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How do we know that we have experienced the Holy Spirit whom we have received at the time of baptism?

Is speaking in tongues the only evidence of the experience of the Holy Spirit? Does it follow that if one does not speak in tongues, one has not experienced the Holy Spirit?

Nowhere in the New Testament is it indicated that Jesus, or for that matter, Mary, spoke in tongues, and yet it is an undeniable fact that they were certainly filled with the Holy Spirit.

It can be concluded, therefore, that speaking in tongues is only one such evidence of experiencing the Holy Spirit.

So, what other evidence is there that we are truly having a living relationship to the Holy Spirit?

God himself, in the Holy Scripture, has provided seven proofs to highlight our living relationship to the Holy Spirit, emphasized by our turning to the “Paraclete” to satisfy particular needs in our Christian life.

1. We know that we have a living relationship to the Holy Spirit if the Holy Spirit is truly a “Paraclete” for us and we turn to the Holy Spirit first when we are in distress. Jesus loved us so much that he gave us the most precious person he knew to assist us in times of our difficulty, darkness and despair ( Jn 14 : 16 ).

2. We know that we have a living relationship to the Holy Spirit when we turn to the Holy Spirit to grow in our commitment to Jesus Christ. The beginning of our relationship to Jesus is also the work of the Holy Spirit, for it is only through the Holy Spirit that we are able to profess our faith in Jesus as our personal Lord and Saviour ( 1Cor 12 : 3 ).

3. We know that we have a living relationship to the Holy Spirit when we turn to the Holy Spirit to know the Truth, not only the truth in Jesus but also the truth in the world. Spirit-led persons do not condemn as false everything that is not according to their way of thinking, acting and believing, but seek the assistance of the Holy Spirit to test everything and to hold fast to that which is true ( 1Thes 5 : 19 - 22 ).

4.We know that we have a living relationship to the Holy Spirit when we turn to the Holy Spirit to learn how to pray in Jesus’ name. By ourselves, we do not know how to pray in Jesus’ name; mostly we pray in our own name, that is, according to what we think is important. We need to be taught what we must pray for, and the one who teaches us is the Holy Spirit ( Rom 8 : 26 ).

5. We know that we have a living relationship to the Holy Spirit when we turn to the Holy Spirit to guide us in all the decisions of our life. The New Testament contains many references to people who were guided by the Holy Spirit in the practical decisions they had to take in their lives.

6. We know that we have a living relationship to the Holy Spirit when we turn to the Holy Spirit for boldness in witnessing to Jesus in our society. And how much do we need this boldness today! In the face of growing religious and political forces in our society that is hostile to the Christians, we need the boldness of Peter, Stephen and Paul to witness to Jesus - fearlessly, unashamedly and uncompromisingly! Without the Holy Spirit we shall be crushed by the oppressive forces in society!

7. And finally, we know that we have a living relationship to the Holy Spirit when we consciously turn to the Holy Spirit for the charisms that we need for service. Our services will not be fruitful, in any Christian endeavor, unless we are empowered with the necessary charisms of the Holy Spirit. Spirit-led Christians, will therefore, continually ask the Holy Spirit for the necessary charisms for service.

The Apostle Paul teaches us that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, celebrated at Easter, is the foundational truth on which Christian faith, and life is based: “If Christ had not been raised from death, then we have nothing to preach, and you have nothing to believe” ( 1Cor 15:14 ).

But the majority of Christians, sad to say, are satisfied to believe in the truth of our Christian faith, but are not interested as to how this truth is related to their lives.

The majority of Christians go through their dutiful attendance at Sunday service, but do not find any relevance to what they hear at Sunday Eucharist that could be applied to their lives for the rest of the week.

Only an authentic Christian ( may their tribe increase ) understands that salvation is not a simple matter of only confessing with their lips that Jesus is Lord, and believing that God the Father raised Jesus from the dead.

Only an authentic Christian will understand that believing in the resurrection of Jesus is to believe in certain truths that are crucial in our Christian life.

Believing in the resurrection of Jesus is to believe that, no matter what happens to us, God the Father is in full control of our lives, just as he was in full control of Jesus’ life, while he was on earth.

Believing in the resurrection of Jesus is to believe that the forces of life will ultimately prevail over the “culture of death” that surrounds us.

Believing in the resurrection of Jesus encourages us not to be overcome by the evil in this world, but leads us to hope, and this hope strengthens us in our spiritual warfare against the forces of evil: “The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world” ( Jn 16:33 ).

Believing in the resurrection of Jesus is to believe that the fullness of life, which we all seek, will only be gained by resisting and rejecting the present destructive culture of egoism - built on the principles of self-glorification, self-pleasure, self-profit, and self-power: “If anyone wants to come with me,” he told them, “he must forget self, carry his cross, and follow me ….” ( Mk 8:34-37 ).

Believing in the resurrection of Jesus is to believe that death is not the last word in our dreary lives, but a doorway to abundant, everlasting life. Only atheists regard death as the ultimate absurdity. Is it surprising, therefore, that so many give themselves over to a life of pleasure, profit and power? They live for today, enjoying life to the fullest, for they see nothing after death.

If ever we need to strengthen our faith in the resurrection and the significance of the risen Jesus in our lives, it is today. Only our resurrection faith will empower us to withstand the forces of evil in the society we live in, to promote the culture of life, and to emerge victorious no matter what the attacks of the powers of darkness ( 2Cor 4:8-11 ).

Have you ever spent much time thinking about the significance and meaning of life? Are there times when life just doesn’t seem to make sense? Does life often seem purposeless?

Do you sometimes feel like you are floating in the middle of the ocean struggling to keep your head above water? Or at times does your life seem like a three-ring circus that is out-of-control?

Several years ago, a young man we will call Bill ran a poll to discover what it was people most wanted out of life. And the results were rather surprising. The things people most wanted out of life were not money, houses, and cars.

What people most wanted in life were peace, love, and joy. Three things that money cannot buy.

Now, if you are like most people then most likely you are looking for meaning, purpose, peace, joy, and love in your life also. You too probably sense a void deep within that you have not been able to fill no matter how hard you try.

Fortunately for you, the answer is much closer than you thought possible. By now you probably know what…or rather who the answer is. Right?

Before the ‘Answer’ showed up about two thousand years ago, a man arrived on the scene who proclaimed, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

And soon after, the ‘ANSWER’ appeared…bringing the hope that so many desperately struggle to find.

If you need help and hope…simply call upon the NAME that is above every other name both in heaven and on earth…the name of Jesus.

Now, pay close attention to what God (Jesus) says here in His word:

“Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and make your hearts pure, you double-minded.” James 4:8

And…

“When I close up the sky so that it doesn’t rain, or command locusts to devour the land’s vegetation, or send a plague among my people, if my people, who belong to me, humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their sinful practices, then I will respond from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:13-14

Look! It just cannot get any clearer than this. God has already taken the first step toward giving you the peace, love, joy, and everything else you desire to be happy. Only He can fill the void that you sense in your life. Only He can give you the purpose and the meaning you search for in your life.

Do not wait another minute. Seek Him now. He is waiting for you!

God says in His word, “And you will seek me, and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13