EXPERIENCE THE HOLY SPIRIT
I CORINTHIANS 2:9 – 13
Allow me to begin this series of teachings about the Holy Spirit by saying right up front – this is a teaching for the heart much more than for the head. Now I am not asking you or saying to you that you won’t need to think or to leave your intelligence at home – but this series on the Holy Spirit is to get you to travel beyond the cognitive (i.e. “thinking”) level and enter into the journey on a deep personal, intimate level.
Listen, the Spirit of God, was not sent simply to be studied. He was sent to be experienced, and the church by-and-large, have stopped short of God’s intended purpose when we merely discuss and debate the presence of the Holy Spirit – rather than exulting Him and entering into a close intimate relationship with Him.
Look in your Bible at Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; Luke 4:18; John 1:32-33; Acts 2:33; Acts 10:36-38
Listen, no one would argue or deny that Jesus always had the Holy Spirit within Him. The Bible teaches us that He was conceived of or by the Holy Spirit…yet we just read from all four gospels and the Book of Acts that Jesus received an anointing of power, an equipping with power. And I say to you tonight, that if Jesus received such a blessing, who are we to resist the need in our own lives today?
Let me get right to the core of this matter. The church today is suffering from ADD, “Anointing Deficit Disorder.” Most Christian sensethat something is missing, we lack joy, confidence, and the power of the early church. Today, we see and hear about “burnout” and being “empty.” And the reason I suggest to you that you maybe burnout or empty is because like the so many Christians in churches all over the world today – you are afraid to fully experience the Spirit of God in your life!
As we shall see,in the Scriptures,the Holy Spirit is always mysteriously (not spooky) but mysteriously on the move…setting hearts on fire with power and passion for God. Spooky is of the devil, mysterious is of God because He will reveal His mysteries to us – through the Holy Spirit. And in the past, many Christians, including myself, have been satisfied to explain, intellectually the Holy Spirit. Now, I am no longer afraid of “going off the deep end” – and I hope that your heart will resist playing it save and take this journey with me as we experience the Holy Spirit in a fresh and powerful way.
God has sent His Spirit to lead us into all truth. And if your innermost being is hungry for more and you are eager to experience all the blessings God has in store for you, then its time for you to fully embrace the Spirit of God.
I. THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Let me quickly say – this is the key to you growing deeper and experiencing the person of the Holy Spirit. There are many names for this experience and people often debate and argue over terminology until they literally render the Holy Spirit as a by-stander to their debates, when He desires to be the leader of their lives.
The Baptism, the filling, the sealing, the anointing, or whatever you want to call it…the fact is that without the fullness of His power you cannot accomplish what God wants you to do and you cannot consistently live the abundant life that belongs to you. Listen, we need to stop getting hung up on words. Maybe you feel uncomfortable – but let me put your mind at ease, whether you call it “soda” or “pop” or “soft drink” you still want the same thing that can quench your thirst. It makes no difference whether you say “a hot dog” or “a Coney” or “a wiener” or “a weenie” – it still tastes the same when you put the mustard on it.
The issue and the question is this – As a Christian, have you received an outpouring of God’s power on your life? If not, why not?
All you have to do is mention the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and most Christian tense up and get uptight. The traditional opinion is that the “Baptism of the Holy Spirit” is what Paul mentioned in I Corinthians 12:13, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free – and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”
Ephesians 4 is sometimes cited and quoted to make the argument for only one baptism in the life of the believer. Notice what it says in the passage. [read the passage]. With that, those who do not believe in the work of the Holy Spirit in a real, tangible way would argue that the “one Lord, one faith and one baptism,” phrase concludes that there is no need for any other work of the Holy Spirit in one’s life and they would reject the experiences of many great men and women of God who witness to a second blessing of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Notice in Acts 19, Paul discovered another group that had taken part in John’s water baptism but they were not fully informed about Jesus. He spoke to them and declared the truth about Christ, and they were baptized in the name of Jesus. Now here are the historical facts surrounding the city of Ephesus. It seems that in Ephesus there were some teachers and people who were teaching the need for two “water” baptisms, one for John’s baptism or repentance and another to be performed in obedience to Jesus. And so Paul here is straightening out the confusion and letting them know that only one “water” baptism was needed, and that should take place after conversion or salvation.
Now in Hebrews 6:2 the Bible speaks of “the doctrine of baptisms.” Notice that it is plural. Now it might seem on the surface that we have a contradiction but we know that the Scriptures cannot and does not contradict themselves. So then what is the solution to this matter? There are three (3) baptisms that belong to every believer: Positional, Pictorial, and Power.
First let’s understand the meaning of the “Baptize.” It means, “to dip completely, to immerse, to submerge or to completely cover over so as to be totally identified with.”
A. Positional Baptism – I Corinthians 12:13
This speaks of a “positional baptism” which takes place at the time the Holy Spirit places a person into the church, the body of Christ.” This happens when you get saved or born again. It is a “once-and-for-all” act whereby the Spirit unites the individual believer to the Body of Christ.
This is an act on the part of the Holy Spirit in response to our expression of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is positional in that “we are seen by God” from that moment on as a part of the Body of Christ. We are, in the sight of God, “completely and totally submerged “in Christ” until we are totally and completely identified with Him. Now when God sees you and hears from you, He is looking at you as if you were His Son.
That is our position as believers and that baptism takes place the moment we repent and turn to Christ Jesus in faith.
B. Pictorial Baptism – Romans 6:3 – 5
This is our “water baptism.” It is an event that portrays the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There is only one water baptism as we saw early from Ephesians 4, and it is by immersion after salvation. However, that water baptism is a picture or outward display of the inward [heart] change that has taken place in the life of the believer.
C. Power Baptism – Acts 1:8
The “power baptism” is the baptism with the Holy Spirit given by Jesus. Luke 3:16, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal straps I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Let me put it to you plain and simple – the baptism of or with the Holy Spirit and fire is the coming or the outpouring of power and anointing upon the believer so that he or she can carry out their part of the God’s plan and purpose, their ministry, their work for the glory of God.
Notice John 20:22 after His resurrection, Jesus breath on His disciples and gave them the Holy Spirit, yet they still had no power…until they were “baptized with the Holy Spirit” in Acts 2. That is when the Holy Spirit was released to work in their lives. And the same holds true for you and me, although we received the Holy Spirit when we were saved – He is “released” to work in your life and mine at the “baptism with the Holy Spirit.”
Now there are those who would argue and say that the “positional baptism” of I Corinthians 12:13 is the same as the “power baptism” of Luke 3:16 and Acts 1:8 and Acts 2. But if it is the same – my question is this – “Where’s the power?” Where is the power of God on the church, on your life? Where is the evidence in your character and witness? Where is the unmistakable seal of God’s fire and power?
II.THE EVIDENCE OF THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
Now there are some who believe that the gift of tongues is the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I do not believe that is correct! Now on the other hand, I did not say, I do not believe in the gift of tongues, I simply do not believe that it is correct to declare that speaking in tongues is required evidence…it may be one evidence that God is at work but certainly is cannot be declared as “the initial” evidence of one being baptized with the Holy Ghost.
The evidence I believe from the Scriptures is “power” and “fruit.” “And you shall receive power…” Acts 1:8 and the “fruit of the Spirit is…” Galatians 5:22.
The evidence of the baptism with the Holy Spirit is power – dunamis is the Greek word translated “power.” It is the word for explosive, supernatural, transforming power. This is what the believers received on the day of Pentecost and thereafter in the Book of Acts, we see the believers every time that they are filled, baptized with or in the Holy Spirit there is an outpouring of God’s Spirit, they were transformed possessing explosive boldness and supernatural power.
So my question in regards to you being “Spirit-filled” or having received the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is not “Do you speak with tongues?” My question is… “Is the Power of God on your life?” And if the power of God is on your life, then the same ministry that Jesus did, you will do…just as the early church did John 14:12-13.
The power released by the Holy Spirit enables you and I, as believers to do good works and to set the oppressed free. Let me ask you this question – “Is your life so full of power that those around you who are chained by the devil can be set free and saved through your influence?” Have you received, this baptism, this filling, this anointing or sealing?
III. HOW CAN I BE BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
Jesus said in Luke 11:13, “If you then being evil, 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?” And again Jesus said in John 7:37, “If anyone thirst, let him come Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, out of his belly (inner most being, heart) shall flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him, would receive…”
John 3:34, “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.” God has given you His Spirit without measure, that is you have all the Holy Spirit…the point is however, the Holy Spirit has not be “received” and “released.” Received in the sense that He has not been “welcomed” or to “feel at home.” And then “released” in the sense that He has not been surrendered to and given full and complete control to do whatever He wants in and through your life!
To be baptized with the Holy Spirit –
A. Be sure that you are saved.
B. Confess you sins.
C. Surrender to Jesus afresh, and give Him the right to do whatever He wants in your life.
D. Tell the Lord that you want and desire everything He has for you.
E. Ask Him for the baptism, filling, sealing, outpouring, and overflowing with the Holy Spirit.
F. Respond in faith to His moving in your life as He leads and empowers you.
G. Begin to Praise and Thank Him as He leads you in His fullness and power.
Let me close with this thought – Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, just like the Father wants an Intimate Relationship with you! You recall Adam and Eve’s quiet walks in the Garden of Eden recorded in Genesis…from that beginning to the amazing visions given to John in Revelations, God has been pursuing a personal intimate relationship with individuals, with you and with me. It is no mistake that God uses marriage terms throughout the Scriptures to help us to understand the depth of His desire for us, calling us, “The Bride of Christ” on our way to “The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.” Think about those terms, they are terms of intimacy and a passionate relationship…where by a husband, “knows” his wife in the most deep, personal and intimate loving manner.
God wants to “know” us in a powerful, intimate way. Genesis 4:1 tells us that Adam “knew” Eve his wife; God wants us not just to perceive His character…but God wants you to experience Him. The same Hebrew word for “know” is used in Daniel 11:32, “Those who do wickedly against the covenant He shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong and do great exploits.”
In Jeremiah 9:24, “But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me…”
Saints, God knew we could understand His love for us in a real and tangible way…as He relates His love to our intimate nature – our inner most being, our spirit, our hearts. And just as the consummation or the fulfillment of the physical act of human marriage is an act of total surrender and unconditional devotion, which results in physical manifestations…in a similar sense, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is an act of total surrender of yourself to the power of the Spirit of God.
It is no coincidence that many people have outward physical manifestations when they are filled with the Spirit, such as weeping, trembling, falling out and resting, expressions of overwhelming release and expressions of uncontrollable joy. Because the power of the Holy Spirit brings an intimacy as we surrender which touches the core of our human emotions.
Don’t be afraid of allowing God to establish a deeper relationship with you. Take a step today toward giving Him your unconditional surrender and love. “Eyes have not seen…”
