The Evidence of being filled with the Spirit
...ar shows that you have received a new car so as speaking in another tongue shows that you have been filled with the Spirit. We believe that the initial physical evidence of being filled with the Spirit is speaking in another tongue. Everywhere that the bible talks about people being baptized with the Spirit it say that they spoke in an unknown tongue. We know that on the Day of Pentecost while the disciples were in the upper room tarrying for what Jesus promise that a mighty rushing wind came in and cloven tongues of fire set over their heads. It goes on to say that men outside in the city heard these plain ordinary men praising God in many languages even though they only knew how to speak in probably one or two languages. In other cases of people be filled with the Spirit it also says that they spoke in tongues. Therefore it is believed that the Biblical norm for someone to be filled with the Spirit is to speak in another language. Some want to say that when it says Paul was filled with the Spirit it never says that he spoke in tongues. However, we read in Corinthians he says that he thanks his God that he speaks in tongues more than you all do. It is clear that Paul had been filled with the Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. The reason it never said Paul spoke in tongues when he was suppose to have received the Holy Spirit is that the author knew that his audience understood that is what happens when you are baptized in the Spirit and did not feel it was necessary to tell that. It could have also been talking about him being baptized in water because so translations that we have today just say he was baptized and does not say that he was baptized in the spirit. However we believe there is enough Biblical evidence to show that the initial physical evidence of being filled with Spirit is to speak in tongues. Some would say that speaking in tongues has been done away with since the death of the apostles. They say that in I Corinthians 13 it says that Paul is talking about that tongues will soon cease. Paul say that when that which is perfect is come then tongues will cease. We know that when Jesus comes for His bride there will not be that need to speak in tongues but that which is perfect has not come. In Acts 2:39 it says “For the promise is unto you and to your children and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call”. The question is who is he talking about that is afar off. We believe that it is future generations that he is talking about that are afar off. In John 7:39 it says talks about the Holy Spirit and John says it had not been given yet but that every believer should receive it. It through these we believe that the Baptism in the Spirit is for today and has not ceased to be in existence. The purpose of the baptism is so that you and I can be endued with power. Why would God cutoff on this side of Heaven? If anyone needs the power of the Holy Spirit it is today’s generation. Never in the Word of God does God ever give a cutoff date for this gift. Some would say that speaking in tongues are not given for everybody. Why would God withhold one of His best gifts from someone that ask of Him? It says in Matthew 7:11, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” God wants to give His gifts to all that ask Him. It is for everyone that wants to be filled with the Spirit. If God would not give you a gift because it supposedly is not for everyone then would he not be being a respecter of persons. The Holy Spirit is promised to all those who want to receive the Spirit. The fact is that it is a gift given to all men but we must ask to receive the Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Holy Spirit serves many purposes for a believer. It first will bring you to a new and greater relationship with Christ. It says in John 16:13-14, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.” Thomas Holdcroft says, “The Spirit controlled life assures Christlikeness and discourages carnality.” It is the Holy Spirit that now lives in you and helps you to be more like Christ. It also creates in you a greater desire to praise God. This desire comes from the tongue that you are speaking in because it glorifies God when you are speaking in an unknown tongue. Spirit filled believe...