Evidence of Baptism

Different! Most people are just a little apprehensive of things that are different from our experiential map. If we haven't seen it or experienced it we often question its validity. Now imagine how many things of the supernatural that you have not seen or heard. How can mortal man even begin to know the things of God? With that in mind consider that group of 120 followers of Christ that were waiting for the promise of the Father. The "power from on high" Christ had told them to wait for in Jerusalem. It had been 10 days since Jesus had ascended into the clouds and they were still waiting. To that small group of people who took Christ at His word and had faith to believe in His promise it seemed the room they were in had entered a different dimension. What they didn't know was that is was not just the room. It was the whole world.



Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (NIV)

This was that for which they had been waiting. It was not the exterior change that was of utmost importance. It was what had happened inside of them. There was something different about each and every one. What was happening in that room got the attention of those in the city. Just like today there were mockers and doubters. But there were also God fearing men who asked "What does this mean?" They soon found out as Peter preached an anointed sermon leading thousands to repentance and salvation.

Today, many still doubt the experience of Spirit baptism with the evidence of speaking in tongues. But since they have no "experiential map" this is to be expected. However, it does not change the divine nature of the gift or the reality of the supernatural. Consider these verses...

Isaiah 28:9-12 (KJV) 9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. 10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: 11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

Mark 16:17 (KJV) 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;



Scripture clearly foretold of signs that accompany the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Stammering lips and new tongues should not surprise us or cause so much difficulty in the Body of Christ.



Let's examine this evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit a little further.

Acts 10:44-48 (KJV) 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 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. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

There doesn't seem to be any doubt as to the evidence that convinced even the skeptical "circumcision" group that was with Peter. It was that they "heard them speak with tongues."

Acts 19:1-7 (KJV) 1 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. 7 And all the men were about twelve.

This passage gives us even more insight into the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Here were a group of disciples (believers). That were operating in the realm of what they knew. They had no experiential map that gave them knowledge of the Baptism of the Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. They had been baptized unto repentance but praise God there is something more that God has in store for us. When they heard and believed they were baptized with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking with tongues and prophesying.

Paul found it necessary to teach about this supernatural phenomenon to the Corinthian church. Speaking in tongues was a common occurence in the church. Consider these verses...

1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

What would be the need of such a statement if Christians in the church were not speaking in tongues? Paul makes it clear that this usage was not intended as a message to men but that the individual believer was speaking to God and in the spirit was speaking mysteries. This is what we call praying in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance.

1 Corinthians 14:4,5 He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Paul follows his earlier remark with more evidence that speaking in tongues was acceptable and useful. In verse 4 he tells us that speaking in tongues edifies the believer. In verse 5 Paul urges everyone to speak with tongues. Because Paul would rather that they prophecy in the midst of the believers doesn't void the first part of verse 5. Paul was trying to bring order to the church at Corinth. They were getting carried away in the meetings and everyone was speaking in tongues, glorifying God and edifying themselves. Paul wanted them to be aware that there were others that needed edification and that could be done through the gift of prophecy. It is interesting that those that want to do away with speaking in tongues also fail to allow the gift of prophecy to work in their church services.

Paul continues this line of thought in the next few verses and states in verse 13 and 14...

1 Corinthians 14:13,14 Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Here we are given a glimpse of what takes place when a believer speaks in tongues. His spirit is praying. This isn't meant for the church body as a whole and they are not edified. Paul even goes on to say that the believers own understanding is unfruitful. The meaning is clear. Even the one who is praying in tongues doesn't know what they are praying. It is our spirit through the Holy Spirit talking to God. I don't know about you but I like that idea. There are times when I don't know how to pray. I don't know what to say. I don't have the words or the understanding but God the Holy Spirit can use my body and my voice any time He wants.

Paul practiced speaking in tongues...

1 Corinthians 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also... 18 I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all: 19 howbeit in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

I say with Paul, I will pray with the spirit and I will sing with the spirit! I can do both and there is good reason to practice both. It satisfies my soul and lifts my spirit as I commune with God. I will also understand the needs of the congregation and serve them in love as I speak words that they can understand. This doesn't prevent me from speaking in tongues but it teaches me to use both wisely.

Paul continues his teaching..

1 Corinthians 14:27,28 If any man speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let one interpret: 28 but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

Paul condones the use of tongues in the church when it is done decently and in order. But he also makes it clear that speaking in tongues is not forbidden. It accompanied the baptism of the Holy Spirit not only on the day of Pentecost but was recorded in several other places. And it is clear through the record of Scripture that speaking in tongues continued in the church and believers were taught how to use this gift. So let no man forbid it today.