Introduction
Last week, we categorized the gifts of the Spirit into three simple groups;                                                
*Three gifts of utterance that say something; (Prophecy, Divers kinds of tongues, Interpretation of tongues).
*Three gifts of power that do something: (The gift of faith, the working of miracles, the gifts of healings)
*Three gifts of revelation that reveal something: (The word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, the discerning     of spirits).

This week, we shall examine the gift of Prophesy and differentiate it from the office of a Prophet.

1) What is Prophesy; 1Cor.14:1: "Follow after charity [love], and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may PROPHESY."
The Hebrew meaning of the phrase, "to prophesy" is to flow forth. It also carries with it the thought: to bubble forth like a fountain, to let drop, to lift up, to tumble forth, and to spring forth. The Greek word that is translated "prophesy" means to speak for another. So "prophesy" can mean to speak for God or to be His spokesman.

Again, at the end of First Corinthians chapter 14, Paul repeated, "Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy ..." (1 Cor. 14:39). Paul was writing by the inspiration of God. We could say it this way: God through Paul spoke to the Church at Corinth (and it applies to the Church everywhere) to desire spiritual gifts, but rather that we may prophesy (1 Cor. 14:1,39). Foretelling vs. Forth Telling

2) Prophesy Vs Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues
The Bible says, ". . . greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret ..."    (1 Cor. 14:5). This infers that to speak with tongues and to interpret the tongues is equivalent to prophecy. Therefore, prophecy is really the most important of these three gifts of inspiration or utterance in that it does not require another gift to complete it. Prophecy is supernatural utterance in a known tongue.
3) The Gift of Prophecy vs. The Office of the Prophet
The simple gift of prophecy should not be confused with the prophetic office or with prophetic utterance that may come forth in the prophet's ministry. Paul said, "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to EDIFICATION, and EXHORTATION, and COMFORT" (1 Cor. 14:3). Thus, we can readily see that in the simple gift of prophecy there is no revelation. The simple gift of prophecy is given for edification, exhortation, and comfort. In the office of the prophet, however we very often find that revelation or foretelling does come forth, even through the vehicle of prophecy. It is also interesting to note the difference between prophecy in the Old Testament and prophecy in the New Testament. In the Old Testament prophecy was essentially foretelling, but in the New Testament we see that the gift of prophecy shifts strongly to forth telling.
Notice that in First Corinthians 14:1, Paul was telling the whole Church at Corinth to covet to prophesy and to desire spiritual gifts, ". . . but rather that ye may prophesy." Yet in First Corinthians 12:28, Paul said that all are not prophets. If prophesying made a person a prophet, then Paul would be contradicting himself. In other words, the fact that the gift of simple prophecy operates through a person doesn't make him a prophet.
For example, a rich man has money. Most of us have at least some money, even if it's only a few cents, but that doesn't make us rich. By the same token, a prophet would of course prophesy, but a person who prophesies wouldn't necessarily be a prophet.

Also, a prophet would have more of the gifts of the Spirit in operation than just the gift of prophecy. He would have revelation gifts operating along with prophecy for the simple reason that Paul says in First Corinthians 14:29 and 30, "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If anything be REVEALED to another that sitteth by [that is, another prophet], let the first hold his peace."
Here Paul is talking about revelation. "If anything be REVEALED . . ." (v. 30). Therefore, the
Prophet would have other revelation gifts operating in his ministry, as well as the gift of prophecy

To constitute standing in the office of the prophet, a person needs to have at least two of the revelation gifts operating on a continual basis in his life and ministry, plus the gift of prophecy. In other words, for a person to stand in the office of the prophet, he would need to be called to the fivefold ministry as a preacher or teacher of the Word (Eph. 4:11,12), and have two of the three revelation gifts — the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, or the discerning of spirits ¦— plus prophecy operating consistently in his ministry.
4) New Testament Example Of the Gift of Prophecy; Act 21:8,9
“And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 9 And the same man Philip had four daughters, virgins, WHICH DID PROPHESY.”  We see a scriptural illustration of some believers who had the gift of prophecy operating in their lives.
All four of Philip's daughters had this simple gift of prophecy operating in their lives. They must have prophesied in the services held in their house because otherwise Paul and his company would not have known that they prophesied. Philip's daughters spoke to the whole company to edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Cor.14:3). However, when the prophet Agabus came, he had a message from the Holy Spirit on a higher order, which brought revelation.

5) New Testament Example of The Prophet's Ministry; ACTS 21:10,11
“And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and
feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.”  Agabus wasn't necessarily prophesying here in the sense that we normally think of the gift of simple prophecy. He just had a message from the Holy Ghost. He had a message that had some revelation with it — the word of wisdom. However, no definite direction was given to Paul in this message in the sense that Agabus didn't tell Paul to go or not to go to Jerusalem. That decision was left up to Paul. Agabus just told Paul what was going to happen in the near future should he go to Jerusalem.
There are two possible ways of interpreting the word of wisdom that Agabus had for Paul. One, it was a word of wisdom delivered through the vehicle of prophecy. Two, Agabus was just
reporting the word of wisdom he already knew by the Spirit of God.

Conclusion: God is always willing to allow His gifts of the Spirit to operate in and through us. We must all become wiling vessels for Him to use as we continue to pray more in the spirit.
              This study was extracted from Kenneth E. Hagin’s book; The Spirit and His Gifts.

Contributor: Alex Alajiki

INTRODUCTION:
In our last study, we looked at the importance of speaking in tongues and that connected us to one of the gifts of the Spirit- diverse kinds of tongues. In this study, we will have a look at the Gifts of the Spirit. From our text, we find that Paul didn't want the Church at Corinth to be ignorant concerning spiritual gifts, in the same vein; the Church today should not be ignorant concerning these gifts.
There are some people who know nothing about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, or even that such gifts exist; they think these gifts have been done away with. While there are others who know something about the gifts of the Spirit, but their knowledge is very limited.
The focus of this study therefore is to become acquainted with these wonderful gifts of the Holy Spirit.

GIFTS, ADMINISTRATIONS, AND OPERATIONS (1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-6)

Verses 4-6
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all
In other words; there are different spiritual gifts, but all of them stem from the one and only Holy Spirit.
We may administer (serve with) these gifts differently, but we serve the same Lord.
There are different types of operations (procedures), but it is the same God who does the work in all of us

Verse 7
". . . The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal" (1 Cor. 12:7). Paul was making the distinction here that "gifts" of the Spirit aren't gifts in the sense that the believer owns and operates the gift whenever he wants to. They are gifts of the Holy Ghost, manifested through individual believers as the Spirit of God wills. The gifts of the Spirit aren't just given for the individual, but they are given in order to profit the whole local assembly or local body of believers.

THE NINE GIFTS CATEGORIZED (1 CORINTHIANS 12:8-10)
“For to one is given by the Spirit the WORD OF WISDOM; to another the WORD OF KNOWLEDGE by the same Spirit; to another FAITH by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of HEALING by the same Spirit; to another the WORKING OF MIRACLES; to another PROPHECY; to another DISCERNING OF SPIRITS; to another DIVERS KINDS OF TONGUES; to another the INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES:”

The nine manifestations or gifts of the Holy Spirit are generally divided into three groups of three each. The division into these three groups is purely to be able to easily distinguish and discuss them. The division is as follows:

REVELATION GIFTS: SPIRITUAL GIFTS THAT REVEAL SOMETHING
• The Word Of Wisdom: Enables one to express the Holy Spirit's revelation/knowledge/answers to either an individual or to a group of people, church, etc., 
• The Word Of Knowledge: A definite conviction, impression, or knowing that comes to you in a similitude (a mental picture), a dream, through a vision, or by a Scripture that is quickened to you. It is supernatural insight or understanding of circumstances, situations, problems, or a body of facts by revelation; that is, without assistance by any human resource but solely by divine aid. 
• The Discerning Of Spirits: The ability to quickly perceive whether such things as people, events, or beliefs are from God or Satan

POWER GIFTS: SPIRITUAL GIFTS THAT DO SOMETHING
• The Gift Of Faith: The special gift whereby the Spirit provides Christians with extraordinary confidence in God's promises, power, and presence so they can take heroic stands for the future of God's work in the church. They take Him at His Word and put the full weight of their lives in His hands.  They expect God to move and are not surprised when He answers a prayer or performs a miracle. 
• The Working Of Miracles: The ability (energizing power) given by the Holy Spirit to perform miracles
• The Gifts Of Healings: The ability (energizing power) given by the Holy Spirit to perform miracles of healing

UTTERANCE OR INSPIRATIONAL GIFTS: SPIRITUAL GIFTS THAT SAY SOMETHING
• Prophecy: The Greek word translated “prophesying” or “prophecy” means to “speak forth” or declare the divine will, to interpret the purposes of God, or to make known in any way the truth of God which is designed to influence people.
• Divers Kinds Of Tongues: A supernatural utterance in an unknown Tongue (language). Not to be confused with the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of Speaking in Tongues 
• Interpretation Of Tongues: A supernatural showing forth of that which has been said in an unknown Tongue (language). The person giving the message in tongues or usually, another believer suddenly becomes aware of The Holy Spirits desire to use them by His sudden presence coming on them. They then allow The Holy Spirit to speak out through them the Interpretation of the “Message that was previously given in tongues” by giving voice in the Known (common everyday) language

Very often these gifts work together, as with tongues and interpretation. Also, sometimes what we call prophecy is actually a word of wisdom that is being given forth. It is not really the gift of prophecy; because the gift of prophecy has no revelation; that is, no foretelling or element of prediction with it. It however, brings edification, exhortation and comfort as we see in (1 Cor. 14:3).

CONCLUSION
In concluding this study, in 1 Cor. 12:31; the Bible admonishes us to seek earnestly the best gifts
So which of these gifts in the different categories will be the best?
Gifts of Revelation: Of the three gifts of revelation, the WORD OF WISDOM will be rated as the best gift because it brings supernatural revelation of the plan and purpose of God.
Gifts of Power: Of the three gifts of power, the gift of FAITH will be rated as the best gift because it is the supernatural ability to work a miracle and bring healing.
Gifts of Utterance: Of the three gifts of utterance, the GIFT OF PROPHECY will be rated as the best gift because it is complete in and of itself and it brings edification, encouragement, and comfort to the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 14:3).
And between the best gifts in these categories, the WORD OF WISDOM will be rated as the best; again because it brings revelation about the divine plan and purpose of God.

A part of this teaching has been extracted from “The Holy Spirit and His Gifts” by Kenneth Hagin

Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai

INTRODUCTION:

In the past few weeks we have been looking at steps to receiving the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues. During one of the previous lessons, we mentioned that there was a difference between the gift of the Spirit called diverse kinds of tongues (as we see in 1Corinthians 12:10 KJV): “To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another diverse kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues” and the speaking in unknown tongues that 1 Corinthians 14:2 refers to: “For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding].” [AMP]
Paul very definitely encouraged the Corinthian Christians (and ultimately every believer) to follow the practice of speaking with tongues in their own private prayer lives as well as coveting earnestly the best gifts (see 1 Corinthians 12:31). In this study we will be looking at the importance of speaking in tongues in the life of a believer; whether [unknown] tongues or diverse kinds of tongues.
We will group these importance into two parts: “Speaking in unknown tongues” and “Speaking with diverse kinds of tongues”

1. SPEAKING IN UNKNOWN TONGUES
(a) Needed For Devotion & Prayers:
All believers are encouraged to speak in tongues to themselves and to God (1 Cor.14:2, 4). It enables us to have spirit-to-Spirit communication with God. It is a continual experience for the rest of a believer’s life to assist in our relationship and the worship of God. The Spirit also helps us in our weakness by interceding for us; as we see in Romans 8:26 - especially when we don’t know how to pray. Speaking with tongues therefore helps us pray according to the will of God, eliminating selfishness (by praying about things that we wouldn’t think to pray about or things we not even aware of), and praying out the mysteries of God’s divine plan.

(b) Needed For Fulfilment of Scriptures:
Speaking in tongues helps us fulfil the Scriptures that instruct us to:
• Be filled with the Spirit – Ephesians 5:8
• Led by the Spirit – Romans 8:14
• Walk in the Spirit – Galatians 5:16
• Live in/by the Spirit - Galatians 5:25
• Worship the Father in Spirit and in truth – John 4:23

(c) Needed For Spiritual Edification & Spiritual Refreshing:
The word "edify" means to build up.
Paul said, "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifies himself. . ." (1 Cor. 14:4).
Greek language scholars tell us there is a word in our modern vernacular that is closer to the meaning of the original Greek than the word "edifies" and that is the word "charge". We use the word "charge" in connection with charging a battery. Praying in tongues charges our spirits like a battery charger powers a battery. Also, Isaiah 28:11-12 says: “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, this is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear”

(d) Needed To Best Give God Thanks:
1 Cor. 14:16-17 (AMP) says: “Otherwise, if you bless and render thanks with [your] spirit [[f]thoroughly aroused by the Holy Spirit], how can anyone in the position of an outsider or he who is not gifted with [interpreting of unknown] tongues, say the Amen to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? To be sure, you may give thanks well (nobly), but the bystander is not edified [it does him no good].”
The focus here is that when we give God thanks by praying in the Spirit, we cannot go wrong because we do it well.

(e) Needed To Exercise, Activate and Stimulate our Faith:
Exercising our faith develops and builds it up. When we pray, sing, talk, worship or praise in tongues it is by faith. By faith we speak out, by faith we trust the Holy Spirit for the next word. Speaking in tongues is a faith workout. “But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” (Jude 1:20)

(f) Needed For Spiritual Warfare:
Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Ephesians 6:18a (KJV)
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.”

2. SPEAKING WITH DIVERSE KINDS OF TONGUES
(a) Needed For Ministration:
Tongues and interpretation of tongues can also minister to the unbeliever (1 Cor. 14:22a AMP):
“Thus [unknown] tongues are meant for a [supernatural] sign, not for believers but for unbelievers [on the point of believing]”

(b) Needed by God when He Chooses To Use It For His Glory:
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?” Acts 2: 4-7 (KJV)
“. . . We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.” Acts 2: 11 (KJV)

(c) Needed For Supernaturally Magnifying God:
In Acts 10:46 when Peter went to Cornelius and his household to minister to then and the Holy Spirit fell on them and they began to speak with tongues magnifying God:
"For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. . . ."
Also, we see this in Acts 2: 11 as well with the Apostles on the day of Pentecost.

CONCLUSION
Speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of the infilling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). God has given us this wonderful spiritual gift to bless us, edify us, and refresh us throughout our lives on this earth. There is more to being filled with the Holy Ghost than speaking in tongues, it is an integral part of the believer's devotional prayer life, for as the Apostle Paul said, "I thank my God, I speak with tongues . . ." (1 Cor. 14:18).
Finally, from the very words of the Apostle Paul himself (1 Cor.12:3): “. . . no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”
So don’t be afraid or ashamed to manifest these gifts of the Holy Spirit as the Holy Spirit gives you utterance. You will be doing yourself a whole lot of good if you do; and most importantly you will be a vessel unto honour as you allow the Lord use the gifts He’s deposited in you for His glory!

Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai

Introduction:
Last week, we looked at the seven steps needed to receive the Holy Spirit. Understanding these steps will help both the receivers and Spirit filled believers to pray with those seeking to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Today, we shall briefly go over the seven steps again, practicalise the steps if there are people who are yet to be filled with the Holy Spirit and/or pray in the Spirit for some minutes with some notes at the end.
Step 1: Understand that God has already given the Holy Spirit and that it is now up to the believer to receive God's free Gift. Acts 19:1-6, Acts 8:14-17

Step 2: Understand that anyone who is saved is ready to immediately receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:37-38

Step 3: Understand that once hand is laid on the person seeking to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost by a fellow believer (irrespective of position or title), s/he is to receive the Holy Spirit by faith. Heb. 11:1

Step 4: The person seeking to be baptized in the Holy Spirit must be clearly told what to expect as s/he receives the Holy Spirit e.g. S/he must cooperate with the Holy Spirit by having to speak out by her/himself as the Holy Spirit moves on her/his vocal organs putting words on her/his lips. Acts 2:4, Acts 10:46

Step 5: Need to help some people get over fear of getting something false or counterfeit Luke 11:11-13

Step 6: The candidate must be clearly told to open her/his mouth and be ready to use his own mouth and vocal chords, for the Holy Spirit will give the utterance, but s/he must yield and give voice to that utterance. S/he must also tell God in her/his heart; “I am receiving the Holy Spirit right now by faith”. It is crucial to understand that the Holy Spirit gives the utterance while the receiver does the speaking. John 7:37-39.

Step 7: Avoid distractions! Only one person giving instructions on helping the seeker yield to the Holy Spirit while others pray in the Spirit (not in their own languages) so that s/he may be encouraged to follow suit so to speak.
Carnality: Carnal Christians (or Christians who are sense-ruled or dominated by the flesh) can be filled with the Holy Ghost. How do we know that? Because the Bible says the Corinthian Christians were carnal, and yet Paul prayed for them that they would come behind in no gift (1 Cor. 1:7). He was not endorsing carnality, to be sure. He was trying to get them to grow up in God and outgrow carnality. But as believers yield to Him, the Holy Ghost will help them grow out of carnality.
Baby Christianity: Baby Christians can be filled with the Holy Spirit. Carnal Christians and baby Christians — indeed, all believers — greatly need to be filled with the Holy Spirit because then they will receive power that will help them (Acts 1:8). Also, if they will walk in the light of God's Word and be led by the Holy Spirit, He will lead them into all truth and help them to outgrow some things in their lives which have perhaps hindered their Christian walk (John 16:13). Therefore, if a person is saved, he is ready to receive the Holy Ghost now. Always lead the believer who is seeking the Holy Ghost to see that truth.

Conclusion                                
Essential ingredients to reaching our goal (making it to heaven and fulfilling purpose on earth) are being led by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. We must daily pray in the Spirit to keep ourselves in the love of God and be built up in our most holy faith Jude 1:20-21.

Contributor: Akin Akande
 

INTRODUCTION

Today's lesson has a twofold purpose: Number one purpose is to help those who have not yet received the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Number two is to help Spirit-filled believers pray with those who are seeking to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Remember the lesson on the misconception of having to "tarry" or wait before one can receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost? Any layperson (Believer in Jesus Christ) can take the following seven steps and help any Christian get filled with the Holy Ghost. The steps we will be looking at today have been taught at different believers meetings,  used by both Kenneth E Hagin and many believers in the world and are still being used and delivering results till today.

Step 1 - Help
• Help the Believer see that God has already given the Holy Spirit and it is His/ Her responsibility to receive God's free gift.
• Above all else, the Believer needs to know that He needs not beg God for the infilling of the Holy Spirit. This promise of the infilling of the Holy Spirit has been fulfilled in Acts 2. The Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost and has been here since then. All that is required is for the Believer to receive the Holy Spirit. [Acts 19:1-6]. In this passage, Paul didn't tell the disciples to pray that God would give them the Holy Spirit, the Bible says in verse 6, ".....the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied".
Step 2 - Show
• Show the person who has come to receive the Holy Ghost that anyone who is saved is ready to immediately receive the Holy Spirit. [Acts 2:37-38]
• Once you are born again, there's nothing else required for you to do in order to qualify to receive the Holy Spirit. You don't have to make any restitution for past sins. Once your sins have been confessed and you have been forgiven, you are qualified.[1 John 1:9]
• Whatever the growth level, whether Carnal (sense-ruled or flesh dominated) or baby (early stage of Christian growth), any Christian (Believer) can be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Bible says the Corinthian Christians were carnal, and yet Paul prayed for them that they will come behind in no gift [1 Cor.1:7]. Paul was not endorsing carnality, He was simply trying to get them to grow up in God and outgrow carnality.
Step 3 - Tell
• Tell people that when you lay hands on them, they are to receive the Holy Ghost. Anyone (please note) can lay hands on another in faith, for God honors faith. It's got nothing to do with position or title. Anyone (i.e a fellow Believer) can lay their hands on a person in faith as a point of contact.
• The Holy Spirit is received by faith, and faith is always "now" or present tense [Heb.11:1]
Step 4 - Still Tell
• Tell the candidate what to expect as he receives the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, he won't know what is happening when the Holy Spirit begins to move on him.
• Tell him/her to expect the Holy Spirit to move upon his vocal organs and put supernatural words on his/her lips as he/she yields to the Holy Spirit in coorperation. The candidate will have to speak out by himself/ herself.
• Remember, the person is the one who does the actual speaking, not the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives the utterance, but man does the actual speaking. ".....they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." [Acts 2:4]. Also read Acts 10:46; 19:6; 1 Cor.14:2,4,5,14-15,18,27-28.
Step 5 - Get Over Fears
• May be necessary to help some people get over their fears before they can receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
• Many have been told that they might get something that is false or counterfeit when receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit thereby letting fear or unbelief set in.
• Encourage such with the words of Jesus in Luke 11:11-13. If your child asked you as a parent for bread, would you give him a stone?
Step 6 - Open Your Mouth
• Tell the candidate to open his mouth and be ready to use his own mouth and vocal chords, for the Holy Spirit will give utterance, but he (the candidate) must yield and give voice to that utterance.
• At the same time, the believer should tell God in his heart, " I am receiving the Holy Spirit right now by faith."
• When the Holy Spirit begins to move upon the believer, tell him to lift his voice and speak out whatever utterance is given to him by the Holy Spirit, regardless of what it sounds like.
• Tell the person to speak the words and language the Holy Spirit gives him, continuing to praise God and speak to God with those supernatural words until the language becomes more fluent.
• The person can have assurance and confidense that he has received the Holy Spirit when he can hear himself speak in tongues in a distinct language.
• John 7:37-39. Jesus said in this verse of scriptures that we are to come and drink of the Holy Spirit. In order words, Jesus is simply saying that receiving the Holy Spirit is like drinking water. Same principle is involved. No one drinks water with mouth shut. In the same way, a person must put action to his faith by simply giving voice to the unction of the Holy Spirit. This can't be done with the mouth closed. Remember, the Holy Spirit gives utterance; the person does the actual talking.
Step 7 - Avoid Distraction
• Keep the candidate from distraction. For instance, prevent the gathering of crowd around the candidate, giving instructions. This will confuse the person. Only have a few workers with specific instructions to help the person through encouraging them to yield to the Holy Spirit as some may be slow in yielding. [Give example of swimming]
• You can sometime simply speak in tongues yourself after praying with the candidate, and this will encourage the candidate to "follow you into the water", so to speak - into the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

CONCLUSION -
You will discover that by following these seven steps (possibly today after this teaching if there is anyone who is not baptised in the Holy Spirit), you will help believers receive the Holy Spirit immediately without tarrying. As you assist believers in receiving the Holy Spirit, you will feel personally blessed and rewarded for your part in their receiving this wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit.

*Teaching is culled from "The Holy Spirit and His Gifts" by Kenneth E Hagin.

Contributor: Leye Olayiwola

Introduction:
Over the last few weeks, we have established the dual working of the Spirit of God in the lives of God’s children: The Holy Spirit within (indwelling) in the new birth and the Holy Spirit upon (infilling) in the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Since our focus this week is on the infilling, it will be crucial to reiterate the difference between the infilling and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The infilling refers to the Holy Spirit coming upon believers to endue them with power from on High (Luke 24:49 & Acts 1:8). Just as the Spirit within in the new birth is a definite experience, so there is also a genuine infilling of the Holy Spirit which believers can (and as a matter of truth must) receive in our present dispensation, which is also a definite experience. Also note that it is the same Holy Spirit, only that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is responsible for fruit bearing while the infilling of the Holy Spirit is primarily for service. In other words, being born again and having the Holy Spirit dwell within is the entrance into the ninefold fruit of the spirit while being filled with the Spirit is the doorway into the ninefold supernatural manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit. In our lesson today, we shall consider biblical examples of people who experienced the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
Clarifying a misconception: Tarrying Is Not a Formula For Receiving the Holy Spirit
Right from the onset, let it be clear that tarrying before the Lord is not unscriptural. Certainly, tarrying before the Lord and waiting on the Lord in prayer, praise, and worship is important in the Christian race so believers must pray long and wait earnestly before God. However, ‘waiting and praying’, crying out and agonizing to receive the Holy Ghost, is unscriptural as it is not necessary. Let us look at the scriptures that suggested the above misconception and clarify it.
Luke 24:49 - And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but TARRY ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Acts 1:4,5 - And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but WAIT for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY GHOST not many days hence.
- If tarrying is a formula, then “Jerusalem” must be included in the formula
- The disciples were only waiting for the day of Pentecost and not “getting ready” to be filled with the Holy Spirit otherwise the bible would have said, "When they were fully ready, the Holy Ghost came." But it doesn't say that
- Other examples in the new testament did not portray any sort of “tarrying and waiting”
Hence, teaching believers to tarry for the baptism of the Holy Spirit only produces doubt and confusion in those candidates who desire to receive this gift.
The key preparation/”waiting”/”tarrying” must be that of the heart!
Bible Examples of Receiving the Holy Ghost
The Samaritan Believers Acts 8: 5-8 , 12-15, 17-20
- Joy can be experienced pre or post infilling experience vs. 5-8
- Great revival in Samaria with hundreds of people saved, and scores healed. And all of these folks received the Holy Ghost: "Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost" (Acts 8:17). Notice that all of these Samaritans received the Holy Ghost without waiting, praying, or agonizing — and they received without exception or disappointment.
Cornelius and His Household Acts 10: 34-46
Neither Cornelius nor his household was saved. They were Gentiles who had become Jewish proselytes. A person can't be saved without hearing the gospel. Those of Cornelius' household didn't know that Jesus had died for the sins of mankind and was raised from the dead for our justification.
Therefore, Peter preached to them about Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection (Acts 10:34-43). They believed the gospel message (Rom. 10:9,10), and they were born again while Peter was preaching (Acts 11:14). Then they received the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues before Peter even finished his message. Notice that while Peter was still speaking, Cornelius and his household were not only saved, but were filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke with tongues — without waiting, agonizing, or struggling.
How did the Jewish believers know the gift of the Holy Ghost was poured out on the Gentiles? "For they heard them SPEAK WITH TONGUES, and magnify God..." (Acts 10:46).
Saul of Tarsus Acts 9:11-12, 17
Account of Saul (turned Paul) receiving the Holy Spirit and validated by what he said in 1 Cor. 14:18 "I thank my God, I SPEAK WITH TONGUES more than ye
No suggestion of the need for Saul to tarry or wait to be filled with the Holy Ghost; Saul was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit when Ananias laid hands on him. It is most probable that Saul didn't know a thing in the world about the Holy Ghost until Ananias came in and laid hands on him. But Ananias obeyed the Lord and Saul was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit.
The Ephesian Disciples Acts 19:1-6
These folks at Ephesus had not heard about being filled with the Spirit and speaking in tongues. But as soon as Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came upon them, and they spoke with tongues. Every one of them was filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke with other tongues as the Spirit of God gave them the utterance — without waiting, agonizing, struggling, or tarrying.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have seen a number of examples of those who experienced the infilling of the Holy Spirit in the Scripture. They had this encounter without “tarrying”/”waiting”. Infact, while Peter was still ministering, the receivers (Gentiles) received the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues. God does not have any “cut-and-dried” methods. In every single instance where a company of believers sought the Holy Spirit, everyone received right away. Not one went away disappointed because of failing to receive the Holy Spirit.
 

Contributor: Akin Akande

INTRODUCTION
We will (briefly) in a participatory form, be looking at the two fold work of God in the life of an individual believer. These two fold work is premise upon the dual working of the Spirit of God in the life of a beliver. The Holy Spirit within (indwelling) which takes place in the new birth is one of these two fold works of God. This has been extensively discussed in the last couple of teachings. The second being the Holy Spirit upon (infilling) will be extensively discussed in today's exposition.

1. The Promise of the Holy Spirit
"And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—  the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."
[John 14:16-17]
Jesus, in this scripture promised the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit when He said, " I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter)...... He dwells with you and will be in you.". At this time, the Holy Ghost was not yet in the disciples, nor in any of His followers. However, this promise was under the new convenant. Also, this promise of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled in John 20:21,22 when the resurrected Saviour breathed on the disciples and said, ".......receive ye the Holy Ghost."

On a seperate and subsequent experience, Jesus promised His disciples and all believers, the enduement of power from on High.

"Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” [Luke 24:49]

"for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
[Acts 1:5,8]
Here in these passages, Jesus is referring to a different working of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers -  this is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon believers in order to receive an enduement of power from on High.
2. The Holy Spirit Upon: The Gateway Into the Supernatural
The bible teaches two groups of nine in connection with the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. There is the ninefold manifestation of the fruit of the born-again human spirit that is listed in Galatians 5:22,23. These fruit of the spirit is the result of the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence. However, we also find a second ninefold group in connection with the Holy Spirit in             1 Corinthians 12 which are the nine manifestations of the Holy Spirit known as the gifts of the Spirit. The purpose of these gifts is so that believers can bless others. The gateway into these nine manifestation of the Holy Spirit is the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking with tongues.
3. The Holy Spirit Upon: Being Filled With The Fullness of God
When a person is born again, he receives a measure of the Holy Spirit as the Spirit dwells in him. This indwelling is to help, comfort, guide and cause the believer to bear fruit in his/ her life. However, the believer can experience more of God as there is more of the Holy Spirit to receive! This is a deep pentecostal experience not to be despised but rather coveted. God has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit upon us through the baptism of the Holy Spirit so that believers might enter into all the fullness of God [Ephesians 3:19,20]. It takes a Spirit-filled believer to be ".....filled with all the fulness of God". We must bear in mind that Paul's epistles were written to churches. In other words, they were written to people who had not only received eternal life in the new-birth experience, but had also received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
It is required for everyone (in the New Testament Church) not only to be born again, but also to be filled with the Holy Ghost and to speak with other tongues. In today's church, however, we have many who are born again but have not entered into their full inheritance of being filled with the Holy Ghost because of the lack of knowledge! There is a greater measure of the Holy Spirit for believers to receive in the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Just as being born again and having the Holy Spirit dwell within is the entrance into the ninefold fruit of the spirit, so being filled with the Spirit is the doorway into the ninefold supernatural manifestations of the gifts of the Spirit. There is no other way to get into the supernatural manifestations of the Holy Spirit than through the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
4. The Holy Spirit Upon: Power To Put Us Over In Life
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us," [Eph.3:20]
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” [Acts 1:8]
We can reliably and confidently conclude from the above scriptures that every Spirit-filled believer has in him, on account and ready for use, all the power that he will ever need to put him over in this life. Why? Because of the infilling presence of the Greater One - the Holy Spirit.
"Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world." [1 John 4:4 AMP]

CONCLUSION - Cooperating With The Holy Spirit, The Power Source
It is important to note as we conclude this teaching, that so many believers who have received the infilling of the Holy Spirit do not reach their full potential in learning to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, who is the Source of all power.

We must focus on and be more conscious of the reality of what the Holy Spirit has come to do in us and through us on a continual basis through the baptism of the Holy Spirit than with receiving the Holy Spirit as an outward experience or with some feeling (which is temporary) of ecstasy from the natural standpoint. We should not just talk about the outward manifestation and miss the reality of the holy Spirit on the inside of us. We should be conscious of the Holy Spirit's indwelling Presence every waking moment.

*Teaching is culled from "The Holy Spirit and His Gifts" by Kenneth E Hagin.

Contributor: Leye Olayiwola

INTRODUCTION
Last week, we examined the subject of the indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer in the new birth. Being born again is not just an experience; rather, it is receiving the indwelling Presence of God by His Spirit. The consciousness of this reality gives us the boldness to confront any issue in life with absolute assurance of victory.
We shall continue with this study today.
1) God For Us, God with Us, and God in Us;
The New Testament gives us three relations that God sustains toward man. First, God is for us. Second, God is with us. And third, God is in us.
To have God be for us guarantees our success: ". . . If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31). If God is on our side, we are sure to win in life. If God is for you, and you know that He is for you, you become utterly fearless in life. No matter how difficult the situation may be, no matter how dark the clouds that hang upon the horizon of your life may be, you are calmly assured that you must win in every circumstance because God is for you. There can be no defeat if the Lord is for us. And, thank God, He is for us. If God be for us, who can be against us?
You can also have the assurance that not only is God for you, but in every place in life and in every situation, God is with you. No matter what the circumstances may be, if you are a Christian, the Lord is with you. The knowledge of the Word of God along this line should certainly cause our hearts to leap for joy within us, and buoy our spirits up in faith and confidence.
Under the New Testament or New Covenant, the Bible says we have a better covenant established on better promises (Heb. 8:6). Under the covenant in the Old Testament, God was for Israel and with Israel, but He was not in Israel. However, in the New Testament, God is with us and for us, but we also have something better — God is in us. God is actually making His home in our bodies as His temple (1 Cor. 6:19).

2) Greater Is He That Is in You;  1 John 4:4                                                                  
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN YOU, THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD."
Who is the "he" that is in the world? That is Satan, the god of this world.
2 CORINTHIANS 4:4 “In whom THE GOD OF THIS WORLD hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
But He who is in you - the Holy Ghost —- is greater! The Greater One is in you if you are born again. God Himself in the Person of the Holy Spirit lives in the born-again believer. All that God could possibly be to you and do for you, the Holy Ghost through His indwelling Presence is to you and for you and in you. If we were really conscious of the Greater One in us, then we would have no fear of the devil. We would have no fear of "he that is in the world" because "He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world."
John said, ". . . greater is he that is IN YOU . . ." (1 John 4:4). Going back to John 14:16, we
hear Jesus say, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever." Then in the last part of verse 17, Jesus said, ". . . he . . . shall be IN YOU." That is exactly what John was saying in First John 4:4 too: ". . . greater is he that is IN YOU, than he that is in the world."
It's one thing to try to do something mentally yourself; it's another thing to trust Him — the Greater One — who is in you. He is everything in us that the Scriptures say He is. He'll do everything in us the Word says He will do. And He will be everything in us the Word says He will be.

CONCLUSION
Smith Wigglesworth, a man of God who was used mightily of the Lord to preach faith and perform miracles of healings, said in his book, Ever Increasing Faith, "I am a thousand times bigger on the inside than I am on the outside." Someone asked Wigglesworth, "What is your secret to the great place of spirituality you have attained? His answer was, "All I ever did was to remember that greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world."

Kenneth E. Hagin’s book; The Spirit and His Gifts was used as a guide for this study

Contributor: Alex Alajiki