Intimacy With the Holy Spirit

Jas 4:8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners; and purify your hearts, double-minded ones.

God yearns for continuous fellowship with mankind. He says to Pray without ceasing. This also implies that He is continually available for us in a two way conversation.

Joh 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, so that He may be with you forever,
Joh 14:17 the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive because it does not see Him nor know Him. But you know Him, for He dwells with you and shall be in you.
Joh 16:7 But I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you. But if I depart, I will send Him to you.

Christ knew that the Holy Spirit would be able to do more for us than He could because God’s spirit would be an integral part of us, not just a companion with us. He also could only be in one place at a time, but the Holy Spirit can be everywhere at the same time. This represents total intimacy and knowledge of God and His creation. Remember, that the Holy Spirit is the teacher, and that tongues allows one to speak on the same level as God. Some works of the Holy Spirit are as follows:

Joh 16:8 And when that One comes, He will convict the world concerning sin, and concerning righteousness, and concerning judgment.
Joh 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. For He shall not speak of Himself, but whatever He hears, He shall speak. And He will announce to you things to come.
Joh 16:14 He will glorify Me, for He will receive of Mine and will announce it to you.

Act 1:4 And having met with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to await the promise of the Father which you heard from Me.
Act 2:1 And in the fulfilling of the day of Pentecost, they were all with one accord in one place. The Holy Spirit can be sent to a group as well as an individual if they are focused on God, ask and expect God to fulfill His promise. To be baptized in the Holy Spirit is to be immersed (overwhelmed) with God.

Interesting, that of the 500 that Christ showed himself to, prior to His departure to Heaven, there were only 120 devout believers that believed enough to wait for God’s promise in the upper room. They had denied self desires and had simply obeyed in giving up self control to do other things.

Act 2:2 And suddenly a sound came out of the heaven as borne along by the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Act 2:3 And tongues as of fire appeared to them, being distributed; and it sat upon each of them.
Act 2:4 And they were all filled of the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Act 2:5 And dwelling at Jerusalem there were Jews, devout men out of every nation under heaven.
Act 2:6 But this sound occurring, the multitude came together and were confounded, because they each heard them speaking in his own dialect.

The speaking in tongues got the attention of the crowed. Then, explanation followed as to what this meant. This is still true today with tongues then interpretation. The speaking in other tongues was evidence that God had fulfilled His promise. Seeing and hearing an earthly witness primes the pump for God to act. Note, that the Holy Spirit comes in with sudden change, but will, if necessary, leave quietly. The reverse is true of Satan. He sneaks in but leaves when a tumult of God’s power forces him to.

Act 2:32 God raised up this Jesus, of which we all are witnesses.
Act 2:33 Therefore being exalted to the right of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this which you now see and hear.
Act 2:38 Then Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ to remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Act 2:39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all those afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Act 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. And the same day there were added about three thousand souls.

The Holy Spirit is available to all in Christ. The Holy Spirit normally comes after Christ is accepted as a separate act of God from salvation. Normally, preaching occurs, then faith rises, then asking prayer to receive the Holy Spirit occurs and may be accompanied with touching as a laying on of hands.

Act 8:5 And Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ to them.
Act 8:6 And the people with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the many miracles which he did.
Act 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the gospel, the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Act 8:14 And the apostles in Jerusalem hearing that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to them;
Act 8:15 who when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
Act 8:16 For as yet He had not fallen on any of them, they were baptized only in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 8:17 Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

In Paul’s experience , below, he had to first give up his will to ask God what was desired by God. God had already chosen him against his contrary behavior, but needed to get his attention that he might become submissive. Sound familiar???

Act 9:6 And trembling and astonished, he said, Lord, what will You have me to do? And the Lord said to him, Arise and go into the city, and you shall be told what you must do.
Act 9:15 But the Lord said to him, Go! For this one is a chosen vessel to Me, to bear My name before nations and kings and the sons of Israel.
Act 9:17 And Ananias went and entered into the house. And putting his hands on him, he said, Brother Saul, the Lord, Jesus, who appeared to you in the way in which you came, has sent me to you that you might see and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s seeing/believing the truth was necessary before God would act to send His Spirit to support him.

Act 10:1 And a certain man named Cornelius was in Caesarea, a centurion of the Italian cohort, (A gentile)
Act 10:2 one devout and fearing God, with all his household, both doing many merciful deeds to the people, and praying continually to God.
Act 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Truly I see that God is no respecter of persons; The Holy Spirit is available to all in Christ.
Act 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and He went about doing good, and healing all those who were oppressed by the Devil, for God was with Him. Just as The Father gave the Holy Spirit to Christ to aid in His ministry, He also gives to Holy Spirit to aid in our ministry for Him.

Act 10:42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained of God to be the Judge of the living and the dead.
Act 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those hearing the Word.
Act 10:45 And those of the circumcision, who believed (as many as came with Peter), were astonished because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the nations also.
Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,
Act 10:47 Can anyone forbid water that these, who have received the Holy Ghost as well as we, should not be baptized?
Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they begged him to stay certain days.

Here, only God’s spoken word was necessary to bring the faith in Christ necessary for God to further bless the crowed with the Holy Spirit as a tool of ministry, guide and comforter. The baptism with water, as a physical sign of change, was superceded with speaking in tongues as another greater spiritual sign of change. Again, both signs were separate experiences.

Act 19:1 And it happened in the time Apollos was at Corinth, Paul was passing through the higher parts to Ephesus. And finding certain disciples,
Act 19:2 he said to them, Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? And they said to him, We did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit is.
Act 19:5 And hearing, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 19:6 And as Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

1Co 13:8 Charity never fails. But if there are prophecies, they will be abolished; if tongues, they shall cease; if knowledge, it will be abolished.
1Co 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1Co 13:10 But when the perfect thing comes, then that which is in part will be caused to cease.
1Co 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall fully know even as I also am fully known.

Here, “the perfect thing” is speaking of being with God in heaven. When we are face to face with Christ. Currently, God knows us because he sees our hearts. Then, we will also completely know God, being in His presence and having the mind of Christ.

1Co 12:7 But to each one is given the showing forth of the Spirit to our profit.
1Co 12:8 For through the Spirit is given to one a word of wisdom; and to another a word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit;
1Co 12:9 and to another faith by the same Spirit; and to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
1Co 12:10 and to another workings of powers, to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; and to another kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues.
1Co 12:11 But the one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing separately to each one as He desires.

God gives different gifts to different ones in the church so we will not become prideful and will see a need to band together for guidance, healing and power. There are 4 types of tongues. Two are for public use as for a sign and interpretation. Private use includes intercession for others and for building our faith.

1Co 12:27 And you are the body of Christ, and members in part.
1Co 12:28 And God set some in the church, firstly, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers, then works of power, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, kinds of languages.
1Co 12:29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of power?
1Co 12:30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak languages? Do all interpret?

Note that all these people were filled with the Holy Spirit, but were given different gifts. Some did not speak publicly other languages, but used the gifts they were given. Examples of this occur in Luke 1:41 for John while in the womb, Luke 1:67 where Zacharias prophesied, Acts 4:8 where Peter spoke to the people in a language they understood and Acts 4:31 where the deciples spoke God’s word with boldness to the people.

1Co 14:2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. For no one hears, but in spirit he speaks mysteries.

1Co 14:4 The one speaking in a tongue builds himself up, but he prophesying builds up a church.
1Co 14:22 So that tongues are not a sign to those who believe, but to those who do not believe. But prophesying is not to those who do not believe, but to those who believe.
1Co 14:26 Then how is it, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be for building up.
1Co 14:27 If one speaks in a language, let it be by two, or at the most three, and in succession. And let one interpret.
1Co 14:28 But if there is no interpreter, let him be silent in a church; and let him speak to himself and to God.
1Co 14:30 If a revelation is revealed to another sitting by, let the first be silent.
1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Rom 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. This is a test for us to know we are God’s and are in His will.
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27 And He searching the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

So why should one desire the Holy Spirit:

1. As an aid in communication & allow a higher level of worship
1Co 14:2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. For no one hears, but in spirit he speaks mysteries.
1Co 14:14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
1Co 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the mind; I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the mind.
1Co 14:16 Else, if you bless in the spirit, he occupying the place of the unlearned, how will he say the amen at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you say?
1Co 14:17 For you truly give thanks well, but the other is not built up.
Heb 5:11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to be explained since you are dull of hearing.

If we do not stay close to God, our ears do become plugged where we cannot hear Him as much as we do the world. Trained senses come from practice and are the mark of the mature Christian.

2. To defeat weakness (strengthen faith) and pave the way for prophecy, healing and power
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

3. To edify and build up the spirits of the saved
Jud 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
1Co 14:3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for building up, and exhortation, and comfort.
1Co 14:4 The one speaking in a tongue builds himself up, but he prophesying builds up a church.

4. For guidance to know the hidden counsel (truth) of God (past, present & future)
Pro 20:5 Wisdom in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
Joh 7:37 And in the last day of the great feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
Joh 7:38 He who believes on Me, as the Scripture has said, “Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”
1Co 2:6 But, we speak wisdom among those who are perfect; yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, that come to nothing.
1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, which God has hidden, predetermining it before the world for our glory;
1Co 2:8 which none of the rulers of this world knew (for if they had known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory).
1Co 2:9 But as it is written, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,” nor has it entered into the heart of man, “the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
1Co 2:10 But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God.
1Co 2:11 For who among men knows the things of a man except the spirit of man within him? So also no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
1Co 2:12 But we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit from God, so that we might know the things that are freely given to us by God.
1Co 2:13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1Co 14:2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. For no one hears, but in spirit he speaks mysteries.
Joh 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of Truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth. For He shall not speak of Himself, but whatever He hears, He shall speak. And He will announce to you things to come.

5. To give rest and refreshing
2Co 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

Fellowship means an intimate communion for exchange of thoughts and feelings.
Isa 28:11 for with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people.
Isa 28:12 To whom He said, This is the rest; cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing. Yet they were not willing to hear.

6. To make intercession to Christ and the Father for the saved
Rom 8:27 And He searching the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Thus the Holy Spirit interprets those desires that are in agreement with the Father’s will and sends them, by spirit, to the Father. Then, the Father responds through the Holy Spirit with action and peace to the prayer.

7. To glorify Christ
Joh 16:14 He will glorify Me, for He will receive of Mine and will announce it to you.

8. As a confirmation to others and ourselves that God is in us
1Co 14:22 So that tongues are not a sign to those who believe, but to those who do not believe. But prophesying is not to those who do not believe, but to those who believe.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.

9. To convict the world of sin, God’s righteousness and judgement
Joh 16:8 And when that One comes, He will convict the world concerning sin, and concerning righteousness, and concerning judgment.

10. The Holy Spirit is our communications link to God. The Spirit in us tells God our thoughts, goals, needs and feelings. In return, The Holy Spirit is a comforter and teacher bringing into focus the words of Christ to teach and encourage us. He guides us into truth and understanding of that which is to come. He also convicts us of what is sin that we may avoid those things. He teaches us how to pray and intercedes for us with God. The Holy Spirit translates all these things with groanings to God to avoid any language barriers. All the followers of Christ truly need the Holy Spirit, so God provides His Spirit to those who are His.

Allow God’s truth to dictate experience instead of the other way around.

Jas 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever desires to be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Jas 4:5 Do you think that the Scripture says in vain, The spirit that dwells in us yearns to envy? We cannot love the world and have a relationship with the Holy Spirit.
2Co 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

Examples of the Holy Spirit’s communications:
Act 8:29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go near and join yourself to this chariot.
Act 10:19 And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men are looking for you.
Act 10:20 Therefore arise and go down and go with them without doubting, for I have sent them.
Act 11:27 And in these days prophets from Jerusalem came to Antioch.
Act 11:28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and signified by the Spirit that there should be great famine over the world (which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar).
Act 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, So, then, separate Barnabas and Saul to Me for the work to which I have called them.
Act 15:27 Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will also announce to you the same things by word.
Act 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these necessary things:
Act 16:6 And coming through the Phrygian and the Galatian region; and by the Holy Spirit being forbidden to speak the Word in Asia;
Act 16:7 having come to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia. But the Spirit did not allow them.
Act 18:5 And when Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
Act 19:21 After these things were ended, passing through Macedonia and Achaia, Paul purposed in the spirit to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have come there, I must also see Rome.
Act 20:21 testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Act 20:22 And now, behold, I am going bound by the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall happen to me there,
Act 20:23 except that the Holy Spirit witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.
Rom 9:1 I tell the truth in Christ, I do not lie, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,
Rom 9:2 that I have great heaviness and continual pain in my heart.

Psa 28:1 A Psalm of David. I will cry to You, O Jehovah; my Rock, do not be deaf to me, lest, if You be silent to me, I become like those who go down into the pit.

Without a closeness to God and the Holy Spirit we feel no different than those who are unsaved and destined for hell. God desires to have fellowship with us as much as we need His closeness.

God’s desire is for all to receive all that He has to give. Only we will limit how much we receive by how much we understand, earnestly desire and have faith for.

Mar 16:15 And He said to them, Go into all the world, proclaim the gospel to all the creation.
Mar 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Mar 16:17 And miraculous signs will follow to those believing these things: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak new tongues;
Mar 16:18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will be well.

Paul also encouraged the church:
1Co 14:5 I wish all of you to speak in languages, but rather that you may prophesy; for greater is he prophesying than he speaking in tongues,

He was not against speaking in tongues, but was encouraging how it was proper, in public ministry with tongues, to explain the meaning of what was said so that all might be built up.

To be intimate with God requires good communication. There are two types of speaking in tongues. Both types give evidence of the overwhelming power and presence of God.

Corporate speaking in tongues is for instruction, encouragement and praise in the body of Christ, The Church. When an interpretation of the tongues is given, it provides clarity of what God is speaking to the church. There should be no conflict or confusion. When another’s tongues are interpreted differently from what has been given us at that moment by the Spirit, we are to remain silent to prevent confusion. Thus, it is also very important that we truly believe that God desires to speak through us at any given time or else we should remain silent for fear that God’s true message will not be given.

1Co 14:30 If a revelation is revealed to another sitting by, let the first be silent.
1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Personal speaking in tongues allows one to speak God’s will without the worries of how to pray or what to say. There is freedom from self doubts and misconceptions. One can affirm God’s will without even knowing what is being said. There is total freedom from earthly cares and the influence of sin. That which is said is guaranteed to be heard and answered because it represents God’s pure and perfect will.