A small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. James 3:4-5

And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. James 3:6

a. The tongue gives definition to what we experience.

We all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done! Acts 2:11

b. The tongue expresses what is in the heart.

The Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. Romans 8:26-27

Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4-5

c. Tongues is part of the promise of the Father.

This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God. Acts 2:39

a. The 120 in the upper room

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:4

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

b. The Samaritans 

Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:17

When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. Acts 8:18 

c. Saul ( The Apostle Paul)

So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 9:17

d. House of Cornelius (the Gentiles)

Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God. Acts 10:44-46

“As I began to speak,” Peter continued, “the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as he fell on us at the beginning. And since God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in

God’s way?” Acts 11:15,17

e. Followers of John the Baptist 

“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them. “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:1-2

As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:5-6

For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. 1 Corinthians 14:2

a. Tongues is a personal language of prayer.

You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. 1 Corinthians 14:

So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11:9-10

(NIV)

And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. Luke 11:9

a. The Spirit Baptism is not a once and done deal

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24 

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:6-7