The Holy Spirit Manifestations

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth”.

The Holy Spirit and the experiences we get through Him are the most misunderstood and misinterpreted teachings in the Holy Bible. This understanding has caused the rise of many cults and the fall of many churches.

Let us start our lesson from Ezekiel 47:1-5 there are four experiences or measurements in the river that flows and gives life. Similarly we should compare this with four experiences with the Holy Spirit as follows. Let us understand that this is not just a sign which we can opt for. This is the path that has to be followed so that the land and the seas will be healed because of our Holy Spirit.

1. Anointing of the Holy Spirit

The word Anointing is seen only twice in the New Testament in 1 John 2:20 and 27. Both the verses say that the Anointing is already in you. The context of this verse is to churches that had to be encouraged and be full of joy which they were lacking and did not have true fellowship which is the first quality in Christendom. The reason John mentions anointing is that the believers who had received the anointing did not believe in the truth. Verse 18 speaks about Anti-Christs who would come with small deviations in doctrine and try to confuse us. But all we have to do is trust in the anointing God has given us so that we will progress into perfection.

The interesting thing about Anointing is that this always happens in the beginning of ministry or when decisions are made and not like today’s ordination where a person is trained well and when he passes those stages we anoint the person to be a minister. That anointing completely belongs to the Old Testament. We should not believe in Anointing pastors or ministers but that we all are anointed. The reason why we are anointed is that we are separated for a different purpose and the first thing we get is discernment from God. We cannot say that we were cheated into doctrines as a true anointing will safeguard us with Christ.

2. Baptism of the Holy Spirit

After anointing a person, salvation occurs as the second stage. We read that in Titus 3:5-7. Salvation is the true separation of us by renewing our soul as the Holy Spirit washes us completely. We also read this in Romans 12:2 as we have to conform according to this renewal. We can also read that we have been clothed with Christ when we got baptism in Galatians 3. But we still have a choice to conform according to the clothing that we are currently wearing or just live a hypocritical life. This is the reason why Jesus had hated hypocrisy more than all sins because that sin does not have any hope of salvation. Baptism is the first step the Holy Spirit does when he comes inside us. But this cleansing is not one time but happens throughout our life.

3. Indwelling of Holy Spirit

A good emphasize on the indwelling of the Holy Spirit can be found at 1 Corinthians 3:16. In the beginning of the chapter, Paul mentions that you are just babies and have to grow up. And Paul confronts them at that stage that they have to realize themselves being the temple of God. So, since God is residing here and working, if we make efforts to destroy the temple by building it with perishing materials, we will be destroyed. Also, Paul mentions baptism by fire in this context to which we have to survive and the indwelling of Holy Spirit is not sufficient by we need Him to build the temple so that God Almighty can come in and reside. Also, it is possible for us to grieve Him who resides inside us (Ep 4:30). We should be led by Him and otherwise we are not part of the new covenant (Galatians 5:18).

4. Being Filled with the Holy Spirit

This is the complete experience with the Holy Spirit but we cannot claim that this is only for mature believers. Disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit the first time on the day of Pentecost and spoke in tongues. Jesus when filled was led to the wilderness for being tempted which means that he immediately progressed to the next level. As soon as Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit, he preached immediately (Acts 9:20). In Acts 13:9, Paul could discern a false prophet. The experience is given at many stages whenever necessary. In Acts 4:8, it was when Peter was interrogated; he was filled by the Holy Spirit. In Acts 13:52, when there was trouble and rejection, the filling gave them joy.

But we relate only worship and being filled with the Holy Spirit together so that we will get temporary strength. There was not one incident in the Bible which says that they were motivated by others to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues is a very useful gift from God so that we could strengthen ourselves. But the Holy Spirit experience does not stop there. The whole purpose of the best gift Father God has given us is that He would teach us and guide us towards perfection. But if we rely on experiences only and not progress up, we are grieving Him.

Tongues

Tongues did not occur only during the filling of the Holy Spirit. The first time it had (2:4) but afterwards, (10:44-46 and 19:6) they spoke in tongues when the Holy Spirit came upon them which is when they were anointed. But in all the three occurrences there was another purpose that is, speaking in local tongues, gentiles magnifying God and prophesying. The church at Corinth had only spoken in tongues and did not grow beyond that and that’s why Paul had to correct them in 1 Cor 14. In 14^th verse Paul mentions that the mind has no effect when speaking in tongues as it is very much a personal edification.

As in Galatians 5:18, Paul compares being drunk and being filled with the Holy Spirit. The reason is that we get temporary joy when being drunk. But if disciples of God together be filled with the Holy Spirit, they can make right decisions, speak wisely and be emboldened so that they can proclaim the word of God as it is.

Let us know the Spirit better and grow in Him. 1 Corinthians 14:12, 26

Amen.