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Hi, a question to born again Christians; how do you know that a person is baptized in the Holy Spirit? What is the proof/evidance?

Blessings!

Hi PhilMun:

In Pentecostal circles, we often hear the phrase : "the evidence of speaking in tongues as the spirit gives utterance..." in relation to the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  I don't know if this is what you are alluding to, but following is some scriptural information.

First and foremost: the phrase "the evidence of speaking in tongues..." may sound scriptural, but is nowhere....I repeat, nowhere to be found in scripture.  It is drawn solely from the day of Pentecost preaching, and the later conversion of Cornelius. 

The evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is found in scripture in the form of certain promises made by Jesus, and subsequent  verification via the self-same Spirit through Peter and Paul.

We'll begin with what John the Baptist had to say.
Mat 3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire: "

John is stating emphatically that Jesus WILL baptize the believer with the Holy Ghost.....no ifs, no ands, and no buts.

Next, we'll see what Peter had to say.
Act 2:38 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Repent, be baptized, and you WILL receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.....no ifs, no ands, and no buts.

Peter then said in Act 11:16: "Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. "

Paul said in 1Cr 12:13"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."
And later in Gal 3:27 "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

In 1 Cor. 12-14, Paul goes to great lengths to establish a certain order of how a born-again believer is to behave....in the process, he gives us some great insight into that little "procedure" that is called being "born-again."

At the moment of belief in Jesus Christ, three things happen: 1,  Christ puts Himself ON us....we become immersed (baptized) IN Him. 2, Jesus baptizes (seals, or immerses) us with the Holy Spirt, and 3, the Holy Spirit baptizes (immerses) us INTO the Body of Christ, His church.

These actions are irrevocable.

Later, we see Paul expounding on certain facets of our belief (for the purpose of understanding our security IN Him), and to understand the nature of what has been PROMISED to us.

2Cr 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

That word sealed is ESSENTIAL to our understanding of what God has done for us.

sealed: sphragizo {sfrag-id'-zo}
1) to set a seal upon, mark with a seal, to seal
a) for security: from Satan
b) since things sealed up are concealed (as the contents of a letter), to hide, keep in silence, keep secret
c) in order to mark a person or a thing
1) to set a mark upon by the impress of a seal or a stamp
2) angels are said to be sealed by God
d) in order to prove, confirm, or attest a thing
1) to confirm authenticate, place beyond doubt
a) of a written document
b) to prove one's testimony to a person that he is what he professes to be


Finally, the outward "evidence" of our being born-again believers, sealed with the Holy Ghost, and baptized in and with him, is found throughout 1 John, but most especially in 1Jo 4:13   "Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit."

I hope this has been of some help.

Amen Brother Hank!

It's a beautiful fact that our hearts are SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD! WITH not BY because the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD is still in our HEARTS! "BY" may indicate a temporary situation. "WITH" indicates an unbreakable SEAL, and it is, IN FACT, a PLEDGE of the PROMISE OF GOD! I love the fact that the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD lives in my heart.


Love In Christ,
Tom

Philippians 2:1-2 NASB  Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Bro Hank, thank you very much. You wrote:

At the moment of belief in Jesus Christ, three things happen: 1,  Christ puts Himself ON us....we become immersed (baptized) IN Him. 2, Jesus baptizes (seals, or immerses) us with the Holy Spirt, and 3, the Holy Spirit baptizes (immerses) us INTO the Body of Christ, His church.

These actions are irrevocable.

From the above, you believe that the BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT takes place at the moment of Salvation, right?

But the word SEALED does NOT mean 'being baptized (or immersed)'.... it means, according to your own words, " to set a seal upon, mark with a seal, to seal "... which I mean, is that, God put a mark on a born again person to tell the world/devil that he/she belongs to Me  (heaven).

I believe BAPTISM in the Holy Spirit is a definite experience in the life of a born again (saved) believer; like the experience of baptism in water. We can see a person being immersed in water (for water baptism) but how do we know (or see) whether a believer is baptized or not in the Holy Spirit.... this is my question.

Hello PhilMun,

What Brother Hank told you about Salvation and the Holy Spirit are the simple facts from the Holy Bible. They wouldn't be just thoughts or beliefs if one uses the Holy Bible.

In terms of your questions - Only GOD knows the heart.

Human beings can't physically see the SEAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Human beings can see fruits of the Holy Spirit as evidence of Salvation, but only GOD knows perfectly who does and who does not belong to HIM.

In terms of water baptism, one could be baptized hundreds of times and never be saved. If a person is baptized once WITH the Holy Spirit, they are saved forever. The work and SEAL WITH the Holy Spirit at the moment of Salvation IS BAPTISM. In the absence of Baptism and Seal WITH the Holy Spirit, there is no Salvation. The exact same thing is TRUE regarding the presence of the HOLY SPIRIT in the heart of a person. The person is only saved if the HOLY SPIRIT lives in their heart. So, very simply:  no HOLY SPIRIT, no SEAL WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT - no SALVATION.

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 Corinthians 2:2-5 NASB  For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

Romans 8:16-18 NASB  The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

2 Corinthians 1:20-22 NASB  For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

Eph 1:13  in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,-- in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,


As in the the times of Jesus' ministry on earth people are always looking for signs. "Show me a sign that I may beleive." Is such going on faith? No absolutely not. We must be very careful when it comes to people and signs for there will be many false prophets and false teachers that will show many wondrous signs. Why should we have need for signs when God told us to look for their fruits instead.

2Co 11:13  For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light.


Mat 7:15  Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16  By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20  Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them.


These fruits spoken of are not of the gifts of speaking in tongues or of any of the other such gifts. These fruits are of the love of God that is in them that shines forth.

PhilMun:

You're welcome.  Yes, I believe according to scripture that at the moment of salvation we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  But, as Paul points out, "be ye FILLED with the Holy Spirit..."  ONE baptism, MANY fillings.

Let me see if I can explain it this way.  Scripture tells us that out of the believer will "flow rivers of living waters."  The Holy Spirit resides within the individual (in our hearts), but it is more than possible that the believer can "quench" the Holy Spirit: ie, hold back, refuse to let out, put down, throttle or restrict.  When Paul spoke of being "filled," the word used there is connotive of a well of water out of which flows a natural and forceful spring.  He is saying "let the Holy Spirit that is within you COME OUT, and be shown." 

When we do that, the evidence of the Holy Spirit is seen by others in many ways.  As Pastor Roger pointed out, first and foremost is the FRUIT of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance (Gal. 5:22).  These are things that can be seen and experienced by others, and are therefore the evidence of the "infilling" or baptism of the Holy Ghost. 

But, if we DON'T show these fruits, if we DON'T let the Holy Spirit evidence them in our lives, then we are NOT baptized in the Holy Ghost, and therefore NOT baptized into Christ Jesus.....and all the talking in tongues won't change it, or prove otherwise.

John said that if we walk in the light, then we are in HIM.  We cannot walk in the light unless He lives within us.  And if He lives within us, then we will EVIDENCE His commandment....not a new one, but an old one....we will LOVE THE BRETHREN....and that happens to be the first fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Now understand this....I am NOT against speaking in tongues, especially since the Word tells us "not to forbid."  However, it is NOT the definitive EVIDENCE of the baptism or infilling of the Holy Spirit.  If it were, then Paul would had to have admitted that the pagan priests and priestesses he referred to when telling the Corinthians NOT to be like them were ALSO baptized in the Holy Ghost....since they spoke in many tongues.

Hello PHilMun,
This can be confusing at times.  I believe, in my times of question, to pray and to always see what the scripture says.  I think this sums it up. 1 Cor 12: 1-3 1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. (and verse 13) 13: For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.    Also, think of the theif on the cross.......interesting ponder!  Enjoy.
Blessings to you brother,
-Am-

1 Cor 12 says in verse 3 "Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." Take note here that it says "Jesus is Lord". In John 13:13 we see that Jesus Christ Himself said "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am." In Deu 10:17 we see that God is referred to as "Lord of Lords". We also see in 1Ti 6:15 and in Rev 19:16 that Jesus Christ is called "Lord of Lords". Yet in Eph 4:5-6 it tells us "One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

Those that do not recognize Jesus Christ as Lord of lords, King of kings and God of all gods and worship Him as such do not have the Holy Spirit in them.


Zec 14:9  And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

Eph 4:5  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Exo 34:14  For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

1Ti 6:15  Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

Deu 10:17  For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:

Rev 19:16  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Joh 4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

1Co 14:24  But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
1Co 14:25  And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

Note here that this does not mean that we all will foretell the future. In this context it means to speak under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.