Receiving the Holy Ghost... non-LDS mehods?

[jms.mills]

Can some non-LDS members of this forum please describe their experience with how they received the companionship of the Holy Ghost? Was there a ceremony (or rather loose procedure) involved? How many people (ministers & hopeful recipients) were involved? How do you know you received the Holy Ghost? Other thoughts?

Just a note about me... I grew up in an evangelical church... So I have an idea about how some might respond. I ask this question so that others who may not know the practices of the various Christian Faiths can gain a little insight into the practices of colleagues, as well as reflect upon the differences of my past and present.

Hopefully we will be able to discuss some of the scriptures various groups use to support their beliefs regarding this important topic. I am sure this discussion has happened before, so if this is a rehash, I am sorry.

JM

[MaidservantX]

Actually this sounds like a wonderful opportunity to share. I can hardly wait to hear the responses.

[pushka]

I used to be Roman Catholic and when I was 10 I was confirmed into that church by the Bishop, by laying on of hands at the church Altar, along with my schoolfriends. We had previously received the Sacraments of our First Confession and First Holy Communion.

I recall being a little overawed by the whole experiences..on receiving my First Holy Communion I didn't stand up and leave the Altar when I should have..a little embarrassing moment!

[WillowTheWhisp]

Amongst the many churches I 'tried out' one was a pentecostal church where there was great emphasis placed on receiving the Holy Ghost but it was a personal experience without involving anyone laying on hands or blessing or anything. It was usually something which was supposed to automatically follow baptism which was by full immersion. As a sign that the person had received the Holy Ghost they would begin to speak in tongues - which was that they would say things which were not any recognisable language and then someone else would sometimes offer what they said was the interpretation of what had been said. This puzzled me why the Holy Ghost would inspire someone to say something which then needed to be translated by someone else. I wonder if any other members have similar experiences to this?

[prisonchaplain]

My answer is unique to Pentecostals. We believe that receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit is demonstrated throughout the book of Acts, and also has roots in the story Jesus told, about the person who received guests late at night, and went to the baker, asking for bread. The baker finally gave it to him because of persistence, not desire. Jesus says, in the same way we should persist in seeking the gift of the Holy Spirit.

So, we believe that the baptism in the Holy Spirit will always be accompanied with an initial evidence, or experience, with speaking in tongues, as the Spirit gives the words (utterance). The language can be human or angelic, and is often unknown. The purpose, when used for private prayer or worship, is upbuilding of the individual, and communion with God on a very direct level. Additionally, the tongues are a definite--Yes, God is in me in a full and powerful way. The on-going evidences would be the fruit of the Spirit (Galations 5:22-23), and spiritual power for witnessing (Acts 1:8).

I received the baptism in the Holy Spirit at Bible camp. Hands were laid on me, counselors prayed with me, but I was to "tarry" (wait) for the Spirit to give me tongues. In my case, it was about an hour into the prayer and worship time that I began to speak in unknown tongues...and I continued to worship and pray for another hour or so (I love Bible camp!).

My parents smiled when I got home and told them. They figured it was some spiritual phase I was going through...that I'd snap out of it eventually. Here I am 30 years later--still haven't snapped out of it! :-)

[VisionOfLehi]

I can not comprehend that idea of speaking in tongues. The gift of tongues was meant to be one of understanding...

Scriptural references seem to mean that speaking in tongues was speaking in someone else's language, that you didn't know. Huh.

[bert10]

Jms.mills.....The answer is yes. If fact we can even receive it before being baptized as an Astounded Peter and apostles found out. And if this happens to anyone...they are worthy to be immediately baptized.

Acts 10:44- While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

Acts 10:45 - And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 10:46 - For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

Acts 10:47 - Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

Acts 10:48 - And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

The ordinance of the laying on of the hands for the Holy Ghost is only the promise of it. If a man lives his life according to the will of God...He receives His companionship by promise. They who do not have the laying on of hands do not receive the Holy Ghost as a companion by promise. It means it may not stay after giving its teaching and/or testimony of the truth. So the laying on of hands is.....Not the actual bequeathing of it. For no one can force the Holy Ghost to come to a individual. Whenever an individual fulfill the conditions of it....the promises are then fulfilled for God is no respecter of persons.

Again Yes, people of other religions can receive it. However, it is much harder to do this...if one is not taught many errors according to the creeds of men.

The added advantage of being in the LDS church is that you will find none of these type of teachings amongst the Christians.

-------------------------------------------
Evangelical churches:

However, in these churches where many claim to speak in tongues and no other gifts of the holy Ghost such as prophesying, healing, working of miracles etc are NOT manifested they are being deceived. The Speaking in tongues is the easiest of the all the gifts of God for Satan to duplicate for deception. Because which language does Satan not know?

For it is absolutely impossible that God gives everyone the same and only gift. That is not the way God works. Every man is to receive gifts according to their talent so that the whole body is served. In the Celestial Kingdom it is the opposite of what it is on the earth. In the world the weak and the least are made to serve the mighty. In the Celestial Kingdom the order is reversed. The greater one is...the better he is able to serve others. God shall give one to several gifts or more depending on the worthiness of the individual. And they are to use their gifts in the service of others. This way we remain humble and meek.

Peace be unto you
bert10

Originally Posted by jms.mills

Can some non-LDS members of this forum please describe their experience with how they received the companionship of the Holy Ghost? Was there a ceremony (or rather loose procedure) involved? How many people (ministers & hopeful recipients) were involved? How do you know you received the Holy Ghost? Other thoughts?

Just a note about me... I grew up in an evangelical church... So I have an idea about how some might respond. I ask this question so that others who may not know the practices of the various Christian Faiths can gain a little insight into the practices of colleagues, as well as reflect upon the differences of my past and present.

Hopefully we will be able to discuss some of the scriptures various groups use to support their beliefs regarding this important topic. I am sure this discussion has happened before, so if this is a rehash, I am sorry.

JM

[Hemidakota]

Since most scriptures are listed, I will give some tidbits....for some, it is feeling that starts at the crown of the head and sweeps the body when receiving a confirmation on what is being presented or receiving an answer - a feeling of love, joy, and happiness; sometimes uncontrollable tears. For the very few, they will see the Holy Ghost in person and know Him personally.

As I was invited to a member baptism due to a lost record, I gave this individual a talk concerning the Holy Ghost, the First Comforter. At the very end of questions and answers to this individual, I paused, silently waited for the Holy Spirit to bid its present as I looked into this individual eyes. I commenced with my testimony of the Godhead and especially of the Holy Spirit of promise. Everyone in the room felt the spirit and was in tears, as the people in the room felt the presence of this mighty Spirit.

Imagine, 7-billion spirits in this world, and a member of the Godhead came to this young individual that afternoon; noting the amount of FATHER's children on the earth. What a unique person this individual was to our FATHER to allowing this to happen.

[prisonchaplain]

Originally Posted by VisionOfLehi

I can not comprehend that idea of speaking in tongues. The gift of tongues was meant to be one of understanding...

In only one of the five cases in Acts (chapter 2) was tongues clearly understood by others. In the other cases we only read that they spoke in tongues after receiving the Holy Spirit. Further, in one case--when the Gentiles received the gift, the Jewish believers accepted them because they had spoken in tongues.

In Corinthians the gift of tongues, in a congregational setting (i.e. not private worship) could NOT be understood. So, there was need for the gift of interpretation.

Thus, we conclude that tongues can be both a congregational gift, one that must include an interpretation, as well as a private experience in which one is personally edified, and finds deeper communion with God.

Scriptural references seem to mean that speaking in tongues was speaking in someone else's language, that you didn't know. Huh.

Only in Acts 2 is that the case. No other account gives any hint that tongues was understood--unless there was an interpretation.

[prisonchaplain]

Originally Posted by bert10

Evangelical churches:

However, in these churches where many claim to speak in tongues and no other gifts of the holy Ghost such as prophesying, healing, working of miracles etc are NOT manifested they are being deceived.

A word of clarification. Churches that make room for the gift of tongues would be considered "Pentecostal/Charismatic," rather than specifically Evangelical. Additionally, none that I know of teach that there is only the gift of tongues--no other manifestations. In fact Charismatic churches emphasize that tongues is only one evidence--that any of the gifts of the Spirit (prophesying, etc.) can be an evidence of Spirit baptism.

Pentecostal churches do insist that speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of being baptized in the Spirit. However, if the gift is offered in the congregation, there would have to be a gift of interpretation as well. Also, we definitely see the gift of prophecy, healing, etc. in operation.

Bottom-line: No church that I'm aware of, only makes room for the gift of tongues to operate.