Here is a list of the spiritual gifts. The Bible does not list them by the categories I've listed here. I've done this grouping simply for your information only.
The special gifts are Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers.
The speaking gifts are prophecy, teaching, exhortation,
the word of wisdom, and the word of knowledge.
The serving gifts are the discerning of spirits, giving, leadership, helps, administration, serving, faith, hospitality, and mercy.
The sign gifts are miracles, healing, tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
The proper use of spiritual gifts is a real key to effective spiritual power. Without them, it is like trying to do a job in the natural world without the proper tools.
This endument of power of the Holy Spirit also enables you to live a Christ-like life. This is accomplished through qualities the Holy Spirit develops in your life. These qualities are called spiritual fruit. The fruit of the Holy Spirit refers to the nature of the Holy Spirit being evident in the life of a believer. God desires that all the fruit be evident in your life. Here is a list of the fruit of the Holy Spirit:
Galatians 5:22, 23 "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.
Meekness, temperance; against such there is no law."
These qualities give you the spiritual power to be like Jesus.
As Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit was given by the Father as the disciples waited in Jerusalem in Acts 2. The Holy Spirit has already been given, but each believer needs to receive this power through the personal experience of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
How do you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
1. Repent and be baptized!
You must first experience the power of the Gospel by repenting from sin and receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. It is also suggested that you be baptized in water:
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."
2. Believe that it is for you!
Acts 2:39 "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."
3. Desire it!
John 7:37-39 "Jesus stood and cried, saying, if any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive; for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"
4. Realize it's a gift!
The Holy Spirit has already been given. It was given to the Church on the Day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2. Because it is a gift, you can do nothing to earn it. Begin to praise and thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit.
5. Yield to God!
As you praise God for the gift of the Holy Spirit, speak your praises audibly as they did on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. As you praise God audibly you may first experience stammering lips. Yield your tongue to the Holy Spirit and He will speak through you words foreign to your understanding. The stammering lips will soon develop into a language as you continue to praise God:
Isaiah 28:11 "For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people."
Acts 2:4 "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
6. Seek the prayers of other Spirit-Filled believers!
The Holy Spirit can also be received through the laying on of hands by believers. Acts 8, 9, and 19 show how Spirit-filled believers can help you experience the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
No comments:
Post a Comment