All these people claim a special happening – contact with the Holy Spirit. For many of them, “getting the spirit” or feeling God’s presence is a real, tangible and bodily experience. Shouting, seeing visions, speaking in tongues, jumping, dancing or falling limp to the floor (“falling out”) are just a few ways people say the Holy Spirit’s manifests its presence in their bodies.
But not every church group or individual Christian experiences the Holy Spirit. Some churches don’t welcome the bodily expression of spiritual experience. But even for those who do, the manifestations of the Spirit often vary from person to person, said William Turner Jr., a professor of ministerial studies at Duke Divinity School.
People seek the Holy Spirit because “consistently, the New Testament teaches that the basic components of the Christian life are: believing on the Lord Jesus; being baptized; and receiving the Spirit,” Turner said.
Sometimes fear of the unknown can keep worshippers from fully sensing God’s presence, he added.
Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Is there any other reason to seek the Holy Spirit’s power than to be obedient to Jesus Christ?
It seems to me that any other reason would border on spiritual hedonism.
Don
If its part of the package, including obedience consequent on my part, I see no issue. Yet, what would keep our feet on the ground if we were to be able to fill completely every jot and tittle of the Law? I believe the grace of God so great that as we mature in the Lord the revelation of our innate sinfulness is made bearable and the reason we worship Him is in thanks and praise for his fathomless mercy. This does not mean we should not attempt virtue, but attempting to be virtuous in itself is as much idolatry as any fleshly sin you can name, perhaps more so because at root is the sin of pride, which as most know, goeth before a fall. Our existence depends on the mercy of God.
Humbly submitted
Timothy
“The element of fear regarding the Spirit is probably inversely proportional to the desire to explain and remain in control,” Turner said. “And yet, persons with experience in this regard cannot deny it.”
It’s always interesting to me that when folks do not “experience” the “Holy Spirit” in the way that others do, the others often make it sound like a problem with the character or spirituality of the non-experiencers.
One could easily, however, imply the opposite problem: “”The element of [exhibitionism] regarding the Spirit is probably inversely proportional to [insecurity and need for attention from one’s churchgoing peers],” Turner said. “And yet, persons with experience in this regard cannot deny it.”
The appearance of the Holy Spirit can manifest itself in many ways other than “speaking in tongues.”
Is the reporter limited in her comprehension of the Holy Spirit or is this congregation narrowly focused on “speaking in tongues?”
I am always disturbed by the term “Getting the Holy Spirit” as if that element of the Trinity is somehow akin to another material product to be consumed like an IPod.
I know from my own life experiences that the Holy Spirit will come upon people. I have experienced it. But it wasn’t speaking in tongues or jumping and screaming. It was a very solemn experience that I can not explain and have given up trying. I sometimes wonder why this phenomina of speaking in tongues isn’t more wide spread. My sister went to a pentecostal type Church and later informed me that the caholic church has no spirit, that the pope is the antichrist, and that our way of worship is following the devil. I have asked her to show me where in the Bible that is stated. She can’t. It is just the uneducated opinion of a self “ordained” control freak and charlatan. It also puzzles me that no one can interpret these “tongues” so what is the point?
There are many good Christian people in Pentecostal Churches and I do not mean to slight them. There are also carnival barkers looking for an easy buck.
For me it was a feeling of immense JOY being poured over me. I could not keep from laughing. It was wonderful.
No tongues, not even the glimmer of a different language. Which caused a lot of people to pour a guilt trip on me and caused me to question the experience. If I really received the Holy Spirit, why no speaking in tongues?
Gradually, the Holy Spirit revealed to me that He gave me the experience He wanted me to have, if I didn’t receive tongues, so what? He had other plans and gifts for me — so stop listening to others opinions!
“He gives to each one gifts as He wills. To one is given speaking in tongues, to another interpretation of tongues, to another prophecy by the Same Spirit …” etc.
In His Peace
Jim E. <><