By Brenda Groves
The Post Newspaper Contributing Writer
Dear Readers, quite often I hear so much controversy surrounding the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit.” So it is on my heart to share some of my own testimony again, and hopefully help explain more about the positive ministry of the Holy Spirit …
I had all the components but none of the knowledge how to use them when I
decided to grill for the first time many years ago.
Oh I had watched my father fire up the pit back home when I was little, but
with so many questions flying out of my mouth I neglected to listen to the
answers.
Therefore, I knew very little of the procedure, and later my husband became the keeper of the flames so I remained charcoal-ly challenged for quite some time.
Until the day I declared “I can!” I will!’ “Fire up this grill!!!!”
It was a pitiful attempt.
Half a bag of charcoal, a fistful of matches, three shredded paper towels, and two
tissues later and the stuff still refused to remain lit. I had gently applied
a spritz of lighter fluid because I didn’t want to singe my eyebrows, just
the food. Obviously, this “wimpy” approach was not going to get us cooked
burgers.
So I “mustard” up some courage and gave the pile a good dowsing.
I allowed a few minutes for soaking and tossed in the match. Then wasted no
time showering the tiny flame with more fluid.
WHOOSH! The fire roared to life.
With catlike reflexes I jumped back several feet, scoring a perfect 10
in the Olympic field of “Cowardness.”
The coals stayed red hot for many hours, and we were able to cook up a
feast.
I used this flaming example because it is an excellent comparison to what happened
when I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I was born again. (Received
salvation through Christ Jesus.)
It wasn’t until several years later that I was baptized in water. (I know,
many people are water baptized right after they receive salvation, but for several reasons I waited).
Since I had not been taught that there was anything else to receive after
I stayed … “saved and stuck” for ten long years, with my “ticket to heaven” clutched title in my heart, yet still struggling with many of the same issues I had before I was saved.
(But I had the wood.)
I knew I had met this wonderful Savior and I had this desire to know more
about God, yet I also felt like I had no power to witness to anyone, or to pray
for them. It was very frustrating at times. I desired an intimacy with God that
was more than just fleeting moments here and there.
(I had a tiny flame inside.)
Then I began reading about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in the Bible. I
also began hearing these awesome testimonies of people being healed and living
in complete victory. And every single testimony involved the gifts of the Holy Spirit operating through Christians who were baptized in the Holy Spirit, (with the evidence of speaking in tongues.)
(I myself was healed from MS through these teachings/His word and prayer.)
It’s a long story but finally I got to the place where I had to make a
decision- continue to allow the traditions and doctrines of men that were making the word of God ineffective in my life … or go with scripture and reach out for more of God in my life.
Praise the Lord, I chose to believe His word over religious theological
opinions. You know, even though some things can be familiar to us, does not mean that they are safe/or good.
Now, there were dozens of scriptures that convinced me that this was
available to all born again Christians but using the verses in Matthew 11:9-13 I prayed and asked my Heavenly Father to Baptize me in His Holy Spirit. I sat in our swing that evening and by faith I started speaking in tongues. A few syllables at first, then fluently. (
And yes the gift of tongues is for anyone who will believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit and receive/act on it. You have to actually open your mouth and speak-
the Holy Spirit will give you the words.)
And you don’t HAVE to speak in tongues BUT … YOU GET TO!!
“Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy,and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1 Cor.14:39-40
I understand precisely why Satan has tried so hard to make this awesome
Gift from God to appear weird or fake, or something to be feared. (And I know
some groups of people have taken things to the extremes while a huge part of the
the body of Christ has chosen to ignore/skip over this truth entirely.)
(The Holy Spirit IS the GIFT that Jesus promised to send us. He is Jesus- not in bodily form.)
(NOW, I had the fuel!!!!!!!)
It WAS just like throwing fuel on the fire. The word of God exploded on the
inside of me. (Don’t go by feelings- you may not instantly “feel” like anything
happened.)
But suddenly, the Bible came to life and scriptures just leaped off of
the page. I experienced a greater revelation and an experiential knowing of His love for me, followed by deliverance in so many areas. The tiny mustard size seed of faith inside my born again spirit rose up, and I began praying for, and believing for other people to be healed. Throughout the years I have witnessed many receive healing in the name of Jesus, by His power and authority given to (us) His children.
He has revealed Jesus to me throughout the Bible. That is why the Holy
Spirit was sent to us, as a Helper, to reveal Himself to us. So that we may have a deeper growing, loving relationship with Father God through His Son.
There ARE three baptisms: the Blood (Salvation- the Holy Spirit baptizes us in the body of Christ), by Water (Disciple baptizes us in water, symbolizing “dead to self” and
alive to our new life in Christ), and by Fire. (Jesus baptizes us in His Holy Spirit).
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after
me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize
you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matt. 3:11
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift
of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to
all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39
You know, if this testimony doesn’t light your fire, then your wood is wet.
With or without the baptism of the Holy Spirit, our Lord loves you very much.
But I know there are some of you reading this column who were like I was. Saved
and stuck. There’s so much more and I encourage you to ask God to show you.
There are many other scriptures to testify of this truth and here are just a
few: (Acts 2:32-33, John 1:32-34, Acts. 1:4-8, Acts 2:4, 1 Cor. 10:1-4, Acts
8″14-17, Acts 19:1-9)
Contact Brenda Groves at: bkgroves1996@yahoo.com
