Descending like a dove

This message was preached on a Sunday morning. Many souls were blessed and filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.

Matt 3:11-17

11 I indeed baptize you in (with) water because of repentance [that is, because of your changing your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins]. But He who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to take off or carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12 His winnowing fan (shovel, fork) is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out and clean His threshing floor and gather and store His wheat in His barn, but the chaff He will burn up with fire that cannot be put out. 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be baptized by him. 14 But John protested strenuously, having in mind to prevent Him, saying, It is I who have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me? 15 But Jesus replied to him, Permit it just now; for this is the fitting way for [both of] us to fulfill all righteousness [that is, to perform completely whatever is right]. Then he permitted Him. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, He went up at once out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he [John] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him. AMP

What was John saying in his description of the Holy Spirit?

According to the old & new testament,

1) A dove was a messenger of peace and deliverance from cares.

2) It also represents: Gentleness, Innocense, meekness and harmlessness.

God is a Spirit John 4:24

24 God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality).

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What does the word Spirit or (Holy Spirit) mean?

It means: (Holy) Wind or breath.

In order to receive the Baptism of the Holy Ghost you must:

( Obey Jesus,Expect it and Fully Accept it).

John 4:13-15

13 Jesus answered her, All who drink of this water will be thirsty again. 14 But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life.

15 The woman said to Him, Sir, give me this water, so that I may never get thirsty nor have to come [continually all the way] here to draw.

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John 7:38-39

38 He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.

39 But He was speaking here of the Spirit, Whom those who believed (trusted, had faith) in Him were afterward to receive. For the [Holy] Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified (raised to honor).

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John 20:19-22

19 Then on that same first day of the week, when it was evening, though the disciples were behind closed doors for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace to you!

20 So saying, He showed them His hands and His side. And when the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy (delight, exultation, ecstasy, rapture).

21 Then Jesus said to them again, Peace to you! [Just] as the Father has sent Me forth, so I am sending you.

22 And having said this, He ( breathed) on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit! Acts 1:4-8 then( Peter Acts 2:1-8skip to 11-17) Cornelius House Act:44-47 a believer w\out the Holy Ghost

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Do I have to speak in tongues? Vs Do I get to speak tongues?

Four reasons for speaking in tongues:

1)God uses it to control the whole person (James3:8 no man can control…….)

2)For a sign: 1Cor. 14:22 wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not.

3)To speak to God 1Cor14:2 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue speak not unto man, but unto God for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh

mysteries.

4)Edification 1Cor.14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth (builds up) himself. Paul said, I speak in tongues More than you all.