Powerful Blessing for All
Before Jesus went back to heaven He told His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit. Those that waited and prayed were filled with heavenly power. They began to speak in other languages and to tell others about Jesus. This baptism is for all who want to receive it.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Matthew 3:11 (NIV)
“I baptize 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 baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Luke 24:49 (NIV)
I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Who sent and baptizes us in the Holy Spirit?
John 14:16-17
(16) And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—
(17) 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.
John 14:26
But the Advocate, 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.
What did Jesus say about the Holy Spirit?
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.”
Why was the Holy Spirit sent?
Read the following verses from Acts.
(1) When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
(2) Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
(3) They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
(4) All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
(14) When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria.
(15) When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
(16) because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
(17) Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
(17) Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
(18) Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,
(44) While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
(45) The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.
(46) For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said,
(47) “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”
(5) On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
(6) When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
Who?
How did they receive the Holy Spirit?
What happened?
Our Hearts for Lost People
We read in Acts 2:4 that the people began to speak in tongues, as the Holy Spirit enabled them to. The Holy Spirit gives us the words to say and we speak them out. It is a gift, a special prayer language.
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
(1) Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.
(2) For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.
(3) But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
(4) Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
(5) I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
(6) Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?
(7) Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?
(8) Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?
(9) So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.
(10) Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
(11) If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me.
(12) So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
(13) For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.
(14) For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
(15) So 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.
(16) Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying?
(17) You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.
(18) I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
(19) But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
(20) Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.
(21) In the Law it is written: “With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.”
(22) Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.
(23) So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
(24) But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all,
(25) as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”
What are the benefits of praying in tongues?
Receiving the Holy Spirit
(21) Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
(22) And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
How do we receive the Holy Spirit?
We receive this gift by faith. This means, by asking, expecting to receive, and speaking out in faith
(7) “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
(8) For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
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!”
How can we be sure that we will receive the Holy Spirit?
Ask a Friend
Can you share about your baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Do you have any other questions about baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Application
How can you receive Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Would you like to be baptized in the Holy Spirit? Take this opportunity to receive prayer
I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
Prayer Model
Lord Jesus, I thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to us. Please baptize me in the Holy Spirit. I want to receive the gifts You have for me. Please fill me with Your power so that I can tell more people about You, and please use me in Your plan to reach out to many people.
Key Verse
“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.”
