What is Spirit Baptism?
Spirit Baptism is being filled with the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 1:1-8, Luke records Jesus’ instructions to His disciples prior to His ascension. They were to remain in Jerusalem and “wait for the promise of the Father” (which was the Holy Spirit being sent to them).
“It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. 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.” (Acts 1:7-8)
Acts 2:4 then records that on the day of Pentecost “they were all filled with the Holy Spirit”.
These people were already believers and followers of Jesus - they were already saved. Now they had been filled with the Holy Spirit as Jesus had promised them.
Spirit Baptism is the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Throughout John 14-16 we see that Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to His disciples. Jesus said in these chapters that the Holy Spirit would be their helper, teacher, reminder, leader, guide, revealer etc.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit gives a person God-given help and strength to live the life, and perform the ministry He has entrusted to each one of us. The Holy Spirit gives us spiritual gifts and is the empowering presence of God in our life.
Spirit Baptism is different to salvation.
Our eternal salvation happens the moment we confess with our mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead (see Romans 10:9).
A person may be filled with the Holy Spirit at the moment of their salvation, but Spirit Baptism may also happen at a later time. The story of Paul and the Ephesian believers in Acts 19 explains this:
And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples.
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.”
And he said, “Into what then were you baptised?”
They said, “Into John’s baptism.”
And Paul said, “John baptised with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.”
On hearing this, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. There were about twelve men in all.
Many Christians today are like these believers in Ephesus - they had put their faith in Jesus but had never even heard of the Holy Spirit or experienced being filled with the Holy Spirit.
Spirit Baptism is a promise and gift from God.
Jesus promised His people the Holy Spirit, and like anything He desires for us, it’s simply a matter of us asking and receiving by faith.
“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!” (Luke 11:13)
Spirit Baptism is a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit.
We can trust Jesus and what He said about the Holy Spirit in John 14-16. What we learn in those chapters is the personal relationship a person can have with the Holy Spirit. This relationship is like any other - it’s interactive, grows over time, is personal and dynamic, comes with surprises and new discoveries.
Knowing God’s voice, presence, power, help and abilities are such a wonderful thing and make complete sense when we know how much He as our Father and Friend truly loves us.
How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit?
The wonderful thing about being filled with the Holy Spirit is that it’s as simple as asking and receiving by faith. The Holy Spirit, like our salvation, is a gift of His grace - which means we don’t earn it or deserve it, we simply believe in God and receive from God.
You might want to pray something like this:
Heavenly Father, I believe the words of Jesus. I believe that you send and give the Holy Spirit to empower your children for the life and ministry you’ve called them to. So right now I ask you to please fill me with your Holy Spirit. I ask for you to help me to know and trust the Holy Spirit more. I want to receive His help, hear His voice, be aware of His presence, live from His strength, use His gifts, and bear witness to the world. In Jesus’ name I ask. Amen.
What next?
Simply develop your relationship with the Holy Spirit, trusting that He is present and at work within you. Read the Bible (Luke, John and Acts) and see what Jesus said about the Holy Spirit and what happened when people were filled with the Holy Spirit.
As a church family, these are conversations and experiences that we share with one another. The more you share your story and ask others about theirs, the more we grow together in the things of God and our faith journey.
Got questions?
You can contact newHope’s Pastor on info@newhope.family // 0426-248-724 or complete the form below.