The Baptism of the Holy Spirit— Activating Heaven’s Power in Your Life for Advancing YHVH’s Kingdom

Acts 1:5, Baptized with the Holy Spirit. 

We Need Spiritual Activation

To enter into a relationship with YHVH Elohim, our Creator and Father in heaven, and to become his sons and daughters, we must be spiritually activated.

Man is comprised of three parts: body, soul and spirit (1 Thess 5:23). Our soul (our mind, will and emotions) controls what we think, say and do.  The spirit part of man is what connects to the Spirit of YHVH Elohim. About the man’s spirit, the Scriptures talk say this:

But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. (Job 32:8)

Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? (Eccl 3:21)

The burden of the word of YHVH for Israel, saith YHVH, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. (Zech 12:1)

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of Elohim knoweth no man, but the Spirit of Elohim. (1 Cor 2:11)

Man can’t enter into a relationship with a YHVH who is a spirit through his soul (his mind, will and emotions). Elohim is a Spirit, and we must relate to  him through the Spirit.

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Cor 2:14) 

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. Elohim is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23–24)

For man to relate to Elohim, he must do so through his spirit. This means man’s spirit must be activated, which occurs at the time of his spiritual birth — when a man is “born again”  or born of the spirit (John 3:5) at the time of his spiritual conversion. When this occurs, a man receives in himself the Spirit of Elohim, which activates and controls the spirit in man, which in turn controls the soul (the mind,will and emotions), which in turn tells the body what to think, say and do.

When we are spiritually born again, our spirit man is activated by the Spirit of Elohim. 

The spirit of a man is the lamp of YHVH, Searching all the inner depths of his heart. (Prov 20:27) 

But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding. (Job 32:8)

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of Elohim (Rom 8:16) 

That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith (Eph 3:16–17)

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from Elohim, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by Elohim. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of Elohim, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Cor 2:12–14)

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. … But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. (1 John 2:20, 27)

And every spirit that does not confess that Yeshua the Messiah has come in the flesh is not of Elohim. And this is the spirit of the Antimessiah, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. (1 John 4:3)

Born of the Spirit Versus Baptized in the Spirit 

What’s the difference between being born of the Spirit and being baptized in the Spirit? 

The former, which occurs when one is baptized in water for the remission of sins, occurs at the beginning of one’s spiritual walk. Water baptism for the remission of sins occurs at the time of one’s conversion and symbolizes being spiritually regenerated by dying to the old sin nature and being resurrected in the newness of life unto the righteousness of Yeshua. It marks the beginning of walking in victory over sin as a spiritual overcomer the results of which are righteousness through obedience to the commandments of Elohim and one’s manifesting the fruits of the Spirit in one’s life as evidenced through the greatest fruit of all, which is love. 

By contrast, the baptism of the Spirit is a special immersion in the Holy Spirit for ministry purposes, which enables us to more effectively confront the evil darkness in this world via the power of the Elohim. It is for the purpose of helping to advance the kingdom of Elohim by preaching the gospel message with spiritual power and then gathering in those who are to be saved out of this world.

Will we automatically be baptized with the Spirit after we have received baptism for the remission of sins? Not necessarily. The Scriptures reveal that this may or may not be the case. When Yeshua was baptized in the Jordan, he received the baptism of the Spirit (Matt 3:16; Mark 1:10; John 1:32), and very quickly afterwards went out and preaching the gospel and ministering in the power of the Spirit with signs and wonders following him.

On the day of Pentecost, the disciples had already received the Spirit from Yeshua (John 20:22), but not the baptism of the Spirit. Other in attendance on the day of Pentecost received the baptism of the Spirit, and then were subsequently received baptism for the remission of sin.

In Ephesus, however, the believers received the baptism of repentance, but not the Spirit of Elohim. When this occurred, they were also baptized in the Spirit (Acts 19:1–6).

At another time, the believers received the baptism of the Spirit, and then were water baptized (Acts 10:44–47). 

These examples from the Scriptures teach us that there are no formulas. Only that it is the will of the Father that we be baptized in water for the remission of sins for living victoriously over sin and walking in righteousness, and be also baptized in the Spirit for ministry empowerment.

Both Yeshua and his disciples had the Spirit of Elohim, but it wasn’t until they were immersed or baptized in the Spirit that they were equipped with the miraculous power necessary to advance the kingdom of Elohim and cause the kingdom of Satan to retreat. 

There Is More than One Baptism

When most people think of the concept of baptism, they think of water immersion that occurs at the beginning of one’s spiritual walk referred to as “the baptism for the remission of sins,”  which is based on Yeshua’s great commission command (Matt 28:19) and on Peter’s instructions on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38).

In reality, the Bible speaks of more than one baptism. The author of Hebrews talks about “ the doctrine of baptisms”  (plural) and refers to it as a fundamental principle or “doctrine of Messiah” to be taught to believers along with doctrines of repentance, faith in Elohim, the laying on of hands, belief in the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment (Heb 6:1–2). John the Baptist spoke of two baptisms: one of water for repentance and another with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matt 3:11). The writer of Hebrews considers understanding these principles as being elementary, and the milk of the Word of Elohim (Heb 6:1).

The Testimony of Yeshua actually speak of four baptisms. They are:

  • The baptism of John to repentance (Matt 21:25; Mark 11:30; Luke 7:29; 20:4; Acts 1:22; 18:25)
  • The baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:28)
  • The baptism of the Spirit (Acts 1:5)
  • The baptism of fire (Matt 3:11; Luke 3:16)

Water baptism for the remission of sins symbolizes one’s dying to the old man and his sin nature, being cleansed in the water of the Word of Elohim and being resurrected from the “grave” of the water our “rebirth” as a new spiritual creation in Yeshua. It is about identifying with death, burial and resurrection of Yeshua (Rom 6:3–6) and is an outward sign of an inward spiritual reality. At that time, a spiritual elder or mentor lays hands on the one being baptized who then receives the Spirit of Elohim to live a righteous life where he loves YHVH-Yeshua and keeps his Torah commandments or words (John 14:15, 23; 1 John 2:3–6). The evidence of the Spirit’s work in one’s life is love, which is the epitome of the fruit of the Spirit (1 Cor 13:13; Gal 5:22–25), which is the summation of the Torah (Matt 22:36–40) and the fulfilling of the Torah (Rom 13:10).

The baptism of the Holy Spirit of Elohim is about being immersed or totally filled or saturated in the Spirit of Elohim for ministry empowerment purposes so that the gospel can be preached and the kingdom can be restored to Israel (i.e., the lost sheep of the house of Israel can be gathered in, Acts 1:6–8). It is about being able to supernaturally witness the message of the gospel to the spiritually lost followed by signs and wonders (Mark 16:15–18). Only one who has been spiritually regenerated by receiving the Spirit of Yeshua can move onto the next level and receive the baptism of the Spirit. The evidence of this in one’s life are will be the gifts of the Spirit, which will be used for evangelism purposes. The fruit and gifts of the Spirit work hand-in-hand. One can have the fruit, and not the gifts, but not vice versa. The gifts must be practiced in love (along with the other fruit of the Spirit), for love is greater than the gifts (1 Cor 13). The gifts are not the end result of the baptism of the Spirit, but a means to an end. They are for the purpose of helping to gather in the spiritually lost and bringing them to Yeshua, the Messiah of Israel.

Clearly, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a definite experience subsequent to salvation. The Scriptures describe this experience as being filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4), as the Spirit falling upon the saints (Acts 8:16; 10:44), as the Spirit being poured out (Acts 10:45), as the Spirit coming on the saints (Acts 19:6) in an unexpected and supernatural manner.

Why the Term Baptism of the Spirit?

The term baptism of the Holy Spirit  is a biblical term that was used by the following people: 

  • John the Baptist as quoted by the four evangelists (Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33)
  • Yeshua (Acts 1:5)
  • Peter (Acts 11:16). 

The Greek word for baptism means “to submerse, to emerge, to overwhelm.” In classical Greek, the word baptidzo is used to describe a sunken, waterlogged ship that is totally inundated with water. Technically, it makes little difference whether we view Yeshua immersing us with the Spirit externally, or whether Yeshua causes his Spirit to rise up and overflow us from where he is living inside of us and to overflow, submerse or overwhelm our body and soul. Both can be said to be true of the baptism of the Spirit. Remember what Yeshua said in John 7:38, “He that believes on me … out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water [a reference to the Holy Spirit].”

Why We Need the Baptism of the Spirit

It’s a promise from Yeshua to his disciples.

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (Luke 24:49)

But ye shall receive power, after that the Set-Apart Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

Yeshua made this promise after he had already given his Spirit to his disciples in John 20:22. Yet what happened after they received the Spirit? Did they immediately go out in the power of the Spirit and begin doing the Great Commission? No. They went fishing —not for men, but for fish (John 21:3)! It was not until Yeshua told them to tarry in Jerusalem to receive the empowerment of the Spirit for ministry, which occurred on Pentecost, that they were empowered to fulfill the great commission (Matt 28:18–20; Mark 16:15–18) in the miraculous power of the Spirit. We need the baptism of the Holy Spirit for ministry empowerment to fulfill the great commission!

What Are the Benefits to Receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

  • We need more of YHVH’s Spirit activated in us.
  • It helps us to decrease so that Yeshua can increase in us.
  • It helps us to get more in harmony with the mind and will of YHVH Elohim.
  • We need the fullness of the Spirit (all the fruits and the gifts) operating in our lives so that we can be all that YHVH wants us to be spiritually as maximized profitable servants of his.
  • We need the spiritual boldness that the baptism of Spirit brings — boldness to witness to those around us, and boldness to be a river of life to those around us by meeting their spiritual needs.
  • We must become fully equipped to do the greater things that Yeshua prophesied we would do.
  • We need to be equipped to help bring in the spiritual harvest of spiritually lost people into the kingdom of Elohim.
  • We need supernatural spiritual power of the Holy Spirit to confront the  supernatural power of Satan and his servants.
  • It gives us strength to move forward in the face of adversity.

The Results of Being Baptized in the Spirit

  • After receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit, one will experience …
  • Greater joy and peace in the face of adversities.
  • Greater ability to hear the voice of YHVH.
  • Greater desire and ability to obey the voice of YHVH.
  • Greater desire and ability to enter into deep praise and worship.
  • Greater boldness to preach the gospel message
  • Spiritual empowerment and the ability to be a vessel through which the gifts of the Spirit can flow (healing the sick, casting out demons, speaking prophetically, discerning of spirits and receiving supernatural words of knowledge). 
  • Greater boldness and supernatural ability to confront demonic powers.

The Example of Peter

The disciples and other righteous people were influenced by the Holy Spirit (e.g., Matt 16:17; Luke 2:27), but they were not filled with the Spirit (John 7:37–39).  The Holy Spirit came to live in the disciples when Yeshua blew on them and they received it (John 20:22).

Once Yeshua blew on his disciples, they had the Holy Spirit (for personal growth) purposes and they manifested the fruit of the Spirit, but they lacked the power of the Spirit for ministry (kingdom advancement) purposes. This is evidenced by the fact that after Yeshua left the disciples, their response was to go fishing, instead of doing the Great Commission (John 21:3).

Yeshua then appears to them again and instructs them to tarry in Jerusalem until they be endued with the dunamis power from on high (Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:8).

When the disciples were endued with power from on high after having received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, what was the result? Peter, for example, preached a little sermon in the power of the Spirit on Pentecost and thousands got saved (Acts 2). He and the other disciples went on to preach the gospel in power non-stop for the rest of their lives. There is no mention of them ever going fishing for fish ever again.

The Baptism of the Spirit Is for Everyone

The baptism of the Spirit was not a one time event that occurred in on the day of Pentecost, but is a promise to future generations of believers as well. As we read in Acts 2:39, the baptism of the Spirit was a promise for the upper room believers as well as for their children, and to all those who are afar off, even as many as the YHVH our Elohim would call down through the ages. This includes you and me.

  • The first record of the baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred on Pentecost in Acts 2 and was for the Jews.
  • Next, the Samaritans heard the gospel message and believed (Acts 8:4–13), but had not yet received the baptism of the Spirit (8:15). The apostles laid hands on them (verse 16, 18). This is known as the Second “Pentecost.”
  • The next recorded outpouring of the Holy Spirit was on the Gentiles and involved Cornelius and his household (Acts 10:24–46). In this case, they received the baptism of the Spirit, and then were baptized in water. This is often called the third “Pentecost.”
  • The Fourth “Pentecost” occurred 30 years later in Ephesus (Acts 19:2, 6).

Though the Baptism of the Spirit Is Offered to All, Not All Seek It.

The baptism of the Spirit is offered to all followers of Yeshua, who teaches us that all can ask, knock and seek in the expectation of receiving the gifts of the Spirit from our Father in heaven (Luke 11:9–13). 

For example, the Gospels record that Yeshua spoke to thousands of people, and many became his followers. Paul declares that 500 believers witnessed Yeshua after his resurrection (1 Cor 15:3–6). Yeshua instructed some of these people to tarry in Jerusalem until they be filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49), yet only about 120 followed his instructions and actually tarried in Jerusalem until the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:15). 

The gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is offered to all, but not all will “tarry…until you be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).

Preparing to Receive the Baptism of the Spirit of Elohim

How does one prepare oneself to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit? In answering this question, here are are several points to keep in mind:

  • One must first become spiritually converted by becoming born again in one’s spirit man (John 3:3, 5–6). Sins must be repented of, and Yeshua must become one’s Savior or Redeemer and one’s undisputed Master.
  • One must repent of and renounce any sins, false teachings one has believed from the past including any false religions, occult experience or any other spiritual hindrances that might confuse you or hold you back from going to the next level in your spiritual walk. The existence of known sin in one’s life can hinder the receipt of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
  • One must seek the baptism of the Spirit with all of one’s heart, and believe by faith that this gift from heaven is yours for the asking according the promises Yeshua made to his disciples about it. Yeshua promised that those who ask, seek and knock spiritually for the Holy Spirit, the Father will not give you a stone or a serpent (in other words, a spiritual or demonic counterfeit, Luke 11:9–13). 

How Does One Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

The baptism of the Spirit doesn’t come as a result of our good works. Elohim’s awesome power is released in our lives because of our trust, faith, belief, our total dependence on him,  and our desire to serve him unconditionally. Paul asks the question of the believers in Galatia, “Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” (Gal 3:2). The Spirit is a gift from Elohim to help us to obey him — to walk in a righteous relationship with him, and to help us to lead others into that same spiritual walk.

We must also earnestly desire spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:31; 14:1, 39; Matt 5:6; Luke 11:9–13). We also must be madly in love with Yeshua and desire to serve him and to worship YHVH Elohim with all of our hearts. We must  desire to see others brought into the same life-giving relationship and be willing to be vessels in YHVH’s hands to accomplish this.

When you are born again, the Spirit of Elohim is already living in you. The innermost part of you is now spiritually alive and filled with the joy, love, peace and glory of YHVH (the fruit of the Spirit of Elohim). You are a new creation on the inside (2 Cor 5:17) and are seated in heavenly places with Yeshua (Eph 2:6). When you were born again and Yeshua became your Savior and Master and you received his Spirit in you, your spirit came alive, and began to assert itself as the head over your soul man (i.e., your mind, will and emotions). The soul was no longer running the show—no longer in the driver’s seat of your life. 

Many times, due to the rigors of life, the soul man will reassert itself over our spirit man. That’s why prayer in the morning is so important. It gives our spirit man a chance to evidence itself, and to quietly come up an to connect with the Spirit of Elohim. In this manner, we are starting our day out in the right direction. Because of the demands of our body and soul, we can lose track of our spirit man—of the still small voice living deep within you that is connected to the Spirit of Elohim. Something needs to happen within you that will help keep your Holy Spirit energized spirit man in control our your body and soul. Your spirit, as controlled by the Spirit of Elohim, needs to flow out to fill your soul and body. 

Just as the experience of getting saved is described in different ways in Scripture, so is this overflow, immersion or baptism in the Spirit.  Scripture refers to it as “baptism in or with the Holy Spirit,” receiving the Holy Spirit,”  “receiving power,” or the Holy Spirit “coming” or “falling” on  person. 

You’ll know it when you get it. You’ll experience something and your life will change … you’ll slip into a new spiritual dimension. You don’t have to fake it or work it up. There are no gimmicks or formulas … joint seek him with all your heart with a heart of praise… must be praising him.

You will experience something. When YHVH touches you you know it. Those on the day of Pentecost knew it. Examples of experience in the Bible.

Manifestation of Having Received the Baptism of the Spirit

Speaking in tongues was a common denominator in examples of the baptism of the Spirit given in Scripture. Three of the four instances where the baptism of the Spirit is recorded as happening in the book of Acts, it is recorded that speaking in tongues occurred (Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6). Speaking in tongues seemed to be an obvious outward sign that the early believers had received the Holy Spirit, for the apostles knew right on the spot when a person had received the baptism with the Holy Spirit. Examples of this immediate evidence are Acts 2:11; 10:46; 19:6. 

Anyone who takes the Scriptures seriously can scarcely avoid coming to the conclusion that speaking in tongues is important, for Yeshua himself said, “These signs shall follow them that believe, they shall speak with new languages” (Mark 16:17). Furthermore, Paul states that “I would that ye all to spake with tongues (1 Cor 14:5, KJV). The Greek tense here is in the present indicative,  (not the subjunctive tense as the KJV translates it) so a better translation would be, “I want you all to speak in tongues” as the RSV translates it.

The moment you receive the baptism of the Spirit, that is, the minute you begin to allow the power of the of YHVH to overflow from your spirit into your soul and body, and into the  world around you, Satan becomes painfully aware of you, and you will begin to be aware of his work and want to confront him at every opportunity. He will give his attention to“shutting you down” if possible. If he can’t succeed in this way, he will lie to you and say that the baptism of the Holy Spirit wasn’t real — that it was only an emotional experience. Yeshua’s ministry didn’t begin until after he had received the baptism of the Spirit, and immediately after that he was led up into the wilderness and tempted of the devil. Only when he overcame the devil’s lies did his ministry get launched.

Our lives must be patterned after Yeshua. When we receive the power of the Holy Spirit, we too will be tempted. But when we submit to the Spirit of YHVH, we can successfully resist the devil, and he will flee us, and we will be victorious like Yeshua was.

 

14 thoughts on “The Baptism of the Holy Spirit— Activating Heaven’s Power in Your Life for Advancing YHVH’s Kingdom

  1. Shalom Natan & All
    this is a wonderful work of love to the brethren.
    Deep things of truth that Satan always attempts to pervert & confuse to make us ineffective as Saints of the living El.
    May Abba be praised above all!!
    Our Life Who gives us breath.
    Blessings on First Fruits.
    (We went last month)
    Shavua Tov
    FJ

  2. This is very powerful. This is a true message for equipping the church of Yeshua – the Ekklesia – for the work of the ministry. The only way we can know the mysteries of the the Kingdom of God is by speaking in the heavenly language – speaking in toungues. The devil can not comprehend it because it’s a language above his kingdom and he cannot understand it.

    • If one has been baptized in the Spirit, one knows it. If one isn’t sure, then they haven’t been baptized in Spirit. The initial evidence of the baptism in the Spirit is overwhelming joy. Speaking in tongues is one of the evidences of having been baptized in the Spirit, but not necessarily the only one or even the main one (as some Pentecostal churches erroneously teach) as per the book of Acts. I believe that if one receives the b. of the S., and totally surrenders the totality of one’s being to be led of the Spirit in all areas at all times, that means that we’ll also surrender our mouth and Yah will fill it with a language unknown to us as proof of our full surrender to him. If we haven’t received tongues yet, it could be for several reasons: a) the gifts haven’t been activated in us yet; b) we’ve got theological hangups because of wrong teachings we’ve received about the gifts (this was my problem); c) we have sin that we haven’t repented of that is blocking the flowing of the Spirit; d) we have fear, doubt or unbelief; e) there are probably some other things too that I’m forgetting. I believe that if we ask the Father in faith and earnestly desiring the gifts, he’ll give them as per Luke 11:9–13.

  3. Speaking in toungues is a gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit Himself is the one who gives this gift to a regenerated spirit, so all you need is just to submit to the Holy Spirit and humbly receive the gift. Speaking in tongues is your entitlement as a born again child of God.

    • By my ? I meant if I don’t speak in tongues does it mean I don’t have His Spirit? Is that the only criteria?

      • Hi Carol,
        The apostle Paul makes it very clear, that not everyone who is part of the Body of Christ will receive the same gift from the Ruach. Read 1 Cor 12, especially 27-31.
        1 Cor 13 and 14 are also very enlightening.
        I am grateful for Natan’s article, because I wasn’t aware of the difference between having received the Spirit at the time of water babtism and repentance or the receiving of more power through the Spirit for ministry purposes.
        Blessings, Sonja

  4. I am so glad Natan has mentioned this post re The Power of the Holy Spirit – RUACH Ha KODESH…in the believers life,…..thank you Natan for a well written ( documented post re this very important subject.)

    You have included many important points…so as John The Baptist preached ..Repent
    By confessing our sins to the Father by going to /thru our great High Priest ; King Yeshua &
    Confessing to him & surrendering all to him so that we may receive true forgiveness .
    My family have been of the understanding that once we ask Yeshua to cleanse us thru his shed blood then the outward display of this is to be water baptised by complete emersion in water which represents us going down into the baptismal water ,our old sin life being buried & the water to wash us clean & come up out of the water as new creations ..of course many believe that water baptism or full immersion is best done by emersing in running water ….river …

    As Yeshua came up out of the River Jordan as he was baptised by John…the scriptures say the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a Dove… ….

    Re Tongues in the Book of Acts; Chater 2 V: 1 when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all of one accord = Unity in one place..
    V2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, & it filled all the house where they were sitting..
    V3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them ..hence pictures we see re the same ..usually above their heads… Wow !!
    V4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost ..Spirit , RUACH …& began to speak with other tongues,as the Spirit gave them utterance …( my understanding this was different to their native tongue – language.) taking note re
    V5 There were dwelling at Jerusalem – Jews , devout men, out of every nation under heaven. ….note the word nation… Each nation had a different tongue.. ( goes back to after Tower of Babel & Elohim gave each a different language when he scattered them over the earth… ) so to me it would be like They heard someone maybe speaking in their own native tongue.
    V6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, & were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.( native tongue)
    V7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak? Galileans?
    V8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born
    V9 Par-thi- ans, & Medes & E- lam- items & the dwellers in Mes- o- po- tamia & in Judea , & Cappadocia, in Pontus, & Asia
    V10 Phrygia and Pamphylia in Egypt & in the parts of Libya about Cy-re-ne , & strangers of Rome , Jews & proselytes,
    V11 Cretes & Arabians,we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God… Elohim ..my ( KJV. I also have David Stern Complete Jewish bible scriptures )
    So as I read all these verses in Book of Acts Chapter 2 tongues – meant their own native language that each person understood from the area where they lived , came from… Lot to ponder with all verses in Chapter 2 ..may the RUACH …Holy Spirit give us complete understanding as we who live today were not there in Jerusalem when this all occurred so we have to read line upon line, precept upon precept…. In context historically ,geographically & scripturally based..
    Noting verses 12 – 16 inclusive …
    Verse 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel then vs 17 -21
    It must have been a sight & sound to behold ..the mighty rushing wind ..cloven tongues of fire & the tongues – language ; so each man could hear & understand what was spoken & heard ( their native tongue) in the praises unto a mighty God – Elohim..

    These verses & account of the Day of Pentecost ( Shavuot simply astound me… They are truly awesome.!!

    have to read 1 Corinthians Chapter 12 – Now concerning Spiritual Gifts
    Verses 1- all of the verses as they lead into Chapter 13 = context.
    Re ( Diversity & profit of Divine Gifts.) ( Pauls letters to the Corinthians… )

    Also 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 verse 1. Though I speak with the tongues of men & of angels, etc etc….
    Also chapter 14 verses 1-5
    Verse 13 – Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue, pray that he may interpret .
    Verse 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful
    Also verses 21-22 &23 …much to understand in these verse re tongues… Verses 26 27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue ….etc..

    All these verses need discernment & true understanding….

    Well this was a long one! …. But way back in 1991 I came to salvation in a so called Sunday – Pentecostal church , ( celebrated Easter & Christmas ) did not teach re the true Hebrew picture… Sabbath Feasts of The Lord etc… So the head Pastor came to visit me & my husband : he stood with us & prayed ..& then as he was praying in English he then started in a sound I had never witnessed & it just rolled off his tongue…I could not repeat it if I tried… I certainly could not understand the words..he was praying in… In was all completely new to me… That was an experience in itself.. So sometime after that I was water baptised & then the leadership told us to pray in our closets or with another leader to receive the gift of praying in tongues.. Supposed to be our heavenly prayer language to Jesus & the Father ..that is what we were told..
    Tongues was believed to be a secondary progression in the things of the Holy Spirit.. After water Baptism… But I know many people who have struggled with this one.. Interpretation.. Elohim help us u der stand your Truth… That is my prayer in the very last days before YESHUAS return…

    Yes the true Early Church – ECCLESIA is really a big one to understand.. Desiring True spiritual gifts.. For the edification of the whole body of believers it reads in 1 Corinthians as I understand as I read these verses.

  5. To Carol. 1 Corinthians 12 days there are many gifts, distributed to the saints. Tongue is one of many, so if one does not have that particular gift, it does not mean the Spirit is lacking.

    • The nine gifts of the Spirit as listed in 1 Cor 12 are given by the Spirit on an as-need basis when in a particular ministry situations where a particular gift is needed. One who is baptized in the Spirit has had these gifts activated, so that they can call on the gifts when needed, but, even then, the gifts are given when, where and how the Spirit wills or as the person is led by the Spirit to exercise them (1 Cor 12:11).

  6. The gift of tongues is not a room full of babbling Pentecostals; it is true understandable languages and the tongue of angels is just the language of the messengers, which in many cases requires interpretation.
    John

  7. Thank you John for your comment & clarification – re the gift of tongues ..not a room full of babbling Pentecostals…I have actually struggled with the Pentecostal interpretation of those scriptures for years since coming out from under the same in September / Oct. 2003 …& it was certainly a process. I am thankful Adonai Elohim has shone his light on much truth in the scriptures after we chose to come out from a lot of false doctrine & traditions of men.

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