Continuing with the essential principles of truths found in Hebrews 6:1-3. The Church was birthed in supernatural power and the baptism of the Holy Spirit was the visible sign that Jesus was building His Church.
In Matthew 16:13-18 Jesus asked His disciples the question, who do others say that I am? They came up with a variety of answers but only Peter recognized who Jesus really was. Peter said, “You ae the Christ or Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus responded with the following significant statement of truth, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah (Peter), for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter (Petros in Greek-a pebble), and on this rock (Petra in Greek-a boulder), I will build My church, and the gates (forces) of Hades shall not prevail against it”. The play on the Greek words of Petros and petra may mean that Jesus will use Peter the pebble to build the church which is the Rock, but how? Up to this point, Peter has not demonstrated any personal skills to build much of anything!
Jesus made it clear that Peter didn’t just figure out that Jesus was the Savior, but that God the Father revealed this to Peter. It wasn’t by reasoning (flesh and blood) but by personal revelation, God speaking Spirit to spirit. Then Jesus prophesied or was stating what He would do! Jesus Himself would build the Church (the body of born-again believers) and that it would be built by faith and personal revelation of the Holy Spirit which would be demonstrated in Peters’s life as an example to us. Peter would be the vessel that Jesus would use in a powerful way.
Now jump to the day of Pentecost the beginning of the Church as described in Acts 2. After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit or Baptism of the Holy Spirit described in verses 1-4, jump to verse 14 when Peter boldly gives his first sermon. As a result of that sermon, verse 41 says, “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized, and that day about three thousand souls were added to them”. You see the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, or Baptism of the Holy Spirit anointed Peter to do what Jesus said He would do, “I will build my Church”. The church was built on the supernatural power of God! The Holy Spirit moving on those who were listening to Peter’s sermon were moved by Peter’s words and three thousand people started the first church.
What is important to understand is that this Outpouring of the Holy Spirit was not a single event in time but was meant to be experienced by all believers of Jesus Christ. Contrary to the beliefs of some, “the work of the Holy Spirit did not peter out when the Apostle Peter petered out”! Listen to what Peter said in Acts 2:38 “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” You see the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is available to us today!
Why would someone say that the filling of the Holy Spirit is not for today? Is it because man has relied upon logic and reasoning instead of personal revelation and faith? There is an expression in gymnastics, “as the head goes so goes the body”. If the head of the local church, denomination, or organization doesn’t believe that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for today, then that is what that leader will teach and preach. The followers or body will often fall in line! However, if you trust in the Bible and the prompting of the Holy Spirit in you… you will know the truth and the truth will set you free from missing all that Jesus purchased at the cross. Jesus wants you to have an abundant life, walking in His wisdom, His authority, and His power.
Finally, let me give you some other scripture verses having to do with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I encourage you to look them up for yourself and to read before and after the verses quoted to get a fuller idea of its meaning. Most importantly ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the scriptures as He intends as you read.
The Prophet Joel prophesied about 800 years before Jesus Christ that God would pour out His Spirit. We see this in Joel 2:28-32. The Apostle Peter quotes this prophecy in his sermon, Acts 2: 16-18 “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy”.
Acts 4:31 – while Peter was praying for boldness, “… the place where they were was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness”.
Acts 8:14-17 while in Jerusalem the apostles heard that there were new believers in Samaria. So, Peter and John were sent to them, verse 17 says, “Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit”. You see new believers were expected to receive the Holy Spirit.
Acts 10:44-48 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
Acts 11:15-16 – Peter had concluded that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was not just for the Jewish Christians but for all believers, Jews, and Gentiles. “15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them (non-Jews), as upon us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit’”.
