THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
... live by the Spirit ... walk in the Spirit
Galatians 5:16
Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Acts 19:2
After Jesus’ ascension the Church experienced revival. It was sovereignly ordained by God. Joel prophesied of this great outpouring in the last days.
Read Acts 1:4; Mark 16:15-18; Acts 1:8
The purpose of the baptism is power to be witnesses, work miracles, these signs follow those that believe.
Everything that we have studied to this point lead us to the conclusion that in addition and subsequent to conversion, a believer may experience an enduement of power whose initial oncoming is signalized by a miraculous utterance in a language never learned by the speaker.
This conclusion has been challenged by many in the church. The natural question to follow is, What is the difference in the experience described as the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and Salvation?
The Holy Spirit is one, but there are many operations of the Spirit. i.e. electricity. The same electricity propels the trolley, lights and heats our homes, operates the refrigerator, as well as many other tasks.
In the same way the Holy Spirit regenerates, sanctifies, energizes, and imparts special gifts.
In addition to these operations of the Holy Spirit, there is one more whose purpose is to energize our beings for the special service for God. In a general way, Paul refers to this as the manifestation of the Spirit ... 1 Corinthians 12:7.
Initial Evidence
How do we know when a person receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit? What is the evidence?
The speaking in other tongues. All the references in the book of Acts either speak directly to it, or allude to it. 2:4; 8:17; 10:44-46; 19:6.
What must I do to receive the Holy Spirit?
Seven simple steps
Let’s look at what Jesus said, John 7:37-39
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If a man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
1st We must be thirsty
It amazes me how Jesus doesn’t force himself on us. He doesn’t say that you have to have the baptism.
He simply says: “If you’re thirsty, come”
If you’re thirsty, you are a candidate for the infilling.
2nd Come to Jesus
We come to Jesus, not a church, not another person, not even a denomination.
Jesus must be sought first, we come to seek Him.
3rd Come to drink
If I were to drink a glass of water, I must stop everything I’m doing to drink.
Same way with the Spirit.
4th We must ask
I continue to be amazed at how simple the Bible is. Here’s how complicated it is, Jesus said ASK!
So I say to you: ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11: 9-13
5th Expect to speak in Tongues
This is what raises so many questions in the Christian community.
Mainly because we can not comprehend it. God just says: DO IT!
He doesn’t use our logic. Remember Gideon’s men? Tell story
Now either God’s move is for today or it isn’t.
I believe it is for all of us and it is for today!
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:4
Many have told me, Dan, I’m afraid I’m going to get in the flesh. I answer, you can’t get it any other way!
We are the ones that speak, the Holy Spirit gives us the utterance. Same happened in Acts 10:46 & 19:6
6th Believe that God is going to do it
Believe it the moment some one lays hands on you.
7th Resist Fear
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of courage!
