The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

What actually IS the Baptism in the Holy Spirit? John the Baptist said that Jesus would baptize people in the Holy Spirit, and the way he said it made it clear that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit was a much bigger deal than receiving the Baptism of John.

“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).

The way some theologians talk, you would think that the Baptism in the Holy Spirit was really no big deal. You would think it is something you could have without even knowing that you had it. But Jesus did not talk this way to his disciples. Some days after He had already breathed on them telling them to receive the Holy Ghost (John 20:22), it is recorded concerning Jesus:

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

Act 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

We know this was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost.

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:4).

This Baptism in the Spirit empowered Peter and the other disciples to boldly preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to pretty much the same crowd who had called for Jesus to be crucified some 50 or 60 days earlier. The result was 3000 men added to the church.

Jesus put emphasis on the disciples waiting for this mighty Spirit Baptism. It happened to them after they were already disciples, after they already had the Holy Ghost in them (John 20:22).

In the Book of Acts, we see that God puts particular emphasis on the Baptism in the Spirit. In the case of Cornelius’ household, God wanted them to receive the Spirit of God in the same way the disciples had on the Day of Pentecost.

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Ghost fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Ghost had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Ghost just as we have?”

(Acts 10:45-47)

There is no exact pattern in the Book of Acts concerning the receiving of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. But each time it is mentioned, it is EITHER a second work of God after initial conversion, something accompanied by supernatural signs, OR BOTH.

This means we should encourage people to press on to seek God and ask for the infilling or baptism in the Spirit until supernatural power comes from God, even if such people are genuinely born-again Christians who love God.

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit was given that we might receive power. “But you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me,” said Jesus in Acts 1:8. Jesus also mentioned the effects of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit in Mark 16:17-20. He said that these signs would follow those who believe: in His name they would drive out demons, they would speak with new tongues… and they would lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

God desires us to be, indeed commands us to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). It is the Holy Spirit who empowers the Christian life, and who empowers the Christian to do mighty works in Jesus’ name.

We should settle for nothing less than an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our lives, because, as Peter said on the Day of Pentecost, “The promise [of the Holy Spirit] is for you, and for your children, and for all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call”. In these days we need every bit of help we can get from God, and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a great help in every aspect of the Christian life.

Michael Fackerell is a Christian writer whose articles on faith have been read by hundreds of thousands of people in the world. He has been involved in church planting, evangelism as well as various media projects and business enterprises over the years. For more information about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, visit http://www.christian-faith.com/forjesus/baptism-in-the-Holy-Spirit. You might also enjoy the hundreds of quality articles written on his website http://www.christian-faith.com which are freely accessible to all. It is a also a great place to meet others who are interested in knowing God personally.