Baptism of the Holy Spirit Being Filled With the Holy Spirit
References Matt 3:11, John 14: 15-18, John 16:5-15, Acts 2:1-4
Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit when he was on earth. When Jesus returned back to heaven He did not leave us alone but sent the Holy Spirit to come and be our helper. In Ephesians 5:18, Paul tells us to be filled with the Spirit. This is not a suggestion, but a necessity.
We were created to be filled with God's Spirit. When God first created Adam, the Bible says, "... the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." (Gen. 2:7) The word breath here in this verse is the same in the Hebrew for Spirit. God actuallt breathed His breath into the man and he came to life. Each of us has a vacuum in our spirits that longs to be completely filled with God.
The Holy Spirit brings us into a new relationship with the Father. It is the Holy Spirit who opens our eyes to see and receive the love of God. When we receive the love of God (i.e Jesus) we become born again of the Spirit; a new creation. This is the work of the Holy Spirit . ( John 3:5-8,14-21, 2 Cor 5:17-18)
There is a difference, though, between being born of the Spirit and being filled with the Spirit (or baptized in the Holy Spirit). In Acts 1:5, Jesus told the disciples they would be "baptised with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." What was the purpose of this experience according to Jesus. Was it conversion? No. Jesus proceed to tell them the reason for this baptism with the Spirit in Acts 1:8 saying, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
This baptism with the Holy Spirit was to empower the disciples to do the work of God. They simply could not be witnesses for Jesus without the power of the Holy Spirit. Consider the fact that Jesus had walked with these men had walked with Jesus for three years. They had seen his compassion, his authority, his conviction, and his power. Then they saw their wonderful miracle worker, teacher and friend hung on a cross to die. All seemed hopeless until they saw Jesus rise from the dead, victorious over death and hell. They knew Jesus was the Son of God. All of their doubts were certainly dead as their Savior was now alive. Acts 1:3 then tells us that the ressurected Jesus taught these men an additional forty days about the kingdom of God.
After all of that time and experience with Jesus, they still were not ready to fulfill the 'Great Commission.' Jesus told them that their real need was a 'Great Empowerment.' He did not tell them to immediatley run to Jerusalem and begin to witness upon his ascenion into heaven. He told them them to go to Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father - the baptism with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was the key to their power as witnesses unto Jesus.
Even Jesus, who was fully human and fully divine, was anointed by the Holy Spirit to fulfill his earthly ministry. He could have performed his deeds out of his own divine nature, but the Bible indicates that he ministered in the power of the Spirit. Look closely at Luke 3:22, 23. Jesus did not begin his ministry until the Holy Spirit descended upon him. See also Matt. 3:16-17, Luke 4:14-18, Acts 10:38.
If Jesus needed the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill his earthly ministry, as well as the disciples, how much more do you and I. We desperately need to be baptised with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit alone can give us power to be the effective Christians God is calling us to be. It is important to remember that the Holy Spirit, like Jesus, is a person who we can talk to. He is not a mere force or power. He is holy and divine just as God the Father and Son. He has been given to lead, guide, and teach us. See John 16:5- 15, John 14:25-26, John 15:26, Rm 8:26-27
Being baptised with the Holy Spirit is simply receiving more of the power of God into our lives. Notice Jesus first breathed on his disciples and asked them to receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:22. They were later told to wait for the baptism with the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:8.
The first instance of the disciples being baptised with the Holy Spirit is given in Acts 2. Notice how this changed Peter and all the disciples. They were full of boldness and the power of God. Three thousand souls got saved after Peter preached. You will appreciate the effect the Holy Spirit had on the disciples life when you compare their conduct before the baptism of the Holy Spirit and after.
Before John 20:19-20
After Acts 2: 40, Acts 3: 1-10
How to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit
1. Repentance (Receiving Jesus) - Acts 2:38
The only real requirement to receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit is our "being born again". Once we have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and saviour, there is no reason why we should not immediately receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit
2. Thirsting - John 7:37-38
Do you have a desire for more of God? God will not force his gifts on us. Jesus said those that are thirsty should come to him and he will give them to drink of his living waters. If we are thirsty for more of Jesus he will fill us with his Holy Spirit.
3. Ask - Luke 11:13
Jesus desires us all to be filled with the Holy Spirit. If we ask for the baptism of the Holy Spirit we will receive him.
4. Receive Him - John 7:37
We need faith to receive from God. The Holy Spirit is a gift. We receive him by faith. We do not merit the Holy Spirit. We receive him by the grace of God.
Being baptized with the Holy Spirit
Read the following scriptures and write out what signs followed the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Remember we receive the Holy Spirit first before the manifestations come. When asking for the Holy Spirit we should not be asking for the signs but rather the power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2: 1-48, Acts 8:14-20, Acts 9:17-20, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:1-7
Jesus promised that signs would follow those that believe in Him Mark 16:17-18.(Can you explain them)
Speaking with new tongues is one of the signs. When we speak in new tongues the Holy Spirit is praying (or praising) through us. Many people are scared about receiving the gift of tongues or similar gift. Please remember that it is a biblical gift. God has also promised that if you ask Him for the gift of His Spirit, He will not give a bad gift in return. He has promised to give good gifts when we ask Him. Please read Luke 11:9-13 and Matthew 7:7-11. The true sign of Spirit filled life is power as an effective Christian witness.
Prayer to be baptized with the Holy Spirit
Lord Jesus, I come to You humbly acknowledging You as Lord of my life. I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me now from all unrighteousness. Jesus, I know that you are the baptizer in the Holy Spirit. I believe Your promise in scripture that if I ask You and Your Father, that You will freely give me the gift of the Holy Spirit. I come to you now Jesus asking you to baptize me with Your Holy Spirit. I am hungry to be filled with more of You. As a child, I ask You, baptize me and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Give me power to be a witness for You. Holy Spirit, I welcome you in Jesus name. Come and fill me with all your fruit and all your gifts that I may glorify Jesus Christ. I receive you into my life right now by faith. I welcome you. Jesus I want to thank you for the filling me with your Spirit. I love you and praise your name. Amen. After praying, just continue to praise the Lord. Remain in an attitude of worship as you receive from God.
Being baptized with the Holy Spirit should not be the end of our seeking the Holy Spirit.
We should continuously seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit and his power. Many Christians have been baptized with the Holy Spirit but due to careless living (lack of prayer or living in sin) they are no longer filled with the power. Just like a car runs out of petrol if not refilled, so do we as Christians run out of the power of the Holy Spirit if we do not spend time in prayer.
In Ephesians 5:18, Paul says to be filled with the Spirit. The translation from the original Greek language could be stated like this - "be filled, and keep on being filled continuously." Notice how the disciples and were filled afresh with the holy Spirit after a time of prayer Acts 4:23-31 notice verse 31
What was the sign of their being filled with the Holy Spirit afresh ? (Verse 31)
Notice what happened immediately after the prayer - Act 4:32 - 33
What is another sign of being filled with the Holy Spirit - Acts 13:52, Rm 15:13, Col 1:9-12, Eph 5: 15- 21,
Do you witness the power of the Holy Spirit in your life ? If not why not spend some time asking God to fill you afresh with the Holy Spirit. Remember, being filled with the Holy Spirit is all about receiving his power.
As you continue to wait on God in prayer and study of the word you will find God renews your strength - Isaiah 40:31