An entry in my Guest Book
I came across your website by looking up
testimonies, and was really moved by what I read, and I also
did a lot of forgiving and renouncing, for I am looking for God to heal me
from an affliction with my blood. I received Christ as my
Savior a few weeks ago and today on your website [This
refers to this page] I finally got the Holy Spirit.
Today I spoke words that I could not understand. It excited
me so much I had tears and laughter. May God continue to
bless you as well as myself. say a prayer for me!
Lurleen
Another testimony I have received.
Mr. Weeks -
On a video that my mom ordered
from the Hunters it showed Mr.Hunter talking in tongues and
I wondered whether or not my mom could speak in tongues with
the Holy Spirit like Mr. Hunter. Well it turned out she
could and she told me about how the Holy Spirit comes and
goes through your entire body; which is the Baptism with the
Holy Spirit. So she asked me if I wanted to receive the Holy
Spirit and speak in tongues with the guidance of the Holy
Spirit. I said "Yes." She gave me your article to read from
your website on receiving this "Holy Baptism." I read it
twice, read my bible and prayed about receiving the Holy
Spirit. Then my mother laid her hands on me and I prayed the
prayer you had listed in the article. Then my mother started
to speak in tongues to start me speaking the utterances. A
few seconds later I was able to speak in tongues due to the
baptism with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit flowed into me
and I felt a rush of happiness, while I was speaking to God
in tongues. Afterwards it was like a sensation of peace
flowed over me and stayed for the rest of the day. It was a
really neat and wonderful experience and I know there are
more to come because God is Wonderful, and Powerful I know
anything is possible with my Lord. Love,
Michael
An Update from Michael's Mon
Blessings Hal! I wanted to share with you a
story about my son. In church yesterday he felt the Holy
Spirit leading him to lay hands on a blind gentleman from
our congregation. Mike went up to him and his daughter and
talked with them and ask if he could lay on hands the man.
The daughter said they tried everything and walked away
pushing her father. Mike felt sad, I did explain to him to
pray for him and send God's healing to him anyways. I also
told Mike he did as his Lord commanded and that was what was
important. I thought you would like to know since he
received his Holy Spirit baptism from your site. You are
also an inspiration to him.
Joy
The baptism in the Holy Spirit and how to
receive It
For an introduction to this theme
see:
Holy Spirit page.
It is very important to first remove
anything that can be a hindrance to receiving this
baptism. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to do
so. In fact, some of the bizarre manifestations that
turn many off can be because they have not first been
through these: "Barriers to
Healing."
Also, it is vital that the seeker first becomes a
Christian.
The steps can be found at: How to become a citizen in the Kingdom
of God.]
As always, we must first define our terms so
what is said is clearly understood. The word "baptism" is from
the Greek word "baptize," which means to immerse.
Strong's # 907 baptize
(bap-tide-O); to immerse, submerge; to overwhelm (i.e. fully
wet); used only (in the N. T.) of ceremonial ablution,
especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian
baptism: KJV-- Baptis, baptize, wash. (DIC)
Many books
have been written on this subject, but this is all you need
to know to receive it. For an understanding of what it
means see "to be
born again".
Therefore, the baptism in the Holy
Spirit means to be immersed in the Holy Spirit. This
immersion is distinct from being baptized in water as the
sign of conversion. It is usually a subsequent event.
Scripture uses other expressions that also refer to this
experience. They are "being filled with the Holy Spirit,"
"receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit," "the Holy Spirit
coming upon them," and, "the Holy Spirit being poured out
upon them." Scripture also uses some of these expressions to
refer to other works of the Holy Spirit. Baptism in the Holy
Spirit always refers to what happened to the disciples at
Pentecost. Therefore, the expression, "baptized in the Holy
Spirit" will be the one used in this presentation. Also,
since the word "baptize" comes from a Greek word that means
to immerse, the use of the preposition "in" is consistent
with that understanding. We are immersed in the Holy Spirit,
not immersed by the Holy Spirit or immersed with the Holy
Spirit.
What is the difference between being
baptized in water and being baptized in the Holy
Spirit?
Specifically, there are three baptisms
mentioned in Scripture that apply to the believer
:
1
Being baptized into the body of Christ [Christ being the
element] by the Holy Spirit [the Holy Spirit being the
agent].
For we were all baptized by one
Spirit into one body -- whether Jews or Greeks, slave or
free -- and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
(!
Cor.12:13) (NIV)
2 Being baptized in water [water
being the element] by the minister [the minister being the
agent].
3 Being baptized in the Holy Spirit [the Holy
Spirit being the element] by Jesus Christ [Christ being the
agent].
[John the Baptist] indeed baptize you
with water to repentance: but he that comes after me
[Jesus Christ] is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not
worthy to bear: he shall baptize you in the Holy Ghost,
and with fire: (Matthew
3:11)
Being baptized in water is done by the minister.
The candidate is baptized [immersed] in the element of
water. This usually occurs shortly after conversion. It is
to be born again. Being baptized in the Holy Spirit can
occur at any time after being born again. It is done by
Jesus Christ since He is the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit.
The "element" in which we are baptized, in this case, is the
Holy Spirit.
But don't we receive the Holy Spirit when we
are born again?
Yes, everyone who is born of God,
becomes a temple of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit
takes up residence in their spirit. The baptism in the Holy
Spirit is when He overflows into our soul and body.
.
Do you not know that your body is a temple
of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received
from God? You are not your own. (1 Corinthians
6:19)
But you are not in the flesh, but in the
Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if any man
does not have the Spirit of Christ he is none of his.
(Romans 8:9) (NIV)
Then what is the difference?
In the
first case, we are filled with the Holy Spirit. We become a
"well of living water." In the second case, we are filled to
overflowing, and become "rivers of living water." These
rivers of living water generate the power and boldness we
need to carry out God's purpose for us.
But whosoever drinks 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 [living]
water springing up into everlasting life. John
4:14)
In the last day, that great day of the
feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst,
let him come to me, and drink. He that believes on me, as
the Scripture has said, out of his innermost being shall
flow rivers of living water. [But this spoke he of
the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive:
for the Holy Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus was
not yet glorified [ascended to Heaven]. (John
7:37-39)
Why was it necessary for Jesus to ascend to
Heaven before the believer could receive the baptism in the
Holy Spirit?
Until Jesus had shed His blood on
the cross and had ascended to Heaven, the Holy Spirit could
not indwell us as temples. First, we as a temple of the Holy
Spirit needed to be sanctified by the blood of
Jesus.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It
is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away,
the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I
will send him to you. (John 16:7)
What? Know you not that your body is the
temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have
of God, and you are not your own? For you are bought with
a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your
spirit, which are God's. (I Corinthians 6:19-20)
(KJV)
Why do we need the baptism in the Holy
Spirit?
Christ is our example. Before Jesus
himself could begin His earthly ministry, He had to be
baptized in the Holy Spirit. Before the disciples could
begin their ministry apart from Christ, they had to be
baptized in the Holy Spirit. This is what happened on the
day of Pentecost. Should we then think it strange that we
also need this baptism for ministry? In reality, Scripture
says we will be called upon to do even greater works than
Jesus.
Verily, verily, I say to you, He that believes
on me, the works that I do shall He do also; and greater
works than these shall he do; because I go to my Father.
(John 14:12) (KJV)
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 Judea, and
in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the
earth.
Notice that they are told to receive power
and then be Christ's witnesses to all the
world.
But can't we witness to others without the
baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Yes, and there are
many in ministry who do not profess to having been
baptized in the Holy Spirit. Some even teach against it.
Also, there are some who privately profess to being baptized
in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues but have never
publicly acknowledged it. Nevertheless, it is God's
provision for equipping us to carry out what He commissions
us to do. Christ commanded His disciples to remain in
Jerusalem until they had received this. Scripture confirms
that they were much more effective after their experience on
Pentecost than they were before. Also, there are a multitude
of Christians today who acknowledge they were unable to
witness, at least effectively, until they had been baptized
in the Holy Spirit.
And, being assembled together with them,
commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem,
but wait for the promise of the Father, which, says he,
you have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water;
but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many
days hence...But you shall receive power, after that the
Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses
to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria,
and to the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts
1:4-6,8)
But do we need to speak in
tongues?
No. It is possible to be baptized in the
Holy Spirit without the release of the gift of tongues. It
is not a question of do I need to, but do I get to! The
basic question is, "Do I trust God?" Speaking in tongues is
the Scriptural objective evidence of having received this
power. By definition, evidence means that it is something
that can be seen and heard by others. The subjective
evidences which are those we can't see are many. These can
be personally overwhelming, though they may or may not be
noticeable to others.
What good does it do for me
to speak in a language I do not
understand?
First, This becomes available to us
when we receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and the Holy
Spirit wants us to have it! If we trust Him that
should be reason enough. However, because God can only reach
the heart of most of us by way of our intellect, the
following is offered: Tongues is also called a prayer
language. Since this prayer language is given to us by the
Holy Spirit, it makes it possible to pray perfectly. Because
we don't know what we are praying, our intellect is
bypassed. So this kind of prayer is never hindered by our
ignorance, doubts, fears, unbelief, and human
reasoning.
For 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. There are times when,
as the Scripture says, we do not know how to pray. Praying
in the spirit [tongues] solves this problem.
(1 Cor.
14:2)
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. And he who searches our hearts knows
the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for
the saints in accordance with God's will. We are in
spiritual warfare. The devil cannot decipher praying in
tongues. Thus, we can pray to God in a secret code.
(Romans 8:26-27)
In addition to all this,
take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish
all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of
salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word
of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions
with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind,
be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Praying in the spirit [tongues] edifies us [build or
charges us up spiritually]. (Eph. 6:16-18)
He who
speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies
edifies the church.(1 Corinthians
14:4)
But how do I know that tongues are not from
the devil?
Not so much anymore, but some still
teach that speaking in tongues is from the devil. The answer
is simple! If we go to the right place, we get the right
thing. If we go to a bank, we will not get counterfeit
money. If we go to Jesus, we will receive the genuine; We
will not receive the counterfeit.
And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be
given you; seek, and you shall find; knock,
and it shall be opened to you. For everyone that
asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that
knocks it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any
of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he
asks a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he
shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then,
being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children:
how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy
Spirit to them that ask him?
(Luke
11:9-13)
This passage clearly confirms that
the giving of the Holy is a distinct and separate baptism
after we are born-again. This should refute the claim of
those who say it is received when we were saved. That this "giving of the Holy Spirit"
refers to the baptism in the Holy Spirit and not conversion
is confirmed, because God refers to Himself as our Heavenly
Father. This baptism in the Holy Spirit is only available to
God's children. For reference books on speaking in tongues,
see our
bookshelf.
But don't some become very
emotional and "fanatical" after receiving the baptism in the
Holy Spirit?
Yes, some who have been baptized in
the Holy Spirit, are not good witnesses, at least at first.
Consider what God requires. We must be thirsty, trusting in
our relationship with God, receptive, willing, and obedient.
Fortunately for most of us, God does not also require that
we be emotionally stable or mature. If we feel some are poor
witnesses for God's gifts, we should seek the gifts out of
obedience to God. Then we can be the good
witnesses.
What are some of the subjective evidences of
having been baptized in the Holy Spirit?
A common
discovery is that, since the Author now dwells in them, the
Bible suddenly comes alive to them. They understand it in a
way they never did before. They find ourselves with a new
boldness to tell others what Jesus Christ means to them.
They see and experience, more and more, the manifestation of
the spiritual gifts. They not only have a new boldness to
witness, but they have a lot more to witness about! In time,
and as they mature, they start bearing the fruits of the
spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
(Galatians 5:22-23)
But can't I experience the same things without
the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Yes, if we are
born again, we can witness to what we have received, but few
have the boldness to do so. But the more we have received,
the more we have to show and tell. But to carry out what the
Holy Spirit directs us to do, we need all the resources that
has made available to us through Him.
Then how do
I receive this baptism in the Holy Spirit?
First,
we must be born again and believe what the Scriptures say
about it.. This is an absolute prerequisite. Then the
baptism in the Holy Spirit becomes available. The Scriptures
give us the basic approach, but we must experience it
personally. That is, be thirsty, go to Jesus, who is the
Baptizer, and drink.
In the last day, that great day of the feast,
Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let
him come to me, and drink. He that believes on me, as
the Scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers
of living water. But this spoke 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 .(John 7:37-39)
A prayer based on this text that can be used is
this:
"Dear Jesus, I am thirsty!
I want to
do what you want me to do, be what you want me to be, and
go where you want me to go.
So I come to
Lord, as the baptizer in the Holy Spirit so out of my
innermost being will flow rivers of living
water. I want to be a channel of the power of
the Holy Spirit. Thank you,
Jesus."
Are there hindrance or barriers to me
receiving this baptism?
Yes. Fear, pride, lack of
trust in God, reluctance to surrender control of everything
to the Holy Spirit, not being willing to risk embarrassment,
holding unforgiveness, and holding unconfessed sin in our
lives are all hindrances. If you have difficulty receiving,
remember God wants you to have it. If you ask Him, The Holy
Spirit will reveal anything that is hindering you, provided
you are honest and receptive. Some have said, "If God wants
me to have it, he will give it to me." True, He does want
you to have it, but you must thirst for it, go to Jesus to
get it, and drink it in. Remember, you did not receive your
salvation with that approach.
Specifically, what
do I do
Different groups have some individuality
in the methods they employ for receiving the baptism in the
Holy Spirit. For some, listening to two teaching tapes, "How
to Receive the Holy Spirit," and, "How to Exercise Vocal
Gifts" by Derek
Prince, has been successful. Praying, with the
laying-on-of-hands, is a common way, and is Scriptural. This
is especially true when done by someone who has the baptism
in the Holy Spirit.
What about
this business of speaking in
tongues?
Although, it is possible to
receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit without the
manifestation of speaking in tongue, it is a gift from Jesus
who wants you to have it. All languages are made
up of a series of syllables. Tongues is also made up
of a series of syllables. The syllables will come to
your mind as thoughts but will require you to utter
them. You may receive this prayer language
spontaneously or it may require some practice, like learning
to whistle. In any case, God wants you to have it and
the devil doesn't. Don't let the enemy deceive you
into believing it is not for your it is not for today. There
is no Scriptural basis why everyone can't receive it.
Although there is no reason you can't receive it on your
own, it may be useful to have some spirit-filled person pray
for you.
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that
Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and
John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that
they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy
Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply
been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter
and John placed their hands on them, and they received
[the baptism in] the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the
Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands,
he offered them money and said, "Give me also this ability
so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the
Holy Spirit." (Acts 8:14-19)
While Apollos
was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior
and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and
asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you
believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that
there is a Holy Spirit." So Paul asked, "Then what baptism
did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied. Paul
said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told
the people to believe in the one coming after him, that
is, in Jesus." O hearing this, they were baptized into the
name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on
them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in
tongues and prophesied. (Acts 19:
1-6)
What if nothing seems to
happen?
Scripture says that when we receive it,
we receive it by faith. That is, by trusting God. Experience
teaches us there may be a need to persist until we receive
it. Again, possibly there may be some hindrances we must
deal with first. But, if we are diligent, we will receive
it. It seems, also, that those who persevere in the face of
apparent initial failure, receive a greater measure when
they do receive.
So I say to you, Ask and keep on
asking, and it shall be given you; seek and keep on
seeking, and you shall find; knock and keep on
knocking, and the door shall be opened to you. For
everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives, and he who
seeks and keeps on seeking finds, and to him who knocks
and keeps on knocking the door shall be opened. What
father among you, if his son asks for a loaf of bread,
will give him a stone; or if he asks for a fish, will
instead of a fish give him a serpent; Or if he asks for an
egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, evil-minded as
you are, know how to give good gifts -- gifts that are to
their advantage -- to your children, how much more will
your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask
and continued to ask Him! (Luke 11:9-13
)(Amp)
Note: There can be barriers to
receiving that need to be addressed
first.
Suggested prayer for receiving the
baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Note: Before saying
this prayer be sure you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and
Savior. See the
how to page.
Dear Lord
Jesus. I am thirsty. I want to go your way and do your thing
and have the boldness and the power to do it. Thererfore,
I come to you as the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit. In
obedience to your Word, I ask You to empower me to do my
part in carrying out the Great Commission. I believe you
provide us with all that you require of us if we will open
ourselves to all that you have for us and simply receive.
Therefore, I, by an act of my will, and in obedience to your
word, present myself as a living sacrifice, wholly and
acceptable to you, which is my reasonable service. I ask
you, Lord Jesus, to baptize me in the Holy Spirit with the
evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit
gives me the utterance. I receive it by faith! That
is, by a complete and total trust in You.
Amen.
Since we are always in control of
this gift of speaking in a language that we have never
learned, we must do the actual speaking. Therefore, we must
lift our voice to express the syllable sounds that come to
our mind. Like learning to whistle, it may take some
practice. Just started speaking any syllables that come into
their mind. Initially, it may only be a few words, but with
use, you will become more articulate. If you want it so
badly you can taste it, our Heavenly Father will bless you
beyond your wildest expectations! You might even get a
little emotional!
You can be sure the devil does not want
you to have such a powerful weapon that you can use against
him. He will put the thought in your mind that you are doing
this. He will accuse you of doing it yourselves. Your reply
is, "Yes, devil, I am doing the speaking myself, but it is
the Holy Spirit who is giving me the words!"
It may
help to think of a language as a series of syllables and
what will come into your thoughts will therefore be
syllables. You may wonder if they are genuine but
practice uttering them. With practice this often leads
to getting the real thing.
There is an excellent book that might prove
helpful on my
Bookshelf.
History of
Holy Spirit Baptism
Note: It is often helpful for someone to pray
with you for the baptism in the Holy Spirit. If you would
like to have that done, phone Becky Hitt who has a ministry
in praying for others to experience the Baptism in the Holy
Spirit. (619) 437-8686 or (619) 437-8647. She has almost one
hundred percent success.
.Also, remove any possible barriers that could
hinder receiving. These are covered in the barriers
page.
Dissertation on
the history of the gifts of the Holy Spirit
If you would like prayer help to receive this
baptism, Becky Hitt has a gift of helping others in getting
it. 1-909-476-3856 |
