Bible Study Week 8
Part 5
The Initial Evidence of the Holy Ghost
The Outpouring
Acts 2:1-4 records the initial outpouring of the Holy Ghost, when the believers in the upper room 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?
Everyone in the Upper Room Was Filled
Acts 2:4 records that on the Day of Pentecost the waiting disciples were "all" filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. None were excluded. All 120 of them spoke with tongues as God gloriously filled them with His Spirit. Among the 120 were Mary the mother of Jesus, Jesus' four brothers, and all the apostles.
Samaritans Received the Holy Ghost
The Samaritans received the same experience, and a miraculous, outward sign occurred to tell everyone when people received the Holy Ghost. Even Simon the sorcerer knew they had received the heavenly gift and sought to buy the power to bestow such a miraculous sign. (See Acts 13:13-19)
Gentiles Received the Holy Ghost
The Holy Ghost fell on Cornelius and other Gentiles, and they spoke with other tongues. This sign convinced the skeptical Jewish Christians that the Gentiles had received the Holy Ghost, and this sign alone was sufficient for Peter to proclaim that the Gentiles had received the same Pentecostal experience. (See Acts 10:44-48; 11:15-17)
Disciples of John the Baptist Received the Holy Ghost
In Acts 19:1-6, a group of John the Baptist's disciples were rebaptized in Jesus' name by the apostle Paul, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost as evidenced by speaking with tongues.
The accompanying sign of speaking with tongues is either stated as the sign or strongly implied in every outpouring of the Holy Ghost recorded in the Book of Acts.
>>> Why do you think God chose speaking in tongues as the sign of receiving the Holy Ghost?
While it may seem like an unusual phenomenon to those who have not experienced it, speaking in tongues is a beautiful experience. The Bible indicates it is hard to control our tongues (James 3:8).
When we speak in tongues, it demonstrates our complete surrender to Jesus Christ. We also see throughout Scripture that speaking in tongues is the consistent pattern of believers who utter prophetic speech when filled and moved on by the Holy Ghost.
The Purpose of the Holy Ghost
The Spirit Gives Eternal Life
The baptism of the Holy Ghost bestows the very power that resurrected Jesus Christ from the dead. According to Romans 8:11, "If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." (See also Romans8:9; I Corinthians 15:51-53)
The Spirit Gives Power
The baptism of the Holy Ghost gives the believer tremendous power to witness for the Lord. Without the Holy Ghost, the early disciples would have been powerless to save the hostile world of their day. But through the power of God within them, they were able to conquer even the mighty Roman Empire with the good news of Calvary. This same power is available if people will only have faith to reach out and claim it. Jesus said in Acts 1:8, "Ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you."
The Spirit Teaches
The Bible is not merely a product of human thinking and ability, "but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (II Peter 1:21). Since it required the inspiration of the Spirit for the writing of the Scriptures, it also requires the inspiration of the Holy Ghost to understand God's Word fully. Jesus promised that the Spirit would "teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26).
The Spirit Gives Righteousness, Peace, and Joy
(Romans 14:17)
The Holy Ghost not only gives power to live a holy, clean life but also accompanying joy and peace that only God can give. It is "joy unspeakable and full of glory" (I Peter 1:8).
The Spirit Imparts the Love of God
Romans 5:5 says, "The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." The gift of the Holy Ghost is baptism of the love of God, a boundless love that cries earnestly to every thirsty heart. "Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Revelation 22:17).
Floating one summer night down on of America's rivers, a man and his companion sought vainly for the sign of a human habitation where they could spend the night or a place along the steep bank where they could pitch their camp. At last, wet and cold and exhausted, the drew up their boat on a sandbar. There, groping in the darkness, they gathered together a few pieces of driftwood and, after several ineffectual attempts succeeded in lighting a fire. How carefully they tended that fire, brooding over it until they were certain that it was going to burn; and when at length it began to burn briskly and brightly, illuminating their dismal surroundings and warming their cold and weary bodies, they realized as never before what a friend fire is to humanity.
The Bible uses the metaphor of fire when it says, "Quench not the Spirit" (I Thessalonians 5:19). Truly, the indwelling Holy Spirit, with power, is the most valuable treasure and friend we could have.
Questions for Personal Reflection
1. Prayer came before the outpouring of the Spirit. How am I doing in the area of prayer?
2. What steps could I take to make repentance part of my daily life?
3. Have I taken on the covenant name of Jesus in baptism?
4. How can I receive the gift of the Holy Ghost?
5. What step can I take this week to draw closer to God?