THE BAPTISM IN HOLY SPIRIT WITH THE GIFT OF SPEAKING IN OTHER TONGUES

1) Jesus Is The Baptizer – John the Baptist gave this message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 1:7-8).

All four Gospels emphasize the truth that Jesus has come to baptize people with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8 Luke 3:16; John 1:33). Therefore, we must preach this message and frequently present Christ in this role of ministry. We must proclaim Jesus as the Holy Spirit baptizer and let Jesus stand among us to do His work.

2) The Promised Empowering – “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). “Wait for the gift my Father promised, which you heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:4-5).

The baptism with the Holy Spirit is likened to being clothed with the power of Heaven. Jesus told believers, who already had the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, to wait until they were baptized with the Holy Spirit. There is a difference between the indwelling of the Spirit, when one is born again, and the anointing for ministry, when one is baptized by Jesus with power from on high. We are called to walk in God’s power by receiving the Holy Spirit baptism.

3) Power To Be A Witness For Jesus – “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).

There is a spiritual battle for the salvation of lost souls and if we are going to breakthrough in evangelism we need this power. When the apostle Paul went to preach the gospel he said that the gospel came to them not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction (1 Thessalonians 1:5).

4) The Coming Of The Holy Spirit – ‘When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the 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).

I want to emphasize the point that on the day of Pentecost, ‘All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues.’ All of them spoke in tongues that day. We can have this kind of outpouring of the Spirit today. All believers should lay hold of God.

5) Jesus Pours Out The Holy Spirit – ‘Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear’ (Acts 2:33). Jesus, at the throne of God, is at work bringing revival and reformation through the outpouring of God’s Spirit. We have to see that Jesus is exalted, filled with power and glory, baptizing people with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

6) This Promise Is For You – ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.…’ (Acts 2:17-18).

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:38-39).

The baptism with the Holy Spirit is for every person who is called to follow the Lord. As you are faithful in following Jesus you can have great faith that God will bless and anoint your children.

7) Receive The Holy Spirit – ‘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. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit’ (Acts 8:15-17).

‘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?” (Acts 19:1-2).

Once a person has received Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, they then need to be taken a step further to receive the Holy Spirit. Those who are baptized in the Holy Spirit find a greater release in their spiritual life, and a wonderful openness and fresh excitement in their relationship with the Lord.

8) The Gift Of Tongues – ‘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. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have” (Acts 10:44-47).

The believers recognized that these people had received the gift of the Holy Spirit just as they had, when they heard them speaking in unknown languages. Speaking in tongues was a sign that these people had received the Holy Spirit baptism.

The Bible says, ‘When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied’ (Acts 19:6). This is a very real experience when the Holy Spirit comes upon people. The gift of tongues is a part of God’s wonderful work.

9) Giving A Message Through Tongues And Interpretation – ‘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... He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself... I would like every one of you to speak in tongues…

He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified... For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says’ (1 Corinthians 14:2-5,13).

One way that God wants to speak to His people is through a message in tongues, which is then interpreted by the Spirit of God and delivered by the person who has that spiritual gift. All who speak in tongues should pray for this gift of interpretation. This is another way for people to hear the voice of God.

10) Praying In Tongues – ‘If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 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…. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you’ (1 Corinthians 14:14-15,18).

There is a difference between praying in tongues, which is between you and God alone, and giving a message of prophecy in tongues, which needs an interpretation otherwise no one will understand it. The Bible says, ‘Pray in the Spirit on all occasions’ (Ephesians 6:18).

RECEIVE THE GIFT

We have to believe in Jesus in order to be saved. Likewise we can believe to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and receive the gift of speaking in other tongues. Salvation is a gift from God and so is the baptism with the Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:2,5,14).

“Lord Jesus Christ, I ask You to fill me with the Holy Spirit. I acknowledge that this promise is for me because You have called me to serve You. I believe that You are the One who baptizes me, so I open my heart to receive the power of Your Spirit.

I receive the infilling and the baptism of the Holy Spirit by faith. I ask for the gift of speaking in other tongues, and for any other spiritual gift You desire to give. All praise, thanks, glory and honour to Your holy name. Amen.”