Baptism
baptism
in the holy spirit
what is baptism in the spirit ?
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is an experience that is completely different and separate from salvation and water baptism. It is an empowering experience (Acts 1:4) that is available to all believers. It will transform your life by bringing you closer into relationship with the Holy Spirit, empower you to share your faith and to live a victorious Christian life! That is why Jesus commanded His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they were filled with power from above (Luke 24:49).
Who is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit for?
It is for every person who has repented of their sins and received Jesus as their Lord and Savior. It is for all born again Christians wanting and willing to receive it (Matt. 3:11). “Your heavenly father will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask of Him” (Luke 11:13). The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for now and has always been available for any believer bold enough to trust God and obey Him. When the crowd asked the apostles for advice on what they should do, they were told to “repent”, “be baptized” and “receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Jesus said in His sermon on the mount “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled” (Matt 5:6).
Have you received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
When the apostle Paul met the twelve believers in Ephesus (Acts 19:2) he asked them a question: “Have you received the Holy Spirit?” Their answer was “No.” Even though they were genuine and sincere believers, with a relationship with Christ, on their way to heaven, they still had not experienced this precious gift. Today, there are still many wonderful Christians who have a relationship with God and have experienced the recreating power of the Holy Spirit in their hearts, yet still lack this precious experience. Paul prayed together with them and “the Holy Spirit came upon them and they spoke with tongues and prophesied”. The same thing happened to the 120 people waiting on God’s promise of His Holy Spirit in Jerusalem on the day we now call Pentecost. They also spoke with tongues (Acts 2:1-4). Jesus Himself said that believers would “speak with new tongues” (Mark 16:17).
How Can I Receive the Holy Spirit?
God wants you to be filled with the Holy Spirit even more than you do! That is why the baptism in the Holy Spirit is not difficult. You must simply come to God in faith and ask to be filled. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) Start to praise God with your voice, tongue and lips. He will not force you to speak in tongues… you must cooperate with Him and do the speaking yourself. Step out in faith. Begin to say something in a language that only God could understand speaking mysteries to God (1 Cor. 14:2). Maybe you will only be bold enough to speak a few syllables but as you boldly repeat them God will bless you with more. Like a child, your new language of prayer to God will grow. Don’t be afraid. This language is not for the benefit of other people; it is between you and God. You will probably not even understand what you are saying, but be assured that God says that as you use this prayer language you will be built up and become stronger in faith (Jude 20). Your private worship of God will be blessed. You do not pray in tongues with your mind but with your spirit (1 Cor. 14:14-15) to God who is a spirit (John 4:24).
