The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:1-4 English Standard Version

Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.

Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

Acts 2:3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.

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

We are a Pentecostal Church which derives its name from the events that happened on the day of Pentecost because we believe the same experience of the Holy Spirit is available for us today.

Timeline – When is Pentecost?

Pentecost – A Jewish festival celebrating the ingathering of the harvest 50 days after Passover (Easter).

John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

Genesis 2:7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Acts 1:3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

Acts 1:4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me;

Acts 1:5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.

Terminology - What is the Pentecostal experience?

1. A Promise of Power (Acts 1:4; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8).

a. Acts 1:4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me;

b. Luke 24:49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

c. Acts 1:8 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.”

2. A variety of terminology is used to give nuances to the experience.

a. Six Expressions of Pentecost:

i. The Holy Spirit baptizes (Acts 1:5 c.f. Luke 3:16)

1. Acts 1:5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

a. to be immersed v. — to be or become engulfed or plunged into something (whether literal or figurative).

ii. The Holy Spirit comes upon (Acts 1:8)

1. Acts 1:8 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.”

a. Numbers 11:25 Then the Lordcame down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it.

b. Judges 15:14 When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting to meet him. Then the Spirit of the Lordrushed upon him, and the ropes that were on his arms became as flax that has caught fire, and his bonds melted off his hands.

iii. The Holy Spirit fills (Acts 2:4; Acts 4:8; Acts 4:31; Acts 9:17; Acts 13:9; Acts 13:52)

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

iv. The Holy Spirit pours out (Acts 2:17 c.f. Joel 2:28; Acts 2:33)

1. Acts 2:17 “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;

2. Acts 2:33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

v. The Holy Spirit falls on (Acts 8:12; Acts 8:14-17; Acts 10:44-46; Acts 11:15-16; Luke 15:20)

1. Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

2. Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John,

3. Acts 8:15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,

4. Acts 8:16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

5. Acts 8:17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

6. Acts 10:44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.

7. Acts 10:45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.

8. Acts 10:46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared,

9. Acts 11:15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.

10. Acts 11:16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

11. Luke 15:20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

vi. The Holy Spirit is received (Acts 2:38; Acts 8:15, 17; Acts 10:47; Acts 19:2, 6)

1. Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

2. Acts 8:15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,

3. Acts 8:17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

4. Acts 10:47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

5. Acts 19:2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

6. Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.

Conclusion

How to Receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit

1. Commit your life to Christ (Acts 2:38).

a. Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

2. Ask (Luke 11:11-13).

a. Luke 11:11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;

b. Luke 11:12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

c. Luke 11:13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

3. Speak as the Holy Spirit gives you the words (Acts 2:4).

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