Acts 2:38

"DAY OF PENTECOST"

"And when the Day Of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as a 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."  (Acts 2:1-4)

"Acts 2:37-39"

Hundreds of millions of people worldwide have been filled with the Holy Ghost and have spoken in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance.  You say, "I'm a believer in Jesus Christ, but I have never spoken in tongues; do I have to do that?"  NO, you "get" to do that; you are privileged and blessed to do that!  Acts 19:2 asks the all important question, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?"  Then, Paul asked them how they were baptized, and it was revealed they were not baptized correctly.  Paul explained this to them, and Acts 19:5:6 states they believed and were rebaptized in the name of the Lord Jesus; then, Paul laid hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost and spoke with other tongues.  

"Is this that important?" you ask.  In Galatians 1:8, the Apostle Paul states, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."  In other words; there is no other Gospel!  How are we saved?  (Acts 2:38; Acts 10; Acts 19)  Repent of all sins, be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and be filled with the Holy Ghost and speak with other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance.  

You say, "I was baptized in the titles "Father, Son and Holy Ghost; should I be rebaptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ?"  Yes, Yes, and Yes!  Father, Son and Holy Ghost are titles; they are not a name. The name of the Father is Jesus (He said I am come in my father's (or Spirit's) name); the name of the Son is Jesus; the name of the Holy Ghost is Jesus (a Ghost is a spirit of a departed one).  You may be a mother, or sister, or a daughter, but you have a name; you don't sign your checks as "daughter, or sister;" you sign with your Name.  What is said over you in baptism has to have the power to wash away your sins; only the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ has all power to wash away your sins.  No one anywhere in the Bible was ever baptized any other way than in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Book of Acts is where the Church began and is the place to find out how to be saved.  The Books of Romans to Jude tell us how to "live" after salvation. 

People in every Nation have received the Holy Ghost and spoken in tongues.  You ask, "Does everyone speak in tongues who receives the Holy Ghost?"  As my Awesome Pastor says, "About 10 out of 10 do!"  The evidence that you have been filled with the Spirit of God is: "speaking in other tongues."  The Bible says the tongue is the most wicked part of the body; this is why "speaking in tongues" is important; God must gain control and tame this most wicked member of the body.  When you are speaking in other tongues, you are speaking directly to God; your "spirit prayeth." 

Every day is a "miraculous" day, because as the minutes tick away, someone somewhere, everywhere, is receiving the Holy Ghost and speaking with other tongues!  The Bible says this is something the angels desire to look into!  Receiving the Holy Ghost is the single most exciting, beautiful, intriguing, wonderful, and magnificent thing that could ever happen to you! The Holy Ghost guides us into all truth; it gives us peace and understanding.  Besides all this; one must be filled with the Holy Ghost to be used in the Gifts of the Spirit in I Corinthians 12; it is by the Spirit of God that these gifts operate. 

This could be the most incredible day of YOUR life; ask the Lord Jesus Christ to fill you with His Spirit.  The Apostles and the mother of Jesus "tarried" in the Upper room until they were filled with the Spirit.  Perhaps, this is the greatest day of your life, YOUR "Day of Pentecost!"

                                                                                                                                By Sheryl Fowler

                                                      (Visit promiselandchurch.net and theexperience238.com.
                                                 PromiseLand Church, Austin, Texas, Pastor Kenneth Phillips)