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Evidence of Tongues Holy Spirit, Acts 2:38
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Q When I take interest in a ministry I do not know much of, I always want to know more about them. These questions are for my interest and not to offend in any way. Do you believe in "speaking in tongues as evidence of the Holy Ghost, and as a gift of the spirit?" What do you think about different versions of the Bible? Thank you for your time and consideration, may God richly bless your ministry. Matthew
A Thanks for asking the questions. Yes we believe speaking in tongues is ONE evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. The 'gifts of the spirit' such as word of knowledge, word of wisdom, etc. are distributed as the Holy Ghost desires and are different from your prayer language of speaking in tongues. Though one of the gifts of the spirit is tongues and interpretation, that is equivalent to prophecy and is different than receiving your prayer language.
Different versions of the Bible? We prefer the King James Version, because we feel that is closest to the original text; however, there's nothing wrong with other versions.
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Q I always thought that the Holy Spirit came to live within me when I was reborn is what is stated in Acts 2:38 which is "And Peter said to them, Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ of for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." What does this verse refer to if it doesn't mean you receive the Holy Spirit when you are reborn. It cannot mean the gift of forgiveness of sins or rebirth because that comes specifically from He who conquered death and was resurrected ... Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Living Son of God. Please help me understand. I thank you in advance for your reply. May God continue to bless your ministry! Thank You, Eric
A. The answer to your question is found by considering the context of Peter's message in Acts 2. Remember, everybody was in the street wondering what happening with this group of people speaking in a supernatural language. Peter gets up and explains that "this" (the supernatural event) is the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy (vs 16), the pouring out of the Spirit. Then he talks about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus and, in verse 33, says "Therefore [Jesus] being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this (the supernatural event), which ye now see and hear." So he's still explaining what the commotion was all about.
Following along then in verse 38, after proclaiming that Jesus is both God and the Messiah they had been waiting for, he continues the same thought. "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive ["this"- the supernatural event] the gift of the Holy Ghost."
The next verse confirms this way of reading it because Peter says, "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." What's the promise? The only promise that Peter had mentioned in his whole talk was the promise in verse 33, namely, the promise of the Holy Ghost being poured out. And that's why Acts 2:38 refers primarily to the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
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If any of our readers would like to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, please contact us. Listen to our song, “New Thing”, off our Open Up The Gates CD which teaches about the gift of the Holy Spirit and the benefits of speaking in tongues!
ONLY Believe,
Mark & Denise, your Bible Answer Team
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