Chapter Three: Receiving the Baptism of the Holy Ghost PDF

Chapter Three: Receiving the Baptism of the Holy Ghost Having established that the Scriptures promise the baptism of the Holy Ghost to everyone, and having examined the Biblical accounts of those who received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, the third step in our discussion is to ex...

Chapter Three: Receiving the Baptism of the Holy Ghost Having established that the Scriptures promise the baptism of the Holy Ghost to everyone, and having examined the Biblical accounts of those who received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, the third step in our discussion is to examine what conditions must be met in order for people to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost today. Shortly before the Lord was crucified, He promised His disciples that as the Comforter, or Holy Ghost, he would come to dwell in them and that as a result, they would dwell in Him (John 14:17-20). “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day, ye shall know that I am in my father, and ye in me and I in you.” These words are about the most precious words that the Lord ever spoke. He said that He would be in us 70 and we in Him. This precious promise is what the world longed for and waited for. Paul tells us in Colossians 1:26-27, “…even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Christ in us. Think about it. The Lord of glory, who fills the entire Universe, loves us so much that he chooses to dwell in the hearts of His people who believe. Let’s look at the words of the Lord that he spoke to his disciples in Matthew 28:19-20. These last words of Jesus are called the Great Commission. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Luke continues this thought that the Lord was with his disciples even after the Ascension, for he tells us in Acts 1:1-2, “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the Apostles whom he had chosen.” While Jesus walked the earth, He began to do many things, but now He continues his ministry in Spirit form so that he can dwell in the hearts of His people, for the 71 Bible tells us that we must have the Spirit of Christ, or we are none of His (Romans 8:9). The Bible tells us that it is by the Holy Ghost baptism that we are put into the Body (1 Corinthians 12:13) and Christ is put in us (Colossians 1:27). We have already shown that the promise is to all believers (Joel 2:28; John 7:37-39; Acts 2:38-39). How then do we receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost? First, it must be repeated that the baptism of the Holy Ghost is a clearly conscious and recognizable experience, and one can know with certainty whether or not one has received it. It is more than just mental assent. It is more than just faith and belief. It is an emotional and spiritual experience that is the result of faith, belief, and mental acceptance all working in harmony. It is a saturation, an immersion, an engulfing, and an enveloping of the believer by the Spirit. The point is this: One does not need to be told that they have received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. One will know for certain. Also, one does not need to tell others he has received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. If they are near you when you receive the Holy Spirit, they will see and hear something (Acts 2:33). The crowd in Jerusalem saw and heard something; Simon the sorcerer saw and heard something. The Jews at Cornelius’ house saw and heard something. The Apostle Paul saw and heard something when the Holy Ghost came upon the disciples at Ephesus. This is the Bible way that the Holy Ghost is received. Before discussing the evidence of the Holy Ghost baptism, however, let’s discuss the conditions necessary for receiving holy Ghost baptism. 72 1. Find a Spirit Filled Church Although this may seem like a very simple thing to say, and at first glance, maybe even so obvious that it need not even be stated, it is perhaps the most important requirement of all. For the Bible tells us (Rom. 10:14, 17), “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard. And how shall they hear without a preacher?” So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The principle stated here is both simple and yet deep: How can one believe in a Bible subject if one never hears preaching about the Bible subject" How can one believe in Christ if one never hears about Christ? How can one believe in the baptism of the Holy Ghost if one never hears about the baptism of the Holy Ghost? Also, to take it one step further, how can one believe in the baptism of the Holy Ghost if the only preaching heard is against it? So, the first honest step is to find a Church where the baptism of the Holy Ghost is preached. How significant is knowing about the Holy Ghost and asking God for the gift of the Holy Ghost? Of the five detailed accounts of Holy Ghost baptism in the Bible, in four of them it is recorded that the people receiving the Holy Ghost knew about the Holy Ghost EHIRUHWKH\UHFHLYHGWKHEDSWLVPRIWKH+RO\ *KRVW:HDUHWROG 73   7KH GLVFLSOHV ZHUH WROG WR WDUU\ LQ -HUXVDOHP XQWLO WKH\ ZHUH HQGXHG ZLWKSRZHU ZKLFK FDPH RQ WKH GD\ RI 3HQWHFRVW /XNH  $FWV    The Samaritans had not received the Holy Ghost until the Apostles came and prayed for them and laid hands on them. (Acts 8:15). The Samaritans therefore knew before they received the Spirit that the Spirit was available to them.  Saul (Paul), even after meeting Jesusdirectly on the Damascus Road, did not receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost until after Ananias ODLG hands on Paul DQGSUD\HG  When Paul came upon the disciples at Ephesus (Acts 19:2) he asked them, “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” When they answered, “No,” he sought out a reason. So, we see that in four out of five cases the recipients knew they were supposed to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Also, even before the day of Pentecost, the promise of the Holy Ghost was preached by John the Baptist and Jesus. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached to the crowd about Jesus and promised the Holy Ghost to them that would obey His words. Therefore, in light of the examples given to us in the Bible, how can people receive the Holy Ghost that never hear of the Holy Ghost, or always hear their preachers preaching against the baptism of the Holy Ghost, which is not only un-biblical but also very 74 dangerous? So, the first step is to find a church that is Spirit filled and the ministry of the Holy Spirit is preached. 2. Prayer and Repentance Just before His Ascension, the Lord told the disciples (Luke 24:49), “And behold, I send the promise of the Father upon you: But tarry ye…until ye be endued with power from on high.” How did the disciples spend the time in Jerusalem? Acts 1:14, “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication” Peter, after he preached to the crowd, told them (Acts 2:38-39), “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” How does one repent? Repentance is turning away from sin and dead works and turning to the Lord. The first step in turning to the Lord is to seek Him in prayer and supplication. By seeking after the Lord in prayer and confessing to Him that you are a sinner and asking Hi8m to forgive you, you are opening the door to Jesus so that he can redeem you from this world and death. It is by and through prayer that repentance is offered to God, initially. Later, repentance is demonstrated by a change of behavior as well as a change of attitude. Many people think that just giving up things that are sinful is repentance. That is not so. Giving up things is 75 “reforming” only. Giving up things that are ungodly or sinful and turning to God is repentance. Repentance is a matter of one’s change of attitude that leads to action. Paul, in 2 Cor. 7:9 tells us that attitude is also involved, “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation, not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” Repentance then is “godly sorrow” and “turning away from sin and worldly things unto God.” It is also important to understand that repentance is not an option. It is a command that is directly linked to salvation. Jesus, when talking about the sufferings and deaths of the Galileans at the hands of Pilate, told His disciples (Luke 13:3,5), “except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Paul in his Corinthian letter said that repentance was unto salvation. And Peter, when asked what was unto salvation. And Peter, when asked what should be done said first, “Repent” (Acts 2:38). 3. Ask God for the Holy Spirit Also, inherent with the concept of asking God to forgive you and accept you, is the need to ask God for the Holy Ghost. The Lord tells us, (Luke 11:13), “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him.” We are told in John 7:37, “If any man thirst, let him come to me and drink.” The receiving of the Holy Ghost 76 should not be only a casual thing in the mind of man. This is the Spirit of God that will dwell in him and take him to glory someday (Rom. 8:11). It should be earnestly and prayerfully sought after. Remember, in four out of five cases the people knew about the Holy Ghost and in all four cases there was prayer before the receiving of the Holy Ghost. These examples given to us demonstrate the importance of the Spirit in our lives. Also, note that Jesus said, “If any man…” which means that the invitation is not restricted and is open to all. 4. Be Baptized in the Name of Jesus In all fairness, it should be noted that of the five detailed accounts of Holy Ghost baptism presented in the book of Acts, three of them had water baptism to precede the Spirit baptism (Acts 2,8,19), while the other two (Acts 9,10) had the Spirit to precede the water. Some conclude then that the order can vary, and indeed, many times persons who already believe in Jesus Christ and are open to and have been taught the deeper truths of the Bible do seek after and receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost before they are immersed in water. Some have suggested that because Saul and Cornelius seemed to have already been faithful believers in God, but lacked the full knowledge of His saving name, they were able to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit before being immersed but after learning the name Jesus. But, in the cases of the crowd on the Day of Pentecost, the Samaritans and the Ephesians, they either needed more knowledge about God or were unbelievers who needed to be converted. However, in deference to the words of Peter in Acts 2:38, I will discuss water baptism as a preface to Spirit baptism. 77 Baptism is the process of being immersed in water, understanding that it is by faith and obedience to the Lord’s command that He saves us. Water baptism is a New Testament ordinance, commanded by the Lord, and its importance cannot be overstressed. We understand that the New Birth or born-again experience requires three elements, the Spirit, the water and the blood (1John 5:8). We also know from study that the blood of Christ is applied by faith to the believer when the believer submits to water baptism in the name of Jesus. That is why other passages talk about the New Birth of Born Again experience as having two elements, water and the Spirit. Being born of the water is water baptism and being born of the Spirit is spirit baptism. This does not mean that there are two baptisms, or two “born again” experiences. You are “born again” only once. But the new birth consists water and the Spirit. Many people fail to understand that the Lord said that (John 3:5), “…except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.” And so, they try to refute the necessity of the baptism of the Holy Ghost because in Eph. 4:5 the Bible says there is one baptism. However, this “one” mentioned here refers to the one process consisting of two elements. It is amazing how many people will try to base their doctrine on one scripture and disregard the truth presented in many other scriptures. We have already cited three scriptures affirming the truth of water and Spirit baptism being essential (John 3:5; Acts 2:38; Titus 3:5); we have the example of the Lord being baptized in water and receiving the anointing of 78 the Spirit (Matt. 3); and yet some people would prefer to say, “No, those scriptures just don’t count anymore. They are not as important as Ephesians 4:5.” However, for even further proof, let’s look at Hebrews 6:1-2, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” Notice the doctrine of baptisms is one of the basic principles of Christianity. This is not a verse talking about the seven types of baptism mentioned in the New Testament. This is not a history lesson. This is a verse talking about leaving the basic principles of the doctrine of Christ and moving on to perfection. The writer of the book of Hebrews, in order to make it clear for his readers, talks about the “doctrine of baptisms, plural. With so many clearly stated scriptures, we should have no difficulty believing that both water and Spirit baptism are essential for salvation. There are many sincere people who have received the baptism of the Holy Ghost but have resisted the teaching of the Bible that they must also submit to water baptism. Although many people have received the Holy Ghost prior to water baptism, as did Cornelius and his household, notice that Cornelius was then immediately commanded by Peter to be baptized in water. This example shows the importance of both water and Spirit. People who desire to be saved should seek the full truth of the Bible and not stop with only partial truth. The Lord said (Mark 16:16), “He that believeth and is 79 baptized shall be saved: But he that believeth not shall be damned.” Notice it requires both belief and baptism to be saved. But unbelief alone will condemn you. In other words, not only is water baptism commanded, but it must be accompanied by faith. In the book of Acts (8:26-40), the evangelist Phillip was led of the Spirit to go to the chariot of the Ethiopian eunuch who was reading from the book of Isaiah. Phillip asked him if he understood what he was reading, and the eunuch replied that he did not. Phillip then took those same scriptures that the eunuch was reading and taught him they were about Jesus (vs. 35). Then in vs. 36-38, we read, “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Phillip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Phillip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.” In order to be baptized, one must understand who Jesus is, what Jesus did for us, and accept that by faith. Water alone, does not save, but submitting to water baptism, for the remission of sins, we accept and apply the blood of Jesus upon our lives (Matthew 26:28) and are now clean and worthy for God to dwell within us. 5. Believe/Have Faith Another condition for receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost is to have faith to receive the Spirit. Rom. 10:17 tells us, 80  “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” We learn that faith comes by hearing, so we also learn that one must be told about the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Paul asked the Ephesians, Acts 19, “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.” One must be told about the baptism of the Holy Ghost. The preacher has got to tell his congregation about the Holy Ghost so they might have faith to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Paul asked the Galatians, (Gal. 3:2) “This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Holy Ghost by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” He went on to tell them (vs.14), “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Too many people have just been misled into believing that there is no such thing as God working mightily among his people. Although there are a large number of people who believe in horoscopes, oujia boards, palm readers and good luck charms, they do not believe in the miraculous powers of God. And although there are many Christians who believe in a God that made all things by the power of His Word alone, who created the heaven and the earth, and did wonderful miracles in the days of old, they refuse to believe in miraculous supernatural intervention from God today. 81 It seems that people will give more credit to the devil than they will to God. Faith is important. Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is a reward of them that diligently seek him.” Without faith we cannot please God. Without faith, we cannot receive the Holy Spirit. Check any concordance or topical Bible for the number of times the Lord said that things would be done according to your faith. Healing and spiritual gifts are received by faith. Prayer is answered by faith. By faith we look forward to the promises of God. The greatest stumbling block to answered prayer and receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost is lack of faith. Jesus told the crowd (John 7:38- 39), “He that believeth on me as the scriptures hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spoke he of the Spirit that they that believe on him should receive.” One major reason that many people do not receive the Holy Ghost is that they are not content to know what God said He would do, but seek to understand exactly how God does things. Since they cannot explain the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, they try to reject any teaching about it. But faith is the opposite of understanding. Faith is accepting the will of God, regardless of understanding. Did Abraham offer his son by understanding? Did Noah build the ark by understanding? Did Job understand how God laid the foundations of the world? They had faith. Believe and 82 you shall receive! That is what the Word says, and we know that the Word of God is true. 6. Obedience The final condition for receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost is obedience. We learn from Acts 5:32, “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.” Since the Bible is our example and our pattern, we can receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost by following the pattern set before us. Too many people have their own preconceived notion about how God works, or they have their own preconceived notion about how God is going to work, and thus, they miss out on the blessings that God intends for His people. Think about this: What other criteria can we establish for the receiving of the baptism of the Holy Ghost, except the criteria established in the Bible? We certainly cannot check a dictionary or talk to a psychologist. We cannot ask a preacher who does not believe in the baptism of the Holy Ghost. We can only go by the pattern that God gave us, and that is His Word, the Bible. And while there are many opinions and commentaries on this subject in existence, the final authority is the Bible. Check the Bible to see whether or not these things are so. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is not intended to be a long, wearying, soul searching sacrifice. It is the free gift of God to His people having significant importance in the believer’s life. It is, however, vital in that it is both 83 a promise and a command. So then, what conditions are set forth in the scriptures that must be obeyed? 1. Find a Spirit filled Church (Rom. 10:14, 17) 2. Pray and ask God (Luke 11:13). 3. Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38) 4. Believe God for this gift (John 7:37-39) 5. Have faith to receive the Spirit (Gal. 3:2, 14) 6. Obey God (Acts 5:32) These are the Bible conditions to receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost. In these three steps Acts 2:38 is fulfilled: 1. Turn from Sin 2. Turn to God 3. Believe and Obey God When these Biblical requirements are met, you may receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost, “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that afar off, even as many as the Lord, our God shall call.” There are no pre-receiving classes; no tongue talking learning classes; no long conditions of sacrifice; no long hours of doctrinal study. None of these are necessary to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost. The baptism of the Holy Ghost is a promise that was given to all believers and is a free gift. It is not to be worked for outside the scope of the conditions set in the Bible through the examples of the Holy Ghost 84 baptism given to us in the book of Acts. No example of Holy Ghost baptism in the Bible required any kind of external training or preparation other than prayer and faith and water. With these clear examples from the word of God, we should have no other requirements in the Church either. Note: The 7 Baptisms of the Bible 1. Baptism of Moses (1 Cor. 10:1-2) 2. Baptism of Suffering (Mark 10:38-39) Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking...” 3. Baptism unto repentance (Matt 3:11) 4. Baptism of the Holy Spirit by Jesus promised (Matt. 3:11) 5. Baptism of Fire by Jesus promised (Matt. 3) 6. The Baptism of Jesus as an example to fulfill all righteousness (Matt. 3:14) 7. Baptism in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:36-38) :KLOHWKHUHDUHVHYHQEDSWLVPVPHQWLRQHGLQWKHELEOH RQO\ZDWHUDQG6SLULWEDVSWLVPDUHIRUWKH1HZ7HVWDPHQW &KXUFK:HUHDGLQ-RKQZKHUH-HVXVVDLG9HULO\ YHULO\,VD\XQWRWKHH([FHSWDPDQEHERUQRIZDWHUDQG RIWKH6SLULWKHFDQQRWHQWHULQWRWKHNLQJGRPRI*RG 7KLVLVWKHGRFWULQHRI%DSWLVPVUHIHUUHGWRLQ+HEUHZV WKDWLVIRUWKH&KXUFKWRGD\ 85