What does it mean to have the power of the Holy Spirit come down upon you?
Acts 1:8
ESV - 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Anonymous
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Delores Easthom
God alone knows our heart. He said, He that believeth on me shall have ever lasting life. The only sin that is unforgivable is the sin of blasphemy of the Holy Ghost. That is attributing something that God does, that people attribute to the devil. God is faithful to His promises to those who believe an his sins are as far as the east is from the west, not to be remembered anymore. Strive for perfection. We have ALL sinned and come short of the glory of God. It is by GRACEm ye are saved, and not by works.
But, we are not to use Grace as an excuse to sin.
CYNTHIA WATTS
Ms. Easton, your 2/26/16 statement has me a bit confused regarding the "only sin" that is unforgivable. I was raised in a Southern Baptist Church in the Carolinas. The Preacher, until I was 17, was the only one I had ever known. My parents called him a "Hell Fire and Brimstone Preacher", because I left church every Sunday looking for Satan behind every tree (I was little) ! We were constantly told how "suicide" was the only sin for which we count not "ask forgiveness", nor be forgiven for !
I have truly never received an answer that made sense, more of a "run around", than anything. (I am finding that I am suddenly remembering questions, feelings, and flashbacks on sermons that I haven't felt in 30 years. These oddities are coming out of the blue, but are consuming my thoughts.
I am, and always have been a person that if ever I become fixated on a question, there is no rest until I find an answer or answers that fulfill me. I drive my family crazy. My Blessed Grandmother was born in 1899, and passed in 2004. She was amazing. I gained most of my biblical knowledge from her due to sitting with her for every sermon that I can remember until our Preacher retired, I married and began attending the church that my husband's grandmother attended. I can't remember ever questioning any answer given to me back then.
I was told that suicide was the only sin not to be forgiven! Any thoughts on that ? Please :)
michelle perry
Thank you all and God Bless you for all the answers given to help me to understand better the Holy Word of God, His Holy Spirit and Jesus on a day to day basis.
I am receiving so much from all of you of answers I have been seeking and getting excited again to serve the Lord again. I thought I had been lost to the Holy Spirit when I backslid for a long time, but I have found Him again and am excited to learn all from Him and what He can teach me in all things from God.
He was never lost to me I was lost to Him but found Him again by searching for the truth and God's Holy Word. God bless all of you for help in His Word and the Holy Spirit who gives clarity and understanding each and everyday we seek Him out for guidance!