It's For You

The baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues is for you. Consider the words of Peter when he spoke to the crowd on the day of Pentecost. Many in the crowd came under conviction from the anointed (Spirit Filled) word that Peter had just spoken. They asked "What shall we do?" and Peter was ready to share the fullness of God's good news with them.

Acts 2:37-39 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” [38] Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Repent and be baptized! Turn from your sin and your rejection of Christ. These were Jews. Devout followers of God. They needed to receive Jesus that is why Peter laid before them the very thing that they needed. The Holy Spirit has a way of putting His finger right where it needs to be in our lives. Just like Jesus when He spoke to the woman at the well pointing right to the need in her life. Peter through the anointing of the Holy Spirit spoke boldly to a crowd that still had the taste of Christ's rejection and crucifixion in their hearts and minds. "Be baptized in the name of Jesus" the one that you crucified!

But it is in the next statement that my thoughts are captivated today. YOU will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit! The promise is for YOU and YOUR children and for ALL who are far off. It is for all who believe! No distance of time or space can seperate us from the promise of the Father that He will send a comforter that will lead us into all truth.

Believing in faith is the key to receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. When Jesus gave the great commission in Mark 16:17 he said "These signs will accompany those who believe... They will speak with new tongues." It is not difficult to discern why those who don't believe in the biblical baptism of the Holy Spirit don't receive it. Jesus said it is for those who "believe".

We understand the global commission in the great commission. We were to go into all the world and preach the gospel. Was that great commission for only the early church? Were only the Apostles or the 120 in the upper room to accomplish that commission? NO! We clearly understand that the great commission was for all the church age. It is for today as well as for yesterday and it will be for tomorrow. Then know this. The baptism with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues accompanies the great commission. It cannot be seperated and discarded because we don't want to believe. It is the engine in the car. The gospel of Jesus Christ needs the baptism of the Holy Spirit to empower the message. The signs and wonders are under the control of the moving hand of God and we are the glove that He fills.

Those who try to convince us that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was a one time experience on the day of Pentecost or only for the early church must overcome the plainly stated Word of God. There is no excuse for twisting the Scripture to meet some denonminational doctrine. Consider 1 Corinthians 13:10-12

...but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known.

Some in trying to dissuade the belief in the full power of God's Gospel try to use this passage to convince us that when the New Testament was complete we had all that we needed for the propagation of the gospel. They contend that when Paul used the term " that which is perfect is come" he was talking about the completion of the Bible. That view falls apart when put in context. Look at verse 12... "but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known". That doesn't make sense if Paul is talking about the completion of the Bible. BUT, if he is talking about when Christ comes to receive His bride it makes perfect sense. Consider these verses...

1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

1 John 3:2 Beloved, 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.

Phillipians 3:20,21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

That which is perfect is Christ. When He comes we will be made perfect as he is perfect. We shall be like Him. There are many things that I don't understand but when He comes I will understand. The church will be made complete - perfect. There will be no need for tongues or prophecy because Heaven will be our home and we will be in the presence of God for all eternity.
But until then I will keep believing in the promises of God. I will keep holding to the sure Word of God. I will believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues is for today and it is for me and it is for you.