Jesus spoke to Peter after His resurrection and before He ascended to heaven. He told Peter to feed His lambs, and feed His sheep.

"This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

“He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

“He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep." - John 21:14-17 KJV

Peter had received a calling from the chief Shepherd.

"Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture." - Psalm 100:3 KJV

Jesus died for us, redeeming us back to Himself.

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." - 1 Peter 2:24-25 KJV

Jesus appoints shepherds to oversee His flock (the church) to feed His sheep (the saints).

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." - Acts 20:28 KJV

What do overseers (shepherds/pastors) feed the church?

"And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." - Jeremiah 3:15 KJV

"And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" - 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 KJV

"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" - 1 Peter 2:2 KJV

"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." - Hebrews 5:12-14 KJV

"Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine." - 1 Timothy 5:17 KJV

"And we beseech you, brethren, to know [“to have regard for one, cherish, pay attention to” - Thayer’s Greek Lexicon] them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves." - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 KJV (Another translation: “Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.”)

Peter exhorted the elders (pastors).

"The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." - 1 Peter 5:1-4 KJV [“Elder – among Christians, those who presided over the assemblies (or churches). They did not differ at all from the bishops or overseers. Presbyters. (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)] (Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5)

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." - Acts 4:12 

"That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things." - Acts 15:17

"But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?" - Acts 9:21 KJV

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." - Matthew 18:20 KJV

"Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?" - James 2:7

"But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:" - Acts 9:15 KJV

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." - Acts 22:16

Is it really important how a person is baptized?

Yes, water baptism by immersion in the name of JESUS for the remission of sins is very important. 

It is by baptism in Jesus name that our sins are remitted/washed away/buried, because by the name of Jesus the blood of Jesus is applied to a person. (Matthew 26:28, Acts 2:38, Acts 10:43, 48, Acts 22:16, Revelation 1:5, Exodus 12:5-7, 13, 1Peter 1:18-19, Revelation 12:11, Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 1:14, Colossians 2:11-12. 1Corinthians 6:11.) 

Water baptism in Jesus name is a blood covenant. It is compared to circumcision, which is also a blood covenant. In circumcision, the flesh is cut off, the person is given their name, blood is shed, and the person is joined to God’s people. (Genesis 17:14, Colossians 2:11-12, Luke 2:21.) Water baptism in Jesus name is the New Covenant fulfillment of circumcision in the Old Covenant. In baptism in Jesus name, it represents Jesus’ cutting off of His flesh by death, and His blood was shed. It represents our cutting off the lusts of our flesh and sin by repentance and baptism, and applying Jesus death and blood to us personally. We are given the name of Jesus in water baptism in Jesus name, just as in circumcision the name is given. The name of Jesus is called upon us. (Acts 22:16, Acts 15:17, Acts 9:21, James 2:7.)

Water baptism is one of the two ingredients of the New Birth of John 3:3-5 which Jesus said is necessary to enter the kingdom of God. Our spiritual life lines up with the natural, from conception to adulthood. Just as there is a mother and father involved with natural birth, there is a mother and Father involved with our spiritual birth. Only the mother – the church – can water baptize a person in Jesus name. Only the Father – Jesus – can Spirit baptize a person with His Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost). It takes mother and Father and they cannot be interchanged in their roles. Jesus gave authority to the church to remit sins in His Great Commission found in the gospel of John 20:21-23, and this authority was used on the Day of Pentecost when the church first began. (Acts 2:38-41.) The church is responsible for baptizing souls in Jesus name. On the other hand, only Jesus can fill a person with His Spirit. No man can do this. When a person is filled with the Spirit of Jesus, the person speaks in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. (Acts 2:4, Acts 19:6, Acts 10:45-46.) Just as when a baby is born from its mother, there is water that comes forth, then the baby takes its first breath of air and lets out a cry, letting everyone know he has taken his first breath. (The sound of the infilling of the Spirit is spoken of by Jesus when He is speaking of being born of the Spirit. Jesus compares the Holy Spirit with the wind. He said the wind blows where it lists and you hear the SOUND but can’t tell where it came from and where it is going – so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (John 3:8.) When a person is born of the Spirit, they too let out a sound. What is heard is the sound of the Spirit that has just filled them. It is speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance.) Both births, water and the Spirit, are necessary to enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:5.)

The Bible says we are saved by baptism. (1Peter 3:21.) Water baptism in Jesus name is compared to Noah and the flood. The sin of the world in Noah’s day was washed away, while Noah was saved by the water, safe in the ark. Our sins are washed away, while we are saved by water baptism in Jesus name. The ark is a type of the church. (i.e. One door – Jesus is the door.) We enter into the church by water and Spirit baptism.

Water baptism in Jesus name is an essential part of obedience to the gospel. The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. (1Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 6:1-23.) We must obey the gospel in order to be saved. (2Thessalonians 1:8, 1Peter 4:17, Romans 10:16.) Obeying the gospel is by repentance and water baptism in Jesus name, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, which follows Jesus’ death (crucifixion), burial, and resurrection. (Romans 6:1-4, Colossians 2:11-12, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23, Acts 2:38.)

There appears to be some confusion about tongues.

We know that God is not the author of confusion.

1Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Therefore we know that if there is confusion, this confusion is from Satan.

We must have the Holy Ghost in order to be saved.

We must have His Spirit to enter the kingdom of God.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

We need His Spirit to belong to Him.

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

If we want to please God, we must walk in the Spirit. To walk in the Spirit, we must STAY FULL of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16-17 ¶This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

It is by the power of His Spirit that we overcome sin, live a holy life, and become witnesses.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

To be a true worshiper, we need His Spirit.

John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

God’s Spirit acts as our Defense Attorney. “Counsel for defense” is a meaning of the Greek word that is translated as “Comforter”.

John 14:16-18 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

God gives us His Spirit to "plead the blood of Jesus", reminding Satan that the blood of Jesus washed away our sins when we were baptized in Jesus name.  Because we are now living a holy and overcoming life, Satan has nothing to accuse us with!  

Jesus gives us His Spirit to teach us and to remind us of what He said.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

His Spirit guides us into all truth and will show us things to come.

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.

It is by the power of His Spirit that we will be resurrected. It is His Spirit that will raise us up from the grave.

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Because we need God's Spirit to be saved, it makes sense that Satan would try to cause confusion as to whether or not a person has received God's Spirit! Satan would like a person to think they have received God’s Spirit when they have not. Thankfully, God makes it clear when a person has received His Spirit: they speak in tongues (a language they have not learned) as the Spirit of God gives them the ability to speak.

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.

When we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (God’s Spirit) we speak in tongues. We speak in tongues as God speaks through us in a language we have not learned.

A key to why God chose tongues to be the sign of a person receiving His Spirit is found in James 3:2-8.

James 3:2-8 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

In these verses, the tongue is described as an “unruly evil” among the members of the body. James declares, “the tongue can no man tame”.  No man can tame the tongue, but by a repentant heart and the desire to receive God’s Spirit, God can tame our tongue.

With words of praise, worship, and thanksgiving, God will baptize a person with His Holy Ghost and they will speak in another tongue (language) as the Spirit of God speaks through them.

The tongue is the last thing to surrender to God when we are allowing him to fill us with His Spirit. When the Lord controls our tongue, it is a sign that we have given Him full control of our life!

Because the tongue is the last to surrender, it makes sense that tongues are the sign for being FILLED with the Holy Ghost.

Some people say, “I have the Holy Spirit, but I haven’t spoken in tongues – I don’t have the Gift of Tongues”.

This confusion comes from lack of knowing the Word of God. The Word shows that God uses tongues for more than one purpose.

First of all, God uses tongues when a person is filled with the Holy Ghost. Tongues are a sign. When a person is filled with God’s Spirit for the first time, they may speak only a few syllables, or may speak for a long duration. Because it is by God’s grace that God gives us His Spirit, it is called the GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.

Acts 2:38-39 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

When Peter preached the gospel to the Gentiles for the first time, Peter knew they received the Holy Ghost because he heard them speak in tongues.

Acts 10:45-48 And they of the circumcision which 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, which 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.

Acts 11:15-18 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

When disciples of John the Baptist were re-baptized in Jesus name, Paul laid his hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost. When they received the Holy Ghost they spoke in tongues.

Acts 19:1-6 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost [heard that the Holy Ghost was being poured out]. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Second, God uses tongues as one of the nine gifts of the Spirit.

1Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

The gifts of the Spirit are given to individuals for the profit of all. Thus, this use of tongues occurs as a message to the whole church body.

This gift of tongues needs to be combined with the gift of interpretation of tongues in order for the church to understand the message and be edified. Otherwise, only the person speaking is edified (built up, strengthened).

1Corinthians 14:5 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.

1Corinthians 14:17-19 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

The Bible gives rules of order for this.

1Corinthians 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.

1Corinthians 14:39-40 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.

Everyone speaks in tongues when they receive the Holy Ghost, but not everyone speaks with the gift of tongues. This can be compared with faith and the GIFT of faith. Everyone that comes to God must have faith.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

However, not everyone is used in the GIFT of faith.

The key that distinguishes the GIFT OF TONGUES is that it is for the purpose of ministering to the church body, rather than to an individual. This holds true for all nine gifts of the Spirit. They are designed to operate when the whole church is come together. For example, the gift of prophecy includes anointed preaching, which is ministered to the “whole church” body.

1Corinthians 14:23-25 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? But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: and thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

Third, God uses tongues in prayer. When we have a feeling (“burden”) to pray for a person or situation and we do not know exactly what to pray, we can allow God to intercede in our prayer with tongues, speaking the words for us according to what God knows needs to be prayed.

Romans 8:26-27 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. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Praying in tongues is also called praying “in the Spirit” and “praying in the Holy Ghost.”

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Jude 1:20-21 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

When we have prayed all the words we can think of, the Lord can pray through us in tongues as the Spirit of God speaks through us in languages we have not learned. The Lord can speak through us precisely what the person or situation needs and that only Jesus may know about! What a blessing to ourselves and others!

Not only is receiving the Spirit of God essential, important, and useful in so many ways, so too is speaking in tongues. Satan would rather have us confused about this so that we would not receive the promises and blessings of God. But we are not ignorant of his devices!

Faith is: “Believing is seeing.” NOT “Seeing is believing.”

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1 KJV

What is an Ambassador for Christ?

World English Dictionary defines “ambassador” as: 1. short for ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary; a diplomatic minister of the highest rank, accredited as permanent representative to another country or sovereign 2. ambassador extraordinary a diplomatic minister of the highest rank sent on a special mission 3. ambassador plenipotentiary a diplomatic minister of the first rank with treaty-signing powers.

This definition truly describes us as an ambassador for Christ. Jesus sent the church on a special mission when he said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) Jesus gave the church treaty-signing powers when he said, “Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” (John 20:23)

On the day of Pentecost, the church began its mission and used its treaty-signing powers when the 3000 received Peter's gospel message and were baptized in Jesus name. There was a treaty made: they were reconciled to God by baptism in Jesus name.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. ... Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." - Acts 2:38, 41 KJV

"And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." - 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 KJV

The name “JESUS” means the “LORD our salvation.” The first two Hebrew letters of the LORD’s name, “YAH”, combined with the Hebrew word “shua”, which means salvation, forms the name Jesus (Hebrew: Yeshua). It is by the name “JESUS” that God came as our Savior to save the world from sin.

"Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me." - Hosea 13:4 KJV

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." - Matthew 1:21-23 KJV

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." - Luke 2:11 KJV

"But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:" - 2 Timothy 1:10 KJV

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." - Acts 4:12 KJV

"He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." - John 1:10-13 KJV (See: John 3:5, Acts 2:4)

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV

"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." - 2 Peter 1:10-11 KJV

"For our conversation [our kingdom] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:" - Philippians 3:20 KJV