The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Rev. Susan Bottger

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is at times a source of conflict and misunderstanding in the church today. Unfortunately, many Christians are not aware of what the scriptures say or the promises that are offered to us by Jesus himself!

The Holy Spirit is Promised!

In Acts 2:33, after the Holy Spirit had come upon the disciples at Pentecost, Peter said, “And the Father, as He had promised, gave Him (Jesus) the Holy Spirit to pour out on us just as you see and hear today. (New Living Version)

Jesus Said…..

John 14:15-18 "If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

John 14:26  “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

John 16:8-15  “ When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said, “The Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.”

How Important Is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

It was so important that Jesus told his disciples not to begin their ministry until they received it. He knew it was essential to have the power the Holy Spirit provides.

Luke 24:49  "And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven."

Acts 1:4-5 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 

Ephesians 5:8  “....and do not be drunk with wine; in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Have You Received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

In Acts 19:2, Paul asked some of the early believers in Ephesus, “Did you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit when you believed?” The same question is being asked of you today. What is stopping you from receiving all that the Lord has promised to you?

He clearly says in the Word: “This promise is to you and to your children, and even to the Gentiles-all who have been called by the Lord our God.” (Acts 2:39)   That’s you!

How Do I Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

1. You must first belong to Jesus Christ.

You must accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. If you have never received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, go to our message on Salvation. “What must I do to be saved?” So first and foremost, you must belong to Jesus.

Romans 8:9 “You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.”

2.  Be ready to surrender

Allow God to take all of you.

Romans 12:1-2 “ Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

3. Repent and then turn from any known sin.

Acts 2:37-39 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

4. Have a willingness to obey.

If we want to be immersed in the Holy Spirit you need to be prepared to obey the Holy Spirit.

Acts 5:29-32  Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!  The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead-whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."

You must take all of God, not just the parts you want. We need to renounce our way and submit to God’s plan and purpose for our life.

John 14:23-24 "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

 5. You must ask & believe you will receive.

Ask Jesus to baptize you with the Holy Spirit and believe you will receive. You may use a simple prayer like this: “Lord Jesus Christ, I believe that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is meant for all believers. Just as I trusted you by faith for my salvation, so now I ask you and believe we will baptize me with the Holy Spirit. I want everything you want me to have.” 

Luke 11:9-13 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 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?"

John 14:14 “If you ask anything in My name I will do it.” 

What Do I Do Next?

1. Thank Him for giving you the Holy Spirit. 

2. Exercise what God has given you.

The Bible says all those who were filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost began to speak in other tongues. This was the evidence of the baptism.

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

Those baptized with the Spirit began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. They spoke the words the Spirit gave them. The Holy Spirit gave the words and the believers did the speaking. The believer is participating in the experience. My Pastor has used a statement many times and seems fitting here, “Without the Holy Spirit you can’t, without you He won’t.”   

3. Bear Fruit

Acts 1:8 When we allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives the fruit of the Spirit that brings glory to God is then manifested. The whole purpose of receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit is this: “But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will receive power and you will be my  witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the world”

Bearing fruit means being a powerful witness for Christ! It also means that the Holy Spirit will work in you and produce the fruit of the Spirit.

Gal 5:22-23 22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

Scripture quoted from New International Version and The Living Translation Bible.