Acts 10-13, Baptism of the Holy Spirit -- what does the bible really say?

Acts 10:30-32, 34a, 43-48 (NIV) Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.' . . .


34 Then Peter began to speak: . . . 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."


44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.


Then Peter said, 47 "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.


• The Jews (or circumcised believers) were surprised that the Holy Spirit was given to Gentiles (vs 45).
• Therefore, the speaking in tongues is a clear sign to Peter (the leader of the church) and to the other Jews, that Gentiles can receive the Holy Spirit. This will be very important in Acts 15:7-11, when Peter defends the ministry of Paul and Barnabas based on what he saw happen to Cornelius.
• Incidentally, if speaking in tongues always occurred after belief, then why was there such an argument in Acts 15?
• Also why does Peter reference this situation and no other examples? Clearly, speaking in tongues after salvation was a rare event
• This is the first time that Gentiles are saved. Just as before, at Pentecost and then again when Samaritans believed, the gift of tongues is a sign that this group has also received the Holy Spirit
• Note that the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit prior to "baptism" and upon "belief." There is no laying on of hands and no second baptism. The baptism here is water baptism in obedience to the command of Jesus Christ. The HS is given upon believing (Eph 1:13-14 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession — to the praise of his glory.)


Acts 11:19-21 (NIV) Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.


• This is the next group to believe and there is no mention of speaking in tongues


Acts 13:1-5 (NIV) In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.


4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.


• The Lord clearly leads and guides by the Holy Spirit. There is no mention of speaking in tongues as part of the leading and guiding. In fact, no where in scriptures are tongues used to lead or guide people. I have seen some stuff that suggest people teach that and it is clearly a false doctrine


Acts 13:9-12 (NIV) Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun."


Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.


• The proconsul believes and there is no mention of speaking in tongues


Acts 13:42-45, 48-50 (NIV) As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.


44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying. 
. . .
48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.


49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.


• Two different groups on two days. People believe and follow, and there is no mention of speaking in tongues or second baptisms


Acts 13:50-52 (NIV) But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.


• Being filled with joy and the Holy Spirit says nothing about speaking in tongues. They were excited because they were obedient and suffered persecution for their witness (funny why we never teach this thought)