 | Reverend Terry G. Fox is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church. He is Chairman of the North American Mission Board, member of its Executive Committee and the FamilyNet Broadcast Communications Committee, as well as numerous other subcommittees. He's listed on the Who's Who Among Outstanding Corporate Executives. He is a sought after speaker and has traveled and ministered in many places in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Rev. Fox and his wife Barbara have three children. You may contact him at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 South Topeka, Wichita, Kansas, 67211; phone (316) 262-1452; or Fax (316) 262-4704. |
Religion
2004-02-01 09:19:00
What does it mean to get the ‘Holy Spirit’?
: What does it mean to "Get the Holy Spirit?" Why do some religions believe in this and others do not? Is this the same as speaking in tongues? Why can the average person not understand it when someone is speaking in tongues?
ANSWER: When one says "get the Holy Ghost" he usually means that a Christian needs to have a "Second Blessing" by receiving the Holy Spirit into his life. Those who believe this are frequently called "Pentecostal" or "Charismatic". Such an experience is described in the New Testament three times: (1) [Acts 2] At Pentecost, ten days after Christ's ascension, the Holy Spirit came upon the believers assembled to pray. They were flooded with joy and a desire to tell others about Jesus. As they went out into the streets of Jerusalem where many foreign-born Jews had come for the religious holidays, they were able to speak the native languages of these pilgrims. (2) [Acts 8:14-17] The Gospel news was heard and believed by the half-Jews of Samaria. When Peter came, they were given the Holy Spirit in the same manner as the Jews many months before. (3) [Acts 10] Peter was led by God to a Roman Army officer, Cornelius. He and some in his household became the first Gentile Christians with an experience similar to the Jews at Pentecost. All three of these events were presided over by the Apostle Peter. He had been promised to have the "keys to the kingdom" and he opened the door to each of these classes of persons: Jews, half-Jews and Gentiles. However, the Scriptures teach that since that transition time, all who become Christians, receive the Holy Spirit at the time they receive Christ as their Savior and Lord. The Holy Spirit was often spoken of in the Old Testament. He came upon a person to give special ability, strength, or to prophesy, and then left. He did not remain permanently with a person.After King David sinned, he prayed, "Do not take Your Spirit from me." He needed the Spirit to be a godly king. There were many promises that in the future, the Spirit would be given to all God's followers. See, e.g., Joel 2:28-29, Isa.59:20-21, Ezek.36:26-27, II Pet.1:20-21. Until the atonement for the human race was done by Christ's death, the Holy Spirit would not "abide" in persons. Jesus told His disciples on His last night with them, that after He returned to Heaven, the Holy Spirit that had been WITH them would be IN them. [John 14:16-17,25]. After the start of the Church age, the Holy Spirit performs many things in the new Christian. He "regenerates" i.e. gives a "new life", a "new birth" [Jn.3:6, Rom.8:9,16-17]. He "Indwells" them [Gal.3;24, I Cor.2;11-12].He "baptizes" the new Believer into the Church [I Cor.12:12-13]. All these are done to us unconsciously when we commit ourself to Christ in faith. However, I am commanded consciously to "be filled with the Spirit" [Eph.5:18] and not to "quench" or "grieve" Him. Then the "fruit of the Spirit" will fill my life [Gal.5:22-23].
