Hello and greetings in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord!!!!

I am a saved, teenage college student from South Carolina. For several years, I had some questions about the mission of Holy Spirit. Most of my questions were answered through my study of the Holy Bible, the S.A.T. Manual for African Methodism, the Cathechism of AME Church, and RBC Ministries. I like to listen to some of the pentecostal, non-denominational, and COGIC churches on T.V. Pentecostals believe that in order for you to recieve the baptism of the Holy Ghost it is usually accompanied by speaking in tongues. WHAT DO AME CHURCH BELIEVE ABOUT THE FILLING AND BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST?

Fedrick Allen Wilson

-- Anonymous, November 28, 2003

Answers

The evidence of speaking in tongues as the Sprit give utterance is just one of the signs that you are filled with the Spirit of God. I am from an Apostolic background and yes the Apostolic/Pentecostal Churches believes that you have to speak in tongues. But, they are missing the whole point of the matter and that is Jesus the Christ and Him crucified. The Holy Spirit glorifies the Son and the Son glorifies the Father. The speaking in tongues does not make the believer and holier or saved than those who do not speak in tongues. God looks at the heart. Amen.

-- Anonymous, December 31, 2003

I have read the Bible in the area pertaining to the nifilling of the Holy Ghost. As to the speaking in tongues it is very explicit. First it is found in Acts 2:4 that was the sign for the disicples. But Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, later in his ministry he said "spoke in tongues more then ye all" It states in the book of Acts (which is the acts of the Apostles)Paul talked to John's disciples and baptized them in Jesus name and they spoke in tongues. Notice also in Acts the 10th chapter at Cornelius's house that after Peter preached they spoke in tongues and those with Peter were astonished, because they spoke in tongues as they had. There are more proofs on necessity of tongues as a sign that a person has received what Jesus said he would do, (send the comforter)

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2004

One thing about being Christians, we have to be wise as a serpant and gentle as a dove. We cannot be a stumbling block to anyone.

The purpose of the Holy Spirit was to be another comforter. John 14:16-20 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

This also comes from Paul in I Cor. 1 Corinthians 12 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

The more excellent way is love. And if we read I Corinthians 13th chapter, we get a clear understanding of what we must have today.

Verse 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

When we are born again our sign will be the posession of the fruit of the spirit, found in Galations 5:22 and 23.

We must never forget the meaning of salvation, which is found in Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:.

If you are going to base your salvation on a gift, make sure you have this gift. It will never cease, fail or pass away.

In Christ, Carmen

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2004

I illustrate the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is this manner: Suppose that we as believing sinners are perfect squares and the perfected saint is perfectly round, which is what Jesus wants us to be. The Holy Spirit works on those corners and rough places in our lives to make us rounder and rounder until we are perfected in the faith. Those who need the evidence of speaking in tngues to get the corners and rough places out will speak in tongues. Those who do not need that evidence will not. All saved folk have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them, but hat He does in my life is not necessiarly the same thing He does in your life. In other words, if you submit to His guidance He will do what is necessary to make you what God wants you to be. Jesus told Thomas that those who do not have to see to believe are blessed; which tells me that all do not need evidence to believe and be saved. John 3:16 - 18 clearly established the fact that it is faith alone that is required for salvation and Paul further states that that faith comes by grace alone, the gift of God.

-- Anonymous, January 15, 2004