The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

There is a debate that echoes on in Christian circles. It divides denominations and can split churches. It has to do with a subject called the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Some believe that the Holy Spirit is given by God when a person becomes born again. They do not believe there is a need for a second blessing. The other group contests that the Holy Spirit dwells inside one who’s born again but the baptism in the Spirit is needed for God to use them powerfully as His witnesses and to operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

It is my conviction that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a separate endowment of God’s power. It is accompanied with the gifts of the Spirit which includes speaking in other tongues. In Acts 8:15-18 we learn of a group of believers who have become Christians but who do not have the Holy Spirit.

“When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.  When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, ‘Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’”

Here it says that these people were new believers. So they received Christ and the Holy Spirit lived inside of them. But the Holy Spirit had not rested upon them. But after Peter and John laid their hands on the people it says they received the Holy Spirit. It was evident that they received the Holy Spirit. In numerous places in the book of Acts believers began to speak in tongues when they received the Holy Spirit. Here is the example of the first time believers received the baptism in the Holy Spirit…

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:4

Later in Acts 10:44-46 a group of Gentiles received the Holy Spirit…

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.  For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

The evidence that they received the Holy Spirit’s baptism was that they spoke in tongues. Paul said that he spoke in tongues more than all of his fellow believers (1 Corinthians 14:18). The Bible also speaks of the benefit of tongues. It says that praying in tongues edifies us or builds us up spiritually (1 Corinthians 14:4). I believe it also sensitizes us to the Holy Spirit’s promptings.

Before Jesus ascended into heaven which was sometime after his resurrection, Jesus said in Luke 24:49,” And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But remain in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

And in Acts 1:8 Jesus said, ^“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 last verse highlights the main reason why Jesus wanted us to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirits. It is through this empowering that we are able to become effective witnesses for the Lord.

The disciples waited in the upper room and then received the Holy Spirit. His dramatic entry in their lives included the sound of a mighty wind inside the room where they were. Fire appeared on their heads and they all spoke in tongues.

If you would like to receive this baptism of the Holy Spirit you must first be born again and then you just need to ask for the Holy Spirit’s infilling and believe.

Luke 11:13 says,” If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Come and pray this prayer to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, if you haven’t already, and to receive the power of the Holy Spirit.

Dear Lord of Heaven and Earth,

I surrender all to you. I ask you to save me for I am a sinner and I am lost without you in my life. Be my Lord and Savior. Jesus come and fill me with your Holy Spirit. Baptize me in your power and give me the gift of tongues so that I can build myself up spiritually. I want to be an effective witness for you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

After you have prayed this prayer, wait on the Lord. He will give you words to say. It may just be simple syllables. Speak them out. The Lord will not make you speak. You must yield to him. Practice your new prayer language daily and allow the Lord to use to tell others about him. Congratulations you have made an important step in your walk with the Lord.