Why Does God Give the Baptism of the Holy Ghost?

[SDG]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Daniel, do you believe in tongues?

Yes.

What was your Holy Ghost experience?

I was born again, from above, by the Spirit of God (gennoa anothen) when I placed my faith in the Work of the Lamb, Jesus Christ for salvation He afforded. (See John 3)

Did you speak in tongues?

Yes, much later. On October 4, 1981.

Do you believe it's only a gift, as in one of the gifts of the Spirit, like messages in tongues?

Yes.

What do you believe comprises the baptism of the Holy Ghost,

All I know is what the bible says about it.

1 Cor. 12:13 says, "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit."

Some say this is the believer's baptism into the Body of Christ, which happen's at the point of faith.

However, there are many Christians who claim to have had this "secondary" experience of the Spirit. They say that it has brought great blessing and comfort to them. Furthermore, they say that the results of the experience is a renewed dedication and appreciation for God, a stronger desire to read the Bible, a stronger desire to fellowship with Christians, and a deeper sense of worship of God.

While others say the evidence of tongues is the only sign that that indicated receving the Holy Ghost thus this experience is necessary for salvation.





The term "baptize with the Holy Spirit1" occurs several times in scripture:

• Matt. 3:11, “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."
• Mark 1:8, "I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
• Luke 3:16, "John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."
• John 1:33, "And I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the one who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’"
• Acts 1:5, "for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
• Acts 11:16, "And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’"

We can clearly see that the phrase baptized by the Spirit is used in the Bible. But, we do not find a clear teaching in the Bible of what the phrase means. Therefore, the debate continues.

Nevertheless, we can conclude that when a person is baptized in the Holy Spirit he has power bestowed upon him. This power is for the purpose of the preaching of the gospel in the first century (Acts 4:31).

Also, it has been accompanied by speaking in tongues ... but only in a handful of instances. There is not conclusive evidence tongue talking is normative as repentance and baptism are.

Acts 2:4, "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance."

The issue now seems to be whether or not Baptism of/in/with the Holy Spirit is a subsequent event occurring after salvation.

the purpose of tongues?

As is true of all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the purpose of the gift of speaking in tongues is to edify the Church. I Corinthians 14:4-5. However, this edification can be accomplished in several different ways, as the scriptural examples and instructions regarding the gift attest.

For instance, in Acts 2:4-8, the Spirit demonstrated His presence and activity to a crowd of unbelievers by using an outpouring of messages declaring "the wonderful works of God" in human languages unknown to the speakers, but known to the hearers.

Similarly, the manifestation of tongues — apparently without interpreters — in Acts 10:44-46 edified the Church by showing the Apostles that Gentiles had been accepted into it on the same terms as Jews, thus demonstrating its unity. Again by contrast, the manifestation of tongues in Acts 19:6 edified the Church by reassuring the speakers that they were a part of it. On the other hand, I Corinthians 14:6 indicates that other gifts — revelation, knowledge, prophecy or teaching — may be presented through messages in tongues, although such messages, if given during organized worship, are to be presented only in an orderly way and with an interpreter present so that all may benefit from the message. I Corinthians 14:13-19, 26-28. Finally, I Corinthians 14:1-5 appears to indicate that speaking in tongues is a form of spiritual communication with God by which an individual believer may edify himself.

Lastly, It is not a sign for believers, as some have made it in the 3 step paradigm ... as a benchmark to being saved ...

but rather for unbelievers.

Lastly, Jesus said that tongues is a sign that follows believers (Mark 16) as does casting out demons. Was Jesus making exorcisms salvific?

The gift of the Holy Ghost is ...
IS A PROMISE ... A GIFT .... NOT A COMMAND.

We agree, Ed.