School of the Spirit: Living the Holy Spirit-Empowered Life Sample

Day 5: How to Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit 

“And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.” (Acts 19:6).

If you want to experience the Spirit-empowered life and follow the pattern of Jesus and the apostles, then you need the infilling of the Holly Spirit. Here are some things I have found helpful:

• Be convinced. Allow the strong, biblical case for the baptism in the Holy Spirit to convince your heart that it’s the will of God for you. 

• Prepare your heart. Focus on the Father’s promise to you and open your heart to receive it.

• Ask the Father. Believe He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. Remember that it’s a gift, and it’s from Him to you.

• Create an environment of worship. Oftentimes, your heart will be awakened to the glory and goodness of God during worship. It is the place where you will be most sensitive and receptive to the moving of the Spirit in your life. As you worship, you will be creating a spiritual environment for the Lord to come, to be enthroned, to speak to, and empower you.

• Ask someone who has received the Holy Spirit to lay their hands on you and pray with you. The laying on of hands is one of the fundamental doctrines of the Church. Impartation happens when believers lay hands on one another in prayer. 

• Ask the Holy Spirit to show you a picture of what it would look or sound like for you to be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues. I believe this is a key. Your imagination, your mind’s eye, is a gift from God. Ask the Holy Spirit, “Please show me a vision of what being baptized and speaking in tongues will look like for me. I want to be able to see it.” The Lord will show you, and you will suddenly see yourself receiving and speaking.

• Release it verbally. Speaking is required, so open your mouth and speak.

• Thank God for giving you a prayer language. Stay in the moment and praise Him. Thank Him for giving you His promise.

• Steward well what He has given you. Remember, Paul told us in Ephesians 6:18 to pray at all times in the Spirit.

• Pray for more. Ask the Holy Spirit for more of Him—to continue to fill you to overflowing.

God, I’m hungry for more of You. I want everything You have for me. Jesus, baptize and fill me with the Holy Spirit. Give me power and release a prayer language in me. I want to encounter You. Thank You, Lord, for this baptism. In Jesus’ name, Amen.