SEARCHLIGHT
Are you experiencing the power of God in your daily life? Are you living a victorious Christian life and discovering opportunities to share your faith in Jesus?
SCRIPTURE
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, He gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit… 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. Acts 1:4,5,8 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
Jesus Christ came not only to save you from your sin and give you eternal life in the hereafter but to empower you to live a Godly life that would lead you to win people to become born-again believers like yourself in the here and now. [That was a long, involved sentence that needs to be reread and thought about] After Jesus was resurrected, He instructed believers to be empowered by the Holy Spirit in order to live out the Great Commandment and fulfill the Great Commission. In the above Scripture passage, He made this very clear just before He ascended into heaven.
HOW TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT is the purpose of this devotional. Here are the steps you need to take to live a victorious Christian life and win people to be followers of Jesus just like you:
1. BE SPIRITUALLY PREPARED. When Peter preached his first sermon, after being filled with the Holy Spirit, he told his audience, which numbered 3000 people, to “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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the lord our god will call. [ Acts 2:38,39 NIV] Are you born again? Have you repented of your sin and confessed Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord?
2. BE CONVINCED THAT THE BIBLE TEACHES THERE IS A SECOND EXPERIENCE FOR ALL BELIEVERS. Two baptisms are mentioned in Scripture. John the Baptist made the distinction when he said, “I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” [Mark 1:8] When you read the Scripture passage above, you see that Jesus made the same distinction. Previously He spoke about the baptism of the Holy Spirit when He said “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.” [Luke 24:49] In addition, there are two different purposes for the
3. two baptisms. Water baptism is your expression of repentance. It indicates the Holy
Spirit indwells you. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit gives you empowerment. It indicates the Holy Spirit imparts to you His presence which empowers you. [Acts 1:8]
4. REALIZE THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS ALREADY BEEN GIVEN. Read the stories about receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in Acts 8:14-19, Acts 9:17, Acts 10:44-48, and Acts 19:1-7. Those believers did not have to wait 10 days as the 120 did on the Day of Pentecost. You no longer have to wait to receive God’s impartation of power
5. BELIEVE THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS RECEIVED BY FAITH. Galatians 3:14 states, “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is God’s gift to you and all believers.
6. BE CONVINCED OF YOUR NEED FOR THIS EMPOWERMENT. Salvation is God’s gift to man that you receive when you admit that you are a sinner separated from God. You realize your need when you repent of your sin and place your faith in Jesus Christ. Likewise, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is God’s gift, but you must express your need by asking Jesus to baptize you.
7. BE CLEAR THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT EMPOWERS BUT YOU THE BELIEVER DO THE SPEAKING. Acts 2:4 states “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” You are empowered but not overpowered. The Holy Spirit does not make you speak in tongues.
8. YOU SHOULD NOT FEAR HAVING A COUNTERFEIT EXPERIENCE. God, your Heavenly Father only gives good gifts to you. Luke 11:13 states “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” James 1:17 states “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit would only bring glory and honor to Him. See John 15:26,27.
9. REALIZE THAT NOT EVERYONE IMMEDIATELY RECEIVES THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. God may want you to change some things. Have you made Jesus the Lord of your life in your mind, body, emotions, and relationships? Waiting to be filled with the Holy Spirit is a great opportunity for you to come to know Jesus better. Before the Apostle Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit, he did some soul searching. [Acts 9:1-19; 22:1-21]
Today is your day to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit or to be refilled. Be empowered!
SOMETHING TO DO
What do you need to do to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit or to be refilled?
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, I would ask You to baptize me with the Holy Spirit. AMEN!