Is the Holy Spirit a:
• It? Manifestation? Wind? Power? Dove? Or a Person?

For Jesus the Holy Spirit is – John 14:26
• PARAKLETOS –
PARA = WITH
• KALEO = CALLED
• One called alongside
• One that is called to walk with me
• Comforter – Helper
• A person
• The Third Person of the God-Head – Matt 28:18

What Does the Holy Spirit Do?
• Speaks – Acts 28:25
• Teaches – John 14:26
• Guides – John 16:13
• Intercedes – Romans 8:26
• Convicts - John 16:8
• Give Gifts – 1 Corinthians 12:27-30

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is when a person doesn’t accept the invitations of the Holy Spirit during his/her life, the person commits the sin that can not be forgiven. Matthew 12:31. Jesus calls it blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit?
• 1 Corinthians 12:7-10 1 Corinthians 12:28
• Wisdom Apostles
• Knowledge Prophets
• Faith Teachers
• Healing Healers
• Miracles Helpers
• Prophecy Administrators
• Discerning of spirits Varieties of tongues
• Different kind of tongues
• Interpretation of tongues

Notice that speaking in tongues is the last in the list not the first. Paul says: not all have this gift and the Holy Spirit gives it to whom He will,.
1 Cor. 12:29, 30; 12:11.

What kind of tongues?
Tongues = Greek = Language
Over 50 times in the Bible the Lord filled his people with the Holy Spirit –
Only three times, are tongues connected with the experience:
At Pentecost: Act 2,10,19
Over 15 different nationalities were present. Peter spoke in a real language so people could understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
At Cornelius’ House, Acts 10:44-46
As it was at the beginning” (at Pentecost)
At Ephesus, Acts 19:1-7

What was the Purpose of the Gift of Tongues?
Let’s ask Jesus, Acts 1:8
But you will receive
POWER
when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
and you will be
MY WITNESSES
in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
The Purpose was to spread the Gospel of Jesus to all languages in the world.

Yes but, what about 1 Corinthians 14?
Of all Paul’s 14 letters this chapter is the only one that deals with the gift of tongues specifically
Corinth was a port a melting pot. People from different nationalities came to Corinth. And what happened in the Church? People spoke and preached in their own language so other people did not understand they. Also, several people spoke at the same time and there was confusion, 1 Cor. 14:33
So Paul came up with a solution:
• If anyone speaks in a tongue (language) let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let
ONE INTERPRET.
But if there is no interpreter,
LET HIM KEEP SILENT IN CHURCH,
and let him speak to himself
and to God. 1 Cor. 14: 6-9,19,27,28

Paul admonishes Timothy to avoid:
1 Tim 6:20
• O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: knowledge

• 2 Tim. 2:16
• But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

Some will say, yes, “Paul talks about languages but also about another gift when you pray, to express “the Spirit Groaning” Rom 8:26 so the devil will not hear our prayers. We pray in heavenly tongues, and they quote: 1 Cor 14:14
“For If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful”
First of all the devil knows what you are praying. He knows you what you are going to say before you open your mouth. He can’t read your mind but he can read your expressions.
Second you don’t know how to pray; this is why the Holy Spirit takes our prayers and changes them, Rom 8:26
Thirdly, According to the context, 1 Cor 14:14-16, this text is saying: “If I pray in a language those around me do not know, I might be praying with the spirit, but my thoughts would be unfruitful for those listening” They can’t say Amen if they don’t understand.

Then Paul comes up with a better idea:
1 Cor 12:31
“But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
And now I will show you the most excellent way”
Which one is the most excellent way? Then He writes
1 Corinthians 13 LOVE

Jesus is our example, He never spoke in a“babbling tongue,” but with real languages so people could understand Him. People were amazed of His teachings. Jesus was full of agape - love and He wants us to have this love too, Matthew 5:43-47

How do you know if a person has the Holy Spirit? By their LOVE (agape). This is a gift we all can have. And it is free by asking.

Invitation: would you like to receive the Holy Spirit?
Here is the answer: Acts 2:38
Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.