WHAT IS Baptism IN THE HOLY SPIRIT?
RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT
John 16:7 says, “It is profitable for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you. If I go away, I will send Him to you.”
Many of the Old Testament prophets prophesied about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The fulfilment of that promise is found in Acts 2:1-24.
What is the purpose of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit?
That believers would receive POWER (Acts 1:8).
For believers to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8).
That He would lead them in truth (Jn 16:13).
For Him to reveal Jesus to us (Jn 16:14).
For us to function in the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor 12-14).
For the fruit of the Spirit to manifest in our lives (Gal 5:22-25).
To live as mature believers in the Holy Spirit (Rom 8).
Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Trinity consists of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Mt 28:19). He is a person, not just a force or influential being.
Does the Holy Spirit want to be with and within us?
James 5:5 states that He desires to be within us, and the Father desires that too! We cannot earn His presence.
Who can receive the Holy Spirit?
This promise of the Holy Spirit is for all who accept Jesus (Acts 2:39).
Is it necessary to receive Him?
It is an absolute necessity to receive Him into your life. I dealt with this in depth, when we spoke about Repentance and Salvation .
Romans 8:9 states that you cannot belong to Jesus without receiving the Holy Spirit.
How do we receive the Holy Spirit?
Jesus answers this question in John 7:37-39, “On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scriptures have said, Out of His heart will flow rivers of living water.’ Now this He had said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” ESV
Jesus, the Baptizer of the Holy Spirit Himself, gave us the steps:
- Thirst
- Go to Jesus
- Drink
- Believe
You must have a desire for it.
Go to Him in prayer and ask for the baptism in the Holy Spirit in accordance with His Word.
When you draw near to God during praise and worship, just receive what you experience God is giving you. Should you prefer, ask someone who has already been baptized in the Holy Spirit to stand with you in your pursuit. You can ask a spiritual leader, in accordance with the Word, to lay hands on you and pray for this baptism. Ask the Lord to strengthen your faith in His Word. Make the faithful decision to believe in Him unconditionally. He promises it, you believe it, you apply it, and it is done. Do not lose faith if you do not experience it immediately. Draw near to God again with a joy and expectation in your heart, knowing that you are one step closer to receiving the promise.
He IS faithful, He means what He says (2 Cor 1:18)!
How do we know that we are baptized in the Holy Spirit?
You will know.
In every instance where we read about these events, the people started talking in unknown tongues. As proof, read the following texts:
- On the day of Pentecost: Acts 2:1-8 The disciples spoke in unknown languages
- In Samaria: Acts 8:5-24 Miracles took place through the hands of the disciples
- In Damascus: Acts 9:17-19, 1 Cor 14:18 Saul regained his sight and was filled with the Holy Spirit
- In Caesarea: Acts 10:44-48 The Holy Spirit was poured out on the gentiles
- In Ephesus: Acts 19:1-7 A small group of believers were baptized in the Holy Spirit
Also Read 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 about the manifestation of the different gifts of the Spirit in the lives of Spirit-filled believers.
Your faith will grow exponentially. You will experience Jesus more real. You will become an effective witness. You will experience an aversion to sin. You will love people and your heart will soften. Finally, you will grow in spiritual maturity.