EVIDENCE OF THE MANIFESTATION OF HOLY SPIRIT IN MAN
Preface:
Those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and hope for salvation must receive the Holy Spirit because this is instructed by the Holy Spirit and it is the belief of every believer.
Why do we need to receive the Holy Spirit?
The Bible tells us that believers who are saved will be sealed with the Holy Spirit.
Eph. 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise
Rom. 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Without the Holy Spirit, a person is not of Christ and does not have the guarantee of salvation. Therefore, he has no hope of entering the heavenly kingdom.
The Bible records that when the Holy Spirit dwells with a person, he will be able to manifest various works of the Holy Spirit to prove this. However, worldly churches misunderstand the evidence manifested by the working of the Holy Spirit. They think that love is shown by building hospitals, schools or doing community service. They also think that the ability to invent machineries for the benefit of society is due to the knowledge gained through the working of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, these strange theories deceive these believers and cause them to go astray.
Paul said, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2). On the contrary, worldly churches tell the people to set their affections on things of the earth. This is the key argument to demonstrate that they have misunderstood the truth. Although the arguments of worldly churches seem to be true, yet they are the great enemies of the true church. The Bible identifies these churches as preachers who “preach another doctrine, having swerved and turned aside unto vain jangling”.
The above are mentioned in order to correct these misconceptions. It is hoped that every believer of the Lord Jesus Christ will study His words to determine whether these things are true or false. According to the Bible, there is much evidence of the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in man. The most important evidence which we will discuss is divided into seven points:
(1) Body Vibration
(2) Spiritual Tongue
(3) Understand the Mysteries in the Bible
(4) Do not Sin
(5) Perform Miracles and Wonders
(6) Bear Spiritual Good Fruits
(7) To be United as One.
(1) Body Vibration
The Lord Jesus Christ said that when one receives the Holy Spirit, the experience is as if one is being blown by the wind.
John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
We cannot see the wind. However, we know that there is a gust of wind when strong wind uproots a tree or a breeze moves the flowers, grass and leaves. The Bible often substitutes the term Holy Spirit with wind or breath, which tells us that the form of the Holy Spirit is undoubtedly like the wind.
Eze. 37:5, 9, 14 5Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: 9Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. 14And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.
John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
During the downpour of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, the Bible records:
“And when the day of Pentecost was 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 all the house where they were sitting. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost…” (Acts 2:1-2, 4). When the people from other parts of the world returned to Jerusalem and saw the circumstances of the apostles receiving the Holy Spirit, “…they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, these men are full of new wine” (Acts 2:12-13).
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Were not they amazed and in doubt because the indwelling of the Holy Spirit caused the believers’ bodies to vibrate? If it is like what worldly churches claim: “We have received the Holy Spirit, but He dwells quietly in our hearts”, why would the apostles be mocked as being full of wine? Acts 4:31 also clearly records: “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost”
Today, our church members who have received the Holy Spirit also have similar experiences and it matches the recordings in the Bible. Despite having such clear evidence, worldly churches are still confused and go as far as saying members whose bodies vibrate when receiving the Holy Spirit are lunatics and practise magic. Is it understandable for them who have never tasted the Holy Spirit and do not understand what the Holy Spirit is, to utter such blasphemy?
(2) Spiritual Tongue
When the Lord Jesus Christ was about to ascend to heaven, He made a promise to those who believe in Him. The Bible clearly records, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues” (Mark 16:17).
Actually, the apostles did not speak with many tongues at an instant on the Day of Pentecost. Instead they were moved by the Holy Spirit to speak spiritual tongues which are not of the world. The returning Jews from other nations heard the apostles speaking in their own languages and were able to understand because they were devout men and God had opened their ears. However, there were some who were not able to comprehend.
Acts 2:5, 12, 13 5And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 12And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
If the unknown tongues are indeed languages from other nations, why were some of the returning Jews in doubt, unable to comprehend and mocked that the apostles were full of new wine?
This is because spiritual tongues are not understandable by man. We will be able to understand this by referring to what Paul said in the book of Corinthians.
1Cor. 14:2, 4 2For 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. 4He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
What is the benefit of speaking in an unknown tongue?
It is to communicate with God and to edify oneself spiritually.
Rom. 8:26-27 26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Today, other churches pray in a repetitive manner using flowery words according to their own desires. However, this does not edify the spirit. If one prays according to his own desires, it is not according to the will of God. Even though many words have been uttered, it is equivalent to naught. Hence, the Bible says, “For we know not what we should pray for as we ought”. This means if we pray without the Holy Spirit but according to our own desires, we are not worthy to pray. The Holy Spirit will help us to pray if we rely on the Holy Spirit in our prayers; and we will be spiritually edified. Therefore, Jude said, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost” (Jude 20).
It is indeed important that believers receive the Holy Spirit and speak in spiritual tongue. When the apostles preached and helped others to receive the Holy Spirit, speaking in spiritual tongue was one of the evidence that a person had received the Holy Spirit.
Acts 10:44-46 44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
This is the will and promise of God. The apostles also received the Holy Spirit in a similar manner on the Day of Pentecost.
Acts 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Why do churches today do not seek this evidence, but use unsubstantiated words to comfort the people in vain and carry out such deceitful work? These churches cause their believers to turn away their ears from the truth, believe in deceitful doctrines and fables, and alienate themselves from the words of salvation, “For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd” (Zech. 10:2).
(3) Understand the Mysteries in the Bible
When the Holy Spirit dwells with a person, he will gradually understand the hidden spiritual meanings of the Bible because “the Bible is written by men who were moved by the Holy Ghost”.
2Pet. 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Therefore, besides the literal meaning, the Bible also contains hidden mysteries with spiritual significance. However, no one is able to understand these hidden mysteries without the working of the Holy Spirit.
2Cor. 2:10-11 10To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 11Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Worldly churches use their own interpretation and the knowledge of the world to discuss and explain the Bible. These churches do not only misunderstand the Bible but also misinterpret it. This does not help their believers to obtain salvation but instead bring them to their own destruction.
2Pet. 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Without the Holy Spirit to reveal the true meaning of the words in the Bible, reading or researching on it numerous times is just a futile effort because the words are sealed to these people.
Rev. 5:1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
Isa. 29:11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
These verses record that although the reader is literate and knowledgeable, he is still unable to understand the words of the book.
Dan. 5:8 Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof.
1Cor. 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
The Lord Jesus Christ said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth”.
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
From here we understand that one is not able to explain the Bible and understand the truth without the revelation and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. For example, the twelve disciples had the mistaken hope of restoring the kingdom of Israel on earth for “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). Some of the disciples even competed to be the greatest, for the Bible records that “They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory” (Mark 10:37). In another example, Peter wanted to prevent the Lord Jesus Christ from going to Jerusalem as the chief priests there would cause Him much sufferings.
This shows that although the Lord Jesus Christ had personally taught the twelve disciples before they received the Holy Spirit, yet they still had misconceptions of His teachings. Hence, the Lord Jesus Christ told the disciples, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” (John 16:12-13).
Acts 1:7-8 7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
The disciples received great understanding of the truth and power to work for the Lord Jesus Christ after they were filled with the Holy Spirit. However, churches after the apostolic period disobeyed the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ and preached heresies instead. Consequently, the down pouring of the Holy Spirit ceased and the truth by the Holy Spirit was sealed. As the churches became worldly and compromised with the people in this world, their teachings were unable to free the people from sin and receive eternal life. Instead, these churches became great adulterers and adulteresses that corrupted the world by using the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in vain, to deceive others.
Jas. 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Rev. 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
Isa. 4:1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.
These few verses prefigure the state of the churches when they are corrupted.
Eph. 3:3-6 3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Rom. 16: 25-26 25Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
The present period is the down pouring of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain, where the Holy Spirit had gradually revealed the mysteries of the truth that had been hidden from the past to the people who are spiritual and of the true church.
Examples of revealed hidden mysteries to the true church include questions on receiving the Holy Spirit, questions on remitting sins, questions on Sabbath day, questions on the mode of baptism and Holy Communion, the establishment of the true church, the end of the world, the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, matters relating to judgment, matters relating to resurrection, the situation of salvation and damnation, the punishment of the devil, the ends of heaven and earth, the manifestation of God’s kingdom, regarding the past, the present and the future, all prophecies regarding the Holy Spirit, spiritual wisdom, the will of God and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, only the True Jesus Church that was established by the revelation of the Holy Spirit will guide us to understand the truth, to walk on the path of salvation and to enter into the kingdom of everlasting life.
(4) Do not Sin
Those who have been baptised and received the Holy Spirit have obtained the evidence of rebirth.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Tit. 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Paul said, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:1-2).
Rom. 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
1John. 3:9, 6 9Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 6Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
From these few verses, it is evident that those who are born of the Holy Spirit are freed from sin and will not sin again because “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8).
Indeed, the Holy Spirit of God cannot dwell with sinners who are of the devil.
2Cor. 6:15-16 15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
The Holy Spirit of God dwells in us so that we can become His true children and be received by Him. Hence, we should not touch unclean things again once we have received the Holy Spirit. Rather, we must present our sanctified bodies as the temple of God and separate ourselves from all filthiness and sins of this world.
1Cor 3:16-17 16Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
2Cor 6:16-18 16And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
One needs to rely on the working of the Holy Spirit and be submissive to the Holy Spirit in order to attain the state of holiness, perfection and without sin.
Gal. 5:16, 25 16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
A person who has yet to receive the Holy Spirit and does not walk in the Spirit but departs from the truth and sins wilfully has crucified the Son of God again. Such a person has blasphemed against the Spirit of grace for he completely departs from the salvation grace. Consequently, this person will not be pardoned through prayers. Instead, he can only await the judgment of God in fear and receive the same end as His enemies, which is eternal damnation.
Heb. 6:4-8 4For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
Heb. 10:26-29 26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
John 9:30 The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes.
1John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
2Pet. 2:20-22 20For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, the dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
These verses tell us that those who have received the Holy Spirit cannot sin again in order to receive the guarantee of eternal life and enter into the heavenly kingdom. Only the believers of other churches who live in sin daily, and those from our church who had once received the grace of the Holy Spirit but had sinned wilfully, will lose the hope of salvation.
~ to be continued ~
(Extracts from Holy Spirit Times - 1936 Volume:11 No:1,2)