Intro:
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the Old Testament in Isaiah 28:11: “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.” – “Staggering lips” (one man said this seriously). The Bible here is describing the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the initial outward evidence of speaking in tongues. It’s a blessing that many have misunderstood, but Jesus truly wants you to receive the Holy Spirit and enjoy the benefits of walking more closely with God.
I. Speaking in tongues in the New Testament
A. The Book of Acts describes the events of the early church
- 2:4 – the fact
- 10:44 – end – before water baptism
- 19:1-8 – “since you believed”
B. 1 Corinthians 12-14 – separation of gifts of interpretation from prayer language
- These three chapters explain the gifts of the Holy Spirit and their operations in the church
- Chapter 14 thoroughly explains the difference between the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in a church service and a Christian’s personal prayer life
C. John 14-16 explains the Work of the Holy Spirit in your personal life – He is the Comforter
II. Importunity
A. Luke 11:8 “I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.”
B. Luke 11:13 “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”
C. People use the phrase “Tarry for the promise”; or wait for the Holy Ghost to be given, but he has already been given, and we can pray and receive
III. One must be born again of the Spirit of God first
A. Ephesians 1:12-14 “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
B. John 14:17 “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.”
IV. Jesus Promised
A. Acts 1:4-5 “And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”
B. Acts 1:7-8 “And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 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.”
C. Mark 16:15-18 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
Conclusion:
Don’t be afraid of the Holy Ghost. Jesus promised this blessing and fulfilled His promise with power. He will help in all areas of life from reading the Bible (because the Author lives inside), to self-control, to witnessing and sharing the Gospel with others. There is so much more! Matthew 3:11 “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire…”
