Baptism Holy Spirit
The Bible has this to say about the Holy Spirit
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you. Then you will be my witnesses to testify about me in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 (GW)
"It's easier for a man to breathe without air than it is for a Christian to live without the Holy Spirit." D.L. Moody
Nothing happens between God and man except it happens through the Holy Spirit. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is more than a one-time experience. It is an ongoing lifestyle of being controlled by the Holy Spirit.
In the Old Testament the Spirit would come upon certain individuals at certain times to do supernatural things. But, the Spirit was not available to everyone, just a few chosen vessels.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of God's promise
In Acts 2:16-21, we read the prophecy of Joel for the last days. The promise was that God would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. The Spirit would be for sons and daughter, young and old, servants and handmaidens.
Then Peter said "This promise (of the Holy Spirit) belongs to you and to your children and to everyone who is far away. It belongs to everyone who worships the Lord our God." Acts 2:39 (GW)
No longer is the Spirit only for a select group but God gave Him as a gift to all who believe.
Jesus Explained The Holy Spirit To His Disciples
In John 14:16-20, Jesus was preparing to leave this earth and explaining to the disciples that they would not be alone. He spoke of the Holy Spirit as being a Comforter that would abide with them forever. He said the Spirit would dwell with them and would be in them. He went on to say in Chapter 16 that it was expedient for them that He go away, because the Comforter, or Holy Spirit, would not come until He departed.
The Account Of Pentecost
When Pentecost, the fiftieth day after Passover, came, all the believers were together in one place. Suddenly, a sound like a violently blowing wind came from the sky and filled the whole house where they were staying. Tongues that looked like fire appeared to them. The tongues arranged themselves so that one came to rest on each believer. All the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak. Acts 2:1-4 (GW)
Jesus had spoken of the soon coming of the Holy Spirit. The day God had appointed for His arrival had fully come. From this time on the Spirit was here to empower, comfort, and teach those who believed on the Name of the Lord and received Him as a gift.
However, the helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything. He will remind you of everything that I have ever told you. John 14:26
Tongues
Tongues is one of the most controversial subjects of our day in religious circles. Questions arise such as: Are tongues for today or did they pass away with the apostles? Do you only speak in tongues when the gift of tongues is in operation? Do you have to speak in tongues to be filled with the Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is not tongues nor is tongues the Holy Spirit. They do go hand in hand. Once you receive the Holy Spirit you have the ability to speak in tongues. In 1 Corinthians 14 Paul is instructing the people about gifts of the Holy Spirit but Paul makes the function of tongues in private prayer clear also.
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 1 Corinthians 14:2 (KJV)
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself . 1 Corinthians 14:4 (KJV)
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 1 Corinthians 14:14 (KJV)
Intercession
Once a person has received the Holy Spirit and prays in tongues regularly there is another step called intercession. This is when a person begins to pray on the behalf of others. Frequently, we are at a loss to know which way to intercede but the Holy Spirit knows the will of God.
At the same time the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we don't know how to pray for what we need. But the Spirit intercedes along with our groans that cannot be expressed in words. The one who searches our hearts knows what the Spirit has in mind. The Spirit intercedes for God's people the way God wants him to. Romans 8:26-27 (GW)
Gifts Of The Spirit
In 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, Paul lists the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The purpose of these gifts is to profit the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit divides the gifts to every man as He wills. Verses 4-6 say there are different gifts, different administrations of the gifts, and different operations of the gifts but the same Spirit is in control. The nine gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12 are put into three categories.
Three gifts that say something:
- Prophecy
- Divers Kinds of Tongues
- Interpretation of Tongues
Three gifts that do something:
- Gift of Faith
- Working of Miracles
- Gifts of Healings
Three gifts that reveal something:
- Word of Wisdom
- Word of Knowledge
- Discerning of Spirits
How To Receive The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a gift. You don't get good enough to receive it; God gives it to you when you ask in faith. Then the Holy Spirit makes you good.
"If your child asks you, his father, for a fish, would you give him a snake instead? Or if your child asks you for an egg, would you give him a scorpion? Even though you're evil, you know how to give good gifts to your children. So how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?" Luke 11:11-13 (GW)
So once you ask for the Holy Spirit by faith you receive Him and He fills you to overflowing. You then have the ability to speak in tongues. All you have to do is get sensitive to the Spirit inside of you and let the utterances come forth.
People say, "Do I have to speak in tongues?" No, you get to. Every Bible example of the infilling Spirit mentions the outward manifestation of tongues with the exception of the Samaritans. But it doesn't say they didn't speak in tongues.
Tongues will become a valuable tool for worshipping, edifying yourself, and interceding on the behalf of others. The Holy Spirit with the manifestation of tongues is a must in your Christian life.
If you have already received Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, then you can pray a prayer similar to this one to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
What to pray:
Jesus, now that I am saved, I want all that You have to offer. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I receive You right now, Holy Spirit, by faith. So, now that I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I may speak in the unknown language that You have given me. I speak in that language by faith knowing that it is my spirit that prays. Thank you, Lord, for Your grace and Your mercy to give me this gift. In Jesus' precious name I pray, Amen |
