[Act 2:4, 32-33 KJV] 4 And they were ALL FILLED with the HOLY GHOST, and began to speak with other tongues, as the SPIRIT gave them utterance. ... 32 This Jesus has God raised up, whereof we ALL (120) are witnesses. 33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, HE (JESUS) has shed forth THIS, which you now see and hear.
Let us take a careful look at what happened on the day of Pentecost when the disciples of Jesus were gathered together as instructed by Him. [Act 1:4-5 KJV] And, being assembled together with [them], commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, you have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Jesus here was alluding to the statement of John the Baptist:
[Luke 3:16 KJV] John answered, saying unto [them] all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: He (Jesus) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
It becomes quite obvious that the instruction of Jesus to His disciples prior to His Ascension into Heaven was to wait for Him to baptize them with the Holy Spirit. This is exactly what happened! Baptism means to be immersed in water or in this case in the Spirit of God. When we are immersed in water, we get wet as a by-product or sign of having been immersed. When immersed in the Holy Spirit of God, there are signs which follow as well. Scripture tells us that holy men of old spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit of God comes upon a person, there is an effect on them physically. God will affect all our five senses in this experience as our physical body is inundated with His presence. They were ALL filled and when filled, there was an overflow and they spoke as the Spirit gave them utterance.
We find a similar thing happening when Peter preached at the home of Cornelius (a centurion) in Acts 10. [Act 10:44-48 KJV] While Peter yet spoke these words (preached Christ), the Holy Ghost fell on ALL them (the household of Cornelius plus others) who heard the word. And they of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
It is clear from our reading, that the baptism of the Holy Spirit was considered by the Jewish believers to be the gift of the Holy Spirit being manifest by the speaking in other tongues by those Gentiles in Cornelius' house. This was the sign to them that the Gentiles had received the gift of the Holy Spirit. This was also a sign to the entire world that when there is a heart response to the preaching of the gospel, Jesus Himself will immerse people in His Holy Spirit who will give them utterance and they shall speak in other tongues.
The gift of the Holy Spirit is not for a select few but rather it is the baptism of the Holy Spirit by Jesus Himself. This immersion in His Spirit will cause people to speak with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance. This is the natural result of the supernatural immersion in the Holy Spirit and is available to every believer as Jesus Himself is the baptizer with the Holy Spirit and with fire!
Here is what the Apostle Paul says: [1Cor. 14:18 KJV] I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all (addressing the church at Corinth). [1Co 14:2 KJV] For he that speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God: for no man understands [him]; howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
