Baptism in the Holy Spirit

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Baptism in the Holy Spirit

¶And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 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. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. Acts 19:1-6

"Fear not: believe only" Luke 8:50

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:9-13

And he said unto him, Son, you are forever with me, and all that I have is yours. Luke 15:31

Every Christian is called to be "filled with the Spirit"

Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. Matthew 16:24-28

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

"The kingdom of God comes not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38

And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What did you go out out to the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously appareled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet. This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. Luke 7:24-29

What did Christ mean by "he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than John?"

The Torah and the Prophets were proclaimed until John: from then on the Kingdom of God is being preached and everyone enters it forcibly. Luke 16:16 (Power New Testament)

Truly I say to you: there has not been born of woman greater than John the Baptist: but the least in the Kingdom of the heavens is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of the heavens is taken by violence, and shares in the heavenly kingdom are sought for with the most ardent zeal and the most intense exertion and violent men are seizing it, each one claiming eagerly for himself. Matthew 11:11-12 (Power New Testament)

For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4

In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline your ear unto me, and save me. Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress. Psalm 71:1-3

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19

The Spirit is within you if you have confessed Jesus Christ with your mouth unto salvation.

That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. Romans 10:9

That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:10-14

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30

Quench not the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:19

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you. Romans 8:11

See the Old Testament analogy of the Israelites not entering the "promised land" as it compares to not receiving the "Promise" and being kept from entering the Kingdom of God.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit or Receiving the Holy Spirit

He breathed on them, and said unto them, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost:" John 20:22

How did the disciples receive the Holy Spirit?

"Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself unto us, and not unto the world?" John 14:22

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:49

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, you have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. Acts 1:4-5

The disciples between Christ's ascension and the Day of Pentecost did not know how or what the "Promise" of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit would take place. They relied solely on the Word of Christ, and obeyed His commandment to tarry and wait. They had only one thought, a single focus on what He promised He was also going to perform. This without question and without doubt, a certainty that He was able to deliver on His Word.

Note, it was something God was to do, they were only to believe. There is nowhere else to seek, or no one else who can Baptize with Fire. It must come from Him, you must be begotten of God, born again of Spirit and Truth, in your spirit, just as you were begotten and born of man. You cannot, but He can. Self cannot cast out self. He must increase while decrease. (John 3:30) Our part is to yield, surrender, and believe in Him. It is the faith of God which works in you which will replace self with Him.

You are to "sup" with Him, and Him with you. For Him to come and abide in you, you must be as the sanctuary of the temple was to the Jews before Christ came. The inner court is now the innermost part of man, but must still be treated as a holy place, where God can dwell and speak.

The "Promise" is not anything we conjure up or pull down. We must instead "present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Him." (See Onto Perfection)

These (disciples) all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ...And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 1:14, 2:1-4

What God said, He will do.

Faithful is he that calls you, who also will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24

God is faithful, by whom you were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9

But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Not for you righteousness, or for the uprightness of your heart, dost you go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God does drive them out from before you, and that he may perform the word which the LORD swore unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Deuteronomy 9:5

Concerning this house which you are in building, if you will walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with you, which I spoke unto David thy father: 1 Kings 6:12

Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it. Jeremiah 1:12

For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, says the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 12:25

Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickens the dead, and calls those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall your seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Romans 4:16-25

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) Hebrews 10:23

Look not at your current condition or circumstances which may be overwhelming to you. Remember Caleb and Joshua. Consider the faith of God in Abraham. Do not fear God because of sin, past failures, or unbelief. Look ahead as did Caleb unto Canaan. Look ahead to the "Promise" of the Holy Spirit, which your heavenly Father desires for you to have. Do not be afraid of the "giants in the new land," which may represent family, friends, and even church elders. Do not let the "natural man," the "carnal man," keep you from your inheritance, which is in Christ's will to you.

You may consider yourself unfit and incapable, but He who works in you is not.

Does it seem that life in the Spirit which you may envision is not possible to accomplish, or you are incapable of achieving? Yes, you are right, you cannot do what He alone is capable of. You cannot live the Sermon on the Mount, but He can through you. The Spirit, the Comforter, the Teacher, will lead you and teach all you say and do. As Jesus stated: "I can of myself do nothing," and "I do not my own will,: and "the words I speak are not my own, but the Father in me." John 5:30, 6:38, 12:49, 14:10.

For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:37-38

Speaking in Tongues

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. Mark 16:15-20

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-4

While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 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. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. Acts 10:44-48

And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? Acts 11:15-17

For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God: for no man understands him; howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he that prophesies speaks unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the church. 1 Corinthians 14:2-4

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 1:20

Two Scriptural ways the Holy Spirit was imparted

1. Hearing the Word of God

While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 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. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Acts 10:44-47

2. Laying on of hands

Then laid they (Peter and John) their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Acts 8:17

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied. Acts 19:6

The kingdom of God is within you

And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God comes not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17:20-21

God's plan is not for you to get into heaven, God's plan is for Him to live in you.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but you know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more; but you see me: because I live, you shall live also. At that day you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. He that has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas said unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:16-23

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. John the Baptist - Matthew 3:11-12

For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. Jesus - Acts 1:5

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. Acts 2:3

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13

The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. Proverbs 20:27

The power of the tongue

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Hebrews 11:3

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathered the waters of the sea together as an heap: he laid up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spoke, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. Psalms 33:6-9

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark 11:22-24

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. ... We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; ...While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:6,13,18

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaks against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Matthew 12:31-37

Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor lists. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindles! James 3:3-5

But whenever I the Lord speak what I speak. that word shell be fulfilled without any delay: in your days. O rebellious breed, I will fulfill every word I speak - declares the Lord God. Ezekiel 12:25 (Tanakh)

So is the word that issues from My mouth: It does not come back to Me unfulfilled, but performs what I purpose, achieves what I sent it to do. Isaiah 55:11 (Tanakh)

Child-like faith

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou might still the enemy and the avenger. Psalms 8:2

And when the high priests and the scribes saw the miracles that He did and the children who were crying out in the temple and saying, "Hoshea-na to the Son of David," they were indignant and they said to Him, "Do you hear what they are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Indeed. And did you never read that 'I prepared praise out of the mouths of infants and those nursing?" Matthew 21:16 (Power New Testament)

And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needs. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:1-13

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. Mark 10:13 - Mark 10:15 (KJV)

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:1-4

God the Father is Love (1 John 4:8) and God is a Spirit (John 4:24), which flesh and blood cannot inherit. You must become as children, seeking the "Bread of Life from the Father of Love. Set aside you ego, your pride, for a humble and contrite heart, one that recognizes you are not worthy except by the Blood of Christ, where with we can approach the Throne boldly.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32

I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. Psalms 81:10

In child-like faith, just as a child expects an after dinner treat his father had promised, your Father which is in heaven offers His "Promise," the "Comforter," to "fill" you and began to reveal the "deep things of God," whereby you may come to know Him as He knows you. Tell Him: "I want to know You as you know me, so I can love You as You love me." Then open your mouth and let Him fill it, believing and trusting that "what He promised, He will also do."

Recommended Book:

The Holy Spirit and You by Dennis J. Bennett

- Receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Index: Seek ye first the Kingdom of God