Zac Poonen
(Value the Baptism of the Holy Spirit)
In Kings chapter 2, we see Elisha's perseverance when Elijah tested him. When Elijah was about to be taken to heaven, Elisha went with him to Gilgal. Elijah told Elisha to stay in Gilgal, and he was to go to Bethel. Elisha said : '' No, I will go with you''. At Bethel, Elijah again commanded Elisha to remain where he was, and he would go to Jericho. Elisha again replied, ''I will not depart from Thee, and I will go with Thee. At Jericho the same situation was repeated. Elijah then proceeded to the Jordan River. When they reached the Jordan River, Elijah struck the water and they separated in both directions. Then Elijah asked Elisha : '"Why are you following me", " What do you want from me?"
And you, what do you really want? Are you looking for a better salary or a better car or house? Elisha however said: "I desire a double portion of your spirit." He didn't want anything else in the world. He wanted the anointing of the spirit that rested on Elijah. That is why he followed him.
God will also test us before He entrusts us with ministry. He will put us through various experiences, bring us to Gilgal to see if we are satisfied with it. Some Christians will be satisfied, but others will say, "No, Lord, I am not satisfied. The Lord will lead such people on and give them deeper experiences, namely Bethel. He may even give you visions. For some this will be enough and they will be satisfied. Others will say : " No, Lord, that is not enough for me, I want more of You". He can even perform a miracle through you. For some Christians, this is enough. Others, however, will say, "Lord, I want that Spirit that rests upon You to rest upon me also, and to transform me into Your likeness. I will not be satisfied with anything else. Do you have such a desire? If so, I assure you that God will not disappoint you.
I have seen Christians who settle for something less than God's best - 25%, 50% or 75%. Be like Elisha who aspired to receive the best of God in his generation. He received a double portion of His anointing because he insisted. He also performed double the number of miracles compared to what Elijah performed.
If you would turn to today's preachers and say to them : "I want to be baptized in the Holy Spirit", they would then tell you: "Oh, that is very simple, just let me put my hands on you". So he would pray for you and ask you to mutter something and tell you that you already have it. However, what did Elijah say? He said to Elisha: ''Do you want a double portion of the Holy Spirit? It is not that simple at all. You have asked for a very difficult thing, but if God will let you see me ascending to heaven, then you will receive it.'' Elijah put things in God's hands. Elijah is a type of Christ here. This is also what the Lord says to us: ''If you can see me in heaven, at the right hand of the Father, as the One who has won victory over all things for you, and you will have faith in me, you can have this anointing.''
It is very difficult to receive the double anointing. However, you can only have it if you only look to the Lord and not to people. This is the Word of the Lord for you. Jesus is the One who baptizes us in the Holy Spirit even today, not any man. Even John the Baptist said: '' I can only baptize you in water, but He will baptize you in Spirit and Fire''. No man is able to baptize you in the Spirit. Only Jesus Christ Himself is the baptizer. Turn to Him alone.
Kiedy Eliasz rozmawiał z Elizeuszem, rydwan ognisty pojawił się i Eliasz został zabrany do nieba. Elizeusz zobaczył to, podniósł płaszcz, który spadł z Eliasza i otrzymał podwójną porcję namaszczenia. Był na to również natychmiastowy dowód. Kiedy przybył nad rzekę Jordan, uderzył w wodę i rzeka rozstąpiła się i przeszedł suchą stopą. Namaszczenie stanie się widoczne w naszym życiu. Nie musimy krzyczeć lub wrzeszczeć ani mówić o tym innym. Nasze życie i nasza służba będą świadectwem same w sobie – nawet dla ludzi, którzy krytykują nas.
Acts 8.14
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to her, 15 who came and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For he had not yet descended on any of them. They were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 So then
I N C L U D E
na nich ręce, a oni otrzymywali Ducha Świętego. 18 Kiedy Szymon UJRZAŁ, że Apostołowie przez WKŁADANIE rąk udzielali Ducha Świętego, przyniósł im pieniądze. 19 “Dajcie i mnie tę władzę – powiedział – aby każdy, na kogo włożę ręce, otrzymał Ducha Świętego”
19.1 Kiedy Apollos znajdował się w Koryncie, Paweł przeszedł okolice wyżej położone, przybył do Efezu i znalazł jakichś uczniów. 2 Zapytał ich: “Czy otrzymaliście Ducha Świętego, gdy przyjęliście wiarę?” A oni do niego: “Nawet nie słyszeliśmy, że istnieje Duch Święty”. 3 “Jaki więc chrzest przyjęliście?” – zapytał. A oni odpowiedzieli: “Chrzest Janowy”. 4 “Jan udzielał chrztu nawrócenia, przemawiając do ludu, aby uwierzyli w Tego, który za nim idzie, to jest Jezusa” – powiedział Paweł. 5 Gdy to usłyszeli, przyjęli chrzest w imię Pana Jezusa. 6 A kiedy Paweł
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hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them. They also spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 All of them were about twelve men
Brother Poonen still needs to take into account these Acts facts about putting on hands by faith.
It is possible to receive the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands, and this is biblical, not a human invention.
Yes it is a biblical pattern, for me it has a symbolic dimension, you can do this with faith, the apostles themselves were directly anointed by Jesus Christ, so the grace of the Lord is done, that whoever believes in him and turns to him, will ask for this anointing will receive it.
I would like to ask if you know any prayer that I could pray to God asking to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit ?