Many people do not know who/what the Holy Ghost really is, or how to recognize his presence (or lack thereof)...even in themselves.
Yes, that is a bold statement. Perhaps you even think it is wrong. But the bible shows that one person (or group of people) CAN discern whether another person (or group of people) have received the Holy Ghost...and WHEN they receive(d) it.
Here are two examples (so it's by the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses):
Acts 8:15-18 KJV
Acts 10:44-45 KJV
Now, I've left off HOW they knew (for a few reasons) but I wanted to show you SCRIPTURALLY that it is possible to know. And those are 2 documented cases of other people being able to KNOW that someone had or had not received the Holy Ghost, and WHEN they did receive it.
No, in this first posting I didn't mention WHY everyone needs it. People who call themselves Christians shouldn't be arguing THAT everyone needs the Holy Ghost. But they distinctively need to be able to tell IF someone has received it. And most believers can't. They only CLAIM they can. But if you then ask "Does THAT (particular) church member have the Holy Ghost?" They couldn't tell you definitively. They could only tell you hypothetically, saying something like "Well, IF they've truly done or believed [insert doctrine] then yes." FYI: That means they don't know.
Love in Jesus,
Kelby
Yes, that is a bold statement. Perhaps you even think it is wrong. But the bible shows that one person (or group of people) CAN discern whether another person (or group of people) have received the Holy Ghost...and WHEN they receive(d) it.
Here are two examples (so it's by the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses):
Acts 8:15-18 KJV
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: [16] (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) [17] Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. [18] And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
Acts 10:44-45 KJV
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. [45] And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Now, I've left off HOW they knew (for a few reasons) but I wanted to show you SCRIPTURALLY that it is possible to know. And those are 2 documented cases of other people being able to KNOW that someone had or had not received the Holy Ghost, and WHEN they did receive it.
No, in this first posting I didn't mention WHY everyone needs it. People who call themselves Christians shouldn't be arguing THAT everyone needs the Holy Ghost. But they distinctively need to be able to tell IF someone has received it. And most believers can't. They only CLAIM they can. But if you then ask "Does THAT (particular) church member have the Holy Ghost?" They couldn't tell you definitively. They could only tell you hypothetically, saying something like "Well, IF they've truly done or believed [insert doctrine] then yes." FYI: That means they don't know.
Love in Jesus,
Kelby