And being assembled together with them, 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; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now (Acts 1:4-5).
We live in a day when many believers are shying away from the power of God manifested through the baptism with the Holy Spirit. Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away (2 Timothy 3:5). If there’s ever been a time that we need the power of God it’s today!
Jesus told the disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they were clothed with the power that comes in being baptized with the Holy Spirit. I sometimes illustrate it this way. What would you rather do; plow a field with a large tractor or with a mule? If you’re cutting a board which is easier, using a handsaw or a skill saw? Would you rather wash dishes by hand or use a dishwasher? Cutting grass with a push mower is not nearly as easy as with a riding mower! You’d want to wash clothes in a washing machine instead of with a scrub board wouldn’t you?
The baptism with the Holy Spirit brings with it new power to live for God. That’s because the baptism with the Holy Spirit relates you to the Holy Spirit in such a more intimate way. It opens you up to spiritual fellowship with Jesus in a way no experience can!
The disciples first received this experience in Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost. Several years later, believers in Samaria received in Acts 8. Then, 10 years later in Acts 10 some Gentile believers received the baptism with the Holy Spirit. And then 20 years after Pentecost some believers in Ephesus received this awesome experience in Acts 19. All of these believer spoke with other tongues when they received. And if you receive the same experience now, you should expect to speak in other tongues too!
I received the baptism with the Holy Spirit in 1976 and my life was radically transformed. I’ve walked in the light of this experience now for over 46 years. I simply could not imagine living without this intimacy with the Father and with Jesus that comes with the Holy Spirit baptism.
If you have not yet received this experience, cry out to the Father in hunger for it! If you have received it, then walk daily in the light of it. Don’t neglect such a great gift from Jesus. He wants your life to be overflowing with His Life, His love, His ability, His peace, joy, and rest. And the baptism with the Holy Spirit is the catalyst to begin the process that will take you there!
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