Baptism in The Holy Spirit

BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

By: Dr. John N. Chacha

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (ACTS 1:8)

WHAT IS BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT?

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, . . . He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. (Matthew 3:11)

We get our term “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” from this prophecy made by John the Baptist about Jesus and His ministry. Before Jesus left His disciples, “He gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4-5)

Conversion Experience

At the point of our conversion, the Holy Spirit gives birth to our spirit to become a new creation. He imparts a new life, making us children of God. We become part of God’s family –– the Body of Christ. (Read Titus 3:5; John 3:1-8; Rom. 8:16; II Cor. 5:17; I Cor. 12:3:13.)

It is the Spirit of God who brings souls to Jesus Christ. Every born-again believer has God’s Spirit in him; otherwise, he would not be born again. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we accept and live for Christ.

• Baptism with the Holy Spirit is a different experience from salvation.

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” (Acts 19:1- 2)

These disciples were saved but not baptized with the Holy Spirit. Baptism in the Holy Spirit and salvation are two different experiences. In (Acts 8:12-17), we read about the Samaritans being saved under Philip’s ministry. However, they did not receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit until Peter and John came and laid hands on them. Another example is in (Acts 9:17). Saul, who had been saved on the road to Damascus, did not receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit until Ananias came and laid hands on him.

One may be born again and not be baptized with the Holy Spirit. In the salvation experience there is an impartation of new spiritual life, but in the baptism with the Holy Spirit there is an impartation of new spiritual power.

• The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for all believers.

It is not for a chosen few but for everyone who believes and thirsts for Him. Some Christians are robbed of this wonderful experience because they think it belongs to a special kind of people or denomination. “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38,39)

Jesus described the Holy Spirit as rivers of living water that would flow out of the believer’s innermost being. This is a river of life, love, joy, peace, and power. Jesus emphasized that those who believe in Him should receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." 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.” (John 7:38-39)

• Baptism in the Holy Spirit means to be baptized into power to serve.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses. . . Acts 1: 8
(Also read Luke 24:49)

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is mainly to equip the believer to do the work of God. Once you receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, the resurrection power begins to work in your life. Your faith is quickened. A new thrill of joy and excitement arises within you to do exploits for the Lord. Faith and power seem to flow from every pore of your body. You become determined to do the works Jesus said you could do. “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”
(John 14:12)

It helps to make God’s Word real.
It helps to bring about a radical transformation in the life of the believer.
It helps to bring about an impartation of supernatural power.
It opens doors to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
It brings about a special kind of boldness. This helps us in our prayer life, as well as in witnessing to others.

HOW TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

It is God’s desire for every believer to be filled with the Holy Spirit. His desire is that we may be filled and continually overflow with His Spirit. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:17,18)

1. Build a good foundation.

a. You must believe that it is Biblical; otherwise, there is no need for you even to desire it. See what the word of God says about it (Acts 1:5-8; 2:4; 8:7).

b. You must believe that it is for us today. There are many believers who think the baptism of the Holy Spirit was only for the earlier church. This is unfortunate for them (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:17).

c. You must believe that it is necessary and useful in your life (Eph. 5:17; Rom. 8:26; I Cor. 14:2, 28, 22; Jude 20).

2. Prepare your heart through repentance.

Though no one can ever be good enough to receive a gift from God, it is still very important for us to repent of all known sins in our lives. We have to let the blood of Jesus cleanse us of all impurities. Read
(Acts 2:38, 39)

3. Develop a spiritual hunger and thirst.

This is the only way we receive from God. If our hearts are filled up with thousands of other things, it becomes almost impossible for us to receive God’s blessings. God can only fill us if we are hungry and thirsty for Him (Matt. 5:6; James 4:8).

4. Ask a believer who has the same experience to pray and lay hands on you.

It must be clearly understood that no human being can baptize you with the Holy Spirit, but Jesus. He is the Baptizer. However it will be of a great help to have a believer to minister to you by praying and laying hands on you. Laying on of hands is used for impartations. This will build your faith greatly (Acts 8:17; 9:17; 19:6).

5. Ask in faith and expect to receive.

Many Christians do not receive God’s blessings because they do not ask in faith. Even when they do ask, they do not expect to receive. You have to ask God, through the name of His Son Jesus, to fill you with the Holy Spirit. You do not necessarily have to have any one around you to lay hands on you (though this can be of great help ). Expect God to baptize you. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone; or if he 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 11:11 -13
(Read Acts 19:6; Acts 2:4; John 7:38; Psalm 22:3).

All God’s gifts are experienced through faith and through the finished work of our Lord Jesus. You do not, in any way, have to be good enough to receive them because it is only in Christ Jesus that you can be good enough. It is Jesus who makes you qualify to receive God’s blessing. So, as you pray for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, keep in mind that it is only through faith and through accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Savior that you can experience this wonderful gift.

THE RESULTS OF THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is an anointing of power. It makes you see and experience the reality of the power of God. It puts you into a new spiritual realm where you believe the Word without reservation. You start digging into the Word because you are hungry for the truth. You begin to stand upon the Word of Jesus rather than tradition. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

• It gives you boldness to proclaim the Gospel of Christ (Acts 4:29; Eph. 6:11-20).

• It is the doorway into divine supernatural living. (Heb. 6:4-5).

• It is the doorway to God's spiritual gifts (I Cor. 12:8-10).

• It gives power to fight spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:11).

• It is the doorway to signs and wonders in Jesus' Name.

THE RESULTS OF BEING CONTROLLED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit we should allow Him to lead and control our lives. We should let Him be the Master. He should have freedom to change and mold us the way He desires.

• Your character will be changed. You will be more Christ-like (Gal. 5:22-23).

• Your spirit will be stronger (Eph. 3:16).

• Your spiritual understanding will be enhanced (I Cor. 2:12).

• Your witness to others will be strengthened (Acts 1:8).

• You will be more assured of your salvation (Rom. 8:16).

• Your prayer life will be changed (Rom. 8:26-28; Jude 20).

• You will have more victories over your fleshly desires (Rom. 8:13).

• You will be more sensitive to the voice and guidance of the Holy Spirit
(I Tim. 4:1; Acts 8:29; I John 2:27; Rom. 8:14).

• You will be able to understand your calling more easily (Acts 13:2-4; Acts 8:29; 16:6-7).

• You will able to worship the Lord more freely (Phil. 3:3; I Cor. 14:15; John 4:23-24).

WHAT ABOUT SPEAKING IN TONGUES?

Speaking in tongues is a controversial subject over which many believers are divided. Some feel it is for everybody, others think it is just for a chosen few; others think it was done away with long ago, while others think it is of the devil, and so on. Let us see what the Bible says about the subject.

Speaking in tongues was predicted both in the Old and New Testaments.

• Isaiah prophesied about this, “Very well then, with foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to this people, to whom he said, “This is the resting place, let the weary rest”; and, “This is the place of repose”—but they would not listen. (Isaiah 28:11,12)

It would be a rest in the spirit and a refreshing to the believer.

• Speaking in tongues is one of the signs that Jesus said would follow the believers. "And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;. . ."
(Mark 16:17)

• Believers on the Day of Pentecost spoke in tongues for the first time. If this gift was good enough for the earlier Church, it should be good enough for us 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)

• The Gentile believers in the house of Cornelius spoke with tongues when the Holy Spirit came upon them. Tongues was the evidence that convinced the disciples that they too had received the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God." (Acts 10:45-46)

• Believers in Ephesus likewise spoke in tongues when the Holy Spirit came upon them." When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied." (Acts 19:6)

• Paul said, “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. “ (I Corinthians 14:18)

• Paul concluded his message to the Corinthians on the subject by saying, “Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. “
(I Corinthians 14:39-40)

Facts

Speaking in tongues is a special gift only given to the believers. It is the outward sign for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues can also be referred to as prayer language. It is the language that the Holy Spirit uses when praying through a believer.

One of the most misinterpreted or misunderstood Scriptures regarding this subject is (I Cor. 12:28-30) where Paul is asking, “Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?” In this context Paul was not referring to tongues used for private prayers but used for ministry in public places. Not all people can stand up and preach or prophesy in tongues. They must have a special gift to do that. In fact Paul himself encouraged believers to speak in tongues, “I would like every one of you to speak in tongues . . .” (I Cor. 14:5).

How to Use Tongues

1. Pray in tongues in your private devotional life. When you speak in tongues, you are indeed speaking to God in the Holy Ghost language. You are speaking mysteries in your spirit that not even Satan can understand or contradict. " For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit". (I Corinthians14:2)

2. If you are giving a message or a prophecy in a public place in tongues, there must be an interpretation
(I Corinthians 14:5,13, 26-28). One of the reasons Paul stressed the importance of interpreting tongues in public places is so that even the young in faith can be built up both in their spirit and understanding and not be confused and overwhelmed by hearing strange languages.

3. The Holy Spirit can communicate a message to someone through us in tongues, usually to convict them of their sins or give them a prophesy. These kinds of tongues will be in the language they will understand, or they will have an interpretation. " Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?. . . " (Acts 2:5-8)

Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. (I Corinthians 14:22)

4. Use tongues to build your inner man. Praying in tongues will help to edify you and refresh your spirit. It helps to give your spirit liberty and boldness.

I CORINTHIANS 14:4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

5. When you do not know what or how to pray, pray in tongues. This will allow the Holy Spirit to pray through you. "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will." (Romans 8:26-27)

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. (Jude 1: 20)

CONCLUSION

If you have asked Jesus into your life and know that you are saved, and would like to receive the Holy Spirit today, please pray this prayer with me.

Jesus, thank you for saving my life and for the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit. Now, by faith I am asking you to baptize me in the Holy Spirit. You have promised in your Word that if I would ask for this wonderful gift, you would grant it to me. You also said whatever I desire when I pray and believe I will receive it. I ask believing that you will baptize me in the Holy Spirit. I receive the Holy Spirit by faith. Amen!

By faith believe you have received the gift of the Holy Spirit; begin to speak in tongues by faith. Begin to praise the Lord regardless of your feelings. Refuse to speak in your natural language and let the Holy Spirit use your voice to guide your tongue. At first it may sound strange, but keep your mind on Jesus and keep on speaking. Continue to exercise your new heavenly language until it flows as easily as your everyday conversation, and rejoice in God the Father, Giver of good Gifts.

For a more detailed study on the Holy Spirit and His gifts read Mastering Spiritual Gift and Prayer Powers by the same author.