Introduction:
God has given us a beautiful gift from the Holy Spirit, and yet it has become one of the most controversial topics in the church today. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are still for today, they have not passed away with the apostles.
Ephesians 4:11-16
I don't think we have all come in the unity of the faith or arrived to the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect church. There is still way too much controversy and debating taking place, we as the people of God must KNOCK IT OFF!
Acts 2:4
1.RECEIVING THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS DIFFERENT FROM RECEIVING THE SPIRIT AT SALVATION
A. The disciples at Pentecost were already intimate with Christ and His Spirit.
B. They received a seperate experience in the Upper Room on that Pentecost.
2.THIS EXPERIENCE IS NOT JUST AN ISOLATED EVENT FOR THE DAY OF PENTECOST
A. Some people did receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:38, 41
B. However, the believers at Cornelius' house received this experience about 10 years later.Acts 10:46
C. The disciples at Ephesus received it about 20 years later.Acts 19:6
D. This is experience is widespread even today, around the world...
3.THE EXPERIENCE OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES IS TO BE HONORED AND COVETED
A. I Corinthians 14:18
B. I Corinthians 14:39
4. THE EXPERIENCE OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES WAS WIDESPREAD IN THE EARLY CHURCH
A. Acts 2:4
B. I Corinthians 12:10
C. I Corinthians 12:28
D. In the early Church, speaking in tongues publicly was such a common occurence that Paul needed to establish some guidelines for its use. 1 Corinthians 14:26-28
5. SPEAKING IN TONGUES IS NOT "GIBBERISH," BUT PRAISE TO GOD
Acts 2:11
6. TONGUES ARE A SOURCE OF POWER FOR THE BELIEVER
A. It builds up the individual believer. Jude 20,21, I Corinthians 14:4
B. It builds up the Church.I Corinthians 14:5
7. TONGUES ARE DIRECTED TO GOD
I Corinthians 14:2
8. TONGUES ARE OF THE SPIRIT, NOT THE SOUL OF MAN
I Corinthians 14:14
9. TONGUES ARE A SIGN TO UNBELIEVERS
I Corinthians 14:22
