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.
