(RE)PRESSED GOD - PART 3 - The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
TODAY’S PREACHING
1 THESSALONIANS 5:19-21 KJV QUENCH (extinguish) NOT the (HOLY) SPIRIT. 20 DESPISE (displace or set aside, regard lightly, or not esteem) NOT prophesyings. 21 PROVE ALL THINGS; hold fast that which is good.
JOHN 16:7 NKJV [Jesus said] Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to YOUR ADVANTAGE that I go away; for if I do not go away, the HELPER (Comforter, Counselor, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, and Standby) will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
2 CORINTHIANS 13:14 MSG The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the INTIMATE FRIENDSHIP of the HOLY SPIRIT, be with all of you.
DESIRE FOR HIM
1 CORINTHIANS 12:1, 31 NKJV Now concerning SPIRITUAL [gifts] (things pertaining to and of the Holy Spirit), brethren, I do not want you to be IGNORANT: ... 31 But EARNESTLY DESIRE the best gifts…
1 CORINTHIANS 14:39-40 NKJV Therefore, brethren, DESIRE EARNESTLY to prophesy, and DO NOT FORBID to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
EARNESTLY DESIRE (covet) comes from the Greek word root ZELOS which means to be ZEALOUS or have warmth of feeling towards. It is an intense desire! Here it refers to a positive energy pocket.
THE HOLY SPIRIT WITHIN
The primary work of the Holy Spirit WITHIN YOU is to SUPPORT you in your own personal life; guidance, joys, peace, refreshment, help, counsel, comfort, etc.
JOHN 14:16-17 KJV [Jesus said] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 … for he dwelleth with you, and SHALL BE IN YOU.
2 CORINTHIANS 6:16 KJV [Paul said] …as God hath said, I WILL DWELL IN THEM, and WALK IN THEM; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
1 JOHN 4:4 KJV [John said] … greater is HE that is IN YOU, than he that is in the world.
THE HOLY SPIRIT UPON
The primary work of the Holy Spirit UPON YOU is to EMPOWER you in WITNESSING Christ to your network of relationships. One of the most provocative, profound and heart-hitting statements used in Scripture about the Holy Spirit is “baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
ACTS 1:4-5 NKJV And being assembled together with them, (Jesus) He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the PROMISE of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly BAPTIZED with water, but you shall be BAPTIZED with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
MATTHEW 3:11-12 NIV (John the Baptist said) I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will BAPTIZE you with the HOLY SPIRIT and with FIRE.
ACTS 2:1-4 KJV And when the DAY OF PENTECOST was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it SAT UPON each of them. 4 And they were all FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, and began to speak with other tongues, as the SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE.
Here we have another expression, “FILLED with the Holy Spirit,” used synonymously with “BAPTIZED with the Holy Spirit.”
ACTS 10:44-46 NKJV While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit FELL upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been POURED OUT on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Peter himself describing this experience in Jerusalem, told the story in this way…
ACTS 11:15-17 NKJV And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit FELL UPON them, AS UPON US at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be BAPTIZED with the Holy Spirit.' 17 If therefore God gave them the SAME GIFT as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?"
Here Peter distinctly called the experience which came to Cornelius and his household, being “BAPTIZED with the Holy Spirit.” Thus we see that these expressions are all synonymous.
“…FILLED with the Holy Spirit…” (ACTS 2:4)
“…the Holy Spirit FELL…” (ACTS 10:44)
“…BAPTISM with the Holy Spirit…” (ACTS 11:16)
“ …God gave them the SAME GIFT…” (ACTS 11:17)
Other expressions are also used to describe this blessing, such as …
“…RECEIVE the Holy Spirit…” (ACTS 2:38; 19:2-3),
“…the Holy Spirit CAME UPON them…” (ACTS 19:2-6)
“…the GIFT of the Holy Spirit…” (HEB 2:4; 1 COR 12:4, 11, 13)
“I send THE PROMISE of my Father upon you…” (LUKE 24:49; ACTS 1:4)
And “CLOTHED WITH POWER from on high…” (LUKE 24:49)
BENEFITS OF “TONGUES”
It is a distinct communication with God
Insightful praying about God’s plan for life
Builds up, sharpens and edifies the inner life
Expands worship to God
Stimulates faith
Along with several more spiritual benefits.
HOW TO ACTIVATE
Genuinely desire all that the Holy Spirit is (no prejudice).
Ask God for the baptism in the Holy Spirit and all His gifts.
Take steps of faith to encounter Him (like you see in Scripture).