"Baptism of the Holy Spirit"

THE NECESSITY OF RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT

It is obvious that there are two necessary experiences for entrance into the Kingdom of God: 1. Born of the Water 2. Born of the Spirit

Whereas “born of the water” refers to Water Baptism, “Born of the Spirit” refers to Spirit baptism.

Acts 2:38 KJV 1900

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

SPEAKING IN TONGUES IS THE INITIAL EVIDENCE

John 3:8 KJV 1900

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

The word, “wind” here is “pneuma” in the Greek and means Wind, Spirit, or Breath.

Wind is invisible as the Spirit.

Wind moves as the Spirit.

Wind has a sound as the Spirit

The wind does not actually have a sound; the object that the wind hits produces the sounds i.e. wind blowing against a corner of wall or tree.

The leaves make the sound rustling against it.

There is always a sound accompanied with someone receiving the Holy Spirit. “so is EVERY ONE that is born of the Spirit.”

According to John 3:8, there is always a sound accompanied with the receiving of the Spirit. Let us go to the book of Acts to see.

THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Acts 2:1–4 KJV 1900

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Notice a few things here:

They were ALL filled with the Spirit.

They ALL spoke with tongues (this is the sound after they received the Holy Spirit).

That day over 3000 people received this wonderful experience. After they received the Holy Spirit, Peter gives them the same message that Jesus gave Nicodemus about being born of the water and born of the Spirit.

This experience was not for evangelizing the other nations, because Peter preached to those Jews and proselytes in Hebrew and they all understood. This salvation message was preached in every place after Pentecost.

Acts 8:14–16 KJV 1900

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Notice three things:

When they laid their hands on them, they received the Holy Spirit.

Simon saw a visible expression of them receiving the Holy Spirit.

Joy was not the initial evidence, since they already had joy (vs. 8).

Did the early Church believe in speaking in tongues?

When the early church believers received the Holy Spirit, did they speak in tongues?

IT IS FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN

Joel 2:28 KJV 1900

And it shall come to pass afterward, That I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions:

Acts 2:38–39 KJV 1900

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?

Do you want to receive the Holy Spirit?

Lift up your hands and ask and you can have it!

THE GIFT OF TONGUES

1 Corinthians 12:1 KJV 1900

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.