Acts 2:1-7, 12; 1 Corinthians 14:13-19
Certain things associated with the Holy Spirit’s coming reach out, seize our attention, and give it a focus-riveting shake:
- the mighty rushing sound
- the flame-like tongues of…something
- the filling with the Holy Ghost
- the speaking with other tongues
- the hearing of the message in individuals’ native languages
Rightly so. These things were neither normal nor man-induced. In reading this passage, we witness again the amazing manifestation of God at work among and within ordinary people. Of course such events will grab us!
But what about these next two?
- the telling forth of the wonderful works of God
- the offering of salvation to whoever calls on Jesus
They stand no less tall alongside all else in the Scripture. Yet, tragically, I notice them less.
(Excerpted from The Church Is Born)
I do not believe we need to seek the filling of the Holy Spirit. I believe the Father gives the Spirit to those who surrender to the Son. In other words, our covenant with the Godhead brings the Spirit into our lives. As Christians we do not need to seek the Holy Spirit; He has already been given to us.
However, there is another dimension to this issue. As we mature in our relationship with Jesus, we discover areas of our lives to which we have not given Him full and free access. We need to seek out those areas and allow Him that kind of access. In that sense, we do need to seek further filling of the Spirit. Actually, though, our real pursuit is a more complete surrender to His Lordship. A more abundant filling will naturally result from that surrender.
If you are one who pleads with God to fill you or fill you more with His Spirit, I challenge you to take the surrender approach instead. Ask God to show you areas of your life which you have not yet yielded unconditionally to Him. Then when He answers those prayers, yield those areas to Him…unconditionally. Only under such circumstances will you know the greater filling of His Spirit. You see, God’s Spirit does not force His way into your life. You must open all the doors and invite Him in. Just never forget that He doesn’t enter anyone’s life as a guest; He enters only as Lord!
Excerpted from The Day of Pentecost
Those who have the Spirit bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23). I have no other way of knowing if I or anyone else has received the Holy Spirit. But I need no other way. This method of discernment works amply well. Remember, the Master Himself declared, “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” (Matthew 7:16).
Those who repent and turn from sin to serve Jesus as Saviour and Lord receive His Spirit.
Adapted from The Coming of the Holy Spirit
Additional Reading
