The Holy Spirit

This week we looked at the role and work of the Holy Spirit. We saw that He works in our lives before we become Christians to show us our need of Christ. Then when we give our lives to Jesus we receive the Holy Spirit within us. We are told that the Holy Spirit is a deposit guaranteeing that we have eternal life. He is with us to reveal God to us, to bring the words of God and to teach and direct us so we become more like Christ and show the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. He gives spiritual gifts so that the church is strengthened and built up to be a strong and effective witness for Christ in the world. 
 
We then looked at baptism of the Holy Spirit looking particularly at the book of Acts. We saw that Jesus told His disciples in Acts 1:4–5On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”And He said to them Acts 1:8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
 
We looked at the examples of baptism in the Spirit at the day of Pentecost, with the Samaritan believers and with Cornelius. We saw that this is an act separate to conversion but can occur after or at the same time. It is evidenced by a sign and it is consistent with the biblical examples that this is speaking in tongues. We saw it is a gift from God given that we can live fully and witness for Him boldly.
 
Finally I finished with my testimony about being baptised in the Holy Spirit. What I experienced was the incredible love God had for me and I was filled with joy as I worshipped and praised Him in this new language.
 
God bless
Pastor Margo