The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

“And, [Jesus] being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” (Acts 1:4, 5)

The Promise of the Father

It is the Lord’s will and command that everyone who is born of the Spirit (born again) should receive the “Promise of the Father” (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4), which is to be “baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:5). As a child of God you are entitled to and should ask the Lord to baptize you in the Holy Spirit.

A Separate Work from Salvation

Everyone who is born of the Spirit received, at the moment of their conversion, the Holy Spirit, who immediately began a regenerative and sanctifying work in their heart and life. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit, however, is a distinct and separate experience subsequent to salvation for the express purpose of equipping the believer with power for service and the bestowment of the gifts of the Spirit (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4, 5, 8; Acts 8:14-17; Acts 9:1-17; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 11;15-17; Acts 15:7-9; Acts 19:1-6; I Corinthians 12:1-31).

“…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.” (Acts 1:8)

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is not to be considered a means by which we become more “sanctified,” “holy” or “righteous.” Again, the purpose of the Holy Spirit baptism is to equip the believer with power for service, however, it must also be noted that with it comes experiences such as an overflowing fullness of the Spirit (John 7:37-39; Acts 4:8), a deepened reverence for God (Acts 2:43; Hebrews 12:28), an intensified consecration to God and dedication to His work (Acts 2:42) and a more active love for Christ, for His Word and for the lost (Mark 16:15-20).¹

A Gift of God

In Peter’s message on the Day of Pentecost he declared to the people that what they were witnessing was that which was prophesied by the prophet Joel, “…this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:” (Acts 2:16,17). Peter referred to this outpouring of God’s Spirit as the gift of the Holy Spirit which was promised to all who will be saved (Acts 2:38, 39).

The Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:4)

The initial physical sign that one has been baptized in the Holy Spirit is that he or she will speak with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives them utterance (Acts 2:4; Acts 10:44–46; Acts 19:1–7). As stated, there are many experiences that accompany the Holy Spirit baptism, but, according to biblical accounts and that of millions of people around the world since the Day of Pentecost, the only evidential experience received by believers at the moment they were baptized in the Spirit is that they all spoke with other tongues as the Spirit of God gave them utterance.

Receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

It must first be understood that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift of God and can be received only by those who are truly born again. This gift is freely given to all believers who will receive it, meaning that it is not an award that can be earned for good works, obedience or anything else. Jesus said, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them who ask Him?” (Luke 11:13).

The following will help you to receive:

1. Before you can experience the Baptism in the Holy Spirit you must have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

2. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift, and it is freely given to every believer who will ask for it and receive it by faith, regardless of how faithful he or she is or is not. The Lord desires every believer to receive this gift.

3. You must receive this gift by faith, just as you received salvation.

4. The purpose of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is for you to receive power for service – not speak in tongues.

5. Ask the Lord to fill you. Simply, but earnestly, ask the Lord to baptize you in His Spirit, expecting, by faith, that He will do it.

6. The initial physical evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the sign of speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives the utterance. Everyone who is baptized in the Spirit will speak with other tongues.

7. The “other tongues” mentioned here is not some mystical or mysterious chanting of some kind, but is rather a language that is unknown to you. The Holy Spirit will give you the utterance of that language – meaning that He will impress within your inner being words and syllables of another language and then will prompt you to speak those words.

8. By faith, believing that this utterance is from the Holy Spirit, open your mouth and speak out those words, however strange they may sound to you – remember it is a language that is unknown to you. The Holy Spirit will not do the speaking for you. As stated earlier He will give you the words and will prompt you to speak them, but you must open your mouth and speak the words He gives you.

9. When you respond to the Holy Spirit by faith, He will fill you to overflowing!

1 The General Council of the Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths.Revised. Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 1983

Lord’s Harvest Ministries, PO Box 414, Crowley LA 70526

Website: www.lordsharvest.org   Facebook: www.facebook.com/lordsharvest

COPYRIGHT © 2013 by Lord’s Harvest Ministries

All Rights Reserved