WHAT SCRIPTURE SAYS ABOUT GOD'S SPIRIT
The aim of this Bible study is to present scripture about the Holy Spirit with a narrative that has a logical flow. Scripture is best referenced in its entirety and this study aims to show the importance of baptism, receiving God's Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. The translation used is the New International Version (NIV)
Firstly, let's establish who is God.
23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. John 4:23-24
Secondly, the Holy Spirit experience was prophesied centuries earlier by Joel.
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Joel 2:28
A belief in God is not enough – action needs to follow.
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom
of God unless they are born again. John 3:3
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again. John 3:5-7
This scripture on its own doesn't tell the full story. Jesus expands on this thought in verse 5, explaining that being born again involves baptism in water and receiving God's Spirit.
If it was good enough for Jesus, then it should be good enough for us.
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. John 1:529-33
Jesus was baptised fully under water – baptism in the original Greek means to immerse – and he received God's Spirit. Not only that, the Spirit stayed with him.
Jesus explains what a true believer is.
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues. Mark 16:16-18
Jesus said a believer would speak in tongues. The word 'demon' is taken from the Ancient Greek daimon (δαίμων: "god", "godlike") – or 'false ideas', even 'ego'.
The Holy Spirit was made available to people after Jesus's death & resurrection.
39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. John 7:39
The new covenant (new testament) begins on the day of Pentecost in the Book of Acts.
The Comforter is the Holy Spirit.
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. John 16:7 King James Version (KJV)
Jesus reminds his disciples again – 'I must go'.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John 14:16-18
King James Version (KJV)
Jesus also backs up the importance of him leaving, so that the Comforter/Holy Spirit can come.
Jesus reminds his disciples again – that it is extremely important that he goes, otherwise the Spirit cannot come.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26
King James Version (KJV)
Here Jesus makes a point of saying the Comforter is the Holy Ghost.
Speaking in tongues is a sign that you have received the Holy Spirit.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2: 4
King James Version (KJV)
And this is backed up many times in the Book of Acts.
33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. Acts 2: 33 King James Version (KJV)
Peter refers to seeing and hearing the Holy Spirit.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
Acts 2: 44-48 King James Version (KJV)
The Holy Spirit was not only for the Jews, but for everyone – a seismic shift in God's plan.
2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”
“John’s baptism,” they replied. 4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Acts 19: 2-6
A group of believers who didn't have the Spirit humbled themselves before God and were baptised. They received God's Spirit and knew they had as they spoke with tongues.
Why emphasise speaking in tongues?
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
1 Corinthians 14:18
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. 1 Corinthians 14:1-2
God gave us proof of his Spirit so that there would be no doubt or uncertainty. It's ok to have proof.
Paul reminds us here that praying in the Spirit (speaking in tongues) is to be desired.
21 In the Law it is written:
“With other tongues
and through the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people,
but even then they will not listen to me,
says the Lord.”
22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.
1 Corinthians 14:21-22
Speaking in tongues are a sign for unbelievers.
26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 1 Corinthians 14:26-27
When we come together in worship, we conduct our service in an orderly way – speaking in tongues is a part of the service/worship.