the Holy Spirit

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a vital, foundational experience for every Christian. Jesus Christ himself promised that he would baptise us in the Holy Spirit: 'In a few days you will be baptised in the Holy Spirit...you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you' (Acts 1:5-8). The baptism in the Holy Spirit is intended for all believers: 'The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off ­ for all whom the Lord our God will call.' (Acts 2:39) According to scripture this experience is a necessary foundation for every Christian, and not an optional extra. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to live this new life. The Greek word for 'power' is dunamis, we get our English word 'dynamite' from it. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the dynamic power of God himself exploding from within us! This experience is not the same as being 'born of the Spirit' (John 3:3-8). It is a subsequent filling and empowering (see Acts 8:12-17; 19:1-6). However, it can happen all at once and sometimes even prior to water baptism (see Acts 10:44-47).

How do you receive this gift?

We have five instances in Acts of people receiving this gift: see Acts 2:1-4, 8:14-17, 10:44-46; 19:1-7. They either received it as a sovereign act of God or by the laying of the hands of those already baptised in the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the one actually who baptises in the Holy Spirit, not other people (Matthew 3:11, Acts 2:33). He is not limited to how he baptises, but he does promise to baptise those who ask in faith (Luke 11:13, Hebrews 11:6)

What should you expect to happen?

Just as in water baptism, where you are completely engulfed in water, so it is with the baptism in the Holy Spirit ­ you should expect to be filled to overflowing (see John 7:38-39). One clear evidence of this in-filling and overflow is a supernatural gift enabling you to speak with other tongues or languages (Acts 2:4). Speaking in tongues is a beautiful and powerful gift from God. It is another language you have never learned which you should use to worship and praise God and pray to him. It can be an earthly or heavenly language (Acts 2:11, 1Corinthians 13:1). By it you are enabled to speak mysteries to God in your spirit (1Corinthians 14:2), and it is a means of building up your spiritual strength and perception (1Corinthians 14:4; Jude 20). 'Do I have to speak in tongues?' Wrong question! Expect to speak in tongues, it is an important new spiritual weapon for you to use in prayer and praise. Through using it properly you will be strengthened in your Christian life and keep your 'spiritual antennae' open. While the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a one-off experience it is important that the Holy Spirit is involved in all areas of your Christian life: for example he gives you the power to witness (Luke 24:48 and Acts 1:8); he enables you to live the Christian life (Romans 14:17); he empowers you with his gifts (1Corinthians 12:8-10 and Romans 12:6-8); he produces the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26) which is the life of Jesus Christ himself. So be filled with the Spirit!