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HELEN SANDERS
10-18-2022
THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Among religious organizations those that call themselves Pentecostals are associated with what happened in Acts chapter 2 on the Day of Pentecost. Jesus had told those that were with him in Acts 1 to go to Jerusalem and wait for the “…Promise of the Father.” (Acts 1:4.)
He said in Acts 1:5, “For John baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” He went on to say in verse 8, “But ye shall receive power (dunamis) 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.”
Immediately after he said this he ascended into heaven. The disciples returned to Jerusalem and came together in an upper room. There were 120 gathered together. They continued there in one accord with unity.
On the Day of Pentecost, they heard a sound from heaven like a mighty rushing wind that came into the house. It filled the entire house where they were gathered. (Acts 2:2.) Then, flames, like fire rested upon each of their heads and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in “other tongues” as the Spirit (Holy Spirit, not their own spirit) gave them utterance.
Boldness came over each of these 120 and they came out of that house and those around heard them speaking in languages from their own country. It caused these people to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ, and over 3,000 were saved.
The question is, do we receive everything we need from God when we receive salvation? The answer would be, yes, for salvation, but there is more than just salvation. If you want to see the gifts of God operate in your life through boldness of the Spirit, then you need to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit like these 120 faithful followers of Jesus did.
My question to you is this: Is there more than one experience? We must answer that with scripture. Some say that the 120 got saved at Pentecost, but is that true? In John 20:22 Jesus had appeared to the disciples (Thomas was absent) after his resurrection. He said, “And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, ‘Receive ye the Holy Ghost.’” This is when the disciples were saved, yet he told them to go to Jerusalem to receive the Holy Ghost. Now this is interesting. You see, the Holy Ghost was now within them, but had not flowed out of them.
In John 7:38-39 Jesus had told his disciples what was going to happen in the future. He said, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.”)
This lets us know that when you receive salvation (John 20:22) the Holy Ghost comes in you, but when you are baptized with the Holy Ghost, it flows out of your belly and comes upon you.
So, yes there are two experiences that any Christian can receive. You do not have to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit to receive salvation as some believe. Yet, without this you do not have the full power to be a witness that you need to share the gospel with others.
So, why settle for half a cup when you can have the full cup? I suggest, if you have not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit that you go back and read the scriptures above and then ask God to give it to you. Be all that God desires for you to be in this season. Souls are depending upon your witness to receive salvation, healing and deliverance.
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