God provides infallible proof to his truth
The Holy Spirit anointing is a tangible, separate, and necessary experience
Many people have been led to believe that the Holy Spirit anointing is an intangible experience, that it automatically accompanies water baptism, or that it’s an optional extra and not a necessity. Yet, Scripture clearly shows us otherwise.
Tangible
The disciples of Christ first received the Holy Spirit ten days after Jesus ascended to heaven. This marked the beginning of the New Covenant (Testament or Agreement). The disciples were not sure when this would happen or what exactly was to occur; they simply remembered being told by Jesus to wait in Jerusalem until they received the promise of the Father. As we see by the scripture below, it occurred with God’s miraculous proof:
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.”
(By the way, don’t be misled by children’s Bible stories. Literal flames of fire did not appear above the disciples’ heads. When examined in the original Greek, the description means that they were all filled with the Holy Spirit – speaking in tongues as evidence – so quickly that it was like a roaring fire, raging from one end of the room to the other.)
It is argued that “speaking in tongues” on the day of Pentecost was a one-time event, for teaching purposes only, or short-lived (having ceased within centuries afterward). God indeed gave the 120 disciples who were first anointed with the Holy Spirit “tongues” that foreigners could understand, but this was the only time speaking in tongues was ever scripturally documented to have been understood by natural man. God’s intention was to prove that this new, miraculous experience was truly of Him.
Speaking in tongues was not a gift isolated to the Day of Pentecost, nor was it intended to be used to preach to foreigners (refer to 1 Corinthians 14:2). It was simply the first manifesting sign of the infilling of the Holy Spirit at that time, and it has been so ever since. This is supported by scriptures such as the following:
Acts 19:1-7, “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. And all the men were about twelve.”
Acts 10:44-48, “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.”
In summary, it is incorrect to assume that someone has the Holy Spirit dwelling within them if they have not experienced God’s confirming powerful evidence.
(Note: Acts 10 refers to Cornelius and his household, who were the first Gentiles (non-Israelites) to receive the Holy Spirit anointing. It is interesting to note that this anointing happened 30 years after the Day of Pentecost. Up until this time, the disciples had been directed to only preach to the Israelites (descendants of the twelve tribes of Jacob whose name was changed to Israel). Also interesting is that the disciples were not called Christians until they were in Antioch many years after the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Until this time, they were called “people of the Way” (of Jesus). The word “Christian” means “anointed one,” referring to the anointing of the Holy Spirit.)
Separate & Necessary
The Holy Spirit anointing is separate from the act of being baptized in water, yet both are requirements for salvation:
John 3:5-7, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”
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.”
Note: If you examine the Greek origin word of baptism, you will realize that baptism must be by full immersion in water, not sprinkling, dipping, or any other version. The purpose of baptism is to communicate to God your willingness to bury your old fleshly life and live a new life according to His will. One must be old enough to repent, so dunking or sprinkling babies without their conscious consent is not God’s idea of “official” baptism. Also, when a person is baptized, s/he is baptized into Jesus’ death, not into the Body of Christ unto eternal life as is commonly believed. It is only when the person is quickened/enlivened by the Holy Spirit anointing that s/he is made a new creation and can hope in the promise of life after death in God’s Kingdom (1 Corinthians 12:13).
Many scriptures emphasize the separation between baptism in water and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. However, two key examples are: 1) Acts 10:44-48 (above) where Peter commands Cornelius and his household to be baptized after Peter witnesses them receiving the Holy Spirit anointing (by hearing them speak in tongues), and 2) Acts chapter 8 where the people of Samaria receive the Word of God with joy, are water baptized both men and women, but don’t experience the infilling of the Holy Spirit until Peter and John come to them some time later, to lay hands on them and pray over them:
Acts 8:14-17, “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.”
Also, consider Jesus’ words in John 7:37-39: “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”
It’s important to note that 1) by this stage, the disciples at the feast had already been baptized in water, 2) the word “believe” here doesn’t just mean to acknowledge; it means to trust in, rely on, and obey (all of the words that Jesus spoke), 3) the word “should” here denotes an idea of future expectation, and 4) the Holy Ghost (Spirit) had not yet been given to them because Jesus needed to first ascend to the Father.
The Bible is the manual for the Holy Spirit
The Bible is the manual for the Holy Spirit. Without the vehicle (the Spirit), the manual (Bible) doesn’t fully make sense:
Romans 8:9, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
1 Corinthians 2:9-14, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
Speaking in tongues is the language of the Holy Spirit
When we are born again of the Holy Spirit, it only makes sense that God gives us a new, spiritual language to communicate with Him – a language that cannot be defiled by our natural mind. In John 4:24 Jesus explains, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
Speaking in tongues is one of the many precious gifts (meaning extraordinary abilities – there is only gift in the true sense of the English word and that is the gift of the Holy Spirit) of the Holy Spirit. In other words, speaking in tongues is the language of the Holy Spirit, and it is made evident when we allow Him (the Holy Spirit) to speak through us. We might even hear ourselves speaking what seems to be different dialects, and one believer’s language will often sound quite different from another’s.
When we are born again, the Holy Spirit is God’s presence in us as the temple of God on Earth, and the Holy Spirit empowers us in many ways. According to 1 Corinthians 12, the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit are as follows: word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, diverse kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues. Of the nine gifts (supernatural abilities), speaking in tongues is particularly noted for edifying the believer (building him/her up on a spiritual level – 1 Corinthians 14:4) and for its significance as a sign (of God’s presence – 1 Corinthians 14:22).
We cannot expect to discern this gift with natural understanding. While we have control over when we start and stop speaking in tongues, we must accept that it is a power beyond this worldly realm. The Bible explains that we do not understand what we are saying when we speak in tongues. It is the Holy Spirit speaking pure things directly to the Father. The Spirit intercedes for us on our behalf.
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.”
1 Corinthians 14:14, “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.”
1 Corinthians 12:3, “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”
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.”
There are many people today who completely deny the existence of tongues. They choose to ignore the living examples that can categorically prove them wrong. Others go so far as to say that speaking in tongues is of the devil. Some have arrived at this conclusion based on personal opinion without consideration of the scriptural facts. Others have been dissuaded by poor examples such as those found in chaotic charismatic-type churches where everyone speaks in tongues at once – sometimes with rolling in the aisles and supposed fits of uncontrollable laughter. This kind of behavior is not according to the will of God. While these people may be filled with the Spirit, they are not operating in obedience to Scripture. 1 Corinthians 14:40 commands, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” God has never been about disorder, confusion, or free expression. The Bible tells us, “…God is not the author of confusion, but of peace,” (1 Corinthians 14: 33). God has always promoted self-control. The very word “disciple” implies one that disciplines himself/herself (after the ways of Jesus).
In his letters to the Corinthian church, Paul the apostle rebuked the members for the extravagances and over-emphasizing of gifts they had been indulging in during their meetings. He wrote at length, exalting God for the various gifts (extraordinary powers) but at the same time putting them into perspective in the light of the public nature of their gatherings. While we can (and should) speak in tongues as much we desire as part of our private prayer life (which edifies or strengthens us), we must use wisdom in other situations.
1 Corinthians 14:22-23, “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. 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?”
1 Corinthians 14:26-33, “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 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 God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
1 Corinthians 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.”
God does not take away our free will when He anoints us with His Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our guide, teacher, helper, and comforter. He is not the “doer.” God still watches us closely to see how we use the power He has given us, including how we apply the fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Poor application cannot be blamed on God. God also commands, “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2: 12). So, it is equally unacceptable to blame any dissuasion from the things of the Lord on others who are poor representatives of His Word.
Another argument often put forth by the watered-down Christian circles of today is that speaking in tongues is just one gift that some people receive, but it is not common to all. This is incorrect. Sometimes, it is a statement made by those unwilling to accept that they do not have the Holy Spirit and/or do not want to tell others this message. However, it is often a matter of ignorance and not deliberate intent to deny the scriptures. Commonly, self-perceived salvation is based on emotion. If people “feel” they have the Holy Spirit anointing, they assume it must be so. Yet, God has always warned us about the traps of emotion. From the beginning of time, God’s relationship with His chosen people has always been tangible, based on evidence, and built on a solid foundation. Paul warned the Corinthians against perverting the truth of the New Covenant that they had first received.
2 Corinthians 11:2-4 & 13-15, “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him…For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”
1 Corinthians 2:4-5, “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”
Sadly, over the years, many Spirit-filled people have succumbed to the pressure of people-pleasing behavior, and they have subsequently watered down their salvation message. The Salvation Army organization is a prime example of this. William Booth (the founder) once preached according to Acts 2:38 (repentance, water baptism by full immersion, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit with the first manifesting sign of speaking in tongues). Now, no resemblance of this is to found in any message the Salvation Army promotes. Scripture prophesies and warns of such compromise:
2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
2 Timothy 3:5, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
The Bible contains many warnings to beware of false doctrines. These warnings do not just apply to the obvious “alternative” religions but also to all the self-proclaimed Christians. To the unknowing, these people may seem to be righteous examples. They may appear to be at one with God and devout followers of Christ, yet there is more that God wants for them. You can be zealous for the Lord all you like, but without being born again of water and of the Holy Spirit, you are still in the flesh:
Matthew 24:4-5, “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”
Romans 8:5-9, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
Matthew 7:21-23, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Ezekiel 33:31-32, “And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.”
Luke 6:46, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”
1 Corinthians 15:50, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.”
Every day, people renew their choice to follow the Lord with seemingly great determination, but their efforts are in vain without the born-again experience. God tells us that ordination as one of His children comes only by His choice, by the anointing of the Holy Spirit:
Romans 10:2-3, “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”
Mark 7:7&9, “Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men…And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.”
Matthew 15:8-9, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
John 15:16, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you…”
Acts 5:32, “We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.”
The story of Cornelius (Acts chapter 10) is essential reading for those who are tempted to stand on their own sense of righteousness. Cornelius was described as a devout man who did many good deeds in the name of God, yet it was necessary for him to receive the Holy Spirit anointing and be baptized in water. So, God sent Peter to him to preach the words that were necessary for the salvation of his own self and his household. While Peter spoke to him, Cornelius and his household were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter (and those that came with him) knew this because they suddenly heard them begin to speak in tongues. Immediately following this, Peter commanded Cornelius and his household members to be water baptized. The story of Cornelius is recounted by Peter in Acts chapter 11:
Acts 11:13-18, “And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 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. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”
There are many people like Cornelius in the world today. The question is, are they humble enough to receive the words of truth, as did Cornelius and his household?