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May 2016 Printable .pdf (255 KB)

The April article discussed the two Greek words translated from our English word "receive" - dechomai and lambano - and their Biblical usages in the New Testament. We reviewed all five records in God's Word where the holy spirit was received. In each of these records, it specifically stated, or the association is so clear it cannot be missed, that when people were born-again, speaking in tongues was the external manifestation of the gift of holy spirit. In all five New Testament records of receiving the holy spirit, the proof in the senses world of the internal presence of the holy spirit was speaking in tongues. We see that no one can manifest the power until he or she has received (dechomai) the gift, which is "Christ in you the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).

We have the God given ability to manifest the gift by speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives us utterance. There is no scripture that teaches when people are born-again, they do not or cannot speak in tongues. The Word of God teaches just the opposite. We must always go to the Word of God for the Will of God!

This month's teaching will focus on who received the holy spirit, where the holy spirit was received, and how they received the holy spirit. Are you ready? So, I ask you "Have you received the Holy Ghost (pneuma hagion) since you believed?"

Let's review the first record again in God's Word on who received the holy spirit, where, and how they received the holy spirit in Acts 2: 1-4: And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

The word "Pentecost" means fifty. The day of Pentecost has been coming ever since the sin of man in Genesis Chapter 3. Jesus Christ instructed the Apostles not to depart from Jerusalem. They were to wait for the promise of the Father. Acts 1:4 contains this record:

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

In Acts 2: 2, how many did Jesus command to wait for the promise of the Father? Twelve Apostles. We see the promise of the Father coming to the waiting Apostles.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

"Wind" is pnoes in the Greek. In medical vocabulary, it refers to the first breath of a newborn child. God's word is just breathtaking; "as of a rushing mighty wind" which is a heavy breathing.

Jesus Christ taught the Apostles to breathe in to receive the holy spirit. They were to breathe in deeply. We see this instruction in John 20:22:

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.

He "breathed on them" means he breathed in. The instructions continue in Acts 2: 3-4:

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, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Who did the speaking? The twelve Apostles. They moved their lips and tongues and made the sounds. But what they spoke was as the Spirit gave them utterance. The holy spirit did not do the speaking. The Apostles spoke in tongues by the gift they had received from God. This gift has nine manifestations and one of them is speaking in tongues. There is no gift of speaking in tongues. It is a manifestation or external display of being born-again and being filled with the holy spirit.

How many Apostles were filled with the Holy Ghost? All were. Acts 2: 5-7 explains:

And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews [Judean], devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans?

Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans?

In the first record of receiving the holy spirit, only the twelve Apostles who were all Galileans received the outpouring of the holy spirit. They were in Jerusalem at the temple (house of prayer) about the ninth hour of prayer. They were all in one accord, sitting quietly, praying. As there appeared to them "cloven tongues like as of fire" (Acts 2:3) which was their cue to breathe in and received the penuma hagion or holy spirt per Jesus Christ instructions in John 20:22.

Who did the speaking? The Apostles did. They moved their lips and tongues and made the sounds. But what they spoke, was as the Spirit gave them utterance or expression.

Let's review the second record in God's Word on who received the holy spirit, where, and how they received the holy spirit. In Acts 8:5, we see more.

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

The record continues in Acts 8: 14-16:

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received [dechomai] the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John.

Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive [lambano] the Holy Ghost:

(For as yet he [it] was fallen upon none of them: [the holy spirit had not been manifested]: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

The apostles Peter and John "laid they their hands on them" the new born-again Christians who had received (dechomai - spiritually) the gift but had not manifest the gift in the senses world. They were born-again but had not demonstrated the external manifestation of speaking tongues. Acts 8:17 continues:

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received [lambano - began speaking in tongues] the Holy Ghost.

In this second record of receiving the holy spirit, the Samaritans, with one accord, gave attention to what Philip spoke. They heard and saw the miracles which Phillip performed. The Samaritans were born-again, however the holy spirit had not been manifested. Peter and John came down from Jerusalem and prayed for them, and then laid their hands on them. The Samarians began speaking in tongues. So, we see the holy spirit was ministered to them.

Let's look at 1 Peter 4:10-11:

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

The third record in God's Word describes who received the holy spirit, where, and how they received the holy spirit in Acts 9:10, 17-18:

Verse 10: And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

Verses 17-18: And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

In this third record of receiving the holy spirit, (Saul) Paul received the holy spirit. He was in Damascus in the house of Judas praying. Ananias a disciple came and ministered healing and the holy spirit to (Saul) Paul. The record doesn't say he spoke in tongues, however in I Corinthians 14:18 Paul says, "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all." Once Paul manifested the holy spirit, he spoke in tongues often.

Let's review the fourth record again in God's Word on who received the holy spirit, where, and how they received the holy spirit. In Acts 10:21-33, we find the fourth record of receiving the gift of holy spirit.

Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth [respected] God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

Who were they present before? God. What did they want to hear? "All things that are commanded thee [Peter] of God."

Notice that Cornelius, like Peter, acted exactly and immediately upon God's Word. If you and I expect to receive the results of the Word of God, we must first make sure it is the Word of God, and then we must act on it immediately and exactly!

Let's continue in In Acts 10:44-46:

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost [gift of holy spirit] fell on all them which heard the word.

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.

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter.

In this fourth record of receiving the holy spirit, the Gentiles received the holy spirit. They were in Caesarea at Cornelius' household in one accord to hear all things that were commanded of God. As Peter was teaching them the Word of God concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, the holy spirit fell on all who heard the words and they spoke in tongues and magnified God.

The fifth and final record in God's Word tells who received the holy spirit, where, and how they received the holy spirit. In Acts 19: 1-6, we see Paul came to Ephesus, finding certain disciples and asked "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since [when] ye believed?"

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 [pneuma hagion] since ye believed? And they said unto him, we have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost [pneuma hagion].

And he said unto them, unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, unto John's baptism.

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost [pneuma hagion] came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

This record shows us that certain disciples at Ephesus were baptized unto John's baptism. Paul expounded the Word of God concerning John's baptism, and baptized them in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Paul laid his hands upon them, and the holy spirit came on them. These disciples spoke with tongues and prophesied.

In summary, we visited all five records of receiving the holy spirit. We see once these Apostles and disciples had the Word of God, they acted upon it immediately and exactly, carrying out God's instructions. Some of the common attributes: They all were in one accord, agreeing together, quiet, praying, ministering and listening to God's Word being taught.

In the initial outpouring there was prayer, quietness and heavily breathing in. In the second record of receiving the holy spirit, Peter and John ministered the holy spirit to the Samarians. In the third record of receiving the holy spirit, Ananias a disciple ministered to Paul through healing and the gift of holy spirit. In the fourth record of receiving the holy spirit, as Peter was teaching Cornelius' household, the holy spirit fell on all who heard the words and they spoke in tongues. In the fifth and final record of receiving the holy spirit, Paul ministered to certain disciples at Ephesus.

People, if you and I expect to receive the results of the Word of God, we must first make sure it is the Word of God and then we must act on it immediately and exactly!

It is good to review 1 Peter 4: 10 and 11 again:

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Next month's teaching will focus on the benefits of speaking in tongues.

In the Lord,

Ministry of Reconciliation
Son of God through Jesus Christ
Ambassador for Christ

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