What does it mean, to be in the Spirit?

[Stunnedbygrace]

That's interesting. I have heard commentaries say that "The Lord's day" meant "the Emperors Day". It was a day that those in that time designed as a holiday or special theme day to honor the Emperor or Caesar of Rome.

The Emperor had put John on the isle of Patmos and John went off the island "in the spirit" on the very day that was to recognize the Emperor and to be shown things by the real Lord. It could have been signifying that it doesn't matter what the world tries to do to Christians - the real Lord Himself has the final say about things.

I have no idea whether this is true or not. It would have meant something to those that the book was written to in their time period.

I guess that could be...I can't really see any reason why john would feel it necessary to write which day of the week he received the revelation though...but I suppose the Spirit could have instructed him to carefully record which day of the week. In past though, like with Daniel, days of the MONTH and then the year were given...but john doesn't do that. So he would be giving just the day of some given week...though with accounts of Jesus' death, they do carefully lay out which day of the week everything occurred without mentioning the month or year...so, considering that the purpose of most of revelation, which was to give very specific details of the coming day of the Lord that the prophets wrote of which was coming, I think it makes more sense to me that he was saying he was actually seeing the events of that day of the Lord rather than simply telling which day of some week in some nonspecific year that he received the vision.

But as I said, it would require the knowledge of the two languages and how they translate into English, as with the comparison I gave between orange juice in English versus juice of orange in Spanish. I could try to research the two language structures(Hebrew and Greek) but it would be a lot of work that I don't have the time for ������

 

[slave]

I think he was filled with the Spirit.** While the indwelling of the Spirit happens at conversion, being filled is a repeated experience. Maybe it's only at the times we are filled with the Spirit, that we experience visions. Now, how to be filled with the Spirit?

Personality is the characteristic of the Spiritual man as individuality the characteristic of the natural man. When the Holy Spirit comes in, He emancipates our personal spirit into union with God, and individuality ultimately becomes so interdependent that it loses all its self-assertiveness. When Jesus Christ emancipates the personality, individuality is not destroyed, it is transfigured, and the transfiguring, incalculable element is love, personal passionate devotion to Himself, and to others for His sake. It is noteworthy to add God destroys the flesh in us, thru faithful living, while transforming our bodies into purity. Many times we get those mixed together unduly.

There are three questions here: Are you being led by the Spirit? Are you "in the Spirit" and does the Spirit "dwell;in you?" This is definitely a new supernatural normalcy in our lives, which in and of itself is breathtaking, but not at all a mystical phenomena which overpowers and overrides human intentions and that we discern right decisions from wrong ones based on feelings which the Holy Spirit puts more weight than the written Word. ( 1 Cor. 4:6).

If we can align a 'yes' answer to those three questions it is because we have chosen to yield to the teachings and urgings of the Spirit that have been provided us by God's providence in His Holy Scriptures. (Ephesians 3:4; 2 Tim. 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:3; 20,21)..suggest you are not truly led by the Spirit if you are not living according to His teachings in the Gospel. The Holy Spirit, thru the apostle Paul, says much to us about this in Romans 8:1-17.

"....but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God." (Romans 8:14). "Walking according to the Spirit" means to be lead by Him. It means to live by the moral, doctrinal, and ethical standards of His written revelation, the Bible.It is to love others and to deeply enjoy the blessings of life, both spiritual and physical. As long as we are thankful, and they do not become our gods, material things God would have us enjoy as well (1 Tim. 4:4,5). There is peace and contentment in this life, not mysticism and doubt; a life willed with kindness and goodness.

"For those who are of the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit....you are putting to death the deeds of the body....(Romans 8:5; 13b). It is up to us to 'set' our mind on the things of the Spirit. We should not pray for God to do this for us. It is up to us to "put to death the deeds of the body..." based on that new supernatural normalcy found in God's provisions thru our new walk in Righteousness. The Lord died for our sins and arose our hope. He only asks to believe and receive and to"Come to Me..." and in that restful place He will empower us to "crucify the old" and "put on the new." Righteousness is our new obligation inspired by love, (Romans 6:12-18).

"Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (Galatians 5:24-25).

 

[Stephen63]

When we're "in the Spirit", we sense the presence of God in a very powerful way. We know He's here to do something wonderful.
Sometimes, we just know.

God's presence is felt in many different ways.

But ..... don't accept a feeling that comes over you but doesn't humble you to worship God.....If it's of God, your inner man will be prompted to worship Him.

Anything else is not His.

 

[dcontroversal]

I think he was filled with the Spirit.** While the indwelling of the Spirit happens at conversion, being filled is a repeated experience. Maybe it's only at the times we are filled with the Spirit, that we experience visions. Now, how to be filled with the Spirit?

The answer to this question is as follows......

Ephesians 5:18-20

These verses lay out clearly what it means to be filled with the Spirit (Led of the Spirit)

vs. 18 .........but be ye filled with the Spirit......this is written in a present passive imperative verb tense....and means the following...It shows a continual state of action I.E. Be continually filled with the Spirit.....<--this speaks to your statement about a (repeated experience)......it is not necessarily to be repeated, but rather a continual mode of action.

The passive aspect is what has caused them to be continually filled......a. Understanding the will of the Lord, b. Not being drunk with wine IN EXCESS (It is biblical and not contrary to have a glass of wine, but not in excess) and the proof is in the proverbial pudding and found in verses 19 and 20....

The subordinate clauses found in verses 19 and 20 = the evidences of one who is continually filled with the Spirit....
a. Speaking to yourself in Psalms, Hymns and spiritual songs.
b. Singing and making melody in your heart unto God
c. Giving thanks for all things <--Unto God and the FATHER dia the LORD JESUS

One who is continually filled with the Spirit will be one who is understanding the will of the Lord while going abut their daily business singing and praising God in their heart (with spiritual songs, hymns and Psalms) and giving thanks for ALL THINGS....

Much of the mumbo jumbo that is passed off as being "Spirit Filled" is contrary to the above truth.....Most do not give thanks for ALL THINGS.......just saying..............

 

[oldethennew]

dc,

I tried to send you a private message but was unable to...

what we wanted to say was that your last post, #24 was really a Great Post, and we wanted
to thank you and Jesus for allowing us to witness your growth in Christ...

 

[dcontroversal]

dc,

I tried to send you a private message but was unable to...

what we wanted to say was that your last post, #24 was really a Great Post, and we wanted
to thank you and Jesus for allowing us to witness your growth in Christ...

Thanks bro....fixed that by a friend request migo....

 

[oldethennew]

Thanks bro....fixed that by a friend request migo....

=============================================

great! this is 'sis', this time-same Love - fight the good fight brother, hard as it is, there just
isn't anything else worth it...

 

[garee]

Revelation 1:10 (KJV)
10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet

By him saying, he was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, I'm guessing he wasn't always in the spirit. Do we have to be in the Spirit when we pray and if so, how?

John 4:24
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth

By him saying, he was in the Spirit on the Lord's day simply means he was being moved by the Spirit to record the Spirits thoughts. The same when we pray.

For if any man has not the Spirit of Christ then neither do they belong to Him.

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

The answer to this question is as follows......

Ephesians 5:18-20

These verses lay out clearly what it means to be filled with the Spirit (Led of the Spirit)

vs. 18 .........but be ye filled with the Spirit......this is written in a present passive imperative verb tense....and means the following...It shows a continual state of action I.E. Be continually filled with the Spirit.....<--this speaks to your statement about a (repeated experience)......it is not necessarily to be repeated, but rather a continual mode of action.

The passive aspect is what has caused them to be continually filled......a. Understanding the will of the Lord, b. Not being drunk with wine IN EXCESS (It is biblical and not contrary to have a glass of wine, but not in excess) and the proof is in the proverbial pudding and found in verses 19 and 20....

The subordinate clauses found in verses 19 and 20 = the evidences of one who is continually filled with the Spirit....
a. Speaking to yourself in Psalms, Hymns and spiritual songs.
b. Singing and making melody in your heart unto God
c. Giving thanks for all things <--Unto God and the FATHER dia the LORD JESUS

One who is continually filled with the Spirit will be one who is understanding the will of the Lord while going abut their daily business singing and praising God in their heart (with spiritual songs, hymns and Psalms) and giving thanks for ALL THINGS....

Much of the mumbo jumbo that is passed off as being "Spirit Filled" is contrary to the above truth.....Most do not give thanks for ALL THINGS.......just saying..............

When I read this the first time yesterday I forgot to go back and post what I thought when I read it.
I saw...the spirit of the words about not being drunk with wine. I don't know if I can explain it though...
These were the verses that flashed in my mind: putting old wine in new wineskins and the one about...the wine of her passionate immoralities. And I saw wine not as actual wine. But that's as far as I can explain it other than to say that I used to imbibe in a manner not worthy of His table sometimes. (Not talking of temporal wine.) I wanted to get that buzz of being in His presence - the waves washing over me and the goosebumps. I wanted to be drunk and never sober. I judged whether any worth had come from reading or listening or music on whether I became drunk with wine. But I had to learn to put a knife to my throat when dining at a Kings table and to drink as a grown man and not a...drunken teenager? That's as near as I can explain what I saw.

 

[Stephen63]

Almost 2000 years have passed since the formation of the RCC & the Reformation following it. Getting the church to believe that walking in the Spirit is anything more than reading a completed Bible is indeed trying to put new wine in old wineskins. They cannot handle it. It overturns everything they've always believed. Just like the Jews of Jesus' day, it was easier to keep it as it is. Change then was impossible for the religious elite & it's still impossible today for the same reason.

Isn't it sad that a breakaway group from the RCC, the same group that demanded change then, is now as hardened like the group they pulled away from?

Ironic, isn't it?

Nevertheless, let God be true, & every man a liar that disagrees with His Word.

 

[notuptome]

Almost 2000 years have passed since the formation of the RCC & the Reformation following it. Getting the church to believe that walking in the Spirit is anything more than reading a completed Bible is indeed trying to put new wine in old wineskins. They cannot handle it. It overturns everything they've always believed. Just like the Jews of Jesus' day, it was easier to keep it as it is. Change then was impossible for the religious elite & it's still impossible today for the same reason.

Isn't it sad that a breakaway group from the RCC, the same group that demanded change then, is now as hardened like the group they pulled away from?

Ironic, isn't it?

Nevertheless, let God be true, & every man a liar that disagrees with His Word.

You have brutalized the context of the scriptures you are paraphrasing. That is the problem with proof texting you must disregard context to achieve the desire end.

It is not us being in the Holy Spirit but the Holy Spirit being in us. As usual things are reversed from the truth. Such is the spirit of man.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

You have brutalized the context of the scriptures you are paraphrasing. That is the problem with proof texting you must disregard context to achieve the desire end.

It is not us being in the Holy Spirit but the Holy Spirit being in us. As usual things are reversed from the truth. Such is the spirit of man.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

I don't think the man brutalized anything. I understood him deeply and even the Spirit agreed and confirmed in me with what he posted.

I think your post was a bit rude and ill-phrased. Not necessary or desirable.

 

[Stephen63]

You have brutalized the context of the scriptures you are paraphrasing. That is the problem with proof texting you must disregard context to achieve the desire end.

It is not us being in the Holy Spirit but the Holy Spirit being in us. As usual things are reversed from the truth. Such is the spirit of man.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

It's both. Immersion is both.
Rev 1:9I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, 11saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

 

[samuel23]

I think that by saying "in the spirit" that John meant that God had placed him in the spirit realm where he was able to see and experience the Lords Day(the end of the age when God intervenes in the world).

 

[Awakened]

You have brutalized the context of the scriptures you are paraphrasing. That is the problem with proof texting you must disregard context to achieve the desire end.

It is not us being in the Holy Spirit but the Holy Spirit being in us. As usual things are reversed from the truth. Such is the spirit of man.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

I'm sorry but I really don't understand what you're saying?
That is word for word from the KJV. REV. 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

I think his objection was regarding new wine in old wineskins remark, not Rev 1:10, but I could be wrong.

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

It's both. Immersion is both.
Rev 1:9I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, 11saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

We are hid with Christ in God, I believe that's the one that popped into my mind. So it isn't wacky or butchering of scripture. I bet I could find even more verses to support it not being wacky too!

 

[Stephen63]

We are hid with Christ in God, I believe that's the one that popped into my mind. So it isn't wacky or butchering of scripture. I bet I could find even more verses to support it not being wacky too!

Being baptized in the Spirit is a full immersion, inside & out with the Spirit of God. So we are immersed in Him & He is within us.

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

Being baptized in the Spirit is a full immersion, inside & out with the Spirit of God. So we are immersed in Him & He is within us.

Another one that came to me - I in You and You in Me, and Me in them. That's GOT to be total immersion and mingling!

 

[samuel23]

In the Spirit, simply meant that God supernaturally placed John in the Spirit realm where he could see and hear spiritual things, things that even as Christians we do not naturally experience. How do I know that? Because after John made that statement then he was experiencing being in the spirit realm.