John the Baptist foretold the Baptism of the
Holy Spirit
Jesus is the Baptizer of the Holy Spirit
Jesus promised the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
They received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit was poured out as
a gift
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit fell upon the
Gentiles as well as the Jews
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit was also imparted
through the laying on of hands
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for us today
Jesus will not give a counterfeit gift when you
ask Him
SCRIPTURES
John the Baptist foretold the Baptism
of the Holy Spirit: "I indeed have baptized you with
water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost."
(Mark 1:8)
"He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with
fire." (Matt 3:11)
The word baptize (#907 Greek) means to immerse,
submerge; to make overwhelmed (i.e. fully wet); It
comes from a word (#911) meaning to overwhelm, (i.e.
cover wholly with a fluid).
The word fire (#4442) means fire, or lightning.
Jesus is the Baptizer of the Holy
Spirit: John the Baptist said, "I didn't know he was the
one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told
me, `When you see the Holy Spirit descending and resting
upon someone, he is the one you are looking for. He is
the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' I saw this
happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Son of
God." (John 1:32-34 NLT) "John answered their questions
by saying, "I baptize with water; but someone is coming
soon who is greater than I am--so much greater that I am
not even worthy to be his slave. He will baptize you
with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Luke 3:16-17 NLT)
Jesus promised the Baptism of the
Spirit: "And being assembled together with them, He
commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait
for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you
have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water,
but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many
days from now." Therefore, when they had come together,
they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time
restore the kingdom to Israel?" And He said to them, "It
is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father
has put in His own authority. But you shall receive
power (# 1411) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in
all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
(NKJ Acts 1:4-8)
(The word power (#1411) means force, miraculous
power, ability, abundance, might, miracle, power,
strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work. It
comes from a word (#1410) meaning to be able or
possible.
They received the Baptism of the
Spirit: "Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come,
they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly
there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty
wind, and it filled the whole house where they were
sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as
of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were
all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with
other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (NKJ
Acts 2:1-4)
It was poured out as a gift: "The
Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that
the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the
Gentiles, too. And there could be no doubt about it, for
they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God."
(NLT Acts 10:44-46)
The word pour (#1632) in the Greek means to pour
forth, to bestow, and translated as gush out, run
greedily, shed abroad, spill forth.
The word gift (#1431) in the Greek means a
gratuity, and translated gift. It comes from a word
(#1435) meaning a present, gift, sacrifice, or
offering
It fell upon the Gentiles as well as
the Jews. While Peter was still speaking these words,
the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
45 And those of the circumcision who believed were
astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift
of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles
also. (NKJ Acts 10:44, 45 NKJ)
The word fell (#1968) means to embrace with
affection or seize with more or less violence,
translated to fall into or upon, lie on, press upon.
It was also imparted through the laying
on of hands: "And when Paul had laid his hands upon
them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with
tongues, and prophesied." (NKJ Acts 19:6)
It is for us today: "Then Peter said to
them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and
you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. "For the
promise is to you and to your children, and to all who
are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
(NKJ Acts 2:38)
He will not give a counterfeit gift
when you ask Him: "If a son asks for bread from any
father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he
asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a
fish? "Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a
scorpion? "If you then, being evil, know how to give
good gifts to your children, how much more will your
heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask
Him!" (NKJ Luke 11:11)
The Holy Spirit is a distinct member of the Trinity,
separate from the Father and the Son Jesus Christ. He
has a personality and has a function within a believer’s
life. The following is list of some of His personality
traits and functions. Scriptural references to these are
recorded after the list.
He is a member of the Trinity
He speaks as a person
He searches
He reveals
He decides and distributes
He abides with us
He guides & foretells
He sanctifies
He teaches
He convicts
He seals
He quickens, gives life
He empowers to witness
He leads
He bears witness
He intercedes
He bears fruit
He liberates
He glorifies Jesus
He groans
He has joy
He comforts
He translates
He conceives
He descends
He speaks through you
He speaks to you
He casts out spirits
He compels
He is a river of living water
He gives the ability to speak in tongues
He lives within you
He gives special abilities
He is received through faith
He is our guarantee
He inspires
SCRIPTURES
He is a member of the Trinity
Go therefore and make disciples of all the
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matt 28:19
NKJV)
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of
God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with
you all. Amen. (2 Cor 13:13-14 NKJV)
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. (John
15:26-27 NKJV)
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in
Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the
heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove
descending upon Him; and a voice came out of the
heavens: "You are My beloved Son, in You I am
well-pleased." Immediately the Spirit impelled Him
to go out into the wilderness. (Mark 1:9-12 NASU)
He speaks as a person
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the
Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and
Saul for the work to which I have called them."
(Acts 13:2 NKJV)
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come,
He will guide you into all truth; for He will not
speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He
will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
(John 16:13 NKJV)
He searches
But we know these things because God has
revealed them to us by his Spirit, and his Spirit
searches out everything and shows us even God's deep
secrets. (1 Cor 2:10-11 NLT)
He reveals
All that the Father has is mine; this is what I
mean when I say that the Spirit will reveal to you
whatever he receives from me. (John 16:15 NLT)
He decides and distributes
It is the one and only Holy Spirit who
distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift
each person should have. (1 Cor 12:10-11 NLT)
He abides with us
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you
another Helper, that He may abide with you forever…
(John 14:15-17 NKJV)
He guides & foretells
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come,
He will guide you into all truth; for He will not
speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He
will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
(John 16:13 NKJV)
He sanctifies
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the
Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for
obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus
Christ… (1 Peter 1:2 NKJV)
He teaches
…for the Holy Spirit will teach you what needs
to be said even as you are standing there. (Luke
12:12 NLT)
He convicts
Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your
advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away,
the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I
will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He
will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness,
and of judgment… (John 16:7-8 NKJV)
He seals
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by
whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Eph
4:30 NKJV)
He quickens, gives life
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh
profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you,
they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63 KJV)
He empowers to witness
…but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit
has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses
both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and
even to the remotest part of the earth. (Acts 1:8
NASU)
He leads
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are
children of God. (Rom 8:14 NLT)
He bears witness
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit
that we are children of God… (Rom 8:16-17 NKJV)
He intercedes
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our
weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray
for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes
intercession for us with groanings which cannot be
uttered. (Rom 8:26 NKJV)
He bears fruit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no
law. (Gal 5:22-23 NKJV)
He liberates
Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit
of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Cor 3:17 NKJV)
He glorifies Jesus
He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of
mine, and shall shew it unto you. (John 16:14 KJV)
He groans
Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the
Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the
spirit and was troubled. (John 11:33 NKJV)
He has joy
Then Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy
Spirit and said, "O Father, Lord of heaven and
earth, thank you for hiding the truth from those who
think themselves so wise and clever, and for
revealing it to the childlike. Yes, Father, it
pleased you to do it this way. (Luke 10:21 NLT)
He comforts
The believers were walking in the fear of the
Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. (Acts
9:31 NLT)
He translates
When they came up out of the water, the Spirit
of the Lord caught Philip away. The eunuch never saw
him again but went on his way rejoicing. 40
Meanwhile, Philip found himself farther north at the
city of Azotus! He preached the Good News there and
in every city along the way until he came to
Caesarea. (Acts 8:39-40 NLT)
He conceives
For the child within her has been conceived by
the Holy Spirit. (Matt 1:20 NLT)
He descends
Spirit of God descending like a dove and
settling on him. (Matt 3:16 NLT)
He speaks through you
For it won't be you doing the talking--it will
be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
(Matt 10:20 NLT)
He speaks to you
The Holy Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and
walk along beside the carriage. (Acts 8:29 NLT)
He casts out spirits
But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of
God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.
(Matt 12:28-29 NLT)
He compels
Immediately the Holy Spirit compelled Jesus to
go into the wilderness. (Mark 1:12 NLT)
He is a river of living water
For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living
water will flow out from within." (When he said
"living water," he was speaking of the Spirit, who
would be given to everyone believing in him. (John
7:38-39 NLT)
He gives the ability to speak in tongues
And everyone present was filled with the Holy
Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the
Holy Spirit gave them this ability. (Acts 2:3-4 NLT)
He lives within you
Don't you realize that all of you together are
the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives
in you? (1 Cor 3:16 NLT)
He gives special abilities
And now, dear brothers and sisters, I will write
about the special abilities the Holy Spirit gives to
each of us… (1 Cor 12:1 NLT)
He is received through faith
…and we Christians receive the promised Holy
Spirit through faith… (Gal 3:14 NLT)
He is our guarantee
The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give
us everything he promised and that he has purchased
us to be his own people… (Eph 1:14 NLT)
He inspires
For David himself, speaking under the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said, `The LORD said
to my Lord, Sit in honor at my right hand until I
humble your enemies beneath your feet.' (Mark 12:36
NLT)
Scripture warns us to honor the Holy Spirit with
reverence and respect.
Do not blasphemy the Holy Spirit
Do not resist the Holy Spirit
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit
Do not quench the Holy Spirit
Do not lie to the Holy Spirit
Do not strive with the Holy Spirit
Do not test the Holy Spirit
SCRIPTURES
Do not blasphemy the Holy Spirit
Every sin or blasphemy can be forgiven--except
blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which can never
be forgiven. 32 Anyone who blasphemes against me,
the Son of Man, can be forgiven, but blasphemy
against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven,
either in this world or in the world to come. (Matt
12:31-32 NLT)
Do not resist the Holy Spirit
You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and
ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your
fathers did, so do you. (Acts 7:51 NKJV)
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by
whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Eph
4:30 NKJV)
Do not quench the Holy Spirit
Do not quench the Spirit. (1 Thess 5:19 NKJV)
QUENCH: NT:4570 sbennumi (sben'-noo-mee); a
prolonged form of an apparently primary verb; to
extinguish (literally or figuratively): KJV - go
out, quench.
Do not lie to the Holy Spirit
Then Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled
your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you
kept some of the money for yourself. 4 The property
was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And
after selling it, the money was yours to give away.
How could you do a thing like this? You weren't
lying to us but to God." 5 As soon as Ananias heard
these words, he fell to the floor and died. (Acts
5:3-5 NLT)
Do not strive with the Holy Spirit
And the LORD said, "My Spirit shall not strive
with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his
days shall be one hundred and twenty years." (Gen
6:3 NKJV)
Do not test the Holy Spirit
And Peter said, "How could the two of you even
think of doing a thing like this--conspiring
together to test the Spirit of the Lord? (Acts 5:9
NLT)
When people receive the gift of speaking in tongues,
not everyone receives in the same way. For myself, I
went to kids camp in my teens and was prayed over to
receive what they called the "Baptism of the Holy
Spirit" (Acts 1:5) I was supposed to feel the Holy
Spirit come upon me, then speak in tongues. I felt
nothing when they prayed. I was expecting some bolt of
lightening to come down from the sky and hit me in a
whoosh of the Holy Spirit. But they simply prayed, and I
simply thanked Jesus like they told me to do.
However, an hour later as I lay in my bunk bed,
little foreign sounding syllables popped into my mind.
So, I spoke them with my head under the pillow. It was
one sentence. My counselor told me that could happen,
and to be faithful to practice my new language and it
would grow. So that is what I did. I spoke my one
sentence faithfully for about a year! To this day, I
still remember that sentence.
Then one day I was driving to school singing a
popular love song along with the radio, and the second
verse was sung in French. So I started singing my own
pretend "French" to the words. By the end of the song, I
had a complete and wonderful language, only I didn’t
know it! However, every time I sang that song I would
sing it in my "pretend language" even when they were
singing in English. It sounded so beautiful I didn’t
want to sing it in English. Then one day I started
singing other popular love songs of the day in the same
way. Then the realization hit me, I was doing what the
Bible called "singing in the Spirit"! (1 Corinthians
14:15) "Wow! Is this finally the expansion of my new
language?" So I stopped singing and just spoke it. Sure
enough, there was a full blown language!
Now, not everyone will struggle as hard as I did. The
reason it took me so long was because of doctrinal
currents against me. I was told speaking in tongues was
of the devil and that the occult speaks in tongues. It
didn’t seem to connect with me that Paul in the Bible
spoke in tongues all the time. (1 Corinthians 14:18) The
only reason I had the courage to receive it, was because
of the loving counsel of a dear lady who shined with the
love of God. I felt that if she could love me like that,
and she spoke in tongues, then she certainly wasn’t of
the devil. Simply put, I knew the devil couldn’t love
and she was no devil.
Since that time long ago, now that I am fluent in the
spiritual gifts, I have come to realize that the devil
can not create. Only God can create. The devil only
mimics, only copies the real thing. So of course the
occult speaks in tongues, that’s because God created the
real speaking in tongues!
I have received a couple of wonderful confirmations
about speaking in tongues. One time I was praying in
tongues and in English over people I’d met on the
Internet and I saw a picture-vision of a flat bed truck
driven by 2 angels. On the flat bed truck were a whole
bunch of packages, each wrapped and looking exactly like
the size of bricks. The Lord told me I was dispatching
supplies. So I asked Him what those bricks were. He
said, "Each individual prayer." Then a few days later I
listened to a tape where a man was given a vision that
every time he spoke in tongues, he saw packages the size
of bricks come down from heaven that were deposited
inside of him. When they were deposited, he felt a
strengthening of his inner man. He was praying supplies
for himself. So, not only did the Lord confirm that my
praying in tongues was praying in supplies to others,
but at the same time, I was praying in supplies for
myself.
I have an interesting story about praying in supplies
for others. Remember that one little sentence I
mentioned when I first received tongues? When I shared
it with Anna, my Mom, who also had been indoctrinated
against tongues, she said it sounded like Spanish and
looked it up in her Spanish dictionary. She was so
surprised at the meaning, she also sought and received
the Baptism of the Spirit.
Twenty-five years after that, having completely
forgotten its meaning, Anna happened to ask me if I
still remembered my one little sentence. I spoke what I
remembered and she again looked up the words in her old
Spanish dictionary, and this is what she found; my
sentence was translated, "Door of a port hole released.
They eat with Daddy." This was my commission from the
beginning. I didn’t know I was repeating a request
thousands upon thousands of times. I was bombarding
heaven and didn’t even know it! I believe part of that
fulfillment is the opened doors to a website ministry
and also a writing ministry. It is a good lesson in the
importance of tongues.
Often when I have prayed in tongues, people have been
delivered of demons. When I lay my hand upon their back
and speak in tongues, I can feel pressure building up
inside of me. It is like pressure building and resisting
against some outside force. It can take on a similarity
of what a burden feels like to an intercessor who prays
until it lifts. I will feel the pressure building, the
intensity of my tongues increasing, and then the person
either gags, spits up, coughs, sighs, yawns, sneezes,
screams, cries out, jerks, etc. When that happens, I
feel an immense peace inside my spirit and the need to
speak in tongues subsides. This can go on for a long
time, with my feeling peace in between each spirit
leaving. It is not a traditionally taught way to do
deliverance, but I have noticed it is totally spirit led
and it works. If coupled with authority in English, it
carries a powerful punch.
A note on the other side of this: The use of tongues,
or someone praying or using their vocal cords when they
are in the process of being delivered will hinder the
demon from coming out. The movement of the tongue
suppresses the demons and keeps them at the throat or
neck area unable to leave. Make sure that the person you
are praying for is receiving and calling upon the Lord
in their mind, not through their mouth.
I have also noticed that when I am oppressed and in a
lot of warfare, speaking in tongues gives me freedom
from the oppression and I feel lighter in my heart with
spiritual energy. I try to pray in tongues often, for I
have lived through enough experiences to know it really
makes a difference in my life.
There is much misunderstanding and fear concerning
speaking in tongues. Some think it is an emotional
experience overpowering the senses, taking control over
the will and speaking faculties. But it is no different
than people just opening their mouth to speak. When
people talk, they speak in all different tones,
decibels, emotions, etc., but people do not speak
without CHOOSING TO. Speaking in tongues is merely the
choice of speaking, but it happens to be in another
language. Speaking in tongues is a rational choice of
the will to communicate with the Lord in a language that
transcends our understanding. It enables us to pray
according to His will without our flesh rebelling. The
tones, decibels, responsive emotions, etc. are the
subjective choice of the speaker.
The scripture says, "For if I pray in a tongue, my
spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful." (NKJ
1 Corinthians 14:14) The Greek word for "my" literally
means "my". Therefore, Paul was saying that when he
spoke in tongues it was his own spirit praying. However
scripture does not record people having the ability to
speak in tongues until the Holy Spirit fell on the day
of Pentecost. In most of the references where people
were baptized in the Spirit, speaking in tongues was
part of their experience. When we speak in tongues,
there is actually a partnership taking place between the
Holy Spirit and our own spirit. The Holy Spirit is the
comforter and according to the Thayer’s Greek:
Comforter (#3875) (parakleetos, parakleetou, ho)
means to be summoned, called to one's side,
especially called to one's aid;
one who pleads another's case before a judge, a
pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant; an
advocate:
universally, one who pleads another's case with
one, an intercessor: 1 John 2:1
in the widest sense, a helper, succorer, aider,
assistant; so of the Holy Spirit John 14:16,26
It is the Holy Spirit that partners with our spirit,
giving us the language to pray directly to God. The Holy
Spirit comes along side our own spirit and helps us pray
the mysteries of God.
The objective experience of speaking in tongues
happens not in how it is said, but what is said. Usually
when the Holy Spirit first gives this ability to a
person, little syllables come to mind. The language is
formed by these syllables coming together to form words
as the person speaks them. However, when the speaker
speaks with fluency, there is no pre-thought to the mind
and the Holy Spirit simply gifts the language as the
person speaks. Like my own experience, sometimes, when
one first receives this gift, only a few syllables are
given to start, and not a complete language. The
language will grow in time.
Since language is broken up into little syllables,
and singing is a simple way to break apart syllables,
singing is a wonderful way to increase your prayer
language. The scripture says to pray in tongues and also
sing in tongues. Then pray in English and also sing in
English. (I Cor 14:15)
The gift of interpretation of tongues gives an
understanding to the unknown language. This
understanding is not necessarily a word for word
translation. The interpretation also edifies those who
hear. (1 Cor 14:5) One who speaks in an unknown tongue
should pray that he also may interpret. (1 Cor 14:13)
The scripture says tongues is the language of men as
well as angels. I have heard testimonies of people who
have spoken in an unlearned language and those in the
audience have recognized the language. A friend told me
a story where a preacher in a foreign country just
started speaking in tongues from the platform. Many
wonderful conversions took place because even though he
was just speaking in tongues to the Lord, they
understood what he said, much to his amazement.
At other times, the language may be one of angels and
no one would recognize it unless through an
interpretation. (1 Cor 13:1)
I have had instances when I will get an
interpretation of something I have spoken. A few times
it has been an entire phrase, however most of the time
it is one word. I will be speaking in tongues and one
word will pop out of a phrase and I will know without
doubt what that word was in English. When these times
happen, they highlight the subject matter of what I am
praying about and sometimes these words have actually
given me the guidance I have been looking for, when
coupled and confirmed with other Words He has spoken
into my life. Since we pray according to the will of God
in tongues, these interpretations, even with one word,
can really highlight some important issues. Pray that He
will give you the interpretation to what you speak.
Father thank You for sending Jesus Christ Your only
Son to die for my sins. I receive Your forgiveness
through accepting that Jesus’ death on the cross was for
me and now this gives me eternal life with You in
heaven. Please take over my life and change me so that I
can become more like You.
Sandy’s counsel:
If you have worship music on, that is a wonderful
way to come into His Presence. Begin to praise Him
and thank Him for His love for you, for His touch
upon your life and for the Presence of His Holy
Spirit.
What to expect when you receive:
Some people literally feel the Lord’s Presence
surround them when they receive, some do not. When
you begin to speak in your prayer language
(tongues), you will be the one moving your tongue,
you will be moving your own lips, you will be
expelling air past your own vocal chords, and you
will be making the sounds. You are the one choosing
to speak loud or soft, fast or slow. The Lord uses
all your faculties to speak, He doesn’t force it
upon you, or overtake your will. You are the one
speaking, you are the one singing. The difference is
that the Holy Spirit is directing you. "But you,
dear friends, must continue to build your lives on
the foundation of your holy faith. And continue to
pray as you are directed by the Holy Spirit." (Jude
20 NLT)
He is like a conductor directing an orchestra. He
will give you unction to speak, unction to sing,
unction to express your heart in different tones and
syllables, loudly and softly, sometimes very
punctuated, sometimes quite fluent. He will direct
you as you speak and sing and you will begin to move
along with His Presence and you will soon see that
you really are cooperating with the Holy Spirit and
He really has given you a new gift in which to
express your heart. "For he who speaks in a tongue
does not speak to men but to God, for no one
understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks
mysteries." (NKJ 1 Corinthians 14:2)
Your own prayer:
Jesus, now that I have accepted You as My personal
Savior, I am asking that You will baptize and fill me
with the Holy Spirit.
Sandy’s prayer:
Father You said that no man can come to You except
You first draw him. I thank You Lord that You have
placed a desire and hunger in this loved one to receive
more from You. I know that the power of Your quickened
Word transcends all barriers and penetrates any obstacle
with Your quickening touch. I ask Lord that You will
come to this loved one right now and he or she will be
enveloped in Your Presence and You will fill this loved
one with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I bind all
evil, deceiving and opposing forces in Jesus Name and I
loose the Presence of the Holy Spirit to touch this
loved one right now.
Sandy’s counsel:
Begin to take deep breaths, breathing in His
Presence. Expect the Holy Spirit to fill you. As you
breath in His Spirit, begin to speak your thanks and
praise to Him, and sing along with the music if you
have some on. If not, then sing on your own, even
making up your own tune if you like. And as you have
asked Him to fill you and also received my prayer,
begin to sing to Him in foreign syllables along with
the music. When I say foreign, I mean that they are
foreign to your understanding. As you sing this way
and get acquainted with slowly separating syllables
via musical sounds, begin to pick up the pace and
sing faster, still in the unusual syllables that do
not make sense to you. Now exchange back and forth
between foreign syllables and English words to the
music. As you begin to feel comfortable with singing
back and forth between English and tongues, start to
pray instead - first a line in English, then a line
in tongues. Paul said, "Well then, what shall I do?
I will do both. I will pray in the spirit, and I
will pray in words I understand. I will sing in the
spirit, and I will sing in words I understand." (1
Cor 14:15 NLT)
Now ask the Lord to forgive you for your doubts
that this is gibberish! As I said before, you may
have small syllables come to your thought before you
speak them, but when you speak faster, the gift
bypasses your mind and goes straight to your mouth.
You will realize what you are saying is definitely
bypassing your mind and you will be surprised that
it all has happened so simply.
Ask Him to give you the grace to internalize and
believe the importance of what tongues accomplishes
(#1 in this file), and then speak and sing in
tongues every day. "Let the words of Christ, in all
their richness, live in your hearts and make you
wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other.
Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God
with thankful hearts." (Col 3:16-17 NLT)
EDIFY: "He who speaks in a tongue
edifies himself." (1 Cor 14:4)
Edify #3618 in Greek means to be a
house-builder, to construct, or confirm. It comes
from a word meaning architecture or home.
NT:3618 oikodomeo (oy-kod-om-eh'-o); from the
same as NT:3619; to be a house-builder, i.e.
construct or (figuratively) confirm: KJV - (be in)
build (-er, -ing, up), edify, embolden.
POWER: "But you shall receive power
when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be
witnesses to Me." (Acts 1:8)
Power (#1411) means force, miraculous power, and
is translated in the KJV as ability, abundance,
might, miracle, power, strength, violence, mighty
(wonderful) work. It comes from a word (#1410)
meaning to be able or possible.
NT:1411 dunamis (doo'-nam-is); from NT:1410;
force (literally or figuratively); specially,
miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle
itself): KJV - ability, abundance, meaning, might
(-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s),
power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.
BAPTIZE & FIRE: "He shall baptize you
with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." (Matt 3:11)
Baptize (#907 Greek) means to immerse, submerge;
to make overwhelmed (i.e. fully wet); It comes from
a word (#911) meaning to overwhelm, (i.e. cover
wholly with a fluid).
NT:907 baptizo (bap-tid'-zo); from a derivative
of NT:911; to immerse, submerge; to make overwhelmed
(i.e. fully wet); used only (in the N. T.) of
ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the
ordinance of Christian baptism: KJV - Baptist,
baptize, wash.
Fire (#4442) means fire, or lightning.
NT:4442 pur (poor); a primary word; "fire"
(literally or figuratively, specifically,
lightning): KJV - fiery, fire.
FELL: "And as I began to speak, the
Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning."
(Acts 11:15)
Fell (#1968) means to embrace with affection or
seize with more or less violence, and is translated
in the KJV as to fall into or upon, lie on, press
upon.
NT:1968 epipipto (ep-ee-pip'-to); from NT:1909
and NT:4098; to embrace (with affection) or seize
(with more or less violence; literally or
figuratively): KJV - fall into (on, upon) lie on,
press upon.
POUR & GIFT: "And they of the
circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as
came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was
poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 10:45)
Pour (#1632) in the Greek means to pour forth,
to bestow, and is translated in the KJV as gush out,
run greedily, shed abroad, spill forth.
Gift (#1431) in the Greek means a gratuity, and
is translated in the KJV as gift. It comes from a
word (1435) meaning a present, gift, sacrifice, or
offering
NT:1431 dorea (do-reh-ah'); from NT:1435; a
gratuity: KJV - gift.
COMFORTER: "But the Comforter, which is the
Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he
shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your
remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John
14:26)
Comforter (#3875) in the Greek means an
intercessor, consoler, and is translated in the KJV
as advocate, comforter.
NT:3875 parakletos (par-ak'-lay-tos); an
intercessor, consoler: KJV - advocate, comforter.
BOLDNESS: "And when they had prayed, the place
was shaken where they were assembled together; and they
were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the
word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:31)
Boldness (#3954) in the Greek means: all
out-spokenness, frankness, bluntness, publicity;
assurance, and is translated in the KJV as bold,
confidence, freely, openly, plainly .
NT:3954 parrhesia (par-rhay-see'-ah); from
NT:3956 and a derivative of NT:4483; all
out-spokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness,
publicity; by implication, assurance: KJV - bold (X
-ly, -ness, -ness of speech), confidence, X freely,
X openly, X plainly (-ness).
FILLED: "And they were all filled with
the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues,
as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:4)
Filled (#4130) in the Greek means to fill,
influence, supply, and is translated in the KJV as
accomplish, full, furnish.
NT:4130 pletho (play'-tho); a prolonged form of
a primary pleo (pleh'-o) (which appears only as an
alternate in certain tenses and in the reduplicated
form pimplemi); to "fill" (literally or figuratively
[imbue, influence, supply]); specifically, to fulfil
(time): KJV - accomplish, full (... come), furnish.
TEACH & REMEMBRANCE: "But the
Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will
send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and
bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have
said unto you." (John 14:26)
Teach (#1321) in the Greek means to learn, to
teach.
NT:1321 didasko (did-as'-ko); a prolonged
(causative) form of a primary verb dao (to learn);
to teach (in the same broad application): KJV -
teach.
Bring and remembrance (#5279) in the Greek means
to remind quietly, suggest to the memory, and is
translated in the KJV as put in mind, remember,
bring to remembrance.
NT:5279 hupomimnesko (hoop-om-im-nace'-ko); from
NT:5259 and NT:3403; to remind quietly, i.e. suggest
to the (middle voice one's own) memory: KJV - put in
mind, remember, bring to (put in) remembrance.
MYSTERIES: "For he who speaks in a
tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one
understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks
mysteries." (1 Cor 14:2)
Speaks mysteries (#3466) in the Greek means a
secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence
imposed by initiation into religious rites.
NT:3466 musterion (moos-tay'-ree-on); from a
derivative of muo (to shut the mouth); a secret or
"mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by
initiation into religious rites): KJV - mystery.
SIGNS, SNAKES & NOT HURT: "And these
signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall
they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any
deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay
hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark
16:17-18)
Signs (#4592) in the Greek means an indication,
and is translated in the KJV as miracle, sign,
token, wonder. It is from a word (#4591) meaning a
mark, to indicate, signify.
NT:4592 semeion (say-mi'-on); neuter of a
presumed derivative of the base of NT:4591; an
indication, especially ceremonially or
supernaturally: KJV - miracle, sign, token, wonder.
Snakes (#3789) in the Greek is a snake,
figuratively as a type of sly cunning, an artful
malicious person, especially Satan.
NT:3789 ophis (of'-is); probably from NT:3700
(through the idea of sharpness of vision); a snake,
figuratively (as a type of sly cunning) an artful
malicious person, especially Satan: KJV - serpent.
Not (#3364) in the Greek is a double negative
strengthening the denial; not at all, and is
translated in the KJV as any more, at all, by any
(no) means, neither, never, no (at all), in no case
(wise), nor ever, not (at all, in any wise).
NT:3364 ou me (oo may); i.e. NT:3756 and
NT:3361; a double negative strengthening the denial;
not at all: KJV - any more, at all, by any (no)
means, neither, never, no (at all), in no case
(wise), nor ever, not (at all, in any wise). Compare
NT:3378.
Hurt (#984) in the Greek means to hinder, to
injure, and is translated in the KJV as hurt.
NT:984 blapto (blap'-to); a primary verb;
properly, to hinder, i.e. (by implication) to
injure: KJV - hurt.
SIGN TO THE UNBELIEVER: "In the law it
is written: "With men of other tongues and other lips I
will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they
will not hear Me," says the Lord. 22 Therefore tongues
are for a sign, not to those who believe but to
unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but
for those who believe." 1 Cor 14:21 NKJ)
Signs (#4592) in the Greek means an indication,
and is translated in the KJV as miracle, sign,
token, wonder. It is from a word (#4591) meaning a
mark, to indicate, signify.
NT:4592 semeion (say-mi'-on); neuter of a
presumed derivative of the base of NT:4591; an
indication, especially ceremonially or
supernaturally: KJV - miracle, sign, token, wonder.
BUILDING FAITH: "But you, beloved,
building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying
in the Holy Spirit…" (Jude 20-21)
Build (#2026) in the Greek means to build upon,
i.e. (figuratively) to rear up:
NT:2026 epoikodomeo (ep-oy-kod-om-eh'-o); from
NT:1909 and NT:3618; to build upon, i.e.
(figuratively) to rear up: KJV - build thereon
(thereupon, on, upon).
Faith (#4102) in the Greek means persuasion,
i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth,
or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher),
especially reliance upon Christ for salvation;
abstractly, constancy in such profession; by
extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth
itself: and is translated in the KJV as assurance,
belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
NT:4102 pistis (pis'-tis); from NT:3982;
persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of
religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a
religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ
for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such
profession; by extension, the system of religious
(Gospel) truth itself: KJV - assurance, belief,
believe, faith, fidelity.
SUPPLICATION: "Praying always with all
prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching
thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all
saints;" (Eph 6:18)
Supplication (#1162) in the Greek means a
petition, and is translated in the KJV as prayer,
request, supplication.
NT:1162 deesis (deh'-ay-sis); from NT:1189; a
petition: KJV - prayer, request, supplication.
(The day I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, May,
1979)
I have never documented my detailed testimony until
now which is September, 1999, but have only shared it
verbally. One misses a lot when they cannot hear the
inflection in my voice when telling it, but I’ll try the
best I can in this written form.
While reading my testimony, please try to understand
what God was doing to me and the reasons why He did what
He did. I’m including in my background only selective
segments of my life which played a very important role
in how they directly related to my subsequent experience
with God and to reveal how the Lord uses such things
together for good. This exact experience is not
documented in the Bible, but what can I say? The end
result was me getting saved and being filled with the
Holy Spirit which would cause me to be a witness for
Him.
My Growing Up Background; A Selective Segment Of My
Life:
My mother is from Puerto Rico (my father was not) so
her native tongue is Spanish. I always admired her for
being able to speak in another language; it’s something
I always wanted to do. My mother did not teach Spanish
to me while growing up at home as a second language to
learn, but I often heard her talking on the phone to
relatives and friends or she would answer a question I
had about Spanish whenever I would ask. I desired this
so badly for myself that all of a sudden this other
language came out of my mouth instantly. I used to speak
this language all the time when I was young and in the
privacy of my bedroom and no one knew about it but me.
When I was a teenager during my High School years, I
used to have a girlfriend who came from Tehran, Iran to
go to High School here in the United States. She spoke
Persian, naturally, and her name was Miriam (who later
in life became my Bride’s maid at my wedding—I didn’t
even know God then). Since I have been composing music
since I was a child, one time, I wrote a song on the
guitar, while still living at home, and I played it for
my mother. This song was not just an instrumental song
but also had words. While I played the song for my
mother, I sang all the words but sang them all in my
other new language (this was the first time I had ever
done this in front of someone—it took courage). My
mother inquired, “Did Miriam teach you that song?” I was
amazed when she said that because she thought it was a
legitimate language! All I said was “No.” I was always
amazed that my mother did not, at that moment, inquire
further about why or what language I was speaking. But
no one knew, but me, that I used to play the guitar and
sing in another language in the privacy of my bedroom
all the time. I had no idea what I was saying; all I
know is that one day I just started doing it as a child.
My Church Background:
I went to church all my life. I came from a church
background whose doctrine does not believe the gifts of
the Holy Spirit are in operation for today, Apostles and
Prophets are not for today, miracles are not for today,
speaking in tongues (that was of the devil) is not for
today, God’s voice is not heard among His people today
(you were laughed at if you confessed that with rolling
eyes), visions and dreams by God with a relevant message
are not for today, if you did get well while being
prayed for, it was considered and justified in the mind
as “going into remission”(with no one saying that I can
ever recall, “Praise God, the Lord healed!”—how could
they, they didn’t believe in miracles). If you didn’t go
to this particular denomination (and they claim they are
not one but they are the “true Church”), and if you had
any musical instruments in the church, then you were
going to go to hell. They only sang acapella, and they
said that only the “true Church” worships this way. And
for some other matters, once Jesus comes back, there is
no such thing as Christ reigning and ruling for 1000
years with His saints and setting up His Kingdom on
Earth. I was taught that God is through dealing with the
Jews; they had their chance and they have no special
significance for today nor does the nation of Israel.
Well, looking back in retrospect, you can understand why
I HATED going to church when growing up. Because it was
DEAD and had no relevance to my life. I always felt, “If
God does not intervene in men’s lives today, what good
is He? He’s just a story in a book.” I always believed
that Jesus died on the cross, but never really
understood it all and went on living my life the way I
wanted to.
To make a long story as short as I can, in 1979 when
I was 25 years old and had been married for
approximately 5 years, I was working at a job outside
the home. A witness witnessed to me at work one day and
told me about the Holy Spirit. She certainly challenged
me. So, because of my church background, there was one
thing that I knew how to do and that was using a Strongs
Concordance (bless that church for that!). After I saw
the many scriptures on the Holy Spirit, I was totally
astounded. I had never seen this stuff before. Why would
I? Direction in my church background was never focused
on the person of the Holy Spirit in the way I was now
reading it. The more I read, the more persuaded I
became, and I could plainly see for MYSELF that this
baptism of the Holy Spirit had nothing to do with
water!!! . . .but with FIRE!!! I thought, “Wow!”. So,
based on the written Word of God that says you should
ASK to receive the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13), I ASKED! I
asked ALL night, and nothing happened! The next evening,
I tried again, but this time I asked the Lord for one
more thing while I was at it!! I always wanted to know
what the book of Revelation meant. No one could tell me
what it meant. And when I attempted to ask the minister
at my growing up church one time about it, he handed me
some other book about it and said, “Here, read this.”
But, they basically believe it’s just a symbolic book
with no special meaning for today. But in any event, I
kept asking those two things over and over and over all
night, “Lord, please fill me with the Holy Spirit and
reveal to me the book of Revelation.” That’s all that
came out of my mouth all night. And nothing happened.
The next evening after I came home from work, I
proceeded to my bedroom again asking the Lord for the
same things I had asked him the night before and, still,
nothing happened. Finally, Rick (my husband), had to
come to bed because it was getting late. He put his arm
around me for about 5 minutes and then rolled over on
his side. Over and over, I kept repeating this same
request, “Lord, please fill me with the Holy Spirit AND
reveal the book of Revelation to me. After growing weary
of asking and nothing happening, finally, inside of me,
in my heart, I just said to the Lord, “Lord, I just
believe you’ll do it. I don’t know how, but I just
believe you’ll do it.” So by faith, I believed in my
heart that somehow the Lord would baptize me with His
Holy Spirit and reveal the book of Revelation to me.
And THEN . . . all of a sudden, this great power came
inside of my body, and the whole inside of my body
literally lit up! I could actually see this light inside
of my body! The light was not a bright white light, but
it looked like blood and fire mixed together!! Next, I
started to rise out of my body very slowly, and this red
blood and fire mixture was all over me and all over the
room. I was floating in a sea of fire and blood! The
only way I can describe it into earthly words would be
like hot and boiling volcano ash spewing out or like
looking into our blood system through a microscope
seeing everything flowing all around. Slowly, I started
to ascend to the ceiling of my room! As I was going
upward, all of a sudden, I remembered the conversation I
had had with my witness who told me about the Holy
Spirit. She said, “You know what the biggest praise you
can give God? It’s to say Hallelujah!” So, I said,
“Hallelujah!” and I started to rise to the ceiling
faster than a rocket ship. I stayed up at the ceiling
for a while, and then I started to descend back in my
body. “Wow!, I thought”. The next day I went to work and
told this witness all about this, but I told her I
didn’t understand what happened to me! She said, “Go ask
the Lord again if you don’t understand. You’re allowed
to ask for confirmation!” So, I did. I went home and
went through the whole thing again, asking over and over
and over, “Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit, AND
reveal to me what the book of Revelation means.” All
night I did this, and nothing happened. Finally, Rick
had to come to bed again. He put his arm around me again
for about 5 minutes and rolled over on his side, and I
thought to myself, “Oh good, this is what happened last
night!” I kept asking and asking.
And THEN....even greater than before, the power of
God came inside of me again in the same fashion, and I
was being lifted out of my body. But this time, I knew I
was going somewhere. I remember saying out loud,
“Goodbye Rick, goodbye!” waving my hand with a smile on
my face! I didn’t care if I ever saw him again! I was
taken right through the wall behind my bed!
Now, what I am about to share next is precious to me,
but it’s going to sound really strange and weird. But
please be patient, you’ll see and understand why these
things were done to me towards the end of my testimony.
The very next thing I saw was this huge EYE. It was
ONE HUGE EYE as big as a whole room. I remember saying,
“Okay, I better pay attention here, I see an eye.” It
kept looking at me, and I kept looking at it, and then I
became afraid. I wanted to look at it, but I kept using
my hands to cover my eyes because it was beyond words;
it was so awesome, and then I tried as hard as I could
to still see the huge eye while shading my eyes with my
hands and then uncovering them over and over. It was
then that I realized I had hands because I was trying to
cover my eyes with my hands!
THEN (this is going to sound really weird, but it
really did happen) the next thing I saw were CARTOONS!!
I had no idea what particular cartoons they were as we
know them today. All I know is that these were
definitely cartoons and there was a very slight blur to
them, and they had big swords in their hands fighting!
Then, I knew it was time for me to go back. I came back
into my bedroom, and there was a full moon outside with
the light shining in my bedroom right through the window
near my head. I saw myself lying on my bed with my long
hair spread out on my pillow! I didn’t want to go back
inside my body because I was afraid it was going to
hurt, but there was nothing I could do about it!! I was
going inside whether I liked it or not! It didn’t hurt,
no pain whatsoever. It was like taking a piece of paper
(me) and sticking it inside of an envelope (my body).
I can only tell you from that moment, I was never the
same again! I KNEW I had found God and I knew he was
alive and doing well, and I believed in miracles and
everything else I was taught not to believe because I
knew that only GOD could do something like this!!
Hallelujah!!
I was intrigued with the “EYE” that I saw, so I got
out my Strongs Concordance and looked up eyes! I
couldn’t believe what I found!! The eyes of the Lord are
in every place! You are the apple of my eye. The Lord
was telling me that I was the apple of His eye and that
He was watching me! If anyone knows this truth that God
is watching us, it’s me!! Here’s a wonderful one, “[18]
Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him,
upon them that hope in his mercy; [19] To deliver their
soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. [20]
Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our
shield. [21] For our heart shall rejoice in him, because
we have trusted in his holy name. [22] Let thy mercy, O
Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. Psalm
33:18-22
I was absolutely amazed over this whole thing that
God was now speaking personally to me, not only through
this experience but through His written Word.
I didn’t know about this cartoon thing, it was too
weird to even mention. I finally visited a small church
called “Jesus Name Apostolic Pentecostal Church.” I went
to the morning and evening service. After the evening
service was over, I pulled the pastor aside and shared
with him all the things I’m sharing right now. He gave
me three (3) little pamphlets to take home to read. So I
did. One pamphlet was on water baptism, and the other
was on something else, and the other one had a picture
of Jesus in the clouds, so I decided to look at that one
first. After reading, very slowly, this pamphlet, all of
a sudden, I realized, for the first time in my entire
life, I finally understood the basics of the book of
Revelation! And do you know why? Because this whole
pamphlet was on the book of Revelation and the whole
thing was illustrated in cartoons !!! (Remember my
original two requests to God?) Hallelujah!! God ALONE
KNOWS what to do to make us understand!! At that time, I
needed something simple that would make me understand so
God chose cartoons for me!! He’s allowed to do that you
know! (I also enjoy reading those chick tracts too
because they are all illustrated in cartoons!!). God
will use ANYTHING for His purposes which are custom made
to us and to us alone. He is so wonderful!! Praise the
name of Jesus! Isn’t that what a personal relationship
is all about?
I would like to interject something here in that
when I was a child, I was baptized with water at a
church camp by my growing up church, however, it was
that type of thing where the leadership was pressuring
me to do it by waving their hands for me to come on down
quickly into the water because of their invitation to do
so. I didn't understand it all at the time, and just
being a child, how could I resist the leadership?
Afterwards, I did have a "clean feeling", however, I did
not know the Lord AT ALL until I was 25 years old on
that day when I asked the Lord to fill me with His Holy
Spirit.
It is also very interesting to note in the book of
I Samuel 2:18 it states, "But Samuel ministered before
the Lord, being a child . . . ." and in I Samuel 3:1 it
states, "And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord
before Eli . . . ." Later, after all that ministering
Samuel did unto the Lord, THEN it says when the Lord
started calling Samuel personally at a certain point in
time, in I Samuel 3:7 it NOW says, "Now Samuel DID NOT
YET KNOW THE LORD, NEITHER WAS THE WORD OF THE LORD YET
REVEALED UNTO HIM." When I saw this, I was floored! I
said, "That's how it happened to me!." Remember? Looking
back at my life, I'm persuaded that all that time I was
playing guitar in my bedroom in private AS A CHILD
singing songs in another language, I was ministering to
the Lord and didn't even realize it NOR DID I KNOW THE
LORD YET (just like Samuel) until the Lord started
“calling me" or "drawing me" to Himself at age 25!!
So, as you can see, I did not speak in tongues when I
asked God to be filled with the Holy Spirit, because I
had already been doing that all my life, and in
retrospect, I see this applicable scripture regarding
this: “[29] For the gifts and calling of God are without
repentance.” Romans 11:29 It would have not been
anything new to me if I had spoken in tongues which most
people do when they receive the baptism of the Holy
Spirit according to scripture. However, because of my
church background, God took me on a much deeper journey
to show me that He’s God Almighty, the great I AM, and
He truly DOES do miracles TODAY, and He can do ANYTHING
and that I serve a SUPERNATURAL God who DOES intervene
in men’s lives today!!! “ . . . for flesh and blood hath
not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in
heaven.” Matthew 16:17
In conjunction with the baptism of the Holy Spirit,
my particular experience is not documented in the Bible
except for the fact the many believers were “caught up”
in the spirit and were often taken places or saw
visions, and I’m sure there are others out there, too,
who are outside the norm of what the written Word of God
says as to what people experience when being baptized
with the Holy Spirit, which is, they spoke with other
tongues. I literally experienced the supernatural fire
and power of God in which He baptized me, and it was an
unforgettable appointment, orchestrated by God, which
converted my heart to be His witness for Him so others
can experience the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and
that they, too, can be baptized with the Holy Spirit to
have power to be God’s witnesses for Him. God meets us
right where we are in life and His purposes are
fulfilled.
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but
he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes
I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the
Holy Ghost, and with fire: Matthew 3:11
I praise and thank my Father in Heaven, through His
Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ who died and shed his blood
for my sins, for revealing Himself to me in this way,
and it is something in which man can never take away
from my heart. I belong to God, and He is my first love,
and I only wish to serve Him. I am complete in Him, and
my heart’s desire is that I long to see His appearance
when He comes back to get His Bride so that where He is,
I may be also.
Jesus, you are my Prince, my Lord and Savior, my
Knight in Shining Armour for you have come and rescued
me from the evil one who once kept me captive and robbed
from me your blessings truly intended. But no more, oh
Lord, for you have set me free, and I am free only in
You. Amen.
"Now the things which I write unto you, behold,
before God, I lie not." Galatians 1:20
If you have a special testimony of how the Lord
baptized you with the Holy Spirit, please consider
sending it to Sandy. swauthor777@usa.net
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Words from the The Quickened Word are excerpts from the journals of Sandy Warner. To
better understand how God speaks, read Sandy’s book, “101+ Ways God
Speaks, And How to Hear Him.” Website:
www.thequickenedword.com Email:
swauthor777@usa.net
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