THE EPHESIANS SPEAK IN TONGUES (Speaking in Tongues Part VI)
Notice the word “received.” Remember that I told you there are two Greek words for the English word “received.” The first is the word dechomai, which means receive passively. In other words a person would receive something and does not do anything with it, he has it but doesn’t use it. The other Greek word is lambano. This is translated received but means both getting something AND using it. It is to manifest, operate or use what was given.
The word “received” in verse two is the word lambano. You will see in verse six how and what they operated or manifested
THE EPHESIANS SPEAK IN TONGUES (Speaking in Tongues Part VI)
The last record of people receiving the holy spirit into manifestation by way of speaking in tongues is in Acts chapter nineteen.
19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Notice the word “received.” Remember that I told you there are two Greek words for the English word “received.” The first is the word dechomai, which means receive passively. In other words a person would receive something and does not do anything with it, he has it but doesn’t use it. The other Greek word is lambano. This is translated received but means both getting something AND using it. It is to manifest, operate or use what was given.
The word “received” in verse two is the word lambano. You will see in verse six how and what they operated or manifested.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
What was John’s baptism? It was water baptism. But, in Acts chapter one Jesus Christ told them that there was a change coming and that they would be baptized with holy spirit.
Acts 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
3 To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Some people would point to Acts chapter ten to say that water baptism still applies.
Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
To completely understand this issue you have to remember that the Gentiles had not received before Peter said this. So, in his mind Peter thought that they (the gentiles) should do what the Jews did or were doing but, look at what it says in Acts chapter eleven.
Acts 11: 15 And as I (Peter) began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
In both instances water baptism didn’t matter. The holy spirit came upon them and they spoke in tongues when 1) they understood what was available 2) when they did what the Bible tells us to do in Romans 10:9&10 and 3) when they were instructed on HOW to speak in tongues.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.