Theophilus to Luke.... I have just finished reading your account of the Acts of those wonderful Apostles. Thank you for such an inspiring story. One point struck me; you mention several times people being baptised in the Holy Spirit. There were the apostles on the day of Pentecost and again, a short time later, the Samaritans when Phillip preached there, Cornelius and his family and the 12 men at Ephesus. How important is this in the life of a Christian? And that "speaking in tongues" you mention in three of the incidents - isn't that just emotional gibberish?

Luke to Theophilus.... How astute of you to notice my repetition of people being baptised in the Holy Spirit. Yes I did put all those incidents in to emphasise the importance of the event in the life of every Christian. Let me try and tell you what it means.

Imagine the young son of a king. He is a respected and honoured young man, free to live in the royal palace and with many privileges, but he has no real power. Then he is crowned king and all the power and authority (and responsibility) of that office comes to him. Similarly with a Christian. When he becomes a Christian, that is he confesses his sins and is forgiven, he is born again, as Jesus put it, and becomes a Son of God, a prince in the household of the King of Kings.

But he has little power until he is crowned a king. And that is what in spiritual terms being baptised in the Holy Spirit is. You will remember how in my life of Jesus I told how He was baptised in the Holy Spirit right at the beginning of His messianic ministry on earth and this released in Him the spiritual powers which He displayed so wonderfully. I also reported John the Baptist as saying Jesus would baptise His followers with the Holy Spirit and that is what He does. As well as for our sins, He wants to share His crown and throne with us. How sad it is when people refuse the gift which Jesus offers them as some do.

With regard to speaking in tongues, and all the other spiritual gifts such as visions, prophecies and miracles, these are not just emotionalism but are very real. In fact they normally occur with very little emotion as the normal, natural events in a Christian's life. Of course some people do get over excited and carried away with the events, just as people get excited at chariot races and other sporting events. In fact brother Paul had to write very sharply to the Church at Corinth because of this very thing. Do get hold of a copy of his letter if you can and read it. I believe it has been widely circulated.

Don't let the occasional abuse sour your judgment. The gift of tongues is not gibberish. Sometimes it is a real language, as on the day of Pentecost. Sometimes it must be an angelic language. Through this gift we can express ourselves in praise end worship in a way than surpasses any psalm, hymn or prayer, wonderful though they can be, and when spoken out loud in the congregation, they call down the prophetic word of God as an answer or interpretation.

I do not know, 0 Theophilus, if you have been baptised in the Holy Spirit, but if not I recommend, as I do to all Christians everywhere, that you seek out those elders of your Church who can pray with you and lead you into the experience. Our Heavenly Father has a purpose for every one of us in the Church and we cannot easily fulfill that purpose unless we are properly endowed with the power from on high.