Being filled with the Holy Spirit is a gift from God intended for all believers. This gift was essential in the lives of those who served God in the early church as described in the New Testament, and it is just as essential for us today. Various people, ministries, and denominations believe and say many different things about what being filled with the Holy Spirit is all about. Let’s look to the Bible to find the truth that will make us free!
Luke 24:49 NLT: And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.
Acts 1:4-5 NLT: Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Jesus told His followers not to go anywhere until they had received the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. They needed this gift from the Father in order to do what God had for them to do. We also need this same power from God.
John 16:7 ESV: Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
Jesus tells us it’s better that He leave so the Helper – the Holy Spirit – can come and live in us. This statement makes is clear that the Holy Spirit is an extremely important part of God’s plan for your life.
John 14:26 NKJV: But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
The Holy Spirit is your Helper and Teacher. He wants to help and teach you every day.
Acts 1:8 NLT: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
The Holy Spirit is the One who gives you power to be a strong witness for Jesus.
John 14:17 NLT: He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him…
Acts 2:38-39 NLT: And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
A person must first receive Jesus before receiving the Holy Spirit. Anyone who has confessed “Jesus is Lord” can be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:4 NIV: All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 10:45-46 NLT: The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. 46 For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God…
Acts 19:6 NLT: Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied.
When you receive the Holy Spirit, you can pray in other tongues. This is the one consistent thing that we see immediately happen in the Bible when people are filled with the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:2 NKJV: For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
1 Corinthians 14:14 NLT: For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying.
When you speak in tongues, other people will not understand what you are saying. Even you will not understand what you are saying. It will sound useless and foolish to your mind. You are speaking mysteries to God, not to yourself or to other people.
1 Corinthians 14:15 NLT: …I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.
Speaking in tongue is an act of your will. God gives you the ability to do it but will not force you to do it or do it for you. You must do it as an on-purpose and conscious choice you make.
Luke 11:13 NLT: So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.
If you ask for the Holy Spirit in faith, the Father will give Him to you.
If you are ready, let’s do it! Pray this simple prayer to God and believe you receive the Holy Spirit from Him…
“Father, I come to you in the Name of Jesus. I ask You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I receive Him from You and according to the Bible, I can now pray in other tongues.”
Now that you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you can pray in other tongues. Begin to pray out boldly. Keep in mind that you won’t understand what you are saying, but God understands it. Also remember that praying in tongues is an act of your will. You must choose to do it.
1 Corinthians 14:4 NKJV: He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself…
We are spiritually strengthened when we speak in tongues.
Jude 1:20 NKJV: But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit…
Our faith in God is built up when we pray in the Holy Spirit (in other tongues).
Romans 8:26-27 NLT: And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.
The Holy Spirit prays God’s will through us when we pray in other tongues.
Mark 16:17 NKJV: And these signs will follow those who believe…they will speak with new tongues…
Jesus tells us one of the signs a believer in Jesus will be involved in is speaking in tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:5 NIV: I would like every one of you to speak in tongues…
In Paul’s writing to the church, he clearly tells us that he wants every believer in Jesus to speak in tongues. Since this is included in the scriptures, it goes beyond something Paul desires. It is something God desires.
We are here to help you! Feel free to call the church at 541-757-9080 and speak to one of our pastoral team. If you prefer, you can email Pastor Bill at bill@kingscircle.church and he will help you.