As Christians we should follow the things that the disciples of Jesus did which were written in the Book of Acts and the letters of the disciples in Epistles, as the New Covenant written with lots of instructions and illustrations.
The Book of Acts starts with the receiving of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. What is so special about receiving the Holy Spirit? When I say Holy Spirit immediately what comes to our remembrance is the word ‘miracles’! Yes, but many are the ministries of the Holy Spirit. They are all for our good. We got to make best use of all His Power. We can divide His Work in 2 main parts 1) Holy Spirit working in us 2) Holy Spirit working through us.
- Holy Spirit working in us: 9 kinds of Fruit of the Holy Spirit Galatians 5:22-25(ESV)
First of all Holy Spirit of God was given to make us Holy. Without allowing Holy Spirit Power to work in us, no one can be Holy. That’s why it is written in these verses as fruits of the Spirit. By the Will Power if you try you can never do it. So when you have these characteristics in you with the help of Holy Spirit working in you, you give God all the glory! Because Holy Spirit is the One who did the work and so He gets the glory! This is the Will of God in our lives.
What are the 9 Fruits that should be in every Believer? 1. Love 2. Joy 3. Peace 4. Long suffering 5. Kindness 6. Goodness 7. Faithfulness 8. Gentleness 9. Self control.
If we are not giving fruits of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we cannot lead our lives properly; forget about leading others. Matthew 25:1-13(ESV) ; Luke 13:22-28(ESV)
2. Holy Spirit working through us: 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 12:7-11(ESV)
These 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit starts operating through you; when you are moved by the compassions of God come over you for the people around you.
What are the 9 gifts that are to operate through a Believer? 1. Wisdom 2. Knowledge 3. Faith 4. Healing 5. Miracles 6. Prophecy 7. Discerning spirits 8. Different kinds of tongues 9. Interpretation of tongues.
When you receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit by speaking in tongues as sign, you have received all other gifts too. Start practising them. Lay hands on sick and try if they get well or command demons to leave and they would flee or interpret your tongues and prophesy as the Holy Spirit giving you Words in your mouth.
But speaking in tongues is your sign that you have received the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:4(ESV)
“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.” Acts 10: 44-46(ESV)
“And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.” Acts 19:6(ESV)
Many incidents as these clearly state that the anointing of Holy Spirit comes with speaking in tongues and the Fruit of the Holy Spirit manifests and then the Gifts of the Holy Spirit operate as we go on co-operating with the Holy Spirit who has come to reside in you now. Holy Spirit is none other than God’s Spirit or Jesus’ Spirit Himself coming in you. Matthew 12:28(ESV) ; Romans 8:9,14(ESV) ; 1 Peter 1:11(ESV) God help us to desire the Fruits & Gifts of the Holy Spirit!