The Baptism in the Holy Ghost

And I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ John 1:33 NASB

 One of the greatest blessings God has given humanity is the Holy Spirit released upon the earth. His Spirit works in many ways. He convicts unbelievers of their sin of unbelief. He reminds the believers of who they are, the children of God, and how much they are loved by Him. He is our comforter and peace no matter the circumstance.

 The Holy Ghost is also power from on high. He empowers believers in so many ways. He empowers us to witness to others about the love of the Father. He leads us and guides us through His still small voice, and His peace within. If there is no real peace about a decision, it's best to wait before acting. There is another aspect of His power available to believers.

 The Baptism in the Spirit releases God's tangible, supernatural, power in our life. This is an active power, not a passive power. It is the doorway into the supernatural ministry and supernatural life in Christ. 

 Brother, don't you know you are complete in Christ? Didn't you know you already have all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ when you believed? There are no second blessings, you are not incomplete. You have all you need the moment you believe.

 As a person who has received Jesus, freely, by Grace through Faith, that knows the Gospel is the Grace of God, that Jesus is the person of Grace, I am not ignorant of my completeness in Christ. In Him, we are complete, not lacking, fully supplied, and connected to our Father forever. We are complete in Christ, yes I agree.

 What we must remember though is our completeness concerns our identity. In our identity, we are complete and full lacking nothing. In our development spiritually speaking we are growing and learning and increasing. It is in this area where the fullness of the Spirit is needed and benefits us greatly. 

 Let's look at the Apostle Paul's words in Acts 19 to further examine this concern and gain better insight. This is the Apostle of Grace. This is the very Apostle who gave us the good news revelation that we are complete in Christ. Was he confused about our completion at this time? Look at the question he asks;

1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper regions and came to Ephesus. He found some disciples 2 and said to them, “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?” Acts 19:1-2 MEV

 If we are complete at salvation in identity and development and "have it all" at salvation, why even ask this question? Some may respond he just wanted to make sure they were actually saved. Okay, maybe, but why did he continue in his actions demonstrating a belief that there is a subsequent infilling of the Holy Spirit?

  5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:5-6 MEV

 Why did Paul lay hands on them? Laying on of hands is not a requirement or prerequisite for receiving salvation. When we receive Christ, the Spirit makes His abode within us. This is the Spirit indwelling us, this is the Spirit within. 

Paul laid hands on these believers so that the Spirit would come upon them empowering them for supernatural power, enabling, and anointed acts of service. There is the Spirit within, identity, and completeness in Christ. There is also the Spirit upon, empowerment for development. This Spirit upon is the Baptism in the Holy Ghost.

 I baptized you in water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.” Mark 1:8 WEB

 In 1993 as a young immature man, serving in the United States Military I was ignorant and unlearned about the person of the Holy Spirit. I had a minister and even another friend pray for me to receive the Spirit upon. In my ignorance, I was looking for a feeling or something tangible to release my Faith to reach out and receive. 

 Needless to say, I didn't receive Him, I was not in Faith. Then one night I received prayer from this same minister, and when he prayed for me the power of God overtook me, overshadowed me, and enveloped me. I again, trying to use my head, didn't fully accept, what I had received. 

 After the service, I went to the minister and told him my desire to be filled and pray in the Spirit. What I didn't realize was that I had just received but my ignorant mind was blocking the Spirit from fully manifesting Himself through me. The minister looked at me and just said lift your hands and speak! As soon as I did I just started speaking forth this beautiful heavenly tongue giving praise to my Father.

 The result of the Spirit upon has been dynamic. I began to witness in power and demonstration. I saw sick bodies healed, I saw people set free and lives changed through prayer. This happened because the Spirit's empowerment was given to me and I received it freely. 

 The good news is that this same power is available to all who believe. When you receive Jesus you are complete in Him. There is no lack or deficiency in your identity in Christ. You are complete, accepted, and approved. Now that you are new, we all begin the development journey in Christ. In this understanding, freely receive the Spirit upon you and see your life transformed supernaturally. 

 It is freely given we just need to freely receive it. How? It is simple, by Faith believing. You receive Jesus, you rest in your completeness in Him. Second, simply desire this divine empowerment. Finally, just ask and receive it. Dear Jesus, because you love me, baptize me in the Holy Spirit, amen thank you. Begin to thank God, and open your mouth and speak forth the language the Spirit gives. It is not based on your performance but on Jesus' love for you. 

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Another Mistaken Idea: Tongues were merely for evangelizing in foreign languages

For the one speaking in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; indeed, no one understands him, yet he is speaking mysteries by the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:2 Mounce

 Nothing can bring more misunderstanding, misdirection, and misconception in the life of the believer than mistaken ideas concerning God. Nothing can trip up the believer more than mistaken ideas concerning His Word. Therefore, periodically, we address these mistaken ideas and shed the light of the Gospel truth on them.

 When it comes to praying in the Spirit or speaking with tongues, a major mistaken idea has formed in light of the tradition of men. Traditional religion, in a vain effort to conceal their unbelief, has perpetrated an absurd idea concerning evangelism and tongues. This mistaken idea allows and gives credence to a powerless, faithless Christian expression. 

 When the Spirit came on the day of Pentecost, He ushered in a new way of living, a new expression of power and praise, and a more personal intimacy between the Father and His Family. With His coming, Jesus began baptizing believers in the Spirit. The timid become bold. The weak triumphant in Christ.

 The Church was also given Grace gifts to confirm the Word. With all these amazing gifts and benefits, tradition found a way to make the Word of no effect in the lives of believers. Tradition says tongues and the fullness of the Spirit are not for today because they have served their purpose.

 Tradition's mistaken idea is that speaking with tongues was merely for evangelizing in foreign lands. They cite a mere portion of the events of the day of Pentecost when the Spirit was poured out. They've lifted the verses out of full context in Acts 2 to prove this absurdity.

 Looking at the full events of Acts 2 we can see how mistaken this idea is. The idea is that since the Jews gathered from all nations in Jerusalem at this time heard the believers speaking tongues in their own languages, thus eventually getting saved. This means tongues were merely about the Apostles being gifted to preach to foreigners. Actually reading the second chapter of Acts clearly refutes this.

 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4 NKJV

 If tongues were merely about evangelism, who were the 120 preaching to in the upper room? Each other? Was Peter preaching to John to get saved? Was Andrew preaching to Mary to trust in Christ? Also, why would they be speaking in a foreign language when they all spoke the same language? 

 When Peter preached to the multitudes he didn't speak in tongues to share the Gospel. Clearly, he didn't speak some thirty dialects all at once, that's impossible. He spoke in his native Hebrew, remember all those gathered were also Jews, the diaspora Jews so they would know Hebrew, and there would be no need to "speak in tongues to preach the Gospel."

 Let's go further in debunking this absurd claim. Look at Acts 10 and the account of the Baptism in the Spirit and tongues there.

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 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. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Acts 10:44-46 NKJV

 Again the mistaken idea is that speaking with tongues was merely for the purpose of evangelizing to foreigners. You can't get more foreign than Cornelius. He was Italian and Peter was Hebrew. 
 So what happened here? Peter was preaching to Cornelius' household in his known tongue. Suddenly, the Spirit falls upon Cornelius' household and they get filled with the Spirit and speak with tongues. 

 So who was Cornelius preaching to? Peter? Peter needed to get saved? I trust you're tracking with me and seeing how absurd this mistaken idea truly is. 

 You can see further proof in Acts 19 when Paul laid hands on the Ephesian disciples. This mistaken idea is clearly debunked when we stay with God's Word and simply read it. Tradition and the Word don't mix.

 Tradition forms and formulates ideas based on man's experience and a mere scanning over the Bible instead of actually reading it. Tradition shields itself within these mistaken ideas. It provides blinders so as not to see its weakness, its lack of power, and its Faithless condition. 

 Tongues are supernatural gifting of Grace to build up the believer. To provide greater intimacy in prayer. Are the number one source for receiving wisdom and clarity in our daily life. Tongues provide the believer with rest and refreshing in a weary world. 

 In summation, stay with God and His Word. His Word debunks the traditions of men. His Word is Truth and the final authority. His Grace supplies all we need to live in victory in this life. Don't neglect so great a gift as the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and the powerful prayer language the Spirit gives. It's because of Grace, and it's for you!
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Beyond the Upper Room

  For he who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to men, but to God. For no one understands him, although in the spirit, he speaks mysteries... I desire that you all speak in tongues... 1 Corinthians 14:2, 5a MEV

 This blog site is designed to be a resource for Christians to grow in Faith and Grace. The entirety of the articles/studies are all rooted and grounded upon the foundation of the Finished Work, The Gospel of Grace. On this site, one will find studies or lessons on a variety of topics pertaining to the victorious Christian life. Topics such as healing, prosperity, Faith, eternal security, our Righteousness in Christ, and tackling religious traditions of men are found on this site. There is another topic of study that is of vital importance in living successfully.

 This is the understanding of the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. This is not without much controversy in the Body of Christ. As I have stated previously, it seems the three most controversial topics in Christian circles are the three Ts. Tongues, tithes and end-times. 

 Since I am unafraid of controversy I will follow the leading of the Spirit and begin discussing the wonderful Grace gift of Tongues. When addressing Tongues, it's best sometimes to allow the ignorant and unbelieving to stay ignorant and unbelieving. It's good to present the Good News of this Grace gift and those who desire will respond and receive all God has for them.

 We must first understand Tongues are for more than just the initial evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost. This heavenly language is so much more than that. There are many benefits for praying in the Spirit. Great power and great understanding and insight are released within our spirits when we pray in the Spirit.

 The Apostle Paul taught us the most on this beautiful prayer language we have been given through God's Grace. A powerful truth was revealed to us in Paul's Epistle to the Corinthians. He rightly divides a passage from Isaiah. Isaiah prophesied of the power of praying in the Spirit. 

  For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” And, “This is the refreshing”; Yet they would not hear. Isaiah 28:11-12 NKJV

 Praying in other tongues on a continual and consistent basis brings a refreshing that nothing in this world can produce or duplicate. This spiritual refreshing begins in our inward man and works its way completely toward our outward man. There exists no pill, no drug, no experience this world offers than can compare to the replenishing rest and refreshing realized through praying in the Spirit.

 Praying in other tongues brings to us insight and wisdom. We live in a fractured and fragmented creation. Confusion, chaos, disorder and disaray surround us daily. Therefore it can become a challenge to make right decisions, good decisions, beneficial decisions in an upside down world. This is why it is vital to successful living to incorporate Tongues in our daily prayer life.

 When we pray in tongues we are taking a step back from the world's way of doing and thinking. We are in a sense separating ourselves unto God. We are in divine communication with our Father and awaiting His wisdom, His insight, His truth. 

 Now some under tradition, which is in reality a cover for unbelief, will argue that simply praying in their native tongue will produce the same result. While it is true, we can pray for wisdom, God went out of His way to prove to us that there is a greater way to pray and receive wisdom and insight. And that greater way is to pray in the Spirit. 

 This world system is contrary to God and all His ways. Their idea of truth often runs contrary to what God has declared to be true. As people living in the world, we are continually bombarded with the world's propaganda if you will. They determine what is right and wrong. They determine what is truth and what is false. Again, so often their idea of truth and what is right contradicts what God has declared in His Word.

 With all their voices in media, print, and entertainment we have to proverbially unplug from the noise around us and center our hearts and mind on what our Father has spoken about us and declared over us. Praying in tongues is the most effective way to accomplish this. Because praying in the Spirit is praying not from our head, that is our intellectsor the natural, but praying from our spirit, the inward man of the heart. 

 In summation, receive all God's Grace has brought us. Never mind tradition, the unbelief of man. Take all God has for you to live the victorious overcoming life. Step into the supernatural power of a loving Father who wants your best. Don't let the lies of the enemy and religion impede you saying tongues have ceased or are not for all believers. God is a Good Father and no respecter of persons. His Grace gifts are for all His children. Receive the fullness of His Spirit and the beautiful accompanying divine prayer language. He's made you worthy to receive. Take it it's yours.

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Why Tongues? Even more benefits

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, Jude 20 NKJV

We've been in an extended series answering the question of why tongues? That is why speak with tongues? Why pray in the Spirit? What's the point in praying with words you can't even understand? 

 Again, traditional religion and mindsets rooted in unbelief dismiss praying in other tongues as mere gibberish. That it is an act of emotional babble. It serves no purpose and has no power or benefit to the believer in Christ. The Word reveals clearly that this is an untruth. 

 So far in this study, we have seen eleven amazing benefits of praying in other tongues or praying in the Spirit. With so many benefits how can anyone conclude tongues are mere emotional babble? That it offers no benefit for the Christian?

 With that let's continue examining even more benefits of the powerful prayer language God grants to those who desire the fullness of the Spirit.

12. Praying in the Spirit offers us a powerful way to offer praise and worship to the Lord.

 Paul's instruction reveals we can pray in the Spirit as well as sing in the Spirit. Praise and worship in the Spirit bring our devotion to a much higher level. Tradition mistakenly assigns the definition of singing in the Spirit as singing with just a little more energy, gusto, and vigor. The Scripture is clear singing in the Spirit is to sing in tongues. Paul references singing spiritual songs and hymns and making melody in our hearts towards the Lord.

 As we shared in our last study, our praise, our worship, our thanksgiving is given total expression spirit, soul, and body when we lift up prayers in the Spirit. This benefit takes our praise to higher heights. Not suggesting that those who aren't filled with the Spirit and pray in other tongues can't offer praise to God. Just stating that praise and worship in the Spirit is a powerful method to express our thanksgiving and adoration to God. 

 Prayer and praise in the Spirit capture our heart's expression of love and honor and devotion to Jesus. Again it finds its full expression of praise. This benefit takes our praise to deeper depths and opens the door to the supernatural and flow of the Spirit in our midst.

 13. Tongues act as a doorway to the supernatural, flowing in the gifts of the Spirit and operating in signs and wonders. 

 Mark 16 reveals Jesus' plan for the ministry of the Church to operate in signs and wonders. He includes speaking in tongues as one of these signs. Throughout the book of Acts, we see many miracles and mighty signs and wonders manifested by the Church. None of these began to happen until the believers had received the Baptism in the Spirit and spoken in other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. As we just mentioned about praise and worship in the Spirit, tongues are the open door of all the supernatural power of God. 

 The supernatural begins with being made a new creation in Christ, passing from death to life. Having all sins forgiven, past and present, and future. Being made the Righteousness of God in Christ, eternally secure in Him. It continues as one receives the fullness of the Spirit, being immersed into the Spirit Himself and speaking out a heavenly language. It culminates when we continue regularly praying or speaking forth this heavenly tongue and the Spirit begins manifesting Himself through us to bless and transform and bring wholeness to others. 

   14. Praying in the Spirit enables us to bypass our natural mind and our own thoughts and agendas or ideas and pray God's plan.

 It is clear from Paul's Epistle when we pray in the Spirit our understanding is unfruitful. In other words, tongues eliminate the potential selfish or self-seeking motives in prayer. We are able to bypass natural thinking and tap into Heaven's wisdom when we pray in the Spirit.

 So often our desires and wants can scream louder than what God is saying or doing at the moment. For example, you hear of a job offer that may pay more but at what cost? More time away from family. Relocation away from all family. Removing you out of a fellowship of believers that has helped in your spiritual growth and brought restoration and wholeness to your family. 

 The natural mind may only be focusing on a larger paycheck. Praying in the Spirit helps bypass that natural mindset and looks to God for His wisdom in the situation. In the natural, a bypass diverts us around and away from traffic congestion, and slower travel times stuck in big city traffic. Prayers in the Spirit bypass our own traffic congestion of natural wisdom, emotions, and the sensory realm and takes us straight into the Father's heart and mind on the situation. There is so much benefit to this Grace gift of praying in other tongues.

15. Tongues are God's plan and will for all believers. 

Mark's Gospel reveals the words of Jesus. This is His best and will for all His Church. Tongues? Blame Jesus! Paul's Epistle echoes the same sentiment. It's always been the Father's highest and best for His Church to operate in the power of God. When we receive this free gift we are fulfilling His plan and desire for the Church. This is not to say God is disappointed or looks down on those who have yet to receive. The Finished Work is what completes our identity, not any Spiritual gift.

 In summation, in these studies, we have listed fifteen benefits of praying in the Spirit. Don't allow the enemy or religious tradition or negative experience deter you from receiving all God has for you. This gift of the Holy Spirit infilling and accompanying prayer language belongs to you in Christ. Simply desire it and ask for it and you will receive it. This power and these benefits are for you.               

  

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Why Tongues? Some more benefits

        But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, Jude 20 NKJV

 We are continuing in our study, asking the question of why tongues? What is the purpose and point of speaking with/praying in other tongues? Why should we speak with tongues?

 We have detailed seven benefits so far as to answer the question, why pray in the Spirit? Praying in the Spirit brings a rest. Praying in the Spirit brings refreshing, for your whole man. Yet with all these benefits religious traditions of men still oppose and resist the bestowed blessing and benefit God gives His people.

 Again I say, tongues are not mere gibberish. Tongues are not emotional babble. Tongues are supernatural. Tongues are not natural. Tongues are not intellectually realized and understood. The natural, carnal mind, can't understand the supernatural power of God.

 Will you allow the Spirit to take charge? Will you give Him the reigns and allow Him to guide and direct your life? Will you freely receive all He has for you?

 Yielded to the loving Lord Most High, let's examine some more of the great and wonderful benefits of praying in the Spirit.

8. When we pray in the Spirit we are stimulating our faith or trust in God.
 Jude reveals by praying in the Spirit we stimulate our faith in God. This intimate prayer reminds us we can rest in His all the time goodness. We can put our full confidence and trust in Him.

 Faith is being fully persuaded that both what God has said in His Word and the work finished in Christ is truth and is ours right now. Praying in the Spirit stimulates this Faith in God. Praying in the Spirit helps bring clarity and understanding of what it means to be fully persuaded. Praying in tongues brings to our remembrance our total dependency on God. 

9. When we pray in the Spirit we are recharging our whole spirit soul and body. 
 Paul teaches when we pray in tongues we edify ourselves. This word "edifies" in the original Greek means to build up, to repair, to restore. It also connotes the idea of promoting growth in wisdom, Grace, and blessedness. It is equivalent to recharging a battery. We are energized, recharged in our total being by praying in the Spirit.

 We are recharging our whole man not just our spirit man. Yes, we receive a fully recharged spirit when we pray in the Spirit. We also though recharge our soul and our body. 

 We recharge our mind and will and emotions to be more Christ-centered when we pray in the Spirit. We break strongholds of wrong thinking as we pray in the Spirit. We build up our bodies as well. That is we receive health and wholeness as we pray in the Spirit for we are plugged in if you will, to the healer Himself. 

10. Praying in the Spirit enables us to give thanks well. 
 As Paul teaches about the proper exercise of praying in tongues amongst the unlearned, he reveals a great truth. Prayer in the Spirit enables us to give thanks well. Our worship is taken to a higher dimension with tongues. 

 Thanksgiving is a powerful tool for the believer. When we give thanks no matter the situation we are in we have supernatural peace. We can abandon fear and hopelessness and put our trust in Christ more fully. When we give thanks unto God we are putting Him into remembrance of all He's done for us. 

 Now don't get religiously ridiculously goofy. We don't give thanks for evil or tragedy. We don't give thanks for the trouble, for God didn't send the trouble, we just give thanks amid the trouble. We don't thank God for the illness. We give thanks because we know Jesus is the healer, and here's a chance for Jesus to show forth His healing power. 

11. Praying in the Spirit magnifies God. 

 The book of Acts reveals to us when we pray in tongues we magnify God. We know God doesn't actually become physically larger. It just means He becomes bigger to us. His love, His wisdom, and guidance and Word become bigger within us than whatever we are facing. In our worship and devotion, we magnify Him. We're able to offer our good Father praise and worship and thanksgiving in the Spirit.

 Praying in the Spirit enables us to focus on God more perfectly. We can turn off and tune out all the distractions of life as we pray in this supernatural language. So in essence God does become bigger in our eyes and thinking. 

 Again we see such marvelous benefits of praying in other tongues. This amazing gift that's been made available to all, to whosoever will may simply ask for it. Don't allow religious tradition to rob you of experiencing this marvelous gift.

 In summation, we see more and more benefits of praying in other tongues. We must never allow fear or the religious traditions of men to keep us from receiving all God has for us. Yes, it is not the natural way to pray, it's the supernatural way to pray. Certainly, the enemy and religion want to keep you from receiving all God has for you. Don't let the defeated devil nor deceived religious traditional minded folk keep you from partaking of all God has provided. 

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Why Tongues? More benefits

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, Jude 20 NKJV

We are continuing our study answering the question of why tongues? We are answering the questions why speak with tongues? Why pray in a language your natural mind cannot understand? 

 The truth we must set in remembrance is that we don't discern or comprehend the things of God with mere intellectualism. How God becoming a man, dying on a tree, and raised to life again and our subsequent acceptance and trust in this truth, makes us redeemed, whole, and Righteous in the Creator's eyes doesn't make much sense naturally speaking. Yet it's the absolute truth nonetheless. 

 We are examining this wonderful blessing of prayer in the Spirit. That is prayer in other tongues. Contrary to religious tradition and the intellect of man, tongues are not mere babble. Tongues are not gibberish. Speaking with tongues isn't nonsensical speech. It isn't excited babble from an out of control,  over-emotional state of mind. 

 Speaking with tongues, prayer in the Spirit is a powerful gift God has bestowed upon the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are many great benefits derived from this powerful gift. We gain better insight into the working and purpose of God for our lives. It enables us to see His will and plans more clearly for our lives and the lives of others as we intercede for them. 

 Tongues are a blessing. Let's continue looking at these great benefits. Last week we shared the first three.

4. When we pray in the Spirit we are praying the wisdom of God. The wisdom of God is revealed to us when we pray in the Spirit. We receive wisdom, revelation, and guidance from the Holy Spirit. 

 Paul reveals this wonderful benefit in 1 Corinthians 2. Speaking words the Spirit gives is praying in the Spirit. When we spend time praying in the Spirit we are tapping into God's wisdom. We can receive insight, direction, and guidance from the Spirit when we pray in the Spirit. 

 Need wisdom on a particular matter? Spend some quality time praying in the Spirit and God's wisdom will be revealed much clearer. Need insight on a challenge you're facing? Pray in the Spirit and God will bring clarity where there seems to be none. 

 

5. When we pray in the Spirit we are praying God's best and perfect will. We don't always know what to pray or how to pray in a given situation but He does.
 Romans 8 reminds us we don't always know what to pray in some situations. Thank the Lord we can rely on His Spirit praying through us. We can trust when we pray in the Spirit we are following His guidance in prayer. 

 Sometimes when we are praying for a need we can be caught up in the pressure and stress of the situation. In these times we have the potential to pray selfishly or only focus upon ourselves and our own needs. Praying in the Spirit ensures we are praying the complete will of God into any situation. Prayer in other tongues is such an invaluable gift.

6. When we pray in the Spirit we are receiving spiritual refreshing.
 Isaiah prophesied of the refreshing that praying in the Spirit brings. Feeling "burned out"? Pray in the Spirit. The world system offers refreshing. Chemicals, pills, illicit affairs, all they offer bring with it much consequence and pain, and will never satisfy. Christ and His gifts bring true refreshing. 

7. When we pray in the Spirit we enter into the rest.
 Again Isaiah prophesied of the rest and refreshing brought forth by praying in the Spirit. Feeling weary? Pray in the Spirit and enter into God's rest. 

 Weariness and stress seem to burden us all down at different points in our life. Dealing with unruly children, supervisors, and bosses that don't always seem to have our best interest at heart, and life in a fallen world can bring much weariness. God offers us real and lasting rest with His Grace gift of praying in the Spirit. 

 In summation, once again we see the great benefit of praying in the Spirit. Don't allow the traditions of men to rob you of such a wonderful experience. There are still more benefits to this great gift of praying in the Spirit. 

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Why Tongues?

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, Jude 20 NKJV

 Previously, we began a study asking who's afraid of the Holy Ghost? We looked closely at the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. With that understanding, it seems good to go further and deeper into the study of the power of the Spirit. This power from on high that is made available to all who call on the name of Jesus and receive His Grace.

 With any study of the Baptism in the Spirit, the subject of Tongues is inevitable. When a believer receives the infilling of the Spirit they receive the personal prayer language God gives them. Again, praying in the Spirit, the Baptism in the Spirit, are not marks of maturity. They aren't a sign that those who've received are somehow superior to other Christians or better than another believer. 

 With that understanding, and the foundation of the Baptism in the Spirit already laid, let's examine this question why Tongues? Why speak in tongues? Why would one desire to pray in a language you don't know? Why speak words that are unknown to your natural mind? What purpose does it serve? In what way is it beneficial?

 I want to take the time to answer these questions and reveal the amazing benefits of praying in the Spirit, speaking with tongues. So relinquish traditions of men. Let go of any fear or concerns. God is a Good Father and He only gives good gifts to His Church.

Graceful benefits of praying in the Spirit

 1. Tongues serve as evidence of one having received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. 

Acts 2:4, Acts 10:44-46, Acts 19:1-6  all clearly reveal tongues as the evidence one has received this Baptism in the Spirit. Peter used this experience of the Baptism in the Spirit evidenced by speaking in other tongues as proof that God was granting salvation to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. 

 These passages reveal the first benefit. Tongues serve as a sign, as evidence that you have received the fullness of the Spirit. That you have indeed been filled with the Spirit. This helps you when the enemy comes with his lies, his temptations, his accusations, and wants you to believe you're powerless and helpless. This prayer language reminds you that you've received the mighty infilling of God's Spirit. That you're more than a conqueror, and that you have power over all the lies of the enemy. 

2. Tongues serve as a reminder of the indwelling presence of God. It helps us be more God inside minded. 

 Jesus declared the Spirit will be upon us and shall be in us. Becoming God inside minded makes us more aware of His presence within. We won't be overcome by feelings of loss, abandonment, or loneliness when we realize that He is always with us.

 In this life, we may feel alone or as if we are going through it all by ourselves. When we are God inside minded, we know He is with us, always. It serves as a reminder that we are not doing life on our own. His power and presence are with us. 

 When we pray in the language only He can give, it reminds us He is right there in our midst. It tells us He is with us and directing our prayer. He is listening and ready to answer in His power and love.

3. When we pray in tongues we are praying divine secrets or praying mysteries.

 Paul revealed this wonderful benefit in his Epistle to the Corinthians. This word translated mysteries in the original Greek reveals some powerful truths. In Greek, it means a hidden thing or secret thing not obvious to the understanding. It's hidden counsel or purpose. It's hidden counsels concealed to the ungodly and World but made plain to the righteous. We tap into these hidden counsels by praying in the Spirit.  

 There is so much to be said about the benefits of praying mysteries. 

 You see, a person speaking in an unknown language is not addressing the church because he is really addressing God—those who overhear don’t understand because he is speaking in the Spirit the depths of the mysteries of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 14:2 Voice

 When someone speaks in tongues, no one understands a word he says, because he’s not speaking to people, but to God—he is speaking intimate mysteries in the Spirit. 

1 Corinthians 14:2 TPT

For he who speaks in a 'tongue' addresses God not men; no one understands him; he is talking of divine secrets in the Spirit.  

1 Corinthians 14:2 Moffatt 

 

 When we pray in the Spirit, we are praying intimate secrets. We are praying out the will of God in secret. When we pray in the Spirit we are going deeper in prayer and intimacy with the Father. This strengthens our walk and relationship with God. It gives us better insight into the heart of our Good Father. 

 

 We've seen just three of the great benefits of praying in the Spirit. One may be thinking what must I do to receive? How can I get this in my life? The good news is this amazing prayer language is free. It is readily available to any of God's people who simply desire it and simply ask for it. You can't earn what's free!

 In summation, we aks why Tongues? Because of the amazing benefits. There are so many benefits to praying in the Spirit. Religious tradition is afraid of the Holy Ghost so they create obstacles and objections to this beautiful prayer language. Don't let the enemy or religion rob you of all God has provided for. Simply receive by Faith what Grace has freely provided. 

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 

Who's Afraid of the Holy Ghost? (the Baptism in the Holy Spirit)

 

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4 NKJV

 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NKJV

 Today, I'd like to begin a new study on the Holy Spirit by asking a question. Who's afraid of the Holy Spirit? Often the mere mention of the Holy Ghost conjures up much controversy. Why? 

 For one, there isn't much taught about the Spirit. Most ministries simply ignore much of the Spirit's power and supernatural working. Therefore because of ignorance or lack of knowledge on the Person of the Holy Spirit fear can arise. That is when one encounters the Spirit it can make some people uncomfortable. 

 Lastly, religious tradition tries to give a response to the lack of information and actually reinforces the fears many have about the Spirit and His work. Before I go further I would like to dispel myths and answer the objections concerning the Spirit's power, His gifts, and His fullness. You can find objections to the Baptism in the Spirit here, and the objections to tongues or prayer language here. 

 The enemy has a subtle scheme. Sowing seeds of distrust and discomfort his insidious scheme is to make the Comforter, seemingly uncomfortable to God's people. Some people hear people praying in another tongue and it can make them have reservations about the things of the Spirit.

 Why? Because they don't understand the work of the Spirit or they have fears that are sown by the enemy in their thinking or the traditions of men have become a stronghold in their mind. God has never given anything bad to His Church. God gave these gifts to empower us and strengthen and refresh us.

 Let's hear the words of God through Paul to begin.

 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Acts 19:2a NKJV

 Why did Paul ask this question to these believers in Ephesus if we get it all at salvation? Why did Paul ask this question? Didn't he know we get all there is at the point of conversion? 

 All one has to do is look through their Bible in the Epistles and see that Paul affirmed that when we are first saved we have the Spirit within. The Spirit baptizes us into the Body of Christ. He seals us for eternity, we are God's, no longer our own, eternally secure. When we first believed we got all there is to be complete in Christ. That is complete in our identity.

 

 What Paul is referencing is not the Spirit within. Paul wasn't suggesting that these men weren't complete in Christ. Paul was referencing the Spirit upon. Paul was referencing the empowerment of the Spirit we receive after being born again. Look closely at the entire event in Scripture here.

 Paul made sure these men were believers. He baptized them in water upon their belief, their profession of Faith in Christ. At this point, these men were born again, they were saved. This point is essential. Because next, we see Paul lay hands on them. 

 Paul's act of laying hands on them wasn't something needed for them to be saved. This wasn't Paul completing their salvation. We don't need an Apostle to lay hands upon us to be saved. That's not what is occurring here. Paul is laying hands upon them to receive the empowerment of the Spirit after they've been saved. 

 What happens immediately as they receive? They begin to speak with tongues and move in the Gifts of the Spirit. When we receive the Spirit there is always a manifestation of the Spirit. 

This will be the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” 2 Corinthians 13:1 NKJV

 We have three witnesses stating specifically that when people are filled with the Spirit they will speak in tongues. They will experience a manifestation of the Spirit. You can see Acts 2 here, Acts 10 here, and of course, Acts 19 which we just mentioned. 

 The Spirit within speaks of our identity in Christ. He shows us we are Christ's, and no longer our own. He shows us we are Righteous, born again, a brand new creation, totally forgiven once for all time, and complete in Christ. He is our seal, the earnest of our inheritance, the proof we are eternally redeemed, saved, and secure. 

 The Spirit upon reveals to us our empowerment in Christ. We are filled to the overflow with the power of the Spirit. We have the Spirit working through us ministering life to others. Whereas the Spirit within is to strengthen ourselves the Spirit upon us not only builds us up and empowers us, it also allows us to be a greater blessing to the world around us. He bestows a heavenly language with which we can pray out the will of God and receive strength, wisdom, refreshing, and rest as we do so. 

 The Baptism in the Spirit is not about maturity. It isn't about being better than someone else. It doesn't mean one is spiritually superior to another. It's about the empowering of the Spirit. It's the Spirit upon for works of service.

 In summation, don't be afraid of the Holy Ghost. God would never give us something offensive, or scary, or bad. If you want to receive the Baptism in the Spirit, simply ask. If you've placed your trust in Christ all you need do is ask and receive. 

 You can simply pray a simple prayer "Father, I have put my trust in you. I know I am a child of God and forever forgiven and eternally loved. As your own, I ask for the empowering of the Spirit. Jesus, I ask you to baptize me into the Holy Ghost, and I believe I receive it right now. I praise you and thank you for this empowerment. I now praise you in my native tongue and I praise you in the Spirit, my personal prayer language, in Jesus' name."

 Just speak out those words the Spirit is speaking. Don't try to understand it intellectually. Just receive it and speak, let that Holy Ghost melody flow out of your belly as you lift up the name of Jesus. God is with you and for you, rejoice. 

Image by My pictures are CC0. When doing composings: from Pixabay