The Baptism in the Holy Spirit – Week 20 / May 13th

by admin

“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon
you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you
are endued with power from on high.”
Luke 24:49

Jesus promised His disciples a Baptism (infilling) of the Spirit that would equip them for effective service. This was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost as they were gathered in prayer in an upper room. The Spirit of God came down upon the waiting and praying Disciples in the form of tongues of fire that settled upon each of them. (Acts 2:1-4)There was immediately a supernatural consequence in that they began to speak in languages that they had never learned before and they had a boldness that was unusual. (Acts 4:31) The effect was immediate and incredible! Thousands of people came to faith in Jesus and in the days that followed remarkable miracles took place at the hands of the Disciples. (Acts 2:4-41) Jesus had come again into the world and was now powerfully working through His children. This promise of a unique Baptism of the Spirit is made to every believer throughout time until the consummation of the age. (Acts 2:39) That is, it is our inheritance as well as it was purchased for us on the cross! (Acts 2:33) Moreover, since God’s work in the world should not be done without it we would do well to find out more about it and, more important still, experience it!

The Work of the Spirit
The Baptism of the Spirit should not be confused with the work of the Spirit called Regeneration. Regeneration is that work of the Spirit whereby the individual, by repentance and faith in Jesus’ finished work, is transformed from within and is Born Again. That is, the recipient receives life by the Spirit and is saved. By the Baptism of the Spirit the saved individual is “clothed” or anointed by the Spirit and is consequently empowered to serve.  (Acts 1:8) This is a second experience since its depth and potency is dependent upon the individual’s willingness to sacrifice and serve. The Baptism of the Spirit is all about serving or a willingness to “go”. Those who will not go and will not serve, will not get!

The Old and New Testaments
We need to ask ourselves this question: “What is the difference between the Spirit’s work in the Old and New testaments?” In other words, “What changed with the arrival of the New Testament?” In the Old Testament period people were “born again” (regenerated) but not baptized with the Spirit. In other words God changed their hearts but could not entrust the fullness of His empowered life to them. In fact only a few people, mainly leaders in Israel, were baptized with the Spirit for a specific purpose and only for a limited time. Moses longed for the day when all God’s people would be baptized by the Spirit! (Numbers 11:25-29) However, it is clear that God did indwell His people by His Spirit and thereby changed their hearts. Without this changing work no one can follow God and indeed has no desire to! (Romans 8:7) Fallen nature was the same in the Old Testament period as that of the New. (1Samuel 10:9 Isaiah 63:11; Psalm 51:10-11)

Moreover, how could Jesus upbraid Nicodemus for not being “born again” if he couldn’t be until at least three years in the future? (John 3:1-3) In fact Jesus tells Nicodemus that, as a spiritual leader in Israel, he should have been aware of this reality and then He goes on to say that He and His disciples have known this all along. (John 3:9-12) The point is clear; Nicodemus should have been born again and as a theologian he of all people should have known this and it is important to take note that this was still in the Old Testament period. Jesus had not yet died!! Yes, people in the Old Testament period were regenerated or born again but not baptized with the Spirit except for a few leaders for a short time. Also, many preachers assert that the disciples were born again when Jesus breathed on them after His resurrection from the dead. (John 20:22) If this were true then it would contradict scripture and Jesus’ words to Nicodemus would make no sense. In actual fact Jesus was playing out a prophetic picture here in that He was preparing them for what would happen on the Day of Pentecost. That is; they would hear the noise of a mighty rushing wind, (Acts 2:1-2) the sound of His breath from Heaven, and would receive the Holy Spirit! He was thus showing them what to expect as He poured out the Holy Spirit upon them on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:33) Jesus did many “strange things” like this! (John 9:6)

The Nature of the Baptism in the Spirit
It is clear from scripture that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is given to believers. (John 7:37-39) Paul also made this clear in the first chapter of his epistle to the Ephesians. (Ephesians 1:13) In fact the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is only the beginning of a walk with Jesus typified by many infillings of the Spirit. The disciples were baptized with the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost but they were constantly “re-filled” by the Spirit in the days that followed. (Acts 4:31; Acts 13:9)) That is, there is one baptism of the Spirit but many fillings! Why? Because believers change in their commitment to Jesus and He only gives a powerful anointing to those who remain true to His calling over their lives. Many great preachers, like Samson of old, have lost their anointing even though they had great gifts in God!  I have seen and felt this sad reality and this why Paul writes that believers must guard their spiritual lives and so ensure that they are filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18) God’s Spirit can be grieved because He is a person and then, if this is not corrected by repentance, He withdraws His power and blessing on a ministry. (Ephesians 4:30) To really know and enjoy the blessing of God’s Spirit the community of God have to raise their awareness and respect for Him. Ananias and Sapphira told a lie to the disciples but actually the lied to the person of the Holy Spirit and subsequently, to protect the great anointing on the Church, they were struck down and killed! (Acts 5:1-11)

Also the Baptism of the Spirit is more than just the reception of power to accomplish great things for God in a dark and dying world. Jesus made this plain in His teaching about the Spirit in John’s Gospel. The Baptism of the Spirit is indeed being “clothed with God” in a way that you come to know His voice, fellowship, promptings and warnings in a new way. (John 16:5-15; Acts 16:6; Acts 18:5) We cannot do ministry without Him and thus we all need to cultivate a close relationship with Him.

It is also important to note that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a definite experience that is and should be evidenced by the speaking of a devotional tongue or heavenly prayer language! (Acts 10:44-46; Acts 19:6)Every believer needs this amazing language (1Corinthians 14:5, 18) to enrich their lives and help them to pray effectively.  (1Corinthians 14:2, 4)This has nothing to do with the gift of tongues that is always given to the gathered church with the gift of interpretation. (1Corinthians 14:27) Thus you will know if you have been baptized by the Holy Spirit!

The Conditions that have to be met

A powerful Baptism of the Spirit is given to those Christians who:
1.    Are prayerful. The early church was endued with power from on high because they were a praying people. They knew how to wait upon God. (Acts 1:14; Acts 4:23-31)
2.    Are thirsting for more of God. (John 7:37-39)
3.    Are obedient to God. (Acts 5:32)………and;
4.    Are prepared to serve and go into the world with God’s light in Christ. (Luke 24:46-49)

Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? (Acts19:2)

Malcolm Hedding

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