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sbm SusanBottgerMinistries |
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Reverend Susan Bottger Over the years, I have had many unexpected opportunities to share on the subject of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. When discussing this topic with others, I believe it is helpful and necessary to share biblical references, as well as my own experience. Have you ever found yourself in a situation when you wanted to share a scripture with someone, but you weren’t able to find it quickly? Worse yet, you couldn’t find it at all! I’m sure we’ve all gone through that. Paul says to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.” I am frequently asked questions about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and I always want to be ready for moments like these, so I have created a biblical reference trail on this subject. A biblical reference trail simply consists of scriptures that will lead you to other scriptures related to the same topic. It gives easy access to scriptures that are important when sharing with others who are seeking a deeper knowledge and understanding of this subject. By forming a reference trail in my bible, I am ready for those unexpected conversations with key scriptures at my fingertips. In the “how to steps” that follows, you will find the scriptures I have selected for my biblical reference trail on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I feel the selected verses will help answer many of the questions you may be asked on this subject and open the door for you to ask others if they too want to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. By following the “how to steps”, you can create your own biblical reference trail. I know you will find this technique beneficial when you find yourself in similar situations. How To Form a Biblical Reference Trail On The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit Forming a reference trail is easy to do. I have listed the necessary steps for you to form a reference trail on The Baptism of the Holy Spirit in your bible. You can use these same steps to form a reference trail on any subject. A. First, research as many scriptures as you can that are related to the topic you want to reference. This allows scripture to interpret scripture. Precept must be upon precept, line upon line. Is 28:10 B. Next, select the scriptures from your research that are the clearest and most directly related to your subject. These are the scriptures you will use to form your reference trail. Here are the
scripture references I have selected for our topic. You can use the same ones or
create your own. C. Choose one scripture that will be your starting scripture. You will need to remember this scripture. Our starting scripture is Joel 2:28. D. In the bible margin, next to Joel 2:28, you’ll write “Begin trail” and the scripture reference you will go next. In this case, you would write Matthew 3:11. E. Next, turn in your bible to your second scripture reference (Matthew 3:11). From this point on, you may choose to list both the previous scripture reference and your next scripture reference in the bible margin. For example, beside Matthew 3:11 you would also write Joel 2:28-29 (the previous scripture reference) and Matthew 3:16 (your next scripture reference). F. Continue doing this with the rest of the references. G. When you come to the last verse (Titus 3:3-6), in the margin next to that verse, write “End trail”. This marks the end of your reference trail. You have now completed your biblical reference trail on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Try forming other biblical reference trails on subjects that come up frequently in conversations with others or are needed for quick reference. These are the Scriptures we used in The Baptism of the Holy Spirit Reference Trail Joel 2:28-29 And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. Matthew 3:11 "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Matthew 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. Luke 3:16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” John 1:32-33 Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, `The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. John 3:5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.” Acts 1:5 “For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:38-39 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, 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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call." Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Acts 8:14-17When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 9:17-18 Then, Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord-Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here-has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Acts 10:44-48 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 Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. Acts 19:1-6 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied. Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Titus 3:4-6 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior
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