Acts 10:44-48

 

Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit took control of everyone who was listening. 45 Some Jewish followers of the Lord had come with Peter, and they were surprised that the Holy Spirit had been given to Gentiles. 46 Now they were hearing Gentiles speaking unknown languages and praising God. Peter said, 47 "These Gentiles have been given the Holy Spirit, just as we have! I am certain that no one would dare stop us from baptizing them." 48 Peter ordered them to be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ, and they asked him to stay on for a few days.

How did the disciples know that the people in Cornelius’ household were filled with the Holy Spirit? Acts10:46. Now they were hearing Gentiles speaking unknown languages and praising God.

There are many examples of the baptism in the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. In almost every example there is one common experience either stated, or implied. When these early believers received the baptism in the Holy Spirit they began to praise God speaking in tongues. The gift of praying in the Spirit is given as a sign of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:4 The Holy Spirit took control of everyone, and they began speaking whatever languages the Spirit let them speak. This is the account of the first infilling of the Holy Spirit.

Mark 16:17 says; - Everyone who believes me will be able to do wonderful things. By using my name they will force out demons, and they will speak new languages. 18 They will handle snakes and will drink poison and not be hurt. They will also heal sick people by placing their hands on them. “Try to do that without the Holy Spirit; it does not work. When we pray in the spirit we are using a language that we have not leaned with the mind. It is given by the Holy Spirit, but it is up to us to use our mouths to speak it out.

Romans 8:26-27; - 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

How can I pray in the Spirit, firstly you must be born again and you must be hungry for the fullness of the Spirit. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6

Ask to receive and expect to receive. “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” Luke 11:13. Act in faith. Speak out in the spirit. It is a supernatural gift, it requires our Co-operation to speak it out.

The Indwelling Holy Spirit declares the truth about Christ (John 16:13-14) 13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he shall guide you into all the truth: for he shall not speak from himself; but what things so ever he shall hear, these shall he speak: and he shall declare unto you the things that are to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall take of mine, and shall declare it unto you. 15All things whatsoever the Father hath are mine: therefore said I that he taketh of mine, and shall declare it unto you.

Endowers us with power for gospel proclamation (Acts 1:8) 8But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Pours out God’s love in our heart (Rom. 5:3-5) 3 but that is not all! We gladly suffer, because we know that suffering helps us to endure. 4 And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope 5 that will never disappoint us. All of this happens because God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love.

Makes intercession (Rom. 8:26) 26 in certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we do not know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words.

Enables the fruit of holy living (Gal. 5:22-24) 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. 24And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. 25If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.

Strengthens the inner being (Eph. 3:14-21 with note on verse 16) 14 for this reason I fall on my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its true name. 16 I ask God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves, 17 and I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith. I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love, 18  so that you, together with all God's people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ's love. 19 Yes, may you come to know his love---although it can never be fully known---and so be completely filled with the very nature of God. 20 To him who by means of his power working in us is able to do so much more than we can ever ask for, or even think of: 21 to God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever! Amen.

We can live the victories life in the Spirit

In the written Word, the Holy Spirit inspired men to record God's dealings with His people.

 (2 Tim. 3:16 ;) 16Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. 17That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.

(2 Pet. 1:21) 19 so we are even more confident of the message proclaimed by the prophets. You will do well to pay attention to it, because it is like a lamp shining in a dark place until the Day dawns and the light of the morning star shines in your hearts. 20 Above all else, however, remember that none of us can explain by ourselves a prophecy in the Scriptures.  21 For no prophetic message ever came just from the human will, but people were under the control of the Holy Spirit as they spoke the message that came from God.

The New Testament understands the Holy Spirit to be the assurance of the risen Lord Jesus indwelling believers in salvation

Regenerates the believer (Titus 3:5) 5not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

Sanctifies the believer (2 Thess. 2:13-15) 13 If we are not faithful, he will still be faithful. Christ cannot deny who he is." 14 Do not let anyone forget these things. And with God as your witness, you must warn them not to argue about words. These arguments do not help anyone. In fact, they ruin everyone who listens to them. 15 Do your best to win God's approval as a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed and who teaches only the true message.

Completely indwells the believer (Acts 2:1-4) 1 on the day of Pentecost all the Lord's followers were together in one place. 2 Suddenly there was a noise from heaven like the sound of a mighty wind! It filled the house where they were meeting. 3 Then they saw what looked like fiery tongues moving in all directions, and a tongue came and settled on each person there. 4 The Holy Spirit took control of everyone, and they began speaking whatever languages the Spirit let them speak.

We are to focus on building up others, not ourselves. God does not want us to be in disorder, but in harmony and peace full of the Holy Spirit.

Amen