Page 292 - Bible Writers Theology Original

276 ♦ Bib',e Writers' Theobgy Chapter Seven
they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:1-4). Unity of heart and mind played a great role here. On another occasion, when the apostles "lift eduptheirvoicetoGodwithoneaccord...theplacewas shakenwherethey were assembled together;and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:24-31; cf. Acts 10:43-48;
PSsdm 46:4-5; Isaiah 43:18-21).
When people come to God for the Holy Ghost with one heart and one mind, they cjm be refilled again and again, for God does not give His Spirit by measure Qohn 3:34; Ezekiel 47:1-12). The river of God is full of water
(Psalm65:9-13;Romans8:9-14;Isaiah49:8-11;Zechariah4:1-6;10:1-2). "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Luke11:9-13).
6 One Has to Wait Continually Knocking at the Door of God
Waiting before God with longing and a thirsty heart is one of the impor tantrequirementsforthosewhoneedtoreceivetheHolyGhost. Jesuscom- ^nded, "...tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power fromonhigh"(Luke24:49;Acts1:4-8). Thediscipleswaitedfortendays, without losing hope, before receiving the promised Holy Spirit baptism.
Jesus taught in a parable that men ought to always wait in prayer, with outceasing^uke18:1-8). Hesaid,"Ifyethen,beingevil,knowhowto give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly FathergivetheHolySpirittothemthataskhim?"(Luke11:13). "...they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength" (Isaiah 40:31) (See also Isaiah 7:9 and Hosea 6:3.)
7 One Has to Know the Benefit of Praise
A person who really seeks the Holy Ghost with a thirsty heart, must be immersedintheatmosphereofpraise. Godinviteseveryonebysaying,"i am the LORD thy God,...open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it" (Psalm 81:10). PraisingGoddrawsthegloryofGodtotheseeker. Itisonlythrough faith-filled praise that we may receive God's abundant grace: "Whoso offer- eth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God" (Psalm 50:23).
In the Bible, we frequently see the children of God come into the presence of God with the sacrifice of praise, which is acceptable to God. Consequently, the glory of God would always fall upon them: "when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD... then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD" (II Chronicles 5:13-14; cf. II Chronicles 7:1-3).