Fruitful Living
Testing for genuine baptism in the Spirit

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentile. – Acts 10:44-45.
INTRODCUTION
God’s Word directs and instructs those who believe in and follow Christ to use godly discernment (i.e., wisdom that brings true understanding) and make proper judgements about all things that might appear to be from the Holy Spirit. “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” – 1 John 4:1.
The following Biblical principles give guidance when we are trying to determine whether a person who claims or appears to have been baptised in the Holy Spirit has truly had an experience from God.
1. A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will inspire us to love, honour and worship God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ more than before. It is the Holy Spirit who causes love for God to grow in our hearts. “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” – Romans 5:5. But any spiritual experience that draws our attention, prayers, worship or affections toward anything or anyone other than God and the Lord Jesus is not from God.
2. A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will make us more attentive to our relationship with the heavenly Father, assuring us that He loves and cares for us as His children. It also will lead to a greater awareness of Christ’s presence in our daily lives. But any spiritual experience that does not result in a deeper friendship with Christ and a deeper awareness of God’s care and companionship is not from God.
3. A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will cause a greater love for and appreciation of God’s Word. The Spirit of truth inspired those who wrote God’s Word to write exactly what God wanted to communicate, and He will deepen our love for and devotion to the truth of God’s Word. But any spiritual experience that does not increase our hunger to read and obey God’s Word is not from God.
4.A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will deepen our love and concern for other followers of Christ. True Christian companionship and community must be based on unity that comes from the Spirit. But any spiritual experience that hinders or lessens our love for those who truly aim to follow Jesus as the authority in their lives is not from God.
5.A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit must be preceded by true repentance (admitting and turning from our own sinful way and surrendering to Christ) and by faithful obedience to Christ. “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.” – Acts 2:38.The spiritual effects and influence of the baptism in the Spirit will continue only as long as we allow God’s Spirit to keep purifying our lives, developing our character and preparing us for God’s purposes. This includes depending on the Holy Spirit to lead us and to help us overcome the sinful tendencies of our human nature – to “put to death the misdeeds of the body” and to be “led by the Spirit of God”. But any person who has not accepted Christ’s forgiveness and been set free from sin (being led by the desire of his or her own sinful nature) cannot experience a true baptism in the Holy Spirit. Any power that appears to be on that person is from another source and is likely the deceptive activity of Satan.
6.A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will increase our dissatisfaction with nay activities that offend God and defy His spiritually pure nature. It will also turn us from the selfish pursuit of earthly riches and reputation. But any spiritual experience that allows the acceptance of ungodly beliefs behaviours and lifestyles that are common in the world is not from God. This is because the true followers of Christ “have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God”.
7.A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will give us a greater desire and power to spread the message about forgiveness, spiritual salvation and the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. But any spiritual experience that does not result in a greater desire to see others come to know Christ personally is not from God.
8. A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will cause us to be more open and receptive to the Spirit’s work and purposes within the church as a whole (among all Christ’s true followers) and in our individual lives. This includes the exercise of spiritual gifts (special God-given abilities for the purpose of honouring Him and benefiting others), particularly the gift of speaking in tongues, which is presented in Acts as the initial outward sign of the baptism in the Holy Spirit. “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” – Acts 2:4
9.A genuine baptism in the Holy Spirit will cause us to be more conscious of the work, guidance and presence of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. After being baptised in the Spirit, followers of Christ were continually conscious of the Spirit’s presence power and guidance. But any spiritual experience that does not increase our awareness of the Spirit’s presence and strengthen our desire to follow His leading is not a genuine experience of God’s Spirit. In addition, anything that does not reinforce our goal to please God, to accomplish His purpose for our lives and to live in such a way that we promote His work in every respect is not from God. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” – Ephesians 4:30; “Do not quench the Spirit” – 1 Thessalonians 5:19
COME, HOLY SPIRIT, HEAVENLY DOVE – MHB 292
1 COME, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove,
With all thy quickening powers;
Kindle a flame of sacred love
In these cold hearts of ours.
2 In vain we tune our formal songs,
In vain we strive to rise;
Hosannas languish on our tongues,
And our devotion dies.
3 And shall we then for ever live
At this poor dying rate,
Our love so faint, so cold to Thee,
And Thine to us so great!
4 Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove,
With all Thy quickening powers;
Come, shed abroad a Saviours love,
And that shall kindle ours.
Isaac Watts – 1674 – 1748
Source: Fire Bible
Stay blessed!
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Fruitful Living
Has man lost the essence of his creation? A reflective call to rediscover our divine purpose (Part 1)
Introduction: Rediscoveringour purpose
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. We praise Him, seek His help and forgiveness, and ask for His mercy. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our noble Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his family, his companions, and all those who follow his guidance until the Day of Judgment.
In today’s increasingly materialistic and turbulent world, a profound question echoes louder than ever: Has man lost the essence of his creation? It is a question that compels every thinking soul to pause and reflect deeply.
In the midst of scientific breakthroughs, booming technology, and economic pursuits, we must ask ourselves: are we fulfilling the sacred purpose for which we were created? Are we still living as stewards of Allah on earth, or have we strayed from our divine assignment?
This article explores the Qur’anic foundation of man’s creation, the noble position he holds, and the deviation from this divine path in modern times. It further calls for a return to spiritual consciousness and outlines practical steps to help realign mankind with his intended purpose.
Man: Allah’s Vicegerent on Earth
The Qur’an states: “And when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I will make upon the earth a vicegerent (Khalifah)…’” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:30).
This declaration marks the beginning of man’s honorable journey on earth. Mankind was created from clay, as recorded in Surah Al-Hijr:
“And We did certainly create man out of clay from an altered black mud. And the jinn We created before from scorching fire. And [mention] when your Lord said to the angels, ‘I will create a human being out of clay from an altered black mud.’ So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration.” (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:26-29).
This prostration of angels was not to worship Adam, but to recognize the honor Allah had bestowed upon man. It signified a spiritual hierarchy in which man, though of earthly origin, carries a divine trust and responsibility.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized this dignity. He taught that every human is born upon the natural disposition (fitrah) and bears the potential to fulfill their purpose as a servant of Allah and custodian of His creation.
The Purpose of Creation
Allah did not create man in vain. The Qur’an states clearly: “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51:56).
“And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.” (Surah Al-Bayyinah, 98:5).
Another profound verse underscores that life was not created aimlessly:
“And We did not create the heaven and the earth and that between them aimlessly. That is the assumption of those who disbelieve, so woe to those who disbelieve from the Fire.”(Surah Sad, 38:27).
These verses convey that creation is intentional, meaningful, and divinely ordained. The essence of man’s creation lies in his recognition of Allah, his conscious submission to the Divine Will, and his dedication to a life of worship, service, and ethical living.
Worship in Islam is not confined to rituals alone but extends to every aspect of human existence—how we earn, govern, lead our families, engage with society, and preserve the environment. Every righteous deed done with sincerity for Allah’s pleasure becomes an act of worship.
Imam Al-Ghazali explains in Ihya Ulum al-Din that true worship stems from knowledge of Allah and a heart that submits lovingly to His will. Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah likewise stresses that man’s highest honor lies in fulfilling the purpose of servitude (`ubudiyyah) to Allah, which brings inner peace and divine elevation.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) demonstrated this perfect balance of worship and engagement in worldly affairs. He was a husband, a leader, a statesman, and a worshipper who said: “The most beloved deeds to Allah are the most consistent, even if they are few.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6464)
Living in harmony with this divine purpose not only brings personal fulfillment but also collective peace. Conversely, neglecting it results in moral confusion, injustice, and spiritual emptiness.
Therefore, recognizing and living by our purpose is not a luxury but a necessity. It is the key to real success in this life and salvation in the Hereafter.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author
Fruitful Living
Trusting God with our anxieties (final)

Jesus not only instructs us not to worry — He explains why worrying is counterproductive to our well-being:
❖ Worry is blind. It refuses to learn from nature, history, or personal experience. Birds and flowers testify to God’s faithfulness. The history of Israel is filled with God’s miraculous provision — from Egypt to the Red Sea to the Promised Land (Deut. 8:14–15).
❖ Worry refuses to learn the lesson of life. Time and again, God has helped us bear the unbearable and overcome the insurmountable. He strengthens us even when we reach the breaking point — and keeps us from breaking.
❖ Worry is irreligious. It stems not from our external circumstances, but from a heart full of fear and distrust. Yet Scripture declares:“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” — Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
The antidote to worry: El shaddai
Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” One of the most comforting names of God is El Shaddai, which first appears in Genesis 17:1 and appears 218 times in the Bible.
❖ El means “Strong One.”
❖ Shaddai means “The Breasted One.”
Together, El Shaddai paints a picture of God as:
❖ Our Strong Nourisher
❖ Strength Giver
❖ Satisfier
❖ All-Bountiful Supplier
❖ Fulfiller of Needs
❖ The Life-Giver who brings dead things back to life
(e.g., Abraham and Sarah conceiving Isaac at 150 and 90 years respectively)
In knowing who God is, we find the courage to release our anxieties. If He is truly El Shaddai — strong, sufficient, and sustaining — then we are safe in His hands.
Practical steps to peace
In Philippians 4:6–7, we are given a divine prescription for peace:
1. Stop being anxious and fretful. Recognize the emotional and spiritual toll of worry.
2. Go to God in prayer about everything. Nothing is too big or small.
3. Pray for yourself. God is your Father — your relationship with Him is personal.
4. Thank Him as you pray. Gratitude builds faith and reminds us of His past faithfulness.
When we do this, God’s peace — not the world’s peace — will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
CONCLUSION
We are living in uncertain times. Pressures abound and anxieties easily multiply. But as children of God, we are called to walk a different path — one of quiet confidence, steady trust, and daily surrender.
God’s Word is clear: worry doesn’t help — but trust in God brings peace. Let us shift our focus from fear to faith, from anxiety to adoration. Let us anchor our hearts in the unchanging character of El Shaddai — our Almighty God — and rest in His perfect care.
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, the author