Baptism of the Holy Spirit - Part 1
Jesus is the Baptizer
John 15:26
• The common denominator of baptism in the Holy Spirit in the New Testament was the new ability to speak in tongues.
Acts 2:44
Acts 10:44-48
Acts 11:13-16
Acts 19:1-7
• But isn’t my change in character (fruit of the Spirit) enough?
No! Think with me, what was it that drew the people to Peter at Pentecost? It couldn't have been the change in character of the Apostles, they simply wasn't time to observe such changes. It was the power of the Holy Spirit being manifested through the gift of tongues. – Acts 2:6-12
What convinced Simon the Sorcerer? – Acts 8:14-18
What was the evidence that the Gentile Cornelius (and family) was fully accepted by God? – Acts 10:46
• Speaking in tongues is important.
Mark 16:17
1 Corinthians 14:5
• Review the definition:
“Speaking in tongues is prayer with or in the Spirit. It is our spirit speaking to God, inspired by the Holy Spirit. It takes place when a Christian believer speaks to God, but instead of speaking in a language he knows with his intellect he just speaks, in childlike faith, and trusts God to provide the form of the words. The regenerated human spirit which is joined to the Holy Spirit is praying directly to the Father, in Christ, without having to accept the limitations of the intellect. As the new life in the Spirit is expressed, the spiritual life is built up or edified.” – The Holy Spirit and You, p. 56 Dennis & Rita Bennett
• God does not compel, He inspires.
Speaking in tongues is your spirit speaking, inspired by the Holy Spirit and your spirit is under your control. Your consent is always needed before you manifest any gift of the Spirit.
• Praying for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit:
ASK Jesus to baptize you in the Holy Spirit.
“Heavenly Father, I thank You that I am under the protection of the precious blood of Jesus which has cleansed me from all sin. Dear Lord Jesus, please baptize me in the Holy Spirit and let me praise God in a new language beyond the limitations of my intellect. Thank You, Lord; I believe that You’re doing this right now! In Jesus’ Name, I pray…”
BELIEVE you receive the moment you ask.
“Ask and you shall receive that your joy may be full.” John 16:24
CONFESS with your lips.
Confess in the new language that the Lord is ready to give you.
Open your mouth and show that you believe by beginning to speak.
Don’t speak English (or any other language that you know).
Trust God to give you the words.
This isn’t about ability, it is about setting aside ability.
Use your voice. But instead of saying what your mind wants to say, trust the Holy Spirit to guide your voice.
• But isn’t it just me talking?
Exactly. God doesn’t speak in tongues. People speak in tongues, as the Spirit gives the words.
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:11 NKJV
“Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob… I [am] the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.” Psalms 81:1, 10 NKJV
• What happens now?
Due to self-consciousness or inhibition, you may not yet have begun to speak in tongues. That’s okay – you didn’t flunk and you aren’t a failure. Simply keep at it until you make the first sound. As you surrender, He will provide.
You may have begun to speak, but only made a few halting sounds. Awesome! You’ve broken the sound barrier! Keep at it – offering those sounds to God. Love Jesus with those sounds and He will expand your new vocabulary.
You may have begun to speak in an overwhelming and wonderful new language. Terrific! Don’t get ‘holier than thou’ – this isn’t about you – it’s all about Him! Just keep at it growing in Christ.
John 15:26
• The common denominator of baptism in the Holy Spirit in the New Testament was the new ability to speak in tongues.
Acts 2:44
Acts 10:44-48
Acts 11:13-16
Acts 19:1-7
• But isn’t my change in character (fruit of the Spirit) enough?
No! Think with me, what was it that drew the people to Peter at Pentecost? It couldn't have been the change in character of the Apostles, they simply wasn't time to observe such changes. It was the power of the Holy Spirit being manifested through the gift of tongues. – Acts 2:6-12
What convinced Simon the Sorcerer? – Acts 8:14-18
What was the evidence that the Gentile Cornelius (and family) was fully accepted by God? – Acts 10:46
• Speaking in tongues is important.
Mark 16:17
1 Corinthians 14:5
• Review the definition:
“Speaking in tongues is prayer with or in the Spirit. It is our spirit speaking to God, inspired by the Holy Spirit. It takes place when a Christian believer speaks to God, but instead of speaking in a language he knows with his intellect he just speaks, in childlike faith, and trusts God to provide the form of the words. The regenerated human spirit which is joined to the Holy Spirit is praying directly to the Father, in Christ, without having to accept the limitations of the intellect. As the new life in the Spirit is expressed, the spiritual life is built up or edified.” – The Holy Spirit and You, p. 56 Dennis & Rita Bennett
• God does not compel, He inspires.
Speaking in tongues is your spirit speaking, inspired by the Holy Spirit and your spirit is under your control. Your consent is always needed before you manifest any gift of the Spirit.
• Praying for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit:
ASK Jesus to baptize you in the Holy Spirit.
“Heavenly Father, I thank You that I am under the protection of the precious blood of Jesus which has cleansed me from all sin. Dear Lord Jesus, please baptize me in the Holy Spirit and let me praise God in a new language beyond the limitations of my intellect. Thank You, Lord; I believe that You’re doing this right now! In Jesus’ Name, I pray…”
BELIEVE you receive the moment you ask.
“Ask and you shall receive that your joy may be full.” John 16:24
CONFESS with your lips.
Confess in the new language that the Lord is ready to give you.
Open your mouth and show that you believe by beginning to speak.
Don’t speak English (or any other language that you know).
Trust God to give you the words.
This isn’t about ability, it is about setting aside ability.
Use your voice. But instead of saying what your mind wants to say, trust the Holy Spirit to guide your voice.
• But isn’t it just me talking?
Exactly. God doesn’t speak in tongues. People speak in tongues, as the Spirit gives the words.
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:11 NKJV
“Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob… I [am] the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.” Psalms 81:1, 10 NKJV
• What happens now?
Due to self-consciousness or inhibition, you may not yet have begun to speak in tongues. That’s okay – you didn’t flunk and you aren’t a failure. Simply keep at it until you make the first sound. As you surrender, He will provide.
You may have begun to speak, but only made a few halting sounds. Awesome! You’ve broken the sound barrier! Keep at it – offering those sounds to God. Love Jesus with those sounds and He will expand your new vocabulary.
You may have begun to speak in an overwhelming and wonderful new language. Terrific! Don’t get ‘holier than thou’ – this isn’t about you – it’s all about Him! Just keep at it growing in Christ.
posted by Doug Love at 2:54 PM
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