What is the purpose of water baptism in your view?
To clarify, I think Paul was BIG on baptisms. But not BIG on performing them himself.
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Why hadn't the baptized believers in Samaria received the Holy Spirit?
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To clarify, I think Paul was BIG on baptisms. But not BIG on performing them himself.
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Lambano
Well-Known Member
8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so is everyone who has been born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8)
Had a guy over at Broward Community College, didn't know him from Adam, came up to me and offered to "teach" (??) me the gift of Tongues. (Do strangers walk up to you out of the blue with offers like that? I kept one hand on my wallet.) He prayed over me in a tongue that sounded vaguely like it had some Spanish ancestry to it, but it didn't work.
Maybe it's just me.
Lambano
Well-Known Member
"A sacrament is an outward and visible sign of an inward reality." That answer comes right out of the Methodist Book of Discipline.
Lambano
Well-Known Member
We'll dunk 'em, we'll sprinkle 'em, we'll soak 'em with a garden hose.
That was pretty random, as the kids say. - LOL
The guy must have thought that he had a mandate to distribute gifts. Not how it works, obviously.
Because of my religious upbringing, I had trouble receiving tongues. (personal prayer language)
I was seeking tongues as evidence of the baptism with the Spirit. I visited a church where a pastor prayed for me.
Nothing happened at that time. It occurred to me years later that I had received the Spirit when
I was 17 years old as a result of this evangelical pamphlet. - LOL
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Lambano
Well-Known Member
We do it. Is looking for confirmation wrong? Does it indicate a lack of faith?
Ritajanice
Born-Again
Knowing what I do now, I would have approached it differently, I suppose.
I was operating on what little knowledge I had about the subject.
So, no, not wrong. But my goal was what the Baptism offered in terms of deeper spiritual ministries.
There are a whole list of gifts beyond the evidence of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit.
It was a passageway into a whole realm of manifestations. I have testified to some of them.
I may have mentioned the sensation of a gentle warm flame on my palms while I was worshiping with out-held hands.
Thought it was a circulation issue initially. So I tried to shake it off. - LOL
Later, the Spirit fire on my hands brought healing to a man.
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MA2444
Well-Known Member
This is interesting, I like the topic. I would think that there many different manifestations of the Spirit in many different people. It does say that this is for each one, that is, for everyone.
But apparently the only example in scripture of a manifestation of the Spirit was speaking in tongues. Do you speak in Tongues? Have you ever spoken in tongues? Do you believe it's real? It happened to me...
I had been hearing lots of talk about speaking in tingues and how powerful it can be but I had never spoken in tongues before and didn't know how. I've had multiple people tell me that they can teach me how to speak in tongues. And I chewed on that and felt something off with it? If speaking in tongues is the Holy Spirit praying for us then how could anyone teach me how to speak for the Holy Spirit? I would not dare to try too put words into the Spirit's mouth! But I prayed about it and remained interested in it and very much so desired to be Baptized in the Holy Spirit.
This went on for a season I continued to press in on it as best I know how. But I was scared to try it on my own. I can't speak for the Holy Spirit! And then out of the blue, one day I'm sitting there checking my emails and I decided to pray about something, I forget what it was exactly. When I started to speak strange words came out of my mouth that I did not make those unknown words to come forth from me! I pray in English! But I knew almost immediately what was happening, this was the Holy Spirit. I had had it on my mind and upon my heart for some time now and wanted to speak in tongues and be Baptized in the Spirit, so I knew enough to stand down and just listen to what was said and I let Him finish before I started my prayer in English! He was done pretty quick a few minutes and I just sat there in awe, and this peace came over me and my spirit. I knew I had received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
And then I found that scripture! The one you posted. " All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines..../"
So nobody can choose the time to speak in tongues, it is as He determines when you are ready for it!
I've woken up in the morning several times, speaking in tongues. I don't know what He says, but it has to be good! Praise the Lord!
And Happy Thanksgiving.
MA2444
Well-Known Member
Thanks. I'm glad that you find this interesting. I do too, obviously.
Yes. I do. On a regular basis. I used to do it more, actually.
Perhaps the novelty has worn off a bit. - LOL
Yes, that can be a hurdle. It doesn't make sense that someone could teach you how to manifest the Spirit.
But I was listening to a cassette tape (dating myself) of a guy teaching on the subject.
I repeated one line that he was speaking in tongues and it acted like priming a pump.
The tongues have poured out of me ever since.
I catch myself muttering softly and realize it is tongues.
I even use it for Spirit-filled expletives. - LOL
(I mean INSTEAD of cussing)
You too.
Yes.
I didn't know what it was. Had never heard of such a thing.
Sometimes an arm or leg will "fall sleep" accompanied by a tingling.
That's what I thought it was. - LOL
I used to enjoy God's presence so much in the worship service, that I would
stay in the sanctuary after service when people were leaving and just bask in the glory.
These were some special times. (yummy)
One thing I learned is that an upturned hand is like a radio receiver for the Spirit.
I aim my other hand toward whoever I am praying for. Works like a conduit for the Spirit.
Or like a spiritual battery charger for me. Worship is a very healing time.
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MA2444 said:
Tried to shake it off! Lol.
I asked God to show me what it was.
So when it happened I would close my eyes and visualize my out-held hands.
Then it was revealed that there was a gentle warm delicate flame flickering on each palm.
Wow. Like the lamps in the Temple.
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Tried to shake it off! Lol.
Eventually I stopped fighting the gentle warmth on my hands.
I asked God to show me what it was.
So when it happened I would close my eyes and visualize my out-held hands.
Then it was revealed that there was a gentle warm delicate flame flickering on each palm.
Wow. Like the lamps in the Temple.
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David in NJ
Well-Known Member
The Book of Acts is CRUCIAL to the Body of Christ as it has CLEAR answers for every student of the Bible.
Acts chapter 19 is one of those crucial answers.
MA2444
Well-Known Member
I never really seen any any novelty in it. I like it a whole lot when He speaks because I can trust that the right prayers are going up about me! I felt like a different man almost after it happened the first time.
I remember using 8 Track Tapes! The Cassette tapes were the new thing! I feel old now! But I know that's just an illusion, lol.
Over time it seems as if I can begin to speak in tongues but it's done sort of like reaching into my spirit and willing it to be with my focus on the Lord then it just starts. Sometimes for awhile and sometimes real short.
I do the same thing.
Like my foot falls asleep sometimes? Maybe it's more of a He puts our soul to sleep so he'll be quiet while He's praying?! More likely. Tongues is a big thing spiritually speaking! I bet some day we can get the interpretation's for our tongues!
Did you really write that? - LOL
Never thought about that, but I suppose our thoughts afterward are just that, or a commentary on it.
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MA2444
Well-Known Member
Yeah, so what? It is a big thing. I think fasting is a big thing too. Why?
The Lord mentioned one time when He was talking and He said that man still knows almost nothing about our DNA. That a movie can be made from our DNA and that eventually we will be able to do that. Everything that occurred during whatever, even down to the sounds and smells and everything, it's all in there. A record of our entire life and our ancestors!
I'm not sure why He told me that? One time He says, you know how people say ...if the walls could talk...? Yeah... Well they see everything and hear everything that's ever happened, all matter can. We just dont have that connection with inanimate objects but He says we will someday.
Do you know how cool that would be?! A man is on trial for murder of a young lady. There were no witnesses! That's ok, she was wearing a necklace when she died we go into Recess so the necklace can be brought in and we can play the movie and see what happened and who...Now that would be cool!
I think I went off topic there a wee bit, lol.
New topic:
www.christianityboard.com
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Turn the other cheek, or turn over some tables? - When do we do what?
This begs some questions about how to best handle the abuse of others. - When do we turn the other cheek? And... - When do we turn over some tables? Jesus did both. Acts 4:18-20 NIV Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But...
www.christianityboard.com
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