The Holy Spirit (Part 6)

My post today is probably one of the more controversial parts on the teaching of the Holy Spirit.  I realize that many will agree with me and many will disagree with me on this issue.  I just ask that you look at the scripture with an open heart and spirit.  In dealing with the power of the Holy Spirit I am going to be looking at what the Bible teaches concerning the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.  I want to answer the question "has speaking in tongues been done away with and no longer needed" or "was this experience needed only for the early church in the book of Acts to initially get the church started?"  I want to begin by looking first of all at the promise of the Holy Spirit as given in scripture.

1.  The Promise Of The Baptism In The Holy Spirit

When we look into scripture to see the promise of the baptism of the Holy Spirit there are primarily three sections we want to examine.

• Luke 3:16 -- "John answered, saying unto [them] all, I indeed baptize you with water; but
  
  one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire."  John was convinced that when Jesus came He would baptize the believers with the Holy Ghost and that this would be subsequent to salvation.
• John 14:16-17 -- "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." Jesus knew after He left, that His followers would need another to guide them, comfort them, and lead them.  That Comforter and Guide would be the Holy Spirit.  The distinction Jesus made to the disciples was that "he (the Holy Spirit) dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."  After the Day of Pentecost when the believers were baptized in the Holy Spirit, the Spirit didn't just dwell with them but He now lived in them.
• Acts 1:5, 8 -- "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. ... But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."  Just before Jesus final ascension to the Father, He left them with these words indicating that they would be baptized with the Holy Ghost and would receive power.

2.  The Fulfillment Of The Holy Spirit's Coming

The initial coming of the Holy Spirit is recorded in Acts 2:1-4 and His coming was two-fold.

• He baptized us into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13)
• That we be baptized in Him (the Holy Spirit)

3.  The Baptism In The Holy Spirit Is For Believers Only

The uniqueness of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is that it is for believers only, the world cannot receive this experience (John 14:17).  Until a person is "born again" as Jesus explained to Nicodemus, they can't receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

4.  The Evidence Of Being Baptized In The Holy Spirit

The evidence of being baptized in the Holy Spirit is denoted in Acts 2:4 where the scriptures tell that "they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."  Another occasion while Peter was speaking to a group of Gentiles the Holy Ghost fell on them and they began to speak with other tongues (Acts 10:44-46).

God desires for us to draw closer to Him and be endued with all the power He has.  Even though you receive the Holy Spirit at salvation, never stop praying for God to endue you with the baptism of the Holy Spirit and for the gifts of the Spirit to work and be manifest in your life.

-- Pastor Temple