This article discusses what the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is and the misconceptions
John 20:29 Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed."
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire, (Luke 3:15-18)
There has been much confusion about this topic. And for some who claim to be baptized, it may give them a false sense of their spirituality. But anyone who has been baptized by the Holy Spirit knows it is an unmistakable and transformative experience— one you’ll never forget. It is a mindboggling, eye-opening, humbling, yet energizing experience, and it can't be faked. I hope I can bring some clarity to what it really means to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
First of all, it something that most Christians will never experience. Many are called, but few are chosen. (Rev 19:10) It is God the Holy who chooses. who can be baptized by f the Holy Spirit and fire You can plead until you’re blue in the face and have your church pray for your baptism, in vain, because it is God alone that decides. But that does not make you any less of a Christian than one who has had the experience. Once you accept Christ as your savior, you are sealed by the Holy Spirit to the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
His word is infallible.
Apostle Paul writes: For through the law, I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me, Galatians 2:20
But these passages are not references to the baptism in the Holy Spirit, which is a high calling at Gods own choosing, which can occur spontaneously or through special proclamation, such as prophesy or the laying of hands in these bible verses.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit can’t be second-guessed! It is most often accompanied by irrefutable signs and wonders.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is always unmistakable. Acts 2 reads: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
1 Timothy 4:14 ESV Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.
2 Timothy 1:6 ESV For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
Acts 8:17 ESV Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Luke 4:40 ESV
Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.
Acts 9:17 ESV
So, Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is distinct from walking in the Spirit or being filled with Spirit
Apostle Paul wrote, 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25
Walking in the Spirit means that we yield to His control, we follow His lead, and we allow Him to exert His influence over you.
. Apostle Paul also writes18 Do not get drunk on wine, whi
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire, (Luke 3:15-18)
There has been much confusion and disinformation about this topic. And for some who claim to be baptized, it may give them a false sense of their spirituality. But anyone who has been baptized by the Holy Spirit knows it is an unmistakable and transformative experience— one you’ll never forget. It is a mindboggling, eye-opening, humbling, yet energizing experience, and it can't be faked. I hope I can bring some clarity to what it really means to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
First of all, it something that most Christians will never experience. Many are called, but few are chosen. (Rev 19:10) It is God the Holy who chooses. who can be baptized by f the Holy Spirit and fire You can plead until you’re blue in the face and have your church pray for your baptism, in vain, because it is God alone that decides. But that does not make you any less of a Christian than one who has had the experience. Once you accept Christ as your savior, you are sealed by the Holy Spirit to the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
The Bapitsim of the Holy Spirit Can't be Faked
Apostle Paul writes: For through the law, I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me, Galatians 2:20
But these passages are not references to the baptism in the Holy Spirit, which is a high calling at Gods own choosing, which can occur spontaneously or through special proclamation, such as prophesy or the laying of hands in these bible verses.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit can’t be second-guessed! It is most often accompanied by irrefutable signs and wonders.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit in always unmistakable. Acts 2 reads: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
1 Timothy 4:14 ESV Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.
2 Timothy 1:6 ESV For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
Acts 8:17 ESV Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Luke 4:40 ESV
Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.
Acts 9:17 ESV
So, Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is distinct from walking in the Spirit or being filled with Spirit
Apostle Paul wrote, 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25
Walking in the Spirit means that we yield to His control, we follow His lead, and we allow Him to exert His influence over you.
. Apostle Paul also writes18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit Ephesians 5:18
The Difference between being Filled with the Holy Spirit or being Spirit Filled and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Being Spirit-filled is centered upon a continual process of spiritual growth and maturity that can only be found and cultivated by the Spirit of God. This is a daily submission as we walk with the Lord, being filled for His glory
When you accept Christ, you are filled you with the Holy Spirit and Christ dwells within you. But that is not the same as the Baptism by fire and the Holy Spirit. It is analogous to the difference between drinking water to quench your thirst, and being dipped or drenched in it. I Corinthians 6:19-20 reads: Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies In Luke 3;16, when Jesus said, there is one coming who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He was not talking to a crowd of thousands, but to a select group of men and women who would be called to be his future disciples. And some who would become Apostles like Peter who was beheaded and Paul who was persecuted, for Christ. And through whom many were baptized n the Holy Spirit, foretelling their crucial role in laying the foundation of the church.
Apostle Paul writes in Corinthians 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 1 Corinthians 12:28 (NIV) reads: And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
Spiritual Gifts are apportioned differently with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. As this important passage of the new testament reveals:
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 reads God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in the Holy Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate from the Holy Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful: wise counsel clear understanding simple trust healing the sick miraculous acts proclamation distinguishing between spirits tongues interpretation of tongues. All these gifts have a common origin but are handed out one by one by the Holy Spirit. He decides who gets what, and when. 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 reads: You are Christ’s body—that’s who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your “part” mean anything. You’re familiar with some of the parts that God has formed in his church, which is his “body”: apostles prophets teachers miracle workers healers, helpers, organizers, and those who pray in tongues or interpret them. But it’s obvious by now, isn’t it, that Christ’s church is a complete Body and not a gigantic, unidimensional Part? I
Not all Pray in Tongues
Corinthians 12:29 reads not all Apostle, not all Prophet, not all Miracle Worker, not all Healer, not all Pray in Tongues, not all are Interpreters of Tongues. And yet some of you keep competing for so-called “important” parts.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11Paul writes, “But now I want to lay out a far better way for you. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”
Corinthians 12:28 reads: And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. These men and women had to go through a baptism as by fire, where they experienced the power and presence of God in a manner so indescribable and so unique, it signaled a special role and anointing in the church.
Experiencing the Presence of God.
In Exodus 33:18-20 18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”
Wrong & Misleading Teachings
Those who wrongly taught the Baptism in the Holy spirt is available to any Christian have churned out lots of deluded Christians speaking gibberish not the tongues of heaven, well as false disciples, apostles, prophets, healers, etc., pretending to do these amazing feats including pretending to prophesy, pretending to work miracles pretending to speak in tongues and interpret, pretending to have gifts of healing. All because they were misled by incompetent biblical scholars or teachers, and sometimes con-artist-preachers looking to make a buck or they were whipped into a frenzy of “revival.” —Crowds can be contagious. No different than a crowd of hippies cheering a rock band. And for many it became a point of no return. Some genuinely believed and bought into the lie. But Jesus said, you shall know these pretenders by their fruit — their conduct.:
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35
You Will Know Them by Their Fruits Matthew 7:15-20
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
These false teachers and false disciples have done and continue to do great damage to the church. They may have accepted Christ but gone astray. These gifts are for the Church – the body of Christ But some most unfortunately come to the Church, wooed by these gifts and not for salvation through Christ’s death on the cross. — Like one in the bible who wanted the powers of the apostles a recipe for disaster, Simon the Sorcerer. Acts 8:14-23 reads: 14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
No Need to Fret.
But Paul writes, “What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.” Philippians 1”18. In other words, don’t get bent out of shape over this.
2 Corinthians 12:12 reads: The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.
Finally, here’s an inspirational song about the Holy Spirit by Danniebelle Hall https://www.youtube.com/embed/cl2JDz-2x3k This article discusses what the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is and what it is not
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire, (Luke 3:15-18)
There has been much confusion about this topic. And for some who claim to be baptized, it may give them a false sense of their spirituality. But anyone who has been baptized by the Holy Spirit knows it is an unmistakable and transformative experience— one you’ll never forget. It is a mindboggling, eye-opening, humbling, yet energizing experience, and it can't be faked. I hope I can bring some clarity to what it really means to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
First of all, it something that most Christians will never experience. Many are called, but few are chosen. (Rev 19:10) It is God the Holy who chooses. who can be baptized by f the Holy Spirit and fire You can plead until you’re blue in the face and have your church pray for your baptism, in vain, because it is God alone that decides. But that does not make you any less of a Christian than one who has had the experience. Once you accept Christ as your savior, you are sealed by the Holy Spirit to the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
And His word is infallible.
Apostle Paul writes: For through the law, I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me, Galatians 2:20
But these passages are not references to the baptism in the Holy Spirit, which is a high calling at Gods own choosing, which can occur spontaneously or through special proclamation, such as prophesy or the laying of hands in these bible verses.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit can’t be second-guessed! It is most often accompanied by irrefutable signs and wonders.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is always unmistakable. Acts 2 reads: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
1 Timothy 4:14 ESV Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.
2 Timothy 1:6 ESV For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
Acts 8:17 ESV Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Luke 4:40 ESV
Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.
Acts 9:17 ESV
So, Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is distinct from walking in the Spirit or being filled with Spirit
Apostle Paul wrote, 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25
Walking in the Spirit means that we yield to His control, we follow His lead, and we allow Him to exert His influence over you.
. Apostle Paul also writes18 Do not get drunk on wine, whi
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire, (Luke 3:15-18)
There has been much confusion and disinformation about this topic. And for some who claim to be baptized, it may give them a false sense of their spirituality. But anyone who has been baptized by the Holy Spirit knows it is an unmistakable and transformative experience— one you’ll never forget. It is a mindboggling, eye-opening, humbling, yet energizing experience, and it can't be faked. I hope I can bring some clarity to what it really means to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
First of all, it something that most Christians will never experience. Many are called, but few are chosen. (Rev 19:10) It is God the Holy who chooses. who can be baptized by f the Holy Spirit and fire You can plead until you’re blue in the face and have your church pray for your baptism, in vain, because it is God alone that decides. But that does not make you any less of a Christian than one who has had the experience. Once you accept Christ as your savior, you are sealed by the Holy Spirit to the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30
And His word is infallible.
Apostle Paul writes: For through the law, I died to the law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me, Galatians 2:20
But these passages are not references to the baptism in the Holy Spirit, which is a high calling at Gods own choosing, which can occur spontaneously or through special proclamation, such as prophesy or the laying of hands in these bible verses.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit can’t be second-guessed! It is most often accompanied by irrefutable signs and wonders.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit in always unmistakable. Acts 2 reads: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
1 Timothy 4:14 ESV Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.
2 Timothy 1:6 ESV For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
Acts 8:17 ESV Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Luke 4:40 ESV
Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.
Acts 9:17 ESV
So, Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is distinct from walking in the Spirit or being filled with Spirit
Apostle Paul wrote, 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25
Walking in the Spirit means that we yield to His control, we follow His lead, and we allow Him to exert His influence over you.
. Apostle Paul also writes18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit Ephesians 5:18
Being Spirit-filled is centered upon a continual process of spiritual growth and maturity that can only be found and cultivated by the Spirit of God. This is a daily submission as we walk with the Lord, being filled for His glory
When you accept Christ, you are filled you with the Holy Spirit and Christ dwells within you. But that is not the same as the Baptism by fire and the Holy Spirit. It is analogous to the difference between drinking water to quench your thirst, and being dipped or drenched in it. I Corinthians 6:19-20 reads: Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies In Luke 3;16, when Jesus said, there is one coming who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He was not talking to a crowd of thousands, but to a select group of men and women who would be called to be his future disciples. And some who would become Apostles like Peter who was beheaded and Paul who was persecuted, for Christ. And through whom many were baptized n the Holy Spirit, foretelling their crucial role in laying the foundation of the church.
Apostle Paul writes in Corinthians 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 1 Corinthians 12:28 (NIV) reads: And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
Spiritual Gifts are apportioned differently through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. As this important passage of the new testament reveals:
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 reads God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in the Holy Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate from the Holy Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful: wise counsel clear understanding simple trust healing the sick miraculous acts proclamation distinguishing between spirits tongues interpretation of tongues. All these gifts have a common origin but are handed out one by one by the Holy Spirit. He decides who gets what, and when. 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 reads: You are Christ’s body—that’s who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your “part” mean anything. You’re familiar with some of the parts that God has formed in his church, which is his “body”: apostles prophets teachers miracle workers healers, helpers, organizers, and those who pray in tongues or interpret them. But it’s obvious by now, isn’t it, that Christ’s church is a complete Body and not a gigantic, unidimensional Part? I
Corinthians 12:29 reads not all Apostle, not all Prophet, not all Miracle Worker, not all Healer, not all Pray in Tongues, not all are Interpreters of Tongues. And yet some of you keep competing for so-called “important” parts.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11Paul writes, “But now I want to lay out a far better way for you. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”
Corinthians 12:28 reads: And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. These men and women had to go through a baptism as by fire, where they experienced the power and presence of God in a manner so indescribable and so unique, it signaled a special role and anointing in the church.
Experiencing the Presence of God.
In Exodus 33:18-20 18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”
Wrong & Misleading Teachings
Those who wrongly taught the Baptism in the Holy spirt is available to any Christian have churned out lots of deluded Christians speaking gibberish not the tongues of heaven, well as false disciples, apostles, prophets, healers, etc., pretending to do these amazing feats including pretending to prophesy, pretending to work miracles pretending to speak in tongues and interpret, pretending to have gifts of healing. All because they were misled by incompetent biblical scholars or teachers, and sometimes con-artist-preachers looking to make a buck or they were whipped into a frenzy of “revival.” —Crowds can be contagious. No different than a crowd of hippies cheering a rock band. And for many it became a point of no return. Some genuinely believed and bought into the lie. But Jesus said, you shall know these pretenders by their fruit — their conduct.:
John 13:35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
You Will Know Them by Their Fruits
Matthew 7:15-20
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
These false teachers and false disciples have done and continue to do great damage to the church. They may have accepted Christ but gone astray. These gifts are for the Church – the body of Christ But some most unfortunately come to the Church, wooed by these gifts and not for salvation through Christ’s death on the cross. — Like one in the bible who wanted the powers of the apostles a recipe for disaster, Simon the Sorcerer. Acts 8:14-23 reads: 14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
No Need to Fret.
But Paul writes, “What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.” Philippians 1”18. In other words, don’t get bent out of shape over this.
2 Corinthians 12:12 reads: The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.
Finally, here’s an inspirational song about the Holy Spirit by Danniebelle Hall https://www.youtube.com/embed/cl2JDz-2x3k