STUDY CENTER
MEDIA CENTER
Holy Spirit Baptism
What is the Holy Ghost?
First of all, He (The Holy Ghost) is not an "it". He is the third person of the Trinity - The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost. We can see from the very beginning in the book of Genesis how God was, and always will be three persons. The Father plans it, the Son executes it, and the Spirit reveals it.
I Corinthians 12:4-6 defines the work of the Divine Trinity as gifts by the Holy Spirit; administrations by Jesus Christ; and operations by GOD the Father.
What does the Holy Ghost do?
Acts 1:8 says, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me."
The very first objective of the Holy Ghost is to give you POWER. “Ye shall receive POWER, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” You shall receive the POWER of the Spirit of God to be an effective witness for Jesus Christ.
The scripture "ye shall be witnesses unto me" is saying that with the POWER of the Holy Ghost you will be able to live in line with GOD's Word. You will able to let the love of Jesus Christ show in your life. Because of the Holy Ghost, you will not be ashamed of Jesus Christ regardless of where you are or who you are with. Your life will always be a witness for Jesus Christ. You actually receive the POWER, or the ABILITY, to live the Christian life, to obtain the promises of the Father for your life right here, right now.
Matthew 10:32-33 says, "If you will not confess me before men, I will not confess you before my Father"
It is impossible for you to be an effective witness for Christ without the POWER of the Holy Ghost.
The Holy Ghost is a Promise from God
Acts 1:4-5 Jesus gave instructions to his disciples saying, "Wait for the promise of the Father, which saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."
John 14:25-26 Jesus says, "These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
Luke 11:11-13 Jesus says, "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"
Acts 2:33 says "Therefore being by the right hand of GOD exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear."
Acts 2:38-39 states "then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our GOD shall call."
There is A Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Acts 1:5 “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”
Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Acts 2:1-4 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing might wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them, And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
John 1:32-33 “And John bare record saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him, And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.”
John 7:38-39 “He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake He of the Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given: because Jesus was not yet glorified.)"
John 20:22 “And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and saith unto them, RECEIVE YE THE HOLY GHOST:”
Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Acts 8:15-17 “Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.”
Acts 10:44-46 “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.--on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost, For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.”
Understanding and Speaking in Tongues
The gift of speaking in tongues, just like the gift of salvation is given freely by GOD. You cannot work for it. You cannot earn it. You do not have to tarry or wait for Him.
Acts 2:4 “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Benefit of Speaking in Tongues
Romans 8:26-27 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession of the saints according to the will of God.”
I Corinthians 14:2 the Word of GOD tells us "For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto GOD: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries."
When you speak in an unknown tongue, you speak directly to GOD. Satan cannot
understand or interfere with this prayer. An example of Satan interfering is while
praying, your prayer would be interrupted with crazy thoughts and you quickly forget
what you are praying for or what you are praying about. Your unknown tongue is
your personal way of communicating with GOD.