It is the eve of Pentecost, the day that was set for the coming of God’s promised Holy Spirit and the gathering of the church. At that time, the apostles were required to wait for ten days because it was necessary for them to be all together in one place for the day of Pentecost to be fully realized. The Holy Spirit could not be given until that day had fully come. After Pentecost there was no waiting as can be seen in the accounts of Peter and John in Samaria (Acts 8:14-17) and, Peter and Cornelius’ household (Acts 10).
· those who are not resting in the finished work of Christ Jesus [Matthew 3:11; Acts 11:15-16]
· those who do not know that there is such an experience as the baptism with the Holy Spirit [Acts 19:2]– they lack awareness or knowledge [Hosea 4:6]
· those who have not sincerely renounced sin [1 Corinthians 3:16-17]
· those who have not fully surrendered to God
· those who have not specifically asked [Luke 11:13]
More often than not, the reasons for your having to wait do not lie in God but in you. Today, there are many believers who are waiting on a specific feeling. They do not understand that the baptism with the Holy Spirit has diverse manifestations – there are nine gifts after all [1 Corinthians 12] – and so it is not always the gift of tongues.
The manifestation is not necessarily expressed as an uncontrollable ecstatic experience. So, if you are waiting on how you believe the baptism with the Holy Spirit will be manifested in you, “STOP!”; instead claim the promise by faith on the very assurance of God’s Word.
Very often, there is no particular feeling of sheer ecstasy or emotion but the simple calm assurance in your heart that you have indeed received. It’s an inexplicable knowing deep within.
Amen†
Waiting for the Holy Spirit Baptism ©2013 Shelley Johnson
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