There are many ideas in Christian circles regarding receiving the Holy Spirit yet in the Bible if you take it at face value it is clear, simple and not confusing. The immediate as well as the long term benefits to the individual who receives the Holy Spirit are amazing.
Step 1
Get a Bible.
Step 2
Look up acts 2;38 Which says if you "repent" and get "baptised" you will recieve the Holy Spirit.
Step 3
Repent. Repent is from the greek word "metanoeo" which means literally to change ones mind. That's it, just change to deciding to give it a try on the terms of the New Testament of the Bible.
Step 4
Get Baptised. Baptism from the greek word "baptizo" means to immerse or to submerge in water. Jesus was baptised in water for our example to follow. Find some water(Ocean, lake, river, swimming pool or warm bath etc. will do) and find someone who already has the Holy Spirit to baptise you.
Step 5
Ask God to give you the Holy Spirit. Receiving the Holy Spirit isn't automatic. Jesus said you had to ask for it. (Luke 11:9,10 & 13b) "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.... how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"
Step 6
Ask by praying to God using your voice to ask for the Holy Spirit. Expect to receive the Holy Spirit speaking in tongues the same as the disciples did in the Bible. 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.
Step 7
When you feel your tongue starting to change, don't worry or try to fight it, just relax and let God have his way and enjoy the miraculous experience.
Step 8
Expect God to keep working in your life. Many people have been healed of illness's and addictions and problems of all sorts at the time of receiving the Holy Spirit.
Step 9
After you've receive the Holy Spirit you receive the love of God and the power of God (to help your life and to help others)Luke 24;39 Acts 1;8 Romans 5;5 and many other things and it's awesome.
Step 10
Live a Christian life, (Galatians 5;22-25 Romans chapter 12)
Step 11
Use your new tongue(language) as a prayer language to talk to God (in private) which will build you up and maintain the faith which you have just received. 1 Corinthians14;2&4a "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...He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself;"
Step 12
Tell others how easy it was and how they can do it too (Mark 16:15-20)
Tips
- If this sounds appealing try it out, you've got nothing to lose.
- If you don't agree with this that's your choice.
- It doesn't matter whether or not your already a believer to receive the Holy Spirit. The key to believing is asking If you can believe enough to ask for the Holy Spirit you will recieve. Jesus said so.Luke 11;10
- If you have been previously baptised but not with a view to recieving the Holy Spirit as per the bible, you should be rebaptised and ask for the Holy Spirit (Acts19;1-6)
- If your having trouble receiving the Holy Spirit, be persistent in asking(see Luke 11;5-13) and don't stop until you've had the same experience as the disciples had in Acts2;4 (see also Acts10;44-46 & Acts19;1-6)
- Get an online Bible and look up all the references to repentance, baptism, Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues.
- Look up original meanings of Bible words in a Strongs concordance or similar either on paper or online
- Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit is the same thing
- Being filled with the Holy Spirit, Receiving the Holy Spirit, Pouring out of the Holy Spirit, being Baptised with the Holy Spirit, being born of the Spirit etc. are all interchangeable terms in the Bible and are all talking about the same experience
- Don't pray to receive tongues alone, that's not in the bible. Tongues is an evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes complete with all gifts (1 Corinthians 1-7, 1Corinthians12;6, Ephesians1;3 & 2Peter1;3)
- Receiving the Holy Spirit is a wonderful experience which doesn't go away (John14;15-17)
- Speaking in tongues as well as faith, knowledge, understanding and charity are all essential elements of Christianity but all must be done in the context of love. (1 Corinthians13;1-3)
Warnings
- If you decide to try this, well meaning people like your friends and family will probably try to talk you out of it. Read the scriptures about the Holy Spirit, pray about it and make up your own mind.
- Healings from God, Joy, Belief in Jesus, and water baptism alone are not evidence that someone has the Holy Spirit The Samaratans in Acts 8;5-17 had all these wonderful things and yet none of them had the Holy Spirit
- People who speak in tongues and yet behave badly still have the Holy Spirit. Paul's letters are full of warnings about this.
- People who are well behaved cannot claim to have the Holy Spirit just because they are well behaved. Anyone can behave well if they choose to.
- Tongues is the only Bible evidence that someone has the Holy Spirit. Its how Peter knew that Cornelius had received the Holy Spirit. (See acts chapters 10 & 11)
- Salvation is not a prequisite for receiving the Holy Spirit. Receiving the Holy Spirit is salvation (John3;5 John6;63 Romans8;2 2Corinthians3-6 Titus3;5)
