The subject of the Holy Spirit is highly controversial within Christianity. Some segments emphasize the signs and wonders that come from the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life, including the outward signs of speaking in tongues and their interpretation. They also recognize the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" as a separate event from the Holy Spirit baptizing each believer into the Body of Christ at salvation. This separate baptism is understood as the empowering of the Holy Spirit for service. Much of mainstream Christianity acknowledges only one baptism with many "fillings of the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18) as a byproduct of a daily walk with God by His Spirit.
Spiritual life can only originate from the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (John 3:6). Spiritual life does not come from human effort (the flesh) but only from the leading of the Holy Spirit. Like the wind, the believer allows Him to guide and direct his life, no matter where it takes him. "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8).
According to Romans 8:11, "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead [the Holy Spirit] dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." Life in the Holy Spirit provides the believer with the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit separates the new covenant believer from all others. "Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). Understanding how the Holy Spirit works in the world and in each believer is necessary to find the fullness of what God has ordained to experience His life.
