weeks for further study, so i thought i would just post them as my BLOG entry this week. Both weeks' notes are in this BLOG.
Hope this helps,
pg
GHOST—1
THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
4 On one occasion, while (Jesus) was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit…”8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1:4-5, 8
Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,
Ephesians 5:18
12But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into[c] the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:12-17
1. What it is Not
i. NATURAL TALENTS.
ii. GIVEN TO THE ELITE FEW.
iii. SIGN OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY.
iv. SOMETHING TO FEAR.
2. What does it look like
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Galatians 5:22
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:6-8 NLT
7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 NLT
3. What does the spirit-filled life do or become?
dunamis (doo'-nam-is); a force; a miraculous power, the explosive power of God.
HOLY SPIRIT GIVES YOU THE POWER
1) TO SHARE CHRIST BOLDLY.
4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
2) WHEN YOU ARE WEAK.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me... For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
3) TO HAVE HOPE IN A HOPELESS WORLD.
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
4) TO EXPERIENCE ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19
------------------------------
THE GHOST—2
THE INFILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT “INITIALLY” WITH TONGUES
A. SPIRIT-FILLED & TONGUES
On the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit fell upon the assembled believers and "all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues" (Acts 2:4).
Later, as Peter was preaching at the house of Cornelius, "the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message" and they were "speaking in tongues and praising God" (Acts 10:44, 46).
Again, as the apostle Paul was ministering to the Ephesians, "the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied" (Acts 19:6).
It is evident also that Paul himself was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17) and spoke in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:18)
2For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:2 NIV
B. WHY “TONGUES?”
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26
4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, 1 Corinthians 14:4a NIV
14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 1 Corinthians 14:14-16 NIV
17But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." 19These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 17-21 NIV
- How I know the moment my wife transitioned from "Clay" to a "Walters" was when the minister used his TONGUE/MOUTH/LANGUAGE to declare, " I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU...."
C. HOW DO I RECEIVE??
Scriptures referring to the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and a prayer to receive...
13 So 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.” Luke 11:13 NLT
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”Acts 1:8 NLT
2 “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them. “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:2a NLT
D. WHAT IS “NOT” GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME?
1. God is NOT going to JUMP DOWN YOUR THROAT & make you “talk in tongues.”
2. God is NOT going to JUMP INSIDE OF YOU & make you fall, spin, run, or jump in a baptismal pool
These 2 are examples of POSSESSION. God doesn't do that. He's a gentleman
3. God is NOT going to PRETEND you are in tune with Him and give it to you, anyway
He doesn't just wink at your sin and throw you a bone, either.
4. God is NOT going to FORCE Himself on you.
That is called RAPE. Ghost WILL NOT force anything. Again, He is a gentleman. As long as it takes you to be "open" to Him.
E. OK. BUT WHAT DO “I DO” TO POSITION MYSELF TO RECEIVE?
1. You are in “relationship” with Jesus
2. Focus on God, not the godly (iow's Don't get focused on tongues or a song, be focused only on Him)
3. YOU HAVE TO SPEAK/PRAY?SING OUT LOUD
4. Listen for “crazy syllables” coming into your head
5. Speak those syllables by Faith OUT LOUD
6. Then let it flow
F. Is it necessary TO KEEP my prayer language after my “initial” filling?
YES! The result of a “FILLED” life is full of FRUIT and GIFTS that are to do GIVEN for the benefits of others.
The cup illustration with a hole in the bottom
Hope this helps,
pg
GHOST—1
THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
4 On one occasion, while (Jesus) was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit…”8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1:4-5, 8
Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,
Ephesians 5:18
12But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into[c] the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:12-17
1. What it is Not
i. NATURAL TALENTS.
ii. GIVEN TO THE ELITE FEW.
iii. SIGN OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY.
iv. SOMETHING TO FEAR.
2. What does it look like
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Galatians 5:22
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:6-8 NLT
7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 NLT
3. What does the spirit-filled life do or become?
dunamis (doo'-nam-is); a force; a miraculous power, the explosive power of God.
HOLY SPIRIT GIVES YOU THE POWER
1) TO SHARE CHRIST BOLDLY.
4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5
2) WHEN YOU ARE WEAK.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me... For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
3) TO HAVE HOPE IN A HOPELESS WORLD.
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
4) TO EXPERIENCE ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD.
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:16-19
------------------------------
THE GHOST—2
THE INFILLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT “INITIALLY” WITH TONGUES
A. SPIRIT-FILLED & TONGUES
On the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit fell upon the assembled believers and "all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues" (Acts 2:4).
Later, as Peter was preaching at the house of Cornelius, "the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message" and they were "speaking in tongues and praising God" (Acts 10:44, 46).
Again, as the apostle Paul was ministering to the Ephesians, "the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied" (Acts 19:6).
It is evident also that Paul himself was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17) and spoke in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:18)
2For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:2 NIV
B. WHY “TONGUES?”
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26
4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, 1 Corinthians 14:4a NIV
14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? 1 Corinthians 14:14-16 NIV
17But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." 19These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 17-21 NIV
- How I know the moment my wife transitioned from "Clay" to a "Walters" was when the minister used his TONGUE/MOUTH/LANGUAGE to declare, " I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU...."
C. HOW DO I RECEIVE??
Scriptures referring to the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and a prayer to receive...
13 So 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.” Luke 11:13 NLT
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”Acts 1:8 NLT
2 “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them. “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:2a NLT
D. WHAT IS “NOT” GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME?
1. God is NOT going to JUMP DOWN YOUR THROAT & make you “talk in tongues.”
2. God is NOT going to JUMP INSIDE OF YOU & make you fall, spin, run, or jump in a baptismal pool
These 2 are examples of POSSESSION. God doesn't do that. He's a gentleman
3. God is NOT going to PRETEND you are in tune with Him and give it to you, anyway
He doesn't just wink at your sin and throw you a bone, either.
4. God is NOT going to FORCE Himself on you.
That is called RAPE. Ghost WILL NOT force anything. Again, He is a gentleman. As long as it takes you to be "open" to Him.
E. OK. BUT WHAT DO “I DO” TO POSITION MYSELF TO RECEIVE?
1. You are in “relationship” with Jesus
2. Focus on God, not the godly (iow's Don't get focused on tongues or a song, be focused only on Him)
3. YOU HAVE TO SPEAK/PRAY?SING OUT LOUD
4. Listen for “crazy syllables” coming into your head
5. Speak those syllables by Faith OUT LOUD
6. Then let it flow
F. Is it necessary TO KEEP my prayer language after my “initial” filling?
YES! The result of a “FILLED” life is full of FRUIT and GIFTS that are to do GIVEN for the benefits of others.
The cup illustration with a hole in the bottom
