Today, I want us to finish the message about the gift of the Holy Spirit. Remember, we left where we saw all three food relationships of the Holy Spirit.
With you- During receiving the word
In you- When you take the decision to receive Christ
Upon you- When you are empowered for service.
Today, you can receive it by faith; it’s a gift freely. Baptism in the Spirit, let’s first look at this verse, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.1 Corinthians 12:13.
The above verse means that when you receive Jesus, the Spirit baptizes you into becoming the body of Christ. No signing to become a member of the Church, no filling forms. This is different Baptism; Jesus baptizing into the spirit is also different.
There’s Baptism of John
There’s a Baptism of regeneration.
The baptism of suffering
The Baptism into Moses
There are at least seven Baptisms, but the one we read above is to be baptized by the spirit into the body. The baptism Jesus called the promise of the Father is where Jesus Baptizes you into the spirit.
That’s why John the Baptist said he’s using water to baptize, but there’s one coming who would baptize you with or in the Holy Spirit, and that’s Jesus.
What about this verse? Let me read, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, Ephesians 4:4-5.” This verse talks about being baptized into one body.
So Jesus was telling the spirit-filled believers to wait to be baptized so that the spirit would come upon them and empower them for service so that they change the whole world.
Listen carefully. First-century believers were told to wait for the Spirit, but nowhere in scripture is it said that we are to wait like them. Today, it’s available; you can claim it by faith. Since that was the first time the Holy Spirit came, it doesn’t apply to us.
Instead, the Holy Spirit is waiting for you to claim it. Let’s reread this verse, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:13 “
As we say, the power of the Holy Spirit is appropriated by believing, yes, but sometimes, preparation to receive the Spirit is by waiting. We don’t wait for the Spirit, but we sometimes need to wait on the Spirit. Jesus can give them right away, but He told them to wait for ten days. Why?
Transition- It’s having an encounter with the Holy Spirit, sometimes studying, and then the world sees you burn because it’s not by might but by the spirit, no personal addition. Some receive by laying on of hands, transition. Did you see this word at the end of some Psalms? “selah” means stop and think about it. What is it? Think about what you read! Waiting for the word to take effect
Tomorrow, we shall see the second reason.
Thanks for listening.