Baptism in the Holy Spirit

Introduction

The Holy Spirit is active and working in the world today, especially the church

Three distinct works of the Spirit in the life of believers

Indwelling

This is part of salvation. The Spirit takes up residence in the life of the disciple

John 20:21–23 “21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.””

During Jesus meet with the disciples, they received the Holy Spirit and, in essence, became Christians.

Every born-again Christian has the Spirit dwelling within

Romans 8:9 “9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”

1 Corinthians 3:16 “16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”

Infilling or baptism

This is a second work of the Spirit. It is an enduement with power we call the baptism of the Spirit, aka, being filled with the Spirit. John told us about this before Jesus’ baptism by him:

John 1:33–34 “33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.””

The same disciples who received the Spirit when Jesus breathed on them had something different happen here.

Only Christians can receive the baptism of the Spirit

Acts 1:8 “8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””

The initial physical evidence is speaking in tongues

Acts 2:1–4 “1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Refilling

As we move through Acts, we find that these same men who received the Spirit then were baptized in the Spirit were yet filed again, or refilled.

Acts 4:31 “31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”

Acts 13:52 “52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”

Much like a glass that has been emptied, refillings come as often as necessary and provide a rejuvenation of the Spirit within us.

Conclusion

Just when you think you have received everything the Spirit has for you, you discover that there is always more.

Christians do not need to be baptized in the Spirit to be saved, but it helps living in this world.