Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. |
Bible Question:
I'm having a tough time understanding speaking in tongues. I go to a church where they teach that speaking in tongues is the initial sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I don't find Scripture supporting that. They use Acts 2:4, Mark 16:17, and 1 Corinthians 14:22. I believe the evidence of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is seen in the fruit one bears (according to Galatians 5:22-23). I also believe that the believer receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit at the time of conversion and the filling of the Holy Spirit is continuous - as the believer grows spiritually. They also believe in tarrying for the Holy Spirit and I don't believe that, either. I don't believe that one has to tarry for what God has given him/her. Can someone help me understand this more clearly? WTB |
Bible Answer: Dear WTB: It should be reassuring to you and for all Christians to know that there is a specific known time in one's response to God at which time a believer receives God's Holy Spirit. Peter made this clear on the Day of Pentecost when he answered those who asked what they should do in response to the gospel of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection: "And Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). Paul spoke further about this important time when he wrote in Romans chapter 6, "Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection" (Romans 6:3-5). All Christians should have peace of mind in knowing that at the moment when they are baptized into Christ they are united with Him and receive His Spirit. |