7.27 The Holy Spirit finds expression through our vocal cords (Part 3)
In the last lesson, we showed that all 120 disciples in the upper room spoke in tongues as the Spirit gave utterance when they received the Holy Spirit. This is significant because there is a law of first mention in the Bible.
(Acts 2:4)
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Let us consider another instance when believers received the baptism in the Spirit. This is in Acts chapter 10 when Peter ministered at Cornelius’ household – the first Gentile convert. Let us consider how the Holy Spirit found expression through Cornelius’ household.
(Acts 10:44-47)
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the GIFT of the HOLY SPIRIT had been poured out on the Gentiles also. FOR THEY HEARD them SPEAK WITH TONGUES and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit JUST AS WE HAVE?”
In Acts 10, the Jewish brethren knew that Cornelius’ household had received the baptism in the Spirit “for they heard them speak with tongues”. Speaking with tongues was the conclusive evidence for Peter and all the disciples present. In fact, this evidence was so important that it later helped settle the big question of whether salvation was for the Gentiles (Acts 11:15-18).
In Acts 10:47, Peter said that they had received the Holy Spirit “just as we have” on Pentecost. The one and only common experience on both occasions was speaking in tongues.
The Bible tells it so clearly so that we can be free from doubts in our heart as to whether we have received the baptism in the Spirit. Today, we need to experience the baptism in the Holy Spirit just as the 120 disciples did, and we need to experience it just as Cornelius’ household did – with the prayer language of tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. The Holy Spirit wants to touch our vocal cords because it influences the rest of our being. He wants our lives yielded to Him, and it begins with our vocal cords.
(Acts 2:4)
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Let us consider another instance when believers received the baptism in the Spirit. This is in Acts chapter 10 when Peter ministered at Cornelius’ household – the first Gentile convert. Let us consider how the Holy Spirit found expression through Cornelius’ household.
(Acts 10:44-47)
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the GIFT of the HOLY SPIRIT had been poured out on the Gentiles also. FOR THEY HEARD them SPEAK WITH TONGUES and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit JUST AS WE HAVE?”
In Acts 10, the Jewish brethren knew that Cornelius’ household had received the baptism in the Spirit “for they heard them speak with tongues”. Speaking with tongues was the conclusive evidence for Peter and all the disciples present. In fact, this evidence was so important that it later helped settle the big question of whether salvation was for the Gentiles (Acts 11:15-18).
In Acts 10:47, Peter said that they had received the Holy Spirit “just as we have” on Pentecost. The one and only common experience on both occasions was speaking in tongues.
The Bible tells it so clearly so that we can be free from doubts in our heart as to whether we have received the baptism in the Spirit. Today, we need to experience the baptism in the Holy Spirit just as the 120 disciples did, and we need to experience it just as Cornelius’ household did – with the prayer language of tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. The Holy Spirit wants to touch our vocal cords because it influences the rest of our being. He wants our lives yielded to Him, and it begins with our vocal cords.
posted by Joshua Lye @ 12:16 AM
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