“Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.”
1 Corinthians 12:1 (NIV)
“37’.....If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’ 39By this He meant the Spirit... ”
John 7:37-39 (NIV)
“7But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.... 13But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the 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.”
John 167,13 (NIV)
It is impossible to live the Christian life apart from the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Every born again believer receives the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit with Salvation.
However, Jesus instructed His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for a second experience, which He called the ‘Baptism in the Holy Spirit.” The Baptism in the Holy Spirit activates the gifts of the Holy Spirit in us.
Jesus the Baptiser
“I baptise you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire."
Matthew 3:11 (NIV)
John the Baptist taught that water baptism was an act of repentance, and that Jesus would baptise His disciples with the Holy Spirit.
Power to be a Witness
“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.”
Acts 1:8 (NIV)
The Holy Spirit empowers us to be effective witnesses. A witness is one who not only tells the truth, but also lives the truth. Jesus baptises us with His power so that we will boldly go and share the Gospel with people who do not know or follow Him.
God's Gift for Today
“38Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptised, 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. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call” Acts 2:38-39 (NIV)
Peter taught that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a gift promised to every believer, not just for those present during Pentecost, which was the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
How to Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
“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!”
Luke 11:13 (NIV)
James tells us that we do not have because we do not ask. In order to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we must ask—and we must ask in faith.
The Laying on of Hands
“Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 8:17 (NIV)
Many disciples in the New Testament received the baptism of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands.
Spiritual Gifts
‘All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
Acts 2:4 (NIV)
“44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God."
Acts 10:44-46 (NIV)
“When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.”
Acts 19:6 (NIV)
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is accompanied by the manifestation of spiritual gifts. In the biblical accounts of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, the most common spiritual gift manifested was the gift of tongues.
The Gift of Tongues and Prophecy
“1Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 3But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort."
1 Corinthians 14:1-3 (NIV)
There are nine gifts of the Holy Spirit of which tongues and prophecy are only two of them. Both are designed for edification and strengthening. Tongues strengthens the individual and prophecy strengthens the church.
“4Those who speak in a tongue edify themselves, but those who prophesy edify the church. 5I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. Those who prophesy are greater than those who speak in tongues, unless they interpret, so that the church may be edified.”
1 Corinthians 14:4-5 (TNIV)
“14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.”
1 Corinthians 14:14-15 (NIV)
“39Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.”
1 Corinthians 14:39-40 (NIV)
More on the Baptism in the Holy Spirit in the Appendix on page 91.
QUESTIONS
• Have you repented of your sins?
• Have you put your trust in Christ alone for salvation?
• Have you received the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
• Would you like to have someone pray with you to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
This Week:
• I will apply
• I will share with.