After my firm commitment to Christ on April 27, 1979, I earnestly began seeking the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the accompanying gift of speaking in unknown tongues. All my private praying, or praying with others, did not bring about this baptism’s evidence.
“Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” (1 Cor. 14)
“Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.” 1 Cor. 14:39)
Streets of Tunis, Tunisia
April 1979
Having grown up in Pentecostal churches, I thought I knew what the baptism of the Holy Spirit was. I had seen every type of human reaction that was associated with this spiritual event: praying or singing in tongues, laughter, dancing, falling over unconscious, jumping, screaming, shouting, running, etc. I always thought people praying in tongues were in a state of ecstasy, wherein they were completely out of control and the Holy Spirit took over all their faculties. My misunderstanding was what was hindering me from being able to release the inner unction of the Spirit of God.
During a Bible study at the small Catholic chapel at the Mayport Naval Station, and during an exorcism of a homosexual man, I unconsciously burst out in tongues. It was as if there was a river gushing out of me.
“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38)
I was only briefly indoctrinated in exorcism and didn’t know how to pray. It was then that the Holy Spirit fulfilled His promise of interceding through me. At that moment the homosexual man was set free, and I had the evidence of the Holy Spirit baptism that I had been seeking.
“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Rom. 8:26-27)
This was a very fascinating time of spiritual growth. Not only was I baptized in the Holy Spirit and learning how to cast demons out of people, I was also learning how to minister to homosexuals. This delivered man was dramatically set free and transformed and he became a good friend. I encountered other homosexuals while in the Navy, but it was through this relationship that I learned how to minister to them.
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