What is the immediate sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit? As per the Lord’s statement (Acts 1:8), the person filled with the Spirit will straightway start witnessing for Him with the power received. Peter, Paul and others are evidence. Both spoke boldly in the native language to affirm that Jesus is the Christ.

The receiving of the Holy Spirit brings with it an added responsibility – preaching of the word towards repentance and forgiveness of sins. With the anointment of the Spirit upon Him, the first thing mentioned of Jesus is that He preached the gospel. If we fail to evangelise, the sins of men remain unforgiven (John 20:23); we close the gates of heaven for many and detain those who have not heard the gospel of deliverance in chains of sin.

Believers are baptized by the Holy Spirit when He comes to abide in us; then, we will receive power to be the Lord’s witnesses, beginning from our neighbourhood even unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:4-8). We are epistles of Christ written by the Spirit and written in the hearts, much undestroyable than those written on stone. (2 Cor 2:3). We will receive boldness / courage and utterance (exact words) to witness (Acts 2:14; 4:8, 13, 29, 31) and deliver a spontaneous, not necessarily premeditated, message in a native language of the hearers (Mark 13:11; Acts 7:2-53; 8:35; 13:16-41; 14:14-17; 15:7-11; 15:13-21; 17:22-31; 21:18-34; 28:2-29; 28:23, 26-28; 1 Pet 1:12), always based on the scriptures.

The Holy Spirit will not let believers keep our gospel message to ourselves; We will always keep looking for the first opportunity (be instant) to share the gospel with others. (Acts 17:16, 17; 18:5) whether the situation is conducive or not, in season, out of season (2 Tim 4:2); And, the gospel message that we deliver will not only be in word but also in power and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance. (1 Thes 1:5). The Spirit will also help keep (secure) the gospel and the apostolic doctrines in us so that we will not turn away from them. (2 Tim 1:14).

Peter might have spoken in another foreign language on the day of Pentecost, fifty days after the resurrection of our Lord. But, he spoke loudly in a native tongue (Hebrew, Greek or Aramaic) to the crowd. (Acts 2:14, 15). It is not mentioned that the three thousand who were baptized (in water, as per the context) and added to the church spoke in other languages. The rider on the white horse (Rev 6:2), the evangelist who carries the gospel, has a bow ready, but the Spirit will supply the arrows as the situation requires. (Luke 12:11, 12).

What is lasting evidence of the fullness of the Holy Spirit? The tree is known by his fruit (Matt 12:33). The fruit reveals what spirit is inside. The Holy Spirit produces good fruit (Matt 7:17, 18). The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith (faithfulness / loyalty), meekness, temperance. (Gal 5:22, 23). The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5).
As per 1 Cor 13;10, the fullness of the Holy Spirit will be evident through the godly love that God has abundantly poured in the heart of the believer. As knowledge, prophecy and tongues (for the purpose of instruction and edification of the church) fades off, love, which is perfect, takes over; we will leave behind these less perfect / partial things as evidence; we keep maturing from a spiritual baby to a man (full stature of Jesus Christ). We think, understand and speak as a spiritually grownup person, leaving behind childish things (tongues, knowledge, prophecy (and other gifts?). Children look for gifts; grownups, lasting love.

Love suffers long (waits) and is kind (forgives); love does not envy (is content, not lusting after another’s beauty or property); love does not vaunt (flaunt) itself (not proud), is not puffed up (no hype), does not behave itself unseemly (misbehave), seeks not her own (unselfish), is not easily provoked (does not lose temper), thinks no evil (for others); rejoices not in iniquity (unrighteousness), but rejoices in the truth; bears all things (even pains and loses), believes all things (does not doubt), hopes all things (looks forward to better days), endures all things (even disappointments). Love never fails (lets you down) 1Cor 13:4-7.

Love is charity – always giving, and this, without expectation of receiving anything in return. God gave His only begotten Son and has given us His Spirit. Jesus gave His life and Himself for the Church. We need to give ourselves to Him and to His body of believers who are bought with the same precious blood.

The kingdom of God is joy in the Holy Ghost along with peace and righteousness. (Rom 14:17). This joy remains in us even amidst much affliction! (1 Thes 1:6). Peace remains amidst pain! Righteous deeds remain in the midst of an unruly generation! A person full of the good Holy Spirit does not produce bad fruit!

Even Elizabeth, who brought forth John the Baptist, filled with the Holy Ghost, expressed her joy and praised God on meeting virgin Mary who had by that time conceived the Saviour in her womb miraculously. (Luke 1:41-45). Incidentally, John had been filled with the Holy Ghost even while he was in the womb of Elizabeth and leapt for joy during that visit of Mary. (John was not conceived by the Holy Ghost; he was born to Zacharia).

The fullness of the Holy Spirit will make us humble; we will identify ourselves with our hearers (Acts 10:26; 14:15). Also, we will submit ourselves to elders to remain accountable (Acts 15:2).

A person full of the Holy Spirit will not show social discrimination in terms of education, race, caste, language or skin colour (Acts 10:28). We won’t undermine/humiliate others.

A person full of the Holy Spirit will not observe days, months, times and years – won’t be superstitious. (Gal 4:10; Col 2:16-23).

The fullness of the Holy Spirit might enable a believer to prophecy future events (Acts 11:28). However, the message will be a warning for the Church so that believers can prepare ourselves for the inevitable. Both the prophecies of Agabus, a New Testament prophet concerned the Church.

The first was to warn about an impending famine worldwide. The churches that could afford (and also who could not afford – like the Philippian church) collected money and sent it to those who were severely affected.

The second was to warn that Paul, a man of God and an apostle in the Church, was putting himself in danger of death because he was zealous for his own people, the Jews (Rom 9:3). Despite the Church’s warning, he went ahead with his plan and had to reap the consequences of not heeding to the voice of the Holy Spirit (1 Thes 5:20). (Paul was trying to build that which he destroyed (the law that led to death) which was a transgression as per his own writing (Gal 2:18); while this ‘disobedience’ was not the perfect will of God (Rom 12:2), still, the omniscient God Who knows the end from the beginning, factored in this episode too in His plan to fulfil His purpose – as He did in the case of Adam and Eve, Abraham and Hagar, Judah and Thamar, Pharaoh of Moses’ time, Balaam, Samson, David and Bathsheba, Solomon, Haman…

Believers might (seem to!) glorify God on hearing some testimonies, but the very same believers, sounding like the Holy Spirit, might create a snare for a minister of God to fall (Acts 22:23; Gal 2:13). Here is where the discerning of the Spirit comes into action, the gift which Paul failed to use. (Jesus did this when Peter first acknowledged that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God (Matt 16:16) and in the same conversation, after a few moments, became the spokesperson of Satan (Matt 16:23)). Thus, many a man of God have been made proud godmen leading to their fall! Even today there are many Jewish ‘Christian prophets’ that mislead believers with their utterances, dreams and visions!

The Holy Spirit will warn the believer of impending danger (Acts 20:23), especially when one refuses to heed to His direction. (Acts 21:4, 11). He might warn again but might stop this prompting thereafter.
The Holy Spirit will urge believers to help other believers in need with money / material (Acts 4:34, 35; 11:29, 30; 2 Cor 8:3).

The Holy Spirit will lead the church to fervently pray (without ceasing) for other ministers / believers in trouble or in chains (Act 12:5).

The fulness of the Holy Spirit will lead to improved awareness (alertness), not impaired judgement (as in the case of a person who is drunk with wine). (Eph 5:18). We will see better (beyond the obvious), hear better (the voice of God or the intents of the heart of man beyond the audible words), speak better (meaningful, relevant, Spirit-inspired messages) and think soberly (not prejudiced or in a worldly manner).

People filled with the Spirit will speak to the other believers (instruct or exhort one another as per the Tamil bible); we will keep singing and making melody in our heart to the Lord in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs; we will always be giving thanks for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; we will submit ourselves one to another in the fear of God. We will remain accountable to each other. We will not make arbitrary decisions without consulting other believers in a church atmosphere. (Eph 5:19-21; Col 3:16, 17). Even in family or personal matters, we will come to believers for counsel.

The Holy Spirit can also take a believer through supernatural real experiences (Acts 12:6-11; 2 Cor 12:1-5). But they will never hype or boast of such experiences to receive a ‘wow’ from the hearers but play them down. Paul said ‘I do not know’; twice.

The Holy Spirit enables the believer to discern the kind of spirit or faith another person has (Acts 13:9; 14:9; Gal 2:14). This is all the more needed today because many take His name falsely.

The Spirit will enable disciples to identify spirit-filled individuals and appoint them for ministry (Acts 14:23; 20:28) as elders, overseers, deacons and deaconesses to tend the church.

The Holy Spirit will enable believers to sing praises amidst trials and pain (Acts 16:25). The unspeakable joy inside remains unaffected by external factors. And it is contagious!

The Holy Spirit can, through a believer, prevent one from committing suicide (Acts 16:27) or impending danger (shipwreck?) and save the soul (and the whole family). (Believer, are you looking for such opportunities to save souls and lives?)

The fullness of the Holy Spirit might give the believer vision of heaven and of the Lord there (Acts 7:56) or a vision of light with just the voice of the Lord (Acts 10:10-19). Not the norm!
The fullness of the Holy Spirit might also transform one’s facial appearance to that of an angel’s (Acts 6:15). Exceptional.

A person full of the holy Spirit is not double-tongued. He does not speak something once and something else contradictory to the first later. (2 Cor 1:17-19). He says yes as yes and no as no – no ambiguity. And He does not adopt or apply double-standards – a strict one for others and another opposite, modified or diluted one for self (and the family!)

A person filled with the Holy Spirit might disapprove and gently rebuke a believer when the believer tends to practise malice or hypocrisy or a show of godliness but denies the power thereof (Gal 2:14).

A person full of the Holy Spirit might at times feel desperate or restive in his own spirit; he will be comforted by the Lord at such times (through other believers) as he continuously seeks for the fullness. (2 Cor 2:13; 7:6).

A person filled with the Holy Ghost might still be buffeted in the flesh by a thorn through a messenger of Satan (and it might not be removed by the Lord; He will however supply enough grace to bear the pain in the body) (2 Cor 12:7; Gal 4:14). This might be because, the Lord does not want His servant to boast or exalt oneself beyond measure.

A Spirit filled person will live in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit, and be led by the Spirit of God. (Gal 5:16-18, 25) – total direction and control.

A Spirit filled believer will not seek vain glory, approval or honour from men (Gal 5:26; 2 Cor 3:1). He keeps pleasing God in all endeavours.

A Spirit filled believer will strive to restore a faulty believer in a spirit of meekness (Gal 6:1), not authoritatively or judgmentally.

A spirit filled servant of God might ask for financial assistance, never for himself or his ministry (2 Cor 12:14, 17), but for the sake of those believers who are suffering persecution and poverty. (2 Cor 9, 10). Again, he would not want to receive special offerings (1 Cor 16:2) or receive it for himself. He is desperate for their souls, not their stuff.

The Holy Ghost, as one Spirit, brings communion among the believers – unites them in spirit and heart. (2 Cor 13:14; Eph 4:3). He does not bring division or does not encourage politics inside the church. (1 Cor 1:12). The believer does not head a lobby to achieve his ends.

The gifts of the Spirit are the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, the gifts of healing, the working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, diverse kinds of tongues, the interpretation of tongues – all of these reveal His acts (function) through the believer. The Holy Spirit distributes these gifts to every man severally as He will. (1Cor 12:8-11; Heb 2:4). There is no single gift that everyone receives. Not everyone receives the gift of healing; not everyone receives the gift of speaking in tongues (for instruction); not everyone receives the gift of interpreting tongues. (1 Cor 12:30).

However, one might receive one or more of these gifts depending on the situation and need. We see several of these gifts operational in Paul – he spoke word of wisdom and word of knowledge (while preaching and teaching), he healed the sick (Acts 19:12) (and raised a dead young man (Acts 20:12)), he worked miracles (he made a cripple walk (Acts 14:10)), he prophesied (Acts 13:1), he discerned the spirits (Acts 13:10; Gal 2:14) and if he had spoken in tongues publicly (1 Cor 14:18); he must have had a believer who could interpret all the time (1 Cor 1428). (Paul spoke in Greek to the gentiles (Acts 17:22; 21:37) and Hebrew to the Jews most times). All these were done by the Holy Spirit through Paul, an ordinary man who had given himself entirely to the cause of God.

The gift of prophesying is the best of all. (1 Cor 12:31; 1 Cor 14:1). This also includes ‘giving a message’ in today’s terminology. It is not soothsaying. Apostle Paul encourages believers to seek for this gift over tongues or any other gift; he also gives a valid reason for this: A person with this gift can edify, exhort and comfort the church – useful for many (1 Cor 14:3, 4). Even while prophesying (or preaching), one, two or, at the most three can prophesy, one after another. And, others must judge. If anything is revealed to another person, the first should keep silent allowing the other person to take over. Thus, all can prophesy (though not in the same session), one by one so that all may learn, and all may be comforted. (1 Cor 14:29-31).

The Holy Spirit can give utterance – ability to speak – in other tongues / languages too than one’s own as if they are speaking a native language; the hearers can understand that speech; it could be to give a message to the hearers (Acts 2:8-11) or magnify God (Acts 10:46) or prophecy (Acts 19:6). However, not all speak in tongues (1 Cor 12:30). Also, the gift of interpretation of tongues is a twain of the gift of speaking in tongues. So, the gift of speaking in tongues is demonstrated in public always with an interpreter. (1 Cor 12:28). This helps in discerning the Spirit by the fellow-believers who might not understand the language. One, two or at the most three can speak in tongues in a church session. However, if there is no interpreter of tongues, the person should keep silent in the church. (1 Cor 14:28). The gift of tongues is a sign for the unbelievers (to bring the hearers to repentance by exposing their sinful state in their own language (1 Cor 14:25)) unlike the gift of prophesying which is for the believers. (1 Cor 14:22). The gift of speaking in tongues is for edification of the speaker only – giving him assurance that the Holy Spirit is indeed filling him or exhorting him of any impending unconfessed sin in his own life or in others.

Also, no woman must speak – in tongues, interpret, prophesy, teach or preach (word of wisdom or knowledge) – in a church. (1 Cor 14:34). (The New Testament is not ‘culturally conditioned’. It holds good for every culture, language, and nation throughout the New Testament times). All things need to be done decently and in order. (1 Cor 14:40).

There are other signs of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit: visions and dreams, and salvation to the hearers (Acts 2:17, 21; The book of Revelation to John).

The Spirit also brings about unity in heart and soul of the believers that gather together; they have one spirit and one mind (Acts 4:32; Phi 2:1, 2). This might also result in pooling of material wealth for the common good of all believers (Acts 4:34-37). The absence of the fullness will lead to divisions in the Church, envy, pride, strife (and more sinful activities), confusion and chaos (as in the church at Corinth).
No ordinary man knows where the person born again by the spirit comes from or goes to. (Jn 3:8; 8:14; Acts 8:30, 39).

The Holy Spirit can lead one to a place where the person can be tempted by the devil (Matt 3:1). He will also bring to remembrance the right scripture to confront the devil, defeat him and drive him away (Matt 3:4, 7, 10); The Holy Spirit will help in using the word of God to slay the enemy (Eph 6:17). He will, alternately, lead a person to a place where one can see the Saviour (Luke 2:27) or to a place of ministry (Luke 4:14).

The Holy Spirit directs believers in the ministry, reveals His will, and sends them on special assignments (Acts13:2-4). In fact, John the Baptist was such a person who was filled with the Spirit even from his mother’s womb ‘to make ready a people for the Lord’. (Luke 1:15). Apostles of the Lord were sent to places far and wide to establish churches, evangelise and exhort believers.

Though the Holy Spirit can enable believers to write epistles or books to reveal the purpose and will of God (Acts 15:29) for edification or witnessing, extra-biblical books are not ‘inspired’. A few such books instil fear (not godly) in the readers when they read about dire consequences if ‘left behind’ in the rapture. To escape the calamity on ‘planet earth’, readers enroll in church.

The Holy Spirit will also at times forbid believers from preaching the word of God at some places (Acts 16:6) or travelling to some places (Acts 16:7) redirecting them to another God-ordained place (Acts 16:8).

Even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption. the Spirit itself (Himself, as per the Tamil Bible) makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Rom 8:23, 26).

This might be true when some believers stutter, (like Paul, during private prayer / solemn moments / tense situations), as they are unable to speak out the heart that desires a lot more of God and His will (mysteries!) (1 Cor 14:2, 14), but no words come out. It is an unknown tongue / unutterable language; and, since this happens between the believer and God, it edifies the believer. None, including the speaker, can understand the groanings. However, this sadly continues as an open display today which unbelievers mock at as madness (1 Cor 14:23); they can’t understand anything at all as this is not a language in vogue, native or otherwise. This public practise becomes a reason for the unbeliever blaspheming and making fun of our awesome God. Paul strictly instructs the church to refrain from such practice (1 Cor 14:28). A public exercise of speaking in tongues for the purpose of instruction must always be accompanied by an interpretation. And, such a practise for the edification of the church has ceased (1Cor 13:8) with the availability of the word of God in our hands in various printed and electronic media.