Receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, Part 2

  The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is essential for our victory as Christians. The Holy Spirit gives us power and joy to overcome the trials of life, as we discussed in Part 1.

This baptism is distinct from what happens to us at salvation. During Salvation, the Holy Spirit  washes us : "He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit," (Titus 3:5, NIV). And, this is a form of baptism (1 Peter 3:21).

However, our spiritual washing (salvation baptism) is not what I'm speaking of when I talk about the Baptism of the Spirit.  When I speak of the Baptism of the Spirit, I'm referring to the infilling of power the Apostles gave and received in the book of Acts.  See Part 1 for more details about this powerful infilling.

   In a nutshell, the main difference between salvation and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is that the Baptism of the Spirit "fills" us with the water that the Spirit washed us with at salvation. Further, in order to fully grasp the distinction between salvation and the Baptism, we must understand that our salvation occurs in 3 components, which are spirit, soul and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23).  The soul is your intellect and your emotions (mind and heart). Our spirit is joined to our soul and the two can't be separated without the Sword of the Spirit (Hebrews 4:12).

   Your spirit is perfectly saved at your surrender to Christ immediately, but your soul and body are progressively saved until Jesus returns (Hebrews 9:28). 

    Moreover, at salvation , our spirit is infused with the life of God and we become regenerated or born again. Depending on how open we are to the supernatural, the Holy Spirit will fill us until his life overflows into our soul and spills onto manifestations of our body. That's why the Baptism of the Spirit typically includes things like people speaking in tongues and prophesying. Jesus said "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." (John 7:38).

  Some Christians do not have much toleration for the power of God---the Spirit never takes full possession of their soul. The Spirit is primarily confined to their human spirit, seated in heavenly places, waiting for them to open the gate of their heart in order for him to spring up & baptize them with his cleansing water and fiery zeal. Dry Christians--powerless Christians--are that way simply because they haven't yet let the water of the Spirit saturate their soul.  The well of the Spirit is in their belly (spirit) but hasn't yet overflown to the body and the soul. If we want God's power we must "open up" and let him access more of ourselves. 

    The Baptism of the Spirit is the doorway into the supernatural. I can testify, once you are baptized in the Spirit, you will see more miracles, interact more with angels, have more dreams and visions, and even speak in various tongues. The Baptism of the Spirit allows you to experience the same supernatural realm that you read about throughout the Bible. God is the same, yesterday and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He changes not. He's still doing countless miracles, signs and wonders. And, the Baptism of the Spirit will allow you to participate in the extraordinary activities of God. The best things about this Baptism is that it can happen multiple times.“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18, AMPC). We should "ever be" filled. 

   Do you want the water of the Spirit to saturate your body and soul? Then simply ask! "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7, NIV) The Baptism of the Holy Spirit may seem a little foreign and uncomfortable to you at first. Perhaps you're afraid of the "manifestations" or expressive ways the Spirit may cause you to act. Or, you may even be afraid of being "deceived" if you open yourself up more to the supernatural. That's understandable; however, the Scriptures clearly state God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind ( 2 Timothy 1:7). We must believe God's word, rather than our own fearful emotions. As the Lord said:

"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for[f] a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?  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!”" (Luke 11:11-13, NIV)

   Don't be afraid of receiving the Baptism of the Spirit. As you trust God and stay anchored to his Word, you will never go astray. The Bible is your supernatural life manual and it is meant to be experienced. The Bible is living and active, meaning you should be living the miraculous activity of Scripture. If not, something is wrong and you just might not be filled with the Spirit. So seek the Baptism of the Spirit, and you will receive it. 

If you want to be baptized in the Spirit, please receive my prayer for you:

Lord, I ask that you Baptize the readers in your Spirit. Some need a fresh infilling. Let the water of your Holy Spirit overflow in their hearts. Come upon them in power and saturate them in your anointing. Purify their hearts, oh God, and baptize them with the Spirit and with fire . Amen.