There is another experience that takes place with believers and that is being filled with or baptized with the Holy Ghost. Just because a person is saved doesn't mean they are filled with the Spirit. Oftentimes people equate the born again experience with being filled with the Holy Ghost, but it is not the same thing.
Hands Laid On People To Receive The Holy Ghost
Acts 8:9-19 KJV
(9) But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
(10) To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
(11) And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
(12) But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
(13) Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
(14) Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
(15) Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
(16) (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
(17) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
(18) And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
(19) Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
- Here is scripture that proves just because you are saved doesn't mean that you are filled with the Holy Ghost.
- There had to be some sort of physical manifestation that took place in order for Simon to know the people were filled with the Holy Ghost, otherwise how could he have known?
- Based on other scriptures we know that the evidence was speaking in other tongues.
Matthew 3:11 KJV
(11) I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
- John the Baptist proclaimed that Jesus is the one that baptizes us with the Holy Ghost. Notice that John the Baptist said "with" the Holy Ghost and not "in" the Holy Ghost. The way that this is said means everything. For example:
If we are baptized with the Holy Ghost that means the "Holy Ghost comes into us".
Let me be clear about one thing right up front. BEING BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY GHOST SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES WHEN WE ARE BORN AGAIN, AT THE TIME OF OUR REGENERATION. THESE ARE TWO SEPARATE EXPERIENCES AND THE SCRIPTURES WILL BEAR THIS OUT.
Mark 16:14-20 KJV
(14) Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
(15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
(16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
(17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
(18) They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
(19) So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
(20) And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Here we see Jesus talking about the different supernatural signs that would follow believers, (if they believe). I want to point out that all the signs mentioned are supernatural in nature.
A. In my name shall they cast out devils. SUPERNATURAL
B. They shall speak with new tongues. SUPERNATURAL
C. They shall take up serpents. In other words if they are bitten by a poisonous serpent it will not hurt them. SUPERNATURAL
D. If someone slips them some poison it will not hurt them. SUPERNATURAL
E. They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. SUPERNATURAL.
Some would argue that speaking in new tongues means that once you are born again that you stop cussing or your language and choice of words get better. Although that is true, that is not what Jesus was talking about when he said "they shall speak with new tongues". The reason Jesus is not simply talking about using better language is that everything that He mentioned is supernatural. You can't pluck speaking with new tongues out of the list and make it natural. No, Jesus is talking about supernatural manifestations of the Spirit of God."
I want to make another point. How many believers do we see casting out devils? How many believers do we see laying hands on the sick and sick people recovering? The answer is NOT MANY!. I use these two out of the list to illustrate the point, there are shortages in these areas of the spirit. There are also shortages in the area of speaking with new tongues. All these signs are in the same grouping.
Acts 1:8 KJV
(8) But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
- There is a lack of power in the church due to a lack of the body of Christ immersing themselves in spiritual things. I didn't say there are not spiritual things taking place but what I'am saying is due to the lack of overall spirituality we don't see the signs and wonders that God intended to take place in and through the church. Not the physical church, the building, but the spiritual church. The body of Christ. Where is the power? It is due to the fact that the body of Christ is not baptized in the Holy Ghost to the extend that God intended. ALL BELIEVERS SHOULD BE BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY GHOST WITH THE INITIAL EVIDENCE OF SPEAKING IN OTHER TONGUES. JUST LIKE THE BIBLE DESCRIBES IT!
Acts 2:1-13 KJV
(1) And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
(2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
(3) And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
(4) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
(5) And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
(6) Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
(7) And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
(8) And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
(9) Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
(10) Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
(11) Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
(12) And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
(13) Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
- Verse 4 says they were all filled with the Holy Ghost AND began to speak with other tongues. The word "and" is a conjunction it joins the first half with the second half. When the first half is true the "and" says the second half is also true.
SPEAKING IN TONGUES IS THE INITIAL EVIDENCE OF BEING FILLED WITH OR BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. THERE ARE OTHER MANIFESTATIONS THAT PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF BEING FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT BUT THE INITIAL EVIDENCE IS SPEAKING IN NEW TONGUES OR OTHER TONGUES.
We can't throw out the scriptures as it pertains to speaking with new tongues. We must follow the Bible and the explanations that the Word of God lay down. We must get away from what we think it should be and concentrate on what it actually says!
Acts 2:33 KJV
(33) Therefore 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, which ye now see and hear.
- Peter stood up in the midst of all this and explained to the people what was going on. He made it clear that when people were filled with the Holy Ghost you knew it by manifestation of speaking in tongues. He said you see it and HEAR it.
Acts 2:39 KJV
(39) 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.
- This promise is to as many as the Lord God should call. This means every believer.
Acts 4:7-8 KJV
(7) And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
(8) Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
- Peter, who at this point is filled with the Holy Ghost has been transformed from running away from adversity to standing up in the midst of adversity. This is because he is now filled with the Holy Ghost and has been supernaturally empowered to stand in the midst of adversity.
Acts 4:13 KJV
(13) Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
- The saw the boldness of Peter and John and were labeled as "unlearned and ignorant" because they had been with Jesus. What the people didn't realize is that Peter and John had a revelation of the truth about the Lord. Their revelation bought about a change in their lives, now they were being labeled. Peter and John were bold because they were filled with the Holy Ghost.
Acts 4:31 KJV
(31) And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
- Another example. They were bold in speaking the word of God because they were filled with the Holy Ghost. Being filled with the Holy Ghost produces Holy Ghost boldness.
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.
- The Jews were astonished because God poured out his spirit upon the Gentiles. They reason they knew is that THEY HEARD THEM SPEAK WITH TONGUES, AND MAGNIFY GOD! The initial evidence of being filled with the Holy Ghost is speaking in tongues. Yet another example.
Acts 11:13-18 KJV
(13) And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
(14) Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
(15) And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
(16) Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
(17) Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
(18) When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
- We have another example illustrating the distinct connection between being baptized with the Holy Ghost and speaking in other tongues. In verse 15 Peter says the Holy Ghost fell on them as on us at the beginning. We know from the scriptures what happened when the Holy Spirit fell on them at the beginning. They were all filled with the Holy Ghost AND began to speak in other tongues. In verse 16 he recalls what Jesus said about John The Baptist as it related to John's ministry, but he also mentions about being baptized with the Holy Ghost. We see from the scriptures that when one is initially baptized with the Holy Spirit there is evidence by speaking in tongues.
Acts 19:1-7 KJV
(1) And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
(2) He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
(3) And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
(4) Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
(5) When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
(6) And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
(7) And all the men were about twelve.
- Verse 2 says "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" They replied "We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost". My question would be, How they could possess something they didn't even know existed? These individuals were saved but obviously not filled with the Holy Ghost.
1. They were believers but not filled with the Holy Ghost. (We have two different experiences going on here.)
2. They were only baptized unto Johns baptism. Paul bought them up to speed by telling them about being baptized in the name of Jesus.
3. Paul laid his hands on them and they were filled with the Holy Ghost.
4. They spake with tongues.
5. Then they prophesied.
- More scripture illustrating the relationship of being baptized with the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues. The Holy Ghost came on them AND they spake with tongues.
It is not the scope of this particular writing to fully explore the depth of speaking in tongues. We know from the scripture that every believer has the potential to speak in tongues just like every believer has the potential to cast out devils, lay hands on the sick that they recover, be immune to poisonous snakes and other toxic things.
1. There is speaking in other tongues.
2. There is speaking in unknown tongues..
3. There is speaking in divers kinds of tongues.