How do you know you have the holy spirit

[Blain]

Simple question how does one know they have the holy spirit? anyone can claim to have him they can even believe they do but how does one confirm they have him indwelling in them? can you feel him? do you communicate with him? do you receive divine experiences? and how do you know it is not just your own imagination or you talking to what you think is the spirit but really is just yourself? what if you feel something and think it is the spirit but it is really just your emotions?

 

[Magenta]

Romans 8 verses 15-16 You did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

 

[Blain]

Romans 8 verses 15-16 You did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Absolutely gergeous work magenta. So what about those who call themselves Christians but deny the spirits power? they call themselves children of God but do not believe in the supernatural indwelling of the believer they are called a word I can never get right cessetionalists or something like that

 

[PaulThomson]

Simple question how does one know they have the holy spirit? anyone can claim to have him they can even believe they do but how does one confirm they have him indwelling in them? can you feel him? do you communicate with him? do you receive divine experiences? and how do you know it is not just your own imagination or you talking to what you think is the spirit but really is just yourself? what if you feel something and think it is the spirit but it is really just your emotions?

I know I have the Holy Spirit (He is present in me), because He is given to those who believe in Jesus Christ as a seal until the day of redemption.

I know when the Holy Spirit is indwelling me (i.e. participating in the economy/household in my body) when I am recognising my Christian brothers and sisters as brothers and sisters and am loving them as such, even those treating me badly; and when I am loving the unbelievers not reckoning their sins as a reason to reject and despise them.

 

[SirSolaScriptura]

Signs you have The Holy Spirit is you have the Gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) and the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

 

[Blain]

Signs you have The Holy Spirit is you have the Gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) and the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

What about those who believe the gifts have ceased? would they also have the spirit even though they deny the gifts of the spirit?

 

[Blain]

I know I have the Holy Spirit (He is present in me), because He is given to those who believe in Jesus Christ as a seal until the day of redemption.

I know when the Holy Spirit is indwelling me (i.e. participating in the economy/household in my body) when I am recognising my Christian brothers and sisters as brothers and sisters and am loving them as such, even those treating me badly; and when I am loving the unbelievers not reckoning their sins as a reason to reject and despise them.

Fantastic answer!

 

[Magenta]

Absolutely gergeous work magenta. So what about those who call themselves Christians but deny the
spirits power? they call themselves children of God but do not believe in the supernatural indwelling
of the believer they are called a word I can never get right cessetionalists or something like that

Hello Blain, thank you, cessationists are those who believe that certain spiritual gifts, particularly those
associated with miracles like healing, speaking in tongues, and prophecy, ceased to be given by God to
the church after the apostolic age. They maintain that the initial confirmation of the New Testament
and the apostles' teachings through these signs was complete, and God no longer actively grants
these gifts to believers today. Is that the word you are looking for or thinking of?

 

[SirSolaScriptura]

What about those who believe the gifts have ceased? would they also have the spirit even though they deny the gifts of the spirit?

Ah, a distinction, we get the Holy Spirit upon believing in Jesus as Lord (cuz Jesus and Father are One with the Holy Spirit), hence Jesus breathed on the apostles and they received the Holy Spirit, "Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. " (John 20:21-22).

However, The Apostle Paul speaks of a Baptism in the Holy Spirit,
"While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when[a] you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues[b] and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all." (Acts 19:1-6)

This is the Baptism of Fire that John The Baptist spoke of, "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire," (Matthew 4:11), and hence why tongues of fire fell on apostles (Acts 2:3-4).

Although Cornelius and his Household got the Gifts of the Spirit while Peter was preaching (Acts 10:44-46).

 

[Blain]

Hello Blain, thank you, cessationists are those who believe that certain spiritual gifts, particularly those
associated with miracles like healing, speaking in tongues, and prophecy, ceased to be given by God to
the church after the apostolic age. They maintain that the initial confirmation of the New Testament
and the apostles' teachings through these signs was complete, and God no longer actively grants
these gifts to believers today. Is that the word you are looking for or thinking of?

Yes that is the one, do you think they have the spirit even though they don't believe in the gifts?

 

[Blain]

Ah, a distinction, we get the Holy Spirit upon believing in Jesus as Lord (cuz Jesus and Father are One with the Holy Spirit), hence Jesus breathed on the apostles and they received the Holy Spirit, "Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. " (John 20:21-22).

However, The Apostle Paul speaks of a Baptism in the Holy Spirit,
"While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when[a] you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues[b] and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all." (Acts 19:1-6)

This is the Baptism of Fire that John The Baptist spoke of, "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire," (Matthew 4:11), and hence why tongues of fire fell on apostles (Acts 2:3-4).

Although Cornelius and his Household got the Gifts of the Spirit while Peter was preaching (Acts 10:44-46).

interesting so it isn't enough to simply believe to have the spirit then, which means one can believe and be Christian but not neccesaraly have the spirit unless your baptized in the spirit?

 

[SirSolaScriptura]

interesting so it isn't enough to simply believe to have the spirit then, which means one can believe and be Christian but not neccesaraly have the spirit unless your baptized in the spirit?

If you go by the Acts 19 with Paul there is a baptism in fire we should do by laying on hands. I am of the mind The Holy Spirit seals us upon believing as Paul says (2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:33) but you do not access the manifestations and powers of the Holy Spirit without the Baptism (Acts 19:1-6).

 

[Gideon300]

Simple question how does one know they have the holy spirit? anyone can claim to have him they can even believe they do but how does one confirm they have him indwelling in them? can you feel him? do you communicate with him? do you receive divine experiences? and how do you know it is not just your own imagination or you talking to what you think is the spirit but really is just yourself? what if you feel something and think it is the spirit but it is really just your emotions?

Good questions.

We know by faith. Faith is simply confidence and trust. Ultimately, we believe God's word because He says so and He is God. God's word says that wants to give us the Holy Spirit. All we need do is ask with persistence, if necessary. (Luke 11:13)

Faith is not feelings. Faith is, in effect, spiritual eyesight. Derby translation puts it like this: "Now faith is [the] substantiating of things hoped for, [the] conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1). As the eye "substantiates" the physical realm, so faith the spiritual. Do you look at a traffic light and "feel" what colour it is? No. Tell the police that you "felt" that the red light was green, they will book you anyway.

We need to learn the difference between faith and feelings, faith and flashing thoughts. God will show us, if we ask Him sincerely. And we have the safety net of God's word. God will never contradict Himself.

It's really important to keep humble and realise that anyone can get it wrong. I've made many mistakes in my life, some silly and some catastrophic. Stay close to God and always pray, "Your will be done above all things" or something to that effect.

Don't talk to the Spirit. That's not His job. Pray to God in Jesus' name or pray to Jesus directly. God has three answers to prayer: Yes, No or Wait.

We who are born again are alive spiritually. And God speaks to our spirit man, through the Holy Spirit. "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children." (Romans 8:16)

I've known a number of people who seemed unable to discern and who failed to learn from their mistakes. One of my friends went to the airport without a plane ticket and waited for someone to give him the money. Fail. Another started a business venture, certain that it was God's will. Fail. They both blundered on, never quite able to grasp the difference between a seemingly good idea and the will of God. Don't be that person. It's no fun at all.

 

[Magenta]

Yes that is the one, do you think they have the spirit even though they don't believe in the gifts?

If they have come to believe in the shed righteous blood of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and being reconciled to God, which means they escape the second death and attain to life ever after... then they definitely were made alive in Christ at some point, though they believe that happens after they believe, meaning they think the wicked heart of their natural man produced the good fruit of faith, which contradicts much that is said in Scripture along the lines of the natural man being unable to receive or comprehend the Spiritual things of God, being hostile in their minds toward God, being captive to the will of the devil and under the influence of the evil one, a slave to sin, lover of darkness, suppressing the truth in unrighteousness, the gospel message is foolishness to them etc etc... because it is with the heart that one believes. As SirSolaScriptura said above, upon believing one is sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit of God.

 

[Gideon300]

interesting so it isn't enough to simply believe to have the spirit then, which means one can believe and be Christian but not neccesaraly have the spirit unless your baptized in the spirit?

There is a difference between the indwelling Spirit and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:9 "You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.")

It is possible to be indwelt by the Spirit and not baptised in the Spirit. It is not possible to be baptised in the Spirit if you are not indwelt by the Spirit. That's why it is so dangerous to try and manipulate people into talking in tongues. I know someone who had a fake "tongue" for years until someone discerned it. She was not even born again. She is now and knows the power of the Spirit fully.

 

[wattie]

Simple question how does one know they have the holy spirit? anyone can claim to have him they can even believe they do but how does one confirm they have him indwelling in them? can you feel him? do you communicate with him? do you receive divine experiences? and how do you know it is not just your own imagination or you talking to what you think is the spirit but really is just yourself? what if you feel something and think it is the spirit but it is really just your emotions?

The Book of John is about how you can know you have eternal life.

It's about knowing that you have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Not looking at emotional experiences or feelings..but whether you believed Jesus is God..that He lived sinless, died and rose again. That by believing in Him you have eternal life.

That's how you know you are also indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Believe and receive.

Not just knowing a set of facts..but entrusting your salvation with Jesus Christ.

John 3:16, 3:36, 5:24, 6:40, 8:40, 10:28
Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9-10

 

[Blain]

If you go by the Acts 19 with Paul there is a baptism in fire we should do by laying on hands. I am of the mind The Holy Spirit seals us upon believing as Paul says (2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:33) but you do not access the manifestations and powers of the Holy Spirit without the Baptism (Acts 19:1-6).

Laying of the hands huh? I haven't had that yet perhaps I didn't recieve the baptism of fire yet

 

[Blain]

So far amazing responces and I am learning a lot, the indwelling of the spirit and the baptism of the spirit being two seperate things, the sealing being recieved upon believing. I have felt his fire before when I was first saved it was full of life and I literally danced for joy praising him ( I am not a dancer) but I think maybe that was the sealing of the spirit I have yet to recieve the baaptism it seems

 

[SirSolaScriptura]

Laying of the hands huh? I haven't had that yet perhaps I didn't recieve the baptism of fire yet

I suggest it.

So far amazing responces and I am learning a lot, the indwelling of the spirit and the baptism of the spirit being two seperate things, the sealing being recieved upon believing. I have felt his fire before when I was first saved it was full of life and I literally danced for joy praising him ( I am not a dancer) but I think maybe that was the sealing of the spirit I have yet to recieve the baaptism it seems

I am glad I participate in adding clarity to this matter. That is what I love about this place, we can all share what we have learned.

 

[Blain]

I suggest it.

I am glad I participate in adding clarity to this matter. That is what I love about this place, we can all share what we have learned.

Yes it is a blessing to have a place like this to communicate with other believers, it is also a fantastic field to plant the seeds of the kingdom
I would love to recieve the laying of hands but sadly in the nursing home I live in there is no way for me to go to church much less a spirit filled one to recieve that blessing