Baptism in the Holy Spirit
(Acts 1:5) “For John truly Baptized with water: but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” I have to admit that several years ago I was ignorant of the fact, concerning the Biblical aspects of being Baptized in the Holy Spirit. It was not till I met a fellow minister friend that I had recently come to know and I realized he had something that I didn’t. Something I knew I needed but didn’t have. I had been saved many years hence, but immediately knew that there was something more in my spiritual life and I began to pray and seek God for what I needed and lacked. A year or so latter I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
As I continue to write let me assure you that I consider the following to be strictly Biblical and nothing else. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is intended for all that profess faith in Christ, have been born again and have received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. One of Christ’s key goals in His mission on earth was to Baptize His people in the Holy Spirit. His disciples were instructed not to begin witnessing until they were baptized in the Holy Spirit and endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49). Jesus Christ himself did not enter His own Ministry until He had been “anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power” (Acts 10:38).
One can be regenerated and indwelt by the Holy Spirit but still not be baptized in the Holy Spirit. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is an operation of the Holy Spirit distinct and separate from His work of regeneration. To be baptized in the spirit means to be filled with the Spirit, compare this with (Acts 1:5; 2:4). Just as the sanctifying work of the Spirit is a distinct work complementing the regenerating work of the Spirit, so the Baptism in the Spirit complements the regenerating and sanctifying work of the Spirit.
The Bible cites several conditions by which the baptism in the Holy Spirit is given. We must accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by faith and turn from sin and the world. We must desire to be filled. Christians should have a deep hunger and thirst for the baptism in the Holy Spirit. We often receive it in answer to definite prayer (Luke 11:13) and should expect that God will Baptize us in the Holy Spirit.
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit occurs only once in a believers life, but there may be new fillings with the Holy Spirit after the believer has been Baptized, along with this Baptism will come personal boldness and power of the Holy Spirit in the believers life, in order to accomplish mighty works for Christ. This power is not some impersonal force, but is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit by which the presence, glory, and works of Jesus are present with his people (John 14:16-18).
In the book of Acts, speaking with tongues as the Spirit gives utterance is the initial outward sign accompanying the baptism in the Holy Spirit. In closing we could write on and on about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, but let me leave you with a few verses from God’s word ( 1 Corinthians 14:37-39), “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.”
