[ Post a Response | Community Chapel Gathering ]
Posted by Lanny on 5/3/2006, 11:23 pm
67.183.10.211
---First one must define what is meant by the term. By BHS I am referring to what took place in Acts 2:4. I am NOT referring to the many anointings, movings, callings, convictings, washings, etc, etc of the Holy Spirit.
---One can experience the HS before he is even saved. The HS is said to "Convict the world of sin..." Jn16:8. Are those people "filled" as per Acts 2:4? Others can be drawn by the Spirit. Still others can have truth revealed to them. None of this working of the Holy Spirit necessarily means that they have received what happened in Acts 2:4.
---The Holy Spirit also regenerates at salvation. This is when one is "Born of the Spirit." Being "Born of the Spirit" does not necessarily mean one has received what happened in Acts 2:4.
---Acts 2:4 is a milestone. From that day on the Holy Spirit was given to ALL instead of just the few kings, priests, prophets, & judges who received a similiar anointing to enable them to accomplish God's will for their time. Joel said, God will "Pour out His Spirit on ALL flesh..." That had not happened and was really a remarkable promise. Before Pentecost the Spirit was given to those called to a ministry. It was not given to many and nobody could ask for it and expect anything. Elisha did and he is an exception. It went with the calling. In Numbers 11 we read about the 70 Moses appointed to help Moses. When they were chosen the Spirit came upon them and they prophesied. The Spirit did NOT come upon them before that day. Moses said, "Would God He would put His Spirit on all the people." The point is that few had it. When Samuel took the horn of oil and poured it on David's head, "The Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day and forward." The Spirit went with the calling to be king.
---For us the Spirit is given that we might have "Power to be His witnesses." That is our calling. (Acts 1:8) That is Acts 2:4. Signs will follow as surely as signs followed in Old Testament times. As surely as Joel listed all kinds of supernatural signs as part of the promise. The age of the Spirit is to be an age of signs. That is what the Spirit is all about.
---Acts 2:4 has really nothing to do with all the other workings of the Holy Spirit in believers lives. Of course when one is "Born of the Spirit" the Spirit begins to work in the life of every believer. Contact with God's Spirit should begin to produce all kinds of "fruits of the Spirit" as well as the workings of the Spirit. That was true of the disciples and continues to be true today. It is not, however, Acts 2:4.
---Acts 2:4 was an experience that Peter recognized fulfilled Joel's prophecy. It was also ministered by the apostles to others. I note:
...People can be saved & baptized without it.(Acts 8:12)
...It is proper to pray for others to receive it (Acts 8:15)
...Laying on of hands was commonly used (Acts 8:17; 9:17; 19:6)
...It is proper to ask people if they have received (Acts 19:2)
...Outward signs signified when people received the Holy Spirit, mainly tongues. This follows the OT pattern and is also according to Joel's prophecy. Tongues themselves is a new manifestation beginning with Acts 2:4.
---Regarding tongues being the sign of the BHS I ask, why did they speak in tongues SIMULTANEOUSLY with the initial coming of the Spirit 3 times in Acts? How about in Acts 10 where those gentiles had no doubt never even heard of it? Why did GOD initiate this experience simultaneously with the Baptism of the HS? If I see a connection between tongues and the coming of Joel's prophecy do I have Scriptural grounds?
---All of the other experiences people have regarding the Holy Spirit are just that. They are experiences with the Holy Spirit. They may be many, varied and powerful. They do not, however, mean someone has received what took place in Acts 2:4.
---In saying all of this I am not trying to tell people what they don't have. I applaud all of the Spirit's working in their lives. I do point out that something promised by Joel, commanded by Christ, and ministered by the apostles might yet be a wonderful gift which they may not have yet received. Paul found people like that and so do we. Paul seems to make it important. Do we?
Regards,
Lanny
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