by Dr. Dean Helland

There are certain biblical steps that must be taken in order to get a ministry that includes the signs following as described in Mark 16:17-18 and 1 Corinthians 12-14.

1) One must live a life that is truly consecrated to God. That means separating oneself from things that the Bible identifies as sinful. Obviously, one must accept the Bible as the trustworthy and entire Word of God.

2) One must be filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2 is a good introduction. This is also amplified in Acts 10 and 11 as well as I Corinthians 12, 13 and 14. One should ask God for the Pentecostal sign of speaking in tongues, and learn to pray often in other tongues, as did the Apostle Paul and the other apostles.

3) One should associate with others who agree with this and seek fellowship with them in fasting and prayer, then reach out in this safe environment to put these spiritual gifts to the test, willing to make mistakes at first.

4) Little by little, one should extend ones efforts and become comfortable with the spiritual gifts, reaching out more and more as the opportunity presents itself. In such circumstances, God will manifest Himself in wonderful, non-threatening ways and a full-blown Holy Spirit ministry will unfold.

5) Seasons of fasting and prayer must be included. Read and practice fasting as described by Jesus in Mark 2:18-20, in Mark 9:28-29 and also Isaiah 58, which describes the fast that God accepts and the results to expect from it. Even here, do all things in moderation, especially the fasting part. And pray with faith, believing! And God will bless your efforts!

The promise to believers in Jesus Christ: "He that believeth in me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye ask any thing in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:12-15