WHAT IS THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT?
HOW CAN YOU RECEIVE IT?
WHAT WILL IT DO FOR YOU?


More and more people are hearing about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, but due to lack of knowledge, have not entered into their inheritance of being filled with the Holy Ghost. Hosea 4:6 says " My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge ".

Just because you know the Spirit from the New Birth, doesn't mean you are filled with the Spirit.

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a definite experience in which the Holy Spirit, who is already dwelling within the believer is released to overflow and empower him. This Baptism is administered by Jesus and is received by faith. It is the same transforming event the disciples experienced on the day of Pentecost. It is followed by evidences of the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit being manifested in the life of the individual. It is given for the purpose of exalting Jesus Christ in the life and service of the believer. In order to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit it is important to understand the following:

First: IT IS PROMISED TO EVERY CHRISTIAN " 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

" 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.

The remission of sins signifies the New Birth, and then comes the receiving of the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Only for the believer) John 14:17 which the world cannot receive.

From the context of these verses it is clear that " the promise " refers to the outpouring or Baptism of the Spirit. This experience is not just for missionaries, evangelists and pastors, but for every believer.

Second: IT IS A GIFT RECEIVED BY FAITH. Gal. 3:2 We do not have to beg for it. We cannot work for it. We cannot make ourselves good enough to receive it. We must receive it like we would receive any gift. We just take it by simple faith. After we receive it by faith we will begin to experience it. Luke 11:13 " How much more will the Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him? " ASK!!

Third: IT IS ADMINISTERED BY JESUS " John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose; he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire ". Luke 3:16

There is a baptism in water adminstered by man. There is a baptism into the body of Christ administered by the Holy Spirit (See 1 Cor. 12:13) and there is a baptism in the Holy Spirit administered by Jesus.

In Acts 1:4 - 5 Jesus emphasized the importance of being baptized in the Holy Spirit.

" And being assembled together with them, Jesus commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the promise of the Father which saith he, you heard from me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence ".

Ten days later they all received that baptism.

" And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting...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 .

Receiving the Holy Spirit upon conversion and being filled or baptized in the Holy Spirit are two separate and distinct experiences. The disciples had received the Holy Spirit on the day of Resurrection, making them the first born again Christians.

" And when he (Jesus) had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost ". John 20:22.

Fifty days later they received the infilling or Baptism in the Holy Ghost.

In Acts, Chapter 8: 14 - 17, the Samaritans had been baptized in water after having believed in Jesus and yet they did not automatically receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Peter and John prayed for them and laid their hands on them that they might receive the Holy Ghost.

Paul received Jesus on the road to Damascus. He often referred to the Damascus Road experience as his conversion experience. However, he did not receive the filling of the Holy Spirit until three days later when Ananias laid his hands on him and said, " Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus....hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost ". Acts 9:17

Also in Acts 19:1 - 7 it is clear that these " certain disciples "in Ephesus had not received the baptism in the Holy Spirit although they were " believers " and were called " disciples ". It would have been pointless for Paul to ask: " Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed" if believers automatically received the Holy Ghost when they believe on Jesus as Saviour and Lord.

When Paul discovered they were ignorant of the Holy Ghost and His ministry, " he laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied ".

It is clear from the above passages that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is not the same as the " Born-Again " experience but is another experience altogether.

Fourth: IT IS GOD'S WILL FOR YOU TO RECEIVE IT. As a matter of fact, God commands us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. " Be not drunk with wine but be filled with the Spirit ". Eph. 5:18. When you pray to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, you know that you are asking according to the will of God. So, ask, believing that you will receive the moment you ask!

" And this is the confidence that we have in Him that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us; And if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know we have the petitions that we desired of Him ". 1 John 5: 14 - 15. Just receive it by faith! It is not enough to pray for the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Many pray for years for the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and do not receive it. Why do they not receive it? They do not receive it because they do not claim it by faith. They ask for it, they beg for it, but they do not lay claim to it.

               Do not seek to have an emotional experience. The Bible says, " The just shall live by faith ". God wants you to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit by faith! Feelings will come, but leave that in God's hands. You do your part and He will do His. Feelings are beautiful and good, but we do wrong when we seek to create an emotion ourselves. God will give you overwhelming emotional experiences, but let Him do it. Your part is to TRUST HIS WORD

The following is a suggested prayer. Pray this prayer in faith and you will receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit immediately, with the Biblical evidence of speaking in other tongues.

" Lord Jesus: I do acknowledge you as my Lord and Saviour. I thank you that you died for my sins and I received my salvation by faith; now I receive the gift of the Holy Spirit by faith, and I want to thank you now because I have received the Holy Ghost, now, I expect to speak with tongues, and thank God I will as the Spirit gives me utterance. Thank you, Jesus. Amen ".

Now, as an expression of your faith that God has heard and answered your prayer, just begin to praise God, but not in your own language. The experience of the apostles on the day of Pentecost can be your experience, too. Simply open your mouth and begin to praise God and trust Him for the language unknown to you, a language of the Spirit that is perfect praise to God. I encourage you to do this for several reasons:

First: You are offering perfect praise to God in the Spirit, Jude 1:20

Second: You are cooperating with God in a spiritual miracle. As you begin to speak the Spirit will give you utterance. Act 2:4

Third: It will give you another Hotline to Heaven with which to pray and praise the Lord.

Fourth: It will be a means of personal edification to you. (Read all of 1 Cor. Chapter 14, and note what Paul says about the benefits of praying in tongues).

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself. 1 Cor. 14:4

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit will bring many changes into your life:

1. Jesus Christ will become more real and personal to you than ever before.

2. As you read the Bible, God will speak to you more clearly. You will find its truths more meaningful. You will have a greater desire to read it. John 16:13

3. You will feel love for others flowing through your life such as you have never experienced.

4. You will begin to experience miracles day by day as you maintain a Spirit-filled life.

5. You will have a desire to begin ministering to others in the power of the Holy Spirit.

6. It will be easier for you to share Christ with those who do not know Him. You will have a new power in witnessing for Him. Acts 1:8.

7. As you open up your life fully to the ministry of the Holy Spirit, you will be used in spiritual gifts such as: healings, miracles, prophecy, tongues, interpretations of tongues, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, etc. (See 1 Cor. Chapters 12 and 14; also Romans 12)

Now that you have received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit by faith, it is important to walk in the Holy Spirit by faith, it is important to walk in the spirit moment by moment. Eph. 5:18 says " Be filled with the Spirit ". This simply means that we are not to rely upon a one-time experience but daily we are to experience fresh fillings of the Spirit.

To live a consistent Spirit-filled life, observe the following:

1. WALK BY FAITH! DO NOT DEPEND ON YOUR FEELINGS OR EMOTIONS! " We walk by faith and not by sight ". (11 Cor. 5:7) Claim the filling of the Holy Spirit by faith whether you feel spiritual or not. Put your faith out in front. Your feelings will line up with your faith.

2. CONFESS SINS INSTANTLY! Unconfessed sin in your life will grieve the spirit and you will lose your joy and power. Instant confession brings instant restoration 1 John 1:9

3. ACT YOUR FAITH! Step out by faith! We will never know the resources of God until we attempt the impossible. Witness for Christ. Pray for the sick and expect healings. Say " Yes " to opportunities to serve Jesus. Remember " Faith without works is DEAD " James 1:22.

4. CONFESS GOD'S WORD - NOT YOUR DOUBTS! Satan is the author of doubt and fear. Fill your heart with the Word of God. " Resist the devil and he will flee from you ". James 4:7

5. PRAISE GOD FOR EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS TO YOU! " In everything give thanks ". 1 Thess. 5:18 Make it a habit of life to thank God for your problems as well as for your blessings. It will change your life.

6. BE AVAILABLE! Get involved! Become active in ministering to others. You have received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit not only to bless and enrich your own life but to provide a channel through which God can touch and transform the lives of others.

7. SPEND TIME ALONE WITH GOD IN HIS WORD! " And He (Jesus) withdrew Himself into the wilderness and prayed ". Luke 5:16

Prayer and the Word with fasting is a powerful combination, use it often.

Remember, The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is simply a door into a deeper experience of the reality of Jesus. There is much more to be enjoyed in God than we have yet experienced. LET GO AND LET GOD DO IT!

I trust this little writing has answered some of your questions and has been a blessing to you. As we draw near to God, He will draw near to us, and our problems and questions that seem so great will fade away in the light of His Glory and Grace.

I am thrilled to be living in a generation when God is pouring out His Spirit upon ALL flesh.

God is restoring " HIS CHURCH " and the whole world is feeling the impact of His visitation and restoration through the supernatural power, the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Sincerely in the Love of Christ.



MARANATHA MINISTRIES

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