Delays in receiving the Holy Spirit after apparently believing part 1
Delays in receiving the Holy Spirit after apparently believing part 2
Delays in receiving the Holy Spirit after apparently believing part 3 of 3
Why does Receiving the Spirit not always immediately follow believing? Baptism in the Holy Spirit is how we become a Child of God. There are many manifestations of Baptism in the Spirit. Receiving the Spirit (another term for Baptism in the Spirit) is clearly linked to believing.
The disciples had to wait until the Spirit was given at Pentecost but now the Holy Spirit is available to all who believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins.
Why is it then that some people do not seem to receive the Holy Spirit immediately after apparently Believing in God?
Speaking in tongues is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Unlike other gifts, speaking in tongues is for building up yourself. The other gifts are for building up the body. The fruit and gifts of the Spirit all come from the one Spirit.
There is only one Baptism. We only receive the Spirit once. This is the same as Regeneration or being Born again.
The Spirit comes upon us many times and fills us. When full of the Spirit, believers can acquire the Gift of Tongues.
Speaking in tongues is a reflection of your own spirit. Tongues are a spiritual prayer language to God. When you pray in a tongue, you are praying with your spirit. Some people have the gift of interpreting tongues.
Tongues edify the believer and help him or her to get into the Spirit.
Speaking in tongues usually does not immediately follow Baptism in the Spirit. There are many other signs of Baptism in the Spirit such as praising God, feeling free from sin, experiencing joy and peace.
It may take quite some time after conversion before the Fruit and the Gifts of the Spirit appear.
If your are Born Again / Baptised in the Holy Spirit and you want the gift of speaking in tongues, then pray for the gift of speaking in tongues. If you are already Baptized in the Spirit, don’t pray for this, pray that you will be filled in the Spirit and that God will give you the gift of tongues.
Baptism in the Spirit and tongues are closely related but they are not the same.
Baptism in the Spirit makes us part of the Body of Christ. Not all shall speak in tongues.
