Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, the Helper promised by Jesus. He was there at the beginning of creation (Genesis 1:2) and prophesied about in Joel 2:28-32
How do we receive the Holy Spirit? Ask in Jesus’ name, and you shall receive. The Holy Spirit is available to all who receive Him. (Luke 11:13) 'If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?' Believe that whatever you ask in the name of Jesus and according to God’s will, you shall have it. (John 15:16) 'You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you could go and produce fruit and so that your fruit could last.' As a result, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.
What is ‘speaking in tongues’?
Acts 2: 1-4 is the first record of people speaking in tongues. When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak. But when other believers accepted Christ, they also spoke in tongues often after hands were laid on them. (Acts 8:15-17, Acts 10:44-46, Acts 19:6) It is a stammering language that satan cannot understand. (Isaiah 28:11-12)
Not the same as speaking ‘in other tongues’ e.g. prophesying in Italian, although you never learnt the language. An Italian in the audience however, knows what you are saying, though you do not. It is for all of us (Acts 10:44) While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on everyone who heard the word. Why do we need the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit gives you the power to live your new life in Jesus Christ right now. (Acts 1:8)
The Holy Spirit Empowers Us:
Puts a love for God in our hearts. Romans 5:5 'and this hope does not let us down, because God’s love for us has already been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.'
Teaches us spiritual truth, and helps us remember Scripture. John 14: 26 Shows us how to be a witness for Christ i.e. telling others about Him and reflecting Him. ( Acts 1:8)
He gives us inner strength. (Ephesians 3:16)
He pleads with God on your behalf according to God’s will, so when you pray in the Spirit, you can’t ask for the wrong things. ( Romans 8:26-27)
He will reveal the things of God to you. John 16: 13-14 “However, when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own initiative but will say only what he hears. He will also announce to you the events of the future. He will glorify me, because he will receive from what is mine and announce it to you.”
Helps us make right choices and decisions. (Romans 8: 5-8)
The Holy Spirit gives us gifts that help us serve God. (I Corinthians 12: 4-11)
In conclusion, we need to ask Jesus into our hearts and be born-again and reconciled to God. But you also need to receive the Holy Spirit who enables us to live holy lives that please God or you will always struggle with living as a Christian. (Galatians 5: 16-25)