Baptism of the Holy Spirit

God gave me an answer to one of my big questions tonight at church. I was wondering why so many people are unable to live righteously and joyfully in Christ–even though they’re saved. God showed me why some people weep and cry before God, while others seem to feel like aliens. He showed me why some people are able to live lives that are consecrated to God joyfully, while others barely make it to church once a month. He showed me why some people are powerful witnesses for God, unafraid of what people think of them–while others seem more ashamed of the gospel than anything. It’s because successful Christ-followers have something extra. They’ve received the BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Have you ever seen the difference? Have you ever looked at another believer and wondered how they are so free in God, so hungry for Him… so knowledgeable about His word? It’s because these believers are “spirit-filled.” They have a passion for Jesus that is only possible when you receive the Holy Spirit. Not having the Holy Spirit of God is like being dead. It’s key to your salvation, your walk, your relationship with God and the power you exude as a Christian on earth. IT’S EVERYTHING!

Tonight at the Brick House Young Adults Service at the Potter’s House Church, the pastor gave a powerful sermon about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. He blew everyone away by boldly proclaiming that you can’t do much for God or for yourself unless you receive and operate in the Holy Spirit of God. While it’s fresh on my heart, I’m going to try to reiterate what the man of God said.

Receiving the Holy Spirit (or the “witness”) is a separate act, apart from initial salvation.

Acts 1:4-8

And being assembled together with them (note: Jesus was already WITH THEM), He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait (told them not to go anywhere, but to WAIT for the PROMISE) for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; ⁵ for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from (now Jesus is telling them that you’ve already been baptized with water, but that they would soon be baptized by the Holy Spirit).” ⁶

Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. ⁸ But you shall receive power (Jesus tells them that when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, they will recieve POWER) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me^[a] in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (that power will give them the ABILITY to be WITNESSES throughout the earth).”

 

People that have not received the Holy Spirit cannot function properly as Christians.

The preacher said that people that have not received the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” as outlined in the Book of Acts in the New Testament are unable to fully function as believers. The Holy Spirit brings POWER to the life and work of the Christ-follower. He says that trying to function without the Holy Spirit in your life is like trying to regurgitate a sermon you heard years ago. Without the Holy Spirit, you can’t really feel God, or testify of Him.

Luke 3:15-18. “The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.

Having the Holy Spirit operable in your heart increases your walk with God immensely.

He says that people that have the Holy Ghost in their hearts are able to perform great exploits for God. That the witness in their hearts gives power to:

Speaking in Tongues is a Heavenly Gift that you need.

The first Christians were all together in one accord when the Holy Spirit fell on them and they began speaking in other tongues.

The pastor says you shouldn’t divide biblical principals into sects by saying that only “Pentecostals” do that, or only “Charismatics” do that. He says that’s a huge mistake! He says the Holy Spirit is very much needed in the lives of believers and to deny this fact is to render yourself inaffective for the Kingdom of God in many ways. Speaking in tongues is an “encrypted language between you and God.”

Acts 2: 1-4

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord[a] in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus when He ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father as our COMFORTER.

The Holy Spirit is our COMFORTER. It is terrible not to receive the gift that Jesus sent as a comforter and a power source to His followers. Not to receive the Holy Spirit is, in effect, to deny Christ who sent it.

John 15:26
“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

At the end of the service, he had everyone who wanted to receive the Holy Spirit come to the alter. In the Bible, it says that they “laid hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit.” That’s what this pastor did. He started laying hands on people. People were weeping and falling out. It was AWESOME. People were speaking in tongues too.

You need to receive His Holy Spirit to truth know God.

God’s Spirit is a part of him, just like your spirit is a part of you. The Bible says that the “same spirit that rose Christ from the dead is ALIVE and on the INSIDE OF YOU.” (Romans 8:11) Can you imagine someone knowing you without knowing your spirit? Your spirit IS WHO YOU ARE. God’s Holy Spirit IS WHO GOD IS. In order for you to experience and appreciate the FULLNESS OF GOD, you need to receive the Holy Spirit into your heart.

Don’t just struggle through life as a Christian, become a SPIRIT-FILLED BELIEVER and be set free.

Receiving the Holy Spirit will revolutionize your Christian walk. You will never be able to stay in Him without it. Anything less is just regurgitation. You don’t really have the power without God’s spirit inside of you. You will never understand why others weep. You will always be on the outside looking in. YOU MUST RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT to live a satisfying, fulfilled, powerful Christian life. Don’t wait. Get all that God has for you today.

Holy Spirit Baptism Resources