Holy Spirit Baptism

Colin Melbourne
© 98-08 Born-Again-Christian.info

With Bible Evidence

Do you have the Bible proof that you're baptised in the Holy Spirit? Without the vital experience of Holy Ghost Baptism you will not be able to fulfil the ministry Christ has for you.

In His final statement before being taken into Heaven Jesus Promised His disciples;

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses... to the ends of the earth. Holy Bible Acts 1:8 and Lk. 24:49 NIV

God had previously promised, through the Prophet Joel, a future time when;

I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy... even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. Joel 2:28-29

Prophecy fulfilled

Jesus instituted the New Covenant in His Blood, and fulfilled His promise to His followers on the day of Pentecost.

On the day of Pentecost, all of the believers were gathered together and... All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:4

The timid disciples were transformed into fearless proclaimers of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Immediately, the Holy Spirit through Peter confirmed that this was the fulfilment of Joel's prophecy.

This is what was spoken by the Prophet Joel...

Then he quotes Joel 2:28-32; proclaims the Gospel of Christ, and confirms that Jesus has...

Received from the Father, and has poured out what you now see and hear. Acts 2:33

So convincing, and anointed, was this message that 3,000 Jews received Christ as Saviour and were baptised in water that day.

For all believers

This is the Bible pattern for receiving the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised to all believers. Are you a believer? Have you been genuinely born again? If so, since being born again have you been filled with God's Spirit? Have you received the Holy Spirit according to the Bible pattern?

Satan has caused great mischief through false teachers warning Christians away from this God given baptism of power, stunting their effectiveness as witnesses of Jesus Christ.

The Evidence that counts

Human opinion is worthless; mine is, yours is. The only opinion that counts is God's. If God says a thing once in His Word that is sufficient. It is so.

In a Court of Law, two reliable witnesses, presenting clear evidence, are sufficient for any judge to pass verdict. On this vital matter of proof of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, God gives us three. More than any human court needs.

God presents us with the Bible evidence of believers receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. It is the only evidence necessary for true believers. Here are God's Three Witnesses:

God's Evidence I: Pentecost

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:4

The original Bible pattern has believers speaking in tongues. Peter confirms; This is what was spoken of... Acts 2:16 God wants you to have this, and nothing less than this. He wants you to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit according to His original Pentecostal pattern.

God's Evidence II: Even Gentiles Get It!

In Acts 10 we find Peter sent to the home of a Gentile, Cornelius. As Peter proclaimed Christ, the...

Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. Acts 10:44

The Jewish believers accompanying Peter were astonished that God poured out His Spirit on Gentiles too. What convinced these prejudiced Jews that the Holy Spirit had come?

For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Acts 10:46

This evidence can not be contradicted. It is the Bible evidence.

These two reliable witnesses are sufficient to satisfy the world. God goes one better.

God's Evidence III: Ephesian Believers

When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:6

These Ephesian believers in Christ received the identical Bible evidence as the first group on the day of Pentecost.

What about you?

Three times, God shows us the evidence of Baptism in the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues. When you are Baptised in the Holy Spirit, you too will speak in tongues. Until you have the Bible proof, you are not baptised.

Enter into the Promise of God. It is your Blood-bought inheritance. You will do more in one year when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, than in a hundred years apart from Him.

What are tongues for?

1 Co. 14:2 tells us clearly; Anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God... he utters mysteries with his spirit. God goes on to say in verse four, He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself.

Distinct from Salvation

Scripturally, there's a difference between being born of God, (born of the Spirit), and being filled with the Spirit.

We receive eternal life, God's Spirit in ours, when we're born again. God re-creates our spirit, we become God's child, the new creation of 2 Co. 5:17. We are saved. This is the sealing of the Spirit, which all genuine believers have, but they still need to be filled with God's Spirit. You can read more about the difference between being born of God, and filled with His Spirit here

The New Birth sealing experience is for sinners; everyone who is still unsaved.

Jesus stated emphatically that the world (sinners) cannot receive the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit.

...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. Jn. 14:17 KJV

Clearly, here Jesus was speaking of being baptised in the Holy Spirit, not being born again.

The Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name [at Pentecost] will teach you all things. Jn. 15:26

New Testament believers understood that receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is an experience that comes after salvation.

Acts 8 shows most clearly that 'receiving the Holy Spirit', being 'filled with', or 'baptised with the Holy Spirit' come subsequent to being born of God.

Philip went down to Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there... they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised both men and women.

When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptised into the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Then Peter and John placed their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:5, 12,14-17

Clearly, the Samaritans were saved before Peter and John came.

Peter defines salvation, in 1 Pe. 1:23, as coming through faith in God's Living Word : Jesus Christ.

For you were born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God.

Verse 12 of Acts 8 states the Samaritans had believed and been baptised (in water). Verse 14 shows they'd received the Word of God.

Notice also; Peter and John did not preach the Gospel to them, there was no need, they were already saved. The apostles instead prayed that they might receive the Holy Spirit. Then they,

...laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

The apostles didn't ask God to give the Samaritans the Holy Spirit, they knew God had already sent the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Instead, they prayed, ...that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

Will you receive now?

It's up to people to receive what God offers; Eternal Life is a Gift, healing is a gift. The Holy Spirit is a Gift.

He is there with you now, receive God's Gift.

First, and most importantly, make sure you are genuinely Born Again. Once you are born of God, you need to be filled with His Spirit. You will not be an effective witness for Christ without being Baptised in the Holy Spirit.

Jesus needed Him, you do too. It's easy to receive the Baptism. God wants you to have His Gift. After you have been born again, here's how to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit:

Jesus illustrated the simplicity of the experience in Jn. 7:37-39

If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.

Jesus used water as a 'type' of the Holy Spirit. Just open your mouth and drink! It's entirely a matter of faith.

Understand, God has already given the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. He's here in the world now. There's no need to beg God to give you the Holy Spirit. Simply receive Him by faith.

Anyone who is saved is ready to receive. There's no need to wait, Jesus has sent Him. Anybody who is Blood bought and Blood washed is clean and ready.

A believer can receive with or without the laying on of hands. Both are Scriptural.

Expect the Holy Spirit to give you supernatural utterance, but you must do the speaking.

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:4

Be assured, if you are truly born of God, when you come to Christ to be Baptised you will not receive a false spirit. You will get the real Holy Spirit!

Jesus promised, If you, 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. Lk. 11:13

Open your mouth wide, and ask God to help you receive the Holy Spirit. Relax and speak fearlessly every sound that He gives you to speak. The Holy Spirit will not force you. He gives the utterance, but you do the speaking.

The supernatural part is what is said, not who is talking. Speak out until a free clear language comes and you have an inner assurance that you've received; Power from on high.

The following excellent resources were used in the preparation of this article.

The Bible Way To Receive The Holy Spirit by K. E. Hagin and Ever Increasing Faith by Smith Wigglesworth