There are many manifestations of the Holy Spirit, and it all depends on God.
Let us to look at the relationship between Christians and the Holy Spirit, so that it will help us to understand the reality in the manifestations of the Holy Spirit.
The promise of the Holy Spirit to God’s children; was made by God in the book of Prophet Joel 3: 28-29 and some Old Testament writings; when God promised to put his spirit on all flesh. (Ezekiel 37:5, Ezekiel 39:29; Zechariah 4:6)
In the New Testament Jesus reaffirmed this promise of the Father to us through the apostles in the Gospel of John, "From the Father, I will send you the Spirit of truth. When this Helper has come from the Father, he will be my witness” John 15:26, John 16:13, John 20:22; Mathieu 10:20; Acts 1;8.
Fifty days after the resurrection of our Lord, the Bible reports that the Holy Spirit came down on the apostles who were all gathered in a room in prayers. (Acts 2:1-11)
From this account of St Luke, we see that the first manifestation of the Holy Spirit was the speaking in foreign languages as a result of the gift of speech. They spoke in languages they never spoke before and all present in Jerusalem at that time could hear them speaking in their various languages. This was also a confirmation of our Lord’s desire to see that the gospel was preached to people of different tribes.
Manifestations of the Holy Spirit are the works of the Holy Spirit through Christians. God uses humans to carryout good deeds for his own glory. It is only when someone is filled with the Holy Spirit that he can carryout good deeds in selflessness. God is spirit and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4 :24)
There are many manifestations of the spirit, but what is important is that the Holy Spirit is our life time companion because Christ himself promised not to leave us orphans but to leave us under His guidance, instruction and direction as our counsellor and advocate. Therefore if we make ourselves ready for the Holy Spirit, He comes and dwell in us and fills us with gifts and through these gifts, there are manifestations. "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, given by God? You belong no longer to yourselves." (1 Corinthians 6,19) "Do not get drunk: wine leads to levity; but be filled with the Holy Spirit."Ephesians 5,18) Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.
The person with the gift of healing will pray and people are healed, the one with the gift of teaching will teach and people will understand God’s message and so on. When one is filled with or inhabit by the Holy Spirit, the person becomes God’s instrument for good purposes just as Jesus filled with the Holy Spirit did good deeds through out the Jewish territory. (Act 10:38)
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a prayer group in the Catholic Church is a group that is devoted to the Holy Spirit. In this group Christians are taught how to develop a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit, and so the Holy Spirit becomes for them a strong spiritual companion. That is why in their prayers, they allow the Holy Spirit to do every thing, He inspires their prayers ("Pray at all times as the Spirit inspires you. Keep watch, together with sustained prayer and supplication for all the holy ones." Ephesians 6,18), He teaches them the word of God through their various teachers; and many other things; all these in respect of the Catholic Doctrine. Charismatic prayers sessions or gathering are centred on the invocation of the Holy Spirit and his works all in Jesus name.
As said above, where there is the Holy Spirit, there are gifts, and these gifts push those possessed by the power of the Holy Spirit to carry out good works since the Holy Spirit is given for good purposes. (1 Corinthians 12:7)
During charismatic prayers, they pray various forms of prayers just like any other group of the Catholic Church. These prayers may be for healing, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, fruit of the womb, deliverance etc.
You will notice that even in Jesus own time, some of the people he delivered from demonic possessions were thrown to the ground by their demons before leaving them. It is the same during charismatic prayers. So you find people falling during charismatic prayers because our Lord is the same, when he comes to deliver people, the demons may throw them on the floor.
There are some who may fall because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. You know God’s spirit is greater for a mortal to bear and when the Holy Spirit comes in you, it takes you to a different level that you may find yourself on the floor without even knowing. (I speak on personal experience)
In conclusion, the Holy Spirit is real and active in our midst. If we make ourselves ready and fertile for Him, he will come in us with his gifts that will permit us to serve God’s people for the glory of God.
May God be praised in our lives through all eternity in Jesus name, Amen.
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