The Holy Spirit

THE HOLY SPIRIT

This study gives you the opportunity to discover the secret power of the Christian life. In it you will find out how the Holy Spirit is a powerful person who comes alongside us to help us live the Christian life.

You will also discover how the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a powerful experience that is available to every Christian who wants to receive the Holy Spirit all you have to do is ask for Him!

1. WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?

Matthew 28:19

Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

God is made up of the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. This is called the Trinity. 
Just like water, steam, and ice - They are all water but in different forms.

JOHN 15:26

But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.

• He is God
• He is our Helper
• He is the Spirit of Truth
• He is a Person

2. WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTISED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT?

The Holy Spirit brings power, freedom and fulfillment to our lives! God gives His Holy Spirit to dwell in those who have Christ; the Spirit then leads us into further relationship with the father and empowers us to live for God. 

Does the baptism of the Holy Spirit happen automatically when I become a Christian?

ACTS 19:2

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? They answered, No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.

When we asked Jesus to be Lord of our life we were born of the Spirit and the Holy Spirit came to live within us. There is however, a second experience called the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The word 'baptise' means to immerse. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a fuller immersion in the Holy Spirit.

What do I receive when I am baptised in the Holy Spirit? Read the scriptures below to help you find the answers. 

ACTS 2:1-4 

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

ACTS 4:31

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

ACTS 13:52

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-11

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

ACTS 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

3. HOW DO I RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?

It is very simple.

LUKE 11:9-13

So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

The Holy Spirit is a gift from God, and we choose to receive Him. If you want to receive Him, all you need to do is ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit. You can pray alone in your room or ask a leader to pray with you. Either way, we would love for you to share this with us! 

Remember to be open and hungry to recieve this gift from God. Do not be discouraged if you don't receive the gift of speaking in tongues straight away, rather keep approaching God with a hungry, open and expectant heart! 

4. WHAT IS SPEAKING IN TONGUES?

Speaking in tongues is biblical. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit and a sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is when you pray to God by speaking in a language that God gives to you, one that you don't understand. This language is just between your spirit & God's Spirit. Not even the enemy understands it, so he can't plot against what you're praying for.

1 CORINTHIANS 14:2

For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won't be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious.

Speaking in tongues is a weapon against the enemy. How can the enemy interrupt a plan he knows nothing about? When you pray in the Spirit, you bring forth the will of God. You are strengthened in spirit and in truth. 

1 CORINTHIANS 14:14

For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don't understand what I am saying.

ROMANS 8:26

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

JUDE 1:20-21

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Never underestimate the power of speaking in tongues! When you speak in tongues you are praying Gods perfect will. It builds your faith and strengthens your spirit. The Holy Spirit gives you the power to live a victorious life!