The Baptism In The Holy Spirit
Lesson Thirteen- Questions, Answers And Objections About Speaking In Tongues

TEXT: 1 Cor. 14:1-3 - Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. [2] For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understands him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. [3] But he that prophesies speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

        One of the main dividing lines in the church today is over the issue of speaking in tongues. Friend, our Lord didn't send back the Holy Ghost to divide the church! He sent back the Holy Ghost to uplift the Son of God and convict men of their sin. The Holy Spirit is God and brings with Him diversities in manifestations and ministries. One of these manifestations given to the New Testament believer is speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives the utterance. This is not an experience for the faithless - but for those who believe! Those who don't believe will not miss heaven but they will miss out on a tremendous blessing and experience the Lord paid for through His death just as He paid for divine healing to those who will receive. If we chose not to believe, we best not fight against it - or we will happily find ourselves fighting against GOD!

        The Bible must be the Christian’s final authority on any topic or manifestation. It is the Bible that was given by inspiration of God. God does not necessarily inspire our denomination and church. Our opinion, former opinion or future opinion, are not necessarily inspired by God. God may not inspire our pastor even though he may speak eloquently and sway the crowds with his brilliance. That’s good, but Hitler swayed millions with his speeches too and most who listened to him wound up in concentration camps gassed to death by his madness. It’s important to know the Bible, but ITS FAR MORE IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE ONE WHO WROTE IT!

I’ve come to realize that if a person has legitimately made up their mind they are not going to believe in this experience (speaking with other tongues when filled with the Holy Ghost) then it may be wise to not waste your time or theirs in discussing this with them. If someone came back from the dead and talked to them, they would not believe. Jesus said, Blessed are those who HUNGER AND THIRST after righteousness. If we’re not hungry and thirsty for more of God, we will not be filled. Speaking in tongues will not catch us off guard. No one can make us thirsty and no one can make us hungry. The desire for us, just like the desire in the heart of Cornelius to find Peter and know more about the true and living God, must grow from the inside of us.

These Signs Shall Follow THOSE WHO BELIEVE, Not Those Who Don’t

Mark 16:17-20 - 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. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

One sign that follows believers is “they speak with other tongues.” The flip side of this is simple – if we do not believe, we will not speak with other tongues. Scripture is never designed for people who have made up their mind. Scripture is given as inspiration to those who seek the truth. Many are hindered by other’s opinions on this subject. We can listen to man and miss out on God or we can become like Cornelius and seek after the Lord with all your heart. When we do, he will fill our thirst. One sign that follows believers is “they speak with other tongues.” The flip side of this is simple – if we do not believe, we will not speak with other tongues. Scripture is never designed for people who have made up their mind. Scripture is given as inspiration to those who seek the truth. Many are hindered by other’s opinions on this subject. We can listen to man and miss out on God or we can become like Cornelius and seek after the Lord with all your heart. When we do, he will fill our thirst.

Common Objectives to Speaking in Tongues

The following part of this message is sharing eight common objections some people have about speaking in other tongues. Some of the eight have their roots in other’s twisting of scripture while others have no biblical basis whatsoever.

Objection No. 1. - Tongues Are Of The Devil And Those Who Speak In Tongues Are Listening To Demon Spirits.

Some people say, “well, those people are not speaking in tongues. They are speaking in demonic gibberish. Some demon gets on them and rants and raves.” Or they say, “You are demon possessed,” or, “Tongues are strictly from the devil.” They believe this experience passed away when the writing of the Bible was completed.

First of all, man’s opinion that tongues are of the devil has no scriptural basis whatsoever. There is, however a scriptural answer to this objection. Some people who want to be filled with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking with other tongues but are afraid to respond to an altar call where hands will be laid on them. Usually use the excuse they are fearful they will get a demon or maybe the devil will take advantage of them. Jesus gives us a solid answer to this fear:

Luke 11:9-13 - And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 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?

Jesus personally guarantees that you cannot ask for the Holy Spirit and get a demon. That’s as plain and simple as you can get it. A child can understand that. Yet, Bible teachers and scholars with degrees from some of the leading theological seminaries in America will argue that people speaking in tongues are receiving this gift from Satan. Let’s look a little further at this same passage that deals with another element of this objection.

Luke 11:14-23 - And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spoke; and the people wondered. But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he takes from him all his armor wherein he trusted, and divides his spoils. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

Matt 12:24-32 - But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “this fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.” And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Religious people who were teachers began to get jealous of Jesus. They did not like the fact that the spotlight was on Jesus and off of them. These same religious leaders tried to deceive Jesus’ followers by saying the power that He was using to cast out demons was by Satan. Jesus answered this claim with a serious warning to all who would attribute the works of Satan to the work of the Holy Spirit. He told the religious, “If I cast out devils BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.” Then Jesus says that everything we do, be it word or deed, and shall be forgiven, but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. Then He makes it even clearer. We can speak against Jesus and be forgiven but when we speak against the Holy Ghost, it is a sin that has no forgiveness neither in this world nor in the world to come.

It is one thing to speak out of ignorance. Many of us do and I believe God is very patient and merciful to us. However, if a Christian KNOWS better (and most times this stance is taken by PREACHERS BEHIND PULPITS WITH DEGREES WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO KNOW THE WORD OF GOD) and takes something that is of God and says it is of Satan, that individual is in serious standing with God Almighty. If you believe speaking in tongues is not for you so be it. But, I’d strongly suggest you not equate this experience with being demon possessed or of the devil.

1 Cor 14:37-39 - 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. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Isa 5:20-21 - Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

Paul said if you think you are spiritual then acknowledge what he wrote as COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD. If you want to be ignorant of these things be ignorant, but covet to prophecy and forbid NOT TO SPEAK IN TONGUES. Isaiah gives a deeper warning when he says “Woe” to them who call darkness light and light darkness, evil good and good evil. Speaking in tongues is not of the devil. While blaspheming the Holy Spirit goes a little further than stating this – I would not want to be in the camp that says such things. Any type statement (which comes from the heart) shows gross ignorance at best and something more sinister at worse. We need to search our hearts and watch our words about the Holy Spirit!

Objection No. 2 – Tongues Passed Away

Many believe that tongues (and prophecy too for that matter) passed away after the Bible was completed and the apostles died. Those who believe this objection acknowledge that believers once spoke in tongues as a sign of supernatural occurrence in the Church while the Bible was being written. Then, once the Scriptures were completed, tongues were supposedly no longer needed.

Again, not to sound redundant, but if tongues passed away then what are we going to do with the millions over the centuries since the day of Pentecost who have spoke in tongues and are speaking in tongues even today? Are we going to say we don’t believe people are really speaking in tongues because we believe it all ended with the apostles? Peter’s message on Pentecost, (as we’ve already pointed out) was a declaration that what was happening was a fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy of the last days. He said what the people were seeing AND HEARING was the promise Jesus spoke of before He left this earth. The Holy Ghost cannot be seen, but the INITIAL, not total, result of one being filled with the Spirit is speaking with other tongues.

Acts 2:39 - 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.

What promise? The promise of the Holy Ghost, which was shed forth and the people who were present on the day of Pentecost could see and hear. He said this promise was unto them, their children AND TO ALL THAT ARE AFAR OFF. The “all that is afar off” is us! That promise is just as valid today as any promise in the Bible. The promise never died out.

Objection No. 3 – Tongues Are Not For Everyone

Some believe that tongues are not for everyone, but are for a special, select few. A few scriptures are generally used to validate this objection:

1 Cor 12:10 - To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

When people read this verse they are always quick to point out that the Bible says to certain ones this gift is given to and others it is not. This leads them to believe some speak in tongues while others don’t. First of all, being filled with the Holy Ghost is NOT THE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION in these verses. The topic being discussed is spiritual gifts, or gifts of the Spirit. Only two of the nine gifts of the Spirit are unique to the New Testament – divers kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues. The other seven existed in the Old Testament. But all nine gifts, which are in manifestation in the Church Age, are taught in this chapter.

These are gifts for use in public settings and corporate gatherings. Not everyone is equipped to minister in tongues in public gatherings. It’s not that they are any less special than other members of the Body of Christ. It just means that the Spirit has elected not to use them in this area. It doesn’t mean that everyone should not speak in tongues. Paul said I wish you ALL SPAKE IN TONGUES.

There is a difference in devotional tongues (prayer language) and the gift of tongues and interpretation of tongues. Much confusion arises over our lack of understanding in these areas.

Objection No. 4 – Tongues Shall Cease

The basis for this objection is hung on one verse:

1 Cor 13:8 - Charity never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

There is no argument that tongues shall cease. The Bible clearly says it. But the question is “WHEN?”

1 Cor 13:9-10 - For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Some people think that the “perfect” is the Word of God. They believe that upon completion of the written scriptures, tongues were no longer needed because the perfect had come. But, Paul didn’t stop there.

1 Cor 13:11-13;14:1-5 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face-to-face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abides faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

1 Cor 14:1 - Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 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. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spoke with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Paul is not making an argument in this discussion for tongues to cease. If anything, he is admonishing the church at Corinth to PURSUE SPIRITUAL GIFTS, including prophecy AND TONGUES. In the very NEXT CHAPTER after this he spends nearly 40 verses discussing this very statement. (SEE LESSON FIVE) His statements are merely saying that when the church is perfected we will no longer need the Holy Spirit to speak to us and through us any longer. Even with the Bible, the Church of the Lord Jesus is FAR FROM BEING PERFECT. OUR HEAD – THE LORD JESUS is perfect – but we are being PREFECTED!

Do we know all the things that need to be answered yet? NO! Do we even yet know EVERYTHING there is to know about God? NO! Those questions, along with a ton of others, will be answered when Jesus comes and raptures the church to heaven. It will be at that time that the Lord Jesus will complete us as His Body and we will no longer need perfecting. He will make all things known to us. Paul said, “we see through a glass darkly” but one day we will see Jesus “FACE TO FACE.” It will be at that time and that time alone that spiritual gifts will cease. In other words, we have not reached a point where we do not have to depend totally on the power of the Holy Spirit to build the church and keep the church out of darkness and delusion.

If we are going to take this verse by itself and say this is a valid argument for not pursuing the baptism in the Holy Spirit, then we need to eliminate our Sunday school programs because it says knowledge and prophecies will cease too. Have we stopped learning? Has the Lord stopped speaking to us today? Has knowledge ceased? NO! If anything, knowledge is increasing and the Lord’s voice is growing clearer each and every day we exist on this planet. Dreams and visions are on the increase like never before. Joel’s prophecy of our young men seeing visions and older men dreaming dreams is coming to pass right before our eyes. But to argue against tongues with this verse, you have to argue against knowledge and the prophetic. The truth is, people who say such things are clearly people who have been convinced in their hearts this is not for them. Even if someone from the dead came back to tell them otherwise, they would not believe.

Objection No. 5 – There Is Only One Experience Of Salvation And Not A Second Work Of Grace Afterwards; We Get All Of The Holy Spirit We Need When We Are Born-Again

Some people teach that you receive the Holy Spirit when you are saved and there is no need to seek the Lord for any further infilling of His power. The common statement is “you got it all when you got saved, you don’t need anything else.”

Acts 19:1-3 - And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

When the Apostle Paul came to Ephesus he asked some new disciples a significant question; “Have you received the Holy Ghost SINCE you believed?"

These were believers who had been baptized by John the Baptist (the baptism of water unto repentance) but who were completely unaware of the Holy Spirit. Paul told them fully of the redemptive work of Christ, and they were then baptized in water unto repentance. Following this, Paul laid his hands on them and they were instantly baptized in the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues and prophesying. As in other recorded cases in Acts, the baptism in the Holy Spirit was experienced SUBSEQUENT to salvation and accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior. There is a great controversy surrounding this question. The proper answer to it is “yes” and “no!”

The responsibilities of the Holy Ghost in our lives are varied. One of the most important facets of His ministry to the believer is that of regeneration. The Holy Ghost is very active in bringing the sinner to conviction, repentance and salvation. So when a person truly accepts Jesus into his heart, that person does “receive” the Holy Spirit. But there is great difference in being BORN of the Spirit and being BAPTIZED IN the Spirit. The Holy Ghost IS A FACTOR IN SALVATION – a major factor and must be present for a person to be convicted and accept salvation.

John 6:44 - No man can come to me, except the Father who hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

1 Cor 12:3 - Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

So the answer to this objection is “Yes, at salvation the individual does “receive” the Holy Spirit, because it is the Holy Spirit who convicts and draws that person to Jesus.” But, the answer is also “no,” because the person does not receive the gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation because the deeper, more permanent relationship of the baptism comes only AFTER salvation. At salvation, life is imparted to someone who was formerly dead in sin. The baptism in the Holy Spirit EMPOWERS someone who is already saved and transforms that person from a weak, ineffectual Christian to someone fitted for God’s service. It is clearly a mandate of God and a command of Jesus. Jesus instructed the disciples to wait until they received the baptism before starting their ministries.

Salvation and the baptism in the Holy Spirit are two separate and distinct experiences. They are different as to source, time, and nature. A person may experience salvation without ever experiencing the baptism in the Holy Ghost. They cannot, however, experience the baptism in the Holy Ghost without being saved. Only after the Holy Ghost has regenerated us and made us a fit temple for the presence of the Lord, can He endue us with power for service.

The Well and the River

John 7:37-39 - In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spoke 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.)

John 4:14 - But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

John gives us two great examples of these two experiences – salvation and the baptism in the Holy Ghost. Salvation is likened to a well experience. Isaiah said it was out the “wells of salvation,” that we would draw waters of life. Jesus told the woman at the well that if she drank these waters, she would never thirst again. He was speaking of eternal life. The Holy Ghost is very active and important in this event in the life of an individual.

The other example is where the Holy Spirit is typified as “rivers” of living water flowing of the innermost being. This experience was NOT available to the disciples until AFTER Jesus was glorified. The temple of man had to be made fit for God’s presence. The only way that would be possible would be through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Some 50 days after Jesus was glorified, He sent back the Holy Ghost upon the believers gathered at Pentecost. Those gathered were not gathered to get saved. They were gathered to be endued with power from on high. Their lives would never be the same again and the world would not either. Same Holy Spirit, two different experiences here. When John said, “the Holy Ghost was not yet given,” he didn’t mean the Holy Ghost was not around. The Holy Spirit has been active in the world before creation. He is the third person of the God Head. What he meant was that the fullness of the Holy Ghost had not yet been passed on to the disciples because they were not fit vessels before Calvary.

The night Jesus saw them after He had rose again, He breathed on them, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost,” and from that moment on they were “regenerated.” On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was just not “in” them, He had come “upon them.” Praise the Lord and “upon them” He came. Great numbers of people are currently experiencing the baptism in the Holy Spirit all over the world despite their denominations and ignorant pastors. God is pouring out His Spirit upon ALL FLESH in this last hour. Many are dissatisfied with cold, formal, dead religion. Their prayers are now being answered. The Holy Ghost is more than just a vague symbol or a title to put on our doctrinal statements to make sure we line up with the Bible. He is a Person. He is God. He is bigger than the devil. He is the living dynamic power of Christ who lives in our hearts. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is valid for today and speaking in tongues has not passed away. It’s not all over at salvation; it’s just beginning – just as it’s not over when you speak in tongues. Speaking in tongues is just a door that unlocks a greater walk and revelation of the Spirit that you need to be the type of Christian God is pleased with.

Objection #6 - I'm Spirit-Filled Even Though I've Not Spoke in Tongues

Some believers argue, “I am filled with the Spirit and I do not speak in other tongues. I don’t care what anybody says but I’m still filled with the Spirit.” This is another one of those statements that usually draws a line between many denominations and fellow believers.

Prior to the demonstration of the Holy Ghost power in healings and miracles, the disciples exhibited the PRIMARY evidence of the baptism, which was speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues is not the only evidence, but it is the INITIAL evidence of one receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit after conversion. According to scripture, the Holy Spirit’s ministry will sometimes produce other physical reactions in people varying from weeping, trembling, shaking, and trances, to even physical collapse, or as we term it – being slain in the spirit. Most Christian churches and denominations believe (to one degree or another) in the Holy Spirit. This doesn’t create any major problem. The controversy erupts when you say “to be filled with the Spirit, you will have the initial physical evidence of speaking with other tongues.”

Initial Evidence

When talking about the initial evidence of the Holy Spirit’s infilling there is a huge line drawn in the sign between most evangelicals and most Pentecostals.

Most evangelicals will give in and say, “OK, tongues are in the Bible.” Some will even say, “Well, there are really no scriptures in the Bible that say, ‘tongues went away with the apostles.’” You won’t find many that will say everyone who is saved does not need to be “filled with the Spirit,” as Paul encouraged the church at Ephesus to do. But you will not find ANY to say, “the initial physical evidence of being filled with the Spirit is speaking with other tongues.” And anyone who teaches that, be it church, minister or organization, automatically draws a line in the sand and will find himself or herself opposed by MUCH OF THE PROFESSING CHURCH.

Listen to me. God’s acceptance of them was documented by an outpouring of power into this previously ineffectual group of believers. Every where that this same experience is mentioned, including the events at the house of Cornelius which we will get to later, the participants and those involved always spoke with tongues. Are tongues the only evidence a person is walking in the fullness of the Spirit? Absolutely not. Sad to say, most Pentecostal and Charismatic churches have shied away from this teaching and are no longer actively seeking to see people speak in other tongues. But the Bible is clear in its portrayal of this experience.

The first occurrence of the Holy Spirit’s outpouring was on Pentecost – THEY SPOKE WITH TONGUES

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.

This needs no further explanation. It is concise and clear. They were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues.

The second occurrence of believers who are filled with the Spirit speaking with tongues takes place in Acts 8 when Peer and John went down to Samaria and prayed for the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit. After miracles took place during a revival under the ministry of Phillip, a sorcerer by the name of Simon was saved. Peter and John immediately went to Samaria to pray for the new believers to be filled or receive the Holy Ghost. Were these people saved when Peter and John arrived? Yes, they were already saved. “(For as yet he was fallen UPON NONE of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Now, it doesn’t say anyone Peter and John laid hands on spoke in tongues verbatim. However, when Simon saw what was happening, he offered money to Peter and John so he could lay hands on them so that they might receive the Holy Spirit. If nothing external was happening (TONGUES), then why would Simon offer money and jeopardize his soul to buy it?

Acts 8:16-23 - (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

The third occurrence was in the life of the apostle Paul. Walking on the road to Damascus he’s struck blind by the light of the Lord Jesus Christ. Looking up, he in confronted by Jesus Himself who asks Paul why he is persecuting the Church. The minute Paul said, “LORD,” that signified that Paul had become a believer. Three days Paul was blind until the Lord led him to Ananias who prayed for Paul that he might receive his sight and be “filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Paul received his sight in Acts 9. Again, it never says in Acts 9 he spoke in tongues. However, in writing three chapters in his epistles to the Corinthians, Paul clearly says, I SPEAK IN TONGUES MORE THAN YE ALL. Paul received this gift the day Ananias laid his hands on him. He was not laying his hands on Paul to be saved, he was laying his hands on Paul that he might be ”filled with the Holy Ghost.”

Acts 9:17-18 - And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

The fourth occurrence is 40 years after Pentecost in our text we are studying now that we have discussed in detail already at the house of Cornelius. (Acts 10:44 )

The fifth occurrence happens nearly 60 years after Pentecost when Paul is walking up the Ephesus coasts and encounters believers who were baptized by John the Baptist but “who had never even heard that there was a Holy Ghost.” Paul lays his hands on them and they began to speak with other tongues.

Acts 19:1-7 - And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.

The passage says, “They spoke with tongues and prophesied.” Now, in three of the five occurrences, the Bible states verbatim, “they spoke with other tongues.” The other two occurrences do not take a rocket science to figure out that speaking in tongues occurred because the Bible clarified itself in a later passage. Any honest seeker of truth and one who is hungry for more of God can see that SOMETHING happened to these individuals when they received the Holy Spirit. That something as they spoke with other tongues

Objection No. 7 – Jesus Never Spoke With Tongues

Some people rationalize, “Since Jesus didn’t speak in tongues, why should we?” Well, there are two answers to this objection. Jack Deere, former Old Testament Professor at the Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas, states in his book Surprised by the Spirit of God, “that saying Jesus never spoke in tongues is what is termed in theological circles as an ‘argument from silence.’

He said even though the Bible never says Jesus never spoke in tongues we cannot automatically say He didn’t. There are many things that the scriptures did not record about the life of Jesus simply because, as John said, if it had, there would not have been enough books in the world to record them.

John 21:24-25 - This is the disciple that testifies of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

Just as the gospels didn’t record everything Jesus did, neither did Acts record everything the apostles did. There are spans of years where the Bible is silent on activity in the lives of Peter, Paul, Barnabas and the other disciples. Does that mean then that if we don’t see an experience in the Bible, then we rule it invalid? For most people, that answer is an emphatic yes. However, you can’t argue something is not valid scripturally because of that reason because quite honestly there are a LOT of things the Bible is silent on. That’s why we have the HOLY SPIRIT – to LEAD us into all truth.

John 16:13-14 - 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. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

The second part of the answer to this objection is more theological. Jesus ministered under the Old Covenant. Speaking in tongues was not available under the Old Covenant even though Isaiah had prophesied there would come a day when God would speak to man through “stammering lips and an unknown tongue.”

Isa 28:11-13 - 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. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

The New Testament brought with it tongues and the interpretation of tongues. By the time the Holy Ghost came and tongues were manifested, Jesus was with the Father in heaven. He had done all that was necessary to save us and give us both the indwelling presence of the Spirit and the endowment of power upon us by the Spirit.

Tongues Are For Today- They Are A Vital Part Of Your Walk With God

You need the Baptism in the Holy Ghost! Speaking in tongues is a valid experience for the believer today. I just shake my head and sigh wondering how Satan has blinded so many theologically trained men who stand behind pulpits and demean, deny and resist something more powerful than any terrorist bomb or nuclear explosion.

This truth quite possibly could revolutionize their churches for all eternity! That's the key - Satan doesn't want our churches revolutionized - he wants them DEAD and without any life.

Folks, hear me good. Life is NOT having great numbers and a lot of religious activity going on in our church. People getting saved, healed, delivered, and filled with the Spirit, rededicating their lives to the Lord - THAT'S LIFE. And that LIFE becomes contagious and brings other to the Savior. Stop fighting the Holy Ghost! The Holy Spirit is GOD just as God the Father is God and Jesus the Son is GOD. He is just part of a triune Godhead in heaven seeking our total deliverance from the workings of the enemy. This is what Jesus came to do - destroy the works of Satan. He did that through the POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST!

Acts 10:38 - How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
 

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