The baptism of the Holy Spirit is mentioned only 6 times in the New Testament, as prophesy in the 4 Gospels and Acts 1:4,5 and as a historical account in Acts 11:15,16. All who received the baptism of the Holy Spirit as recorded in the Bible were able to speak in tongues (languages they didn't study), and the purpose of the tongues (and other miracles) was twofold:
1) to confirm the word (Mark 16:20)
2) to show that God does not show partiality. (Acts Chapter 10)
Now that the Word has been confirmed and unchanged for centuries, the purpose for the speaking of tongues is no longer necessary. "...whether there be tongues, they shall cease..." (1 Corinthians 13:8)
| John 1:33 |
I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon
whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who
baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' |
| Acts 1:4,5 |
And
being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from
Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you
have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you
shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." |
| Acts 2:1-4 |
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one
place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing
mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and [one] sat upon
each of them. And they [the apostles (see Acts 1:2,5,26 and Acts 2:1,14,43)] were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began
to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. |
| Acts 10:44-48 |
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?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of
the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. |
| Acts 11:15,16 |
"And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the
beginning [the apostles in Acts chapter 2]. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said,
'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy
Spirit.'" |
| Mark 16:20 |
And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and
confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. |
| Hebrews 1:3,4 |
How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began
to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,
God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various
miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? |
|