TheHOLY SGOD S GIFT TO YOU! PIRIT. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you... Acts 1:8. joseph b. k ack

Transcription

1

2 TheHOLY PIRIT SGOD S GIFT TO YOU! But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you... Acts 1:8 joseph b. k ack

3 The author has opted to embolden specific words in several scripture references for the sake of emphasis only. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Philippine Copyright 2018 by Joseph B. Kack ISBN Published by The Senior Pastor and Overseer of the Joseph Kack Ministries International (JKMI), Inc. 290 Aguirre Ave., corner Gov. Santos St., BF Homes, Parañaque City

4 Table of Contents Introduction v Chapter One The Holy SPIrIT Is for You 01 The Holy Spirit the Promise of the Father 2 How Did Jesus Operate on the Earth? 4 Why Did Jesus Need the Holy Spirit? 7 God s Plan for Your Life Is Supernatural 8 Chapter Two Understanding the Work of the Holy Spirit in Your Life 011 The Spirit Within Us 011 The Spirit Upon Us 013 The Spirit Among Us 015 Chapter Three HOW to Receive the Holy SPIrIT 19 Chapter Four SpeakING in TONGues 025 A Language of the Spirit 026 Satan Hates Tongues 027 Supernatural Edification 028 Seek the Holy Spirit, not the Tongues 028 Chapter Five Holy SPIrIT ScrIPTures 031 Appendix A A Prayer of SalvATION 0 Appendix B A Prayer to Receive the Holy SPIrIT 0

5

6 Introduction This book was written to feed your faith in and stir your heart about the significance and relevance of the Holy Spirit. Christian life was never supposed to be lived naturally apart from Him. And as you study the Scriptures for yourself, I believe you will see that Christian life simply CANNOT be lived successfully apart from the reality of the Holy Spirit. I have not written this book as one who has arrived, but as one who is ever being confronted by the Scriptures as to just how significant a factor the Holy Spirit should be for us today. I am personally challenged! Have we received all that s available from the Holy Spirit and His ministry in our lives? Or could there be still more? I believe that there is still so much more for each one of us! My prayer is that this little book would increase your desire to be more greatly filled with and more aware of God s greatest gift to the Church the Holy Spirit! Joseph B. Kack v

7

8 Chapter One The Holy Spirit Is for You For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 was in a meeting one time where I heard the speaker say this: I Jesus is God s gift to the world, but the Holy Spirit is God s gift to the Church. What a powerful statement! Think about that for a moment. The most important thing for an unbeliever is to receive Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior so that he can receive the gift of eternal life and the rebirth of his spirit. No doubt about that! But once a man has received eternal life and is born again into God s family and the Church universal, there is no greater and more significant gift for that man than the Holy Spirit. Jesus is God s gift to the unsaved world in order to be saved and be reconciled to God the Father. But the Holy Spirit, on the other hand, is God s gift to the believer in Jesus, enabling him to know, to find, and to fulfill God s supernatural purpose, calling, and assignment for his life. 1

9 The Holy Spirit God s Gift to You! The Holy Spirit is God s gift to the believer, enabling him to find and fulfill God s supernatural purpose and assignment for his life. Without knowledge of the Holy Spirit and cooperation with Him, our life assignments simply cannot be accomplished as the Lord would have them to be accomplished. This is what makes the Holy Spirit such a vital gift! The Holy Spirit the Promise of the Father In the Scriptures, Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as the Promise of the Father and made it very clear that this promise was for all! And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. Joel 2:28,29 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, which, He said, you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. Acts 1:4,5 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. Acts 2:32,33 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high. Luke 24:49 Look at that verse in Acts 1 again. Isn t it interesting that Jesus would go so far as to command them to wait for the promise of 2

10 The Holy Spirit is for You the Holy Spirit? That s pretty strong, isn t it? And why was He so adamant that the disciples not go anywhere without the Holy Spirit? Why did He command them to receive the Holy Spirit first? Perhaps Jesus emphasized the Holy Spirit because He wanted to establish another sect or denomination of Christians, known today as Pentecostals. I say that sarcastically. Of course, that s not the case. Although the Holy Spirit has become a point of division for some in the body of Christ, we must always remember that anything the Lord gives or reveals is never given to divide, but rather to enable. This is also true of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was not given to divide the Church, but rather to ENABLE the Church. The Holy Spirit was not given to create divisions in the body of Christ, but rather to bring empowerment to His body! Divisions do occur, but only after men are confronted with the truth and then each makes his own choice as to whether or not he will embrace what he has seen and understood. Consequently, as long as mankind has free choice, divisions will continue to exist. But the answer to why Jesus put such a strong emphasis on the Holy Spirit is quite simple and easily found if you will study the life and ministry of Jesus while He was on the earth. Please pay careful attention to this next verse: How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38 Did you see that? God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit. 3

11 The Holy Spirit God s Gift to You! Jesus understood the reason for His own success and empowerment. And what was it? The Holy Spirit! Jesus submitted to the Holy Spirit. He was filled with the Spirit, led by the Spirit, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Simply put, Jesus knew that, without the help of the Holy Spirit, these men could not get their job done! Even in their best efforts and most earnest zeal, they would come up short! The same thing is true today for all who desire to fulfill God s purpose for their lives on the earth. The Holy Spirit is required. How Did Jesus Operate on the Earth? Let s take a moment to look at how Jesus operated as a Son of God on the earth. And as we do, let s remember that what He did, He did not do only as our Savior, but also as our EXAMPLE. When Jesus walked on the earth, He was the only begotten Son of God on earth. But now through redemption and the work of Jesus on the cross, He has brought many sons to glory. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2:10 Through new birth in Christ, we are also now sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:26). If you have received Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, then you are one of those many sons! As believers and sons, we are called to do the same works and even greater works than those that Jesus did. As challenging as this may seem, those are the words of Jesus! And to make it even stronger, He prefaced those words with the doubt-destroying words most assuredly. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will 4

12 The Holy Spirit is for You do, because I go to My Father. John 14:12 The same works that Jesus did? Greater works? How could we possibly do that?! The same way He did! BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. In fact, Jesus first mention of the Holy Spirit being sent was in direct reference and context to doing the works that He did. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16,17 Let s look carefully at what the Scriptures say about Jesus operation on the earth: He received the Holy Spirit. When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased. Luke 3:21,22 He was filled with the Spirit and then led by the Spirit. Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Luke 4:1 He operated in the power of the Spirit. Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. Luke 4:14 He preached, healed, and brought deliverance because the Spirit was upon Him. The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; 5

13 The Holy Spirit God s Gift to You! He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed. Luke 4:18 He cast out demons by the Spirit of God. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. Matthew 12:28 He gave commandments and instructions through the Holy Spirit. The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen. Acts 1:1,2 And as we have already seen, He did good and healed because God had anointed Him with the Spirit. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38 Can you see the emphasis on the Holy Spirit in these verses? Most people have the idea that Jesus was able to do the mighty things He did simply because He was the only begotten, all-powerful Son of God. Well, it s true that He was the only begotten Son of God, but that is not how or why He was able to do the supernatural things that He did. Jesus did what He did because the Holy Spirit empowered Him! Jesus was able to do the supernatural things He did because the Holy Spirit empowered Him. 6

14 The Holy Spirit is for You And that same Holy Spirit is available for all God s children today! In fact, not only is He available, but according to Jesus, He is also required! Why Did Jesus Need the Holy Spirit? Some might ask, If Jesus was the Son of God, why did He need to be anointed? Why did He need God the Holy Spirit if He was already God Himself? That is a very good question! The answer to which will greatly highlight the relevance of the Holy Spirit in our lives today. The answer can be found in the book of Philippians: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5 7 The margin of my NKJV Bible says that He emptied Himself of His privileges. The New Living Translation says that He gave up His divine privileges. From this verse, we learn that Jesus laid aside and emptied Himself of His divine privileges and became as a man. Let this sink in for a moment: Jesus Christ became as a man! So Jesus didn t operate on the earth as God. Was He God? Emphatically yes! But He operated on earth as a man! That is a powerful revelation! Indeed, Jesus was God in the flesh, yet He operated and functioned on earth as the Son of Man, anointed by the Spirit of God AS OUR EXAMPLE. As you read through the four gospel accounts, you will notice more than 50 references to Jesus as the Son of Man. Please don t misunderstand. Jesus was God...and Jesus is God. No doubt about that! He went to the cross and paid the price for our sins as God the just suffering for the unjust (1 Pet. 3:18). 7

15 The Holy Spirit God s Gift to You! Yet He fulfilled His earthly ministry as a man, with the help and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. This is even further substantiated when we discover that Jesus didn t do any miracles or signs until AFTER He received the Holy Spirit. The Bible says that the miracle of turning water into wine was the beginning of signs, meaning it was the first one: This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. John 2:11 So how did Jesus do what He did? How did He successfully fulfill God s mission and purpose for His life? He did it BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. And, my friend, that is precisely how you will be able to fulfill God s earthly mission and purpose for your life as well. God s Plan for Your Life Is Supernatural What God has planned for you to do is beyond the ordinary beyond the natural. It s super-natural! Jesus understood the power behind what He did. That s why He was so adamant that the disciples not try to fulfill the great commission without the Spirit the same Spirit that enabled Him. I have good news for you as you read this book today: The very same Holy Spirit that filled Jesus, led Jesus, and empowered Jesus while He was on the earth is available for you and every other child of God! The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. John 6:63 (NLT) What God has designed for you to do in life, impacting eternity, cannot be accomplished with human effort or zeal alone. It requires a life that is filled with the Spirit, directed by the Spirit, and empowered by the Spirit. That is true no matter what field or walk of life the Lord leads you into. 8

16 The Holy Spirit is for You Ministers and churches need the Holy Spirit! Businessmen and fathers need the Holy Spirit! Homemakers, teachers, and educators need the Holy Spirit! In fact, if there were any education or schooling worthy of pursuit for a child of God, it would be the school of the Holy Spirit! Nothing could be of greater value! If there were any education or schooling worthy of pursuit for a child of God, it would be the school of the Holy Spirit. Jesus clearly understood that, but I m not sure many of us have the same understanding. We often try to fulfill His words and His plans in our own strength. Many have treated the Holy Spirit and what Jesus said about Him as if He were optional when, in fact, Jesus made Him a prerequisite. When Jesus commanded His disciples to receive the Holy Spirit before continuing with their earthly assignments, He was not being demanding. He was being realistic! Jesus knew firsthand that a supernatural life and ministry could not be fulfilled without supernatural ability from the Holy Spirit. We should stop and ask ourselves this: Do we require any less of the Holy Spirit today in our Christian endeavors, churches, and ministries than they did in the early church? I don t think so! 9

17

18 Chapter Two Understanding the Work of the Holy Spirit in Your Life To live a life in cooperation with God s Spirit, it is very important to understand the three basic works of the Holy Spirit in our lives: The Spirit WITHIN us, The Spirit UPON us, and The Spirit AMONG us. The Spirit Within Us But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior. Titus 3:4 6 This verse refers to the regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which takes place when God saves us and we are born again. Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3 When anyone believes the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and calls upon the Lord to save him, the Holy Spirit is present to 11

19 The Holy Spirit God s Gift to You! recreate his inner man, making him a new creation in Christ! Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 This is the first work of the Holy Spirit in a person s life being born again of the Spirit. Let s call this The work of the Spirit WITHIN every believer. When we are born again, the Holy Spirit comes to live WITHIN us. We become the temple of the Holy Spirit. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16 The Holy Spirit and His anointing then begin to work INSIDE us as our personal teacher and guide into spiritual truths. In fact, it is the work of the Holy Spirit that causes us to know the things that have been freely given us through our redemption in Christ, as revealed in the Word of God. He is the revealer of truth inside us! Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 1 Corinthians 2:12 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. 1 John 2:20,27 The Holy Spirit was sent to do for each one of us what Jesus did for each of His disciples while He was physically present with them. He was their personal teacher and guide, and the one who would explain things to them. This is what the Holy Spirit has been sent to do INSIDE every child of God. Sons of God are now to be led by the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:14). 12

20 Understanding the Work of the Holy Spirit in Your Life The Holy Spirit was sent to do for each one of us what Jesus did for each of His disciples while He was physically present with them. Through our new birth in Christ, the fruit of the Holy Spirit is also born into our spirit. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22,23 This fruit will grow and develop within us as we feed ourselves on God s Word and practice obeying Him. The Spirit Upon Us Once a person is born again of the Holy Spirit and becomes a child of God, he should immediately be educated about and seek to be FILLED with the Holy Spirit. Jesus referred to this as being baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5). If you are baptized, it means you are totally immersed! This second work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is for the purpose of POWER FOR SERVICE. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 Let s call this The Spirit UPON the believer. Although not necessary for salvation, this work of the Spirit will greatly enhance your life spiritually! And Jesus considered it mandatory for those who wanted to carry out the furtherance of His mission upon the earth. The Spirit UPON our lives brings the evidence and added benefit of speaking or praying in tongues, which we will discuss in the fourth chapter of this book. Thank God for this empowerment and ability to communicate with our Creator supernaturally! 13

21 The Holy Spirit God s Gift to You! The Spirit UPON our lives brings the evidence and added benefit of praying in tongues. The Spirit UPON our lives, with the evidence of speaking in tongues, is also an initial step or a doorway into the other nine supernatural gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. These are available to us as we follow the leading of God s Spirit. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:7 11 Notice that all of these gifts are through the Spirit or by the Spirit as we are filled with and yielded to Him. Although there is one initial infilling of the Holy Spirit, there are many re-fillings of the Spirit as we learn to regularly come to Him and drink of the Holy Spirit. On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit... John 7:37 39 The New Testament also exhorts us to be continually filled with the Spirit. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody 14

22 Understanding the Work of the Holy Spirit in Your Life in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:18 20 The Holy Spirit UPON your life will not only enable you to be more sensitive to the Spirit s leading in your life, but He will also open you up to many exciting adventures in God! The Holy Spirit UPON your life will open you up to many exciting adventures in God. The Spirit Among Us Spirit-filled believers who assemble together on different occasions for divine purposes can also enjoy the multiplied benefit of the Holy Spirit AMONG them. This can also be described as a corporate anointing. It is an anointing, or a level of the Spirit, that can only be realized when we join together as the Holy Spirit leads each one of us into our God-given place. Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19 22 Notice here that the Lord fits us together with other believers by divine design. He actually builds us together as we follow Him and acknowledge these supernatural relationships in our lives. And what is the result? Together, we become a dwelling place for God s Spirit. In other words, His Spirit comes AMONG US to accomplish His purposes. Oftentimes, these purposes are greater than anyone of us could accomplish on our own. 15

23 The Holy Spirit God s Gift to You! The Lord fits us together with other believers by divine design. Don t Forsake Assembling And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24,25 Why would the Scriptures exhort us not to forsake assembling together with other believers? Is it really a big deal? Yes, it is! There are parts of God s plan and purposes that simply cannot be accessed alone. We need each other! By design, we are corporately the body of Christ and members of one another (1 Cor. 12:27; Eph. 4:25). Some aspects of our full inheritance in Christ are only revealed and made manifest as we obey the Scriptures and physically ASSEMBLE. There are parts of God s plan and purposes that simply cannot be accessed alone. We need each other! How convenient it would be if we could just do and receive everything God has for us on our own, without needing to bother with anyone else. Let s face it: Working together with and loving other people can be messy at times. But if we desire to live and walk in God s highest and best, there s really no way around it. The Scripture teaches us that where one can chase a thousand, two can put ten thousand to flight (Deut. 32:30). More can be accomplished together as we acknowledge one another and take time to assemble together. 16

24 Understanding the Work of the Holy Spirit in Your Life When God s Spirit comes AMONG us, we are able to go farther into the plans and purposes of God than we would be able to go alone and we are able to do it faster. We can go farther. faster! In other words, spiritual breakthroughs come more quickly and easily. Victories in areas of personal struggle are more easily realized! When God s Spirit comes AMONG US, we are able to go farther...faster! Perhaps, there is nothing more powerful than being born again, personally filled with God s Spirit, and then, in the right place, connected together with other like-minded believers. I would call these divine assemblies! These are times and atmospheres where some of the greatest moves of God can take place! (Acts 4:23 31; Acts 2:1 4) 17

25

26 Chapter Three How to Receive the Holy Spirit Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Colossians 1:12 If you have received Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you are now a child of God born of God s Spirit and have already been qualified to partake of your spiritual inheritance, including God s Spirit UPON you. The result will be greater empowerment upon your life for kingdom service, including the gift of a heavenly prayer language tongues! The following are some helpful tips to assist you and others in receiving the Holy Spirit: 1. Recognize and acknowledge that the Holy Spirit is God s promise for all. When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1 4 19

27 The Holy Spirit God s Gift to You! And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh... Joel 2:28 Good news! If you are a believer, then all includes you! Many in the church have missed out on all that God has for them simply by believing that the Holy Spirit and tongues are a special gift for some, but not for all. A simple adjustment in how you think and believe in this area can make all the difference and make it much easier for you to receive. Many in the church have missed out on all that God has for them simply by believing that the Holy Spirit and tongues are a special gift for some, but not for all. If the Lord commanded His disciples to receive the Holy Spirit s empowerment before attempting ministry service, would He have different instructions for you personally? I don t think so. 2. Understand that the Holy Spirit has already been poured out. And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh... Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. Acts 2:17,33 Look at the words poured out. The Holy Spirit was already poured out 2,000 years ago on the Day of Pentecost! When we open ourselves to receive the Spirit, we are simply accessing what the Lord has already given. Why is that significant? The struggle is over! There is no need to tarry, wait, beg, or plead to receive the Holy Spirit! 20

28 How to Receive the Holy Spirit We do not need to try to convince God to give us the Holy Spirit because He has already been given! We must simply come and RECEIVE what He has already poured out for all. The Holy Spirit has already been given! We must simply come and RECEIVE what God has already poured out for all. 3. Humble yourself to receive by agreeing with what Jesus said about the necessity of the Holy Spirit. Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? Amos 3:3 This point was written to clarify that Jesus will not in any way force His Spirit upon you. He is looking for your agreement. He will not make you receive something that you don t really desire and are not ready for. Because He loves you, He will always respect your will and your right to choose what you really want. If for some reason you don t want to receive the Holy Spirit or have doubts or apprehensions, then receiving becomes very difficult, if not impossible. In fact, the Bible tells us that we should not suppose that we will receive anything from the Lord when we doubt (James 1:6,7). It is not the Lord s job to prove His Word to us in order to convince us or to make us believe. His Word is true because He said so, and He cannot lie! It is my prayer that this book would answer your questions about the Holy Spirit and fill you full of faith to receive! So, once you discover God s blueprint in the Scriptures, you must simply come to Him and receive like a little child, taking Him at His Word. You will not receive because your mother, your pastor, or your spouse wants you to receive the Holy Spirit. You will receive because YOU want to receive! The Spirit of God, in 21

29 The Holy Spirit God s Gift to You! all His power, is an extreme gentleman and will not bypass your own will. You will not receive the Holy Spirit because your mother, your pastor, or your spouse wants you to receive. You will receive because YOU want to receive! We should hunger for more of God and hunger for all that He has to offer, including the Holy Spirit. For me personally, this was what enabled me to receive the Holy Spirit. Once I found out from the Scriptures that the Lord had something more for me, my heart immediately said, Count me in! If the Lord wanted me to have it, I wanted it! It was as simple as that for me. With a good foundation of the Scriptures and a humble and willing heart, receiving is easy! 4. Ask and receive. So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! Luke 11:9 13 Notice here that this asking and receiving was written specifically in reference to asking for the Holy Spirit. This is how we receive the Holy Spirit now that He has already been made available for all. We ask and we receive! These verses also make it clear that, if you ask for the Holy Spirit, your heavenly Father will not give you a serpent or a 22

30 How to Receive the Holy Spirit scorpion. In other words, you don t have to be afraid that you will receive a wrong spirit or an evil spirit. These words of assurance eliminate any fear or apprehension when we come to receive the Holy Spirit. We will receive exactly what we ask for! Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:24 Come to your heavenly Father on the basis of what His Word says and ASK for the Holy Spirit. But then take time to believe that you receive what you are asking for. Believe that when you ask in faith, you also receive at that very moment when you ask. It is done! Begin to lift your hands and thank God that He has heard your prayer and that you have received the promise of the Holy Spirit. This is simple faith! 5. Help through the laying on of hands Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:14 17 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?...and when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:1,2,6 The laying on of hands is not necessary to receive the Holy Spirit but can sometimes be helpful for some who may need encouragement or the agreement of another. One believer who is filled with the Spirit can lay hands on another believer, asking and receiving the Holy Spirit together by faith (Matt. 18:19). 23

31

32 Chapter Four Speaking in Tongues While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. - Acts 10:44 46 The Bible pattern is very clear throughout the book of Acts that those who were filled with the Spirit also spoke in tongues and magnified God. In fact, the reason that Peter s companions knew that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out was because of what they heard: for they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. The same is true for you as you receive the Holy Spirit UPON your life. You can expect to receive a wonderful, heavenly prayer language a language of the Spirit, called tongues. As you receive the Holy Spirit upon your life, you can expect to receive a wonderful, heavenly prayer language called tongues. Tongues is words and groanings, given by the Holy Spirit, which enables you to communicate directly from your heart (spirit) to your Father God (the Father of spirits) (1 Cor. 14:14; Heb. 12:9). For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to 25

33 The Holy Spirit God s Gift to You! God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 1 Corinthians 14:2 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26,27 Tongues enables you to pray and speak according to the will of God without interference from the limitations of your natural mind, reasoning, and intellect. In fact, tongues enables you to pray BEYOND your own intellect in any situation, gaining access to the mind of the Spirit. Tongues enables you to pray beyond your own intellect, gaining access to the mind of the Spirit. When you pray in tongues, you leave behind your own ignorance and limited understanding of a situation, and, in exchange, receive bits and pieces of what God knows as the Holy Spirit gives you the words to speak. A Language of the Spirit Tongues is a language of the Spirit. It is spirit talk and is wonderfully satisfying to the deepest parts of your inner man. Paul referred to it as praying in the spirit, allowing your spirit access to the hidden secrets of the kingdom of God, known as mysteries. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 1 Corinthians 14:2 (KJV) Tongues is not words in your own known language. In fact, the 26

34 Speaking in Tongues King James Version of the Scriptures often refers to tongues as an unknown tongue because it consists of words that are not understood by your intellect but that flow freely from your inner man. So, for example, if you are fluent in English or Japanese, tongues will not consist of words in English or Japanese, but rather words that seem foreign to your mind. Simple childlike faith is required in order to open your mouth and begin to speak words from your heart that don t make any sense to your natural mind. Praying in tongues may feel foolish or seem awkward when we first begin. And why should that surprise us? Anything we do for the first time can be uncomfortable at first. If he could, your enemy, Satan, would try to discourage you from continuing to speak words in tongues, telling you lies, such as That s a waste of time or That s just you making up words. Satan Hates Tongues What you must be aware of is this: the devil hates tongues! Why does he want to stop you from speaking in tongues? Because he doesn t know what you are saying! When you speak in tongues, you leave Satan in the dark as you step out and communicate supernaturally with your heavenly Father. Tongues gives you access to a place and to plans that the devil has no access to! When you speak in tongues, you leave Satan in the dark as you step out and communicate supernaturally with your heavenly Father. So don t allow the enemy to discourage you. He is a thief and a liar! Just continue speaking whatever words or sounds that the Holy Spirit gives you, no matter how simple they may seem. If you won t quit, your prayer language will develop and become even more fluent. 27

35 The Holy Spirit God s Gift to You! Supernatural Edification But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. Jude 20 Praying in tongues is also a means by which you can build yourself up and charge your own spiritual life. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries...he who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 1 Corinthians 14:2,4 What is the point and purpose of this personal edification through tongues? So that you can edify someone else! As we all know, the Christian life is a life of building and serving others. Seek the Holy Spirit, not the Tongues It is important to note that, when we come to God to receive His Spirit UPON, we are not coming for the tongues. We are coming for the Spirit! We are coming to receive ALL that God has for us! Tongues is a result of the Spirit coming upon us and is a major benefit of a Spirit-filled life. Our desire should not be merely to speak in tongues, but to live a surrendered life that is yielded to God s purposes. The Holy Spirit, including tongues, is part of that! As we open ourselves to God s Spirit, tongues then becomes a tool that serves us greatly in our pursuit of all that God has lovingly planned for us to fulfill. Tongues is a tool that serves us greatly in our pursuit of all that God has lovingly planned for us to fulfill. So as you receive the Spirit, open your mouth and begin to speak those words that rise up on the inside of you not 28

36 Speaking in Tongues words in your own language, but words that come up from the inside of you. The Holy Spirit will not move your mouth for you. And He will not do the talking for you. He will simply bring a release of new words from within you as you open your mouth and begin to speak and express what comes up from within you. He gives the words, and we give expression to what He gives us. Praying in tongues can then be done regularly and often as you maintain a Spirit-filled life. For further information on the benefits and advantages of spending time praying in tongues, please refer to our handbook Take Advantage of Your Advantage: Maximizing the Holy Spirit s Helping Ministry Through Praying in Tongues. 29

37

38 Chapter Five Holy Spirit Scriptures Listed below are several Holy Spirit verses that will feed your faith to receive more of the Spirit s working in your life. I would encourage you to read them, speak them aloud, and even personalize them when appropriate. As you do, the Person and ministry of the Holy Spirit will become more real to you. Remember, this same Holy Spirit is God s gift to you! The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:2 And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. Joel 2:28,29 31

39 The Holy Spirit God s Gift to You! Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, Says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. Matthew 12:28 John answered, saying to all, I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Luke 3:16 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased. Luke 3:21,22 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Luke 4:1 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. Luke 4:14 The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, 32

40 Holy Spirit Scriptures To set at liberty those who are oppressed. Luke 4:18 So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! Luke 11:9 13 Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say. Luke 12:11,12 Jesus answered, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:5,6 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. John 6:63 (NLT) 33

41 The Holy Spirit God s Gift to You! On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit... John 7:37 39 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16,17 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. John 16:13 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen. Acts 1:1,2 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, which, 34

42 Holy Spirit Scriptures He said, you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. Acts 1:4,5 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1 4 And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. Acts 2:17,18 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. Acts 2:32,33 35

43 The Holy Spirit God s Gift to You! And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Acts 6:3 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:14 17 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Acts 10:

44 Holy Spirit Scriptures As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Acts 13:2 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. Acts 16:6,7 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?...and when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:1,2,6 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:14 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us 37

45 The Holy Spirit God s Gift to You! with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26,27 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. 1 Corinthians 2:4 But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 1 Corinthians 2:9 12 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19 38

46 Holy Spirit Scriptures But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:7 11 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Galatians 3:5 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:22,23 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:

47 Holy Spirit Scriptures And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:18 20 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior. Titus 3:4 6 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. Jude 20 40

48 Appendix A A Prayer of Salvation The FIRST step to receive the Holy Spirit in your life is to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. Jesus is the Son of God, who died on the cross and shed His blood to pay the price for the sins of the whole world. The Bible tells us that whoever calls on the name of the Lord [Jesus] shall be saved (Romans 10:13). The Scripture also tells us that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). When you call on the name of Jesus and receive Him as your Lord, you receive eternal life and you become God s child. This is not joining a church or a religion. Accepting the gift of Jesus into your heart gives you relationship with the Living God! Only then are you in a position to receive all that the Holy Spirit has for you. If you have never taken this FIRST STEP, then pray this simple prayer in sincerity from your heart: Dear God, I believe that Jesus is Your Son, and that He died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. I believe that Jesus has been raised from the dead and that He is alive! Right now I call on the name of Jesus. Jesus, come into my heart. I receive You as my personal Lord and Savior. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me by the power of Your blood. Thank You for saving me and giving me eternal life! Help me now to follow Your plan for my life. Amen. Congratulations! You are now a child of God!

49

50 Appendix B A Prayer to Receive the Holy Spirit But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem - Acts 1:8 The moment you receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within you. You then have become the temple or dwelling place of God s Spirit. But there is more of the Holy Spirit that God wants you to experience! The promise of the Spirit was given to empower us to walk in the plan that God has prepared for us. The Holy Spirit is God s gift to us, His children, so that we can enter into all the fullness of God! All we must do is receive this gift. This experience is called the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or the Holy Spirit coming upon us. If you want to experience the fullness of life that God intended for you to have with the benefit of praying in tongues, pray this simple prayer from your heart: Heavenly Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus. Your Word says that You will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask You. I ask You now to fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I want to experience Your fullness in my life! I release my faith and expect to speak with other tongues as the Holy Spirit will give me the utterance. I thank You, Father, for the gift of the Holy Spirit and the ability to speak with other tongues. In Jesus name. Amen! Begin to thank Him now for filling you with His Holy Spirit. Yield yourself to Him. Speak the words not in your own language but in a language that the Holy Spirit gives you (speaking in tongues). It is you who will do the speaking, not the Holy Spirit. Praise the Lord daily for this wonderful gift of being able to communicate with Him spirit to Spirit!

51

52 NOTES

53 NOTES

54 NOTES

55 NOTES

56 NOTES

57 NOTES

58 NOTES

59

60 Other materials by Joseph B. Kack Pursuing God s Plan for Your Life Book and Audio CD (MP3 Format) You Shall Increase! Book and Audio CD (MP3 Format) Prayer: Authorizing Heaven on Earth Book and Audio CD (MP3 Format) Take Advantage of Your Advantage Book For more information on these and other resources, please visit

61

62