Romans 12:3. Tells us God gives everyone a Measure of Faith. We choose to activate it when we repent, confess and accept Jesus as both Lord and Savior.
Then it is up to us to increase, to build up the Faith we have received. We do this by reading the Word, by stepping out in that Faith, sharing the Love and Grace, (Gods unmerited Forgiveness and Favor, Salvation).
James 2:26
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
For Faith is not passive but demands action.
Jude 1:20
King James Version (KJV)
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
Praying in the Holy Ghost or Spirit, that my friend is Praying in Tongues. ..This is where being Filled with the Spirit comes in.
The Lord doesn’t appear to give a measure of the Holy Spirit : He certainly filled Jesus.
John 3:34
King James Version (KJV)
“For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.”
When we receive the Lord we receive the Spirit in Full, someone came up with what we have called the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
I have thought of it this way for over 30 years, the Baptism of the Spirit as a second blessing. An immersion into and of Gods Spirit.
Always hearing those who don’t speak in tongues arguing, if I didn’t have the Holy Spirit, I couldn’t have been saved.
Peter and Paul both asked: “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you’ve believed? “
They then prayed :
Acts 2:4
King James Version (KJV)
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Some point out speaking in tongues is not always mentioned, true; but it is not ruled out either.
Paul encouraged us to be filled with the Spirit :
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