Why receive the Baptism in the Spirit
Begin by asking everyone to change places in the church
Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Last Sunday we looked at what the Baptism in the Holy Ghost is not. This Sunday I would like to talk about the results of the Baptism in the Holy Ghost. Next Sunday we will be talking about the “Three Kinds of Tongues” and then “The Requirements to Receiving the Baptism in the Holy Ghost”.
I believe that some people don’t seek for the Spirit Baptism because they do not know the results and what it can do for a persons life. Today I would like to do this.
I. It gives a person boldness and power to accomplish mighty works in Christ’s name
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 art of the earth.
Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Boldness means: fearless confidence, without regard to one own agenda
This is what Paul was trying to say when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 2: 4 And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
The Holy Spirit gives the believer the power and the boldness to witness to a lost and dying world. I believe the Holy Spirit gives us a new vision of the world. We are no longer in conflict with the world because we have overcome it but we see it as an enemy to Jesus Christ. We have a new vision in which we want to reach all the world.
Are you embarrassed to witness for Christ then lean on the Holy Spirit? Do you believe you will not know what to say then lean on the Holy Spirit?
Just look at Peter in Acts 2. Not too long before this he was denying he ever knew Christ. Now he is standing before a great multitude and witnessing for Christ. We need the Holy Spirit that we can be greater witness for Christ.
Speaking of the of the Holy Ghost Jesus said in John 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew [it] unto you.
The Holy Spirits purpose is to glorify and lift up Christ so when we allow the Spirit to totally fill up our life the Christ will be glorified and others will see this. They will want to be a part. They will want some of the sweet honey that you have. Oh that we would desire the spirit to be greater witnesses for Christ.
A few weeks ago we talked about the fire of the Holy Ghost. One thing we know about fire is that it spreads.
II. Prophetic utterances and praises unto God.
Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth [him]; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
How did Peter know that the Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit? Because they spoke with other tongues. Speaking in tongues is the evidence of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is the initial sign and evidence. This happened throughout the book of Acts. In every instance where someone receives the Baptism of the Holy Spirit it is understood that they spoke in tongues.
So the Holy Spirit allows us to speak in tongues. This is an edification. To edify God to speak to him in a language only he can understand. To edify the believers. As a sign that God is in the midst. Also this tongues may be interpreted and edify the church.
1 Corinthians 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater [is] he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. So a result of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit the prophetic utterances and praises unto God. It should be our desire that we keep our lives full of the spirit so we can pray to him more.
Next Sunday night we will talk about the three kinds of tongues that the Bible talks about.
III. It helps us to better fulfill Gods command to live a Holy and blameless life.
John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
The Holy Spirit has many purposes in the world. One of these purposes is to convict the world of sin. This is why when we receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit we have a greater sensitivity to sin in our lives. No longer do we allow sin to continue but we are convicted and must change.
No longer will we be satisfied with the sins of others. We will begin to see others in sin and will have no part in it. We will condemn it. We will tell others of Jesus Christ and salvation and condemn their sin. How will people know unless we tell them.
IV. A manifestation of various gifts in the life of the believer
With the baptism of the Holy Spirit we will have various gifts of the spirit that is evident in our lives. Let us look at I Cor.
1 Corinthians 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
V. A greater desire to intercede and pray
Romans 8:26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Whenever a person is filled with the Holy Spirit they should have a greater desire to pray and intercede. The Holy Spirit knows our infirmities. He knows what we should pray and he makes intercession for us. So we should intercede. We should have a desire for prayer and interceding for others.
I ask you when is the last time you interceded for another person? When is the last time you prayed for someone else’s problems? This is the way to win souls for Christ.
IV. A Deeper love and understanding of Gods word.
Acts 2:42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
When ever the people were filled on the Day of Pentecost the continued in the apostles doctrines and fellowship with one another. Oh how important it is that we study Gods word and his doctrine for our lives. Oh how important it is that we keep in fellowship and love in the Church. God help us to follow and study your word.
Conclusion
Here we have seen the results of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Do you see these results in your life? What about the power to witness are you using this? God requires us to be filled with his spirit. He wants us to be greater witness but we must accept this.
Refilling. Sometimes we leak.
