Page 13 - Grace Connections August Edition

incident is found in Acts 7:55
where Stephen was freshly filled
with the Holy Spirit and was
enabled to see into heaven where
Christ was on the right hand of the
Father. One last model to examine
is in Acts 13:9 when Paul
encountered a sorcerer and was
equipped by a fresh infilling of the
Holy Spirit. I believe the above
Biblical examples demonstrates to
us a way of life where we are in a
constant state of receiving fresh
infillings of the Holy Spirit.
So then how do we receive these
fresh infillings? Again, scripture
gives us very clear answers to
that question. For example, in
John 7:38, Jesus speaks of the Holy
Spirit flowing like rivers through
the individual that, “believeth on
me.” There are two key thoughts
I would like to share on that
phrase, “believeth on me.” First,
we must understand that we can
have faith for one area of our life
and not another. For example, an
individual could hear a message
on the new birth, then respond in
faith and be born again, but not
have faith that their prayers for
employment would be answered.
Likewise, a person could because
of faith in Christ be born again
but not have faith that the works
of Christ provided for the fullness
of the Holy Spirit. Secondly the
“th” ending on the word “believe”
implies that it is speaking of a
constant process not a one-time
event. So Christ is speaking of an
ongoing, present faith in Christ
for the fullness of the Holy Spirit,
not a past event.
Galatians 3:14 also proclaims
that we receive the Holy Spirit by
faith, “That the blessings of
Abraham might come on the
Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that
we might receive the promise of
the Spirit through faith.” So then
how do we respond to this short
teaching? Simply by lifting up
your eyes of faith to Jesus who sets
on the right hand of the Father,
and ask for a refreshing infilling
of the Holy Spirit, Luke 11:13, “If ye
then, being evil, know how to give
good gifts unto your children, how
much more shall your heavenly
Father give the Holy Spirit to
them that ask him?”
Founder/Senior
Pastor Mike Forbis.
River Of Life
Pekin IL
Pekin Il