Reflection on Part 1 of the book “Why Tongues?”
The Bible Way to Receive the Holyspirit
Discussion Day 1 by Ayokunle Olagoke
Can we pray?
Thank you, Jesus for your consistent love for us. You don’t have a mood swing, loving us only when you feel like; honoring your covenant only when you feel like, *NO*, you are consistently in love with us. We matter to you. We are here to learn from you and we ask that you do what you do. Open our eyes to your Word, let us see you as you really are. Let us see your heart behind every Word you speak in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Who is the Holyspirit?
He is the Spirit of God. When Jesus was leaving in John 14, He promised to send us the Holyspirit to come and live inside us. In Act 1, believers waited in the upper room to receive the Holyspirit. In Act 2:38-39 Peter further explained that the Holyspirit is not only for the disciples then but for you and I as well.
The Bible Way to Receive the Holyspirit
ACTS 1:4-5 4 And, being assembled together with them, (Jesus) commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. ACTS 2:1-4 1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
They were filled with the Holyghost
They spoke with other tongues as the Holyspirit gave them utterance
Speaking in tongues is an initial sign of being filled with the Holy Spirit
Case study: Believers Filled in Samaria about 8 yrs after Pentecost ACTS 8.5-8; 12
Eight years after the day of Pentecost we see Philip carrying the gospel to the people of Samaria.
Being born again is different from being filled with the Holyspirit
“These Samaritans believed and were baptized (Acts 8:12). Were they saved? According to Jesus they were. There is a work of the Holy Spirit in the new birth, but that is not called receiving the Holy Ghost—that is called being born-again, receiving Eternal Life. There is an experience following salvation called receiving or being filled with the Holy Ghost. When the apostles at Jerusalem heard of the wonderful things God had done through Philip's ministry in Samaria, they sent Peter and John to lay hands on the new converts that they might receive the Holy Ghost”.
In Act 8:18 Simon the Sorcerer SAW they had received the Holyspirit and offered them money. There had to be some physical sign whereby Simon would know they had received the Holy Ghost.
Case study: Believers Filled in Cornelius' Household about 10 yrs after Pentecost ACTS 10:44-46
Notice that it was the speaking with tongues which convinced Peter's company that these Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit. The Jewish believers were astonished that the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles.
Case study: Believers Filled in Ephesus 20 years after the day of Pentecost ACTS 19:1-3,6
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. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
You may be a believer and still not have received the Holyspirit
They were instantly filled: Every one of them— without waiting, without praising, without tarrying—was filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke with other tongues as the Spirit of God gave them utterance.
Case study: Paul's Infilling of the Spirit ACTS 9:10-12, 17
Saul, later to be known as Paul, received the Holy Ghost immediately. He didn't have to tarry or wait. He received instantly.
Summary
Speaking with tongues is an initial supernatural sign or evidence of the Holy Spirit's indwelling. It is the beginning of it all.
“I have found in my own life that the more I pray and worship God in tongues, the more manifestation of other gifts of the Spirit I have. The less I talk in tongues, the less manifestation I have. Speaking with tongues is the door into the rest of the spiritual gifts”- Kenneth Hagin