HolySpiritBIbleStudy3

The Holy Spirit

Part Three: by turtle

Today we will talk about the different gifts and we are going to start our focus on the gift of tongues. The gift of tongues seems
to cause a lot of controversy in churches today. Some say Pentecostals, and Charismatic are nuts and others believe that the gift
of tongues are still for today. There seems to be so much controversy instead of unity being made between churches it is the
very thing that is dividing us. The Holy Spirit came to bring unity not division. Some even disagree how one receives the Holy
Spirit and claim that if you do not speak in tongues you do not have the Holy Spirit, while others claim if you speak in tongues
you are of the devil. My point here is not to bring more division but come to terms of what all Christians should be able to agree
on.

Ephesians 4:4-7 KJV
(4) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
(5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
(6) One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
(7) But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Here is where some may think I have lost it. I have looked at commentaries on the fifth verse of Ephesians chapter four and I
come to a different conclusion then the scholars I have access to. Most scholars believe the baptism here is by immersion known
as water baptism. We all know some churches sprinkle and do not immerse. This is a cause of more division. Like I said before I
do not want this to be about dividing one group wrong and the other right. So if someone as access to Greek text with
understanding of the word baptism here I would appreciate it. But I am going to go with my research on what Paul spoke on
baptizes and circumcision of the heart., which I pray instead of division brings us to unity.

Acts ten is where I wish to start. It is a strange place to begin but I think it will bring a point to what needs to be said.

Acts 10:44-48 KJV
(44) While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
(45) And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles
also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
(46) For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
(47) Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
(48) And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Something that surprised me that scholars have failed to mention here when discussing this is that the Holy Spirit fell on them
that heard the word. This is a sign of belief. The apostle were shocked that God’s spirit was poured out on the gentiles because
they were uncircumcised. Circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham as well as Abraham’s offspring.
It was suppose to be a symbol of faith but instead it cause people to think that people who were not circumcised were unclean or
unworthy to come before God. Meaning that if you wanted to convert to Judaism you had to be circumcised despite if it was
your practice or not. It was meant to be a symbol of faith like water baptism today is a symbol of faith in Jesus. And without
doubt this even becomes a stumbling block to churches today because one baptizes one way and another another way. In the
verse above the Holy Spirit baptizes them by falling on them. Why did the Holy Spirit fall because they heard.

Okay they heard the word of God. We could analyze this to death but I think we all understand that when people believe that is
the first step of faith. These gentiles were no exception they heard and no doubt believed because the Holy Spirit fell on them.
Here we see when the Holy Spirit fell they spoke in tongues and magnified God. What got the apostles attentions is they received
as they did in Acts 2. And though I said we would talk about tongues I think it is more important we understand that they were
praising God and sharing the wonderful works of God. Why is this more important because it glorifies God. We do not get in
the great debate whether or not God enabled because He clearly did. Why did the Holy Spirit fall? To demonstrate His loves for
all people gentiles and Jews, Circumcised or uncircumcised. That the message and anointing was for those that heard and
believed.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the change the Holy Spirit does in a person’s heart and not the dunking in water. Baptism of the
Holy Spirit is also called the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit fell he showed the disciples these gentiles were
also chosen of God. Though they had no physical outward show such as circumcision.

This is something Old and New Testament does agree on and that is the faith of people and God ability to instruct those that
believe in Him. No matter what side of the line we are on whether we believe tongues are for today or not the fact is God ability
to use His people that believe.

How come are you so sure that the gentiles in the above passage believed. Lets take a look at some key verses in another book.

1 Corinthians 12:3 KJV
(3) Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can
say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

1 John 4:2-3 KJV
(2) Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
(3) And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist,
whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Ephesians 1:13 KJV
(13) In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye
believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

The gentiles in Acts 10 magnified God in other words they praised God. So what about tongues?

Rules to consider if something is of God or not.
1. Does it Glorify God
2. Does it Magnify God
3. Do they believe Jesus came in the Flesh
4. Can they say Jesus is Lord

Then one more rule of thumb do they obey God’s word. Remember people do make mistakes but is their an unusual amount of
confusion in the church, and do they have love for one another. Then beware you probably are in the wrong church whether
tongues are spoken or not if they do not love, do not obey God, They do not glorify God and they do not believe Jesus has
come in the flesh and they believe that Jesus is not Lord. Boy a short list but a clear list. I am sure their are other things that
could be added to this list.

God is able to instruct people to do anything from speaking in a tongue we do not know or understand and to preach the gospel
of Jesus. But if there is a question of one mind of what is seen whether it is God or not take a look at what the Bible says of who
the Holy Spirit is. The fact is the Holy Spirit is our comforter and the Spirit of Truth. We should not be worried how God
ministers or uses us to minister to someone, we should just yield to Him and allow Him to use each gift in us according to the
need at the present time

Next week we will continue on the subject of tongues and the gifts and instructions that Paul gave to the Corinthians concerning
tongues.