How to be Baptized in the Holy Spirit
Reprinted by permission, Dr. Roger Sapp of All Nations Ministries, all rights reserved. https://allnationsmin.org/
Receive the Power of the Holy Spirit
A free eBook to help you study Scripture about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and the spiritual gift of "speaking in tongues."
Christ is the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit
The Church has recognized Jesus Christ in His ministry as Savior. Many have seen and understood Jesus’ role as Lord. More today are discovering Christ as their Baptizer in the Holy Spirit.
John the Baptist revealed this role of Christ by saying:
“I baptize you with water, but He (Jesus Christ) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 1:8)
As John the Baptist baptized by immersion into water, Christ was going to supernaturally baptize His followers by immersion in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
The Greek word for "baptize" means literally "to dip as putting cloth into dye." This is a beautiful picture of the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit." We are dipped by Christ into the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit penetrates us and changes us as dye does a cloth.
Not only does Christ describe this experience as something that He would give His disciples but He says that God, the Father, had promised to give the Holy Spirit as a gift to them.
The Father’s Promise: Power from on High
Christ said He was going to send them what the Father had promised, "the gift of the Holy Spirit." He told the believers that they would receive this special gift from God if they waited within Jerusalem. He said in the last chapter of the Gospel of Luke:
“I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49)
Christ told His followers to stay in Jerusalem until they had been clothed with the "power from on high."
It is apparent from the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles that this spiritual power was going to be received through receiving the gift that God, the Father, had promised. Luke’s Gospel says:
"He (Christ) gave them (His disciples) this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” (Acts 1:4)
The Gift is the Baptism with the Holy Spirit
Luke (who is the author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles) in Acts Chapter 1 is continuing the same thought that the disciples were not to leave Jerusalem until they had received the gift my Father had promised. What was this gift? It is apparent from the next verse that the gift is the "Baptism with the Holy Spirit.
“For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5)
Gift = Baptism in Holy Spirit = Power
So the gift "My Father promised" is to be "baptized with the Holy Spirit." This is the same thing as "being clothed with power from on high." A few verses later in Acts, Luke makes the connection for us again relating the power of the Holy Spirit to the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Spiritual Power to be a Witness
The power to be Christ’s witness will be received when the Holy Spirit comes upon believers. It is now evident why Jesus told the disciples to wait for this experience. They needed to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. The disciples would have been unprepared to be witnesses and to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth without the power of the Holy Spirit.
Five Accounts in the Acts of the Apostles
There are five accounts where believers were "Baptized in the Holy Spirit" described by the New Testament. They are:
#1 Acts Chapter 2: Pentecost - 120 believers receive the Holy Spirit
#2 Acts Chapter 8: The Samaritan believers receive the Holy Spirit
#3 Acts Chapter 9: The Apostle Paul receives the Holy Spirit
#4 Acts Chapter 10: Cornelius and his family receive the Holy Spirit
#5 Acts Chapter 19: The Ephesian disciples receive the Holy Spirit
These accounts of the experiences appear in this e-book in the same order that they appear in the Acts of the Apostles.
Just a few verses after Jesus promised the disciples the baptism in the Holy Spirit the promised power of the Holy Spirit came. The actual time was about 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection for the first of these experiences.
Account #1: Pentecost
In Acts Chapter 2, 120 of Jesus’ disciples were doing what Jesus had commanded. They were waiting for the promise of the Father in Jerusalem when suddenly the Father fulfilled His promise. As Jesus’ disciples were gathered together in prayer, they were all suddenly and powerfully filled with the Holy Spirit. This is the first experience of believers being baptized with the Holy Spirit.
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like a blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:1-4)
They received "the promise of the Father" by being "filled with the Holy Spirit." Those who witnessed this event but were not believers reacted in amazement and confusion even suggesting that the 120 were intoxicated. When they began to "speak in other tongues," the amazing and miraculous nature of this phenomenon confused those unbelievers looking on and they began to react in ignorance.
“Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, ‘What does this mean?’ Some, however, made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine.’ ” (Acts 2:13)
Peter being greatly emboldened by this experience of being "Baptized in the Holy Spirit" interpreted the event properly for them by first reminding them that it was only "nine in the morning" and therefore too early to be drinking. Peter further explained that these events were in fulfillment to what the prophet Joel had predicted about "the last days."
“Now, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.’” (Acts 2:17-18)
Last Days: God Pours Out His Spirit
According to the above verses, the last days began in the First Century and continue to the present. One of the evidences of the last days is that God is "pouring out" His Spirit on the Church.
Many believe that this “outpouring” is occurring in connection to the nearness of the end of the age and the return of the Bridegroom, Christ, for His Bride, the Church. God is "pouring out" His Spirit on the Church to prepare her for the coming of Christ.
The closer to the end of the age that we get, the more we will see the same miraculous phenomena that accompanied the first coming of Christ and the first Christians. The first and last Christians on Earth will have this experience in common.
Jesus Breathed the Spirit on Them
John’s Gospel tells us that the Twelve Apostles already had the Holy Spirit prior to these events at Pentecost. Prior to His Ascension to Heaven, Jesus “breathed” the Holy Spirit upon them.
“And with that He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (John 20:22)
It is clear that this experience is not the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit" since it happened before Pentecost. These same Twelve Apostles were "clothed with power" of the Holy Spirit 50 days later at Pentecost with the rest of the 120 disciples.
All Christians have the Holy Spirit but not the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
It is not a matter of debate whether or not believers have the Holy Spirit before the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Every person who in sincerity repented of their sins and accepted Jesus as his or her Lord has the Holy Spirit but only in a limited way. The Spirit of Jesus Christ - the Holy Spirit - enters a believer's heart at true conversion. They have the first and most important gift of God; salvation (eternal life and forgiveness of sins included).
Nevertheless, most believers in Christ are not baptized in the Holy Spirit at conversion. The Twelve had the Holy Spirit before Pentecost but were not yet "Baptized in the Holy Spirit." The Apostles of Jesus had received the Holy Spirit but now at Pentecost - 50 days later - they were having a new experience of the power of the Holy Spirit.
A Second Gift: “Baptism in the Holy Spirit”
It is evident that what happened to the disciples at Pentecost is a subsequent experience, a second work of grace. As we continue this study, we will see that four of the five experiences in the Acts of the Apostles are clearly two experiences, one of “salvation” and then following, the experience of the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit." Additionally we shall see that "speaking in tongues" is mentioned or implied in some way in these each of the five instances that we will review in this e-book.
Power = Baptized = Gift = Poured Out
We see from all these passages that we have studied previously that there are at least seven different phrases that Luke uses in the Acts of the Apostles to describe the experience of the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit." Luke seems to use these descriptions interchangeably in many passages. Some of these phrases have been already quoted from the previous passages of Scripture used in this work. Some of these will appear in the next four instances of believers receiving the Holy Spirit. These phrases from the Acts of the Apostles are:
-Clothed with power from on high
-Baptize with (or in) the Holy Spirit
-The gift that the Father promised
-The gift of God
-Filled with the Holy Spirit
-Poured out His Spirit
-The Holy Spirit came on them
Account #2 Samaritan Believers
Not too long after Pentecost, a persecution of believers erupted and many of the believers in Jerusalem were scattered throughout the area. The following passage focuses its attention of one of the first deacons and later an Evangelist, Philip.
“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city.”(Acts 8:3-8)
After the persecution connected with the martyrdom of Stephen began, Philip began to preach the gospel with wonderful results in Samaria. His ministry included miracles, healing and casting out demons. Many people believed but the passage focuses on one in particular, an occultist magician named Simon.
“Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, ‘This man is the divine power known as the Great Power.’ They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic.” (Acts 8:8-11)
This passage will say some interesting things about Simon later, but now focuses back on Philip’s ministry.
“But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (Acts 8:12)
We can see after they -the people of Samaria - believed, they were baptized in water. This would include Simon. The Samaritans were Christians at this point in time. They had believed in Christ and were baptized in water. In the next verse, we discover that Simon himself believed, was baptized, and was astonished by the power of Holy Spirit in Philip’s ministry.
“Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.” (Acts 8:13)
A short time later the news of Philip’s successful ministry among the Samaritans reached Jerusalem. The Apostles in Jerusalem sent Peter and John to continue ministry to the newly converted Samaritans.
“When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samara had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 8:14-16)
Peter and John prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit. They were already baptized believers but still had not yet received the Holy Spirit. In fact, some time had passed while the news about the Samaritans had traveled to Jerusalem and the Apostles had subsequently traveled back to Samaria. There was a significant period of time that they were Christians but without the power of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, there are many today - without the power of the Holy Spirit - that are like the Samaritan believers.
The passage continues and then tells us that these Samaritan believers "received the Holy Spirit" when Peter and John laid their hands on them.
“Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:17)
The occultist magician Simon saw Peter and John praying for these believers and was so impressed with what was happening that he offered to purchase from the Apostles the ability to produce this phenomenon.
What Simon saw is not stated in the passage but we must assume that there was some outward evidence of the believers receiving the Holy Spirit that impressed him.
“When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, ‘Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 8:18-19)
Since we will discover that "speaking in tongues" is found in most of the five accounts of people "receiving the Holy Spirit," we can reasonably deduce that "speaking in tongues" is likely what Simon saw that he wanted to purchase.
Of course, he could not purchase this gift of God and Peter rebuked Simon strongly for thinking such a thing.
“Peter answered: ‘May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!’” (Acts 8:20)
Account #3 The Apostle Paul
The conversion of the Apostle Paul to Christ happened on the road to Damascus. The passage that describes what he was doing on that road before his conversion to Christ uses his Hebrew name "Saul."
“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.” (Acts 9:1-2)
As this passage relates, Paul (Saul) was persecuting the Church before his conversion to Christ. God had other plans for Paul (Saul) as the passage indicates.
“As he neared Damascus on his journeys, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied.” (Acts 9:3-5)
It is evident that this revelation of Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus caused Paul’s conversion. At the moment when he stood to his feet, he was a believer in Jesus Christ. The Risen Christ then commanded Paul to go into the city and wait for further instructions.
“‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’ The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.” (Acts 9:6-9)
At the end of the three days of Paul’s fasting and waiting upon the Lord in blindness, we learn that the Lord was speaking to another of his servants -Ananias - and instructing him to go to Paul and pray for him.
“Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 9:17)
Ananias had been instructed by the Risen Christ to pray for Paul to regain his sight and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Three days had passed between Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus and his being filled with the Holy Spirit. Ananias did as the Lord had commanded and prayed for Paul.
“Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.” (Acts 9:18)
In these five events in the Book of Acts, there are three elements. These elements are conversion to Christ, baptism in water and then "Baptism in the Holy Spirit." This is the normal order of events. However, it is not uncommon today to see someone be "Baptized in the Holy Spirit" before they are baptized in water. This was the order of events in Paul's life. He was baptized in water after he was "Baptized in the Holy Spirit."
Did the Apostle Paul speak in tongues? Yes!
The above passage from the Acts of the Apostles says nothing about "speaking in tongues"; however, we know from two texts in First Corinthians that Paul used this spiritual gift and encouraged others to use it as well. Paul writes that he spoke in the tongues -languages - of angels:
“Although I speak with the tongues of men and of angels...”
(1 Corinthians 13:1)
Paul again confirms that he spoke in tongues:
“I thank my God that I speak in tongues more than you all...”
(1 Corinthians 14:18)
While it is not stated in the passage in the Acts of the Apostles that Paul "spoke in tongues" when he received the Holy Spirit, it is a strong possibility since he did have this gift and experience.
Account #4 Cornelius & Family
In chapter 10 of Acts of the Apostles, there is a wonderful story about how God showed favor to a Roman soldier, a Centurion named Cornelius. God sent an angel to Cornelius who told Cornelius to send for the Apostle Peter. Peter was to tell him about Jesus Christ. Peter himself was instructed by a vision to go to Cornelius -despite him being a Gentile. After Peter arrives at Cornelius' home, he proclaims Christ to them. As Peter was still speaking to them, the Holy Spirit was "poured out" on these Gentiles.
“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.” (Acts 10:44-45)
The Jews that had come with Peter were amazed that God had accepted the Gentiles just like He was accepting the Jews by faith in Christ. The Jews knew of God's acceptance of these Gentiles because the "gift of the Holy Spirit" was being "poured out even upon the Gentiles" in the same manner as the Jewish believers at Pentecost had experienced. But how did the Jews - who had come with Peter - know that they had received the Holy Spirit? This passage answers this question with great clarity and simplicity.
“For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God...” (Acts 10:46)
They recognized the same phenomenon that they had received at Pentecost; "speaking in tongues." After recognizing this as the sign that the Gentiles in Cornelius' home had received the same gift of the Spirit that the 120 disciples had received at Pentecost, Peter then recommended baptism in water for them.
“‘Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.’ So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.” (Acts 10:47-48)
This experience with Cornelius and his family is the only one of the five instances that we are relating where conversion and the baptism in the Holy Spirit seem to happen simultaneously. This is the only example of conversion and Baptism in the Holy Spirit happening simultaneously in the Acts of the Apostles.
Some have taught that all receive the Holy Spirit today as a simultaneous experience with conversion. This is not true. This simultaneous experience is an unusual exception for believers today as it was for those in the First Century. The next experience of people receiving the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit" in Acts, Chapter 19 has the same separations of time between conversion, baptism in water, and baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Account #5 The Ephesian Disciples
Paul encountered some interesting disciples at Ephesus during a missionary journey. He asked them an intriguing question: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
“While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ They answered, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 19:1-2)
Paul’s question confirms that it is possible to believe in Jesus Christ without receiving the Holy Spirit. Paul would not ask this question if everyone got everything they needed at conversion. If there was nothing else to expect after conversion, Paul would have never asked this question.
While the passage doesn’t tell us why Paul asked the question; it is possible that he discerned something missing - absent - in these disciples. They replied to Paul that they didn’t know anything about the Holy Spirit. He further inquired of them to determine what their experience was and found out that they were disciples of John the Baptist and are not yet followers of Christ.
“So Paul asked, ‘Then what baptism did you receive?’ ‘John’s baptism,’ they replied. Paul said, ‘John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance.’ He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus. On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:3-5)
After leading them to Christ, Paul baptized them in water in the name of Jesus. Shortly after their water baptism, Paul laid hands on them and the Holy Spirit came on them and they were "Baptized in the Holy Spirit."
“When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.” (Acts 19:6-6)
While the amount of time between their conversion and their receiving the Holy Spirit was small, it was still present. They were converted and baptized in water before they received the Holy Spirit. Also from this passage we see the same phenomena as in some of other passages: They spoke in tongues as a sign that they had received the Holy Spirit.
Summary of the Five Accounts
Of the five accounts of receiving the Holy Spirit that we have studied, we have seen that four are clearly two experiences, one of salvation and a subsequent "receiving the Holy Spirit." Only one of the five experiences is simultaneous with conversion and receiving the Holy Spirit happening together. Baptism in water in some accounts comes before receiving the Holy Spirit. This reveals that the normal experience is to receive the Holy Spirit at some time after accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Speaking in Tongues is the Sign
Of these five events where the Holy Spirit was received, "speaking in tongues" is directly mentioned in three events and is implied in the other two events. When the Holy Spirit comes upon a believer, the normal phenomenon is for that believer to manifests the spiritual gift "speaking in tongues." There should be no doubt that "speaking in tongues" is the obvious and ordinary sign of "the Baptism in the Holy Spirit." This is in accordance with the statement of the Risen Christ near the end of Mark’s Gospel:
“And these signs will accompany those who have believed: in my name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues...” (Mark 16:17)
"Speaking in tongues" will accompany those who have believed according to the Risen Christ. This sign accompanies only those who have believed. It is a sign following believers only. Those who refuse to believe God’s Word concerning the Holy Spirit will not have this sign. However, any believer may receive the empowering "Baptism in the Holy Spirit" and have the sign of "speaking in tongues" if he or she so desires.
What is “Speaking in Tongues”?
Sometimes the archaic English phrase “speaking in tongues” obscures the actual nature of this gift from God. Why modern translators have continued to translate the Greek word in these texts using the archaic and the obsolete King James word “tongues” is not clear. It may be that so many of them have not experienced this gift that they do not know what to do with these passages.
If we use the more modern word “language” that many versions use, then we might say that “speaking in tongues” is “speaking in languages unknown to the speaker.” As we look at the New Testament, “praying in unknown languages” is the real meaning of the phrase "speaking in tongues" It is a supernatural prayer language given by God and understood by Him.
The apostle Paul gives us the best information about this gift in a passage that was written to correct and instruct the Corinthian disciples about the use and misuse of spiritual gifts in Church gatherings. In this passage, we can learn much about this gift. Let us take a look at a single verse that will give us several pieces of information about this gift.
“For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.” (1 Corinthians 14:2)
Speaking in Tongues is Not to Men
We see from the verse that when one "speaks in tongues," he is not speaking to men. The normal manifestation of speaking in tongues is a language unknown by the speaker but known to God and occasionally others. It is not extremely unusual for someone else hearing "speaking in tongues" to understand what is being said (as occurred on the day of Pentecost.) The language is unknown to the speaker but may be known to the hearer. Often the one who knows the language reveals that it was prayer, praise and thanksgiving to God.
Speaking in Tongues: Spoken to God
Again from the verse above, when one "speaks in tongues," he is speaking "to God." This is another way of saying that speaking in tongues is prayer, praise and thanksgiving directed to God.
Speaking in Tongues: Speaking Mysteries
Thirdly, from the same verse when one speaks in tongues, he is "speaking mysteries." The Holy Spirit prays through the believer about things that the believer is unaware. God sees the true need of the believer and therefore "speaking in tongues" becomes a “hotline to God” with the believer praying a prayer inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Speaking in Tongues: Speaking from his spirit
Lastly, from this verse, when one speaks in tongues, he is "speaking from his spirit." The source of "speaking in tongues" is not the human mind but its source is the human spirit empowered by the Holy Spirit. This makes this spiritual gift supernatural and only truly understood through the experience of it.
Speaking in Tongues: Edifies the Believer
A couple of verses later in this passage, Paul tells us more about this gift:
“He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself...” (1 Corinthians 14:4)
From this verse we can add an important fifth truth. When one speaks in tongues, he "edifies himself." To edify simply means to “build up”. In other words, the person who prays to God in this way builds himself up spiritually. As we have already noted, the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit" is related to spiritual power. When one prays in tongues, he recharges himself spiritually with power. He builds himself up and makes himself more effective in service to others.
Speaking in Tongues: Desirable to Believers
This gift is desirable for all believers. In fact, where we see the gift mentioned specifically in the Acts of the Apostles, we see that all the believers received the gift. Paul says in the same 1 Corinthians passage:
“I would like every one of you to speak in tongues ..." (1 Corinthians 14:5)
It is the normative experience for those who receive the Holy Spirit to receive the gift of a “prayer language” that is to be used privately.
There is another manifestation of this gift. At times, this gift can come strongly to the believer with the sense that it should be spoken out aloud publicly in the assembly of believers. When a supernatural language comes that way and spoken publicly, it should be interpreted through another gift of the Holy Spirit; interpretation of tongues.
Confusion between these two manifestations of tongues has prevented many from being sure that God wanted them to have a private prayer language. It is certain that God will give a prayer language to all who come in faith and receive Christ as their Baptizer in the Holy Spirit.
Speaking in Tongues is Prayer
We may discover quite a few more truths from the statement of Paul found a few verses later in First Corinthians, Chapter 14. Paul writes:
“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.” (1 Corinthians 14:14)
From this verse we can say without doubt that "speaking in tongues" is prayer. Additionally we can say - as we did before - that "speaking in tongues" is "my spirit praying." This confirms and reinforces what was stated earlier in this e-book.
Finally from this verse, we note that "speaking in tongues" doesn’t come from our minds. Our minds are "unfruitful." Our mind is uninvolved when we "speak in tongues." The source of "speaking in tongues" is the human spirit energized by the Holy Spirit.
Paul tells us - in the next verse - about how this gift should be used by the individual believer. Paul writes:
“So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.” (1 Corinthians 14:15)
Believers can pray with their minds and also pray with their spirit. In other words, believers should pray naturally and supernaturally. A believer can pray for those needs he understands and also pray supernaturally for needs the Spirit knows about.
Believers will be able to worship God with ordinary singing and with extraordinary supernatural singing in tongues. The believer who uses the gift regularly in worship will be drawn closer to God than he may imagine possible. Of course, the believer who fails to use his prayer language will derive little benefit from having the ability. Daily use will benefit God’s Kingdom greatly by giving God a son or daughter whose faith is being continually strengthened.
Tongues Praise and Thank God
This passage in First Corinthians continues to emphasize that "speaking in tongues" is a powerful way to worship God. It is Holy Spirit inspired praise and thanksgiving. Paul writes:
“If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.” (1 Corinthians 14:16-17)
The context reminds us that in meetings in the Church we should use all the gifts and not just emphasize "speaking in tongues" over the rest. Nevertheless, "speaking in tongues" is often the first spiritual gift that believers manifest and generally should precede all the other spiritual gifts.
The believer using this gift will edify himself or herself in faith so that the other gifts will manifest through them to benefit others in the local church. This is what Paul means when he says that “the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good" in First Corinthians 12:7.
The Apostle Paul Spoke in Tongues
Paul thanked God for this spiritual gift and stated that he used tongues more than the other believers.
“I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.”
(1 Corinthians 14:18)
There are some that teach that Paul is speaking negatively about "speaking in tongues" in this passage. How much clearer can it be that Paul appreciated and used this gift in his own personal prayer life? The context of telling the believers how to properly use this gift in the Church has confused some Christians as to its value. If the great apostle Paul, the writer of approximately half the New Testament, appreciated this spiritual gift, it must have great value.
Tongues Predicted by Isaiah
Additionally, Paul, in this passage about "speaking in tongues," quotes a prophecy from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah about "speaking in tongues." The prophecy says:
“In the Law it is written: ‘Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me,’ says the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 14:21)
What is interesting is the part of this prophecy that Paul doesn’t quote. Looking at the actual prophecy in Isaiah, it says:
“Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to this people, to whom he said, ‘This is the resting place, let the weary rest’; and, ‘This is the place of repose’--but they would not listen.” (Isaiah 28:12)
By quoting this prophecy and applying it to "speaking in tongues," Paul has told his readers that "speaking in tongues" is a place of refreshing, rest and repose for the weary. This is absolutely true of "speaking in tongues."
There have been many who fit the category of "they would not listen" in today’s Church who have substituted their own thoughts or unbelieving theology for God’s word concerning "speaking in tongues" and the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit." They have made people suspicious and afraid of this great blessing from God. They have unwisely told believers that God is not giving this gift today. If they were really wise, they would be encouraging believers as did the Apostle Paul. He wrote:
“...earnestly desire spiritual gifts.” (1 Corinthians 14:1)
For those who are willing to listen to God’s word on this subject, the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit" and the related spiritual gift; "speaking in tongues," is easily received by simple faith in Christ as "Baptizer in the Holy Spirit."
How to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Hopefully, you will want to receive this wonderful spiritual gift and experience from God. Here are some thoughts that have helped some receive.
1. Base your faith on God’s Word.
The Scriptures tell us that all things that are received from God come by faith. This could be problematic if it were not possible to obtain faith. Paul tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by God’s Word (Romans 10:17).
Seriously study God’s Word on the subject of the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit" and you will obtain faith to receive. Concentrate your study on the New Testament. Avoid those who minister fear and unbelief about this blessing.
2. Deal with your fears and ask for the gift.
The Father has nothing bad to give to us. He is our loving Heavenly Father. All good and perfect gifts come from Him. He is unable to give something that would harm us. God is more loving and kind than any earthly parent could be. Christ said:
“If you then, though you are evil, know haw to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13)
Christ makes it clear that we should ask. He does not believe that His followers will receive the Holy Spirit automatically. If you ask the Father for the Holy Spirit, He will give you what you ask. He will not allow a counterfeit or a work of the devil to prevent you from receiving His gracious gift. Fear comes from the devil to prevent you from receiving. Ask your Father for the Holy Spirit baptism.
3. Dismiss doctrines denying the Holy Spirit’s power.
Dismiss all teaching from the past that says that you can’t receive or have already received automatically. Dismiss all teaching from the past that says that the New Testament is not true for today. Dismiss all teaching that says, “God doesn’t do that today.” Dismiss all negative testimonies that produce fear of this experience. Dismiss all reasons not to receive. Dismiss all “bad examples” of those who confess this experience but don’t live it.
4. Seek the Giver not the gift.
Seek the Giver and not the gift and you will get both. You must meet Jesus Christ as your personal "Baptizer in the Holy Spirit." He can do what it takes for you to receive. Focus on Him in faith, neither fearing nor doubting.
5. Persist: Don’t settle for less.
While the vast majority of people receive shortly after they begin seriously seeking the baptism in the Holy Spirit, sometimes a small minority must seek a little longer. (Don't decide before trying to receive that you are in that small minority.) Often there is lingering unbelief, doubts and fears that are getting in the way. God is never the problem. He has already given the gift at Pentecost. You simply must receive the gift. You do not need to convince God about giving you the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. It was His idea from the beginning.
God is never reluctant to give His gifts, but sometimes there are problems in us that we need to deal with. An attitude of persistence and faith will always bring the desired result. The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth and reveal the problem. Don’t ever settle for less than a satisfying experience. Keep asking and you will receive, keep seeking and you will find, keep knocking and the door will be opened!
6. Pray with someone who knows how.
There are millions of Christians who have received the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit" in our day. However, not everyone is skilled in helping others receive. While believers do receive the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit" without other Christians being involved, it is the exception. Most of the time, Christians receive through the laying on of hands of experienced Christians. Normally, such a person can help you if you have questions or difficulties in receiving.
7. Pray and keep praying like this until you receive:
Father in the name of Jesus, I confirm my acceptance of Your Son, Jesus as my Savior and Lord. Father, I now ask for Your promised gift of the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, be my Baptizer in the Holy Spirit. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and give the evidence of speaking in tongues in accordance with Your Word. These things I ask, believing that as I seek You as the Giver, I will receive only Your good and perfect gifts. Amen.
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