“Ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession…” (Eph. 1:13-14).
Part One
As a youngster seeking the experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit, I was preconditioned by the terminology of finality which accompanied that event.
Whenever a seeker received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and found a fulfilling release in the Lord, he was said to have “prayed through.” The one thing wrong with that statement is the word “through.” The problem is that through also means “finished, done, terminated, ended, all done.”
Being baptized in God’s Spirit is such a meaningful and fulfilling experience that no one should ever stop there. They should go on until they have been empowered by the Lord for service and fully released in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The overflowing or out-flowing of the Holy Spirit is not an end-of-the-line experience. It is not the last stop in a Christian’s spiritual journey. It is really the first step, the beginning of a whole new life in Christ.
After being filled with the Spirit, my prayer life was energized, my witness for the Lord became bolder, my love for God’s Word and His people intensified, my attendance at church became more consistent.
Do not ask a person if he or she has “prayed through” for the Holy Spirit. That term suggests arriving at a terminal position with the Lord. We will always have the desire for more of God. Being filled with His Spirit is just the beginning.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.