The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit Series

Introduction

OK, so last week we spoke of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Believer, but you noticed some things were missing. There was no mention of the gifts of the Spirit, no mention of the fruit of the Spirit, so what gives? Doesn’t God want us to have these? Of course He does!

As we continue to use the Sgt. Joe Friday method of following “just the facts” we see there is a missing step and we cannot go from crawling to running, we must walk first.

Don’t Be Scared Now

What we are going to talk about today scares many Bible Scholars. In fact when I spoke with some of the wises men I knew about the Bible in this area and what God had shown me they emphatically disagreed with me, however, instead of countering my Biblical argument with a stronger Biblical argument they mocked my stance and what people do not understand and will not accept they will mock.

What we are talking about today is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

The thought of this has been so twisted in some of the more extreme circles to the point that some are so scared of going out on a limb, they never even try to climb the tree.

That leads us to our first question:

What Does It Mean to be Baptized?

baptizo

NT:907 baptizo (bap-tid'-zo); from a derivative of NT:911; to immerse, submerge; to make overwhelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the N. T.) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism: KJV - Baptist, baptize, wash.[i]

Boy you do learn a lot from just studying what a word means. This eliminates the thought of baptism by sprinkling doesn’t it? To make overwhelmed may have some significance also.

Think about this: you have a son you adore, and he is 4 years old and he wants to be “just like daddy” and he follows you around. You drag out the old lawn mower do so some yard work, and here comes Junior, “Daddy I want to help!” so you whip out the hedge clippers, and them to your darling boy and say “have at it son!” Of course you don’t! He is not ready to handle them yet (but where is that boy when he is 12 and you want his help, he is nowhere to be found, but that is another sermon!)

When you are saved, it is a rare person that is ready for the gifts and fruit of the Spirit and most of the time it takes time to make us ready to receive the gifts and fruits of the Spirit.

Where is the Bible to Back this Up?

I am getting there, be patient. Let us look at a couple of Bible Verses.

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: (John 20:19-22)

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:4-8)

John 20 happened right after Jesus’ resurrection while Acts 1 happened right before His ascension. And there was a notable difference in the disciples: beforehand they were afraid and hiding, afterwards they preached with boldness. Something happened to transform them, and it was the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

A Cool Illustration: The Cucumber and the Pickle.

What is this (a cucumber), and what is this (a pickle?) No, it is a baptized Cucumber! A few thoughts on this: