Baptism in the Holy Spirit

Intro

My Favorite Illustrations Source of All Power

One measure of man’s progress through the ages has been his discovery and use of power: muscular power of both humankind and animals, fire, wind, coal, gas and oil, steam, electricity, and nuclear. Yet strangely and unfortunately, comparatively few have recognized and utilized God’s spiritual power. He is omnipotent or all-powerful. Indeed, He is the source of all power. Wherever the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the Bible, He is related to power in one form or another, but the greater emphasis is on spiritual power.

The experience of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is not a climax, but an open door to the power and help of the Holy Spirit in the lives of all who receive.

Sermon’s outline:

Power for Service;

The Initial Evidence;

Seeking the Baptizer;

A Continuing Experience.

N.1 - Power for Service

Luke 24:49 NIV

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.”

The primary purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is not to make us holy, not even to make us happy. Rather, it is to give us power for service.

It is a means by which the Holy Spirit begins to equip us and fit us to be useful servants who can carry on the work of Christ in and through the church in this age.

Acts 1:8 NIV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Quiz: Receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit does not mean receiving the ability to avoid sin. Which of these churches, despite realizing the power of the Holy Spirit, lived in sin and promiscuity?

a) The Church in Rome

b) The Church in Philippi

c) The Church in Corinth (yes)

d) The Church in Thessalonica

N.2 - The Initial Evidence

Galatians 5:22–23 NIV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

The initial evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit is tongues. Tongues are immediate.

On the other hand, the Fruit of the Holy Spirit is a continuous evidence and takes time.

1 Corinthians 12:30–31 NIV

Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

Question: In 1 Corinthians 12:30-31, with the expression "Do all speak in tongues?" Paul refers to:

a) Tongues of angels;

b) Tongues as a charism (gift) of the Holy Spirit (yes);

c) Tongues as an initial evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

N.3 - Seeking the Baptizer

3A. The Giver more than the Gift.

Genesis 15:6 NIV

Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

It is one thing to believe a person’s promise with respect to some particular thing. It is quite another to put full trust and confidence in that person for everything. That is the kind of faith we need to put in Jesus when we come to Him as the Baptizer.

Matthew 3:11 NIV

“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

This baptism for power and for service comes from One who is mightier than John the Baptist. Our attention needs to be on the Baptizer more than on the baptism.

3B. Faith is the Key.

Acts 15:8–9 NIV

God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.

Faith is the key, for all the gifts of God are by grace through faith. However, faith in the Bible is always more than mental assent. It involves active obedience. Some call this “appropriating faith.”

N.4 - A Continuing Experience

4A. Additional Evidence.

Some people accuse the Pentecostal movement of putting an overemphasis on tongues. This may be true in certain local churches (as it was of the Corinthians).

Here are further evidences that testify to having achieved a genuine Baptism in the Holy Spirit:

A deeper reverence for God: Acts 2:43 “Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.”

An intense dedication to God and to His Word: Acts 2:42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

A more active love for Christ and the lost: Mark 16:20 “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”

4B. Not a Climax.

Many who have prayed for the baptism in the Holy Spirit have thought of it as a climax of their seeking. Then, after receiving, they have felt that they had reached the height of spiritual experience.

The Day of Pentecost itself contradict this idea: it was the beginning of the harvest.

Acts 2:4 NIV

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Questions

What is the main purpose of the baptism in the Holy Spirit? Power to Serve;

What is the first proof that a believer has been filled with the Spirit? Speaking in an unknown tongue;

What is the continuing evidence that a believer has been filled with the Spirit? The Fruit of te Spirit;

Those who desire to be filled with the Spirit should seek the Baptizer (Jesus) and not the baptism;

The key to receiving is to have faith.