i got saved a couple weeks ago andi need just a little guidance.

[Dyin2live]

I got saved a few weeks ago and let me tell u, it was the best thing ive done in my life and it was such a joyful experience and i think i might have been baptised by the Holy Spirit (not sure). How do i know if ive been baptised by Him? I think i might of been baptised because at that moment my life completely changed for the better. I also had a weird butterflies feeling and i felt like i lost 10 pounds. Also ive asked if i could hav the gift of tongues but i don't think ive recieved it. Since ive turned my life to the Lord i hav no doubt of His existence and I love Him SOOOOO much. He is there for me when no one else is:D. I think I love Him withh all my heart and all my soul just like the bible said i should. Since i ave my life to Him i havent sinned very often at all like i used to. Sometimes i sin unintentionally but i ask for His forgivness and i feel better.. I also want to be sure that i will make it to heaven, by what ive told u do u think i will inheret the Kingdom of God:confused:. Anyway If u guys could answer some of my questions and give me advice, that would help me in my new life.

God Bless :thumbsup:

[BeLedbyHisSpirit]

I'm so glad to hear your testimony. It's awesome. It reminds me of my own. Meeting God, for REAL, is not anything you can ever forget.

In answer to your questions, allow me:

1) When you got born-again, you received God inside of you. Your dead spirit, was made alive by God the Holy Spirit. This is why you feel so alive and joyful. It's also known as being "born of the Spirit".

It is NOT the same thing as being filled with the Spirit.

2) You are proceeding correctly, by asking God to give you the gifts (i.e. tongues), and other gifts He may give you. These gifts help both you and others.

Being filled with the Spirit seems to be a controversial subject in Christendom. Many believe the evidence of having been filled with the Spirit is demonstrated by the gift of tongues and/or the gift of prophesying. I tend to be in this group.

Yet others, believe that you can be filled by having other types of signs, and others still, believe you don't need any "sign" at all.

Trying to keep this short:

Regardless, it is very helpful for you to be learned on the following points. How you later interpret or apply them, I pray the Holy Spirit to give you revelation understanding.

The Original Disciples Got Born Again, BEFORE Pentecost

John 20:20 And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples therefore rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
John 20:21 Jesus therefore said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you."
John 20:22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

NOTE: This is before the day of Pentecost, as recorded in ACTS 2. Jesus gave them the Spirit, PRIOR to the day of Pentecost.

JESUS promises the Holy Spirit, to empower and help the Disciples, instructing them to wait for "it".

Luke 24:49 "And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."

NOTE: This was after Jesus' resurrection, but before PENTECOST.

The Disciples Receive the Promise of the Holy Spirit

NOTE: This is AFTER John 20:22 (noted above)

Acts chapter 2.


Now note, later on, in Acts 8, we see the brethren sending 2 apostles to Samaria for those Christians to get the baptism (filling) of the Holy Spirit. These were indeed born-again Christians, water baptized, but did NOT yet have the power of the Holy Spirit:

Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John,
Acts 8:15 who came down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 8:17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.



Then again, we see something similar in Acts 10, this time upon the Gentiles. Acts 8 pertained to Jews. A couple differences here, though, is that getting Filled with the Holy Spirit happened PRIOR to water baptism. So.... throw away any formulas you may be cherishing.



Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.
Acts 10:45 And all the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also.
Acts 10:46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered,
Acts 10:47 "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?"


Much later, we see the apostle Paul journeying to Ephesus and came upon some believers. Of all the things Paul could talk to them about, what is the first (and most important thing?) that Paul wishes to discuss with them???

ANSWER: Did you receive the Holy Spirit since (or when) you believed in Jesus?


Acts 19:1 And it came about that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found some disciples,
Acts 19:2 and he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said to him, "No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit."
Acts 19:3 And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" And they said, "Into John's baptism."
Acts 19:4 And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus."
Acts 19:5 And when they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying.
Acts 19:7 And there were in all about twelve men.



Notice, that in all these cases where the gift of the Holy Spirit is noted in these passages, the EVIDENCE of having receive the Filling of the Spirit, is tongues and/or prophesying.


I could write more, but this is plenty for a new believer.

ENJOY!

[BeLedbyHisSpirit]

One more thing:

Imagine God pouring water from a pitcher into a cup.

You are the cup, and the water is the Holy Spirit.


Now imagine, the cup is say, half full. God wants you to be filled, and overflowing.


So, God tips the pitcher again, and pours more water in the cup (you), such that the water fills the cup and overflows its edges.

Hence, the Spirit flowing forth from you, pouring over into other things.


I like to reckon this as how the signs of the Spirit (tongues and prophesying) can be displayed.



If it works for you, great. If not, throw this example away.

:)

[Radagast]

I got saved a few weeks ago and let me tell u, it was the best thing ive done in my life and it was such a joyful experience and i think i might have been baptised by the Holy Spirit (not sure). How do i know if ive been baptised by Him? I think i might of been baptised because at that moment my life completely changed for the better. I also had a weird butterflies feeling and i felt like i lost 10 pounds. Also ive asked if i could hav the gift of tongues but i don't think ive recieved it. Since ive turned my life to the Lord i hav no doubt of His existence and I love Him SOOOOO much. He is there for me when no one else is:D. I think I love Him withh all my heart and all my soul just like the bible said i should. Since i ave my life to Him i havent sinned very often at all like i used to. Sometimes i sin unintentionally but i ask for His forgivness and i feel better.. I also want to be sure that i will make it to heaven, by what ive told u do u think i will inheret the Kingdom of God:confused:. Anyway If u guys could answer some of my questions and give me advice, that would help me in my new life.

God Bless :thumbsup:

I love easy questions. :)

The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. (Acts 16:29-33)

[FireOfGod]

Hello!

Welcome to the Kingdom! :wave:

Romans 10:9 says that if you confess with your mouth "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Simple, eh? :)

Tongues is one evident thing that shows you've been baptized in the Spirit, but I don't believe is the evidence of being baptized in the Spirit. I believe the feeling of "butterflies" in your stomach was just the Holy Spirit touching you. Get used to it! :D

Again, welcome to the Kingdom! Enjoy your stay! ;)

[Dyin2live]

thanx all of u and God bless!

[Watergirl]

I got saved a few weeks ago and let me tell u, it was the best thing ive done in my life and it was such a joyful experience and i think i might have been baptised by the Holy Spirit (not sure).

If you're saved, then you have been baptised in the Holy Spirit.

Also ive asked if i could hav the gift of tongues but i don't think ive recieved it.

That might not be a gift that God wants you to have, or at least not yet.

Don't worry about what you don't have and be faithful with what you do have.

God will give you more based on how faithful you are with what you have now.

Since ive turned my life to the Lord i hav no doubt of His existence and I love Him SOOOOO much. He is there for me when no one else is:D. I think I love Him withh all my heart and all my soul just like the bible said i should. Since i ave my life to Him i havent sinned very often at all like i used to. Sometimes i sin unintentionally but i ask for His forgivness and i feel better.. I also want to be sure that i will make it to heaven, by what ive told u do u think i will inheret the Kingdom of God:confused:. Anyway If u guys could answer some of my questions and give me advice, that would help me in my new life.

God Bless :thumbsup:

That's great. It sounds like you're off to a great start.

[twistedsketch]

You don't need tounges, you just need faith, as two people have already pointed out. Welcome.

[heymikey80]

If you're saved, then you have been baptised in the Holy Spirit.
Exactly!! :thumbsup:
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 1 John 5:1

[JTLauder]

Welcome to the family!

If you don't already have a home church, I really recommend you find one. People in the forum are great at helping out and answering questions, but being part of a physical community where you fellowship and grow together is really important, especially for a new believer. At this point, it may be hard to discern how Biblically aligned is a particular church. But for the most part, it should be safe if the church focuses strongly on solid Bible teaching and the people are open for growth.

Get involved in a small group/Bible study group. You can learn a lot from worship sermons, but it's the small group where you can help each other in more personal and intimate ways to apply what you learn and hold each other accountable. It's too bad that not all churches practice one-on-one discipleship. But most churches should have small groups that fill in that gap.

Of course it goes without saying to get yourself a Bible. I'm sure you'll get all sorts of responses from people who are fanatical about a particular translation and version, but I wouldn't sweat it as long as it's a valid translation and not a paraphrase. Many churches recommend a specific version, so it may just be simpler to go along with whichever version your church uses. But as you gain more of a thirst for the Word of God and what to really study the Bible more indepthly, you'll want to look at multiple translations as well as the original text.

[Watergirl]

I agree with that. A good church that will help you grow is so important and you can't grow as a Christian without studying the Bible.

[Dyin2live]

well i go to a christian school and we have chapel every thursday. How about that?

[heymikey80]

Ok, so Mike.... were these Samaritans who believed in Jesus, and had also been water baptized....BUT had not yet received the Filling of the Holy Spirit, saved before the 2 apostles were sent to them???

Please read, and give me an answer and explanation:




Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John,
Acts 8:15 who came down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 8:17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.
I'm sorry, this is not the place for it (http://www.christianforums.com/t76110-please-read-the-forum-rules-before-posting.html). Maybe pneumatology? It's a question of theology, pitting "one baptism" versus receiving gifts from the Holy Spirit.

[JTLauder]

well i go to a christian school and we have chapel every thursday. How about that?

What kinds of services does the chapel service offer?

"Going to church" is more than just sitting through worship service and listening to the preacher speak. It's a place of community where you can grow, individually as a Christian and collectively as a Christian body. Small groups are very conducive for that.

If chapel services are where everyone just attends and leaves when it's done, you might want more than that, not only for the fellowship, but also because there are benefits from a more varied church community than just your fellow studentmates.

Considering it's a Christian school, are there groups/clubs where you can join to be part of a fellowship group where you can help each other grow and study the Bible, pray, etc.? Maybe you can start one.

[Antoinette.Marie]

Welcome to God's Kingdom! As my pastor would say, once you acceped Jesus as your Savior, there was a party in Heaven in your honor!!

Once you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, He will provide the rest. It may not be an easy battle, but rest assured Jesus will provide for you the entire way. Just believe in Him. He will take care of you. Read your Bible daily, and arm yourself with the Word of God. Welcome, and please feel free to PM me if you have questions! :hug: