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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Preparing for Ramadan through the month of Sha‘ban
THE month of Sha‘ban, which precedes Ramadan, serves as a spiritual training ground. The Prophet (s.a.w.) devoted significant attention to this month, fasting frequently and encouraging heightened acts of worship. ‘Aishah (r.a.) narrated:
“I did not see the Messenger of Allah complete fasting in any month except Ramadan, and I did not see him fast more in any month than in Sha‘ban.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
During Sha‘ban, Muslims are encouraged to:
• Observe optional fasts,
• Increase Qur’anic recitation,
• Engage in charitable deeds (ṣadaqah),
• Strengthen community bonds and service.
These acts gradually condition both the body and soul for the rigours and blessings of Ramadan.
Scholarly guidance and community sensitisation
Across Muslim communities, scholars and religious leaders organise lectures, workshops, sermons, and media engagements to educate the Ummah about Ramadan. These initiatives address:
• The jurisprudence (fiqh) of fasting,
• The obligation to make up missed fasts from previous years,
• The ethical conduct expected during Ramadan,
• The spiritual, social, and health benefits of fasting.
Modern studies have also affirmed that fasting, when properly observed, contributes to improved self-discipline, metabolic balance, and emotional regulation—findings that align with Islamic teachings on moderation and self-control.
The role of parents and families in Ramadan preparation
Preparation begins at home. Parents play a vital role in nurturing a Ramadan-conscious environment by:
• Encouraging children and young adults to try voluntary fasts,
• Training family members to wake up for Tahajjud (night prayers),
• Establishing regular family supplications and Qur’an reading sessions.
Such practices help instill lifelong spiritual habits and strengthen family unity through shared worship.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
JESUS, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. – Luke 4:1-2a
Introduction
Lent is a period when the Holy Spirit strengthens us to face the day to day testing and temptations. Just like Jesus overcame the temptations of the devil, we also have power and will to overcome any temptation that comes our way. I invite you to give your whole heart to Jesus Christ and enjoy the power to overcome the devil’s schemes.
Tempted by the devil
One aspect of Jesus’ temptation resolved around what kind of Messiah, or Saviour, He would be and how He would use His anointing (His authority and empowerment) from God. (Many Jews would reject Him because He did not fulfill their expectations of a political “Saviour” who would step forward with military might and free them from Roman rule.)
• Satan tempted Jesus to use His power to serve His own self-interest to gain glory and power over the nations instead of accepting the humility and suffering that was ahead for Him. This was an opportunity for Him to satisfy the people’s expectation for a charismatic Messiah.
• Satan still tempts Christian leaders to use their spiritual authority, position and ability for their own self-interest, to establish their own reputation and power and to please people rather than God. Those who selfishly compromise with Satan have actually surrendered to His control.
• Jesus turned away every one of Satan’s temptations by properly referring to God’s Word (“It is written”). If this was the effective strategy for Jesus, we certainly must know and rely on His Word as revealed to us in the Bible.
LUKE 4:4 – MAN DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE.
• Satan tempts Jesus’ “flesh”, or physical desires, of which hunger is perhaps the strongest – particularly after such an extended time without food. While it may have seemed reasonable to perform a miracle to eat, Jesus would not be tempted to use His power for selfish reasons. Jesus meets and resists Satan’s temptation by declaring that He will live by God’s Word above all else.
Jesus is saying that everything truly important in life depends on God and His plans and purposes. To strive for success, happiness or material things apart from God’s way and purpose will lead to disappointment and end in failure.
Jesus emphasized this truth when He taught that we must seek God’s kingdom (God’s authority, activity, purposes and power in our lives) above anything and everything else. If we do, God promises to take care of all our needs and give us all other necessary things just the way He intends.
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee
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