When discussing the baptism in the Holy Spirit, we can understand that this should be a burning desire in the heart of those who serve Jesus Christ. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a clothing of spiritual power and authority, granted to those who seek God and His Word.
This baptism is given to all who, with faith, profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, recognizing the need to be born again and allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell in their hearts.
Jesus’ Mission: Baptizing with the Holy Spirit
Jesus Christ’s primary goal was to baptize His people in the Spirit. This is evident in the words of John the Baptist:
I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful 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 declared that he baptized with water for repentance, but the One coming after him—more powerful and greater—would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. He taught that the Messiah’s work included empowering His followers with the Holy Spirit, equipping them to live for Christ and bear witness to His deeds.
The Call to Wait and Pray
Jesus instructed His disciples not to begin witnessing until they were baptized in the Holy Spirit and clothed with power from on high:
I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. (Luke 24:49)
The disciples waited for this promise with persistent prayer, and every Christian who longs for the baptism in the Holy Spirit must do the same, seeking God in prayer with faith and determination.
On the day of His resurrection, Jesus breathed on the disciples and said:
And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22)
This moment marked the unprecedented indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the disciples, initiating their spiritual regeneration. However, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, with power and authority, occurred later on the day of Pentecost:
For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:5)
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a distinct experience, subsequent to regeneration, reserved for the day of Pentecost and beyond, after Christ’s ascension.
Who is the Holy Spirit?
Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the “Comforter,” someone called to stand by our side to help, strengthen, counsel, and intercede. He is our advocate, ally, and friend.
When Jesus promised to send “another Comforter,” He indicated that the Holy Spirit would continue His work on earth, guiding, comforting, and interceding for the disciples:
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27)
Just as Jesus intercedes for us in heaven, the Holy Spirit is our intercessor on earth, dwelling within us and guiding us.
Results of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
The baptism in the Holy Spirit transforms the believer’s life, producing visible spiritual fruit. Key results include:
- Prophetic Messages and Spiritual Worship:So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. (1 Corinthians 14:15)
- Sensitivity to Sin and Pursuit of Righteousness:When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment. (John 16:8)
- A Life that Glorifies Christ:But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. (John 16:13-14)
- Visions and Spiritual Revelations: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)
- Manifestation of Spiritual Gifts:There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:4-10)
- Increased Desire to Pray and Intercede:Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:41-42)
- Love for and Understanding of God’s Word:But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (John 16:13)
- Growing Conviction of God as Our Father:The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:15-16)
How to Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
The Bible outlines conditions for receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit, including:
- Accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior: Faith in Christ is the foundation for receiving the Spirit.
- Repentance and Turning from Sin: We must turn away from sin and the ways of the world, living in holiness.
- Submission to God: A consecrated life, being a “vessel of honor, sanctified and useful for the Master.”
- Deep Desire for the Baptism: We must cultivate a burning hunger and thirst for the Spirit’s empowerment.
- Persistent Prayer: Many receive the baptism as an answer to consistent prayer.
- Confidence in God’s Promise: We must trust that God will baptize us in the Holy Spirit.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a one-time experience, but its vitality depends on a continuous life of prayer, testimony, worship, and fellowship. Without these, the initial experience may fade. The Bible also speaks of subsequent renewals, keeping the relationship with the Spirit vibrant and active.
The Holy Spirit: Our Friend and Counselor
The Holy Spirit is our friend, counselor, and companion on the journey of faith. We should cultivate a daily relationship with Him, sharing our struggles, expressing our love and worship, and acknowledging His importance in our lives.
No matter how long we have been seeking the baptism in the Holy Spirit, we must persevere in prayer, trusting that God will clothe us with power and authority to perform wonders in His work. He will surely baptize us in the Holy Spirit at the appointed time if we continue to seek Him with faith.
