When speaking of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, we can already understand in advance that this should be a desire that must burn in the heart of those who serve Jesus Christ. For the baptism in the Holy Spirit is a clothing of power and spiritual authority. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is granted to all those who seek God and His word. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is given to all who raise their hands and profess their faith in Christ Jesus; who understood that it was necessary to be born again, allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell within their hearts.
Jesus Christ had as His main goal to baptize His people in the Spirit. We can observe this when we see someone named John saying: I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Matthew 3:11)
John the Baptist clearly stated that he baptized with water those who had repented. He also makes it clear that after him would come someone mightier than he, someone far superior, whose sandals he was not worthy to carry. John then declares that the one who would come would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. John the Baptist was teaching that the work the coming Messiah would perform included baptizing His followers with the Holy Spirit and fire. The baptism in the Holy Spirit grants us power to live for Christ and witness His great deeds.
All who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives must proclaim that Jesus Christ continues to baptize in the Holy Spirit, for He has not changed; He remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus Christ commanded the disciples not to begin witnessing until they were baptized in the Holy Spirit and clothed with power from on high. And we understand that the disciples had to wait for the fulfillment of this promise in persevering prayer. Every Christian who longs for the baptism in the Holy Spirit must do the same: wait in prayer and perseverance.
Jesus’ Breath and Regeneration
On the day Jesus rose, He breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22)
“Receive the Holy Spirit” establishes the fact that the Holy Spirit, at that moment, entered the disciples in an unprecedented way to dwell in them. We understand that this “receiving” of life through the Holy Spirit precedes the authority granted by Jesus to them, as well as the baptism in the Holy Spirit a few days later, on the day of Pentecost. We comprehend that regeneration and new life were being granted to the disciples at that moment. We can observe that the disciples also needed to be clothed with power by the Holy Spirit, so this baptism is an experience subsequent to regeneration.
Being baptized in the Holy Spirit is experiencing the fullness of the Spirit. We can understand that this baptism was reserved to happen only from the day of Pentecost onward. Regarding those who were filled with the Holy Spirit before the day of Pentecost, we comprehend that Luke does not use the expression baptized in the Holy Spirit, as this event would only occur after the ascension of Jesus Christ. For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. (Acts 1:5)
It is a privilege to receive from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself the baptism in the Holy Spirit, for it is the Lord Jesus Himself who baptizes in the Holy Spirit those who believe in Him. And 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. (Luke 24:49)
We observe that when Jesus says “the Promise of My Father,” He refers to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The baptism in the Holy Spirit gives the believer heavenly power and boldness so that they can perform great works in the name of Christ and have effectiveness in their testimony and preaching. This power is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit, in which the presence, glory, and operation of Jesus Christ are made present among His people.
Who is the Holy Spirit?
Jesus Christ calls the Holy Spirit “Comforter,” that is, the Holy Spirit is literally “someone called to stand beside someone to help them.” The Holy Spirit is the one who strengthens us, advises us, is our help, our advocate, our ally, and our friend. When Jesus Christ says He will send “another Comforter,” Jesus is saying He will send another, but “of the same kind,” that is, the Comforter came to continue what Christ accomplished on earth.
The Holy Spirit (Comforter) would do for the disciples everything that Jesus Christ had done for them when He was among them. The Comforter would be side by side with them to help them, providing the right direction for their lives, consoling them in difficult times, interceding for each of them in prayer, and remaining with them not just for one day, but forever. Jesus Christ presents Himself as our helper, for when He was here on earth, He always sought to help others.
Jesus is also the one who intercedes for us in heaven. The Holy Spirit is our helper and the intercessor who dwells in us here on earth. 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. 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. (Romans 8:26,27)
The Results of the Genuine Baptism in the Holy Spirit
Prophetic messages of praise: 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. (1 Corinthians 14:15)
Greater sensitivity to sin that grieves the Holy Spirit and greater pursuit of righteousness in deeper perception of divine judgment against ungodliness: And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. (John 16:8)
A life that glorifies Jesus Christ: However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. (John 16:13,14)
Visions from the Spirit: And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. (Acts 2:17)
Manifestations of the various gifts of the Holy Spirit: There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 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. (1 Corinthians 12:4-10)
Greater desire to pray and intercede: Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:41,42)
Greater love for the word of God and better understanding of it: However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. (John 16:13)
A growing conviction of God as our Father: For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. (Romans 8:15,16)
How to Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
To receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, the word of God mentions some prior conditions so that we can receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
- We must accept by faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives.
- We must turn away from sin and the world.
- We must live a life of submission to God.
- We must turn away from and abandon everything that offends God, so that we can then be “a vessel of honor, sanctified and useful for the Master.”
- It is necessary to desire the baptism.
- We must have great hunger and thirst for the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
- We must be in constant prayer, for many receive the baptism as an answer to their prayers in this regard.
- We must wait convinced that God will certainly baptize us in the Holy Spirit.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit remains alive in the life of every Christian who has a life of prayer, testimony, worship in the Spirit, and fellowship. No matter how powerful the initial experience of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is in the believer’s life, if it is not expressed in a life of prayer, testimony, and holiness, it will soon become a fading glory.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit occurs only once in the Christian’s life and leads them to a life of consecration to God’s work, thus witnessing with power and righteousness. The Bible speaks of subsequent renewals after the initial baptism in the Holy Spirit. The baptism in the Holy Spirit leads the Christian to a relationship with the Holy Spirit that must be renewed and maintained.
Therefore, if we seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit, upon receiving it, we must continue persevering in prayer and in constant pursuit of the heavenly gifts that God has to pour out on our lives. The Holy Spirit is our friend, counselor, the one who is by our side to help us in the walk of faith. We must have the Holy Spirit as our friend, talk to Him daily, sharing our difficulties, telling Him that we love Him, adore Him, and that He is important to us.
No matter how long we have been seeking this clothing of power. We must continue persevering in constant prayer, for God will certainly clothe us with this power and give us authority and power to perform wonders in His work. God will certainly baptize you in the Holy Spirit at any moment; just believe and continue in prayer.
