THE BAPTISM IN THE SPIRIT

Many believe that the born again experience is all that is available to us. The Bible tells us that there is more. There are three "BE's."

BE Born Again (John 3:7)

We believe THE crisis experience is the born again experience. Without it no one could see or enter the Kingdom of God. In our repentance and faith the Holy Spirit regenerates us and we become new creatures (2 Cor. 5:17).

BE Ye Holy (1 Pet. 1:16)

We believe that God's power makes a life of consecration and purity possible.

BE Filled With The Spirit (Eph. 5:18)

Do you sense a need in your life for a greater awareness of God's presence? Do you feel that there is much that is beyond your ability to understand? Do you want more spiritual power? This is the what being filled with the Spirit is all about.

I. THE PROMISE

John 16:7
7 "Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

The disciples are dealing with the prospect of Jesus leaving them. He tells them that it will be better for them that He departs. For these men who had walked and talked with Him for those three and one half years it was quite fearful for them to consider His leaving. Yet for our salvation He had to die and be resurrected. And, for the Kingdom of God to be a reality all over the world, He would have to leave this world and go back to the Father in heaven.

He had already told them that "without Me ye can do nothing." Yet He is leaving them. How could this be?

John 14:16
16 "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—

The Promise is that "another" (the word implies another like the first) would take His place and be to them what He was to them. As Christ was their Comforter the Spirit was be their Comforter. The Holy Spirit was to take the place of Jesus. They would need a holy Helper after Jesus left and this is what the Holy Ghost was.

It was better for Jesus to leave because while He was here He could only be in one place at one time. In heaven He prayed the Father and He sent the Holy Spirit to us. The Spirit is not bound by the limitations that Jesus had and now all of God's children can have the ministry of the Comforter in their lives.

Acts 1:4-5
4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me;5 "for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

Before ascending to heaven Jesus said to wait for the promise - the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

II. THE PREPARATION

Acts 2:1-4
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Spirit came after a time of spiritual preparation. Note that these were saved people. These were not unregenerated sinners but saints waiting on God. For ten days they had prayed. They were in "one place" and in "one accord." I believe these disciples were lining up with God and with each other. There must be nothing to hinder the flow of God's Spirit. Sin, doubt, bitterness, worldliness, etc. will "log jam" the rivers of living water.

Acts 5:32
32 "And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him."

Ephesians 4:30
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-20
16 Rejoice always,17 pray without ceasing,18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.19 Do not quench the Spirit.20 Do not despise prophecies.

I believe that this blessing is for those who truly desire it. Jesus said that if anyone was thirsty to come to Him for the rivers of living water. It requires faith that this is God's will for you.

III. THE POWER

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."

They needed power and so do we. The Baptism in the Spirit produces spiritual power in our lives. It will make the difference...

...IN PRAISE

Acts 2:11
11 "Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."

Acts 10:44-46
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

He will anoint so that we can worship God in the Spirit.

Notice that the spiritual language was praise and worship unto the Lord. Have you ever felt like praising the Lord and it seemed like you exhausted the limited vocabulary that you have too quickly... that He deserved so much more? We can praise Him with a new, inexhaustible praise language given by the Holy Spirit.

...IN PRAYER

Romans 8:26,27
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. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

1 Corinthians 14:14-15
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

Have you ever needed to pray about something and not know how? Maybe a burden comes upon you without you even knowing what it's about. The Holy Spirit knows all things and what lies ahead. He is a perfect prayer partner! We should always seek His assistance when we pray.

When we pray in the Spirit it is prayer in the will of God (our carnal minds can't affect it). With the Spirit praying for the will of God here and Jesus praying for the will of God in heaven how can we lose?

...IN POWER

1 Corinthians 14:2,4
2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

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

The Spirit has come to empower us to live lives that are charged with the power of God. We can become spiritually drained in this sin - cursed world. We can be greatly challenged by the spiritual war we are engaged in. But the Holy Ghost has come to fill us with the ability that is necessary.

He will give us the power we need to operate in the supernatural. We can rely on spiritual knowledge and giftings to overcome all obstacles to serving God.

A Christian simply cannot be what a Christian is supposed to be without the ministry of the Holy Spirit. All must receive this wonderful gift from the Father and yield to the Spirit's ministry always.

---