The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, God Himself, not an impersonal force. Before He ascended, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to live in His followers, to teach them the truth and give them strength to live by God’s word. On the day of Pentecost that promise came true: the disciples “were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues” (Acts 2:4).

In the book of Acts, when people received the promised Holy Spirit, those around them could hear it, because they spoke in tongues (Acts 10:46; 19:6). For this reason True Jesus Church believes that speaking in tongues is the evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit. It is praying in a language the Spirit gives, which the person has not learned and others usually cannot understand. Such a person speaks “not unto men, but unto God” (1 Corinthians 14:2). They remain clear-minded and can stop praying whenever they choose.

Why does this matter? The Bible says, “if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9), and calls the Spirit “the earnest of our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:14), like a deposit that guarantees what is still to come. The Holy Spirit also helps believers turn from sin and grow in love, joy and peace (Galatians 5:22-23).

At BMC, our services include times of prayer when members pray in tongues, usually kneeling. Those who are seeking the Holy Spirit pray with them, asking God sincerely and praising Him with “Hallelujah, praise the Lord Jesus”. Jesus promised that the heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit “to them that ask him” (Luke 11:13). There is no technique to learn. It is God who gives.