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BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT
LESSON 8
BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The baptism of the Holy Spirit and the baptism in water are two different things.
Acts 8:14-17
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
John baptized with water unto repentance, but Jesus will baptize us with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Matt 3:11-12
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
The Holy Spirit purges us of our sinful nature, and our desires become one with God.
Acts 1:4-8
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (KJV)
Just like the disciples, we receive the ability (power) to witness about Jesus after we receive the Holy Ghost. That is not to say that one cannot witness about Jesus without the Holy Spirit. But it is the Holy Spirit, which transcends us beyond the philosophical.
It is the Holy Spirit, which gives us boldness.
It is the Holy Spirit that gives us ability.
In the Old Testament Book of Joel, we see that the Lord prophesied the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Joel 2:28-29
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:
And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. (KJV)
Why would God pour out His Spirit upon all flesh? So that He would be testified of, and that His Name would be made known. Sons and daughters shall prophesy, old men shall dream dreams, young men shall see visions.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is given to empower the believer.
But the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not just about empowering…Jesus bypassed what what the disciples said about the power they had received…He said the important thing was that their names were written in the book of Life.
Luke 10:17-20
17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
In the Book of Acts, we see an instance when a man was rebuked for desiring the power of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:9-23
9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
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.
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
Witches and sorcerers set their mind on supernatural power. A child of God is to set his mind on the furtherance of the Kingdom of God. The supernatural power of the Holy Spirit will naturally follow.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is primarily given to believers to testify of Jesus Christ.
John 16:7-14
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
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.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (KJV)
When we are baptized with the Holy Spirit, we are baptized into one body, the Body of Christ.
We are given gifts by the Holy Spirit, in which we are to operate, to further the Kingdom of God. Again, it is not for our glory, but for the glory of God.
1 Cor 12:11-14
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
John 1:32-34
32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. (KJV)
No man can baptize with the Holy Ghost - only Jesus, Who promised He would send the Comforter after He went away.
John 14:15-20
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 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.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.
In John 14:16, we see the Holy Spirit is another (Gr. ALLOS) Comforter, of the same kind as Christ was.
(Greek: allos, AS OPPOSED TO THE GREEK WORD HETEROS, WHICH MEANS ANOTHER OF A DIFFERENT KIND:
Gal 1:6-7
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another (HETEROS) gospel:
7 Which is not another (ALLOS); but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.)
This passage (Jn 14:16) speaks of the Triune nature of God…One God revealed in Three persons. The Holy Spirit is of the same substance of Jesus and the Father, because He is God, as are they.
At Christ's baptism, we see that the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove, and the Father gave His endorsement by declaring Him to be His beloved Son. Jesus walked and operated in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Jesus declared that He only spoke the things that the Father showed Him. Now He would have to depart, if the Holy Spirit was to be given to others.
John 14:25-28
25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
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.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. (KJV)
THE PURPOSE OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1) TO ENABLE US TO WALK ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD
Ezek 36:24-27
24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
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.
(KJV)
2) TO EMPOWER US TO DO HIS WILL
John 16:7-15
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
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.
14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Notice the Work of the Holy Spirit. When He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement. How? The key is when Jesus said the Holy Spirit would come unto you.
In Micah, 3:8, we see that this was the purpose of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament as well.
Micah 3:8
8 But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.
3) Through every Born again Believer, He will reprove the world of sin, because the world doesn't believe in Jesus, and yet right before their eyes is a walking miracle; a Born Again child of God. This person professes to a lost and dying world the Truth of Who Jesus is, and that Jesus came to set them free from the bondage of sin. We are all living epistles of the reality of God. No longer do we do the things we once did.
1 Pet 4:1-5
1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
4) Through the believer, the Holy Spirit reproves the world of righteousness. The word "reprove" means rebuke, or convict,
1651 elegcho- 1) to convict, to refute, to confute
a) generally with a suggestion of shame of the person convicted b) by conviction to bring to the light, to expose
to find fault with, correct
a) by word:
1) to reprehend severely, to chide, to admonish, to reprove
2) to call to account, to show one his fault, to demand an explanation
b) by deed: to chasten, to punish
This one who had previously spent his life in unrighteousness now lives a life set apart from the way things are done in the world. He doesn't just speak it, but through the Holy Spirit, he is able to live it. The world cannot see Jesus any longer, but they can see His effect in the Believer's life.
5) Through the believer, the Holy Spirit reproves the world of the Judgment to come. The prince of this world and his grip on the believer has been defeated. Sin and its' awful consequences are unveiled. The Holy Spirit is given to every believer to this end…to demonstrate the Power of God in a person's life. Just as the Holy Spirit worked mightily through Jesus, so He seeks to do the same through each and every believer today.
Titus 3:3-7
3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
6) The Holy Spirit works in and through the yielded believer to bring light to the world. See how this worked through Peter:
Acts 2:1-21
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
RIGHTEOUSNESS:
22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
SIN:
23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
JUDGEMENT TO COME:
24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
JUDGEMENT:
35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
SIN, RIGHTOUSNESS:
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
SIN, RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND JUDGEMENT TO COME:
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
(KJV)
WE CAN SEE THIS PATTERN OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WORK IN AND THROUGH A BELIEVER'S LIFE:
Acts 10:34-48
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
SIN, RIGHTEOUSNESS
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
TESTIFYING ABOUT JESUS
39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
JUDGEMENT:
42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
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.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
TO MAKE OUR CASE FURTHER, WE WILL LOOK AT ANOTHER INSTANCE WHERE THE HOLY SPIRIT DID THE WORK HE IS INTENDED TO DO THROUGH HIS SERVANTS:
Acts 4:7-21
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
RIGHTEOUSNESS
9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
SIN
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
JUDGEMENT TO COME
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
RIGHTEOUSNESS
14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
RIGHTEOUSNESS
19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
(KJV)
1 WHAT DID JESUS TELL THE DISCIPLES WOULD HAPPEN WHEN THEY RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. IN THE BOOK OF JOEL, WHAT ARE WE TOLD WOULD HAPPEN WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME UPON MANKIND IN THE LAST DAYS? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. WHAT WOULD BE THE PURPOSE OF THIS? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. WHY DO YOU THINK JESUS SAID:
Luke 10:20
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
5. IN JOHN 16:13-14, JESUS TELLS THE DISCIPLES THAT WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES, HE WILL… _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. IN JOHN 16:8, WE SEE THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. HOW DOES THIS OCCUR? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
EVIDENCE OF THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN A BELIEVER'S LIFE:
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