| What is meant by "Baptism of the Holy Ghost? Acts 1:4-5, "And, being assembled together with them, (Jesus) 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. (v.5) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. The Baptism of the Holy Ghost is the infilling (overflowing or compete immersion) of the Spirit of God. This is a separate experience from repentance and water baptism, but equally as important. The Baptism of the Holy Ghost has certain signs that always accompany the experience. They are referred to as the initial evidence. Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. Does everyone that accepts Jesus have the Holy Ghost? Acts 1:4-5, "And, being assembled together with them, (Jesus) 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. (v.5) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. The above mentioned people who had been instructed to tarry at Jerusalem until they were baptized with the Holy Ghost were Christ's disciples and devoted followers including Mary, the mother of Jesus. Acts 8:12-16 records these important facts "But when they believed Philip preaching concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women. (v.13) Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip and wondered, beholding the miracle and signs which were done. (v.14) Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them peter and John: (v.15) who, when they were come down, prayed form them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (v.16) (for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) The above verses show clearly that the Samaritan converts were believers and were baptized in the name of Jesus but had not received the Holy Ghost until the apostles at Jerusalem came down and laid their hands upon them. Also in Acts 19:2, Paul asked the disciples of John "… Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" Thus showing that you could be a believer and not have the Holy Ghost. Who may receive the Holy Ghost Acts 2:38-39, "ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (v. 39) 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." There should be no doubt; everyone who accepts Christ can have the Holy Ghost. What about Tongues? Speaking in tongues is a subject of great interest to almost every denomination. Its rise in popularity has given way to greater acceptance, and in some cases, harsh criticism. It is believed by some to be demon inspired and divisive. By others, it is believe to be a lovely prayer language which can be exercised at will. Speaking in tongues, to say the least, is greatly misunderstood. We find prophecy concerning tongues in Isaiah 28:11, "For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people." God chose man's untamable member to use as the instrument by which to manifest the initial sign of His infilling with the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:4 gives this account, "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." While Acts 8:17 records they received the Holy Ghost without making mention of whether or not they spoke with tongues, Acts 10:44-46 presents this strong affirmation of evidential tongues speaking. "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. (v.45) And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the holy Ghost. (v.46) For they hard them speak with tongues, and magnify God…" The term "for they heard them speak with tongues" certainly indicates that his is the evidence by which they knew they had received the Holy Ghost. Acts 19:6, "And when Paul had laid his hands upon them and the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongue, and prophesied." Doesn't the Bible warn about Tongues? Speaking in tongues is a subject of great interest to almost every denomination. Its rise in popularity has given way to greater acceptance, and in some cases, harsh criticism. It is believed by some to be demon inspired and divisive. By others, it is believe to be a lovely prayer language which can be exercised at will. Speaking in tongues, to say the least, is greatly misunderstood. We find prophecy concerning tongues in Isaiah 28:11, "For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people." God chose man's untamable member to use as the instrument by which to manifest the initial sign of His infilling with the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:4 gives this account, "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." While Acts 8:17 records they received the Holy Ghost without making mention of whether or not they spoke with tongues, Acts 10:44-46 presents this strong affirmation of evidential tongues speaking. "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. (v.45) And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the holy Ghost. (v.46) For they hard them speak with tongues, and magnify God…" The term "for they heard them speak with tongues" certainly indicates that his is the evidence by which they knew they had received the Holy Ghost. Acts 19:6, "And when Paul had laid his hands upon them and the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongue, and prophesied." The Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthian church in I Corinthians 12:1 says, "now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant." The ignorance of which he speaks has to do with the availability as well as the proper administration of the gifts. Tongues, as well as other good gifts of God, have been misused and abused. The Apostle Paul in I Corinthians, Chapter 12, very clearly describes the "nine spiritual gifts." In Chapter 13, Paul's discourse on charity has no equal in the annals of literature. In Chapter 14, he is dealing mainly with the misuse of spiritual gifts. Verse 19 of I Corinthians 14, the most quoted by those opposing tongues, says, "Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue." If one reads verse 18 in which Paul says, "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all", it is easily understood he is not speaking against tongues. As a matter of fact, in verse 39 he gives this admonition, "Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues." In Chapter 14, v. 31, Paul is teaching the people to prophesy one at a time. Dealing with divine discernment in verse 30, he says, "If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace." Paul was no more condemning tongues than he was condemning prophecy, charity, or any other gift. He was simply putting every gift in perspective. Concerning tongues, also in Chapter 14, he said, (v. 2) "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God…" Surely we could not condemn anyone for speaking to God. The next negative argument is that tongues are of less importance than prophecy. Verse 5 is used to substantiate this contention. Let us allow the word of God the liberty of self-analysis. (v. 5) "I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied:" (please not the colon punctuation, indicating do not stop reading; this is an incomplete sentence. So, let us continue.) "for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret…" Tongues without interpretation equals less than prophesy; tongues with interpretation equals prophecy. This verse presents a problem for those who contend that tongues were only to enable the early church to preach in foreign languages as a missionary mode. If something must be interpreted, it is not being understood by those to whom it is being interpreted. There are two distinct types of tongues in the Bible. One is the evidential tongues, which is spoken when one receives the baptism of the Holy Ghost. This tongue may be a language foreign to the person speaking but could be understood by others native to that dialect. Such was the case on the Day of Pentecost when men of every nation heard the 120 Jews speak in the native language of every person present. This phenomenal manifestation has led many to believe that this experience was for the purpose of evangelizing foreign countries. However, the Bible does not record any such use of this gift for this purpose. The next type of tongues the Bible teaches is a tongue of edification; no man understands this tongue. 1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. This tongues, if spoken openly in a church service, must be interpreted. If there is no interpret after such a message is given, the person is instructed to keep silent and to speak to himself and to God. This means not to dominate a service with un-interpreted messages. This seems to have been the problem in the Corinthian church. People were postulating an exalted position on the strength of being able to speak an unintelligible language. The Apostle Paul condemned this attitude and gave strict guidelines regarding coherency in all public speaking. This is why he put more value on five understandable words than ten thousand words un-interpreted. Paul concludes the matter thusly, "Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. (v.40) Let all things be done decently and in order." (I Corinthians 14: 39-40). |
| Truth Tabernacle 72 Arlington Street/P.O. Box 211 Erin, TN 37061 (931)289-5878 Pastor Thomas E. Textor |