The Cross of Christ Alone Can Save

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I'm sorry, I shouldn't have used the word bitter. I apologize to you.

It's just when I hear that scenario played out in a post, my mind goes to all of the glorious times I've seen God bless and touch a person. It's so personal and beautiful, I don't see or remember the bad things - try not to remember.

I will share a funny story though. I was in Lufkin, Texas at Youth Camp. First time around a bunch of Pentecostals in such large number. I was at the front praying and I had a girl on my left and one on my right. The one on the left was saying, "Talk to Him. He needs to hear your voice." The other girl was saying, "Let Him talk for you." LOL! Well, by then I was furious and I jerked both of my arms out of their hands. I looked at one girl and said, "First you are telling me to talk!", then I looked at the other, "And you are telling me not to! What am I supposed to be doing?!" Their eyes got really big and I don't even think they answered me. Then I had a really fat girl get in my face and say, "REPENT SISTER!!!!!" I heard someone behind me say, very quietly, "She has already repented." Hilarious!!!!

I received the Holy Ghost the last night of Camp Meeting. God was more real and personal to me than any of the other stuff. He is altogether lovely!!!

How do you know you received the Holy Ghost?

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

How do you know you received the Holy Ghost?

Well, previously in the Baptist Church, I was taken to the back and talked to and told that I was saved after a Sinner's Prayer. I knew that I was not saved.

This time I felt the presence of God and began to speak in tongues as the Spirit of God gave the utterance.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Well, previously in the Baptist Church, I was taken to the back and talked to and told that I was saved after a Sinner's Prayer. I knew that I was not saved.

This time I felt the presence of God and began to speak in tongues as the Spirit of God gave the utterance.

I knew I received the Spirit when I spoke with tongues also. It happened with me and a friend praying in my apartment.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

I knew I received the Spirit when I spoke with tongues also. It happened with me and a friend praying in my apartment.

My experience was quite different.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by notofworks

My experience was quite different.

Was your experience scriptural? I can find examples of believers in the Bible who had the same experience of speaking with tongues when they received the Holy Spirit.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

Was your experience scriptural?

Absolutely!

When he said "living water," he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory. (John 7:39)

And now you also have heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. (Ephesians 1:13)

All who proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. (I John 4:15)

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by notofworks

Absolutely!

When he said "living water," he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory. (John 7:39)

And now you also have heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. (Ephesians 1:13)

All who proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. (I John 4:15)

The disciples believed on the risen Christ yet they didn't receive the Spirit until the day of Pentecost.

The Samaritans believed in Acts 8, yet they didn't receive the Spirit when they believed.

Same with the disciples in Ephesus in Acts 19. They believed when Paul told them about Christ and then were baptized. Why did Paul have to lay hands on them and pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit?

Just somethings for you to consider. I've got to go. God bless you!!!

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by notofworks

Absolutely!

When he said "living water," he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory. (John 7:39)

And now you also have heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. (Ephesians 1:13)

All who proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. (I John 4:15)

Except that the Word identifies the "promise of the spirit" as something you would see and hear. That is a visible evidence that it would occur.

Acts 1:4 "And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me."

Acts 2:33 "Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear." - referring back to verse 4.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

I knew I received the Spirit when I spoke with tongues also. It happened with me and a friend praying in my apartment.

Awesome and amen.

Apparently, the Apostles recognized that Cornelius and the other Gentiles of Caesarea had also received the Holy Ghost for they heard them speak in tongues. Acts 10:44-46.

Same thing happening in Ephesus. Acts 19:6. Some have said that because they prophesied that was "another" sign that they had received the Holy Ghost. Not buying that one.