Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The gift that God promised (Joel 2:28, 29, Matthew 3:11, Luke 24:49) is the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. The fulfillment of that promise is described as being “filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4).
Thus “baptized in the Spirit” and “filled with the Spirit” are one and the same.
The preposition “with” is the translation of the Greek word “en” and is often translated as “in”. The “Baptism in the Spirit” is for all who profess faith in Christ, have been born again and have received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is distinct and separate from his work of regeneration
“Baptism in the Spirit” occurred only at and after Pentecost. Concerning those filled with the Holy Spirit before Pentecost (Luke 1:15, 67), Luke does not use the term baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Some Points to note
1) The Baptism in the Holy Spirit will bring the personal boldness and power of the Holy Spirit into the believer’s life in order to accomplish mighty works in Christ’s name and to make his or her witness and proclamation effective (Acts 2:14, 41; 4:31; 6:8).
2) In the book of Acts, speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance is the initial outward sign accompanying the baptism in the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:4, 10:45, 46, 19:6).
3) Baptism in the Holy Spirit also results in spiritual growth and desire to become like Christ. It is God’s will and purpose that Christ in us must be fully developed and formed (Galatians 4:19) and this can occur only through the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
4) When we receive the Holy Spirit during our salvation experience, we are blessed, we are comforted, we are convicted, we are healed, we are delivered, we are edified; but only when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we can become a true channel of blessing to others.
5) To fulfill God’s plan in our lives, we need the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
6) We need the baptism in the Holy Spirit to do the works that Jesus did.
“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).
When Jesus commissioned his disciples to go into all the world, to preach the gospel (Mark 16:15) and to make disciples of all nations (Mathew 28:19), he told them first to wait in Jerusalem until they were endowed with power from on high (Luke 24:49).
7) Baptism in the Holy Spirit gives us the power to overcome the power of the enemy and live a victorious life. (Luke 10:19).
8) After the baptism in the Spirit, believers are equipped for the ministry. God’s power, God’s love, God’s wisdom, God’s spiritual riches and God’s workmanship are imparted to them who are filled with the Holy Spirit.
9) Baptism of the Holy Spirit causes the believer to have an enhanced sensitivity to sin that grieves the Holy Spirit, a greater seeking after righteousness and a deeper awareness of God’s judgement against ungodliness.
10) Because of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, various gifts of the Holy Spirit are manifested in the life of a believer. These are for personal edification, for the growth of the church and building up of God’s Kingdom on earth.
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:4-10).
11) Baptism in the Holy Spirit brings a greater desire to pray and a deeper love and understanding for God’s word.
12) The Bible teaches that there may be new fillings with the Holy Spirit after the believer has been baptized in the Spirit. (Acts 4:31, 13:9) (Ephesians 5:18)
Q. Who can receive the “Baptism in the Holy Spirit”?
A. Anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour by faith and turns from sin and is determined to obey God by surrendering to Him. (Acts 2:38-40, 5:32; 8:12-17)
Q. How can we receive the “Baptism in the Holy Spirit”
A. To receive we must hunger and thirst for it; desire and ask for it; believe we will receive it and be willing to use it for God’s Glory. (Luke 11:9, 10, 13; Matthew 21:22)
Q. How can we sustain the baptism and receive more fillings?
A. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is sustained in the believer’s life by prayer (Acts 4:31), witness (Acts 4:31, 33) worship in the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18, 19) and living a sanctified life. To receive more, ask, seek, knock the doors of heaven.