Goal or Gateway ? Empowering of the Holy Spirit

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,058
4,341
113
#1
Please turn with me to:


Read


Acts 3:1-10


1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.


6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

I would like to speak something I think will be edifying to some here :) I am calling this thread

“Goal or Gateway”

I would like to explain what is a "Goal" and what is a "Gateway"

First,

What is a Goal?

A Goal is:
  • an Aim,
  • a mark,
  • something one hopes to accomplish
  • target
  • it is also the end so something when you reach a goal you’re done.

Like “The Goal line “in Football


What is a gateway?


A Gateway is:


  • Access
  • Door
  • Key
  • A way
  • A plan

I ask you all is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit a Goal or Gateway.

Is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit a goal?

As a goal,


A person receives the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and goes no further. They Speak in tongues and pray in tongues and nothing more. They have reached the goal. Is that what the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is for? To achieve and nothing More?

As a Gateway


A person receives the baptism in the Holy Spirit , speaks in tongues, prays in tongues, prophesy, lay hands on the sick, prays for the sick, brings a word of knowledge, word of wisdom, works miracles, gift of faith discerning of spirits and more than just the Goal of what some thing is just "speaking in Tongues." They lead people to Christ. People are set free and healed and much more.

Jesus said in ACTS 1:8


But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Is Jesus speaking here about a goal or gateway?

What is the purpose here for receiving the empowerment of the Holy Spirit known the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

Jesus said to be witnesses. What are we witnessing to?


we are witnessing: To the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the DEAD!!!



Acts 4:33
With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all


The empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the believer "Testifies" to the Resurrection of Christ from the dead.

They did not heal in the name of a dead Jesus, They healed in the name of a Risen Lord and Savior,
The Apostles did not baptize believers by the authority of a Dead Jesus but a risen Lord who is coming back again

The Holy Spirit empowerment displays Gods grace to a lost and dying world through the Power of God in the Believer who has been empowered by the Holy Spirit or has the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. We have not arrived just because you speak in tongues or prophesy. WE are to be testifying to the Resurrected Lord as we preach the Gospel which is The death, Burial, and Resurrection!

Acts 4:33
With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all.


Be a gateway to greater things for the Lord. Keep on seeking , praying, speaking, healing, prophesying, discerning, giving word of wisdom , word of knowledge and the gift of faith. WE need the empowerment of the resurrection Power of God in our lives. To Testify to the world, Jesus is not dead but a live!

Think of things the Lord has done through you over this day ,week, and year. Ask yourself have I achieved goals or am I a gateway to more of what God want to do in the day and age?


Let us pray,

Heavenly Father,

I come to you in the name of Jesus. Lord help me to be more willing to follow the leading of your Holy Spirit. Not to look at the baptism of Holy Spirit as a goal. Help to see all that the Holy Spirit is doing in the Book of Acts is witnessing You Lord are not dead but alive. We have been made alive. You have saved us and empowered us to by your witness of the Resurrected Lord. Speak through us, heal through us, provide wisdom and knowledge as we call on you and adhere to your word. I ask these things in the name of the Lord Jesus.
raise your hands and cry out to the Lord and ask Him to help you use the gateway by the Holy Spirit to do more for His glory amen.

God bless you all today
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,058
4,341
113
#2
well amen :)
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,058
4,341
113
#4
The resurrection is why we are use by the power of the Holy Spirit to do signs and wonders
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
#5
The resurrection is why we are use by the power of the Holy Spirit to do signs and wonders
You must love Bethel Church and their music.

Yet Covid-19 continue to be around, it must be the lack of faith in the church er?
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,058
4,341
113
#6
You must love Bethel Church and their music.

Yet Covid-19 continue to be around, it must be the lack of faith in the church er?
I don't go to bethel and I don't know there music either. If you are going to be insulting because you can't refute the word of God then please leave the thread alone and if you continue to suggest I have lack of faith and result to bullying like the coward you are, You will be gone. You mock and scoff and add nothing biblical to this topic. If you disagree fine, if you agree that is fine too. But your insults and Stereo-Typing of me or other will not be tolerated. You need to show maturity and class .
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
#7
I don't go to bethel and I don't know there music either. If you are going to be insulting because you can't refute the word of God then please leave the thread alone and if you continue to suggest I have lack of faith and result to bullying like the coward you are, You will be gone. You mock and scoff and add nothing biblical to this topic. If you disagree fine, if you agree that is fine too. But your insults and Stereo-Typing of me or other will not be tolerated. You need to show maturity and class .
What makes you conclude I was insulting? Have you considered I was not?
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,212
2,547
113
#8
What makes you conclude I was insulting? Have you considered I was not?
Whether you meant to or not it did come across as insulting. As for your question about the virus it isn't a lack of faith I believe this virus is a wake up call being used by God. Have you noticed ever since this year and the virus began things have just been going haywire in the world? I don't think that is an accident
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,212
2,547
113
#9
Please turn with me to:


Read


Acts 3:1-10


1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.


6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

I would like to speak something I think will be edifying to some here :) I am calling this thread

“Goal or Gateway”

I would like to explain what is a "Goal" and what is a "Gateway"

First,

What is a Goal?

A Goal is:
  • an Aim,
  • a mark,
  • something one hopes to accomplish
  • target
  • it is also the end so something when you reach a goal you’re done.

Like “The Goal line “in Football


What is a gateway?


A Gateway is:


  • Access
  • Door
  • Key
  • A way
  • A plan

I ask you all is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit a Goal or Gateway.

Is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit a goal?

As a goal,


A person receives the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and goes no further. They Speak in tongues and pray in tongues and nothing more. They have reached the goal. Is that what the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is for? To achieve and nothing More?

As a Gateway


A person receives the baptism in the Holy Spirit , speaks in tongues, prays in tongues, prophesy, lay hands on the sick, prays for the sick, brings a word of knowledge, word of wisdom, works miracles, gift of faith discerning of spirits and more than just the Goal of what some thing is just "speaking in Tongues." They lead people to Christ. People are set free and healed and much more.

Jesus said in ACTS 1:8


But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Is Jesus speaking here about a goal or gateway?

What is the purpose here for receiving the empowerment of the Holy Spirit known the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

Jesus said to be witnesses. What are we witnessing to?


we are witnessing: To the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the DEAD!!!



Acts 4:33
With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all


The empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the believer "Testifies" to the Resurrection of Christ from the dead.

They did not heal in the name of a dead Jesus, They healed in the name of a Risen Lord and Savior,
The Apostles did not baptize believers by the authority of a Dead Jesus but a risen Lord who is coming back again

The Holy Spirit empowerment displays Gods grace to a lost and dying world through the Power of God in the Believer who has been empowered by the Holy Spirit or has the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. We have not arrived just because you speak in tongues or prophesy. WE are to be testifying to the Resurrected Lord as we preach the Gospel which is The death, Burial, and Resurrection!

Acts 4:33
With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all.


Be a gateway to greater things for the Lord. Keep on seeking , praying, speaking, healing, prophesying, discerning, giving word of wisdom , word of knowledge and the gift of faith. WE need the empowerment of the resurrection Power of God in our lives. To Testify to the world, Jesus is not dead but a live!

Think of things the Lord has done through you over this day ,week, and year. Ask yourself have I achieved goals or am I a gateway to more of what God want to do in the day and age?


Let us pray,

Heavenly Father,

I come to you in the name of Jesus. Lord help me to be more willing to follow the leading of your Holy Spirit. Not to look at the baptism of Holy Spirit as a goal. Help to see all that the Holy Spirit is doing in the Book of Acts is witnessing You Lord are not dead but alive. We have been made alive. You have saved us and empowered us to by your witness of the Resurrected Lord. Speak through us, heal through us, provide wisdom and knowledge as we call on you and adhere to your word. I ask these things in the name of the Lord Jesus.
raise your hands and cry out to the Lord and ask Him to help you use the gateway by the Holy Spirit to do more for His glory amen.

God bless you all today
I absolutely loved this post very insightful and true.It reminds me of the parable Jesus taught about the talents
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
#10
Whether you meant to or not it did come across as insulting. As for your question about the virus it isn't a lack of faith I believe this virus is a wake up call being used by God. Have you noticed ever since this year and the virus began things have just been going haywire in the world? I don't think that is an accident
I normally just read the words literally, especially in an online forum where you cannot see the facial expressions.

So the question is, if signs and wonders are still in existent today, why is it that covid-19 is still present after so many months?

Wouldn't a perfect testimony of signs for the unbelievers would be the church going around "healing all with Covid-19", aka Acts 10:38?
 
Apr 5, 2020
2,273
464
83
#11
You must love Bethel Church and their music.

Yet Covid-19 continue to be around, it must be the lack of faith in the church er?


First of all, just because the Church Pastor seems to be a false teacher does not mean the music of others who attend is not Holy.

Secondly, Covid-19 seems to be wiping away a lot of non-Believers. One could even call this virus a judgement to some. Therefore, if this is actually a judgement from God, why would any true Believer want to stop it?

And finally, YOU must love WESTBORO BAPTIST (Baptist), ORU (Methodist), Organizations that allow same sex marriages and pastors...< see how STUPID that sounds? It's as equally stupid as this comment of yours, " You must love Bethel Church and their music."
 
May 19, 2020
3,050
1,275
113
#12
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gateway......
A gateway that is full of Awe and Wonder.....as you walk with our Lord Jesus.

Nothing on the planet could snatch me out of the gateway that God in his grace allowed me to enter.

Praise His Holy Name!!!.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,212
2,547
113
#13
I normally just read the words literally, especially in an online forum where you cannot see the facial expressions.

So the question is, if signs and wonders are still in existent today, why is it that covid-19 is still present after so many months?

Wouldn't a perfect testimony of signs for the unbelievers would be the church going around "healing all with Covid-19", aka Acts 10:38?
Reading something literally especially on an online forum is dangerous, you don't see facial expressions in the bible do you? yet if you read the bible in a literal sense then you will not grasp what is actually being said in it. The same thing goes for an online forum we have the holy spirit do we not? Are we also able even before we are saved sense a tone in apersons post?
And as for your second question as I said before it is a wake up call being used by God, believe it or not we are moving into a very powerful and prophetic time and in this time there is going to be an even greater move of the spirit.

Those who know his voice can sense it they feel it in their bones because the spirit himself speaks it to them you may not believe in the gifts and maybe you require a testimony of healing to believe it but even if one was given would you believe it? You want proof but blessed is he who believes without seeing in fact isn't faith itself believing without seeing?
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
#14
First of all, just because the Church Pastor seems to be a false teacher does not mean the music of others who attend is not Holy.

Secondly, Covid-19 seems to be wiping away a lot of non-Believers. One could even call this virus a judgement to some. Therefore, if this is actually a judgement from God, why would any true Believer want to stop it?

And finally, YOU must love WESTBORO BAPTIST (Baptist), ORU (Methodist), Organizations that allow same sex marriages and pastors...< see how STUPID that sounds? It's as equally stupid as this comment of yours, " You must love Bethel Church and their music."
The quote was about signs and wonders. Bethel is well known for embracing signs and wonders.

That was why I made the link. There is nothing insulting from me.

My church also sings songs from Bethel too, and I don't regard Bill Johnson as a false teacher. Not everyone thinks the same about him.
 
Jan 12, 2019
7,497
1,399
113
#15
Reading something literally especially on an online forum is dangerous, you don't see facial expressions in the bible do you? yet if you read the bible in a literal sense then you will not grasp what is actually being said in it. The same thing goes for an online forum we have the holy spirit do we not? Are we also able even before we are saved sense a tone in apersons post?
And as for your second question as I said before it is a wake up call being used by God, believe it or not we are moving into a very powerful and prophetic time and in this time there is going to be an even greater move of the spirit.

Those who know his voice can sense it they feel it in their bones because the spirit himself speaks it to them you may not believe in the gifts and maybe you require a testimony of healing to believe it but even if one was given would you believe it? You want proof but blessed is he who believes without seeing in fact isn't faith itself believing without seeing?
I don't assume the other person is trying to insult me when I read their posts, unless the words they used showed that clearly. Even if they are, I will just repay evil with good as far as I can.

I see, so you believe in signs and wonders, but simultaneously, you also believe that we are to walk by faith and not by sight?

I am fine with that latter instruction from Paul. But I will argue you cannot hold on to both views at the same time.
 
Apr 5, 2020
2,273
464
83
#16
Whether you meant to or not it did come across as insulting. As for your question about the virus it isn't a lack of faith I believe this virus is a wake up call being used by God. Have you noticed ever since this year and the virus began things have just been going haywire in the world? I don't think that is an accident


I read an article from Science that since Covid-19, they have discovered 2 amazing things never before seen.

1)
For the first time, astronomers watch a neutron star power up ...
sciencemetro.com/space/for-the-first-time...
For the first time, astronomers were able to watch the entire process of a neutron star absorbing material and eventually unleashing a powerful blast of X-rays. Scientists have long wondered why neutron stars create these violent outbursts.

2)
Has NASA Found A Parallel Universe ‘Where Time Flows ...
www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2020/05/...
May 21, 2020 · No, NASA has not found a "parallel Universe". Getty. Note: this article has been updated to include details of the research paper that discusses the “CPT symmetric universe” where time would ...

3)


^
This is ALL happening at same time as the Middle East and parts of Africa are being consumed by trillions of locust. So many things unique taking place that no one can actually sit back and focus on one singular event. I think it's the "Strong Delusion" God told John in Revelations He would send in the Last Days. The events in Space are literally within days of one another and has Science running around like chickens with their heads cut off. We are watching God unfold His plan right before our very eyes.
 
Apr 5, 2020
2,273
464
83
#17
I am pointing out that the Parallel Universe was a red flag, but for days it sent Scientists into a frenzy thinking they landed the Big One. To me, it's the "Strong Delusion" sent by God.

As in, God has them chasing their own tails hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,058
4,341
113
#18
What makes you conclude I was insulting? Have you considered I was not?
First off you assume I know anything about Bethel and the music they play there ? Then you suggest I have no faith because of COVID-19. Are you a special kind of Troll? Your arrogance is very telling. SO as I told you please, roll out of the thread with your hateful comments and if you have the courage give Bethel Church call and let then know you dis-like there music. Because in California at the church I attend we did not close and we are doing two services each sunday and We have many who are essential workers as I am, I thank God we have provided meals over 78000 since March 19 and still serving. That is a great testimony to the faith many are showing, what about you? I know you're all talk no action. Just like a coward.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,212
2,547
113
#19
I don't assume the other person is trying to insult me when I read their posts, unless the words they used showed that clearly. Even if they are, I will just repay evil with good as far as I can.

I see, so you believe in signs and wonders, but simultaneously, you also believe that we are to walk by faith and not by sight?

I am fine with that latter instruction from Paul. But I will argue you cannot hold on to both views at the same time.
There is a certain art to online etiquette or in more simpler terms the manner in which you speak. You first said he must really love whoever they are honestly I have never heard of them but then you posed your second line of words about the virus and why so many aren;t being healed.

The first line can be misinterpreted as insulting but the when you added your second line it made it seem more than likely you were not saying this in a very respectful manner, as I said it seemed that way.
And actually yes I do believe in signs and wonders not because I have seen them or recieved them because I have not trust me I have prayed and asked many times but because of what I know of God.
But Jesus himself said a wicked generation seeks signs and wonders but they will not see it, he wasn't saying this because we shouldn't believe in them but because if you require evidence to believe them you will not see or recieve them. It is faith that allows a person to see and recieve them we see with different eyes so yes it can and in fact is both