The Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the Miraculous Sign of Speaking in Other Tongues

Continuation from “The Teachings from the Book of Acts of the Apostles.”

Introduction

After the Lord Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared in His resurrected human body to His disciples and apostles over a period of forty days (Acts 1:3).

In Luke 24:49, before His ascension to the Father in His resurrected body, the Lord Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to the disciples in a miraculous way, saying, “And behold, I am sending out the promise of My Father upon you; but remain you in the city, until you be clothed with power from on high.”

The beloved Son of God told the disciples plainly that the promise of the Father, whom the beloved Son of God would send to them, would help them do the work, not only miraculous works but also through the gift of speaking. They would remember everything that the beloved Son of God had taught them. Even though nothing had been written down yet, they would all remember the same teachings. Also, the Lord would give them many things according to the promise of the Father.

Even though the verse does not clearly tell all readers about the Holy Spirit, when the Lord says, “clothed with power from on high,” this phrase refers to all of them being clothed with the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit from the Father Himself.

In the Book of Acts, we witness the coming of the Holy Spirit to earth, the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples waiting in Jerusalem, and many other miraculous works accomplished through the mighty power of the Holy Spirit: baptism in the Holy Spirit with the miraculous evidence of speaking in other tongues, the salvation of souls (Jews and Gentiles alike), baptism in water, boldness in preaching the gospel, prophetic words, miraculous healings, deliverance from evil spirits, the calling and sending of ministers and missionaries, the formation and growth of churches, the protection and guidance of the disciples, and miraculous deliverance from the hands of persecutors.

The Spiritual Themes

Within this spiritual category, we see the plan of the Lord and the progression of the work of the Holy Spirit, from the baptism of the disciples in Jerusalem, to the baptism of the believers in Samaria through the apostles Peter and John, to the baptism of the Gentiles through the apostle Peter, and finally to the baptism of the disciples at Ephesus through the apostle Paul.

Many passages from the Book of Acts fall within this spiritual category. For the purpose of our study, we have classified these passages into four spiritual themes and grouped the relevant passages from the Book of Acts under each theme.

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit of the Disciples on the Day of Pentecost
Samaria Receives the Word of God
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit of the Household of Cornelius
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit of the Disciples at Ephesus

1. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit of the Disciples on the Day of Pentecost

The Gospels tell us clearly that the Lord Jesus is the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16). The Book of Acts begins with the events that took place after the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and His ascension to the Father. Specifically, the faithful disciples were gathered in Jerusalem, waiting for the promise of the Father, the pouring out of the Holy Spirit upon them.

The baptism in the Holy Spirit first occurred on the Day of Pentecost in Jerusalem, and this marked a new beginning for the ministry of the Holy Spirit on earth. Specifically, Acts 2:4 says, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues,” meaning that all the disciples present and waiting were baptized in the Holy Spirit. The miracle of the baptism in the Holy Spirit was not only for the disciples at that time, but it is also for all believers from that time until the Lord Jesus’ second coming to earth who believe in the Lord Jesus, believe in this gift, and seek it through prayer and waiting upon the Lord.

Additionally, this passage confirms the sign of the gift: when a person is baptized in the Holy Spirit, the gift of speaking in other tongues is also present. This event also shows that the Holy Spirit was working according to the will of God the Father and making His work known to all who witnessed it.

Below, we highlight all the Book of Acts passages that entirely cover this theme, with hyperlinks to our Bible Commentary Forever (BCF) work, where you will find more comments and explanations. In addition, we provide a short description of each passage, characterizing its content.

BCF Links in the Book of Acts: Acts 1:5-9 (The Lord Jesus announces the baptism in the Holy Spirit on Pentecost); Acts 2:1-8 (The coming of the Holy Spirit from heaven, like a mighty wind and tongues of fire, on the day of Pentecost upon the disciples gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem: they all experienced the miracle of speaking in other tongues); Acts 2:9-13 (Devout Jews from many nations witness the miracle of the Holy Spirit baptism upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost and hear the mighty works of God in their own languages).

2. Samaria Receives the Word of God

The church in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God (Acts 8:14). Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the apostles Peter and John traveled to Samaria to pray for the Samaritans and lay hands on them so that they might receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

The apostles had already been baptized in the Holy Spirit and were willing to share this blessing with the Samaritans, who had been baptized only in water for the remission of their sins. This event teaches us that a good practice for receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit is through prayer and the laying on of hands by a person who has already received the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

When the apostles laid their hands upon them, it became like a bridge through which the Holy Spirit moved, and the soul of the person felt joined to the Holy Spirit. In another way, we can say that they felt the touch of the Holy Spirit. At this moment, they were not yet baptized in the Holy Spirit but were receiving the touch of the Holy Spirit upon their souls.

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is confirmed when a person receives the gift of speaking in other tongues and speaks aloud at least one word.

BCF Links in the Book of Acts: Acts 8:14-25 (Peter and John travel to Samaria to pray and lay their hands on the believers to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit).

3. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit of the Household of Cornelius

The Lord God Almighty keeps His eyes on all people, and everyone who seeks Him can find Him and become His children (Romans 10:13).

The baptism of the household of Cornelius is a clear testimony to the miraculous power and work of the Holy Spirit. It shows that whoever seeks the Lord God Almighty, He has mercy on them and blesses them spiritually.

This event is the next important step in the progression of the work of the Holy Spirit as described in the Book of Acts. Here we see the gift of Holy Spirit baptism, manifested through the miraculous gift of speaking in other tongues, being given to Gentile believers and not only to the Jews.

This is a testimony from God the Father that, by His mercy, His Spirit can be given to both Jews and Gentiles who call upon the name of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus died for all people, and in His name the promise of the Father is imparted to all who believe in Him and seek this precious gift.

BCF Links in the Book of Acts: Acts 10:1-8 (An angel of God comes to Cornelius and guides him to send men to Joppa to summon Peter); Acts 10:9-16 (The Lord shows Peter a vision of a vessel descending from heaven full of creatures—preparing him to minister to the house of Cornelius); Acts 10:17-20 (The Holy Spirit commands Peter to go with the men sent by Cornelius); Acts 10:21-26 (Peter, along with certain brothers, travels to the house of Cornelius in Caesarea); Acts 10:27-29 (Peter meets Cornelius and those in his house, explaining how God instructed him “to call no man common or unclean”); Acts 10:30-36 (Peter tells the household of Cornelius that Jesus is Lord of all—not only of the sons of Israel, but of everyone who fears him and works righteousness); Acts 10:37-38 (Peter declares that God the Father has anointed Jesus of Nazareth with all glory and power, because He is not only the beloved Son, but He is One with the Father); Acts 10:39-43 (Peter testifies to the crucifixion and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, explaining that chosen witnesses are commanded to proclaim that Jesus “is the One ordained by God as Judge of the living and the dead”); Acts 10:44-48 (Cornelius and his household are baptized in the Holy Spirit—evidenced by speaking in tongues and magnifying God—and are then baptized in water); Acts 11:1–10 (Peter repeats to those in Jerusalem the vision that the Lord gave him regarding the Lord’s plan of salvation for the Gentiles); Acts 11:11-17 (Peter details to those in Jerusalem how the Holy Spirit fell upon those in the household of Cornelius).

4. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit of the Disciples at Ephesus

The baptism in the Holy Spirit of the disciples at Ephesus is an important event because it shows all believers that it is not sufficient to be baptized only in water for the remission of sins. Since the Lord Jesus ascended to the Father and sends the promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit, to earth, all believers must seek the precious gift of the baptism in the Holy Spirit for the completion of their salvation seal.

At Ephesus, the apostle Paul taught that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and that believers must repent and be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. After teaching them, Paul laid his hands upon them, and the Holy Spirit came upon them. They were baptized in the Holy Spirit, spoke in other tongues, and prophesied.

This event remains important for believers today because it emphasizes that the miraculous gift of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is received through prayer and the laying on of hands, and is accompanied by the sign of speaking in other tongues.

BCF Links in the Book of Acts: Acts 19:6-12 (Miracles of Holy Spirit baptism with signs of speaking in tongues and prophecy, as well as healing and deliverance, were performed in Ephesus through the apostle Paul; both Jews and Gentiles heard the Word of God preached).

Conclusions

In conclusion, the baptism in the Holy Spirit is for all believers, not only for those living at the time of the apostles, but also for believers today and until the Lord Jesus comes back to take His bride (John 14:1-3; Revelation 19:7-9).

The miraculous gift of Holy Spirit baptism is the result of the Lord Jesus accomplishing the plan of the Father on earth, His resurrection from the dead, and His ascension to the Father. All believers who believe in the Lord Jesus as their Lord and Savior, believe in the Trinity of God (God the Father, God the Son, Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit), and believe in the gift of the baptism in the Holy Spirit can receive this precious gift. This gift is freely given by the Father in the name of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ (Luke 11:13).

It is important for all believers in the Lord Jesus to seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit through prayer with other believers, through the laying on of hands, and through intercessory prayer. All who pray and wait to receive the gift of Holy Spirit baptism can be assured that they have received it when they are touched by the Holy Spirit and receive the miraculous gift of speaking in other tongues. To confirm the baptism in the Holy Spirit, the believer must speak at least one word aloud in another tongue.

We encourage all readers of this blog article to explore our two articles on the topic of Holy Spirit baptism entitled, “Holy Spirit Baptism for a Christian” and “The Baptism in the Holy Spirit.”