1.  The New Testament pattern:  five times in the book of Acts we find examples of people receiving the initial empowering or baptism in the Holy Spirit.
a.  Jesus' disciples (120)--Acts 2:1-13
b.  Samaritans--Acts 8:12-19
c.  Apostle Paul--Acts 9:17
d.  Cornelius' household--Acts 10:44-48
e.  Ephesians--Acts 19:1-7

2.  In three of five cases, God immediately confirmed the gift of the Holy Spirit through the manifestation of speaking in tongues.

3.  The other two cases, however, may have also had an immediate manifestation of tongues. In Paul's case, he definitely received the gift at some time for in 1 Corinthians 14:18 he said, "I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of   you"  In the case of  the Samaritans, there was some kind of immediate manifestation, for Simon the Sorcerer coveted the ability to have people receive the Holy Spirit on whom he laid his hands (see Acts 8:19).

Why would God choose tongues as a sign gift?

1. It enhances PRAYER.
      a.  Romans 8:26-28 speaks of the intercession of the Holy Spirit within us.  Tongues is a physical manifestation of that prayer of the Holy Spirit. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:14 that "if I pray in a tongue my spirit prays."  This prayer in the Spirit is a key to standing victoriously against the attack of the devil.  In Ephesians 6 when speaking of the armor of God, Paul said, "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." (Ephesians 6:18).   Praying in tongues definitely takes one into deeper dimensions of prayer.

     b.  Paul describes another supernatural aspect of this type of prayer in 1 Corinthians 14:2:  "For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. It is God's desire that believer would communicate with Him with "spiritual language, at least at a personal level.  "I would like every one of you to speak in tongues," says Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:5.

2.  It's PERSONAL.
     a.  1 Corinthians 14:4 discusses how tongues "edifies self".
     b.  1 Corinthians 14:2 says that when one speaks in tongues he "does not speak to men, but to God."  The gift of tongues is first of all a personal gift to benefit an individual's intimate communication with God.  Many of the other gifts primarily involve ministry to others. This follows God's usual pattern that the blessing would first benefit the individual, then that person can become a channel of blessing to benefit others.   (Genesis 12:2 "I will bless you. . . and you will be a blessing.")

3.  It's PROPHETIC.
      a.  The gift of tongues and the interpretation of tongues are the only two gifts of the Spirit not manifested under the old covenant.  They are distinct to the new covenant.  As evidence of the new covenant, the Spirit brought a new sign. (compare 1 Corinthians 14:21 to Isaiah 28:11-12).  This is perhaps the main reason why unknown tongues is the primary sign used by God to demonstrate the initial release of the supernatural power of the Spirit in a believer's life.

     b.  John 7:37-39 describes the coming of the Spirit as being like a gushing river welling up from within a person's belly.  The release of tongues then becomes prophetic in that it symbolizes in a tangible way what it means to be a channel of the flow of the Holy Spirit.

     c.  James 3:3-5 says the tongue is like a rudder of the ship and like the bit in the animal's mouth that keeps it under control.  It represents the center of a person's personality.  Therefore, it serves as a significant sign when God takes control of the  tongue.  James 3:8 says "no man can tame the tongue."  But praise be to God that His power can tame our sinful nature.   Therefore, speaking in tongues represents the control of the Holy Spirit not just on one body part, but on the person as a whole.

    d.  Matthew 12:34 records Jesus saying that "out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks."  In other words, when the heart is filled to overflowing, the overflow valve is the mouth.  It comes out in speech.  Therefore, if God's Spirit is bubbling forth from within you to the point of overflow, it is going to come out and be manifested through your speech.

    e.  The gift of tongues is also connected to the spirit of prophecy that is available to all believers (compare Acts 2:4 with Acts 2:15-18).  God gives us this specific insight:  "for anyone who speaks in a tongue. . .utters mysteries with his spirit. . . the man who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says." (1 Corinthians 14:2, 13)  Tongues then, sometimes becomes a catalyst to release prophetic insight.

4.  It releases  PRAISE.  
     The Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus (John 16:14).  When tongues were first poured out on the church, the supernaturally given languages were being lifted in praise to God.  "We hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."  (Acts 2:11)  In his book 'The Beauty of Spiritual Language' Jack Hayford says, "So we see that from the very inception of the church, not only has praise been central, but the spiritual language has been a resource for the exaltation of God, paving the way in praise to the further glorification of Christ Jesus, His Son."

5.  It PREPARES us.
     Jude calls his followers to build themselves up through prayer in the spirit.  "But you dear friends build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit."
     (Jude 20)  Tongues also become a key in releasing the flow of other gifts such as prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:13).
 

How do I receive this Baptism in the Spirit?

1.  BELIEVE
     Normally, if you want to receive something from God, you must first believe that it is God's desire to give it to you.  (Hebrews 11:6;   Galatians 3:2-6)  Confess and renounce any pride or unbelief which would hold you back, and meditate on God's promises, asking Him to release faith in your heart (Romans 10:17;  Mark 11:22-24).
     If there is any blockage between you and the Lord, any place of sin that you need to confess, open your heart to the Lord and ask Him to forgive and take away the guilt of sin (1 John 3:21).  Remember that if we confess, He forgives and purifies (1 John1:9).

2.  EARNESTLY DESIRE
     a.  "Follow the way of love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts" (1 Corinthians 14:1)
     b.  "anyone who comes to Him (GOD) must believe that He exists and He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."   (Hebrews 11:6)
     c.  John 7:37-Jesus said, "if anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink."  You need to be thirsty for God's gifts if you want them to be activated in your life.

3.  ASK AND RECEIVE
     a.  Jesus encourages us with these words, "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?  Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?  If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,  how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" (Luke 11:11-12).   Ask the Father to send you the  power of the Holy Spirit, and ask Jesus to baptize or immerse you with that anointing (Luke 3:16).

    b.   In John 7:37-39a, Jesus says, "If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the scripture said, from his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.  By this He meant the Spirit whom those who believed Him were later to receive."  It is important to realize we must come to Him if we are going to receive.  We must focus on Him and come with a worshipping heart.  We must also drink of the Spirit, believing there will be a flow of living water. No one drinks with a closed mouth.  The seeker must open his mouth wide, believing God will fill it.

4.  BE VULNERABLE
     In 1 Corinthians 4:10, Paul says that he and his followers were fools for Christ's sake. To be a candidate for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, one must relinquish pride, let go of fear, and become vulnerable with God.  He still wants His people to come to Him like little children.  That means admitting that you are needy, and becoming open with Him and with those who are praying for you.  Don't let pride keep you from receiving!

5.  COOPERATE WITH GOD
     a.  Matthew 14:22-32 describes the story of Peter walking on the water to get to Jesus. Notice that angels did not pick up Peter's body and put it on the water. He had to take a step of faith.  THEN, God met him at that point with supernatural intervention.  God rarely makes people do anything.  He leads us, then we step out in faith and HE blesses it.  This same principle is usually the way He operates in releasing the gifts of the Spirit.

    b.  Acts 2:4--Regarding tongues, the Spirit gave utterance, the people were the ones who did the speaking.  The Spirit of God will rarely force people's mouths open to speak uncontrollably through them.   He usually just uses the vessels that are willing to become vulnerable to His leading.  God is the One who works, but we must yield to His work and cooperate with the Holy Spirit to   experience His release.

                              
***CONCLUSION OF STUDY GUIDE***

Specific Issues Related to the Baptism in the Holy Spirit:

1) Do you believe that one has to speak in other tongues to be saved?  
Absolutely not.  The Spirit comes into the believer's heart before he comes upon him in power.  Occasionally the two works of the Spirit happen simultaneously, but not usually.  Many people who have the Spirit of God living within them have yet to understand His desire to take them to another level where the manifestations of power can freely flow. 

2) Do you believe that one has to speak in other tongues to be baptized in the Holy Spirit?
Although some in our fellowship would disagree, my answer is "no."  Although God desires all Spirit-filled believers to speak in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:5; Acts 2:4), some, for a variety of reasons, have not yet experienced that release.  I have met people who moved powerfully in prophecy and healing who did not speak in tongues. Many who have had trouble receiving it initially, however, ultimately receive this gift as they continue to petition the Lord.  Many times their inability to receive is connected to inaccurate teaching on the subject, or an unbalanced fear of receiving a counterfeit.

However, as the study guide points out, the prayer language of the Spirit is an essential catalyst for fully releasing the other manifestations of power.  That is why the gift of tongues is emphasized in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Acts.

3) Do you believe that all Christians have access to all nine of the manifestations of power listed in 1 Corinthians 12:9-11? (prophecy, tongues, interpretation of tongues, distinguishing of spirits, faith, working of miracles, gifts of healing, word of wisdom, word of knowledge)
Yes, I do.  Notice the scripture says that God gives "them (plural) to each one (singular) just as He determines."  (1 Corinthians 12:11)  It is my opinion that any Christian can have access to any one of these manifestations based on the need of the situation and the leading of the Holy Spirit.  This is why we are encouraged, without limitation,  to "earnestly desire spiritual gifts."  (1 Corinthians 14:1)

We will not all have the same ministry (that is what Paul distinguishes in 1 Corinthians 12:12-30), but we can all have access to the  same manifestations of the Spirit.  This helps us to understand why scripture declares that "everybody" can prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:24), but not everyone will have the specific ministry or office of the prophet (see 1 Corinthians 12:29).

The devil hates these power gifts and will probably try to deceive you into thinking that these are special gifts that belong only to very  mature Christians, but not to you.  Remember that you will never be "good enough" to walk in the power ministry of Jesus.  It will always be only by His grace (Galatians 3).