As we continue our series Sure Foundations, today we arrive at two core beliefs that separate our church from other Christian Fellowships and Denominations. Today we are diving into the Baptism of The Holy Spirit, and the Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism is speaking in tongues. Spoiler alert. We are a full gospel church. We believe in the full gospel, the full good news. And if God says it, he means it for today.

Foundation #8 - Baptism In The Holy Spirit

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a special experience following salvation that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service, just as it did in New Testament times.

We can watch in the book of Acts how timid followers of Jesus were filled by the Spirit, and they not only turned the world upside down, their life was turned upside down. In Christianity today, we fight over whether God wants to give us the same experience today. Strip that down to the root question. Does God want us to experience Him at a deeper level for more people to be saved?

The answer there is obviously yes. Then why do we fight and question it so much? Maybe because we have sought and not experienced it yet, or some believers make it look weird, so we want no part in it, or we don’t care to have our plans turned upside down by God.

So my prayer today, as we explore this topic, is that you approach it with an open mind. I am not about seeking the past moves of God but pressing into what God wants to do next.

The Bible Describes 2 Baptisms (Not 1)

When we read Matthew 3:11 (ESV) we see John the Baptist talking about his Baptism (In Water) and the coming Baptism that the Messiah would usher in. This Baptism is foreshadowed three years in advance because they are not ready for it yet. But it is coming. It is not a random event but one that is planned.

In fact, God is consistently foreshadowing things throughout scripture, and a prime example of this how our story and Earth’s story are paralleled.

(EARTH) Darkness / Void - Genesis 1:1-2 (ESV)

· Darkness covered the earth

· The earth was empty – void

· The earth was without form

(Mankind) Born into sin - Psalm 51:5 (ESV)

· Darkness/sin covered our hearts

· Our lives were empty – void. We were created with a void only God Himself can fulfill us.

· Our lives were without form. We were lost and without purpose and direction.

(EARTH) Let There Be Light - Genesis 1:2-4 (ESV)

God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

(Mankind) Salvation / Jesus (The Light of The World) John 8:12 (ESV)

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world”

(EARTH) Noah’s Flood - Genesis 7:10-11 (ESV)

· God’s judgment - cleansing the earth from sin and evil

· God’s mercy - earth’s Baptism - a new beginning

(Mankind) Water Baptism - 1 Peter 3:20-21 (ESV)

God's brought eight persons safely through the water in the flood, and baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves us.

(EARTH) Purified By Fire - 2 Peter 3:10 (ESV)

Earth will one day be burned up and dissolved, and exposed.

(Mankind) Fire Baptism - (Matthew 3:11)

Jesus will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

All believers are entitled to and should expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church.

With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry.

The Purpose Of The Fire Baptism Is To Make Us More Effective Witnesses

People have made it scary and weird, but it should be NORMAL in the New Testament Church. The great commission (you’re calling) cannot be accomplished through human might and intellect alone. It is an impossible mission. We must be led and empowered by the holy spirit in order to achieve it.

In fact…Jesus Was Baptized In Water & Of The Holy Spirit! In Matthew 3:16 Jesus is both water baptized and Spirit Baptized, and then he started His ministry. How many miracles did Jesus perform before being baptized by the Holy Spirit? Answer - Zero

With The Baptism In The Holy Spirit Come Such Experiences As:

An overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39), (Acts 4:8)
A deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43), (Hebrews 12:28)
An intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42)
A more active love for Christ, for His Word, and the lost (Mark 16:20)
Supernatural boldness as witnessed in the life of Peter both before and after (Acts 2)

Peter Before And After The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit

Most of us find Peter likable and lovable from the moment we are first introduced to him. He had his natural strengths. He was outgoing, transparent, and enthusiastic. But, most important of all, he loved Jesus.

Because Peter was impulsive and strong-willed, his faults were also quite noticeable. That’s what enables us to see such a contrast after he was baptized with the Holy Spirit. Because of that contrast, Peter’s example and writings are a great inspiration.

BEFORE

Denied Jesus 3 times
Attempted murder
Faith was weak

AFTER

Preached, and 3,000 were saved
He lives the rest of his life as a bold and effective witness
Died a martyr’s death
Crucified upside down - as he felt unworthy to die the same death as his savior

We can have this same Spirit living in us! But many reject it because they see people being weird.

Do Christians receive the Holy Spirit when they are saved? If so, how is this experience different from the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?

Yes, when people accept Christ, the Holy Spirit begins a great work in their lives. The Spirit convicts them of sin, convinces them of righteousness, and dwells within them (John 6:44; 14:17; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13). No one becomes a Christian without this gracious work of the Holy Spirit.

However, there is an additional and distinct ministry of the Holy Spirit called the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. The Baptism is an empowering gift from God the Father that is promised to every believer (Matthew 3:11; Luke 11:13; 24:49; Acts 2:33, 38). It helps the Christian live a holy life and brings a new devotion to Jesus Christ, making Him very real and precious. The primary purpose of the Baptism is to provide further power for witnessing (Acts 1:8).

But how do I know it is a separate event? The Baptism of The Holy Spirit is a separate event from salvation according to the Inspired Word Of God! (Acts 8:12-17)

Philip Preached In Samaria.
The People Were Saved and Water Baptized.
They Had Not Received The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit.
They Received the Holy Spirit

Some may even say that this experience was exclusively for the Apostles: Not according to Acts 8 and the citizens of Samaria.

Can a person receive eternal life in heaven without Baptism in the Holy Spirit? If so, why should we be baptized in the Spirit?

Receiving eternal life does not depend on being baptized in the Holy Spirit, for salvation is by grace through faith alone.

It is a gift purchased for us by Christ when He was crucified. All we have to do is accept the gift just as the repentant thief on the cross next to Jesus was assured of entering paradise that day. We, too, are guaranteed a place in heaven with the Father if we believe in Jesus Christ.

Sadly, some have said, "Unless you have spoken in tongues, you will not go to heaven." This is not true; it is contrary to the Scriptures. At the same time, although the Bible does not say that Baptism in the Spirit is required for salvation, it does tell us that Christ commanded His first followers to wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them…

Every believer should seek and cherish this personal encounter with the Holy Spirit. With it comes a new and more full dimension of spiritual understanding and a flow of spiritual gifts.

Foundation #9 Speaking In Tongues – The Initial Physical Evidence

The gift of tongues is simply the Holy Spirit giving you the supernatural ability to speak in a foreign language you have no knowledge or ability to speak on your own.

But…But… God can’t do that! Are the scriptures inspired, or are they not? He did it at the Tower of Babel to confuse their languages and then again in Acts to bring Jesus out to all nations.

Is your god limited? Because my God isn’t.

There Are 2 Types Of “Tongues” Mentioned In The Bible

1) Earthly Language - For instance, if your native language is English, then He can give you the ability to speak in Chinese, Japanese, or Spanish. Acts 2:4-12

2) Heavenly Language -The other type of tongue that He can give you is a language direct from heaven, a heavenly language that is not of this earth. The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 13 that there are “tongues of angels.”

· ENCRYPTED LANGUAGE (PRAYER LANGUAGE)

· DIRECT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN YOUR SPIRIT AND GOD’S SPIRIT

· BYPASSES HUMAN INTELLECT / REASONING + DEMONIC INTERFERENCE

The idea is this gift of Tongues can be used in the context of a service (with interpretation), and God gives us a deliberate message, just like a word of prophecy.

There is a sense that this message needs to be shared with the congregation as a whole. But we do things orderly and with purpose here.

I have had people criticize me because you are holding back the Spirit. No, I have spent time in the Spirit planning and preparing for every Sunday. The Spirit isn’t going to pull an audible on me without giving me the knowledge or peace that this is of God.

At the same time… I have a personal prayer language that I have. It is the physical evidence that I have been filled with the Holy Spirit.

The fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, and Self Control. But you have likely had someone say wow, thank you for being patient when mentally you weren’t patient.

Those things can be faked or perceived to be there. But speaking in tongues is a physical act that can be seen and heard by an onlooker.

I have told students in the past that you might have received Holy Spirit, but you aren’t speaking in tongues yet. Keep seeking that experience. But you have to raise your voice if you want God to use your voice.

Want To Learn More, and study the topic deeper? Check out the full sermon at YouTube.com/TheShoresChurch!