SERMONS
REDISCOVERING KINGDOM OF GOD Part 13. (Cont'd)
The Power Of God – Baptism Of The Holy Spirit With Fire. (B)
When Paul arrived in Ephesus, he encountered some Jewish disciples of John the Baptist. After hearing about Jesus, they believed in Him and became followers of Christ. When Paul laid hands on them, they spoke in tongues as the “Holy Spirit came on them” (Acts 19:1-7).
The evidence of Jesus living inside us is the Holy Spirit, which is the evidence of speaking in tongues as in John 3:5 which states “being born of the Spirit.” Speaking in tongues is a heavenly language God fills us with “the Comforter” as the Bible calls it.
In 2006, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania took brain images of five people while they spoke in tongues. Their research was published in The New York Times. The leader of the study team was Dr. Andrew Newberg, who arrived at this conclusion:
"We noticed a number of changes that occurred functionally in the brain. Our finding of decreased activity in the frontal lobes during the practice of speaking in tongues is fascinating because these subjects truly believe that the spirit of God is moving through them and controlling them to speak. ...Our brain-imaging research shows us that these subjects are not in control of the usual language centres during this activity, which is consistent with their description of a lack of intentional control while speaking in tongues."
When they prayed in tongues, their frontal lobes, the willful part of the brain we use to think and control what we do, were quiet. The language centre of their brains—the part we use to speak in our native language—were quiet as well. The people were not in a trance; they were fully aware of what was happening.
The researchers were unable to pinpoint which part of the brain was controlling this behaviour of speaking in tongues. Dr. Newberg went on to say, "The amazing thing was how the images supported people's interpretation of what was happening. ... The way they describe it, and what they believe, is that God is talking through them."
1 Corinthians 14:4 says "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself..." Praying in tongues is like a spiritual workout—it builds you up and makes you stronger spiritually. Jude 20 says “… building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.”
Jesus, the Baptizer said “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8). All that Jesus did when He was on earth was accomplished in the power of the Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit that anointed and empowered Jesus has been dispatched to anoint and empower us, His followers.
A further proof of being Spirit-filled is the manifestation of spiritual gifts. Paul affirms “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit … the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal … all these worketh that one and the self-same Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). When the Holy Spirit fills believers, He determines how and to whom the gifts of the Spirit are distributed.
Be encouraged!
GBYAY