The Holy Spirit (Part 3)

As I have approached this series on the Holy Spirit, there have been some questions submitted that I would like to answer here:

• Does a person have to be baptized in the Holy Spirit to enter heaven?  The answer is no. The only requirement for a person to be saved and have eternal life is to be born again (John 3:7). When one accepts Jesus as their Savior they receive the Spirit of Christ (Holy Spirit) and have eternal life.  "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his (Romans 8:9).
• Do I have to be baptized in the Holy Spirit to be used of God.  Again the answer is no. It is important however, to know that when you are baptized in the Holy Spirit there is a greater anointing, and a greater power to do the work of ministry.

In this dispensation the Holy Spirit has made our body His temple and He dwells in us through His omnipresence (1 Corinthians 3:16).  The Bible tells us that the "Greater One" live in us (1 John 4:4).  I want share with you how important the Holy Spirit is in our lives.

1.  God Established The Church On The Power Of The Holy Spirit

In the Book of Acts, we see the importance of the Holy Spirit's work in the establishment of the early church.  Jesus told His disciples that they would receive power after the Holy Ghost came upon them (Acts 1:8) and in Acts 2 we see the lives of the apostles were changed dramatically by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Peter, who had denied Christ at his trial, preached with boldness and thousands were saved (Acts 4:13).  This was the beginning of the empowerment of the church and of the people of God.

2.  What The Power Of The Holy Spirit Will Do For You

When the Holy Spirit fills the believer He begins to move and change many aspects of the believers spiritual life.  Here are a few:

• It will change your life and empower you.  Just as the lives of the disciples were changed, so is your life when the Holy Spirit comes in.  The Holy Spirit wants to revolutionize your life and when He does, you will never be the same.
• It will give you a new perspective for life and ministry.  When the Holy Spirit gets a hold on your life and revival begins to burn in you, your perspective for ministry will change and you will begin to look for ways to minister.
• It will give you a heart and desire for ministry.  If you have no interest for ministry, check and see if the Holy Spirit is active in your life.  When the Holy Spirit is directing your life there will always be a heart and desire for ministry.
• It will give you the confidence you need for ministry.  One of the biggest deficiencies in the believer is a lack of confidence.  The power of the Holy Spirit in your life will give you that confidence.

God desires for you to have all He offers!  It is His Spirit working in us that gives us the power and boldness to pray for the sick and witness of Christ.  Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to fully use you?

-- Pastor Temple