Requirements To Receive The Baptism Of The Holy Series

Title: Requirements to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Theme:

Text: Matthew 3:11

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire: Luke 3:16

John preached with boldness. He preached with power. He preached with a purpose and a mindset on the coming of Christ. He preached a message of repentance. John 3:2 Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. This was his message. He was preparing the way for one that is greater than him. He was preparing the way for Jesus.

Jesus himself preached repentance. But he said there is more than just being saved. It is more than just being baptized. John baptized with water but Jesus would come and baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire.

This was important to him and to the New Testament church. It was so important that when Paul went to places evangelizing he would ask them, ”Have you received the Holy Spirit?” Acts 19. I know you are saved but have you received the Holy Spirit. This was priority. It was important. It is what set the New Testament church on fire and we read of the 3,000 souls saved and then we read later on that “daily they added to the church”. Why? Because the Holy Spirit had set on fire the church.

Remember we read last week. Acts 1:8 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 1:8 AV)

We’ve seen the importance of the Holy Spirit as we look in the life of Jesus and how he relied on the Spirit. We have seen the purpose and work of it as we have looked at it from the words of Jesus. Now we must ask is there a qualification to receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost?

When one is converted, he has the Holy Spirit but does not have the fulness.

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (Eph 3:19 )

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Ephesians 5:18 AV)

Paul speaks of the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ in Romans 15:29. It is when we are filled with the Spirit to the point of overflowing that we become a power to bless others. It is then that rivers of living water flow from our innermost beings and thirsty souls are watered and desert like lives are made into spirit oases.

What are the qualifications to receiving the Holy Ghost?

I. Accept Jesus as Lord Acts 2:38-40

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. (Acts 2:38-40 AV)

Repentance is an inward change and baptism is the outward showing. 3340 metanoeo {met-an-o-eh’-o}

1) to change one’s mind, i.e. to repent

2) to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins

A. Surrendering our will Acts 5:32

And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. (Acts 5:32 AV)

We are no longer under the subjection of our own will but now under the will of the father. We have changed our minds.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33 AV)

“these things” our needs and the desires of our heart.

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.(Rom 14:17)

B. Turn from what offends God-Santification 2 Tim 2:21

If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. (2 Timothy 2:21 AV)

Not only is there a repentance but there is a turning away from. It means that we no longer, walk, talk or act the way we used to. Now we are on a new path a path of righteousness.