INTRODUCTION
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the overflowing of the Holy Spirit into, upon, and out of a born-again believer. It is the fulfillment of the promise of the Father to all believers. It leads to a full, purposeful, and victorious life in Jesus Christ.
Speaking in an unlearned language is for one’s own spiritual edification (1 Corinthians 14:2,4); to extol the works of God (Acts 2:11); and to present a message from God (1 Corinthians 12:10; 14:6). It is a sign of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Power for service is the confirming evidence. Salvation is the qualification to receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
MINISTERING TO THOSE NEEDING THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Here are guidelines for receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Encourage the counselee to:
REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED:
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)
BELIEVE THE EXPERIENCE IS FOR THEM:
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2:39)
ACCEPT IT AS A GIFT:
The Holy Spirit has already been given. It was given to the Church on the Day of Pentecost. Because it is a gift, you can do nothing to earn it:
…the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)
This only would I learn of you. Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
He therefore that ministereth to you in the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles; through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
(Galatians 3:2,5,14)
PRAISE AND WORSHIP GOD:
Join the counselee in praise and worship of the Lord and wait for the evidence to come forth. Expect it to do so! The evidence may come at first with “stammering lips.” A fluency in language comes with usage. The counselee should offer any sound not understood by himself as praise to God.
For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. (Isaiah 28:11)
If, after a period of time, the evidence of a Spirit given language is not forthcoming, encourage the counselee to continue seeking the Lord through praise and worship.
Assure him that the experience will come as he continues to praise God in his prayer time and learns to yield to the Spirit.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THIS EXPERIENCE FOR TODAY?
Yes.
“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:39)
…Be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18b)
AREN’T YOU FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT WHEN YOU ARE SAVED?
It is the Holy Spirit who draws you and enables you to be saved through the blood of Jesus, but there is a difference between His being with you and baptizing you.
He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:17)
Paul asked the Ephesians, “Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?” (Acts 19:2)
WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT?
For directed power: Power to witness, power in prayer, power over Satan.
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26)
God’s Word tells us to be filled with the Spirit:
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)
DOES EVERYONE WHO IS FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT SPEAK IN TONGUES?
This is accepted as the initial sign of the infilling of the Holy Spirit, paralleling the experience of those who received this in the New Testament Church:
And they were all filed with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4)
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. (Acts 19:6)
ARE TONGUES A SURE SIGN SOMEONE IS FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT?
Not necessarily. The Devil can imitate and people can mimic. Remember that Satan is a deceiver.
THEN HOW DO I KNOW THAT MY EXPERIENCE IS REAL?
By the collaborating evidence: Power in your life to witness, in prayer, and power over the enemy.
I WANT THE BAPTISM, BUT I AM AFRAID I WILL GET A WRONG EXPERIENCE
Be sure your heart is right towards God. If you are sincerely seeking Him, He will not let the Devil put anything false on you.
If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him? (Luke 11:11-13)
DO YOU HAVE TO BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT TO GO IN THE RAPTURE?
The Bible says those who will go up in the rapture are those that are Christ’s at His coming (1 Corinthians 15:23 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16). Those who have been born again and are living for Christ will go in the rapture.
CAN I LOSE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?
David prayed, “Take not thy Holy Spirit from me.” (Psalms 51:11b) Satan tries to rob you of any experience you receive from God. Praying every day in the Holy Spirit will keep your experience fresh:
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost…(Jude 20)
KEY VERSES ABOUT THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. (Matthew 3:11)
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I got no away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. (John 16:7)
And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (Luke 24:49)
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
And suddenly there cam a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh;
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. (Acts 2:16-17)
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)
If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also; and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him. (John 14:7)
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. (Acts 19:2)
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. (Acts 19:6)
If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
If he ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him? (Luke 11:11-13)
And I will pray the Father and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever;
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him; but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you and shall be in you.
I will not leave you comfortless. (John 14:16-18)
…for with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people.
To whom He said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing… (Isaiah 28:11-12)
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. (Matthew 3:11)
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:5)
Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that He said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 11:16)
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions;
And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. (Joel 2:28-29)
Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2:38-39)
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. (1 Corinthians 14:2)
Study these incidents of Holy Spirit baptism:
- Day of Pentecost: Acts 2:2-4
- House Of Cornelius: Acts 10:44-46
- Converts At Ephesus: Acts 19:6
Do you need help with this assignment or any other? We got you! Place your order and leave the rest to our experts.