© 09 Colin Melbourne
How to be Baptised in the Holy Spirit
Q: I have been searching for the answer of how to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. So far, I am only getting explanations of what it is. I have this burning desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that I can be effective in spreading The word. I feel like a horse being restrained at the starting gate. Jeff
A: Excellent, it’s easier than you imagine.
There’s one vital pre-condition; you must be born again. The Promise of the Spirit is only for God’s children, not Satan’s. (Lk. 24:49, Mtt. 7:9-11, Jn. 14:16-17.)
Salvation must come first.
If you’re saved, there’s no danger whatsoever, Father will give you what you ask.
However, if the unsaved try to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit there’s a risk they will be deceived and receive a demonic counterfeit such as those manifested by “Charismatic Catholics”, and other cults.
You can receive the baptism on your own by simply asking in faith, or in a praise and worship service, or by laying on of hands. Each is biblical. This article will show you How to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Get The Power Baptism: This small book is one of the best resources to answer questions about tongues, packed with practical advice that works.
Fluency in tongues
Q: I have been filled with the Holy Ghost and fire, speaking in tongues. I’ve done it three times, and my question is how can I get to where the Spirit just flows the Gift through me. It seems like I battle it before it comes out. Maybe I need to relax. I pray that I may interpret, but it is a great honour just to be speaking to Almighty God in Spirit and in truth. James
A: That’s it you got it, just relax and thank God you’re Family. We blokes do tend to struggle with it more than women, because it seems a bit daft at first. But just get on with it, and let the Spirit use you. Be God-conscious, not self-conscious.
The Gift of interpreting tongues is distinct from personal tongues. The Holy Spirit gives an interpretation as He determines at the time, but personal tongues are yours to keep, and under your full control. (1 Co. 12:7-11, Eph. 6:18).
The Lord will give you the interpretation of your personal tongues whenever you ask Him, so that you can know what you are praying about, or rather what He is praying about through you. Ro. 8:26-27
Have I got the Holy Spirit?
Q: Does a person have to speak in tongues in order to show they have the Holy Spirit. Jo-Ann
A: You’re using wooly terminology Jo-Ann. Every true believer “has the Holy Spirit” in their hearts. This is the anointing within, as spoken of in First John 2:27, and the sealing mentioned in Eph. 1:13-14.
But what you are thinking of is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, which is a different anointing. It is the anointing to serve and witness of Christ in power. The initial Bible evidence that you have received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is tongues. Acts Chs. 2, 10, 19. See the next answer too.
Receiving the Holy Spirit
Q: When did The Apostles receive The Holy Spirit? Was it the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), or when The Apostles were commissioned (John 20:22)? David
A: You need to understand two vital, and often overlooked facts.
1) None of the believers were born again before Christ rose from the dead. Nobody could be born again then because the New Covenant wasn’t in force until Christ offered His Blood in the Holy of Holies in Heaven itself.
2) There’s a difference between being born again, and receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. They are two distinct experiences, though they may occur concurrently as in Cornelius’ home in Acts 10:44-48.
So when you ask, “When did the Twelve receive the Holy Spirit”, you need to qualify what you mean by “receive the Holy Spirit”.
In Jn. 20:21-22 the resurrected Christ came and breathed on them an anointing to tide them over, this was not the promised Baptism in the Holy Spirit, that came later at Pentecost.
Jn. 20:21-22 was most likely the moment the Apostles were actually born again.
They received the anointing within written of in Eph. 1:13-14 and First Jn. 2:20,27, the born again anointing. In that sense they received the Holy Spirit. As every sinner does the instant they repent and believe on Christ.
But the phrase “receive the Holy Spirit” is mainly used as a synonym for the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, and that first occurred in Acts Ch. 2, as Peter himself in Acts 2:33 confirms, they had received the Holy Spirit as promised by the Prophets and Christ.
If this is still not clear to you, it would be helpful to study what is the born again baptism, and what being baptised into Christ means. It is nothing to do with water baptism.
Tongues: All You Need to Know: A wonderful new compilation of the very best of Ken Hagin’s teaching on speaking in tongues.
Scriptural answers to all your questions on this popular subject.
Confused about tongues
Q: A relative invited me to their church; when they began to pray I realized I was in a Pentecostal church. They believe that you have to speak in tongues as evidence of having the Holy Ghost. The Pastor was a Baptist preacher before he became Pentecostal. He says if you don’t speak in tongues you are going to Hell. I have been baptized and really feel the Lord in my life. This is really causing me distress, I honestly don’t know what to think anymore. Can you help?
A: I suspect you have misunderstood what you have heard in the Pentecostal fellowship you attend.
Normal Pentecostal teaching is that salvation comes first, by genuine heart faith in Christ as Lord, with accompanying confession from your lips as in Ro. Ch. 10. You then have the Holy Ghost within your heart. But that is not the same as being filled with the Holy Ghost.
The Pentecostal Baptism in the Holy Spirit is an experience subsequent to salvation, with the Bible evidence of tongues.
This is standard doctrine in Assembly of God (US), Elim (UK), and most genuine Pentecostal fellowships around the world.
There’s a false teaching in some fellowships who call themselves “Pentecostal”, that unless you have tongues you are not saved. That is error.
I personally would not preach in, or attend, such a fellowship. (Nor do I argue doctrine with such types, I just get busy proclaiming Christ to anyone who wants to listen.)
The Complete Wigglesworth Teachings: This collection of transcripts of Smith preaching is one of the best daily devotional resources you can use. His words are just as powerfully anointed today as when he spoke them.
I encourage you to seek the experience of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with tongues as evidence, because it will empower you to serve Christ effectively. Without the power baptism you will flounder in your walk with God.
You are also confusing praying in tongues, with speaking in tongues. They are quite different. The former is for personal use in prayer, praise, and worship, and need not be interpreted; the latter is for public use to edify the Body, and is always accompanied by interpretation. See: Tongues FAQ.
There’s no need for alarm, Christ bled and died to give you eternal Life, if you have received Him, He will never leave you. You are His.
© 09 Colin Melbourne
