The fourth baptism is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit– The Baptism of the Holy Spirit releases the power and authority of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. The purpose of this baptism is twofold, living the Christ-centered life and being a witness of Jesus Christ. Show More
I’m really excited to present this message about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit because it is so essential in our desire to live a fulfilled Christian life. I know that there is a lot of controversy about this subject, but I am firmly confident that the scriptures are clear that “normal Christianity” means being filled with or led by the Holy Spirit, and that it is for every believer, not just a select few. I am also sure that it is for today and not just something for the Apostles or the early church.
The first evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was on the first day of the Church’s existence on the Day of Pentecost described in Acts 2. Before we get to that momentous occasion let’s look at some scriptures that prophesy that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit would be a part of the Christian’s life.
In all four Gospels John the Baptist is quoted as saying, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Luke 3:16). Then in John 1:33 John the Baptist said, “I did not know Him (Messiah), but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’” (check out Matt 3:16)
In Christian water baptism, there is a baptizer, usually the minister; and there is a medium into which you are baptized, the water. The Christian is baptized into the water. In like manner, in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit Jesus is the Baptizer and the medium that we are baptized into is not water but the Holy Spirit!
Back to the scriptures. In Luke 24:49 the resurrected Jesus prepares His followers of what is to come. “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” That word ‘Endued” means to clothe with or fall into the garment. In plain English, it means to be completely saturated or filled with the Holy Spirit! His followers didn’t fully understand what Jesus was saying, but they that showed up in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost with expectation.
Just preceding the Day of Pentecost Jesus appears one last time to His disciples and, “He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now”(Acts 1:4, 5). Then in more precise language in Acts 1:8 Jesus states, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth”.
The fulfillment of the Father’s Promise came on the day of the birth of the Church. Acts 1:1-4 states, “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord 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 followers of Christ were together praying and expecting. At that moment God suddenly fulfilled His promise, Jesus the baptizer released the Holy Spirit upon those who by faith were expecting Jesus to fulfill His words. The signs of wind and fire were notable but the most telling evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit was that they were speaking in other tongues.
Some have a problem with tongues and it usually stems from the fact that pride prevents them from speaking out. They either think it is “foolish: or afraid they will look “foolish”. The scripture is clear “they began to speak as the Spirit gave them utterance”! In other words, they, by faith, spoke out loud and then the Spirit gave them words to speak. The words spoken may not have been recognizable by the ones speaking, but they were recognizable by others listening and of course by the Holy Spirit.
At first, no one understood what was happening in the Upper Room on the day of Pentecost. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit was the first visible act of God’s power on the first day of the Church, Acts chapter 2. The Apostle Peter said, “Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear” (Acts 2:33). The evidence of this baptism was that they began to speak in Tongues!
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit confers upon the Believer spiritual power, authority, and boldness to be a witness of Jesus Christ. Being a witness of Jesus does not mean that you wield the power to do what you want to represent God, but that you have surrendered to the power of the Holy Spirit in you, to testify or witness what God is doing in you and through you. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit does not make you more righteous or holy! It simply means that you are yielding to the Holy Spirit; in essence, it means that you are choosing to be a Spirit-led Christian!
Very simply Mark 11:24 says it all, “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them”. Don’t depend on feelings or emotions simply believe and receive. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is received by faith and is available to everyone!
Ask Jesus today!
