BaptismSample

Baptized in the Holy Spirit

At salvation, we are filled with the Holy Spirit. He is our Teacher, Comforter, Advocate, and so much more. He guides us throughout life, speaking to us and directing us as we live in intimacy with Him.

Being baptized in the Holy Spirit is a separate experience from salvation and even water baptism. It is being fully immersed in the Spirit and becoming one in Him - empowered to be His witness. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is not automatic at salvation. The Father gives the overflow of the Holy Spirit to those who ask.

“Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” - Acts

Many in the Body of Christ have assumed that when they were saved they received the Holy Spirit. Yes, this is true!

In Samaria, the whole city gets born again and receives the word of God. John and Peter heard that Samaria has received the Word of God and believed in salvation. They then walked (22 hours by foot) so that they might receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit for it had not fallen upon them yet. When John and Peter arrived, they laid hands on each of the new followers of Christ, and Scripture says they received the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

God is giving us a promise: for those who allow God to saturate their hearts and lives completely and believe in Him as the scripture reveals… their lives will be so immersed and baptized in the Spirit of God that they won’t be able to contain it. Out of their hearts will begin to flow rivers of living water.

“...as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” - John 7:38

The baptism of the Holy Spirit brings the boldness to be God’s witness throughout the earth. It is available to all believers to activate and empower our spirits to receive the truth of the Word of God and make it alive in our spirits.

Questions:

1. Have you been baptized in the Holy Spirit?
2. If so, do you feel the boldness and empowerment that the Holy Spirit brings you? In what ways do you exercise this boldness?
3. Do you believe that God only gives His children good gifts?