Notes from Tuesday, March 9, 2003
by Pastor Brian Greene
Acts 2:1-4
We are called "Pentecostal Tabernacle" because we believe in the same experience that Jesus' disciples AND HIS MOTHER Mary experienced on that day called Pentecost almost 2,000 years ago. The word "Pentecost" comes from a Greek word which means "fiftieth" or "fifty". Why fifty? Because 50 days after the "Passover" (the day Moses led the Israelis out of Egypt), the people of Israel celebrated the "Feast of the Harvest" (Leviticus 23:15-22). This is when the "First Fruits" of the Wheat Harvest was offered unto the Lord (John 6:35). That's why so many people were in Jerusalem in Acts 2: it was a holiday.
THE PERSON most responsible for our BREAK THROUGH is the HOLY GHOST (Spirit).
- Jesus spoke about Him in John 14:25-26; 15:26-27; 16:7-15; and Luke 11:9-13
- Who is He? The Holy Spirit is God (1 John 5:7; Acts 5:3; Acts 13:2; Acts 16:6 & 7)
- There was evidence that He came. People saw something.(Acts 2:4; 10:44-48; 19:6)
Does it mean that I do not have Holy Ghost if I don't speak in tongues? NO!
- We are sealed (a sign of ownership, like being branded) with Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14)
- We can't even be Christians (in God's Kingdom) without being born of the Spirit (John 3:1-8)
- We wouldn't even know we are saved (alive spiritually; God's children) if it were not for the Holy Spirit taking residence in our lives. (Romans 8:15-16)
So, why be filled? Why the tongues?
- Language divides (two visions) but it also unifies (Genesis 11:6-9; Acts 2:11; 11:15).
- Because words are creative. God's purposes through our prayers can be accomplished much quicker because He is no longer hindered by our minds having to understand (Romans 8:26-28).
- It keeps us perpetually and continually on the offense because we control our own edification (1 Corinthians 14:2 & 4)
- It's a command! (Ephesians 5:18). Be filled here means "keep on being filled". Being filled is not for us, but for others so that they can taste of God's goodness through our lives (Psalm 34:8).
- If you control the tongue, you control the whole body (James 3:1-6).
- A greater worship experience (1 Corinthians 14:14-15)
- Quicker access to the revelation knowledge of God.(1 Corinthians 14:1, 18; 2 Corinthians 12:4,7). This is how the Apostle Paul was able to write more than half the New Testament.
Do I have to speak in tongues to be used by God?
- NO, but you have the opportunity to. It appears that Apollos was a good preacher before he was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 18:24-26; Acts 19:1-6).
- Jesus said "When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, out of your belly shall flow rivers of living water!" (John 7:37-39). The tongues are like a river of life flowing out of our souls.
- Remember we are the ones who speak with tongues not the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4; 10:46). The Holy Spirit is a gentleman. He will not "make you" speak. You simply need to cooperate with that flow coming from deep with your soul. You will find out how much more how wonderful He is!