I remember, 37 years ago, a leader of a church, to which I pertained to, with anger tried to convinced us about the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the church by saying, “the virtues of holy spirit were necessary in those times, to confirm the presence of God among men, but today, it’s no longer necessary. “I also remember, the presence of the consistory when he said those word, – the elders, deacons, church’s pastor, and two theology teachers – confirmed to those words and insisted that “believing in Jesus Christ wholeheartedly is more than enough, and there is no need to trouble ourselves with doctrine difficult to understand.”  Our response was the following: “If any man think himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Therefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak in tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order” (1Cor 14:37-40).   In that moment, we used that biblical passage to strengthen our position about the Holy Spirit virtues are needed in the actual church.  We continue to hold this affirmation and God confirms it among us.  But we want that each brother and sister, active member, anyone who’s committed to Jesus Christ, to wish, to desire the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in their lives.   This can potentially guarantee the permanence on the path, and to be predestine and heir of the eternal life along with  promised blessing of our savior Jesus Christ.  We must understand that the Holy Spirit’s virtues are not limited to the gift of tongue, prophesies, or interpretation of prophesies.  The spiritual gifts are much more, such as: the gift science, discernment of spirits, healing, faith, preside, miracles, words of wisdom and more.  Let’s read: “… But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit thereby…  But all of these that one and the selfsame Spirit worketh, apportioning to every man individually as He will” (1Cor.12:4-11).  Observe two important things in these passage: 1) The direct and active participation of the God’s Spirit in the bestowment of His gifts, like those who want and to whom He wants.  This is for the benefit of the church, may it be general or particular and that is why it said to be used as an avail.  God in His sovereignty and wisdom edifies and hold his work around the world.  2) The individual assignment of a gift.  God is not interested in multitudes, naturally he worries about them, but when it comes to bestowments of gifts, God sees the individual.  God emphasizes the individualism in the previous passages by saying “to every man” and” to every man individually”; God does not give away like a piñata to see who gets a gift.  For God, the individuality is important for it will be the vessel of bestowments of gifts, it’s to repeat <<the hypostatic unión>>, like the God’s plenitude in Jesus.  For those whom God’s Holy Spirit is manifested for the purpose of edifying, consoling, and exhorting all those who should be guide in the exercises of these gifts.  To these two affirmation, we concluded that the gifts are NOT given to any man, no matter how anoint they might be, for it is the exclusive right of the almighty God to grant them.  The lord Jesus said to his disciples, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in Heaven give good things to them that ask Him?” (Mtt.7:11).  My beloved brothers and sisters of the faith, we must supplicate with clamor and hearts to be filled with the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, so we can be not only useful to the church but anyone around us.

For that elder man, that scoffed at the manifestation of the Holy Spirit by saying, “many years ago, it was not necessary the manifestation of the Holy Spirit,” is truly an ignorant of the spiritual reality of the church on this planet.  Of course, we need God’s presence in us, because without it, we’re powerless.

Join us in this prayer: “Please hear our petition Oh Lord. Please bestow yourself in each of us, just like you did on the day of Pentecost.  Enter each corner of my life, so I can be useful in your work.  We cry out to You, the only true God.  To our, church give us virtues and gifts.  That the fire of the Holy Spirit consume the sins, wickedness, envies, hatred, and arrogance.  Make us like children, we beg of You.  In the name of our great Savior Jesus Christ.”

Amen.