What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit? How do I experience it?

Did you know that you can be adopted into the family of God and the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will come to you. You can experience miraculous victory over sin and power to witness.  People you love will sense the power of your prayers. Hearts will be mysteriously warmed and turned to the light.

Have you longed to see greater miracles in evangelism in your family, neighborhood, and your city? Have you prayed earnestly for loved ones, friends, neighbors and Bible study interests? Have you wished that God would move in their lives in a more powerful way? If so the baptism of the Holy Spirit promises to be a refreshing shower of heavenly blessing. Inspired writings are full of rich promises in this regard (See Ron Clouzet, Adventism’s Greatest Need, 2011). These promises, if rightly understood do not lead to fanaticism, but to an increasingly joyous, purposeful life.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not an accomplishment to be showcased as an indication of our righteousness. It is given to those who realize their great need. It is not a trophy to be polished and placed on a shelf. The disciples who experienced Pentecost as promised by Jesus were common men with human weaknesses. Ten days of prayer for the baptism of the Holy Spirit made the difference between a Peter who could deny Christ with cursing and one who spoke with such power that thousands were converted. I believe the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an operational experience that takes place in the process of forming a union with Christ for ministry, not an end in itself. To focus primarily upon our own glorious experience may counter the work of the Holy Spirit.

Though the baptism of the Holy Spirit changes our desires and emotions it is more about faith than feelings. Though love, joy, peace, and other aspects of the Spirit’s fruit are received as springboards, the main focus becomes the salvation of others rather than self-edification. The Holy Spirit searches the heart and refines like fire, yet results in abundant life rather than ending in morbid introspection. The baptism of the Holy Spirit may involve significant time in prayer but the length or intensity of prayer is a natural lifting of the heart to God in praise and intercession for others. It is not a contrived or forced work performed to get God’s attention. Though humbling ourselves before God and surrender may be difficult, it paves the way for genuine repentance and an outflow of love and praise. It grows naturally as a result of rejoicing in the presence of our glorious Redeemer and appropriating His love and promises to our lives.

When we meditate upon the life of Christ and His wonderful promises in behalf of reaching our loved ones, prayer flows into joyous, Spirit-filled expressions of confidence, love and compassion. We experience joy in the assimilation and actualization of the meditated Word of God in our lives. Whereas we may feel discomfort at first, this is what Isaiah, the apostle Peter, and John the author of the book of Revelation, experienced in the presence of deity. After submission and surrender, however, the power comes from One who lives up to the word Comforter with a baptism of love and assurance.

Some may wonder why it is necessary to spend time praying for the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Should we not simply accept by faith that the Holy Spirit is given in response to our prayers? It is true that humble faith and prayer operate with a childlike simplicity, yet increased power for witnessing is promised through something similar to what Jesus experienced on a daily basis and the disciples went through in the upper room. There is a supernatural power that accompanies sincere communion with God. Jesus spent considerable time in prayer and meditation. Why did He to do this? Notice the following quotes:

“As a man He [Jesus] supplicated the throne of God till His humanity was charged with a heavenly current that should connect humanity with divinity. Through continual communion He received life from God, that He might impart life to the world. His experience is to be ours” (Desire of Ages, 353).

“With strong crying and tears He [Jesus] sent His petitions to heaven, that His human nature might be strengthened, that He might be braced to meet the wily foe in all his deceptive workings, and fortified to fulfill His missions of uplifting humanity. To His workers He says, “I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done, John 13:15” (The Ministry of Healing, 500).

I see this to be a joyous fellowship with God in devotional exercise, which is more like drinking from a fountain than trying to manufacture holiness.

“When you have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, then you will understand more of the joys of salvation than you have known all your life hitherto. “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses to Me . . . unto the uttermost parts of the earth” (Letter 33, 1890, pp. 9,10, To Dear Brethren and Sisters in Norwich, Massachusetts, December 4, 1890).

The promise of power to win souls is precious indeed. Receiving the Holy Spirit in order to see the wayward individual turn to God is motivation enough for me to want to experience a deeper baptism of the Holy Spirit.

“When God’s people will believe, when they will turn their attention to that which is true, and living, and real, the Holy Spirit, in strong heavenly currents, will be poured upon the church” (Ms 21, 1900).

“[After Pentecost] Fields of labor were opened to be worked, and all found wherever they went in Christ’s name, His representative in the Holy Spirit opened the hearts and doors for the disciples” (Ms 130, 1901).

“The power of the Holy Spirit is drawing to God all who will be drawn. He is convincing men that the commandments of God are a life and death question with them” ( Ms 44, 1900).

The enemy has inoculated society against receiving the converting power of the pure word of God. The tide of social acceptance runs so strong and deep that millions are drifting out to sea as flotsam on its surface. Making a stand for distinctive truths is considered the most intolerable sin by the present generation. It is thought blasphemy to try to share biblical values with others. The same spirit of rebellion that removed a third of the angels from heaven has anchored the populace in the enticing deadly sin of self gratification. This results in resistance to anything that does not pamper one’s “me first” desires. We were told that it would be this way just before Jesus comes.

We sometimes forget, however, that similar challenges faced the disciples at the time of Christ. They were surrounded by the devil’s strongholds. Were it not for the power of the Holy Spirit the flood of evil would have been as overwhelming to them as it seems to us. Consider these words of inspiration:

“The Saviour knew that no argument, however logical, would melt hard hearts or break through the crust of worldliness and selfishness. He knew that His disciples must receive the heavenly endowment; that the gospel would be effective only as it was proclaimed by hearts made warm and lips made eloquent by a living knowledge of Him who is the way, the truth, and the life. The work committed to the disciples would require great efficiency; for the tide of evil ran deep and strong against them. A vigilant, determined leader was in command of the forces of darkness, and the followers of Christ could battle for the right only through the help that God, by His Spirit, would give them” (AA, 31).

When we pray for the baptism of the Holy Spirit as did the early disciples, we can expect the promises of God’s word to be fulfilled. The Godhead in fullness will become real to us. But as was true of the coming of the Messiah, the Comforter begins His work by confronting sin. Concerning the promise of the Messiah the prophet declared . . . “who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderers’ soap” (Mal. 3:2). The same is true of the third member of the Godhead.

John the Baptist said, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Luke 3:16). Fire refines away the dross and cleanses impurities. We must first allow the Holy Spirit to do His work of cleansing in our own hearts before we can reach out to others. Speaking of the Holy Spirit, Jesus promised His disciples, “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8). Power for witnessing begins with the prayer, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me . . .” (Ps. 139:23,24, NASB).

Pastor Dwight Nelson said that when he prayed this prayer it was like a video of his shortcomings was displayed before him. He could not think of any commandment that he was violating. He was serving as a faithful minister of the Gospel with his sermons reaching millions, yet the Spirit revealed imperfect qualities that were hidden from his view. He said that when he saw these faults, confessed, and laid them upon the spotless Lamb of God, he rose from his knees feeling more peace than he had ever experienced.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a baptism of assurance and of love. It is a baptism of the righteousness of Christ applied in full measure, but the path of peace is sometimes a path of painful surrender. Before we can cry out for the assurance of salvation with strong conviction, we must first be confronted with our utter helplessness. Our true condition is often hidden from our eyes.

Meditation on the life of Jesus as revealed in inspired writings, as well as the Ten Commandments will help to reveal our need. The words of the prophets, ancient and recent, read our hearts and open blind eyes. Straight testimonies cut through the fog of shallow theology. The Holy Spirit will expose our friendship with the world, our savoring of the things of man rather than the things of God. Our strife for supremacy, our indifference, defensiveness and peevishness will appear in contrast to the pure perfect love of Christ.

This is an individual matter. The sins of one are not the sins of another. When we pray and meditate on Scripture we must be ready to receive the conviction of the Holy Spirit. This conviction must come from a clear, “Thus says the Lord,” however, not from a false over-sensitive conscience. Sometimes it takes much prayer, heart searching, and study to detect the difference between the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the accusations of the enemy. The devil will try to pervert or counterfeit the work of the Holy Spirit and get us either to ignore shortcomings or to dwell upon them in a morbid way. If we resist the conviction of the Holy Spirit we may feel a false sense of security flattering ourselves that everything is okay, when we are simply blind to our needs. We are told, “The more closely you live to God, the more clearly will you discern your weaknesses and your dangers” (3T, 321).

“The closer you come to Jesus, the more faulty you will appear in your own eyes; for your vision will be clearer, and your imperfections will be seen in broad and distinct contrast to His perfect nature. This is evidence that Satan’s delusions have lost their power; that the vivifying influence of the Spirit of God is arousing you” (SC, 64).

“Those who look within for comfort will become weary and disappointed. A sense of our weakness and unworthiness should lead us with humility of heart to plead the atoning sacrifice of Christ. As we rely upon His merits we shall find rest and peace and joy. He saves to the uttermost all who come unto God by Him.” (5T 200)

The solution, however, is always the same. We must look away from ourselves to Christ for cleansing and change of heart. If we try to carry the burden of revealed sins it will overwhelm us. Jesus promised that He would intercede in our behalf for the Holy Spirit. Not only did Jesus promise that the Holy Spirit would bring conviction of sins, but that He would bring comfort of sins forgiven. We will understand more of His intercessory work than ever. We will see that our claim for righteousness and worthiness to receive the Holy Spirit is based on His accomplished work on the cross. We will humble our hearts in true repentance, restore broken relationships, and confess our faults one to another. We will recognize and confess our unbelief. We will receive the spirit of adoption and allow the Holy Spirit to put to death the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:12-15).

We will also be convicted of our right standing with God in the judgment with the assurance that the prince of this world has been judged (John 16:11). We will receive the same confirmation for ministry that Jesus received when He was baptized by the Holy Spirit. That is the assurance that we are sons and daughters of God in the fullest sense, and that God looks upon the righteousness of Christ in our behalf. We will be convinced that since we were in Christ at His baptism, and on the cross, God says of each of us, “This is my beloved son [daughter], in whom I am well pleased.” The Holy Spirit will testify with our spirit that we are indeed the children of God (Romans 8:16). The following quotes speak of these realities:      

“I am feeling very free and peaceful. I feel the precious love of Christ in my heart. It humbles me in my own sight, while Jesus is exalted before me. Oh, how I do long for that social and mysterious connection with Jesus that elevates us above the temporal things of life. It is my anxiety to be right with God, to have His Spirit continually witnessing with me that I am indeed a child of God” (3SM, 105).

“God desires to refresh His people by the gift of the Holy Spirit, baptizing them anew in His love. There is no need for a dearth of the Spirit in the church. After Christ’s ascension the Holy Spirit came upon the waiting, praying, believing disciples with a fullness and power that reached every heart. In the future the earth is to be lightened with the glory of God. A holy influence is to go forth to the world from those who are sanctified through the truth. The earth is to be encircled with an atmosphere of grace. The Holy Spirit is to work on human hearts, taking the things of God and showing them to men” (T 9, 40).

“God will bless all who thus prepare themselves for His service. They will understand what it means to have the assurance of the Spirit because they have received Christ by faith” (T 7, 363).

There are a number of evidences that link the promise of the Spirit by Jesus and what happened on the day of Pentecost. 1) John 14:16, Jesus said that He would pray the Father and He would send another Comforter. John 7:39 says that the Holy Spirit was given after Jesus ascended to heaven and was glorified. Ephesians 4: 8,11 indicates that when Jesus ascended to Heaven, He gave gifts to men. Paul then goes on to list several gifts of the Holy Spirit. So the promise of Jesus to send the Holy Spirit must have been fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. 2) John 15:26, 27 Jesus promised that when the Holy Spirit would come from the Father He would testify of Jesus and the disciples would bear witness. In the upper room He promised power for witnessing when they would receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). Jesus told them to wait for the promise of the Father which they had heard from Him. This must have been the promise in John 14. Jesus then went on in Acts 1:5 to promise the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Therefore John 14, 15, and 16 must constitute a description of what the Holy Spirit would do when He baptized them. When Jesus makes a promise He keeps it. Therefore we should find in these chapters in the book of John, explanations of what it means to experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit brings assurance that we are sons and daughters of God. The Holy Spirit gives a supernatural endowment empowering our witness. A daily baptism of the Holy Spirit gives us words to speak in season to the one that is weary (Isaiah 50:4). This involves placing the word of God through our testimony in the heart of a receptive person at the right time. The Holy Spirit guides in this process.

How do I experience the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

•  Spend time in prayer and ask specifically for it.
• Recognize uneasiness and reluctance as part of the spiritual battle.
• Read John 14-16, Acts of the Apostles pp. 25-56.  Notice the promises concerning the Holy Spirit.
• Read the promise of Jesus in Luke 11:13.
• Ask for the Lord to send His Spirit to give you a conviction of sin in your life.
• Meditation on scripture, the Ten Commandments for example.
• Read the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy including the Testimonies for the Church.
• Pray Psalm 139:23,24.
• This will no doubt be different at different times. He will only reveal as much as you can bear and place upon Jesus your sin bearer.
• You may recognize your uneasiness in His presence, your longing for success, your emptiness and lack of compassion as a falling short.
• He will often give you a vision of Jesus in contrast to your earthly desires and thinking. You will see His absolute unselfishness, kindness, compassion, tender mercy, righteousness, peace, goodness.
• Meditate on the life of Christ especially the closing scenes.
• Like Peter you may cry out “depart from me for I am a sinful man.”
• Like Isaiah you may cry out “woe is me for I am undone”.
• If you don’t have any recognition of your need, recognize this as your greatest need in itself because the closer we come to Christ the more we will recognize our need.
• Confess your sins and place them on the sin bearer.
• Contemplate the cross.
• Meditate on the manner in which each of your recognized sins expresses hostility to His tender, compassionate, loving nature. E.g. I see my focus on building a kingdom for myself; He wore a crown of thorns. I am concerned about personal success; He had no place to lay His head.
• The agony and emptiness may intensify as you see that all of your best efforts have been for self rather than to glorify Him. You may see that you have been quite content to try to get Him to work for you for your own glory.
• Recognize the agony and emptiness as a friend leading you to the fountain of blessing. Let the Spirit do His work. Let Him draw out your heart with confession till it is empty.
• Recognize how your unbelief is cruel to Him. Confess your unbelief.
• If you have sinned against others go to that person and be reconciled.
• If others have sinned against you and you need to speak to them, do so.
• Perhaps you need to take someone to the courts of heaven in your mind and pour out your case against them and hear what the Lord has to say. Let Him take away the anger through a revelation of the cross. Let the Spirit bring true repentance of feelings against others. Let the Holy Spirit give you love for the one that has offended you.
• Then claim the promises of sins forgiven and believe that you have received.
• Ask for assurance that Jesus presents you faultless before the throne and believe you have received.
• Believe that Jesus is worthy to give you the baptism of the Holy Spirit because He lived a perfect life in your flesh.
• Ask for assurance that the enemy who accuses you has been judged at the cross and is now cast down. Believe his promise.
• For His sake you are accepted in the Beloved.
• By faith he says of you, “This is my beloved son (daughter) in whom I am well pleased.”
• Then ask Him to fill your life with His Spirit of unselfishness, kindness, and ministry.
• Ask Him to show you some simple way in which you can reflect His love.
• Ask Him to help you be conscious of His presence before you and in you.
• Ask Him for a vision of direction for your life — what He would do in your shoes?
• Ask Him for people that you should intercede for in prayer.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to intercede through you for those He brings to mind.
• Think of how Jesus longs for the lost, how precious your children are to you. Ask Him to inhabit your prayer and intercede for His church, His ministers, governments, those who don’t know the right hand from the left
• Pray the Lord’s prayer with meditation on each part.
• Ask Him for a message for the people.
• Ask for some portion of scripture that will answer a need.
• Memorize and meditate on scripture.
• Ask Him to help you identify your spiritual gift/s.
• Dedicate that gift to Him.
• Let Him empower that gift. For example if you have the gift of preaching and teaching:
• Pray with the same longing for words to bring home the message with power; for illustrations to make it clear for His sake and the sake of the people. Confess your sin in standing in the way of the lost through vain human words. Ask for a fire from on High. “Speak with my words unto them.” “Except You go with me Lord, I will not go up.”
• Begin speaking the message in prayer pouring out your heart to God. Tell Him what the people really need to understand. Ask Him what He would say if He were in your place.
• Let Him take over by bringing memorized scripture to mind.

Key Texts and Quotes: The Baptism of the Holy Spirit and Witnessing (KJV)

What to Expect with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

• John 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
• John 16:8-11 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

John 16:6,7 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

Zech. 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

• Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
• Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

What is the result of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

• Gal. 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
• Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
• Mark 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
• Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
• Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

“When you have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, then you will understand more of the joys of salvation than you have known all your life hitherto. “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses to Me . . . unto the uttermost parts of the earth”         (Manuscript Releases Volume Five, 231).

How does this make a difference in your witnessing?

• Isaiah 50:4 The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.
• John 15:26, 27 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
• John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
• Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
• Jeremiah 1:9 Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
• Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
• Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
• 2 Cor. 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
• 2 Cor. 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Spiritual Gifts Qualified and Explained

• 1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
• John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
• 1 Cor. 12: 3-11 Wherefore I give you to understand, that 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. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 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: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

“The promise of the Spirit is not appreciated as it should be. Its fulfillment is not realized as it might be. It is the absence of the Spirit that makes the gospel ministry so powerless. Learning, talents, eloquence, every natural or acquired endowment, may be possessed; but without the presence of the Spirit of God, no heart will be touched, no sinner be won to Christ. On the other hand, if they are connected with Christ, if the gifts of the Spirit are theirs, the poorest and most ignorant of His disciples will have a power that will tell upon hearts. God makes them the channel for the outworking of the highest influence in the universe” (Christ’s Object Lessons, 328).

How does the Baptism of the Holy Spirit relate to the Latter Rain?

• Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
• Acts 2:16, 17 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

“The latter rain will come, and the blessing of God will fill every soul that is purified from every defilement. It is our work today to yield our souls to Christ, that we may be fitted for the time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord–fitted for the baptism of the Holy Spirit” (Selected Messages, Vol.1, 191).

What part does surrender play in the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

• Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
• Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
• James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
• 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
• Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

“When the heart is emptied of self, it will be ready for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and then you will be fitted to strengthen the sheep and lambs of the flock of Christ; for self will be hid with Christ in God. The Spirit of Christ will be manifested in your daily life. The apostle says, ‘Be ye holy in all manner of conversation.’ You are to be found without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. Your whole body, soul, and spirit are to be preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord. What we need is the deep movings of the Spirit of God; for the standard of Christian life is expressed in these words: ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. . . .Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself’ (The Signs of the Times, August 1, 1892).

“Christ has promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to His church, and the promise belongs to us as much as to the first disciples. But like every other promise, it is given on conditions. There are many who believe and profess to claim the Lord’s promise; they talk aboutChrist and about the Holy Spirit, yet receive no benefit. They do notsurrender the soul to be guided and controlled by the divine agencies. We cannot use the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is to use us. Through the Spirit God works in His people “to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13. But many will not submit to this. They want to manage themselves. This is why they do not receive the heavenly gift. Only to those who wait humbly upon God, who watch for His guidance and grace, is the Spirit given. The power of God awaits their demand and reception. This promised blessing, claimed by faith, brings all other blessings in its train. It is given according to the riches of the grace of Christ, and He is ready to supply every soul according to the capacity to receive” (DA 672).