(2 Corinthians 13:14 TLB) May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. May God’s love and the Holy Spirit’s friendship be yours.
(1 Corinthians 12:1 NKJV) (1) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:
The word “gifts” was added by the translators. This verse actually says,
(1 Corinthians 12:1 BBE) But about the things of the spirit, my brothers, it is not right for you to be without teaching.
The Spirit Within and the Spirit Upon
Jesus told us there are two distinct works of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. One is in the New Birth where He works in us, and the other is in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit when the Spirit comes upon us.
(John 4:13-14 KJV) Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: (14) But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
(John 7:37-39 NKJV) On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. (38) He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (39) But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Notice Jesus likened the work of the Holy Spirit to water in a well (New Birth) and water flowing like a river (the baptism of the Holy Spirit).
- The water in the well is for the believer’s benefit.
- The river flowing out of us is for the benefit of others.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is an additional dimension of the work that He does in us. But, it is the same Holy Spirit that came in us when we got Born Again.
The initial evidence of receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, is speaking in other tongues.
(Acts 2:1-4 NKJV) When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. (3) Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
(Acts 10:44-46 NKJV) While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. (45) And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. (46) For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,
(Acts 19:6 NKJV) And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
Benefits of Praying In Other Tongues
- Tongues is primarily for a believer’s own personal, spiritual edification.
1 Corinthians 14:4 NKJV (4) He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
Jude 1:20 NKJV But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
You can’t edify people unless you have first been edified.
- God has given us a divine means by which we can speak directly to Him supernaturally.
1 Corinthians 14:2 AMP For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding].
- Praying in other tongues is praying in line with God’s perfect will.
(Romans 8:26-27 NKJV) Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (27) Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Underline or circle “helpeth”, “infirmities”, “ought”, “intercession”.
Helpeth – sunantilambano – three separate words
Sun – partnership and cooperation, this verse is not what the Holy Ghost does for us, but does in conjunction and partnership with us, side by side with us
2 Cor. 6:1 co-laborers together with God.
Anti – against, not just positionally against, but a person filled with rage.
Lambanomai – to take something to yourself, forcibly seize something
Romans 8:26 is about spiritual weaknesses not physical diseases.
Your infirmities (weaknesses) do not eliminate you from His help, they qualify you for His help.
What – (ti) – the very little thing. It underscores that we don’t even know how to necessarily pray for the small things not to mention the larger issues in life. We are so limited in our view but He can see it ALL.
Ought (dei)– as the new situation requires and dictates, as the new problem demands.
Intercession – (huperentugchano) – this is the only time that this word is used in the entire New Testament.
This word paints the picture of someone who has come upon someone who has fallen into some kind of quandary.
It would be as if someone has fallen into a deep cavern and is stuck. There is someone who immediately swings into action to rescue and deliver the one who is in trouble. It conveys the idea of a full scale rescue operation.
When we do not know how we should pray for that situation, the Holy Spirit swings into a full-scale rescue operation. But in order to do this, He falls into that place with you. Now you are no longer facing that situation alone, for the Holy Spirit has stepped into your dilemma and is initiating a rescue plan to get you out of that mess!
The Holy Spirit feels everything that you feel. He understands the complete inadequacy you are experiencing. He willingly joins you in your circumstances sharing your emotions and frustrations. Then He begins to put a supernatural plan of rescue into operation to get you out of that problem.
- Your weaknesses do not disqualify you from His help, they qualify you for His help.