The Two Experiences of the Holy Spirit
ICS Daily Devotions

Mark 16:16-17 (NKJV) He who believes and is baptised will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

Speaking or praying in tongues is a form of prayer that helps us express what we can’t articulate in a known language and engages the Holy Spirit. It is extremely helpful when we are stressed because we know the Holy Spirit, our Helper, is interceding for us.

The disciples received the Holy Spirit after Jesus’ resurrection as a seal of their salvation. Likewise, all of us have received the Holy Spirit as a seal of our salvation the moment we received Jesus Christ into our lives. The Holy Spirit was at work in our hearts, bringing conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgement. This is the first experience of the Holy Spirit. The seal of the Holy Spirit sets us apart and clearly identifies us as children of God.

John 20:22 (NKJV) And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit”

Acts 19:2,4-6 (NKJV) he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” …Then Paul said, “John indeed baptised with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

In John 20:22, Jesus breathed on the disciples so that they would receive the Holy Spirit. We also see in Acts chapter 19 that all 120 people were baptised in the Holy Spirit and spoke in other tongues on the Day of Pentecost. This is consistent with what Jesus said in the opening Scripture, Mark 16:17, that those who believe would speak in new tongues. This is the second experience of the Holy Spirit: an empowerment, evidenced by speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives us utterance.

The outward evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the ability to speak in tongues. We see this consistency in Acts chapters 2, 10, and 19, where all the believers spoke in tongues when the Holy Spirit came upon them, whether or not the laying of hands was involved.

The Holy Spirit is often described as a gentleman because He will not impose Himself on us if we do not welcome Him. However, there is a spiritual and supernatural empowerment that comes with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we are encouraged to be filled with the Holy Spirit daily, and to pray in both the Spirit and understanding as a spiritual discipline.

Reflection: In your prayer life, how can you grow in becoming more sensitive to the Holy Spirit?

Sermon Series: The Holy Spirit is our best stress release valve