When God brought Israel to Mount Sinai, He spoke to them and the people did not want to hear His voice 'cause it hurt their ears. They proclaimed to Moses, ”'You speak to us, and we will hear; but let not God speak to us, lest we die.' And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not fear; for God has come to prove you, and that the fear of him may be before your eyes, that you may not sin'” (Ex. 20:18–20).

Throughout the centuries churches have experienced rebellion, and it's even more evident today. People continue to close their eyes and ears; and they turn away in disbelief from the scriptures. Jesus tells us, "...unless one is born of water, and the (Holy) Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God" (Jn. 3:5).

Jesus talks of a "full salvation package," which requires all believers to be born of the two component parts: born of the water, and born of the Spirit. Both take place on separate occasions. John the Baptist said it clearly, " I baptize you with water for repentance of sin. But after me comes one (Jesus) who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matt. 3:11).

Jesus further clarifies in his conversations with Nicodemus: “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?” Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit'.…" (Jn. 3:4-6)

When people refuse to believe the scriptures entirely, not only do they become divided amongst themselves, they fail to recognize that they are in rebellion with God. Their strongholds overcome them, and they resist the work of the Holy Spirit. Samuel said this towards disobedience: "Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols" (Sam. 15:23). We need God's Power (Baptism) of the Holy Spirit to overcome our rebellious and stubborn nature towards Him. Without it, we are powerless from our own selfish wills, and the sin that follows (Prov. 14:12; Rom. 7:125).

The first demonstration of the Baptism the Holy Spirit occurred in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:40). In Jerusalem, during Pentecost, people heard 120 believers speaking in other languages (tongues), resulting in 3,000 people being saved and Baptized with the Holy Spirit. The next day the number increased to 5,000 people (Acts 4:4; 4:31; 8:17; 9:17; 10:44; 19:6).

Jesus clearly stated: “And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new languages; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick and they will recover” (Mk. 16:17–18).

Christians today continue to struggle with the Holy Spirit. Many resist the idea of anyone having to receive, speak or pray in a God-given Holy Spirit language (known as "tongues") as part of God's Salvation, even though Jesus commanded each one of us to do so (Jn. 3:5; Acts 1:4; Lk 24:49).

"Tongues" can be any one of the 7,000 or more languages that are either spoken today or have been spoken in the past. "Tongues" is also one of the 15 Gifts of the Holy Spirit along with the Gift of "Interpretation" of Languages. Together, they both form God’s unique communication system, and is proof that a person has received the authentic Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Many people continue to wonder why "tongues" are still necessary for today. James explains, “...the tongue is a fire...an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature, and set on fire by hell…..but no human being can tame the tongue – a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be so (Jas. 6–10).

The gift of tongues gives believers spiritual control and authority over their very own mouths. When the time comes to witness, the Holy Spirit will give us the words of what to say, especially when sharing the gospel and/or testimonies about what Jesus has done in our lives (Lk. 12:12). When we pray in tongues, we are edified from the inside out; we receive healing, deliverance and the necessary direction for our lives from the Holy Spirit.

"Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift the Father promised, which you have heard Me discuss" (Act 1:4). The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you" (Jn. 14:26).

Paul proclaimed, "I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you" (1 Cor. 14:18)

Tongues is a “good gift” (Lk. 11:13); and for any person to reject it, means that their church will have no “signs, wonders, various miracles" or "gifts of the Holy Spirit” (Heb. 2:4). Those who reject the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the “signs” (such as tongues), are in rebellion against God. "They serve Him with hardened hearts and can never enter His rest - the New Jerusalem" (Heb. 3:7-19). Their tongues are untamed, full of deadly poison, and from their very own mouths they speak condemnation towards themselves, others and the church (Jas. 6–10).

Those who pray in tongues and seek Jesus daily, are praising and worshipping God. They speak life and healing amongst themselves, and to others, and they are directed by the Holy Spirit to do ministry. After praising God in our tongues languages, we experience the "joy unspeakable" (1 Pet. 1:8) and we receive God's "peace that surpasses all understanding" (Phil 4:7).

Paul tells us to “earnestly desire the spiritual gifts” (1 Cor. 14:1). He also tells us that all of the works and Gifts of the Holy Spirit will not stop until Jesus returns, and then "the perfect end comes" (1 Cor. 15:24). Tongues are for today, 'cause "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Heb.13:8).

If anyone teaches that tongues or any one of the 15 Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 12:6–8; 1 Cor. 12:8–10) are not for today, that person lives in rebellion against God just like those first Christians in Israel who didn`t want to hear His voice.

Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (Jn. 10:27).

If you have never received Jesus Christ as your Saviour, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the “signs following”, healing, deliverance or any other need, please come to one of our meetings and/or contact me.

"Unless you people see signs and wonders,... you will never believe" (Jn. 4:48). 

 

 

 

Everyday can be an exciting adventure when you are filled (baptized) with the Holy Spirit.

 

The Holy Spirit can transform your life from defeat, meaningless and mundane, to significant, fulfilling and full of victory! 

 

"Like a Rushing Mighty Wind" was written to help you become a Spirit-filled Christian  (equipped to do ministry), who accomplishes God's ultimate plan for your life. 

 

Learn everything you need to know about the Baptism and Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and "rightly divide the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). Order here!