The Pentecostal movement has brought a renewed emphasis on the Holy Spirit. But there has been a lot of confusion that has resulted from this movement as well.
1. Luke 11:9-13 Just ask to receive the Holy Spirit. It's so simple to receive the Holy Spirit that many people miss it. Those who hunger after God's Spirit will receive it. (Matthew 5:6) What many people want, however, are thrills and miracles, and not God's Spirit.
2. Romans 8:9 All Christians have the Holy Spirit. You don't ask "Jesus" into your heart one week, and ask for his "Spirit" the next. There are not two classes of Christians (i.e. those with his Spirit and those without.)
3. Galatians 5:22-23 The proof you have God's Spirit is love, etc. Speaking in tongues does not prove you have God's Spirit. Love is the "fruit" or evidence to look for. See Acts 10:42-48. Peter just "preached the Word" and God decided what should happen in response to the faith of the people.
4. 1 John 4:7 God is love. Love is the ultimate proof that a person has God's Spirit, because love is the essence of his Spirit.
5. 1 Corinthians 13:1 Tongues without love is just a lot of noise. A strong verse to show that tongues alone proves nothing.
6. John 13:35 People will know we are Christians by our love. Jesus taught that love would be the ultimate proof that we have his Spirit. Let's concentrate on showing more love in all that we do.
7. Matthew 7:20 You'll know false teachers by their fruit. See verse 3 (above). The 'fruits' that we need to look for are love, joy, peace, longsuffe ring, gentleness, etc.
8. 2 Timothy 1:7 God's Spirit is not a spirit of fear. When God begins to speak, the devil tries to frighten us. Learn to recognise fear, and counteract it with faith. There is no need to fear if we are following God.
9. Acts 1:8 The Holy Spirit gives strength to witness. There is little need for God to give his Spirit to those who are not willing to go into all the world witnessing for him.
10. John 6:63 Christ's teachings are his Spirit. If people say that they have the Holy Spirit, and then fight Jesus' teachings, you know they are lying about having his Spirit.
11. Matthew 28:19-20 We cover people with God's Spirit by preaching. If they receive what we say, they are receiving Jesus and his Spirit. (Matthew 10:40)
12. John 20:22 The disciples received the Holy Spirit before Pentecost. Our experience of the Holy Spirit may be like a mighty rushing wind at times (Acts 2:2), but at other times, it is just a soft word or two from Jesus, as in this verse.
13. Ephesians 6:17 The Spirit of God = the Word of God. When God speaks, he breathes. "Breath" and "Spirit" come from the same word. So there is a link between Jesus, his teachings, his words, and his Spirit.
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