The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the overflowing of the Holy Spirit into, upon and out from the believer. It is the fulfilment of the "promise of the Father" (Luke 24:49). We believe that the Baptism in the Spirit is God's will for every believer. All who have put their faith in Jesus Christ are expected to seek for and receive this blessing.

Acts 8:14-17
14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 19:2
2 he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit."
6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit gives the believer a deeper relationship with God.

1 Corinthians 14:4
4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

Romans 8:26
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Ephesians 5:18-19
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,

It gives power for Christian service.

Acts 1:8
8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Luke 24:49
49 "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."

1 Corinthians 12:7-11
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,
9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,
10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

It gives strength to live as Jesus commanded. It is easy to see why this experience is so important for every believer to receive.

Jude 20
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is accompanied by the provision of "speaking in tongues." This is a supernatural enablement to utter words in a language never learned (Acts 2:4). This language is for spiritual communion with God.

Acts 2:4
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The keys for receiving the Spirit Baptism are found in John 7:37-38:

37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."

• Thirst. You must admit your need for the Baptism. You must earnestly desire this blessing that only God can give.
• Come. You must come to Jesus who is the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit. Present your need to Him (Luke 11:11-13).
• Drink. You must accept that which Jesus has promised you. Allow Him to immerse your spirit in His Spirit, filling you to overflow.
• Believe. You must receive this blessing by faith (Mark 11:24).
• Flow. This is an active response to having received. It’s your faith in action, allowing the Holy Spirit to flow from your lips.