The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead.
1 John 5:7 “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”
He was involved in creating humans.
Genesis 1:26-27 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, He reproves the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement.
John 16:7-11 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”
He helps us pray.
Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
The Catholics teach that Mary helps people pray, but the Bible says that the Holy Spirit helps us pray. Nowhere does the Bible say that Mary helps anyone pray.
He teaches us all truth.
John 16:13″Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
He baptizes us into Christ’s body.
1 Corinthians 12:13 “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”
He indwells us, and seals us in Christ at salvation.
Ephesians 1:13 “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”
He gives us gifts and power to lead others to Christ.
Acts 2:1-8 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?”
Acts 2:41-42 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
The gift of tongues:
Tongues are languages.
Acts 2:1-11″And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.”
Speaking in tongues is a sign to unbelievers.
1 Corinthians 14:21-22 “In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.”
The purpose of speaking in tongues, just like all the other gifts, of the Spirit is to lead other people to Christ. Speaking in tongues does not give you the Holy Spirit, does not fill you with the power of the Holy Spirit, nor does it make your prayers more powerful. As said above, we receive the Holy Spirit at Salvation, not by speaking in tongues. We are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit by simply allowing Him to fully control us and produce the fruits of the Spirit in our lives (see Ephesians 5:18 and Galatians 5:22-23).
Not all Christians speak in tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:27-31 “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”
I do not speak in tongues myself, but I cannot find any biblical reason that says it is wrong to speak in tongues.
There is no need to practice or take classes to learn how to speak in tongues. The Holy Spirit just speaks through you.
Acts 2:4 “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
It is important to note here that the disciples did not receive the Holy Ghost at this time. They were only filled with His power. They received the Holy Ghost after Jesus arose from the dead and breathed on them.
John 20:22 “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:”
Do not forbid to speak in tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:39 “Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.”
Many people today forbid to speak in tongues because the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:10 that when that which is perfect shall come tongues shall cease. They say that the phrase “That which is perfect” is speaking of the Bible. I believe the Bible is perfect and I can see their argument.
However, other people argue that this passage is talking about Jesus returning. It is true that when Jesus come back there will be no more “tongues”, because tongues are languages and we will all speak the same language. The Bible does not plainly say what this “perfect” is, but it does say not to forbid to speak in tongues.
Therefore, I will not limit God or judge others for speaking in tongues, if they obey the rules laid out in Scripture as below.
Only 1 person at a time is to speak in tongues with a total of 2 or 3 in the whole church service.
1 Corinthians 14:23 “If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?”
1 Corinthians 14:27 “If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.”
There must be an Interpreter.
I Corinthians 14:27-28 “If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.”
1 Corinthians 14:13 “Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.”
It is best to already know what you are going to say and the interpretation of it before you speak.
Married women are not to speak in tongues in the Church.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.”
This is only speaking of married women, because the word “women” in this verse specifically means wives in the original Greek (see in the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance with Greek and Hebrew dictionaries #1135 in the Greek.) Also, we can see this from the context, because it says these women have husbands. In addition, if you take this verse in context, it is only saying that a married woman cannot speak in tongues in the Church, not that she cannot speak at all in the Church.
Prophecy is more important than tongues.
1 Corinthians 14:1-5 “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.”
Charity is most important.
1 Corinthians 13:1-7 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”
A lot of people put too much emphasis on tongues. Speaking in tongues is not a second working of grace, nor is it baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is simply one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and a sign to unbelievers (particularly unbelieving Jews) that Jesus (The Messiah) has come and died and rose again.
1 Corinthians 14:21-22 “In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.”
Our responsibility towards the Holy Spirit:
Do not blaspheme against the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 12:31 ” Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.”
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is calling the Holy Spirit the Devil. This is why I do not say that it is the Devil speaking through people when they speak in tongues as some people I know say this. Nobody knows that for sure, and I am not about to get into trouble with God for blasphemy against the Holy Ghost.
Be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 5: 18-20 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” This means we should allow the Holy Spirit to control us like alcohol controls a person who is drunk with it.
When a person is filled with (controlled by) the Holy Spirit, their life will show the fruits of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Do not Grieve the Holy Spirit. (Do not do things you are not supposed to do.)
Ephesians 4:30-32 “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Do not Quench the Holy Spirit. (Do not refuse to do things that you are supposed to do.)
I Thessalonians 5:19 “Quench not the Spirit.”
I pray this lesson helps you understand the Holy Spirit better. Who He is, what He does, and what we are to do for Him.