Pray this day finds you & your well. This should help you out..Remember the theif hanging by Jesus that ask Jesus to remember him, Jesus replied "today you shall be with me in heaven". Do you feel this man is now in heaven with Jesus? Of course he is.Therefore, he wasn't taking down, baptised, then returned to the cross.! Jesus died for ALL sin & if one excepts Him as Lord& Savior: John 3:16; they are now baptised with His holy spirit. I got baptised cuz I want ppl to hold me accountable To my repenting. Yet it is not a requirement to get to be saved or get to heaven or His death was for nothing. When it was said, NO works can get you to heaven, baptism was included my child of God.
Great to be here and to continually even though I learnt since I was a teen. I learnt to be Gods child, you have to accept Him as your personal Savior. Pastor prays for you and that's it. I only got Baptized 2 yrs later. Not totally understanding it as well.
Know I learn, you have to Baptized 1st as mentioned in Acts 2v38 In the name of Jesus Christ not in Jesus name ?
This discussion and Bible app is amazing. Reading all over again to really understand the Word.
Not one person in the entire book of Acts were baptized in the titles, Father, Son & Holy Ghost.
For myself, once I was re-baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, I wanted so much more of God. I did not receive the Holy Ghost {w/ the utterance} right away, not until almost 3 years later.
I have a friend that is filled w/ the Holy Ghost w/ tongues & years ago was baptized in titles. Someone was trying to teach him about being baptized in Jesus name, but found it hard to understand.
He told us the other day that the Lord asked him a question, "What name are you baptized in"? He said "None". That's when the revelation came to him.
Now it's up to everyone to ask for revelation of Gods truth.
Don't argue about it. If you don't want to believe it, then dont'.
My church is a book of Acts assembly following Christ in all his ways w/ love and through the Apostles doctrine.
Jesus spoke, "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last { Revelation 1}
"Hearken unto me O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I am also the last" { Isaiah 48}. I love his truth.
And they drew Alexander out of the multitude,.... Or "some of the multitude brought forth Alexander"; into the theatre, in order to kill him, by casting him to the wild beasts. Some think this is the same with Alexander the coppersmith, who apostatized upon this danger he was exposed to, and became a blasphemer, and a great enemy of the apostle, and did him much evil, 1 Timothy 1:20. This man, though his name was a Greek name, yet was a Jew, as is expressed in Acts 19:34 and from the times of Alexander the great, who was at Jerusalem, this name became common among the Jews; See Gill on Acts 4:6.
The Jews putting him forward; being equally enemies to him, as being under a profession of Christianity, as the Heathens were; or as the Syriac version reads, "the people of the Jews", that were there, out of themselves, pitched upon him as a proper person to still the uproar; and they brought him out of the multitude, to a convenient place, where he might be heard; and they the rather were forward to this, that he might lay all the blame of this confusion and uproar upon Paul and his companions, whom the Jews had an aversion to, as well as the Gentiles:
and Alexander beckoned with the hand; for silence, that he might be heard:
and would have made his defence unto the people; which looks as if he was a Christian, or at least was charged with being one, and was in danger of his life on that account; and therefore was desirous of being heard, that he might make an apology for the Christians, or remove such an imputation from himself, if he was not.
And they thrust forward - Namely, the artificers and workmen, Alexander - Probably some well - known Christian whom they saw in the crowd: the Jews pushing him on - To expose him to the more danger. And Alexander waving with his hand - In token of desiring silence, would have made a defence - For himself and his brethren.
People's Bible Notes for Acts 19:33
They drew Alexander out of the multitude. A Jew, evidently of great prominence, and put forward by the Jews, in order to disavow Paul, and to turn the tumult to their advantage. They wished to shift all blame on the Christians. The Gentile aversion to Jews was, however, too great to allow him a hearing.
SO that i do not get in toruble here with the lord i recommend saying the lords prayer i dont kow verses yet but until i do i say his prayer and my views are mine based on my christian upbringing iam not a priest not a preacher the father of my heritage a humble honest man who is not god but only a servant of the lord god and may he rest in heaven and peace and may his name be given to the lord for protection and his family be held in fellowship and saftey for all of the good lords days bless you all and thnk you for letting me type my thoughts do not tell anyone these are bibke they are discussions about our good lord thank u we do not have enemy on earth it is in heaven we are in heaven on earth
May God bless you more abundantly, Chris. Thank you for additional comments on the subject of the baptism in Jesus' name. I do appreciate your comment, which enlightened me.
Thank you Rosetta for those very valuable & pertinent comments. I also see a similar situation: there were some followers of Jesus (at Ephesus) who were, can I say, 'caught in the middle'. They only knew of & received John's baptism (of declaring their sin & repentance), & they also knew of Jesus, but had never been taught any further nor received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
So, to bring them to the full Truth & incorporation into the Body of Christ, they were then baptized, not according to John's baptism, but to Jesus' baptism, which was not merely identification of their sinful state, but releasing their sin on the One Who was able to bear it, forgive them, & make them new by the indwelling Spirit. Something John's baptism was never designed to do. So yes, the baptism 'formulae' can't be based on this verse ( Acts 19:5), as it only showed that they were now baptized in Jesus' Name & not to John, according to the meaning of John's baptism.
God bless you all or all of you. As I read through the 19th chapter of Acts, verses 4-6, I understand why there are so many divisions in the body of Christ. I understand why so many denominations have been established. Someone took this one segment of scripture, and made a doctrine that "one must go down in the water, in Jesus' name" or you are are not baptized, correctly. The disciples to whom Paul had preached had their understanding enlightened to the point that they had gone from being disciples at the "preaching of repentance" by John the Baptist to the "preaching of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus" by Paul. It was, only through believing on and receiving the doctrine of Jesus that they were able to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. This conversion had nothing to do with a water baptism. Immersion in water nor the sprinkling of water can save noone. It is only by believing on the name of Jesus can we be saved, not by being dipped in the water, in Jesus name. Thus, being a member of a so-called "Jesus Only" church won't guarantee us eternal life. I have met some of the more angrier, ready to fight, and will fight people attending "Jesus Only" churches. So, remember the teaching of Jesus to His disciples, in Mark, Chapter 16, "go ye into all the world...baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Ghost. No man can come to the Father, except they come in by Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life". Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins ( Acts 2:38). Amen!
Just as St Paul and his new Disciples preached their new Christian beliefs without fear, then so much more should we do; as members of our already established religion and given support from our congregation members.
At this terrible time, during the world-wide pandemic; surely now is the time to strike and bring back into our Christian family, all of those that have lost faith, or have been misled into joining false or plagiarised versions of the one true faith.
The Baptism of the Holy SpiritWhat to Expect - In Reply on Acts 19:6 - 4 years ago
When you prayed the prayer of faith, to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior: you were sealed with the Holy Spirit THEN.
1 Corinthians 3:16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1 Corinthians 6:19
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Ephesians 1:13
(Jesus) In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
1 Corinthians 12:3
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:5 - For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Read all of 1 Corinthians 12, to understand the gift of speaking in tongues. If it's a gift you desire, then ask the Holy Spirit for that gift. Always covet discerning of spirits. A very useful gift.
1 Corinthians 14: 1, 2, 4
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh Not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
GOOGLE the gifts so you'll know what each one of them is for.
The Holy Spirit is your Teacher. Always ask Him to help you understand what you are reading. You now have the Mind of Christ. He will instruct you through the Holy Spirits ministry to believers. Be still & quiet till he replies. You're going to fall deeply in love with the Spirit of Jesus.
The answer to your question is "no". I've heard some "pastors" say that "the only way you know you have the Holy Spirit is if you can speak in tongues". This is not true. 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14 go over the one body of Christ and many of the diverse gifts of the Holy Spirit. How they are unique to all. Set upon everyone to His will.
From my own experience the most important thing is giving your life to Jesus Christ compassionately. Trust in the Lord. To take up you cross and follow Him with all your heart. Our Father knows our hearts and when we are ready to receive the Holy Spirit in the name of Christ.
The devils know Jesus Christ because he is their creator and Lord of all.
They knew Paul because he worked the mighty works of God by Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Ghost in him.
The sons of Sceva used the name of Jesus flippantly, not being submitted to Christ themselves and not having his Spirit within them. This left them wide open to the thrashing they received.
I trust your situation is different if you have trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior and believed the gospel. There can be a number of reasons Christians suffer. Many are merely the result of our living in this fallen world. Others are due to our own behavior or those closest to us. Some are trials to our faith, or training in adversity to purify us as gold (see 1 Peter chapter 1).
Maybe we are learning something that can help us comfort someone else at a later time (see 2 Corinthians chapter 1).
There are times we cannot understand why we are suffering in a certain way, but we can learn to trust God in it, knowing that he only gives what is for our own good (see Romans 8:28-39). We are also promised that Jesus is with us through all our difficulties.
In Luke 18, Jesus tells us we ought always pray, and not faint and he pictures it with a parable of a woman that pestered the unjust judge until he relented and helped her. It may take a long time to get our answer, but God does hear and wants us to keep calling on him.
Why did the demon possess man said Jesus I know Paul I know but who are you. sometimes I pray and fast and the situation remain same does that mean that it has link with acts 19
The Word of God is God ( John 1:1) and is not of any private interpretation ( 2 Peter 1:20).
The word 'Repent' in different forms (repent, repentance, repented, repentest, repenteth, repenting, repentings) is mentioned 110 times in the KJV, and means a lot more than what people by nature have been conditioned to believe. The word 'repent' used in the New Testament was translated from the Greek word "metanoeo", and means to change, transform, to think differently or reconsider.
It is the key principle of all the teachings of Jesus Christ and the axiom (basis) of the Word of God and a prerequisite and primary requirement for the salvation of mankind. It actually means the changing of spirits - to turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God ( Acts 26:18).
For a better understanding and the 'spiritual truth' of what it means to repent, and learn how and by whom mankind has been deceived ( Rev. 12:9) and what people must do to be reunited with the true and living God, we invite you to seek Him according to the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive ( Matthew 7:7; John 14:17).
You need not that any man teach you ( Isaiah 54:13; 6:45; 1 John 2:27), as mankind follows after an image of a false god and a false Christ ( Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22; Gal. 4:8; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Rev. 12:9).
It is only by revelation of God that people will come to know the true Christ ( Daniel 12:4,9; Amos 3:7; Matthew 16:17; Luke 2:26; Romans 16:25; 1 Cor. 2:10; Gal. 1:16; Eph. 3:3,5; Rev. 1:1), and only then will you be able to overcome the spirit of this world ( 1 John 5:4; Rev. 3:21) and learn what 'True Repentance' means, and how this whole world has been deceived ( Rev. 12:9). It should also be remembered that it is a narrow way that leadeth unto 'Life', and few there be that find it ( Matthew 7:14).
LUKE 15:10. LIKEWISE, I SAY UNTO YOU, THERE IS JOY IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ANGELS OF GOD OVER ONE SINNER THAT REPENTETH
I lived in Tulsa 3 years as a contract draftsman. It's a whole different world of Christian ministry there. The unbelievers there hold nothing back at unrestrained mockery & public ridicule. That's where I was learning street ministry.
Public is not like in here. I apologize for over-reacting.
To Mishael: Yes Mishael, evil spirits are very real, but thanks to Jesus we have power over the enemy. I do want to ask why you felt the need to tell me not to mock things I don't understand? Have I offended you in some way? Was it my comment about Benny Hinn that bothered you? Again, I am not certain as to why you felt the need to respond to something I challenged. We as Christians are to test the spirits, and to prove all things. God's Holy Word is what we are to use as our plum line. With that said, let God be true, and let us lean on Him and His grace.
To Albert, my, my, my.... It certainly sounds like you have seen it all Albert. I have one question for you to answer. When and where did you see all these "healings and exorcisms?" It sounds as though you have been to a Benny Hinn gathering.
The Bible has not changed. What God did on the Day of Pentecost He is still doing today. God is still pouring out His Spirit on hungry souls that desire Him to fill them. The Nine Gifts of the Spirit are in operation in the church. There is still the fivefold ministry of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. God is still healing and delivering people. Signs and wonders are still in operation today. It is easy for people to believe in the Wright Brothers and their ability to fly. But it is hard for people to believe Jesus. We must proceed with caution when it comes to God; however, we can believe in everything that is natural without question. Man 's knowledge has brought us many great inventions, but man's limited, finite knowledge still cannot heal a broken heart or save a soul. I used caution in this pandemic. I use caution when I am driving. I use caution when I am approached by people who might do me some harm. I use caution when I listen to political candidates. But I do not use caution when I apply the Word of God: I use faith. I could share some miraculous testimonies where God has wrought miracles not only in my life; but in the lives of other believers. One thing I cannot change is the way someone else thinks; I can only help spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to a dying world. I have witnessed and experienced things: the miracle of salvation where people who want more out of life turned to God; and He, not I, poured out His Spirit upon them. Christ went to the Cross for the whole world. I am so grateful to have been a receipient of His love. I did not find Christ; He found me. I believe in miracles; not because the Bible is full of them; I believe in miracles; because I have seen them with my own eyes. I have experienced the miraculous power of the HolyGhost change my life. I know God is still working miracles. The angels in heaven rejoice when one sinner repents. That is an awesome miracle to me.
God's days are not ours. 7 days to God could be millions of years to us. There were a lot of years before man came. There were a lot of years before Christ came. The earth is not Just 2000 years old. That's why there is B.C. and A D..
In the Bible you have to remember these are early, early times. What was lawful then was made unlawful soon after. Just keep reading.
Why there are different versions of the same story Because there are different writers of the same story with their own versions of what they learned, heard, and saw. They all had their own opinion and love of Jesus. They all had a different part in His life. So they all had a different story to tell of events in Jesus' life.
Common sense is a valuable tool when reading the Bible. It is our "given" knowledge. Simple knowledge of knowing right from wrong or good from evil.
If you read your Bible with a open heart, mind, and soul it will all be clear to you. You will see the AWESOME love God has for us in spite of us. He has never failed us. He has always just been a prayer away. We slipped away many a time BUT He has always been there waiting patiently for us to come back to Him. He doesn't cause bad things to happen. We do when we try to live on our own. God,like a good father waits, sometimes He sends nudges to remind us He is here ready to help us. He isn't pushy or commanding. He made the laws. We obey them or not, if we don't we are hurting us and Him( for He is Our Father). He cries for us. He waits for us but He never punishes us. We do that to ourselves. He protects and loves us and comforts us and He is there we just have to call out, have faith, to know, and believe.
Jesse, I had written another comment but it seems to have disappeared. Just agreeing with you: to the many that have become disillusioned & confused because their inability to be as others who have 'received the Gift' or not getting healed. I was even told to just start babbling to start the process going, just as they had to do. Now they are fluent in it. I asked if they had a translation to their 'tongue', & was simply told, 'No, it's probably a language of past ages or even a heavenly language, but was given for their personal edification'. So, this is what was being taught to them. But we are not to judge, but just pray that the Lord would reveal Himself in a special way to them that may shake them out of ignorance & hypocrisy.
I was healed just this morning! Had to get up and speak Out against the demons of infirmity, loud. By the time I was done fighting against spiritual wickedness, my leg felt ready to stand on a chair! God is good and faithful; full of grace and mercy.
If you need to be healed, then learn spiritual warfare! Keep your eyes on Jesus and pray. A legal child of God makes the demons run.
As a pastor once told me; if you aren't butting heads against Satan & his demons... you're probably walking with them; or they don't consider you a threat. Satan is a legalist. Do not assume that God gave him permission to make you sick or in pain!! It's a lie. Fight back.
You don't have to have the gift of healing. There are hundreds of healing scriptures in the Bible. Somebody make a list, so we can copy it. The more of those you have in you, makes you a formidable warrior. Light beats out darkness every time.
We may not be able to beat up family or neighbors, but we sure can Send demons into outer darkness and dry places. I always remind Satan that he is going to HELL.
Praise the Lord, thank Him that his Mercy endures Forever, and stand up. There's a Psalm that all the verses end with "His Mercy Endures Forever."
Agreed, that "speaking in tongues" was given for a sign to the unbeliever & for the edification of the Body. However, I did let my mind 'wander', wondering if this gift so given by the Holy Spirit for the ministry of the Gospel, could also be given on those occasions when the missionary is unable to communicate & therefore his words, then either come out in the language of the hearer, or at least, is translated by the Spirit in the ears of the hearer. Anyway, as you say this aspect (= my musing) is not in the intended meaning & use of the Gift. And I agree that there is a trail of broken & confused believers who have not spoken in tongues or received healing for their bodies because an incorrect understanding & teaching on these subjects was given them. And a couple of 'them' have even told me, a non-tongue speaker, to just babble something, as they had to do(!!), in the hope & waiting for the 'gift' to be given.
Amen! I don't think it's ever been used the same way as it was initially in Acts Chapter 2. Perhaps for a short time in the early conception of the church, but not today. That makes a lot of sense to me for a person going on a missionary trip to first learn the language of the area they are going to. But even that's not the true sense of "speaking in tongues." There are many who are becoming discouraged because they don't speak in tongues, and they are being told by their church leadership that tongues is evidence that they have the Holy Ghost and are saved. There are some who even doubt their own salvation because of it. And people are also being told that God will heal them, and that if they are not healed, it's because of their lack of faith. There's no such thing as a believer having a lack of faith. I know God never changes and that He can do whatever He wants. He can do all the same things with us that He did with the early believers if He so chooses. But is seems that today, man is choosing when and where these things happen. Some are even being "coached" on how to speak in tongues, and how to heal others.
May we all go forward in the Name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, empowered by the HOLY GHOST dwelling in us, and with wisdom from HIS word.
December 29, 2023
Great to be here and to continually even though I learnt since I was a teen. I learnt to be Gods child, you have to accept Him as your personal Savior. Pastor prays for you and that's it. I only got Baptized 2 yrs later. Not totally understanding it as well.
Know I learn, you have to Baptized 1st as mentioned in Acts 2v38 In the name of Jesus Christ not in Jesus name ?
This discussion and Bible app is amazing. Reading all over again to really understand the Word.
For myself, once I was re-baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, I wanted so much more of God. I did not receive the Holy Ghost {w/ the utterance} right away, not until almost 3 years later.
I have a friend that is filled w/ the Holy Ghost w/ tongues & years ago was baptized in titles. Someone was trying to teach him about being baptized in Jesus name, but found it hard to understand.
He told us the other day that the Lord asked him a question, "What name are you baptized in"? He said "None". That's when the revelation came to him.
Now it's up to everyone to ask for revelation of Gods truth.
Don't argue about it. If you don't want to believe it, then dont'.
My church is a book of Acts assembly following Christ in all his ways w/ love and through the Apostles doctrine.
Jesus spoke, "I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last { Revelation 1}
"Hearken unto me O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I am also the last" { Isaiah 48}. I love his truth.
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
And they drew Alexander out of the multitude,.... Or "some of the multitude brought forth Alexander"; into the theatre, in order to kill him, by casting him to the wild beasts. Some think this is the same with Alexander the coppersmith, who apostatized upon this danger he was exposed to, and became a blasphemer, and a great enemy of the apostle, and did him much evil, 1 Timothy 1:20. This man, though his name was a Greek name, yet was a Jew, as is expressed in Acts 19:34 and from the times of Alexander the great, who was at Jerusalem, this name became common among the Jews; See Gill on Acts 4:6.
The Jews putting him forward; being equally enemies to him, as being under a profession of Christianity, as the Heathens were; or as the Syriac version reads, "the people of the Jews", that were there, out of themselves, pitched upon him as a proper person to still the uproar; and they brought him out of the multitude, to a convenient place, where he might be heard; and they the rather were forward to this, that he might lay all the blame of this confusion and uproar upon Paul and his companions, whom the Jews had an aversion to, as well as the Gentiles:
and Alexander beckoned with the hand; for silence, that he might be heard:
and would have made his defence unto the people; which looks as if he was a Christian, or at least was charged with being one, and was in danger of his life on that account; and therefore was desirous of being heard, that he might make an apology for the Christians, or remove such an imputation from himself, if he was not.
Wesley's Notes for Acts 19:33
And they thrust forward - Namely, the artificers and workmen, Alexander - Probably some well - known Christian whom they saw in the crowd: the Jews pushing him on - To expose him to the more danger. And Alexander waving with his hand - In token of desiring silence, would have made a defence - For himself and his brethren.
People's Bible Notes for Acts 19:33
They drew Alexander out of the multitude. A Jew, evidently of great prominence, and put forward by the Jews, in order to disavow Paul, and to turn the tumult to their advantage. They wished to shift all blame on the Christians. The Gentile aversion to Jews was, however, too great to allow him a hearing.
false prophets have gone out into the world. 1st john4-1
many are looking for an emotional high with no evidence of salvation
nor repentance.
So, to bring them to the full Truth & incorporation into the Body of Christ, they were then baptized, not according to John's baptism, but to Jesus' baptism, which was not merely identification of their sinful state, but releasing their sin on the One Who was able to bear it, forgive them, & make them new by the indwelling Spirit. Something John's baptism was never designed to do. So yes, the baptism 'formulae' can't be based on this verse ( Acts 19:5), as it only showed that they were now baptized in Jesus' Name & not to John, according to the meaning of John's baptism.
At this terrible time, during the world-wide pandemic; surely now is the time to strike and bring back into our Christian family, all of those that have lost faith, or have been misled into joining false or plagiarised versions of the one true faith.
Jim Burns
1 Corinthians 3:16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1 Corinthians 6:19
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Ephesians 1:13
(Jesus) In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
1 Corinthians 12:3
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 1:5 - For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Read all of 1 Corinthians 12, to understand the gift of speaking in tongues. If it's a gift you desire, then ask the Holy Spirit for that gift. Always covet discerning of spirits. A very useful gift.
1 Corinthians 14: 1, 2, 4
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh Not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
GOOGLE the gifts so you'll know what each one of them is for.
The Holy Spirit is your Teacher. Always ask Him to help you understand what you are reading. You now have the Mind of Christ. He will instruct you through the Holy Spirits ministry to believers. Be still & quiet till he replies. You're going to fall deeply in love with the Spirit of Jesus.
Mishael
The answer to your question is "no". I've heard some "pastors" say that "the only way you know you have the Holy Spirit is if you can speak in tongues". This is not true. 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14 go over the one body of Christ and many of the diverse gifts of the Holy Spirit. How they are unique to all. Set upon everyone to His will.
From my own experience the most important thing is giving your life to Jesus Christ compassionately. Trust in the Lord. To take up you cross and follow Him with all your heart. Our Father knows our hearts and when we are ready to receive the Holy Spirit in the name of Christ.
God Bless you brother.
They knew Paul because he worked the mighty works of God by Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Ghost in him.
The sons of Sceva used the name of Jesus flippantly, not being submitted to Christ themselves and not having his Spirit within them. This left them wide open to the thrashing they received.
I trust your situation is different if you have trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior and believed the gospel. There can be a number of reasons Christians suffer. Many are merely the result of our living in this fallen world. Others are due to our own behavior or those closest to us. Some are trials to our faith, or training in adversity to purify us as gold (see 1 Peter chapter 1).
Maybe we are learning something that can help us comfort someone else at a later time (see 2 Corinthians chapter 1).
There are times we cannot understand why we are suffering in a certain way, but we can learn to trust God in it, knowing that he only gives what is for our own good (see Romans 8:28-39). We are also promised that Jesus is with us through all our difficulties.
In Luke 18, Jesus tells us we ought always pray, and not faint and he pictures it with a parable of a woman that pestered the unjust judge until he relented and helped her. It may take a long time to get our answer, but God does hear and wants us to keep calling on him.
The Word of God is God ( John 1:1) and is not of any private interpretation ( 2 Peter 1:20).
The word 'Repent' in different forms (repent, repentance, repented, repentest, repenteth, repenting, repentings) is mentioned 110 times in the KJV, and means a lot more than what people by nature have been conditioned to believe. The word 'repent' used in the New Testament was translated from the Greek word "metanoeo", and means to change, transform, to think differently or reconsider.
It is the key principle of all the teachings of Jesus Christ and the axiom (basis) of the Word of God and a prerequisite and primary requirement for the salvation of mankind. It actually means the changing of spirits - to turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God ( Acts 26:18).
For a better understanding and the 'spiritual truth' of what it means to repent, and learn how and by whom mankind has been deceived ( Rev. 12:9) and what people must do to be reunited with the true and living God, we invite you to seek Him according to the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive ( Matthew 7:7; John 14:17).
You need not that any man teach you ( Isaiah 54:13; 6:45; 1 John 2:27), as mankind follows after an image of a false god and a false Christ ( Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22; Gal. 4:8; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Rev. 12:9).
It is only by revelation of God that people will come to know the true Christ ( Daniel 12:4,9; Amos 3:7; Matthew 16:17; Luke 2:26; Romans 16:25; 1 Cor. 2:10; Gal. 1:16; Eph. 3:3,5; Rev. 1:1), and only then will you be able to overcome the spirit of this world ( 1 John 5:4; Rev. 3:21) and learn what 'True Repentance' means, and how this whole world has been deceived ( Rev. 12:9). It should also be remembered that it is a narrow way that leadeth unto 'Life', and few there be that find it ( Matthew 7:14).
LUKE 15:10. LIKEWISE, I SAY UNTO YOU, THERE IS JOY IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ANGELS OF GOD OVER ONE SINNER THAT REPENTETH
Public is not like in here. I apologize for over-reacting.
Demons are real; and invisible. Be glad you've never had one try to break your neck! I have.
Don't mock things you don't understand.
In the Bible you have to remember these are early, early times. What was lawful then was made unlawful soon after. Just keep reading.
Why there are different versions of the same story Because there are different writers of the same story with their own versions of what they learned, heard, and saw. They all had their own opinion and love of Jesus. They all had a different part in His life. So they all had a different story to tell of events in Jesus' life.
Common sense is a valuable tool when reading the Bible. It is our "given" knowledge. Simple knowledge of knowing right from wrong or good from evil.
If you read your Bible with a open heart, mind, and soul it will all be clear to you. You will see the AWESOME love God has for us in spite of us. He has never failed us. He has always just been a prayer away. We slipped away many a time BUT He has always been there waiting patiently for us to come back to Him. He doesn't cause bad things to happen. We do when we try to live on our own. God,like a good father waits, sometimes He sends nudges to remind us He is here ready to help us. He isn't pushy or commanding. He made the laws. We obey them or not, if we don't we are hurting us and Him( for He is Our Father). He cries for us. He waits for us but He never punishes us. We do that to ourselves. He protects and loves us and comforts us and He is there we just have to call out, have faith, to know, and believe.
If you need to be healed, then learn spiritual warfare! Keep your eyes on Jesus and pray. A legal child of God makes the demons run.
As a pastor once told me; if you aren't butting heads against Satan & his demons... you're probably walking with them; or they don't consider you a threat. Satan is a legalist. Do not assume that God gave him permission to make you sick or in pain!! It's a lie. Fight back.
You don't have to have the gift of healing. There are hundreds of healing scriptures in the Bible. Somebody make a list, so we can copy it. The more of those you have in you, makes you a formidable warrior. Light beats out darkness every time.
We may not be able to beat up family or neighbors, but we sure can Send demons into outer darkness and dry places. I always remind Satan that he is going to HELL.
Praise the Lord, thank Him that his Mercy endures Forever, and stand up. There's a Psalm that all the verses end with "His Mercy Endures Forever."
Amen! I don't think it's ever been used the same way as it was initially in Acts Chapter 2. Perhaps for a short time in the early conception of the church, but not today. That makes a lot of sense to me for a person going on a missionary trip to first learn the language of the area they are going to. But even that's not the true sense of "speaking in tongues." There are many who are becoming discouraged because they don't speak in tongues, and they are being told by their church leadership that tongues is evidence that they have the Holy Ghost and are saved. There are some who even doubt their own salvation because of it. And people are also being told that God will heal them, and that if they are not healed, it's because of their lack of faith. There's no such thing as a believer having a lack of faith. I know God never changes and that He can do whatever He wants. He can do all the same things with us that He did with the early believers if He so chooses. But is seems that today, man is choosing when and where these things happen. Some are even being "coached" on how to speak in tongues, and how to heal others.