Two questions that should be addressed at this time.
- 1) What does it mean to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit?
- 2) How do we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit?
The gift of the Holy Spirit is realized in two ways.
The first experience of the Christian life is salvation.
The Holy Spirit comes into the believer in salvation to give new life — the life of Christ, eternal life.
John 3:5-7 NKJV Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
The processes of salvation transforms a sinner and gives new life, ( John 3:15-16). That new life is a result of Christ’s redemptive work and being born again. As a result, a believer is placed into the body of Christ by faith in Christ’s finished work, (1 Corinthians 12:13).
Romans 8:9 NET Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to Him.
Everyone who is truly saved has the Holy Spirit living within them. As a result, the Spirit guides, helps, instructs, generates new life, and produces the fruit of the Spirit in them.
The second way the Holy Spirit is realized in the life of the believer is by the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
This is the secret of the Church’s power.
There are several things the baptism in the Holy Spirit is not.
- It is not a second definite work of grace. We are constantly in a process of growing in grace, (2 Peter 3:18). Receiving more grace is not the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
- It is not a “second blessing” but a “baptism in the Holy Spirit.” A believer may be abundantly blessed and not be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
- It is not “sanctification” which is a continual process and work of the Holy Spirit and the Word in our lives.
- It is not “holiness” which is a characteristic of the believer’s new life.
As one receives more of the Holy Spirit they will experience more grace, blessing, sanctification, and holiness.
Holy Spirit baptism is subsequent to and separate from the work of salvation.
Matthew 3:11 NKJV 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.
Mark 1:8 NKJV I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:5 NKJV For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.
Any believer may be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
The term “baptized” implies immersion in the life, power and overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is not just a blessing or inconspicuous residence. Part of the baptism in the spirit is power for service, spiritual warfare, overflow and ability.
- Those in the upper room were converted under Christ’s ministry, (John 1:35-50;13:10-11; 15:3 Luke 10:20). After they believed in the Lord and became His disciples and Apostles, Jesus commanded them to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came upon them, (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:13-14; 2:1-4).
- Under Philip’s ministry, the Samaritans were saved (Acts 8:5-8, 12) and baptized in water, but the Holy Spirit had not fallen on them, (Acts 8:16).
Some days later, Peter and John came and prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit. After they laid hands on them they received the Holy Spirit, (Acts 8:17).
- Paul was converted on the Damascus road, as a result of the vision of the resurrected Christ, (Acts 9:3-9). His sight was restored and he was filled with the Holy Spirit three days later when Ananias prayed for him, (Acts 9:17).
- Twelve Ephesian believers had not received or even heard about the Holy Spirit until Paul arrived, (Acts 19:1-7). After being baptized in water, Paul laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied, (Acts 19:6-7).
John 14:16–17 NKJV And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
Jesus promised to send what the Father had promised and as a result they would be clothed with power from on high, (Luke 24:49).
Acts 2:38-39 NIVPeter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
What must we do to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit?
There are no formulas or specific steps given in the Bible. We are shown how individuals received the baptism in the Holy Spirit, but God cannot be confined to one method or process in fulfilling His promises.
First, we receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.
James 1:6-7 NKJV But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
Galatians 3:14 tells us, “we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.”
Everything received from God comes as a result of faith in His promises. To receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, a person must believe that the gift is available for them, that God will send His Promise, and that Jesus will baptize with the Spirit. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is not primarily feelings, signs or evidences of His presence, although these may be present. In the same manner that a person is saved by faith, the baptism in the Holy Spirit is received by faith. Expectantly and persistently, come to God in faith and ask for the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Should there be a delay in receiving the gift, continue asking in faith and stand on God’s promise until it is completely fulfilled. The seeker will know when the Holy Spirit has come. This faith is not believing that the fullness of the Spirit has come without evidences of His power, for the Holy Spirit will bear witness of His arrival.
Acts 2:38-39 NKJV Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
Mark 11:24 NIV84 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
When seeking the baptism in the Holy Spirit, faith will be revealed by praise and thanksgiving for what God has promised to give. This praise and thanksgiving should not be focused on emotion or personal feelings, but on God’s greatness, goodness, and promise.
The Holy Spirit baptism is given on the basis of God’s goodness and willingness to fulfill His promise.
Luke 11:11-13 NIV84 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
When one asks for the Holy Spirit, they should believe that the Father will give the Holy Spirit. Fear of getting something bad or something other than what God is giving must be removed. Your Father in heaven will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.
The Holy Spirit is a gift from the Father.
Every believer is a candidate to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 2:38, Peter said, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
When you know that you are bought by the blood of Christ and your sins are washed away, you are clean and ready for the baptism in the Holy Spirit. All you have to do is ask in faith in order to receive.
You may receive the Holy Spirit by laying on of hands.
There are references of some receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit when hands were laid on them, (Acts 8:18; 9:17; 19:6). The believer who lays their hands on another does not give or impart the Holy Spirit to them. Jesus is the One Who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and with fire, (Luke 3:16; Mark 1:8; Matthew 3:11). The act of laying on of hands is not the source of receiving the Holy Spirit. When any believer lays hands on another it releases the candidate’s faith. Everyone must receive the Holy Spirit on their own.
What happens when a person is baptized in the Holy Spirit?
Acts 2:4 NKJV And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Notice that in Acts 10:44-46 and in Acts 19:6, “they spoke in tongues.” When the candidate is baptized in the Holy Spirit, they will speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gives the words. “They” did the speaking as the Holy Spirit gave the words. The Holy Spirit will not force the candidate to speak. When He comes, the candidate will be filled (baptized) with the Holy Spirit. One of the evidences of the Spirit’s baptism is speaking in tongues. The Holy Spirit will give supernatural words, but the individual must speak. Speaking in tongues is men and women worshiping God by the Spirit.
To be baptized in the Holy Spirit, the entire being must be yielded so that God may have His way.
What God gives, must be received. The initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance. When the Holy Spirit gives a language to the candidate’s mind and inner being, they must speak the words. The candidate should expect the Holy Spirit to come and move on them. When they recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit on their mind, body, and tongue, they should boldly speak. As they speak, a clear language will come and a deep assurance will overwhelm them. Some will feel their lips and tongue begin to quiver or flutter. This is normal as the Holy Spirit begins forming words and prompting us to speak.
Isaiah 28:11–12 NKJV For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” And, “This is the refreshing”; Yet they would not hear.
These are two ways in which the Holy Spirit comes with stammering lips and another tongue.
Ephesians 5:18–19 NET And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, 19speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord…
Speaking in tongues is not the only evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, but it is the initial evidence.
Several other gifts of the Spirit may happen at the same time, (prophesy, healings, miracles, etc. ). Other evidences of this experience include praise to God (Acts 2:11; 2:47; 10:46); an overflowing joy (Acts 2:46); a deep desire and boldness to testify about Jesus (Acts 1:8; 2:14-18; 4:31; 19:6).
Speaking in tongues is not the baptism in the Holy Spirit — it is the initial physical evidence.
What is the manner in which the Holy Spirit comes?
- As they expected Him, the Holy Spirit came suddenly — Acts 2:1-4.
- While listening to a sermon, the Holy Spirit unexpectedly and instantly came — Acts 10:44-46.
- As they prayed and hands were laid on them, they received the Holy Spirit — Acts 8:14-17; 9:17; 19:6.
- When we ask the Father, He will give the Holy Spirit — Luke 11:9-13; John 7:37-39.
We can expect the Holy Spirit to come any time.
Other Evidences of the baptism of the Holy Spirit
Jesus said they would receive power to be His witnesses when the Holy Spirit came upon them. After the early church received the Holy Spirit they had a new boldness and power to tell the good news about Jesus and God’s plan of salvation, (Acts 2:14–41; 4:19–20; 5:29–33; 6:8–10; 11:22–24; 26:28, 29). Those who receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit are given new power in prayer, a deeper love for the Word of God and the manifestations of the gifts of the Spirit, (Acts 3:1, 4:23–31; 6:4; 10:9; Romans 8:26; Jude 20; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 14:14–17; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
