I say at the top of the thread. I'm interested in awakening, though that may mean different things to different people. Mostly, I'm curious about the experience that people talk about when they say they experience the holy spirit, or feel born again.
I saw a video on YouTube of a woman talking with a Sikh gentleman, she described how her experience was very powerful and frightening, I'm interested in people's actual experiences.
I also saw some videos about Father Lazarus who lives in a cave in the middle East. He was an atheist, but had a powerful experience with Mary. All those sorts of stories interest me.
Hi Meditator:
Could you be referring to the following?: (found in the Gospel of Mark)
Mark 16:
15 "And he said to them, Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;
18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."
So that you know, in Christianity basically there are two currents: cessationists, and continuists.
Cessationists say that the higher gifts of the Holy Spirit are no longer operating. Many base that on a particular interpretation of some Bible verses, but mainly because John Calvin pushed it. He in turn got the idea from Augustine, who had to take that notion back because of the amount of miracles that were happening in the place where he gathered to worship with other believers.
Continuists think that the miracles, healings, and prophecies related to the contextual historical order of the now and for the benefit of the congregation still apply (prophecies of an eschatological nature do not happen, because the Canon is closed).
So continuists divide in sub groups: Pentecostals, Charismatics, and independent.
Charismatics are generally parts of a mainline evangelical tradition that decide to go with continuism.
Pentecostals supposedly were the ones that had the manifestation of the higher gifts of the Holy Spirit in modern times. Some of the problems that other groups have, is that they seem to impose signs that verify the baptism of the Holy Spirit like speaking in tongues (glossolalia), which is not recognized by all groups.
Having given a brief overview, I must ask what is your intention on knowing more about the Holy Spirit and His supernatural dimension?
To my understanding, the higher gifts are given by the Holy Spirit to persons that want to serve God in the expansion of the Kingdom, including evangelism, ministry, etc.
According to the Bible wanting the baptism of the Holy Spirit for purposes not approved by God, may carry dire consequences.
The way some Charismatic traditions look at this is: God works in covenantal form. For our times we are in the New Covenant era.
There are prerequisites to enter the New Covenant:
Listen, read and understand the message in the Gospels. Understand that Adam and Eve (the first created humans) had fellowship with God through the Holy Spirit. When they disobeyed a command from God, a transgression happened and they were punished for it, they became the forerunners of a fallen creation, and all humans inherited that, a fallen nature, which principal characteristic is that the Holy Spirit is not dwelling in that fallen person, and thus cut out from fellowship with God.
Jesus came with a twofold mission: 1 die for our sins (transgressions to the ingrained moral order in God's creation and explicitly shown in the Bible).
2 to baptize us with the Holy Spirit so fellowship with God is restored.
Then when persons understand that we have a sinful nature and alienated from God, we need to repent of such, and cut ties with the sins and sources of sin in our lives. This is not easy and may require the ministry of delivery teams. In the Bible we see that Magdalene had to have unclean spirits expelled from her life before she could become a disciple.
Once you repent of sins, (needing to confess them to God, and try to work on them so that you change around to a more in line with God's morality life), then you have to Baptize as per Acts 2:38. In the name of Jesus Christ by immersion in water, signifying that you die to the old ways, and resurrect to a new life of faithful allegiance to God.
Then you may or may not receive the Holy Spirit as you get baptized, depending on various factors.
Sometimes a process of sanctification is needed before the Holy Spirit can come to be a part of your life.
When the baptism of the Holy Spirit happens, many times He bestows gifts for service See 1 Corinthians 12 to chapter 14.
Then you should become part of some ministry to aid in the reconciling with God ministry, to help others come into the admirable light of the one and only Omnipotent God.
As some other posters have mentioned is not an awakening, but a death to a mistaken lifestyle, to embrace the one God designed us to live when He created us.
So in recap:
Listen, read, understand, repent, confess: sins to God, and that you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, baptize as per Acts 2:38, receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, congregate to exalt Jesus Christ, prepare for ministry, and when required help with or go to look for the lost. In practical terms of daily living: walk humbly with God your creator doing as He tells you for His glory and in thankfulness for a free gift of salvation from a cut out from Him state.
Now in practical terms, you should visit a Charismatic / Pentecostal congregation in good standing with God. They should be able to help you with you inquiry.
Just remember, that a correct attitude is paramount in approaching God (Bible reference: Hebrews 11:5). You should go with an attitude of: "I know I am a limited creature, with more questions than answers. Well intentioned Christians have told me that you the only and Creator of all God meet the person that genuinely seek you. I want to experience your manifest presence in the Holy Spirit if is your will, thanks ahead of time..."
Hope you understand you have to go with humility and noble intentions, and if is His will, He will meet you and really show you what is all about.
Kind regards.
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