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To be an effective witness to the world requires the power of God to be enacted in our lives, for we can achieve very little through
mere human effort. The apostles and leaders of the new testament Church achieved their great works only through the
supernatural manifestation of the Holy Spirit in their preaching and teaching. Jesus realized that we would be weak and
ineffective without the power of God, that is why he says,"But it is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don't, the
Counselor won't come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you." John 16:7 (NLT).
Peter replied, "Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 (NLT)
Peter refers to the Holy Spirit as a gift. Why is it that most Christians refuse to accept this gift?
Some are ignorant of the power and taught against it. Satan fears the the Holy Spirit in a believers life. He puts up a smoke screen of false teachings and smear campaigns to dissuade those who would use it to build the Kingdom of God.
Others don't really see a need for it. If someone gave you a car and you never left your house you would not consider that gift of any use.
For those who never get outside the walls of the church to evangelize, the Holy Spirit is of little use to them.
When they become part of the workers of the harvest that Jesus prayed for, and begin to fulfill the great comission, then the Holy Spirit becomes a great gift and helper.
Jesus commanded the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit before they started on the Great Commission.
And in Acts 1:4-8 (NLT) In one of these meetings as he was eating a meal with them, he told them, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you what he promised. Remember, I have told you about this before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." When the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, "Lord, are you going to free Israel now and restore our kingdom?"
"The Father sets those dates," he replied, "and they are not for you to know. But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
John the Baptist recognized the importance of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!" Mark 1:8 (NLT)
John answered their questions by saying, "I baptize with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Luke 3:16 (NLT)
Separate Work from Salvation
As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new Christians to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:15-17 (NLT)
"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" he asked them.
"No," they replied, "we don't know what you mean. We haven't even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
"Then what baptism did you experience?" he asked.
And they replied, "The baptism of John."
Paul said, "John's baptism was to demonstrate a desire to turn from sin and turn to God. John himself told the people to believe in Jesus, the one John said would come later."
As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all. Acts 19:2-7 (NLT)
Peter replied, "Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 (NLT)
Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by keeping the law? Of course not, for the Holy Spirit came upon you only after you believed the message you heard about Christ. Galatians 3:2 (NLT)
Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit
and the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. And a voice from heaven said, "You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you." Luke 3:22 (NLT)
And no doubt you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the Devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:38 (NLT)
The Disciples and early Church filled with the Holy Spirit
On the day of Pentecost, seven weeks after Jesus' resurrection, the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm in the skies above them, and it filled the house where they were meeting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. Acts 2:1-4 (NLT)
Now he sits on the throne of highest honor in heaven, at God's right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. Acts 2:33 (NLT)
Acts 4:31 (NLT)
After this prayer, the building where they were meeting shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. And they preached God's message with boldness.
Acts 8:15 (NLT)
As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new Christians to receive the Holy Spirit.
Acts 9:17 (NLT)
So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you may get your sight back and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
Acts 10:44 (NLT)
Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who had heard the message.
We are Given Power
But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 (NLT)
Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
Col. 1:8 (NLT)
Special Gifts
Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving. There are different ways God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work through all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.
To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another he gives the gift of special knowledge. The Spirit gives special faith to another, and to someone else he gives the power to heal the sick. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and to another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to know whether it is really the Spirit of God or another spirit that is speaking. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, and another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. 1 Cor. 12:4-11 (NLT)
Let love be your highest goal, but also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives 1 Cor. 14:1 (NLT)
Needed for Effectively Preaching the Word of God
After this prayer, the building where they were meeting shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. And they preached God's message with boldness. Acts 4:31 (NLT)
and God verified the message by signs and wonders and various miracles and by giving gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose to do so. Hebrews 2:4 (NLT)
And my message and my preaching were very plain. I did not use wise and persuasive speeches, but the Holy Spirit was powerful among you. 1 Cor. 2:4 (NLT)
Needed for Good Leadership
"Now look around among yourselves, brothers, and select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. We will put them in charge of this business. Acts 6:3 (NLT)
One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work I have for them." Acts 13:2 (NLT)
Teach Truth
He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you do, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. John 14:17 (NLT)
But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative—and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you. John 14:26 (NLT)
Helps us to live an overcoming life
So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict. But when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the law. Galatians 5:16-18 (NLT)
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. Galatians 5:22 (NLT)
Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Ephes. 5:18 (NLT)
He is the one who told us about the great love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you. Ephes. 6:18 (NLT)
Romans 8:5-6 (NLT)
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace.
Reveals Truth
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not be presenting his own ideas; he will be telling you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. John 16:13 (NLT)
All that the Father has is mine; this is what I mean when I say that the Spirit will reveal to you whatever he receives from me. John 16:15 (NLT)
But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative—and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you. John 14:26 (NLT)
"But I will send you the Counselor—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will tell you all about me. John 15:26 (NLT)
But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don't need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you all things, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So continue in what he has taught you, and continue to live in Christ. 1 John 2:27 (NLT)
Proof of God's Approval
Fortunate for us Gentiles that God chose to use an outward sign to show his approval, for if he hadn't, we would probably still not be accepted by the Jewish believers. The baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues is actually the mechanism God used to open the door between the Jewish and the Gentile Believers.
Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who had heard the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles, too. And there could be no doubt about it, for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter asked, "Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?" So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days. Acts 10:44-48 (NLT)
Soon the news reached the apostles and other believers in Judea that the Gentiles had received the word of God. But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem, some of the Jewish believers criticized him. "You entered the home of Gentiles and even ate with them!" they said. Acts 11:1-3 (NLT)
"Well, I began telling them the Good News, but just as I was getting started, the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as he fell on us at the beginning. Then I thought of the Lord's words when he said, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' And since God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to argue?"
When the others heard this, all their objections were answered and they began praising God. They said, "God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of turning from sin and receiving eternal life."Acts 11:15-18 (NLT)
God, who knows people's hearts, confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he gave him to us. Acts 15:8 (NLT)
Acts 19:6 (NLT)
Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied.
Makes the Body of Christ united regardless of background or social status
Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into Christ's body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit. 1 Cor. 12:13 (NLT)
God's Down Payment and Guarantee
he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment of everything he will give us. 2 Cor. 1:22 (NLT)
God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit. 2 Cor. 5:5 (NLT)
God is faithful to give what we ask for
For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.
"You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him." Luke 11:10-13 (NLT)
Do Not Inhibit Spirit
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 1 Thes. 5:19-21 (NLT)
So, dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don't forbid speaking in tongues. 1 Cor. 14:39 (NLT)
Tongues
Do you have to speak in tongues to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
5 times in Acts it chronicles the believers being baptized. 3 out of those 5 times it says they spoke in tongues, and one other time it was an impressive enough event that Simon the Sorcerer tried to buy the ability. I would say that there is a pattern here that clearly shows that tongues are a sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit the majority of the time, but, the Bible does not clearly say that you must speak in tongues when you receive it so I do not believe that we should make that statement either.
And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. Acts 2:4 (NLT)
The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles, too. And there could be no doubt about it, for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Acts 10:45-46 (NLT)
Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:6 (NLT)
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Romans 8:26 (NLT)
These signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak new languages(new tongues). Mark 16:17 (NLT)
Blaspheming the Holy Spirit
but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. It is an eternal sin." Mark 3:29 (NLT)
"Every sin or blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which can never be forgiven. Anyone who blasphemes against me, the Son of Man, can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come. Matthew 12:31-32 (NLT)
The only unforgiveable sin listed in the Bible is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Let me clarify what Jesus was talking about when he used the word blasphemy in these situations.
The Pharisees realized that what Jesus did was from God. The only reason they criticized him was because they were jealous of the crowds he drew and they tried to undermine the miracles he did in the crowds eyes by attributing them to Satan. But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, "No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons." Matthew 12:24 (NLT)
They blasphemed an act of God to serve their own selfish purposes with full knowledge that the miracles were from God, performed through the power of the Holy Spirit that was in Jesus. To speak against the Holy Spirit in true ignorance is not blasphemy. If you have been told that something of the Holy Spirit is of Satan and you speak out against that, truly believing it, that would not be what Jesus was dealing with here. It's only when you know the truth and speak out against the Holy Spirit and his works falsely that you would be held accountable.
Living in the Power
It doesn't do any good to receive the Baptism and then never put it into practice. That would be like buying a new car then parking it in your driveway and never using it. We must, through daily prayer and communion with God and the body of believers, use our gifts with his leading. For there is a purpose and a ministry that the Holy Spirit has for each one of us if we are willing to get with God everyday to be filled and empowered. Your life in Christ will become very fulfilling as you enact the special gifts that you were created to do and as you experience God on a new level; the level you were intended to as a New Testament believer.
Peter replied, "Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 (NLT)
Peter refers to the Holy Spirit as a gift. Why is it that most Christians refuse to accept this gift?
Some are ignorant of the power and taught against it. Satan fears the the Holy Spirit in a believers life. He puts up a smoke screen of false teachings and smear campaigns to dissuade those who would use it to build the Kingdom of God.
Others don't really see a need for it. If someone gave you a car and you never left your house you would not consider that gift of any use.
For those who never get outside the walls of the church to evangelize, the Holy Spirit is of little use to them.
When they become part of the workers of the harvest that Jesus prayed for, and begin to fulfill the great comission, then the Holy Spirit becomes a great gift and helper.
Jesus commanded the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit before they started on the Great Commission.
And in Acts 1:4-8 (NLT) In one of these meetings as he was eating a meal with them, he told them, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you what he promised. Remember, I have told you about this before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." When the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, "Lord, are you going to free Israel now and restore our kingdom?"
"The Father sets those dates," he replied, "and they are not for you to know. But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
John the Baptist recognized the importance of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!" Mark 1:8 (NLT)
John answered their questions by saying, "I baptize with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Luke 3:16 (NLT)
Separate Work from Salvation
As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new Christians to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:15-17 (NLT)
"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" he asked them.
"No," they replied, "we don't know what you mean. We haven't even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
"Then what baptism did you experience?" he asked.
And they replied, "The baptism of John."
Paul said, "John's baptism was to demonstrate a desire to turn from sin and turn to God. John himself told the people to believe in Jesus, the one John said would come later."
As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all. Acts 19:2-7 (NLT)
Peter replied, "Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 (NLT)
Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by keeping the law? Of course not, for the Holy Spirit came upon you only after you believed the message you heard about Christ. Galatians 3:2 (NLT)
Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit
and the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. And a voice from heaven said, "You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you." Luke 3:22 (NLT)
And no doubt you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the Devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:38 (NLT)
The Disciples and early Church filled with the Holy Spirit
On the day of Pentecost, seven weeks after Jesus' resurrection, the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm in the skies above them, and it filled the house where they were meeting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. Acts 2:1-4 (NLT)
Now he sits on the throne of highest honor in heaven, at God's right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. Acts 2:33 (NLT)
Acts 4:31 (NLT)
After this prayer, the building where they were meeting shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. And they preached God's message with boldness.
Acts 8:15 (NLT)
As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new Christians to receive the Holy Spirit.
Acts 9:17 (NLT)
So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you may get your sight back and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
Acts 10:44 (NLT)
Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who had heard the message.
We are Given Power
But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 (NLT)
Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
Col. 1:8 (NLT)
Special Gifts
Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving. There are different ways God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work through all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.
To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another he gives the gift of special knowledge. The Spirit gives special faith to another, and to someone else he gives the power to heal the sick. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and to another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to know whether it is really the Spirit of God or another spirit that is speaking. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, and another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. 1 Cor. 12:4-11 (NLT)
Let love be your highest goal, but also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives 1 Cor. 14:1 (NLT)
Needed for Effectively Preaching the Word of God
After this prayer, the building where they were meeting shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. And they preached God's message with boldness. Acts 4:31 (NLT)
and God verified the message by signs and wonders and various miracles and by giving gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose to do so. Hebrews 2:4 (NLT)
And my message and my preaching were very plain. I did not use wise and persuasive speeches, but the Holy Spirit was powerful among you. 1 Cor. 2:4 (NLT)
Needed for Good Leadership
"Now look around among yourselves, brothers, and select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. We will put them in charge of this business. Acts 6:3 (NLT)
One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work I have for them." Acts 13:2 (NLT)
Teach Truth
He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you do, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. John 14:17 (NLT)
But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative—and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you. John 14:26 (NLT)
Helps us to live an overcoming life
So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict. But when you are directed by the Holy Spirit, you are no longer subject to the law. Galatians 5:16-18 (NLT)
But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. Galatians 5:22 (NLT)
Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Ephes. 5:18 (NLT)
He is the one who told us about the great love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you. Ephes. 6:18 (NLT)
Romans 8:5-6 (NLT)
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace.
Reveals Truth
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not be presenting his own ideas; he will be telling you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. John 16:13 (NLT)
All that the Father has is mine; this is what I mean when I say that the Spirit will reveal to you whatever he receives from me. John 16:15 (NLT)
But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative—and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you. John 14:26 (NLT)
"But I will send you the Counselor—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will tell you all about me. John 15:26 (NLT)
But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don't need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you all things, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So continue in what he has taught you, and continue to live in Christ. 1 John 2:27 (NLT)
Proof of God's Approval
Fortunate for us Gentiles that God chose to use an outward sign to show his approval, for if he hadn't, we would probably still not be accepted by the Jewish believers. The baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues is actually the mechanism God used to open the door between the Jewish and the Gentile Believers.
Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who had heard the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles, too. And there could be no doubt about it, for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter asked, "Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?" So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days. Acts 10:44-48 (NLT)
Soon the news reached the apostles and other believers in Judea that the Gentiles had received the word of God. But when Peter arrived back in Jerusalem, some of the Jewish believers criticized him. "You entered the home of Gentiles and even ate with them!" they said. Acts 11:1-3 (NLT)
"Well, I began telling them the Good News, but just as I was getting started, the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as he fell on us at the beginning. Then I thought of the Lord's words when he said, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' And since God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to argue?"
When the others heard this, all their objections were answered and they began praising God. They said, "God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of turning from sin and receiving eternal life."Acts 11:15-18 (NLT)
God, who knows people's hearts, confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he gave him to us. Acts 15:8 (NLT)
Acts 19:6 (NLT)
Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied.
Makes the Body of Christ united regardless of background or social status
Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into Christ's body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit. 1 Cor. 12:13 (NLT)
God's Down Payment and Guarantee
he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment of everything he will give us. 2 Cor. 1:22 (NLT)
God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit. 2 Cor. 5:5 (NLT)
God is faithful to give what we ask for
For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.
"You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him." Luke 11:10-13 (NLT)
Do Not Inhibit Spirit
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 1 Thes. 5:19-21 (NLT)
So, dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don't forbid speaking in tongues. 1 Cor. 14:39 (NLT)
Tongues
Do you have to speak in tongues to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
5 times in Acts it chronicles the believers being baptized. 3 out of those 5 times it says they spoke in tongues, and one other time it was an impressive enough event that Simon the Sorcerer tried to buy the ability. I would say that there is a pattern here that clearly shows that tongues are a sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit the majority of the time, but, the Bible does not clearly say that you must speak in tongues when you receive it so I do not believe that we should make that statement either.
And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. Acts 2:4 (NLT)
The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles, too. And there could be no doubt about it, for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Acts 10:45-46 (NLT)
Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:6 (NLT)
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Romans 8:26 (NLT)
These signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak new languages(new tongues). Mark 16:17 (NLT)
Blaspheming the Holy Spirit
but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. It is an eternal sin." Mark 3:29 (NLT)
"Every sin or blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which can never be forgiven. Anyone who blasphemes against me, the Son of Man, can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come. Matthew 12:31-32 (NLT)
The only unforgiveable sin listed in the Bible is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Let me clarify what Jesus was talking about when he used the word blasphemy in these situations.
The Pharisees realized that what Jesus did was from God. The only reason they criticized him was because they were jealous of the crowds he drew and they tried to undermine the miracles he did in the crowds eyes by attributing them to Satan. But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, "No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons." Matthew 12:24 (NLT)
They blasphemed an act of God to serve their own selfish purposes with full knowledge that the miracles were from God, performed through the power of the Holy Spirit that was in Jesus. To speak against the Holy Spirit in true ignorance is not blasphemy. If you have been told that something of the Holy Spirit is of Satan and you speak out against that, truly believing it, that would not be what Jesus was dealing with here. It's only when you know the truth and speak out against the Holy Spirit and his works falsely that you would be held accountable.
Living in the Power
It doesn't do any good to receive the Baptism and then never put it into practice. That would be like buying a new car then parking it in your driveway and never using it. We must, through daily prayer and communion with God and the body of believers, use our gifts with his leading. For there is a purpose and a ministry that the Holy Spirit has for each one of us if we are willing to get with God everyday to be filled and empowered. Your life in Christ will become very fulfilling as you enact the special gifts that you were created to do and as you experience God on a new level; the level you were intended to as a New Testament believer.
Baptism