You alone are responsible for anything that you believe! Notice what the Bible says in Acts 17:11 about the people who came from the Macedonian region of Berea. It says that, “they received the word (teaching) with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). They received the things with an open mind; but, they studied to confirm what they had learned!

This reminds me of the late United States President Ronald Reagan; during his administration’s negotiations to reduce nuclear arms with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic, he adopted a wise policy known as “trust, but verify!” This is exactly what we Christians must all do especially concerning studying the Bible!

The Christian “faith” (as a group of believers who espouse Jesus) has many man-made obstacles; this is especially true with regard to Christian doctrine. Notice that the Bible teaches us that we are to, “speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor 1:10). Paul’s teachings notwithstanding, over two hundred fragments of Christianity are not like-minded, especially when it comes to Christian doctrine! Paul lamented, “I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it” (1 Cor 11:18).

Tonight we are going to study a topic that has a propensity to cause division. Therefore let’s seek to be of one mind. If I say anything that does not meet with your theology, I ask you to prayerfully study and see “whether those things are so.”

We are going to begin with John the Baptist who taught about a baptism unto repentance. We can read his own words in Luke 3:16, “John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” Matthew’s account is found in, Matt 3:11 and it adds the concept of repentance, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance.”

There are three Biblical baptisms: (1) Baptism into the body of Christ at the confession of faith during the sinner’s prayer, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body” (1 Cor 12:13). This is marked by the occasion when a new Christian is born-again and receives Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior; (2) Baptism into water (as shown at right) takes place during the public profession of a Christian’s faith and is consummated through water baptism, “and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him” (Acts 8:38); and (3) Baptism by the Holy Spirit. Just before Jesus ascended into heaven he said, “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence” (Acts 1:5). Jesus wanted His disciples to be aware of a difference between water baptism and baptism of the Holy Ghost!

Most Christians at least concur with the first two baptisms (even though there is a great deal of controversy and division concerning the proper methods: baby –vs– mature; sprinkling –vs– dunking; in the name of Jesus –vs– in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; etc.). However, the greatest confusion concerning the topic of baptism always surrounds the third baptism, baptism of the Holy Spirit. This study is designed to give you Bible information concerning the third baptism, baptism of the Holy Spirit.

It helps if we begin by getting our minds on what John the Baptist said, “I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire” (Luke 3:16). According to Luke 3:16 and Acts 1:5 (both shown above) water baptism is merely the first baptism; there is remains for every Christian a second and more profound baptism of the Holy Ghost!

Now, consider the concept of three baptisms in mind as we study the original disciples of Jesus; in John 7:37-39, Jesus said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified).” Essentially, Jesus’ disciples could not yet receive of the Holy Spirit during Jesus’ earthly ministry because He had not yet been glorified! However notice what took place after Jesus’ glorification; we see the context in John 20:21-22, Jesus appeared unto all of His disciples, “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” This is the exact moment when Jesus’ disciples were born again and received the Holy Spirit! However, this was only the beginning of the Holy Spirit’s actions in the lives of these disciples! Let’s follow the story:

Notice just a few pages later in Acts 1:4-8 what happened after Jesus’ disciples received the Holy Spirit as noted in John 20. They once again met with the Lord, “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. 5 For John truly baptized with water (1^st); but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost (2^nd) not many days hence.” (Acts 1:4-6). This is significant! Notice the sequence of events; the disciples first (1) received the Holy Spirit; it is only after this receipt that several days later they (2) received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit! These are two separate and distinct events! This concurs with other scriptures; notice what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive” (John 14:17). He essentially explained that the world cannot receive the Holy Spirit! They can be born-again and in so doing be born of the spirit; then, after that, they are qualified to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit! Essentially, there is something that is still needed after being born-again.

In John 20 when Jesus breathed on them, His disciples had not yet received the power that He had promised! even thought they were born-again, “8 But ye shall receive (future tense) 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” (Acts 1:4-8). The Holy Spirit was essentially in them; but it was not yet upon them displaying power!

Are there any other New Testament Christians in the book of Acts that we can look to as examples of those who received Jesus Christ but did not immediately receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit? Yes! Notice, Acts 8:14-19, “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God (Jesus), they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.” Obviously there was a discernable (noticeable) difference in the people after the baptism of the Holy Spirit; otherwise, Simon (the Sorcerer) would not have offered money in order that he might also have this same ability to endow the Holy Spirit upon others!”

Every New Testament Christian is intended to experience three aspects of the Holy Spirit. The New Testament reveals three different aspects or expressions of the Holy Spirit: (1) in us, we clearly observe that Jesus breathed on His disciples. They got the Holy Spirit in them, “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost” John 20:21-22; (2) with us, notice that Paul taught about praying with the spirit, “I will pray with the spirit” (1 Cor 14:15); and (3) upon us, “the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you” (1 Peter 4:14).

In essence, we get the opportunity to experience the Holy Spirit in the exact fashion that Jesus Himself experienced the Holy Spirit. Jesus walked with, in, and under the Holy Spirit of God. The prophets were only temporarily filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit in order that they would be moved to speak the Word of God under divine inspiration. They received the spirit as it came upon them temporarily and they were only temporarily under it’s power. The Holy Spirit is permanently in us, and with us and we are under the power of the Holy Spirit. To the New Testament Church the Holy Spirit came in the form of two different manifestations: (1) wind and (2) fire, “suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them” (Acts 2:2-3). According to Jesus’ words, “ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 1:5), that day of Pentecost was the initial moment of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. It was that day when the disciples received the power of the Holy Spirit!

Now just exactly what kind of power are we talking about here? Peter and John had just healed a man who was lame from birth; that miracle took place just outside of the Temple gate known as “Beautiful.” Focus your attention on Peter’s words, which were directed toward the gathering crowd that grew amazed at the man who had been healed, “the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. 14 But ye denied the Holy One” (Acts 3:13-14). Peter accused them of denying Jesus! Peter’s words were intended to provoke the people’s hearts unto repentance; he reminded them of their complicity and agreement during the denial of Jesus Christ when, “they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him!” (Mark 15:14)

However, now contrast Peter’s accusations regarding their denial of Jesus with how he himself had reacted about eight weeks earlier on the night that Jesus was arrested. Just outside of the High Priest’s house a young maid identified Peter as one of Jesus’ disciples and said, “This man was also with him. 57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. 58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not” (Luke 22:56-58). Peter went on just about an hour later to deny Jesus for a third time that evening! The whole point is that eight weeks earlier Peter was afraid of being identified with Jesus; then, suddenly on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and gave them power (an anointing)! As a result, Peter preached in this anointing which gave him the power to unashamedly accuse others of his own similar act of denial. These disciples that were baptized in the Holy Spirit went on to be described as those who have “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6).

Since we have been focusing on Peter, notice his own words, which identify this new power from the Holy Spirit that suddenly had overshadowed them. In fact his words were addressed to this same crowd during which Peter accused them of denying the Holy One. Notice his specific words concerning this amazing power, “Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?” (Acts 3:12). Peter identified his power source and made it clear that while this man who was born lame was now walking around, it was not by Peter or John’s power, “as though by our own power.” No; it was not Peter’s power; rather, it was the anointing that Peter had received during the baptism of the Holy Spirit just days earlier, “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:2-4). The anointing came upon Peter just exactly as Jesus had earlier promised, “ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you” (Acts 1:8). Peter was exercising a whole new kind of power, one that was able to cause the lame man to walk. Peter received this power through the anointing that he obtained as a result of being baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus intended that the miraculous manifestations in His disciples that came as a result of the baptism of the Holy Spirit would act as a sign for the unbelievers, “these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 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” (Mark 16:17-18). The anointing is a yoke-destroying, burden-removing unction intended, “to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke” (Isa 58:6). Obviously, Peter operated in all of these signs, which the LORD had prophesied.

This same anointing is the power of God that is intended to operate in every one of us! Notice more of Jesus’ words, “behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:48-49). The disciples were told to wait until they were endued (which means to be dressed or clothed with the virtues or qualities of the person from which the endowment is coming) with this power from on high! Like Peter, Paul too was certainly aware of this same anointing power from God. He wrote, “according to the power that worketh in us” (Eph 3:20). --- If you would like to know more about this anointing, please get the Bible Study entitled, “Anointed Son of the Blessed.” You may obtain a copy from the World Wide Web at: http://www.rivkah.org.

The normal every day Christian is intended to get involved in spiritual activities such as: healing the sick; casting out demons etc., “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” (Mark 16:17-18).

He gives us the baptism of the Holy Spirit in order that we can walk in power! The Holy Spirit has many different manifestations. One of His manifestations is the expression of a prayer language! This is also known as speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues is often a contentious and divisive matter. Let’s carefully go over the following concepts of speaking in tongues…

What about speaking in tongues?

The spirit is poured out upon us from on high! Note that the Strong’s number is 6168! That word “arah” means to “pour out!”

Guess where this word is first used in the Old Testament?

 We are going to take note of the first fifteen usages of the Hebrew word “arah” in the Old Testament. Notice who is associated with the very first occurrence:

The first usage of “poured out” in the Bible is associated with Rebecca!

We need to take note of this example in, Gen 24:20 “And she (Rebekah) hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.” The Biblical “Law of First Mention” is significant here; we need to realize that the person who is first associated with the concept of “pouring out” is significant. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is first poured out on the woman (Bride of Christ); Rebecca is a prophetic type of the Bride of Jesus Christ!

But, didn’t Paul indicate that speaking in tongues was somehow beneath the other spiritual gifts such as prophecy? Notice his words, “I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying” (1 Cor 14:5). Question for our Bible Study group: What does this verse mean to you? Read it again. Doesn’t it seem to imply or at least indicate that speaking in tongues is somehow a lower form of spiritual gift that prophesying to another person? In other words, instead of speaking in tongues it is better to prophecy.

However that is not exactly what that verse says! There is a rather unfortunate translation given in the King James Version that has not to my knowledge been properly rendered in any of the newer translations either! This poor translation has led to many doctrinal controversial arguments! It should have been more precisely rendered, “I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather (meaning to the intent that) ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying”

Notice that expression is used for the Greek word “hina” in the book of Ephesians. “To the intent that (hina) now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” (Eph 3:10).

Notice again what Paul said in First Corinthians 14:5 using the new and improved intent of the Greek word (hina), “I would that ye all spake with tongues, (to the intent that) ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying” (1 Cor 14:5). Paul was simply saying that he wished that they would all speak with tongues in order that (as a help toward the goal that) they might prophecy to others through the interpretation and thereby build them up! In other words, speaking in tongues actually gives you abilities that you do not naturally possess without that assistance! In another passage just a chapter earlier, Paul clearly taught that there are “tongues of men and angels” that are profitable, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels” (1 Cor 13:1). Paul spoke with the tongue “of angels!”

Notice how Isaiah describes the process of making one to understand, “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. (this sounds as if it is meant for those who are mature) For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear” (Isa 28:9-12). We discover that we must enter into this rest of God! “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief” (Heb 4:11). We labor to enter; after that we simply rest! This process has the appearance much the same as when the children of Israel were taking over the Promised Land!

We experience victory in this life through the things that we believe! Not by our own actions, but simply by resting in Jesus! We often say, “This is the key that I needed!” We Christians always seem to be lacking something; therefore, we often search out some new multi-point technique! When all the while all we really needed was to enter into that restful condition! Jesus himself gave the promise of rest, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). When we fully realize that we of ourselves cannot do it; only then are we almost there! It is not a matter of getting the proper seven keys or anything else that we can accomplish through our own intellect. Jesus died that we might enter into His rest and cease from our works, “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his” (Heb 4:10).

True, speaking in tongues is a pretty strange activity. It is actually quite bizarre anytime someone speaks words that they themselves don’t even understand! The point is that speaking unknown words takes faith! Remember what Isaiah said regarding the milk and meat of the word. The writer of Hebrews expands on this same concept, “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb 5:14).

Remember Peter’s words tell us that we have “exceeding great and precious promises” which come “though the knowledge of Christ!” Jesus said, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.” Jesus meant that without the Holy Spirit to interpret, the disciples were unable to hear Him! He continued, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” (John 16:12-13). Notice that he said, “whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak” Once more, let’s break down this important passage into it’s component parts:

1. the Holy Spirit of Truth will come to us;

2. the Holy Spirit of Truth will guide us in to truth;

3. the Holy Spirit of Truth will not speak of himself;

4. the Holy Spirit of Truth will hear from God;

5. the Holy Spirit of Truth will speak what He hears;

6. and, the Holy Spirit of Truth will show us things to come.

Notice number (5) above; how does the Holy Spirit speak? Revelation comes through speaking in stammering lips or in an unknown tongue! The Holy Spirit does the speaking and gives the revelation! The job of the Holy Sprit is to reveal things to us! The process does not work as some say, “getting things deep down into our hearts.” Just the opposite is true, we are to bring things up out of our spirits and out into the world! That is why Paul wrote, “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” (1 Cor 14:2). The Holy Spirit actually speaks mysteries through our own tongue. The Holy Spirit produces the germination of the seed of God’s word that we already have in our hearts!

Now get this, there are different kinds of manifestations of tongues, “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him” (1 Cor 14:2). Notice that when you speak in an unknown tongue you speak not unto men but unto God! Here is a key point, on the day of Pentecost they were speaking unto men, “because that every man heard them speak in his own language” (Acts 2:6)! Therefore, since they had understanding, they were speaking a different kind of tongue (language) than we see in the verse, “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men” (1 Cor 14:2). How can it be wrong or somehow evil to speak to God?

There are two different forms of speaking in tongues. One form of speaking in tongues was used to communicate to men of other languages; this form came about on the day of Pentecost. However, another kind of speaking in tongues is used as a prayer language, “if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful” (1 Cor 14:14). Our understanding is unfruitful because our brain does not comprehend. However the spirit will reveal the things generated out of that prayer at some later time. The Bible describes this second form of speaking in tongues as, “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God” (1 Cor 14:2).

On the day of Pentecost they began to speak in other tongues as the spirit gave them utterance! Now let’s come to a realization, either they were making up a false babbling language or they were hearing the inner voice of the Holy Spirit and repeating the utterance that He was giving to them! The Bible says they “began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4). Whenever a Christian speaks in other tongues then, he/she obviously hears the voice of the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit gives the utterance! The Holy Spirit will reveal things line upon line and precept upon precept!

The Holy Spirit continually germinates the word in our hearts, “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Cor 2:13).

Praying in tongues is simply a spiritual gateway into the spiritual things of God! We should pray often in the Holy Spirit! When we pray in tongues spiritual things begin to be revealed to us! As we continue to receive from the Holy Spirit our relationship grows and we naturally enter into the rest of God!

We are to be wise and understand God’s will, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Eph 5:17). How do we understand what the will of the Lord is? In this very context of understanding, the next verse astonishingly gives us the simple answer! Let’s read it, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled (continual process or an on-going process) with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18)! The context of understanding and being filled with the spirit is unmistakable! As if to place a Biblical exclamation point on the concept Paul choose to compare the idea of being filled with the spirit to the state of drunkenness! In fact, Peter had to explain to the bystanders that the disciples were not drunk! Let’s go to this incident when the Holy Spirit was first given unto men. The Apostle Peter stood up and said, “For these are not drunken, as ye suppose” (Acts 2:15). Why do you think that they supposed that the new Christians were drunk? Because they were speaking in new tongues! This is one of the chief ways Paul was trying to express to his readers concerning how they themselves might be filled with the Spirit!

Where does each one of us stand on this issue? Should any Christian look down on another that speaks in tongues? Notice Paul’s answer, 1 Cor 14:37-40 37 “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.”

I have good news for those of you who have not yet been baptized in the Holy Spirit. Just like being born-again takes the faith to believe, so being baptized in the Holy Spirit also requires faith. The believer has hands laid on them and a prayer is spoken over them; then, the believer must in faith believe that the spirit will speak in other tongues through their mouth! If you would like you can be baptized in the Holy Spirit tonight!