Baptism

Of The Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit

What is the baptism in the Holy 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 1:8) 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 24:24).

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).

Holy Spirit

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).

If you would like one of our pastors to pray with you for the baptism in the Holy Spirit, or if you have any further question, please call our office at 212.254.5123 or e-mail us at ministry@citylightnyc.com.

How To Read The Bible

THE BIBLE IS ITS OWN BEST TEACHER!

It’s not arranged like an encyclopedia. You can’t go to chapter 1 and read all about God, then go to chapter 2, to read all about Jesus, etc. The verses and chapter breaks are placed in scriptures by man, so read by paragraph. These too are man-made, but they conform better to the original language.

BEFORE YOU START…

Before you start, forget everything you’ve ever heard about Jesus, God, and the Bible. Don’t be influenced by what you “want” the text to say. Pray first before opening God’s Word. Ask for guidance to be able to accept what is written and apply it to your life. God’s Holy Spirit will illuminate truth for you as you read.

Begin in the New Testament. If the passage you’re starting with doesn’t make sense, reread it. If it’s still unclear, write it down and come back to it later. Take one Scripture at a time and ask God to help you understand what it means for you today. As you do, your hunger for the Word will grow more and more!

HERE’S A SIMPLE READING PLAN

  • 1. Read “Mark.” A chronological account of the life of Jesus.
  • 2. Read “Matthew.” The life of Jesus with a little more detail.
  • 3. Read “John.” The last two weeks before the Crucifixion are highlighted in John’s description of the life of Jesus.
  • 4. Read “Luke” then “Acts.” Both books were written by Apostle Paul’s traveling companion Luke. Acts is a continuation of Luke which describes the early church.
  • 5. Read “Galatians.” An explanation of the difference between life under the Old Covenant and the New Covenant (Old Testament vs. New Testament).
  • 6. Read the rest of the New Testament, starting at Romans and going to Revelation.
  • 7. Start through the Old Testament. Do your best to see Jesus Christ revealed in every passage. Every word, sentence and paragraph in the Bible points to God’s Only Son.

Your voyage through God’s Word will be the best journey you ever take!

You will laugh and you will cry. It has everything that makes a very good book, and lots more. The Bible will teach you the most important things for this life and the one to come. God’s Word will give you life!