22Dec
You will be clothed with power from on high! (Lk 24:49)
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is an experience distinct from and subsequent to salvation.
When you are born again, you are born again by the Spirit and God’s Spirit seals us which means we belong to God (Eph. 1:13). The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a separate experience from salvation that every believer should seek and receive. John the Baptist said in Matthew 3:11, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come One who is more powerful than I...He (referring to Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” On the Day of Pentecost, Peter said in Acts 2:38–39, “Repent and be baptized...in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off.”
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a gift from Father God that belongs to every believer.
This baptism of the Holy Spirit is one of many gifts God has given us. We should receive every gift of God. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a gift that is for every believer and it is a gift that belongs to every believer. James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above...” Also, see Luke 11:13.
The Baptism of the Spirit gives you a supernatural language AND supernatural power.
Acts 2:1–4: “When the Day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from Heaven and filled the whole house...They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
Acts 19:1–6: “While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed...’ They answered, ‘No.’ ...When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.”
Acts 4:33: “With great power the apostles [testified] to the resurrection of the Lord...”
Acts 5:12–16: “The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people...Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.”
Why It’s Important for Believers to Pray in Tongues.
#1: When you pray in tongues, you pray directly to God from your spirit. This is your own personal prayer language which you can use to pray and communicate with God.
1 Corinthians 14:2: “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.”
#2: When you pray in tongues, you are spiritually edified and strengthened.
1 Corinthians 14:4: “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself...”
#3: When you pray in tongues, you magnify and praise God from your spirit.
Acts 10:46: “For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.” (NKJV)
John 4:23–24: “Yet a time is coming and has come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth...”
#4: When you pray in tongues, you pray Spirit-directed prayers. The Holy Spirit directs your prayers according to God’s perfect will. You pray as led by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:26–27: “...the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”
5 Steps to Receive the Baptism of the Spirit with the Evidence of Speaking in Tongues.
#1:You must first be born again (See John 3:3 and Acts 2:38).
#2: You must believe that this precious gift—this promise—is for you.
Acts 2:39: “The promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Acts 2:17–18: “In the last days, God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.’”
#3:You must desire the gift of the Spirit.
John 7:37–39: “...Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; because the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (NKJV)
#4: You must ask to receive this gift.
Luke 11:13: “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!”
#5: You must do the speaking.
Acts 2:4: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.” Also, see Is. 28:11-12.
The Holy Spirit will not talk for you. You must speak! You will sense the Spirit giving you utterance, but you must take a step of faith and speak forth what the Spirit gives you in tongues. It may sound strange at first but allow this new supernatural language to flow out of you. You have to remember that you cannot speak two languages at one time. Begin to worship God out of your heart in your own language, and then stop speaking your native language and begin speaking in tongues. Then, pray in your prayer language every day.
For More Information
For more information on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, or speaking in tongues, these are some excellent resources:
"The Bible Way to Receive the Holy Spirit" by Kenneth E. Hagin
"Tongues: Beyond the Upper Room" by Kenneth E. Hagin
"Power from On High" by Charles Finney