Holy Spirit Baptism

Holy Spirit Baptism

New Testament Believers

Luke 2

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Simeon had the Holy Spirit upon him before the day of Pentecost. It seems that only isolated individuals had this gift of God before that time. After that event large bodies of believers in Jesus Christ could be filled with the Holy Spirit. We ought to rejoice in this fact. Now it is available for all believers and not just prophets, priests and a few chosen individuals.

Acts 10

37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Jesus was baptized with the Holy Ghost and preached under the anointing and power of the Holy Ghost. He was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Ghost. He healed by the power of the Holy Ghost, He spoke by the power of the Holy Ghost. The same Holy Ghost power is available to all that believe in Jesus Christ.

Acts 2

1 And when the day of Pentecost was 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 all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

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

Now the gift of the Holy Spirit was available to all that would believe and receive Jesus Christ. What a great day this was! God had come to men in this great way to seal his people with the Holy Spirit. Receiving the Holy Spirit is our witness to the reality of God. Those who have been baptized with the Holy Spirit know of a certainty that God is real and really exists. We have the witness of God within us.

I spoke to an atheist not long ago and he kept prodding me about proving that God exists. I knew that there was no way that I could prove that fact to him but I did have the proof within me and nothing he could say or imply could take it away. I knew by the witness of the Holy Spirit within me that God existed. That is one thing that no one can take away from a believer. Faith and the things of the spirit confound the unbelievers of the world. They do not understand it. It is something that is a river flowing within us and the world is confused by it.

Faith is strong and everlasting. No matter what science comes up with, no matter what fossils they claim to find, no matter what is taught in the textbooks, we still no of a certainty by faith that God is real. After we are baptized in the Holy Spirit then we have proof within our innermost being, we have an inner witness that our faith is true. We know of a certainty that not only is God real but Jesus Christ really died on the cross, was really resurrected and really sent the Holy Ghost to reassure us and strengthen us in our faith. God knew that we would need something in these latter days. He knew that there would be a great lie taught in the doctrine of humanism and evolution. He knew that we would need the Holy Spirit. How faithful and great is our Lord to take care of us in that way. Glory is to His great and mighty name.

Acts 8

14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

This shows that there were believers who received Jesus Christ but had not yet received the Holy Ghost. Peter and John came to correct that situation and prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit. This was something that was visible to an onlooker because Simon the sorcerer saw it and desired to have the power to lay hands on people so that they could receive the Holy Ghost. Of course the apostles reprimanded him for thinking the gift of God could be bought with money. In this latter day of using the gospel to make money, I think this lesson should be taught over again. The point though I make is that Simon saw something. He saw something that showed him that this was not ordinary. It was something visible that let onlookers know that these people received the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Ghost descends on them

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

These are people who believed in God faithfully and were devout but they did not know the gospel of Jesus Christ. As soon as they heard that gospel, they believed and received the Holy Spirit. This was proof that the Holy Ghost was for Gentiles (other nations beside Jews) as well as Jews. Back then even the apostles first assumed that the gospel was for Israel only. I'm so glad God allowed us outside of Israel to also receive the Holy Spirit and the salvation by Jesus Christ.

Acts 19

4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Notice that when Paul laid hands on those to receive the Holy Ghost, something happened. They spoke with tongues and prophesied. They spoke with a supernatural utterance not something they thought of with their own minds. This was a sign that they were baptized with the Holy Spirit. This had not happened to them before. I fear for those that either mock or make light of speaking in tongues. It is in the bible and it is scriptural. It was not just something for the apostles and no other people. The scriptures do not support any teaching that the gifts of the spirit have been only for the early church.

Look at the world and the church today and you will see that clearly, "That which was perfect, has not yet come." The need for the gifts of the spirit to stop will be when everyone is healed. Is there any that have no need of healing? When everyone knows the whole truth of the word and have no need of prophetic teaching or utterance, when everyone is perfect and have no need to be edified by private prayer in tongues and intercession and when there is no need for teaching, preaching, correction etc. I could go on and on. The church is not yet perfect, everyone is not yet heard and received the gospel, everyone is not made perfect in love. I conclude then that the gifts of the spirit are still very much needed in the church. They will only stop as the chapter in 1^st Corinthians 13 records, when there is no longer a need for them. They are still very much needed.

Speaking is tongues would seem to be an outward sign of the receiving the Holy Spirit. Many have no trouble accepting the doctrine of the baptism of the Holy Spirit but stumble at this part. They seem to shy away from the "speaking with tongues" part. Yet, no matter how they try to explain it away. It remains part of the New Testament and an important part of receiving the Holy Spirit. I would certainly fear to try and explain away something that God gives. This should be something we desire not something we shy away from. It should not be, "Do I have to receive the Holy Ghost to be save?" It should be, "Do I get to receive the Holy Ghost like the apostles did?" "Is this for me too?" "I can't wait to receive this too."

Instead of trying to explain something away, our attitude should be an attitude of rejoicing and praise that God has not left us alone in this day of confusion and false teaching. He left us with power. He left us with a witness of His reality and His truth.

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Holy Spirit teaching Continued