The New You and the Holy Spirit Part 3

Some people a.s.sume, "You aren't really saved until you're baptized in the Holy Spirit!" Acts 8 soundly refutes this. The Samaritans had received G.o.d's Word, were born again, and had been water baptized. If they had died before being baptized in the Holy Spirit, they would've been ushered into the very presence of the Lord Himself. Salvation saves and the baptism in the Holy Spirit empowers!

Certain disciples at Ephesus also demonstrate this truth.

"And it came to pa.s.s, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having pa.s.sed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost" (Acts 19:1-2).

Apollos had been zealously preaching Jesus wherever he went (Acts 18:24-25). However, he had left the company of the disciples before Christ resurrected, so they didn't know about the baptism in the Holy Spirit either. Aquila and Priscilla had to take him aside and explain the way of G.o.d to him more accurately (Acts 18:26). Before this, Apollos had already made some converts in Ephesus, whom Paul found some time later. When he asked "Have you received the Holy Spirit," they answered, "We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost"

(Acts 19:2). Sounds like many Christians today!

I was raised in church, but no one ever told me I could be supernaturally empowered by the Holy Spirit. I didn't know He wanted to come and work miracles through me. Our church didn't believe in that. We were saved but stuck! Besides winning others to the Lord and singing "When we all get to heaven," there just wasn't anything else to look forward to in our Christian lives. I was ignorant of the fact that G.o.d had provided a victorious, abundant life on earth for me!

Apollos' converts believed in Jesus, but didn't know that the Holy Spirit had been sent to anoint them as their Lord had been anointed. Paul picked up where Apollos left off and shared with these Ephesian believers how they could receive G.o.d's power into their lives. "And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied" (Acts 19:6).

IMPACT YOUR WORLD!.

Millions of people alive today can attest to this separate, distinct work of the Holy Spirit in their lives after salvation. Although many born-again Christians in Western countries deny this experience, the majority of believers in the rest of the world have welcomed the baptism in the Holy Spirit!

Africa, Asia, and South America have experienced some of the greatest outpourings we've seen in recent times.

Miracles regularly happen and churches sometimes number into the tens, even hundreds, of thousands. The vast majority of believers involved in these outpourings have received the baptism in the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues.

Across the body of Christ worldwide, the parts that are experiencing the most growth are those who believe in the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Most traditional, denominational churches that fight against this gift have either stagnated or are suffering serious decline. Spirit- baptized believers are progressing in the Christian life, doing most of the effective evangelism and making the biggest impact for the advancing kingdom of G.o.d.

Do you want to be where G.o.d's power is moving? Are you hungry to experience excitement and life? Do you long to join the winning side? You'll find all this and more among believers who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit!

CHAPTER 3.

THE FULL PACKAGE.

Jesus often referred to the Holy Spirit as the "Comforter."

He'll function in your life many different ways: The Holy Spirit will abide with you forever. "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever" (John 14:16). Wherever you go, whatever you do, G.o.d Himself will be with you!

The Holy Spirit will comfort you through challenges and difficulties. "Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of G.o.d" (2 Cor. 1:4). He'll also enable you to minister G.o.d's comfort to others.

The Holy Spirit will be your Teacher. "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" (John 14:26). He'll also remind you of everything the Lord has said.

The Spirit of truth will testify to you of Jesus. "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning" (John 15:26-27). He'll also help you bear witness of Jesus to others.

"IT'S BETTER THAT I GO!".

It's to your advantage that Jesus is in heaven and the Holy Spirit is on earth. "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" (John 16:7). Jesus could only be in one place at a time when He walked the earth as a man. Now, through His Spirit, He can be with every believer all the time!

The Holy Spirit will convict and convince. "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged" (John 16:8-11). He convicts you of not trusting Jesus. He convinces you that you're righteous in Christ. And the devil, who constantly hurls condemnation and lies at you, is judged.

The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth. "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 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" (John 16:12-13). The Spirit of truth will progressively share Jesus'

words with you as you're mature enough to handle them. He'll even reveal things yet to come!

The Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus. "He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you"

(John 16:14). He'll receive things from the Lord and show them to you!

G.o.d's power will flood into you as you're baptized in Him! "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" (Acts 1:8).

Wherever you go, you'll be an effective witness!

ESSENTIAL, NOT OPTIONAL!.

In light of all these awesome benefits, I urge you to accept the fact that the baptism in the Holy Spirit is not merely optional but essential. Receive His power so you can fully experience the Comforter!

The baptism in the Holy Spirit makes G.o.d's power available to you. Although you're not automatically transformed into a victorious Christian, you'll experience increasing victory as you draw out His power by faith.

This is why some people who have received the baptism in the Holy Spirit don't exhibit more victory in their lives.

G.o.d's power is available to them, but they haven't drawn it out. Those who reject the baptism in the Holy Spirit deny themselves access to His power. You must have received the Source in order to access His power!

Some Christians may have been baptized in the Holy Spirit without realizing it. They are wonderful people who don't speak in tongues or believe in a distinct experience with the Holy Spirit, yet they clearly exhibit all of the other characteristics of someone who has received the baptism. Often, with many of them, there was a time in their lives when they came to the end of themselves. They cried out to the Lord for help, asking for more of Him. After yielding, they had a miraculous encounter with G.o.d. Now whether they're aware of what they received or not, if the encounter actually included being baptized in the Holy Spirit, they can now speak in tongues anytime they want just by exercising their faith to do so.

G.o.d intends for you to have His full package! Some theologians from the 1800s and early 1900s taught about a second, separate experience with the Lord but didn't teach on speaking in tongues. They believed there had to be an enduing of power from on high, but they failed to embrace the accompanying miracles. Why receive only part of G.o.d's gift? Why not receive it all? Your loving heavenly Father cared enough to give you the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Honor Him by receiving the full package!

CHAPTER 4.

RECEIVE HIM TODAY.

G.o.d wants you baptized in the Holy Spirit! His longing to fill, control, and empower you far surpa.s.ses your desire to be filled, controlled, and empowered. In fact, the Holy Spirit has been eagerly waiting for you to open your heart and invite Him in. If you're ready to ask in faith, why not receive Him today?

Some groups erroneously teach that you must "travail"

and wait on G.o.d to receive this experience. They believe G.o.d will baptize you whenever He wants to, and you have no control over it. This idea is based upon a misinterpretation of Acts 1:4-5, "And, being a.s.sembled 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. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."

Jesus commanded the disciples to wait for the baptism because the Holy Spirit had not yet been poured out upon the earth. "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place...

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:1 and 4). Pentecost was G.o.d's appointed time to pour out the Holy Spirit. Since He's already been given, there's no need to wait!

While seeking the baptism in the Holy Spirit, I was told I had to cleanse myself before I could receive. As instructed, I wrote out every sin I could think of on a couple of sheets of paper in my misguided effort to get "clean enough." Religious logic had deceived me into thinking "a jar full of rocks must be emptied before being filled with water" and "the Holy Spirit won't fill a dirty vessel!" Hogwash!

The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a. gift, not something you can earn by travail or holiness (Luke 11:13). If you could rid yourself of all the sin in your life and be perfect before receiving the Holy Spirit, you wouldn't need Him!

He's the One who will give you the power to be set free from l.u.s.ts, habits, addictions, and desires. You can be delivered from anything when you receive and draw on the power of the Holy Spirit!

WHOLEHEARTED DESIRE.

You need to desire the baptism in the Holy Spirit wholeheartedly. If you are persuaded and hungry, receiving can be as simple as praying a prayer. However, some people have been led to do so before they were really ready. Occasionally, someone needs a period of time to grow in their hunger and desire to receive. Where are you today? Are you persuaded and hungry for the baptism? Do you wholeheartedly desire to invite the Holy Spirit into your life?

Personally, I was desperate for the baptism in the Holy Spirit. I thought I had to pursue G.o.d and then wait for it.

This misunderstanding only fed my growing hunger to receive. Then, when the baptism came, it was spectacular! Since this was something I'd longed for and sought after, I didn't just forget about it after speaking in tongues once or twice. Over the years, I've cherished this awesome gift from G.o.d. Without His power, I wouldn't be living in the victory and abundance I enjoy today-for which I'm eternally grateful!

Are you ready to commit yourself to the Holy Spirit without reservation? Are you hungry to receive G.o.d's power into your life? Perhaps you've even recited a prayer for this before but weren't really ready yet.

However, after learning these truths-how you'll receive power, that this was something even Jesus had to have, that it totally transformed the apostles-you're ready to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

ASK, BELIEVE, AND RECEIVE!.

G.o.d wants you filled, but you must reach out in faith to take it! "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (Luke 11:10-13). How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to you!

Ask, believe, and receive!

If you're ready, pray out loud the following prayer from your heart: Father, I surrender to You completely. I recognize my need for Your power to live the Christian life. I'm hungry for You!

Please baptize me in Your Holy Spirit!

By faith, I receive now the baptism in the Holy Spirit. I take it! It's mine in Jesus' name! take it! It's mine in Jesus' name!

Father, thank You for giving me the Holy Spirit! Holy Spirit, thank You for coming. You are welcome in my life!

Continue to praise and thank the Lord for this wonderful gift. Take a few moments to enjoy His presence, and tell Him how much you love Him.

Some people have dramatic experiences receiving the Holy Spirit, and others are genuinely baptized without feeling a thing. One's not better than the other, as long as you received! Don't let outward manifestations, or a lack thereof, enable the devil to talk you out of this gift from G.o.d (Matt. 13:19).

If you believed in your heart when you prayed, then G.o.d's Word promises that you received. "Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them"

(Mark 11:24). G.o.d always honors His Word. Believe it!

As you stepped out in faith to obey the direct command of Jesus (John 20:22), you received the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Congratulations-you've been filled with G.o.d's supernatural power! As you learn to tap into this power, your life will never be the same. For the rest of this book, I'm going to share about an important way you can draw His power out.

CHAPTER 5.

SPEAKING IN TONGUES.

G.o.d's Word reveals that speaking in tongues is one of the first manifestations to occur when you receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Jesus' disciples spoke in tongues immediately after receiving the Holy Spirit. "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:1-4).

As Peter preached the Gospel to the entire household of Cornelius, they received both salvation and the baptism in the Holy Spirit. "While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

And they of the circ.u.mcision 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. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify G.o.d" (Acts 10:44-46). Speaking in tongues was an outward evidence that these brand-new believers had truly received the Holy Spirit.

Peter used this fact to prove to the rest of the Jewish believers (who weren't there in person) that these Gentiles had indeed been born again. "And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as G.o.d gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand G.o.d? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified G.o.d, saying, Then hath G.o.d also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life" (Acts 11:15-18).

Paul ministered the baptism in the Holy Spirit to Apollos' converts in Ephesus. "And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied" (Acts 19:6).

Speaking in tongues comes with the baptism in the Holy Spirit!

EVERY SPIRIT-BAPTIZED BELIEVER.

Philip went down to Samaria and evangelized. Many people believed on Jesus when they heard his message and saw the miracles that he did (Acts 8:5-8). Later, Peter and John came to minister the baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17). As the Samaritans began to receive, one of the new converts, who had been a professional sorcerer, saw them speaking in tongues and l.u.s.ted for this power selfishly. Peter and John rebuked him for trying to buy G.o.d's gift (Acts 8:18-24).

Those who argue against speaking in tongues as initial evidence for the baptism in the Holy Spirit try to use Acts 8 to support their point. However, even though these scriptures don't directly say that the people of Samaria spoke in tongues, there's still plenty of evidence to imply it. Speaking in tongues is present every other time the Holy Spirit was poured out in the book of Acts.

Also, this recently converted sorcerer saw something when the baptism was ministered, and it caused him to offer the apostles money in exchange for the super- natural ability to impart the Holy Spirit (verse 18). In order to maintain biblical consistency, this visible demonstration of power must have been speaking in tongues.

Speaking in tongues is an immediate audible mani- festation of the Holy Spirit available to every Spirit- baptized believer. It's something you can do to help prove that you've received Him. However, tongues won't automatically force their way up out of your mouth just because you've been baptized. The Holy Spirit will never make you do something against your will. Therefore, you must choose to speak in tongues.

DARKNESS TO DAYLIGHT.

Personally, I stumbled into the baptism in the Holy Spirit. I had been seeking the Lord with all of my heart and crying out for Him to fill me with His power. On March 23, 1968, He dramatically answered my prayer by baptizing me in the Holy Spirit. At the time, I had no idea what this was because I'd never been taught about it. All I knew was that my intimate encounter with G.o.d had left me supernaturally empowered.

Revelation knowledge immediately began to flow. Before receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit, I always had to trust what the preacher told me, and I a.s.sumed it was true. There wasn't any a.s.surance in my heart or understanding of my own. I just followed their example and did what I was told. Then I received the Holy Spirit, and the One who had written the Bible started explaining it to me. He began revealing things to my heart. Instead of receiving information from the outside in, G.o.d Himself was teaching me from the inside out! John 14:26 describes this, "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."The difference was daylight and darkness!

In addition to revelation knowledge, I became bold and pa.s.sionate for the Lord. G.o.d's awesome love and glorious presence constantly overwhelmed me.

Witnessing to people changed from being a religious ch.o.r.e into a daily delight. The sick received healing when I prayed for them. However, these wonderful things combined to create some problems as well. For instance, my newfound zeal also got me kicked out of my church!

RELIGIOUS PREJUDICE OVERCOME.

Everything indicated that I had been baptized in the Holy Spirit, except I didn't speak in tongues. Why? I'd been taught against it! The church I was raised in didn't believe in the baptism in the Holy Spirit and thought that tongues were of the devil. Ignorance and wrong teaching predisposed me against this gift. Although speaking in tongues was available, negative feelings and fear prevented me from using it.

It took me a long time to renew my mind to what G.o.d's Word said about my new relationship with the Holy Spirit. Two and a half years after receiving the baptism, I discovered that speaking in tongues was a valid gift from G.o.d for today. Then another six months pa.s.sed before I understood enough to yield to the Holy Spirit and actually speak in tongues. Until I saw what G.o.d's Word said about this, my faith wasn't strong enough to walk in it (Rom. 10:17).

If it weren't for my religious prejudice, I could have spoken in tongues as soon as I was baptized in the Holy Spirit. However, those thoughts kept me from enjoying G.o.d's gift, because their root was unbelief. Until I overcame them and brought myself to the point of voluntarily stepping out in faith, I couldn't speak in tongues. But as soon as I did, my life changed just as dramatically as when I first received the Holy Spirit!

You don't have to speak in tongues; you get to! Besides, there's really no good reason not to! Speaking in tongues releases G.o.d's power in your life, and it's available to every Christian who has received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. If you're not speaking in tongues, you're missing out!