“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Acts 2:4 NKJV
The Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is like oxygen to a human being. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot function in our God given assignments.
As you evangelise, it is imperative to get people filled with the Spirit of God, so that they can grow in the knowledge of him. It is possible and here is how.
The first step is to get them saved. Preach the gospel to them, reiterating that they can have endless life simply by believing in Jesus. Once they believe, they have received the promised gift of the Holy Ghost. Communicate that to them.
Speaking in tongues is instant evidence that a believer has been filled with the Spirit. However, the infilling of the Spirit is a step further. It involves being aware of the Spirit that you already carry and staying aglow in Him.
This is where many people miss out because they have not been well taught. Teach your new convert or growing believer that they can stay aglow in the Spirit by being filled.
“And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.” (Acts 19:4-6 ESV)
In the above scripture, these men had not been properly taught about the salvation of Jesus and the existence of a Holy Spirit, who dwells in you when you believe in him. Paul took time first to baptize them in the Name of Jesus, which is getting them saved. And by laying his hands on them, they got filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in tongues.
You can do that too! You may not even have to lay hands on people. The most important part of this process is the teaching of the word, and like in Peter’s case, they can start speaking in tongues while you’re still speaking, as long as they believe (Acts 10:44-46).
Set your expectations that whenever you pray for people to be filled, they instantly get filled. When they do, don’t let that be the end. Follow up with them that they constantly speak in tongues and stir themselves up in the Spirit.
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:18-19 KJV)
You have been empowered to make disciples. The Spirit in you is not dormant but has the ability to flow to others through you. Take advantage of this power in your evangelism today!
Bible Reading Plan:
Luke 15:1-10, 1 Timothy 5:1-15, Proverbs 7, Ezra 9