The Necessity Of The Holy Spirit Baptism

The Necessity of the Holy Spirit Baptism

Scripture: Acts 2:1-4

Introduction:

Today is Pentecost Sunday. It’s the day that the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the original followers of Jesus, and has been poured out on his believers ever since.

The baptism in or off (interchangeable terms) the Holy Spirit was the restoration of what had been lost in the garden of Eden. In the Gospel of John, Chapter 20:22 the resurrected Jesus breathes on His disciple saying, “receive the Holy Spirit”

Because Jesus had taken away our sin, the Holy Spirit could now reside in those who follow HIM. That is the gift that every true Christian has- the indwelling power of God within them.

What is happening in Acts Chapter 2 is something different. See the indwelling of the Holy Spirit brought with it intimacy with God.

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit brings the Power and presence of God.

It’s like if I have a match and light it. The potential for that fire is always within that match, but it needs that outside force for it to fan into flame. That’s what the Holy Spirit does for us when we receive that baptism.

That’s what happened to the disciples.

11 men, in fear for their lives and hiding in an upper room became fearless Apostles that changed world history. All but one died as a martyr of the faith because this baptism set them on fire and they spread that fire all over the middle east, Europe, and Northern Africa.

Today, almost 2000 years later, you and I sit here as their spiritual descendants.

Today, we have that same chance to change our world for Jesus Christ, and the best part is- we don’t have to stir up the gumption to do it. It’s not a matter of planning, new strategies, or being attractive to the world.

It’s about being filled with the Holy Spirit and power.

Zechariah 4:6 Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts

As a leader of a church in 2024, I have to say we have done everything else to bring people into the church-

Live, exciting rock bands

Light shows

Theater smoke

There are even pastors zip lining into their pulpits. In some megachurch’s it’s more a circus atmosphere than a worshipful one. We have tried to bring people into the kingdom using all of the worldly gimmics, and have woefully failed or at best, created weak and anemic Christians.

Maybe it’s time to go back to Gods plan for us-

By HIS SPIRIT.

Lets read about that this Pentecost Morning-

Act 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. (2) Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. (3) They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. (4) Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.

Prayer

This passage is not just a historical account but a living testament to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. As we unpack its significance, we will explore why the baptism of the Holy Spirit is essential for Christians today. Our exploration will cover three main points: the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit’s role in equipping believers for effective ministry.

I. The Empowering Presence of the Holy Spirit

A. The Promise of Power

The event of Pentecost marks the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to His disciples regarding the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Before His ascension, Jesus instructed them to wait in Jerusalem for the “gift my Father promised” (Acts 1:4-5).

He elaborated in Acts 1:8, *“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”*

This promise is crucial because it underscores the necessity of divine empowerment for fulfilling the Great Commission.

A few moments ago I talked about some church’s trying to create a spiritual experience through human spectacle.

You might draw a crowd with that, but unless you get them to the cross, unless you get them filled with God’s power, you will give them a false assurance of salvation, and the first life storm they run into, they will fall away.

This is why the need for this divine empowerment is no long an optional accessory to our faith. After the cross, it’s becoming mandatory.

At Pentecost, the disciples experienced the Holy Spirit’s presence in a tangible and powerful way. The sound of a violent wind and the appearance of tongues of fire were physical manifestations of the Spirit’s arrival. This event signified a new era where God’s presence would be continually experienced by His people.