The baptism in the Holy Ghost is the endowment of power from on High upon the sanctified believer. It is the promise of the Father and when one receives this gift of the Holy Ghost, it is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking a language unlearned previously, referred to as speaking in tongues as the Spirit give utterance (Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:8; John 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:30-33; 7:37.
We do not teach or instruct people how to speak in tongues the Holy Spirit gives utterance (Acts 2:4). Jesus Christ the great Teacher preached it and promised it (John 7:37-39; Luke 24:49; and Acts 1:4-8).
The Baptism with the Holy Ghost is not the new birth, salvation, conversion or regeneration (John 7:37-39; 14:17; 17:6-9,14-16; Luke 10:19-24; 24:49). It is not the sanctification experience (John 17:9; 17:21-23, and Acts 2:1-4). Jesus prayed for the sanctification of His disciples and yet commended them to wait for the endowment of power, the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. Moreover, sanctification is for purity whereas the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is for power.
It is not also illumination, joy, feeling, liberty and victory in prayer, self-denial or zeal (Luke 24:27,31-32,44-45; Acts 8:8,14-1 7; Matthew 19:27; 16:17).
The Holy Spirit is not a mere impersonal force. He is not a mere power that we can get hold of and use. He is not a mere influence that we feel. He is a person who seeks to get hold of us and use us. The Holy Spirit is Divine Personality whom we must honor, worship, fellowship with and listen to.
He is called the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of the Loving God, the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of Holiness, the Spirit of Life, the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of your Father, the Comforter, the Eternal Spirit (Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14; Luke 11:13; Hebrews 9:14; I Corinthians 3:16; II Corinthians 3:3; I Peter 1:11; 4:14; Romans 1:4; 8:2; Matthew 10:20). The Holy Ghost is eternal, Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient, and holy. He is inspirer of the Holy Scriptures, the general Overseer of the militant church, the Great Teacher, Comforter, helper and Guide of all the saints, the Character Builder of all members of the Body of Christ (Hebrews 9:14; Psalms 139:7-1 0; Acts 10:38; Matthew 12:28; Luke 11:20-22; I Corinthians 2:10-11; John 14:17-26; II Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 5:22-23. The Holy Ghost is the third person in the trinity (I Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:3-6; Matthew 28:19).
The Holy Spirit:
1. Searches all hearts (John 16:8-11; I Corinthians 2:10-11)
2. Convicts of sin (John 16:7-11)
3. Regenerates (Titus 3:5)
4. Bears witness with us (Romans 8:14-1 6)
5. Adopt into God’s family (Romans 8:15)
6. Helps and gives victory in temptation (Romans 8:2,26-27)
7. Helps in prayer (Romans 8:26,27: Zechariah 12:10)
8. Fills believers with joy, peace and boldness (Acts 13:49-52)
9. Sanctifies (Romans 1:4; 5:5)
10. Quickens and heals our body (Romans 8:11)
11. Comforts, counsels and commands (Isaiah 11:1-2)
12. Interceded for saints (Romans 8:26-27)
13. Illuminates and inspires (II Peter 1:21)
14. Searches and reveals the deep things of God (I Corinthians 2:9-12).
15. Teaches (John 14:26)
16. Guides into all truth (John 16:13)
17. Creates (Psalms 104:30)
18. Empowers (Acts 1:8)
19. Directs gospel work (Acts 8:26-29)
20. Confirms the gospel (Hebrews 2:3,4)
The mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit is promised to all flesh and those who meet God’s conditions can receive God’s abundance (Isaiah 44:3; Ezekiel 36:25-27; Joel 2:28,29; John 7:37-39. Few (very few) of the Old Testament saints had the bulk Spirit upon them for some special tasks that the Lord gave them to do. The Bulk of the Israelites lived all their lives without the special privilege of having the spirit upon them. Even those who had this privilege did not all enjoy His continuous abiding presence (Numbers 11:25; 24:2; Judges 3:10; 6:34; 14:6; I Samuel 10:9,10; 16:13; II Peter 1:21.
There were great expectations and a diligent searching by the Old Testament prophets. They looked forward to the glorious Gospel days in which we live. Even the angels dared to look into these things.
In as much as Christ’s incarnation, birth, life, dominion, rejection, suffering, meekness, death and resurrection were all foretold and messianic Prophecies were fulfilled in every detail, so also, all prophecies concerning the outpouring of the Holy Spirit must be fulfilled.
Today, we can all receive the Spirit in baptismal measure. We can be baptized in Holy Spirit if:
We thirst - have a strong desire (Isaiah 44:3; John 7:37,39).
We receive new heart, and heart of flesh, renewal of the stony heart, circumcision of heart (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
We have faith to receive. (Galatians 3:2,14; Mark 11:22,24.
We pray to receive (Luke 11:1 |