Friday, March 15, 2013

Evidence Of The Holy Ghost




VI.  The Evidence of the Holy Ghost

On the Day of Pentecost, the birthday of the church, about 120 believers spoke with other tongues as they received the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:1-4).  God’s Word is precise in giving us example after example of this phenomenal sign of speaking in tongues as evidence that one has received the Holy Ghost. 

            Acts 2:1-4 records the initial outpouring of the Holy Ghost, when in the upper room they spoke with other tongues.  Do all speak with tongues when they receive the Holy Ghost?  This is a legitimate question and one that deserves sincere and honest consideration.  In considering the necessity of speaking with other tongues the Bible is our sole source of information.  Who spoke with tongues in the Scriptures?

          1.  Everyone in Upper Room Filled

(Acts 2:1-4 KJV)  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 2:4 records that they were “all” filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance on the day of Pentecost.  None were excluded!  All one hundred and twenty spoke with tongues as God gloriously filled them with His Spirit.  Among the one hundred and twenty were Mary, the mother of Jesus, Jesus’ brothers, and all of the remaining apostles.

2.  Samaritans Received Holy Ghost

(Acts 8:13-24 KJV)  Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:  Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (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 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 parish 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.  Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

            Acts 8:13-24 – The Samaritans were given the same experience and something happened so they could outwardly tell when people received the Holy Ghost.  Even Simon the Sorcerer knew they had received a heavenly gift.

           3.  Gentiles

(Acts 10:1-6 KJV)  There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.  He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.  And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord?  And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.  And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:  He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

            In Acts 10:1-6 we learn about Cornelius.  He was a good man, a very devout God fearing man, that paid alms and prayed always, but still God sent an angel to tell him to send for a man (Peter) to tell him what he must do to be saved.

            In Acts 10:44-48 –The Holy Ghost falls on Cornelius and other gentiles and they spoke with other tongues.

(Acts 10:44-48 KJV)  While Peter yet spake 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, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

          4. Disciples of John the Baptist

(Acts 19:1-6 KJV)  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. 

In this scripture a group of John the Baptist’s disciples are rebaptized in Jesus name by the Apostle Paul and are filled with the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking with tongues.
           
            The accompanying sign of speaking with tongues is either stated or strongly implied every time the Holy Ghost is outpoured in the book of Acts.

email:kimlovesjesus@icloud.com

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