“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them….” —Acts 4:8

When filled with the Holy Ghost, Peter didn’t fall over, shake, babble, or foam at the mouth; but he spake in boldness, clarity, and power of faith in a resurrected Lord. What a wonderful blessing it is to experience the reality of Holy Spirit baptism which empowers and enables us to live a holy life.

In this issue of The Gospel Truth, I address the subject of speaking in tongues. It is a large subject and is so important that I increased the size of the paper. Even at that, there is much more that could be written. The Bible is very clear about what occurred on the day of Pentecost when the disciples spoke with tongues. They were able to preach in intelligible languages they had not previously known by a divine gift of the Spirit. The devil has perverted the simplicity of this experience and deceived millions of people into thinking that there is a heavenly language and that speaking/praying ecstatically with unintelligible speech is of the Holy Spirit. Read more

The Bible Is Our Guide

The phenomenon of ecstatic “tongues speaking,” praying in tongues, etc. is prevalent among Christians and non-Christians around the world. It is spreading rapidly in Christian movements in the name of the Holy Spirit. It is important that the Word of God be the guide and that all practices and doctrines be in conformity to the Bible—regardless of opinions, experiences and physical manifestations. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).Read more

“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, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” (Acts 19:1-2a).

The disciples at Ephesus believed in repentance but were unaware of the full plan of salvation available through Jesus Christ. Upon hearing the good news, they were baptized. Paul then laid hands on them, prayed, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.Read more

“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)” —John 7:38-39

The essence of full salvation is founded in the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit brings life and vitality to those who have been filled with the sweetness of His presence. What a wonderful experience to have the Spirit make His abode in this earthly temple.Read more

Scripture Reading:

And when the day of Pentecost was 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 all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost…. —Acts 2:1-4a

Summary:

Jesus died to save people from their sins and to provide for a personal experience of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit equips the believer to live a holy life through divine power, leadership, and comfort. Read more