Purpose of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

The Promise

I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy... even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. Joel 2:28-29

In His final statement before being taken into Heaven Jesus Promised His disciples; I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses... to the ends of the earth. Holy Bible Acts 1:8 and Lk. 24:49 NIV

The Promise fulfilled

Jesus instituted the New Covenant in His Blood, and fulfilled His promise to His followers on the day of Pentecost. On the day of Pentecost, all of the believers were gathered together and... All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:4 The Holy Spirit through Peter confirmed that this was the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy. This is what was spoken by the Prophet Joel... Then he quotes Joel 2:28-32; proclaims the Gospel of Christ, and confirms that Jesus has... Received from the Father, and has poured out what you now see and hear. Acts 2:33

Biblical reasons why we should pray in tongues.

 

1. TO EDIFY YOU. I Corinthians 14: 4 -- He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edified himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church

2. TO SPEAK TO GOD DIVINE SECRETS. I 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 [divine secrets].

3. TO SPEAK THE WONDERFUL WORKS OF GOD. Acts 2: 11 -- Crete ’s and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. To speak the wonderful works of God - Acts 2:11

4. TO MAGNIFY GOD. Acts 10: 45 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Evidence that the Holy Spirit resides in you.  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.

5. TO PRAY PERFECTLY.Romans 8: 26, 27 -- 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 groaning which cannot be uttered. And he [God] that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind [phronema - thoughts] of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

6. TO GIVE THANKS. I Corinthians 14: 17 -- For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

7. TO HAVE THE SPIRIT BEARING WITNESS WITH OUR SPIRIT. Romans 8: 16 -- The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: quote The New English Bible translation which helps us in our understanding of the verse: Romans 8:16 -- In that cry the Spirit of God joins with our spirit in testifying that we are God's children;

8. TO KNOW YOU ARE A JOINT-HEIR WITH CHRIST. Romans 8: 17 -- And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Tongues is a language for speaking to God, 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.

9. TO STRENGTHEN YOU WITH MIGHT IN YOUR INNER MAN. Ephesians 3: 16 -- That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

II Corinthians 4: 16 -- For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish [is dying], yet the inward man is renewed day by day

10. IT IS A SIGN TO UNBELIEVERS. I Corinthians 14: 22 -- 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. Mark 16: 17 -- And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

11. IT IS REST TO THE SOUL. Isaiah 28: 11, 12 -- For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 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.

12. BRINGS A MESSAGE FROM GOD I Corinthians 14: 4, 5 Tongues must be interpreted and subject to the prophets because they are public.  I Corinthians 14: 13 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all space with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues except he interpret [make plain], that the church may receive edifying I Corinthians 14: 27, 28. Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray [believe] that he may interpret. I Corinthians 14: 40 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two or at the most by three, and that by course [in order] and let one [he is - that same one] interpret. But if there be no interpreter [if he lacks the will to interpret], let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.  Let all things be done decently and in order.

13. EVIDENCE OF RECEIVING THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER FROM ON HIGH -John 14; Acts 1:5-8

14. EVIDENCE THAT YOU BELIEVE AND HAVE RECEIVED THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Tongues occurred after believers believed and then were baptized in the Holy Spirit. Mark 16:17-18 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; There are modern day believers that do not speak in tongues. This does not mean that they are not true believers it just means that they have not been baptized with the Holy Spirit and have not received this ability

15. SPEAKING IN TONGUES STRENGTHENS YOU AND BUILDS UP YOUR FAITH. "How intimate with Jesus do you want to be? The Baptism with the Holy Spirit is an avenue to greater intimacy with our God. Speaking In Tongues makes us stronger spiritually Tongues a spiritual language that comes from our spirit, not from our brain.  Praying in tongues brings us into God's rest and refreshing. (Isaiah 28:11-12; 1 Corinthians 14:21)  The Spirit bears witness with our spirit - Romans 8:16 To know you are a joint-heir with Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ) - Romans 8:17 To strengthen you in your inner being (man) - Ephesians 3:16 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Jude 1:20 

16. SUBMISSION Praying in tongues helps us to yield our tongues, as well as the rest of our bodies, to the control of the Holy Spirit. (James 3:8) (Jude 20) Willing to receive I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy... even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. Joel 2:28-29 In His final statement before being taken into Heaven Jesus Promised His disciples; I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses... to the ends of the earth. Holy Bible Acts 1:8 and Lk. 24:49 NIV

17. TEACHER The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name [at Pentecost] will teach you all things. Jn. 15:26

Supernatural Points

1. A supernatural Impartation of God's own Spirit within us. We are his dwelling place, his Tabernacle (2Cor 6:16).

2. A supernatural Illumination wherein the Spirit of Truth opens our eyes so that we may walk in the Light of God uncondemned (Titus 1:14; 1John 1:7).

3. A supernatural Inspiration where there is a burning passion to worship and fellowship with God in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:23).

4. A supernatural Invigoration as the Power of God in us becomes a witness to a lost world (Mark 13:10; Acts 1:7-8).

5. A supernatural Ignition that makes and outburst of fire in the Holy Ghost in the Church by the anointing (Acts 2:3, 4:33, 26:18).

6. A supernatural Intoxication as the new wine produces excitement (Luke 5:38; Acts 2:13).

7. A supernatural Indwelling that produces the gifts of the Spirit, (1Cor 12:4).

8. A supernatural ushering in the presence of the spirit of God (Rev 1:10)

 

The Christian and Jewish views of the Holy Spirit vary greatly. In the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) the Hebrew term Ruach HaKodesh is used many times; it is translated literally as Holy Spirit (also known as the Holy Ghost). Within the Hebrew Bible its use refers to the presence of God as experienced by a human being. The midrash literature contains many statements about the Holy Spirit. It is written that the Holy Spirit, being of heavenly origin, is composed, like everything that comes from heaven, of light and fire. When it rested upon Phinehas his face burned like a torch

 (Midrash Lev. Rabbah 21).

 

“If we speak in tongues, we’re not put on God’s favorites chart. “God doesn’t do one thing for God. It’s 100 percent a benefit for us to be more mature spiritually.

 

Praying in tongues has been humorously compared to Popeye eating a can of spinach! Gives you power!