Revolutionary Leaders

What happens when I’m baptized in the Holy Spirit?

Although there are many accounts of people being influenced, filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit, there are 3 detailed accounts in the New Testament of people receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit with physical indicators.

- The Day of Pentecost, Acts 2:1-4
1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

- The House of Cornelius, Acts 10:44-46
44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

- Paul In Ephesus, Acts 19:6
When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Jesus told his disciples to expect this when he said, “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in tongues…” (Mark 16:17).

This is what we call the “initial physical evidence” of being baptized in the Holy Spirit, the physical sign of speaking in tongues.

Speaking in tongues is speaking in an unknown or unlearned language as the Holy Spirit enables us. It’s a cooperation of our physical act of speaking and the supernatural act of the Holy Spirit enabling the words that are being spoken. When the Holy Spirit comes upon us, we let go of English and speak out in a new language.