01-23-11 AM - Baptism with the Holy Spirit

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Acts 1:8
…but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."
Acts 1:5
For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

It’s been said that the greatest promise to the world is John 3:16  "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life, and that the greatest promise to the church is Acts 1:8.
1. The name of the experience:

Acts 1:8 baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Matt. 3:11 "As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Mk. 1: 8"I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

The Holy Spirit is often referred to as a Comforter, and the Greek word for this is “paracleat” which means to come along side of.


Mat 7:11  "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!


2. What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit:

a) It is not Salvation/ New Birth.

• The disciples were converted (John 1) under Jesus ministry but as much as two years later Jesus commanded them to go and wait (Lk.. 24:49) for the promise of the Father.
• The Samaritans received Christ under the ministry of Phillip (Acts 8:5) but two days later (Acts 8:17) received the Holy Spirit under the ministry of Peter and John.
• Paul was converted on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:5) after a personal vision of the resurrected Christ. But was baptized with the Holy Ghost under the ministry of Ananias three days later. (Acts 9:17-19).
•  The twelve at Ephesus were believers according to Paul’s own words. (Acts 19:2)

But they later received the Holy Spirit when Paul laid his hands on them in Acts 19:6.
b) It is not Sanctification.

c) It is not just for the disciples.

In Acts 2:16 Peter stands up in front of a large crowd and says “This is that which was spoken of by the Prophet Joel”.

He didn’t say “Now this is the fulfillment of what was spoken by the prophet Joel”.

Matt. 21:4-5
4 Now this took place that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying,
5 "SAY TO THE DAUGHTER OF ZION, 'BEHOLD YOUR KING IS COMING TO YOU, GENTLE, AND MOUNTED ON A DONKEY, EVEN ON A COLT, THE FOAL OF A BEAST OF BURDEN.'"

a) It is a definite experience subsequent to salvation whereby the Third Person of the Godhead comes upon the believer to anoint them for special service.

b) The promise of the Father.

Luke. 24:49
"And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."

Acts 1:4
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.


c) The command of the Lord.
Acts 1:4
…he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
Eph. 5:18
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.


3. The purpose of the experience
Acts 1:8                                           
…but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."


1. Power for service.

Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.

Acts 4:29-31
 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

What’s mine is yours and what’s yours is yours.
2. Power for spiritual warfare.

3. Power for ability.   

• Ability to follow.
• Ability to respond
• Ability to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ
• Ability to love
• Ability to preach
• Ability to exercise spiritual gifts.
• Ability to suffer persecution
• Ability to live a holy life
• Ability to work for God; to work lovingly, willingly, faithfully, and untiringly till He returns or our race is done.

4. How to receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit
The first step would to be saved, born again, be a Christ follower.
But then there is the issue of Faith. It is a matter of believing God will send His promise upon us and that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit.
Then we need to be free to yield our entire being to Him. This thought of yieldedness is fundamental to the entire spirit filled life and ministry.
Then we come to the point that is most difficult in our western culture. Tarry or wait for the promise.
The disciples waited ten days. That does not mean you will have to; it could be instantaneous, or it could be longer. Just keep seeking.