We believe the Bible is God's infallible Word (II Timothy 3:16)

We believe in one God who was "manifest in flesh" (Son of God) and dwells within us (Holy Ghost/Holy Spirit).  The name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost is Jesus (John 5:43, Matthew 1:21-23, John 14:26)

We believe that salvation comes through believing and obeying the Gospel (Acts 2:38).  Repentance (Death), baptism in Jesus' name (Burial), and the infilling of the Holy Ghost (Resurrection) were commanded by the Apostles and are still valid today.

We believe in living separated and consecrated lives to our Savior.

 

                                   John 3:16   Mark 16:17  Acts 19:2-6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost   

 I. Introductory Remarks.  The Baptism of the Holy Ghost is one of most wonderful and desirable experiences of becoming a believer in the New Testament.   It was the first major experience that the disciples of Jesus received after He ascended into Heaven.   Upon receiving this wonderful experience the New Testament church was birthed with the disciples going forth in explosive power giving witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the preaching of the kingdom of God.   My purpose in this lesson is to allow the Scriptures to speak for themselves concerning this wonderful truth, which will show us the reality of how this experience was received by the early disciples and how God commanded us as 21st century New Testament Church to receive this experience as well.   From the Day of Pentecost in the 2 chapter of the book of Acts throughout the Centuries there have always been people “Baptized in the Holy Ghost, speaking with Other Tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance”.   

 II. The Baptism of the Holy Ghost Was Prophesied.   ·         

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost was prophesied by Joel, an Old Testament Prophet, John the Baptist and also by Jesus.     Joel 2:28-29  And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:  29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.  Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 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.   10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.   11 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?   12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?   13 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?  (See also Luke 24:49, John 7:37-39 & Acts 1:5)   ·        All of the above Prophecies Were Fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost.  The Baptism of the Holy Ghost that was prophesied by the Prophet Joel, John the Baptist and Jesus was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost, which was the birth of the New Testament Church.  Acts 2:1-4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.      2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.    3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.       4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.   The scene in this passage is the Birth of the New Testament Church, which began as a result of the Outpouring of the Holy Ghost, which had been prophesied by the Prophet Joel.  (See Acts 2:14-18).      ·        Peter identifies this experience as the Baptism of the Holy Ghost  The Apostle Peter identifies the experience in Acts chapter 2 as the Baptism of the Holy Ghost that Jesus spoke of in Acts 1:5, which He also identified as the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.  Acts 11:15-16   And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.  16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.   The major sign given in the 2nd Chapter of Acts that the Baptism of the Holy Ghost had actually come was that they spoke with other tongues, of which we will discuss later in this lesson.   

 III. There Are Distinct Experiences in the Holy Ghost.  

Before we go any further in this study it is important to point out that the Bible does clearly state that there are distinct experiences of someone that receives the Holy Ghost.   The new convert is born again through the Holy Ghost, but there is yet another work of grace.   We find and example of this in the lives of the early disciples.   ·        The early disciples Jesus breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy GHOST".  John 20:22And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:    ·        Jesus then told these same disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they receive the promise of His Father.  Luke 24:49And, 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.  ·        The power spoken of in Luke 24:49 is Identified as the power that comes from the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.  Acts 1:8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.     ·        The above passages of Scripture and the ones below show conclusively that the early disciples received two distinct experiences from the Holy Ghost.  Acts 8:5-8 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.      6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. Act 8:7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.  Act 8:8 And there was great joy in that city.   These people had been converted, baptized in water, healed, delivered of demons and made joyful.  Yet they still needed to receive the gift of the Holy host.   Peter and John came to Samaria from Jerusalem, when they had heard that these people had been water baptized.   Acts 8:14-17Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:   15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)  17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.   

 IV.    The Evidence of Having Received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.

 A Tangible Supernatural Sign Is Given.

 

It is more than taking it by faith.  God gives a tangible supernatural sign in your body.  Your tongue will speak a language you have never learned.  This is called "speaking in 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.

 

Verse 46 says "For they heard them speaking with tongues".  In other words this was how they knew that they had received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

Acts 19:1-6  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,

 

   2 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.

 

   3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said

      unto John's baptism.

 

   4 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.

 

   5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

 

  6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

 

  The Bible is consistent in the fact that Tongues was the initial evidence.

 

2 Corinthians 13:1This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

 

Out of five experiences in the Book of Acts concerning the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, three of them show conclusively that “speaking in tongues” was the sign that they had experienced it. 

 

The other two examples are that of the Apostle Paul found in Acts 9:17 and Simon the sorcerer in Acts 8:18-21.

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.

 

     18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and    he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

 

 

 

In the case with Paul, he said in I Corinthians 14:18 "I thank my God, I speak in tongues more than you all.

 

 

 In the case with Simon the Sorcerer, when Peter rebuked him for offering money to have the power to lay hands on people so that they could receive the gift,

 

Peter told Simon in Acts 8:18-21  And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

 

19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

 

20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

 

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

 

Verse 21-That he had no part in the matter, The word matter is the Greek word logos, which means word or divine utterance.

 

Peter Spoke in tongues in Acts Chapter 2 preached it in the same chapter also in Acts Chapter 10 to the not only the Jews but also the Gentiles

 

Paul received it in Acts chapter 9 and we know he spoke in Tongues from his very own writings also preached it in Acts chapter 19 to the Ephesians  

 

In the New Testament you will often find the introduction of a truth or doctrine in the gospels and the experience of the truth in the Book of Acts and then further

 

teaching and explaining in the Epistles, which is the case concerning the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.  

 

 

The apostle Paul elaborates on this truth quite extensively in the Book of 1 Corinthians. He explains the difference between tongues as a sign of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and the gift of tongues.

 

 

One Scripture that has been very confusing to many is the one found in 1 Corinthians 12:30 where the implication seems to be that all don't speak in tongues.

 

 

 

 

It is important to understand this Scripture in the context in which it is written.  Paul has just finished defining to the Corinthians the nine gifts of the Spirit of which tongues is one of them. 

 

1 Corinthians 12:10To 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:

 

 The “tongues” that he is speaking of here is the tongue that is to be used in the congregational setting that must follow with an interpretation.  Not everyone has this gift.

 

 

·        Paul wished that all spoke with tongues.

 

I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

1 Corinthians 14:18-23 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

 

 

19 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.

 

20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

 

21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

 

22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

 

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?

 

·        We are to pray in the Holy Ghost with tongues or what I refer to as praying in the Spirit

 

 

 

 

1 Corinthians 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.

 

For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

 

Romans 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.

 

 

 1 Corinthians 14:14For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

 

 

This unknown tongue is the tongue given with the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.

 

 It is not the gift of tongues mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:10 & 29, which must be followed by an interpretation.

 

 

This is a valid question and must be answered in the context of New Testament Christianity.  The primary scripture used by those who say the Baptism of the Holy Ghost with Tongues is not for today is found in 1 Corinthians 13:8-9

 

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

 

       9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

 

       10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

 

       11 when I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

 

       12 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.

 

 

 

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Notice that Verse 8 says, “tongues shall be done away with as well as knowledge when that which is perfect is come.”  Those who advocate that the gifts of the Spirit are not for today say that when the Bible as we know it today

 

was canonized "that which is perfect" came and so the gifts or the supernatural manifestations of God are not needed anymore.

 

The problem with this thought is that 1 Corinthians 13:12 identifies very clearly what Paul is talking about. 

 

1 Corinthians 13:12For 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.

 

 It says "when we see face to face" that which is in part shall be done away with.

 

 Also, if tongues are to be done away with so is knowledge and their argument is that when knowledge and perfection came Tongues was done away so in there theology Knowledge must also be done away with.

 

Colossians 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

 

 

 I John 3:2 Apostle John identifies what this passage is talking about.   It's at the second coming!

 

1 John 3:2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

 

·We have all been called to receive this gift.

 

Acts 2:39For 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.

 

This passage of scripture makes it clear that this gift which was received here, which we have already seen clearly is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for as many as the Lord our God shall call.

 

Have You Been Called by God? If so then this experience is for you.

 

·        The gifts and callings of God are irrevocable.

 

 

This means God can't take back a gift He has given to the Church.

 

 

·Our hearts must be properly prepared through repentance.

 

Acts 2:38Then 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.  

 

Acts 3:19Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

 

·There needs to be a real hungering and thirsting for it.

 

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

 

Luke 11:9-13And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

 

    10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

 

    11 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?

 

    12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

 

     13 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?

·There must be an active response to your faith.

 

 James 2:20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

 

 James 2:26   For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

 

 Conclusion

Acts 2:4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

 

 

If you have any further Questions and are interested in learning more or receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost please contact “Rock Solid Apostolic Ministries of Dalhart” (806) 244-2161 or Visit us were meeting at 610 Denrock (The Corner of Denrock and (7th Street) Hwy 54 the building next to the City of Dalhart Arches) Service Times Sunday 7:00 pm and Wednesday7:30 pm

 

Not from our area, we would be more and glad to steer you in the right direction to an Apostolic Pentecostal Church near you.

 

“Because we are a Ministry that cares for your salvation and to see a life changed” 

 

 

Pastor Watts