We can’t obtain the Holy spirit through human endeavors or fasting prayers. It is a gift and promise of God.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth - Ac. 1:8.
Jesus Christ didn’t grant the Holy spirit to the Apostles, but God(Heavenly father) did.
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them - Ac. 2:1-4.
They were not praying then, they were just sitting there. From this we can say, it is impossible to receive the Holy spirit through prayers and human endeavors.
You may wonder then how to receive it.
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.” - Ac. 2:37-38.
The day we baptized, we received the Holy spirit. As soon we got baptized(remission of sins), we obtained the Holy spirit, since then it’s been dwelling in us.
Charismatic Christians are not aware of this. They are in search of receiving the Holy spirit. Before I knew the scripture, I went to many Churches and preachers to receive the Holy spirit.
Once I went to a Church, wanting to receive the Holy spirit. The pastor, in that Church, is famous for giving the Holy spirit through laying on of hands.
The pastor in the church said that he who couldn’t speak in tongues is a sinner, then called the new comers to him, so that he could grant them the Holy spirit through laying on of hands.
I and another three new comers went to him. He laid his hands on us chanted some scriptures and prayed loudly. After the prayer, the three new comers began speaking in such strange languages that I ever heard.
I was unable to speak in tongues. The pastor said, “sinner can’t receive the Holy spirit and can’t speak in tongues.” I felt embarrassed among the believers. It was the worst humiliation of my life. Everybody was looking at me, and I was feeling guilty.
I ventured to say something on my own to escape the congregation view. Thinning for a while I said, “Kus-ki- sika- mehiyan - Men tek.”
I didn’t know what It meant. But I was shocked in the next moment. The new comer, next to me, said, “I’ll interpret this,” then he was saying something as if he were interpreting my words.
I babbled to escape the congregation view. This new comer deluded the congregation that he got the interpretation power through the Holy spirit.
I said to the new comer, “I babbled. Stop your false interpretation.” Then I came out of that Church.
I met a preacher, who has claimed that he gives the Holy spirit through laying on off hands.
Actually, my friend took me to him. The preacher laid hand on my head and prayed. After the prayer, he said, “speak. Speak.” I didn’t know what to speak. He saw the dilemma on my face and began shouting, “Speak in tongues. Glorify God. Say something.”
I didn’t like to lie, so I said to the preacher, “I’m sorry, I can’t. I guess, I’ve not received the Holy spirit yet.”
The preacher said, “Everything is possible for those who believe. With little faith, you can’t receive it. Go and grow in faith, then come.”
It was another disappointment for me, and with it, I had almost given my hope of receiving the Holy spirit.
One Sunday evening, the bitter incidents came into my mind and made me break down, and I couldn’t help crying. I considered myself a sinner.
Before I went to my bed at that night, I opened the Bible randomly to read some scriptures. At that time, I saw the following scripture.
Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus - 2Ti. 4:20.
“Why Paul did so? Why did he leave the sick man there?” I thought. I knew Paul cured many sick men, but I couldn’t take in why he left Erastus in Corinth. Even the clothes that touched him cured people’s illness. (Handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them -Ac. 19:11-12.)
I jotted down the verse and opened the Bible randomly once again. I saw another this scripture:
Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses - 1Ti. 5:23.
This verse plunged me in doubt. Why Paul recommend wine to Timothy’s illness? Why didn’t he send a cloth to Timothy by touching it, so that Timothy illness would be cured?
It took me more than a month to get answers. What I found was the Holy spirit powers were gone in him.
Yes, the power was gone.
After Jesus ascension, God granted the Apostles the Holy spirit with gifts, so that people would believe in Jesus Christ.
Gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues - 1Co. 12:9-10.
The Apostles got the gifts at first. They transferred the Holy spirit with the gifts to others by laying on of hands, but the believers who received it didn’t have the power to transfer it to somebody else.
But gradually, God withdrew the Gifts of the Holy spirit (superficial powers), from the Apostles and the believers who received it. However, God hasn’t taken back the Holy spirit.
Well, we have the Holy spirit, but it doesn’t do miracles, such as healing the sick and speaking in tongues.
“What is the use to have such a spirit?” I thought.
I found the answers after a month by God’s grace.
The Spirit(the Holy spirit) himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children- Ro. 8:16.
And
The Spirit(the Holy spirit) helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express - Ro. 8:26.
The Holy spirit does these tasks.
Though the Holy spirit can’t cure our illness and solve our problems, by prayers our illness gets cured and we overcome our problems.
Therefore, I request you not to the fathers and preachers, who say they grant the Holy spirit by laying on of hands.
We already have it.
Ever heard of God is working in mysterious ways?
I give you the example.
William Carey knew almost sixteen above languages, and he translated the Bible in sixteen languages. He learnt the languages by God’s grace. God enabled him to do so, because William Carey got the thrust to preach the Gospel.
God made him a linguist by his grace, not by the gifts of the Holy spirit.
I reiterate that every baptized believer has the Holy spirit, but no believer has the Gifts of the Holy spirit.
Don’t be carried away by false teachings and rumors.
God bless you.
