Thank you, Sree, for your reply.

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Jade

Here is a helpful one that clears up much misunderstandings;

http://swartzentrover.com/cotor/E-Books/christ/Torrey/BWTHS/The%20Baptism%20with%20the%20Holy%20Spirit.pdf

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Fletcher

Hi Fletcher,

I think I had gone through that one by R.A. Torrey multiple times. Also books by others such as Finney. Just looking again quickly through that pdf link he is using Acts 1 for building his doctrine.

The disciple were told to wait and they waited 10 days to get the Holy Spirit. Jesus ministry after he was resurrected was 40 days and the disciples waited 10 days. That gives you 50 days until the day of pentecost. The waiting was in relation to the day of pentecost. I just cannot see how a teaching on this subject can be based off of Acts 1 and how that would apply to Christians today?

Actually nevermind I take that back he is against waiting. I'm reading it through it again.

No worries:)

Hope that is helpful,.. brother Torrey has several writings on Holy Spirit.

Speaking for myself,... I didn’t ask for it but was utterly and completely shattered earlier the same day before I received Him 🙏🏻

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Fletcher

My initial question was
Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?

I asked this question to address those among us who long for it, who are powerless, timid, lacking Christian virtue and are sick and tired of being defeated and fruitless. I will pray for them.

There are people who have not received Him but have an intellectual ascent to it. It is possible to reason much about it and still be in the dark.

"It is better to have Him and know not what to call it than to know how to call it and do not have Him."
B.H.Clendennen

Lets put behind all these discussions on Baptism of the Holy Spirit, 2nd blessing, continuous infilling of the Holy Spirit etc. As these topics are very sensitive to people here. Lets get to practical aspects of our faith.

Jesus clearly said in Acts 1:8 that there is a power to be received when a person receives the Holy Spirit. A power to be witness to Jesus. A power that makes our very being (living) a witness to Christ.

Now recently I heard a women saying that her husband is struggling with Pornography. He is in tears about his sin and acknowledging it with his wife but finds himself powerless against temptation.

Now should this person not seek power from high based on Acts 1:8? Or should we shut him out saying no more power is available as God stopped working that way?

This is where I find the danger of ignoring the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Sreeram

Can we just agree not to argue and discuss this like grown men?

I only say that because I would like to hear more about it. Like I have said, this has been on my mind lately.

Perhaps you can share instances in which the power of the Lord worked in you or in another, as a means of encouragement?

I believe people in the Old Testament were filled with the Holy Spirit as well. John the Baptist was, "For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb." Luke 1:15 So was his mother Elizabeth. Remember this is before the cross and before Pentecost.

At Pentecost the purpose was a general outpouring on Jews as well as Gentiles.

I think there is much confusion on this topic because Satan is afraid of people who are filled with the Holy Spirit, so he muddies the waters as much as he can. I don't believe a person can be filled slowly or gradually; every time the Bible addresses this topic it is always a sudden thing.

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Nigel Holland

We cannot be filled if we are not first emptied. For me this meant throwing away my Xbox, and games. Throwing away basketball cards worth money. D and D stuff, magic cards etc. these were my idols before coming to Christ. Price in the 1000 range.

I wrote down every sin i had committed that came to my mind. I had at least ten pages! I repented to Christ for each sin in tears claiming His blood. When I finished I threw the sheets away.

I still had sins that though I repented did not feel gone from my life yet so I spent time calling and repenting of different sins I had committed as a kid to different people. Witnessing to them after apologizing. Stealing, gave my friend back his money, lies, picking on one kid bullied more then me at school, disrespecting my parents, etc. and even other terrible sins. The Holy Spirit is very thorough with us, and until you do what has to be done you will not be filled.

After this while Sammie was driving me around to get me baptized:) precious lady! I was at home one night and received the baptism as I was in our bonus room worshiping our Lord. The events are personal of that night. Then later at work as I said earlier I received the prayer language.

Bottom line, we have to repent of all our sins, throw away any idols, and call and apologize to people we have sinned against as God leads us, [or that is how God had me do it.] It is my up most belief that until this is done to satisfaction in God’s eyes no one will receive the baptism.

This is my experience, I will pray it helps in your search brother.

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William