Baptism, Tongues and Prophesy
- Pastor Don Carpenter
Acts 19:
1 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,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 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.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7 And all the men were about twelve.
Acts 19:1
• finding certain disciples, And all the men were about twelve.
There is a risk of not finding or perceiving. The Holy Ghost gives one the spiritual gift of perceiving. This perceiving is a requirement for the operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Eg; I must perceive when I am to speak and when I am to hold my peace.
I must perceive how and when I am to move out by faith and release the gifts of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
Jesus was well aware there were those who lost sight of what and how God wants his people (born again, spirit-filled Believers) to live. How sad to be caught up with religious activity that is not God-birthed.
Paul (Acts 19:1), perceived God’s people in the midst of many religious people. Let us no confuse Religious with being spiritual. God is looking for a spiritual people. Spiritual people walk and live in the Holy Spirit, Gal 5:24,25.
Acts 19:2
• Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?
2983. lambano lambanw lambano lam-ban'-o
a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is use only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively (properly objective or active, to get hold of; whereas 1209 is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while 138 is more violent, to seize or remove)):--accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up).
The Holy Ghost is to be taken a hold of, the Holy Ghost is to be seized by every believer and follower of Jesus Christ.
Acts 19:2
• We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
191. akouo akouw akouo ak-oo'-o
a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.
These disciples were followers of John and not Jesus.
These disciples are like many today, they follow after good men, good denominations, good ideals but not after Jesus.
Believers will hear that which they give themselves to.
Acts 19:3
• Unto what then were ye baptized?
907. baptizo baptizw baptizo bap-tid'-zo from a derivative of 911; to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism:--Baptist, baptize, wash.
Acts 19:4
• John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance,
3341. metanoia metanoia metanoia met-an'-oy-ah
from 3340; (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication, reversal (of (another's) decision):--repentance.
Reversal from ones old nature (ways). First step salvation. There is so much waiting for us to experience in the realm of the Holy Spirit. One thing that awaits those who follow-on to know the Lord, is an intimate relationship with our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Acts 19:5
• When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
191. akouo akouw akouo ak-oo'-o
a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.
These disciples gave themselves to listening (being open) to the clearer understanding. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak into your inner man. Do not be fearful. You know there is more in God for you. Become a part of a local body of Believers who are open to “present-truth”. These are a people who have an ear to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying. Do not allow anyone to come between you and God.
THAT WHICH YOU GIVE YOURSELF TO, YOU BECOME.
Acts 19:6
• Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Laying on of hands of an apostle or other ministerial offices signals the Holy Spirit to enter a person. There is a release of union when hands are laid on an individual.
The Holy Ghost came on them.
The Holy Spirit manifests when agreement is released. The power of agreement is the most powerful avenue for the Holy Ghost to move through. The Holy Ghost flows not push.
They spake with tongues and prophesied.
Both of these are manifestations of the Holy Ghost’s indwelling. Tongues and prophesy flow together. Where manifestation is present both are present. Both need to be acted upon by the Spirit-filled Christian believer.
Each has it’s own specific witness.
Tongues witnesses to the unbeliever.
Prophesy inspires the believer.
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