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Speaker: Jerry Cisar
We have walked through Acts 1–2, covered the day of Pentecost, and have not talked extensively about tongues. Why? Does that mean it is unimportant? Not at all. It is very important, but not ultimate. What is ultimate in the book of Acts? What is ultimate in the Bible?
When we understand what is ultimate in Acts, what is ultimate in the Bible, and see how the Holy Spirit was God’s promise to accomplish what is ultimate, it will help us understand what the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is.
Questions (and arguments) about Pentecost and tongues abound. For example:
Was this an unrepeatable event? Is the church today supposed to look like this? Do gifts like this exist today?
Is the baptism in the Holy Spirit something all believers have, or only some? Are all believers supposed to speak in tongues?
How do we know that someone has received the Holy Spirit? How do I know if I have?
Does the community life described at the end of Acts 2 (sharing all things, daily worship together, frequent/daily meals together) picture how the church should look today, or should we view it as something unique to the early church?
All of these questions and more might be more effectively answered by answering this question: What is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?