 Audio: PDF Notes • The Baptism into the Holy Spirit Who are some of the most powerful and effective Christians of all time? Peter, John, the apostle Paul (They were awesome examples of Christians)
When Jesus had finished His work: Having died paying the penalty for our sins, and rising from the grave 3 days later… then publicly addressing a crowd of His followers encouraging & commissioning them to “tell the whole world”… He ascended in to heaven.
And years later when Saul had his dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Now being confronted with the truth) did he continue on to Damascus now ready to spread the good news which Jesus HIMSELF had explained to him? No, he also was not equipped to do the work that God had called for.
(Eph. 1:13-14.) In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. All of these followers of Christ needed something more to do the job God had assigned them. (What more could anyone need them personal instruction from Jesus Himself!) They needed God’s baptism of power to be His witness’s That which was promised by John the Baptist when he declared: Matthew 3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” The baptism in the Holy Spirit (Which Jesus baptizes us with) Question: if we already have the Holy Spirit in us when we believed and were saved, What is this baptism? As we have already explained the word baptize it literally means: “to immerse” Example: A drop of water vs. being immersed in water… There’s quite a difference! You can easily hide the damp arm… But if we immersed you in water we will all notice In the same way
WE ALL NEED THIS BAPTISM OF POWER
Read (John 20:19-22) then (Acts 1:4-5) followed by (Acts 2:1-21) What happened when they were filled with Holy Spirit?
This baptism of the Holy Spirit provides us also the power to become witnesses for God
John 14:12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”
Many aren’t even aware that the Baptism of Holy Spirit is still available. (My father preached 20 yrs. without it and 3 yrs with it, the difference in results were dramatic) Have You received this Baptism of Power Maybe the church that you were raised in did not teach that it was available today.
For this reason many do not pursued or seek to be filled with Holy Spirit.
Imagine a homeless young man unable to read growing up on the streets of New York City. Every day struggling to find enough food to stay alive, at night huddling up next to buildings to try to keep warm. Yet all the while he was unaware that a wealthy relative was searching for him placing ads in newspapers and distributing flyers in order to give him a large family inheritance. But because he could not read he was unaware that he was technically rich so he continued on his own, all alone. It is hard to desire what you don't know is available.
If this Baptism of the Holy Spirit is “news to you” you're not alone.
Acts 19:1-6 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. (Many times the Holy Spirit was given by the laying on of hands) There are often various manifestations (that are observed) when someone receives the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is not speaking in tongues
The essence of being filled with the Spirit is being enabled with God’s super-natural power and gifts for the purpose of fulfilling the call of God in your life. The Holy Spirit provides every type of spiritual gift;
If You need this free gift, ask for it, If You want this baptism of Power, ask for it, Ask Jesus to baptize you in the Holy Spirit... • It is something you need • It is something you should desire • It is the only way to fight the spiritual battle all Christians are engaged in. Don’t argue about whether you have been filled before… If there is doubt ask again … and continue to ask and continue to be filled. John 7:37-39 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Anytime you're asking God for something that is powerful & unlimited it can be fearful.
Luke 11:9-13 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil (imperfect), know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” God will only give you something good.
You need this baptism of power to be effective witnesses for Jesus Christ! |