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Scriptural Study of the Promise of the Holy Spirit

Compiled by Mary Williams

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The following is a comprehensive study containing nearly 50 scriptural references on the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

  1. John the Baptist's explaination that Jesus will baptize the people with the Holy Spirit.  (Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33)
  1. John spoke to the common people, (Mark 1:5, Luke 3:10,12,14) telling them that they would be given the Holy Spirit. This was amazing to them because in the Old Testament He only came upon the kings, priests, and prophets.
  1. Jesus telling His followers that the Holy Spirit will be sent.  (Acts 1:5)
  1. Peter remembering what Jesus had said.  (Acts 11:16)
  1. The Holy Spirit is promised to believers and would be sent when Jesus was glorified.  (John 7:37-39, John 16:7)
  1. Believers would do the same works as Jesus did because the Holy Spirit would be sent when He went to the Father.  (John 14:12)
  1. What are some of the works?  (Mark 16:17, 18)
  1. What are some of the works?  (Mark 16:17, 18)


How the Holy Spirit will help believers:

  1. JOHN 14:16 - ANOTHER Comforter means that as Jesus was to the disciples so the Holy Spirit is to us. All the descriptions of what the Holy Spirit will do, was what Jesus did for the disciples.
  1. JOHN 14:17 - He is with you, (The Spirit was in Jesus who was with the disciples) and He shall be in you.
  1. JOHN 14:26 - The Comforter is the Holy Spirit. He teaches us and helps us to remember.
  1. JOHN 15:26 - He is the Spirit of truth. He will tell us of Jesus.
  1. JOHN 16:13 - He will guide us. When He speaks it is from the Father. He will show us things to come. He will warn us of things that the devil is planning so that we can act and take authority over Satan.
  1. JOHN 16:14, 15 - He will show us our inheritance we have in Christ.
  1. 1 CORINTHIANS 2:12, 13 - This is the same as Jesus said but this is from the apostle Paul who was taught by the Holy Spirit.
  1. ACTS 1:8; LUKE 24:49 - The Holy Spirit would empower the believers to do the same works as Jesus. We would be witnesses that Jesus had been sent from the Father to the world.


Examples of believers receiving the Holy Spirit with speaking in languages they had not learned as the first evidence:

  1. ACTS 1:4, 5 - The last thing that Jesus says to His followers before he ascends into heaven, "Wait for the Promise of the Father you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost soon."
  1. ACTS 2:1-4 - After being in the upper room for ten days, the disciples were satisfied that they had received the promise of the Holy Spirit which was evidenced by supernaturally speaking in languages they had not learned.
  1. ACTS 2:5-11 - Many people from other countries were present in Jerusalem who heard the believers praising God in their languages.
  1. ACTS 2:33 - Peter preaches that this which you see and hear is the Holy Spirit sent from the Father.
  1. ACTS 2:38, 39 - The promise of the Holy Spirit was not just for those of the early church but to their children and to all that are afar off. The order for receiving the Holy Spirit: repent, believe in Jesus, and receive the Holy Spirit.
  1. ACTS 8:5-24 - Verses 16 and 17: The Samaritans believed in Jesus but only received the Spirit after Peter and John came and prayed. Verses 18 and 19: It does not specifically say that they spoke in tongues but Simon saw something and he offered money to have the same power. (Remember Acts 2:33, see and hear)
  1. ACTS 9:1-20 - Paul's conversion. Verse 17: Paul is filled with the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:18 - Paul spoke in tongues.
  1. ACTS 10 & 11 - The conversion of Cornelius, his relatives, and friends. Acts 10:44-47 and Acts 11:15-17 show that when they were filled with the Holy Spirit they also spoke with tongues.
  1. ACTS 19:1-6 - Paul at Ephesus. He asks the Ephesians if they had received the Holy Spirit after they believed. Finding out that they only knew of John, he preached to them Jesus. After believing on Jesus, they then received the Holy Spirit.


It is important to see from the scriptures that there are two distinct and separate works of the Holy Spirit promised to the one who believes:

  1. Being born of the Spirit
    (Jesus was born of the Spirit: Matthew 1:18-20; Luke 1:35)


  2. Being baptized with the Holy Spirit
    (Jesus was baptized and empowered by the Spirit: Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:9-10; Luke 3:21-22; Acts 10:38)


What are some purposes and benefits of speaking in tongues?

  1. MARK 16:17 - First evidence of being empowered by the Spirit. A sign following believers.

    See scriptural references above. Your whole Christian walk is learning how to yield to the Holy Spirit. The first point of yielding is your tongue-learning how to cooperate with the Spirit.
  1. ACTS 2: 11; 1 CORINTHIANS 14:17 - Praising God.
  1. ROMANS 8:26,27 - Praying God's will.
  1. GENESIS 11:6-7, ZEPHANIAH 3:9 - Praying in unity with the Body of Christ, the Church.

    Gen 11:6-7  - The languages were confused to restrain evil men from doing what they could imagine.  Zep 3:9  - Tongues gives Spirit-led people the ability to pray in the power of unity.
  1. 1 CORINTHIANS 14:2,4 - To speak to God and build yourself up in your spirit.

    We exercise the physical body. This is a way to exercise our spirit.


How to receive the promise of the Holy Spirit:

  1. Be a believer in Jesus.  (Acts 2:38, 39)
    - Peter tells the listeners to repent of sin, believe on the Lord Jesus, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
  1. Ask the Father.  (Luke 11:11-13)
    - God, your Father, will give you the Holy Spirit if you ask. He will not give you something that will harm you. He will not allow a counterfeit experience. You must only ask.
  1. Thank the Father for filling you with His Spirit. Be still.  (Luke 11:11-13)
    - You can't speak two languages at once so after giving thanks be quiet and listen on the inside for different sounding words.
  1. In faith receive and act.  (Acts 2:4)
    - Says they were filled with the Spirit and they began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. The Holy Spirit gave the words but the people did the speaking. There will be strange words coming up from your spirit (Out of your belly shall flow rivers of living waters. But this spoke He of the Holy Spirit. John 7:38,39) Your throat may feel strange or your tongue may want to move in a different way. Remember this is a language that you have never spoken before. By faith begin to speak.
  1. Speak loud enough to hear with your own ears.
    - The Holy Spirit will not force you to speak. He only prompts you and you respond. Acts 2:4 "They spoke as the Spirit gave utterance."
  1. After speaking in tongues for a while, pause and begin to speak again in tongues.
    - The Holy Spirit is dwelling in you. He will never leave you. Since He is always present, the ability to pray in tongues is always present. I Corinthians 14:18 Paul said he was thankful that he prayed in tongues more than all of them. Praying in tongues is not a one time experience but a lifelong way in which we allow the Holy Spirit's presence on this earth.


Prayer to be filled with the Holy Spirit:

Dear Father God, please forgive me of my sin. I repent for having walked in my own ways and not following after You. I believe You sent Your Son, Jesus, and He became the blood sacrifice for my sin and the whole world's sin. I believe You raised Him from the dead and sent the Holy Spirit to fill those who would believe. Lord, I believe. Please baptize me with Your Holy Spirit. Empower me with Your Holy Spirit to be Your witness on this earth. In the name of Jesus I pray. Thank You that I have received and I have the ability to speak in other tongues even as the early Church. Father, I praise You! Thank you Lord. Amen.


Please contact us with any questions.

May the Lord richly bless you as you yield to His Holy Spirit!



Recommended Reading

The Bible Way to Receive the Holy Spirit   by Kenneth E. Hagin

Why Tongues?   by Kenneth E. Hagin

The Holy Spirit and His Gifts Study Course   by Kenneth E. Hagin

More materials can be found at:   www.faithlibrary.org



Copyright 2006 Billy and Mary WIlliams Ministries