Reflections on Shabat! The 4th August 2023

 

The salvation of the soul was based on faith in the Old Law Covenant era. Similarly, it is also based on faith during the New Covenant. Therefore, we can receive the seal of the Holy Spirit only through faith. So he does not come to a person automatically in infant baptism or even in the baptism of believers in the name of Yeshua HaMashiach, but the human heart must first be cleansed with the holy blood of the slain Lamb (Yeshua the Messiah) through faith. Then one must cleanse and sanctify oneself from all sin and wait until he comes.

In connection with receiving the Holy Spirit, everyone speaks a foreign language, and that gift of grace remains for everyone in the form that he is able to speak a foreign language at home in his own room, because Elohim does not regret his gifts of grace or his calling! More on the topic and clear explanations at the end of the thesis.

I got the inspiration for this thesis after reading a booklet by Osmo Haavisto, who has already died. The title of that booklet is Öljyn Kyllyys (Plenty of Oil). Here is Osmo's home page, which is worth reading before it is removed but unfortunately that home page is only in Finnish. Please, use Google translator: http://www.fkf.net/haavisto/ 

What is the sign of the seal or gift of the Holy Spirit?

When at the beginning of the 20th century a strong revival broke out in the USA on Azusa street, it was because the church in question really thirsted for the gift of the Holy Spirit. They prayed and fasted together. During that time they carefully read the Acts of the Apostles to find there guidance on the general sign of the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Together they came to the conclusion that the only common and sure sign was 'the gift of speaking in Tongues' received by the first apostles and those who believed in them. After realizing that, they began to pray for that gift. After a few days they experienced a very strong outpouring of the Holy Spirit like the first apostles of Adonai Yeshua of old and began to speak in new tongues.

In 2022, there were 279 million Pentecostals in the world. The largest movement within the revival movement is the Assemblies of God . In 2022, it included 53.7 million  members worldwide and they consisted of 367,398 separate congregations.

Passages mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles

Let us examine in chronological order a total of five (5) passages mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, which mention the general sign of receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit: (In all verses of our Savior I use his proper original proper names)

1.) Acts 2:4
>>And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.<<

2.) Acts 8:15-16
>>15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Adonai Yeshua.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.<<
From the other points I've made, it's obvious that Simon heard them speak with tongues.

3.) Acts 10:45-48
>>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 Spirit.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify Elohim. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Yeshua HaMashiach. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.<<

4.) Acts 19:6
>>And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.<<

5.) Finally, the case of the apostle Paul: He was baptized (Acts 22:16) and later said that he spoke in tongues more than any of his contemporaries (1 Cor. 4:18). It is therefore believable that, like other chosen Israelites and believers of Gentile background, he received 'the gift of speaking with tongues' during immersion baptism.
- Acts 22:16
>>And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of Adonai.<<
- 1. Cor. 14:18
>> I thank my Elohim, I speak with tongues more than ye all.<<


Corrections to misleading interpretations

A.) Many say that the only mark of Christians is that they love one another. (John 13:35) Adonai Yeshua did not say that it is the ONLY hallmark of a Christian, but he referred that the people who are not Christians can identify Christians as real believers compared to those other. Among Christians today, there are many who are still in their first steps on the path of faith, and have not yet received the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is shockingly unfortunate that they are not even taught how to receive the seal of the Holy Spirit!

B.) Many say that not all Christians speak in foreign languages, referring to Paul's teaching (1 Cor. 12:30). They do not take into account that that mention is given only to the speaking of a foreign language in connection with the meeting of the saints and means that not all Christians speak with tongues in the congregation! There are three different types of speaking a foreign language as a gift:

1.) A Christian speaks a foreign language in such a way that he prophesies in a known language, which he himself most often does not understand, but the listeners do (see above Acts 2:4).

2.) A Christian prays speaking a foreign language, building his inner being, and no one understands him, because he speaks secrets in the Spirit. (1. Cor. 14:2)
>> For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto Elohim: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries.<<

3.) A Christian speaks a foreign language to everyone in the congregation, in which case either he or someone else who has the 'gift of interpreting tongues' must translate the message of the Spirit into the parishioners' own mother tongue. (1. Cor.  14:5)
>> I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.<< Even from this context, it is clear that it is about speaking in tongues in the congregation in the hearing of others, and therefore not about whether a Christian should speak a foreign language at home, in solitude.

Note: The natural ability to study and learn to speak new languages is not related to this in any way.

I am an experienced expert on this subject, as I have worked in different contexts in all three different ways.

 
How important is the gift to speak with tongues?

I think the next point seals the fact that it is even necessary for every Christian, at least in solitude, even daily to speak with tongues, in order to remain filled with the Holy Spirit and ready to serve the Savior! (1 Cor. 14:4)
>>He that speaks with tongues edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the congregation.<<

If you do not yet have this gift of speaking in a foreign language, i.e. you do not speak with tongues, then ask and seek it with all your heart's desire. So ask just for that gift through which the Holy Spirit will testify together with your spirit that you have been sealed with the seal of the Holy Spirit to be saved!

 
Finally, songs suitable for the topic

Come Holy Spirit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7Zp9AF1MMs

The Comforter Has Come 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puMEOnyYclk

Holy Spirit Living Breath of God
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7yG5WUDI3c