Gala 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.John 14:16-18 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you
Acts 2:1-4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:32-33 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
The Baptism of the Holy Ghost is for everybody! Never are we told that only some believers are supposed to have it while others never will.
I. Speaking in tongues is the INITIAL evidence that you have received the Holy Ghost.
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.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.
I Cor 14.4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself;
1 Cor 14.14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues,
III. "TONGUES" IS THE EVIDENCE THAT GOD IS IN A PERSON
Acts 10:45-46 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
IV. PRAYER IN TONGUES MAKES FOR PURE PRAYER
I Cor 14.14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
V. PRAYING IN TONGUES HELPS OUR FAITH
Jude 1.20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith praying in the Holy Ghost,
VI. IN CHURCH YOU MUST NOT PRAY LOUDLY IN TONGUES
Many Pentecostals do not realize that Paul taught that in public worship, where sinners are present, we should not speak aloud in tongues!
I Cor 14:2-4 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.The above verse shows us that tongues are not to be spoken aloud in worship since they edify ourselves, and when together with the body we should seek to edify others and the Body.
I Cor 14:18-19 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.Notice that Paul said, "In the church" I would rather speak five words of the native tongue so that others may be edified, and not myself edified by speaking in tongues.
I Cor 14.23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues and there come in those that are unlearned or unbelievers will they not say that ye are mad?Sinners do not get anything out of hearing us speaking in tongues. They do not understand what it is all about. And if they leave, calling us mad people, Paul said they have a good reason for doing so. We should speak in tongues as a form of prayer and worship when sinners are not around.
1 Cor 14.27-28 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself; and to GodWhen Tongues are spoken aloud they should only do so in preceding an interpretation.
VII. SPEAKING IN TONGUES IT REFRESHES YOU
Isa 28.11-12 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.
I. The Holy Ghost is already in the world.
Luke 24.49 And, 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.
II. It is for all who REPENT and who really want to serve God
Acts 2.38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
III. EXPECT TO RECEIVE THE SPIRIT WHEN HANDS ARE LAID ON YOU
Acts 8:18-20 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.
IV. YOU MUST UNDERSTAND WHAT SPEAKING IN TONGUES IS
Acts 2.4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance..
Acts 10.44-46 While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Acts 19.6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.
I Cor 14.2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God. for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
I Cor 14.27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
V. DO NOT FEAR GETTING ANOTHER SPIRIT, AS SOME TEACH
Luke 11:11-13 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?
VI. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE THE SPIRIT WITH YOUR MOUTH SHUT
Eph 5:18-19 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
VII. THOSE PRAYING FOR A PERSON SHOULD BE ONLY ONE OR TWO
VIII. YOU MUST NOT BE SELF-CONSCIOUS AND NERVOUS THAT PEOPLE WILL LOOK AT YOU