Click for Chapter 34
In the last two lessons, we have seen that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is an experience distinct from conversion, and that this blessed spirit-filled life is available to us today.
Dr. R. A. Torrey in his discussions concerning the Baptism of the Holy Spirit states, "The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a definite experience of which one may know whether he has received it or not." This is a most reasonable assumption, for the disciples were told to "tarry until you are endued with power from on high." If one could not know when such an experience was consummated, it would be sheer guesswork to ascertain when to terminate prayer for such an experience.
This naturally leads to evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The evidence must be such as to satisfy the seeker, as well as the fellow Christian, so that no shadow of doubt remains.
At the beginning of the Age of Grace, the disciples were told by our Lord Jesus to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). "Go therefore, and teach all nations" (Matthew 28:19). The enduement of power from on high was to enable them to witness at Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8).
The followers of our Lord were instructed to wait until they received power from on high (Luke 24:49) before beginning their ministry. We notice that in obedience to this command, they spent their period of waiting by being continually in the temple praising and blessing God (Luke 24:53).
With a commission world-wide and embracing "every creature," it is most fitting that instead of prophesying in their mother tongue as did the Old Testament prophets (Numbers 11:25), as evidence that they were filled with the Spirit of God, the New Testament followers of our Lord were recipients of a divine power which could enable them to speak in other tongues. On the Day of Pentecost, about fifteen nationalities were mentioned (Acts 2:8-11) as hearing in their own language the wonderful works of God. Most amazing in this spiritual phenomena, was the fact that the speaker in tongues could not understand a word of what he spoke (1 Corinthians 14:2, 14). While the hearers of all fifteen languages that were spoken each could understand what was said. "How hear we every man in our own language where we were born?" (Acts 2:8)
Tongues are a continuation of evidence in the New Testament age as prophecy was evidence in Old Testament times. The speaking in other tongues became a sign and evidence that the Holy Spirit had descended upon New Testament believers. "These signs shall follow them that believe, in my name (Jesus speaking) shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues" (Mark 16:17).
Peter considered that speaking in other tongues was prophecy, at least to the hearer who understood what was said. He said, "This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel, 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophecy.'" (Acts 2:16, 17). The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:5 points out that tongues with interpretation is the equivalent of prophecy. Thus, just as prophecy was evidence of the infilling of the Holy Spirit when the people of God were national Israel, so tongues is the evidence in the New Testament, the Church being international.
Peter having received a divine commission to preach the gospel to the Gentiles that had gathered at Cornelius' house, preached to them the Word of God especially concerning Jesus Christ. "While Peter yet spoke to them the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the Word, and they of the circumcision that believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also were poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost; for they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God" (Acts 10:44-46). This was the first experience of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit among Gentiles. The evidence was the same as on the Day of Pentecost. It may be well at this point to ask the question, "What if the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the household of Cornelius had not been evidenced by the speaking in other tongues; how would Peter answer the Jews that challenged his ministry to the Gentiles have answered their questions?" (Read Acts 11:15-18)
It should be clear at this point, that this evidence of tongues was not restricted to the Day of Pentecost, nor restricted to the initial outpouring upon the Gentiles at the home of Cornelius (Acts 10). Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit in the city of Damascus, and said, "I thank my God I speak with tongues more than ye all" (1 Corinthians 14:18).
The Gentiles at Corinth likewise received this same experience as the believers did at Pentecost in speaking with other tongues, for chapters 12, 13, and 14 of 1 Corinthians reveal this obvious fact. It is true that chapter 12 throught14 of 1 Corinthians were written to correct certain abuses that had crept into the use of the gift of tongues. It is equally true that the Church not requiring knowledge of 1 Corinthians 12, 13, and 14 is not apostolic in a Spirit-filled experience. Where the gift of tongues is not manifest, no correctives are needed. The Gentiles at Ephesus also received the Holy Spirit and "spoke with tongues and prophesied" (Acts 19:6).
Scripture reveals that the initial physical evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. On the Day of Pentecost, at the household of Cornelius, at Ephesus, in the life of the Apostle Paul, and in the Corinthian Church, the manifestation of tongues is in evidence. Based upon scripture evidence, it is logical that all who receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit today speak with other tongues. God and His attributes are unchanging.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the promise to every believer. Just as remission of sin is the promise to those who repent and are baptized in water (Acts 2:38) so also is the promise of the Holy Spirit. Peter said, "The promise is unto you and to your children, and to all that are far off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:39).
The Holy Spirit came upon believers and reproved the world because Jesus Christ died on the cross, arose again the third day, and ascended into heaven. This blessed endowment came upon the early Christian believer because of the atoning death of our Lord. Why should not we reap the same blessing when we trust in the same Christ?
The believers in the early Church received the promise of the Father. There is every reason to believe that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit that was the birthright of the primitive believer is also ours today.
Careful search of the Holy Scriptures reveal that the Lord Jesus planned that the Holy Spirit should continue among us in mighty power until the Second Coming of Christ.
The glow and efficacy of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and His attendant power die in any soul, only when that person willfully quenches, or grieves, Him.
The promise of the Holy Spirit is not limited to a period in time, that is, the "Apostolic Age," or "the early Church," or a "favored few," but rather, all flesh, all who believe, all who thirst (John 7:37-39).
Scriptural signs are bonified evidence. The miracles of God were His credentials. "Which is easier to say, 'thy sins be forgiven thee' or 'rise and walk'?" (Matthew 9:5). "Believe me for the very works sake" (John 14:11). "These signs shall follow them that believe..." (Mark 16:17). The disciples that heard Christ went out preaching, "God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost according to His own will" (Hebrews 2:4).
Are we living in a day and age when all men can be convinced by scripture logic? There are men living in this age who need evidence of God's power. There are godly workers who need signs as a divine credential. There is a need for the sick to be healed. The very fact that God gave to the Church nine gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:1-11) is enough evidence that gifts and their attendant signs are needed.
The fact that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for signs is proof that they are needed today and available for us. We limit God in His work when we reject the divine equipment by which His work may be accomplished. The days have come upon us when nothing will avail to break through the awesome powers of evil and unbelief, but those divine manifestations ordained by God, supported by scripture, and effective in results to the glory of God. Christians need to seek God for a renewal of a mighty anointing.
There are nine gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians chapter 12. Namely, the word of wisdom, faith, the word of knowledge, the gifts of healing, the working of miracles, prophecy, the discerning of spirits, various kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.
These gifts of the Holy Spirit may be grouped as follows: (1) the gifts of revelation are the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, and the discerning of spirits. (2) The three gifts of power are faith, working of miracles, and the gifts of healings. (3) The gifts of inspiration are prophecy, divers kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.
There are also gifts mentioned in Ephesus 4. We refer to Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers. These are usually known as ministry gifts. The Lord's gifts of ministers are gifts to the Church. Each of God's ministers needs the gifts of the Holy Spirit to have a ministry bearing apostolic credentials and power.
There are diversities of gifts, but one Holy Spirit from whom the gifts emanate. The Apostle Paul pointed out that gifts differ one from another. Their origin and source is the same. There are nine gifts, one Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit manifests Himself in nine different ways. As the gifts are distinctive, so also are the manifestations (1 Corinthians 12).
There are diversities of operations, but it is the same God that works all in all. The same gift may function differently in the lives of various individuals. Samson and Elijah had the gift of miracles. The gift of miracles manifested itself in supernatural strength in the life of Samson. In the life of Elijah, the gift of miracles operated by prayer, as when he called fire from heaven. Moses, on the other hand, was commanded to take a rod with him and the power of the Spirit was manifested when he used the rod. But in each of the aforementioned cases, it was the same working of miracles that was in manifestation, so that although the operations differed, it was God manifesting Himself through the gift of miracles.
The Holy Spirit divides the gifts of the Holy Spirit to individuals in Christ severally as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:11). It is the choice of the Holy Spirit to give what gifts He sees most suitable for each individual. We are admonished to covet earnestly the best gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31). But it remains the choosing of the Holy Spirit to bestow these gifts as He wills.
Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 and Ephesians 4: 11-13.