THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

By Eddie L. Hyatt

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11).

i.        The baptism in the holy spirit is an enduement of power for effective life and service.

A.      The word “baptize” comes from the Greek word baptizo which means to “immerse” or “soak;” therefore, to be “baptized in the Holy Spirit” is to be completely under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

B.       In the book of Acts, the baptism in the Holy Spirit is used interchangeably with expressions such as they received the Holy Spirit or they were filled with the Holy Spirit or the Holy Spirit fell upon them.

C.       The baptism in the Holy Spirit is given to empower the believer to be an effective witness of Jesus Christ.

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth (Jesus in Acts 1:8).

Ii.      in the book of acts there are 5 instances of people being baptized in the holy spirit, and in 3 of those it explicitely says that the recipients spoke in tongues, and in the other 2 it can be implied.

A.      The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4).

1.       And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:4).

2.       When Peter was asked the meaning of the speaking in tongues on the Day of Pentecost, he replied that it signified (was the sign) of the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy that in the last days God would pour out His Spirit on all flesh (Acts 2:15-16).

B.             At the House of Cornelius (Acts 10:44-48).

The skeptical Jewish believers, who accompanied Peter to Cornelius’ house, were convinced that these Gentiles had truly received the Holy Spirit the same as they had, For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God (Acts 10:45-46).

C.       In Ephesus (Acts 19:1-6).

In Ephesus Paul found certain disciples and asked them if they received the Holy Spirit when they believed. When they said they did not even know that there was a Holy Spirit Paul gave them further instructions and when he had laid hands on them, The Holy Spirit came upon them and they spoke with tongues and prophesied (Acts 19:1-6).

D.      In the Samaritan Revival (Acts 8:4-17).

Philip saw great response to his preaching in Samaria with many miraculous healings, water baptisms and great joy in the city. But in spite of all these manifestations, Peter and John were sent from Jerusalem to pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit for as yet He had fallen upon none of them. After praying for them to receive the Holy Spirit, Peter and John laid hands on them, And they received the Holy Spirit. Although speaking in tongues is not mentioned, it is obvious that Peter and John had a criterion by which they determined if the people had been baptized in the Holy Spirit, and that criterion must have been speaking in tongues.

E.       Paul’s baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17).

At the time of Paul’s baptism when Ananias laid hands on him that he might receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit, there is no mention of speaking in tongues. Nonetheless, it may be assumed, for Paul later wrote to the Corinthians, saying, I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all (I Corinthians 14:18).

III.     HOw is the baptism in the holy Spirit received?

A.      Ask. Jesus said in Luke 11:13, How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.

B.       Believe. Jesus said in Mark 11:24, Whatever things you desire when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

C.       Receive or “Actively Take.” Luke says in Acts 8:15, 17, When they (Peter and John) had come down, [they] prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. . . . Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

D.      Allow to Flow Out. Jesus said of the one who is thirsty and comes to Him and drinks, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water, but this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive (John 7:37-38).

The Holy Spirit comes in for the purpose of then flowing out to others. Once you have asked, believed and received, then open your heart and mouth in praise to God and allow the Holy Spirit to flow out in that initial sign of speaking in tongues. In their book, The Holy Spirit and You, Dennis and Rita Bennett say, “We are convinced, from the Scripture and after praying with thousands of people to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit over the past ten years and more, that there is no believer who cannot speak in tongues, if he or she is properly prepared, and really ready to trust the Lord” (Bennett, The Holy Spirit and You, 75).