BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

By Rev. Melphon Mayaka

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BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Introduction

One of the most harmful tendencies or attitudes among Christians is complacency, which is defined in the Merriam-Webster online dictionary as "self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies". When we are complacent, we can ignore what is important and significant or has great potentiality to bring great benefit, often replacing it with what is of less value or significance. I remember when I became a Christian as a youth in a Pentecostal Church, the next big question was "have you been filled with" or have you been baptized with the Holy Spirit? This was so compelling that when I got saved, I went into a 7-day fast in the desperation to filled with the Holy Spirit. But I remember it was on the fifth or sixth day when I told sister, one of the youth leaders, after our Saturday afternoon youth meeting that I had been fasting to receive the Holy Spirit. The sister told me I did not need to fast to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This sister then asked me to kneel down and begin to pray, thanking God for the Holy Spirit. She laid hands on me and, pap I received the baptism with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues! I remained in that state, praying in tongues until she stopped me at some point as we had to go home. So good was the experience though that I did not want to stop. I remember getting home that evening and retreating to a small kitchen later that night, after everyone else had slept, to continue to pray in the acquired unknown tongues. Not only was I speaking in tongues, but I was shaking and bubbling with joy. It was such an amazing experience for me as a new believer in Christ. I wonder whether there is any such desperation any longer among believers to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

These days it is not unusual for believers to stay for years, or even serve God sincerely without the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Is it a question of complacency, so that even in church you don't hear much about it? Are there changes in priorities among believers, or are we in a complacent manner ignoring the "dangers or deficiencies" of being baptized with the Holy Spirit. I remember having a Holy Spirit Baptism classes in our church in those early days, where none other than the Senior Pastor taught people about and prayed for them to be filled with the Holy Spirit because it was a priority in the Christian walk. It was vital for John the Baptist (Luke 1:41) and the disciples (Acts 2:4) and our Saviour Jesus Christ himself to be baptized or filled with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 2:16 see also Luke 4:1) before public ministry. May I suggest to you, avoiding all religious arguments and controversies, that as born-again Christian you need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, if you have not. In these short "how to" notes, I outline why and how to get filled with the Holy Spirit, with the Biblical evidence of speaking in new tongues. To do so, I will address six questions: who is the Holy Spirit; the promise of the Holy Spirit Baptism; the baptism of the Holy Spirit; what one needs in order to be baptized; most frequently asked questions; and the Holy Spirit's work in the life of the believer. Note that these are only very basic but foundational truths about the Holy Spirit since there is much more to be written on this very important subject.

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1. Who is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit, also referred to as the Holy Ghost, is a part of the Godhead: God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus commanded the disciples "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (KJV Matthew 28:19). The phrase does not mean baptizing them "by the authority" of the Father, etc. To be baptized in the name of the Father, etc., is the same as to be baptized "unto" the Father; as to believe on the "name" of Christ is the same as to believe "on Christ," John 1:12; John 2:23; John 3:18; 1Corinthians 1:13. The important point here about the Holy Spirit is that He is part of God in three persons. He was involved in creation when God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth (Gen 1:26). The word used here for God Elohim is plural, which points to the concept of triune God, God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

2. The promise of the Holy Spirit

The idea of ordinary believers (not chosen or selected persons) being filled or full of the Holy was a promise in the Old Testament only fulfilled in Acts. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel (Acts 2:16). The promise of the baptism this way occurs in several portions of scripture both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament.

a. Ezekiel 36:26,27 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

b. Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.

c. Mark 1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

d. John 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

e. John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

f. John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

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g. Luke 24:49 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.

Clearly, these verses reveal that being filled with the Holy Spirit is a promise of the Father, a promise to believers that the world cannot receive: "Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (John 14:17). This a promise, a gift to you as a believer. You do not require to labour, even fast in order to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it is a gift.

3. Recorded incidences of Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Being filled with and being baptized are used interchangeably although being "filled" may have the meaningof being refilled many times over (i.e. whereas baptism is used for the first time experience, being filled is used many times for the same people in the early church (e.g. Acts 4:31) "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness." The following verses record people being baptized with the Holy Spirit for the first time in the book of Acts.

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

2. Act 8:17, 18 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Here we notice that there was evidence because Simon the sorcerer "saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people"

3. Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

4. Act 10:45 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. Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

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

4. What do I need in order to be baptized with the Holy Spirit? Here are some requirements a. This is a promise to only those who are saved or born again so you must be born again, saved in order to receive the Holy Spirit. This is a promise to the believer that "the world cannot receive" (John 14:17) b. Obedience: Act 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him., John 14:15,16 c. To be hungry and thirsty (meaning desire, expectation and faith)--Matt 5:6

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d. Trust and faith in God--Lk.24:49, Acts 1:8, 2:2 e. God expects us to be separated from sin and the world, to be holy or clean (includes

confession and departing from sin)--he is the Holy Spirit--1 Cor. 6:19, 1 Peter 1:16 f. We are told to ask--Lk. 11:11-13

Jesus' teaching in Luke 11:11-13 (also covered in Mathew 7:7-9) is very important because, according to Luke, the teaching on prayer is specific about the heavenly Father's willingness to give "the Holy Spirit to those who ask him". Luke, as a writer who pays attention to detail, captures the fact that we should, of all things necessary, ask for the Holy Spirit, which is easily the best gift second only to salvation. Once saved or born again, every believer should ask and expect to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The good news is that, as you have already seen in the five recorded incidences of the Holy baptism or being filled with the Holy Spirit in # 3 above, you don't require lots of teachings and long prayers to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is a gift that the Father is willing to give to you. Ask, expect and wait. In the book of acts people got saved and immediately were filled with the Holy Spirit. I also add, never get discouraged because you have prayed and not received. The phrase used for "ask" in "ask, and it shall be given you" (Luke 11:9) is "ask and keep on asking," never tire asking God for anything. In the process of waiting you may also learn something you will be able to teach someone or apply in another situation.

Note

As human beings we are inquisitive and perceptual. We want to know exactly how things will happen, we want to feel touch and see action; we want to see and know exact signs. However, notice that Jesus didn't tell them how the Holy Spirit would come although it would appear that the disciples were aware from the scripture that the Holy Spirit would come based on Peter's expose (explanation of facts) about the promise. They however didn't question the master but waited, obediently in exercise of faith. Jesus said, "if you love me you will obey my commandments and I will send you the promise". Sometimes we don't really understand but have to put our full trust in God. God will give us that promise the way He has promised. He will not give us evil tongues; we will not be possessed of the devil to speak devilishly. Maybe we need to come to the level of faith to let go and let Him take control and baptize his way and not the way we expect or have been trained through our foundational (denominational) Christian teaching.

5. Most frequently asked questions about baptism of the Holy Spirit 1. Did we not receive the Spirit when we got saved?

You were born of the Spirit but not baptized in the Spirit. It is certain that the Holy Spirit was not yet given to the disciples so as to dwell in them until the day of Pentecost as John has stated in John 7:39. Note also that Jesus made some distinctions in the Holy Spirit experience: Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for

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he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. "Dwelleth with you" in this context perhaps meaning the presence and indwelling of the Holy Spirit with Jesus who was always with them. Also note from the scriptures above that Paul had to lay hands for believers to receive the Holy Spirit, did he have to if they received the Holy Spirit upon receiving Christ?

It is also notable that although Jesus "breathed on" the disciples to receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:22), he told them "ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you" (Acts 1:8)

John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost

Luke 24:49 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.

2. Must one speak in tongues? Acts 10:45 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. Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. The second verse implies evidence, in the New Testament scriptures tongues were evidence.

3. But tongues are only one of the gifts?

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

Note that the other gifts ware not mentioned, they would have if they were the evidence. Also note that in 1Cor 12 Paul was addressing the questions of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and not being filled or baptized with the Holy Spirit, that is the context. In Ephesians he commands we be filled with the Spirit.

4. Must I shout when Receive the Holy Spirit? It is practically hard to utter things with the mouth shut, sound will come out when the Spirit gives you utterance, you only need to allow Him to give the utterance, it may be loud, very loud!

5. Is one filled only once? Scripture show being filled more than once you should be full.

Act 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

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Remember these people had been filled on the day of Pentecost

6. What might hinder me from being filled? a. One reference is made about this, it is about knowledge, what we know (normally what we have heard from others or have been taught) or don't know:

Act 19:2 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.

Act 19:3 And he said unto them, unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

Act 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.

This is the most direct reference to a hindrance to receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

b. Like in all other prayers, when we pray for the Holy Spirit, we must come to God believing: James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. James 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

I must add that our faith has to be based on the scriptures as outlined above, not feelings, doctrine or any other imaginations.

c. If we continue to live in known sins, that is we continue to live contrary to what the word of God tells us, we cannot expect Christ to baptize us with the Holy Spirit. He is holy (1 Peter 1:16)

Psalm 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: d. Motive is important for any prayer/request to God, the Holy Spirit is for service

and not for show

James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Simon the sorcerer wanted power (by implication the Holy Spirit for the wrong reason)

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Acts 8:13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

6. Why do I need to be baptized with the Holy Spirit? These are only but few of the functions of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer and are not arranged in any order of significance: 1. To shape our character in the image of Christ (fruit of the Spirit)--Gal 5: 22, 23 2. To make us bold to share Christ or witness for him--Acts, 1:8, 4:31 3. Comfort us--John 14:26--we live in a world full of tribulation/persecution. However, in Greek, parakletos means an intercessor, consoler, advocate, comforter, which is a much deeper meaning. 4. In the same vein the Holy Spirit is a helper, think of all the help we need to overcome as mortal bodies. 5. Reveal to us the truth and give us the wisdom from God John 16: 13, 14:26 6. To empower us to do the works of God--Luke. 24:49 7. To strengthen our prayer life and intercede for us--Rom 8:26 8. Gives gifts and ministries for service--1 Cor. 12, Eph.4:11-15

Scriptures mainly from King James Version of the Bible

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