SHARING THE GOSPEL

STEP 1 PREPARATION - CHAPTER 8

THE BAPTISM AND GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

When a person comes to Jesus Christ, they receive Christ into their heart. The Spirit of God comes and connects with the Spirit of the believer. This "indwelling Spirit" reproduces and recreates the life of Jesus in the follower's life. This experience of the Fruit of the Spirit operating in our lives happens the instant a person asks Jesus Christ into their heart. (Yesterday’s chapter 7 study guide on the Fruit of the Holy Spirit.)

IMPORTANT
HOWEVER, A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE is also for those that believe that Jesus Christ is the Lord of their lives. John the Baptist foretold, "I baptize you with water, but He (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." (Mark 1:8).

But with the indwelling Spirit in which Christians receive the moment that they are saved reproduces the life of Jesus (fruit of the Spirit.) So the outpoured or baptizing Holy Spirit reproduces the ministry of Jesus, consisting of the Holy Spirit's power (dynamism) in witnessing and much more through the Gifts. 

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is empowering and equipping for service a separate experience that takes place in a Christian in Acts 1:5-8. In it, we are immersed and saturated in the Spirit's life, power (dynamism), and growth. 

DENOMINATIONS HAVE DEBATES AND DIFFERENCES. . .
that are a part of the ministry and a part of discipleship. While we wrestle with these issues, dealing with these differences and conflicts is as essential as the outcome. We all strive for is a greater understanding of the different positions on the issues, and in most cases, my purpose is not to defend just one position.

Some denominations, pastors, and Christians see the born-again experience as all there is to Salvation. These denominations and pastors have been used mightily of God. I have seen their Christian faith and testimony exemplified for the Glory of God. Though some Christians take issue that there is a separate and distinct experience of being baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. They primarily dispute the legitimacy of the gifts of the Holy Spirit for today's believers.

Responding to this issue, I want to maintain three simple values: be knowledgeable (as humanly possible,) be honest (concerned for what is true), and be charitable (gracious.) As we gently discuss this issue, guiding and demonstrating a Christian character is most important of all, avoiding sowing any seeds of discord. Having the highest respect for their testimony that on receiving Salvation, they do not believe there is a separate experience of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Do I understand it all? Of course not. But I know that God loves both sides and uses either side in miraculous ways to share the Gospel. All you have to do is study preachers, evangelists, and laypeople from centuries ago till now on either side to confirm that fact.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion because of all the side issues on either side. Just a note, all scriptures are perfect, but people (myself included) are fallible (imperfect.) My prayer is that you receive the below explanations tied to scriptures with an open mind that comes from a place of love and compassion.

More importantly, search the scriptures yourself and make it a matter of prayer when you talk to God. Ask your Father in Heaven to guide and lead you in all truth in seeking and understanding the Gifts of the Spirit for today's world. Recommend reading the Book of Acts, which talks about the Church and those people receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

WHEN CAN I RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?
Many people believe that they are immediately also baptized in the Holy Spirit when they are born again. At the new birth, we receive the Spirit inside us (Ezekiel 36:26-27,) but the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a distinct additional empowerment as we look at scripture.

In Acts 8:14-17, "When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit."

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit can occur simultaneously as in Acts 10:44-46, but often separately and after the salvation experience as in Acts 8:12-17. In Acts 19:1-8, we discover new believers who weren't yet baptized in the Holy Spirit, and Paul had to instruct them about it and baptized all of them. Like many of today's Christians, they were born again & water baptized but never baptized in the Holy Spirit. But when Paul taught them, they received the Holy Spirit fully as in Acts 19:1-6.

WHAT SHOULD I DO BEFORE ASKING?
This incredible experience of Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a free gift, as we yield fully to God to receive him. Jesus will certainly respond to a yielded person. The joy and happiness He gives through total obedience to Him significantly outweighs and surpasses anything anyone could give up.

EVIDENCE OF THE BAPTISM
In the scriptures, when believers were baptized in the Holy Spirit, something occurred, and folks saw something; there was clear evidence. These consist of power, speaking in tongues, prophecy, boldness, sharing the Gospel (witnessing), and more. Therefore they didn't just hope they received but clearly understood and recognized what they had. (Pause and Reflect.)

Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 10:44-46, "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God."

Acts 4:31, "..And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God boldly."

 

RECEIVING THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Pray, worship, and seek His face; to see the importance. DESIRE it much and PURSUE Him until you are filled. Read the Book of Acts to see it clearer between the believers of those days and today.

First, once you have accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you can ask God to baptize you in the Holy Spirit. Second, in faith, believe you have received this Gift from God. You have to believe that if you ask, you will receive Him.

It is correct and biblical to have another Christian lay hands on a believer to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. But it is also not necessary. You can still receive by faith on your own by yourself.

Thirdly: believe, ask, act, and receive. (Acts 8:14-17, Acts 9:17).

PERSONAL TESTIMONY
When I repented of my sins, I believed and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and received the indwelling Spirit of God (Fruit of the Spirit progressively working in my life.) It was a wonderful experience. For the next year or so, I had folks praying for me to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit to no avail. You ask why not? Each individual experience is different, and in my case, I was shy, and an introvert did not like being in front of many people.

One night a year later, I was alone praying and worshipping God, not thinking about receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. All of a sudden, my words were not enough in worshipping God, and I got lost in God's love to worship Him with all my heart and not just my head.

That night I was filled and baptized with the Holy Spirit. In the past, I focused on the experience and not the purpose of the Holy Spirit. Everyone's experience is different in receiving. But the focus should always be on Jesus and His love for you and your love for Him, not just receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Tell Jesus how much you love Him; thank and praise Him, pray and worship Him, and give your voice to Him. Now let Him give you all-new words of praise you never knew before. Keep praying to God each day in the language that the Holy Spirit has given you. Relax and receive, and make sure to focus on Him, not just on the experience. It is not as much a head experience but a heart experience.

If you have not received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, I would like to encourage you to keep seeking quietly at home or with a Christian brother or sister. God can still use you in amazing ways for those who do not receive the Baptism, are taught differently, or still have questions.  No matter what we think or know about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, God will use you mightly as we submit to His presence working in us.

SUGGESTED PRAYER OF FAITH TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
"Heavenly Father, I thank You that Jesus saved me, and I pray for the Holy Spirit to come upon me and that the Lord Jesus will baptize me now in the Holy Spirit. I believe and receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit now by faith, and the power and the anointing of God come upon me right now. May I be empowered and equipped for your service from each day forward. Thank You for baptizing me in Your Holy Spirit, Lord Jesus." Amen.

The Spirit-filled life is an adventure with Christ. Are you ready for the adventure?

 

THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, ENABLES US TO SHARE OUR FAITH
In the Old Testament, the Gift of the empowering of the Holy Spirit was confined to specific individuals such as prophets, priests, and mediators like Moses.

But the issue of the New Testament is that the whole body of those saved (regenerated) can now be empowered and equipped from on high to carry out its task. Notice at Pentecost (The Baptism of the Holy Spirit) is tied very closely to the great commission. Jesus said, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

The Fruit of the Spirit shows the development of a person's character and personality as they are changed to the image of Christ. In contrast, the spiritual Gifts of the Spirit are given to every believer for ministry work, including sharing the Gospel (witnessing.)

But the Gifts of the Spirit are not necessarily a tool for the Deeping of a person's spiritual life. People often misunderstand that just because a person may speak in tongues does not mean they are better than others or even have more Spiritual growth (the Fruit of the Spirit.)

 

9 GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The manifestations and demonstrations of the Gifts of the Spirit are given to each person based on God's all-powerful CHOOSING and the needs of each personal situation and calling. The Gifts of the Spirit are as follows from 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

1. Word of Wisdom - Not worldly wisdom, wisdom that comes from God.

2. Word of Knowledge – An example is Apostle Paul knew the outcome of a shipwreck before it happened. (Acts 27:22-26).

3. Gift of Faith - Different than faith for Salvation or individual faith. It is a supernatural faith for particular needs or work. Many pioneer missionaries and Pastors are given this Gift of Faith to start a work in a developing country or start a church in an inner-city from scratch. One example is Evangelist Dave Wilkerson. 

4. Gift of Healing - One example is Kathryn Kulman. I had the privilege of being in one of her services to see all the healings take place.

5. The Working of Miracles (Miraculous powers) - God acts on something impossible for a natural man with no natural explanation. 

6. Gift of Prophecy - Is forth-telling God's Bible truths under the anointing in one's mother tongue. Prophecy does edify the Church, exhorts, and comforts us. 

7. Discerning of Spirits - Do not believe everything that you hear. Always try the spirits to see if they are of God or not.

8. Speaking in Tongues (Different kinds of tongues.)
a. It is physical evidence of the Baptism of the Spirit.
b. Talking to God in tongues while worshipping or praying.
c. Gift of tongues in giving a message in church, coupled with the interpretation.

9. Interpretation of Tongues - Means to explain what has been spoken in tongues. The one who interprets the message in tongues will not understand the language of the person speaking in tongues. 

COMPARISON CHART TO SEE THE SIMILARITIES AND THE DIFFERENCES OF FRUIT AND GIFTS
Let's view the fruit and spiritual gifts in a side-by-side comparison to observe their similarities and differences.

FRUIT	GIFTS
Character Related Matthew 7:21	Non-Character Related Matthew 7:22-23
Living a Godly Life John 15:4-5	Work of the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 12:7,11
Produced by the Spirit Galatians 5:22-24	Distributed by the Spirit 1 Corinthians 12:4,11
For the Glory of God Matthew 5:16	For the Common Good 1 Corinthians 12:7
Showing to be a Disciple John 15:8	Edification of Self & Others 1 Corinthians 14:3-5
No Signs & Wonders John 13:35	Signs & Wonders 1 Corinthians 14:22
Evidence of Your Identity in Christ	Tools for Ministry
Enablement Ephesians 1:3	Empowerment Acts 1:8
Produce	Desire

 

FOR THOSE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
We observe Jesus manifested and revealed in their lives. But the way we know if somebody is continuing to live their life by the Spirit is simply by watching and seeing the fruit in their life. And even though we should eagerly and consistently desire the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, so in that, we can build and develop up the body of believers. We ought to be concerned that we are walking in the love of God in the Fruit of the Spirit.

The Gifts are mainly tools (resources) that God has provided us to stimulate faith in ourselves and others and minister to them. Nevertheless, we still choose to live our lives pleasingly to Him, and we have to bear fruit. Everything else would be useless without the fruit of love and the other fruits developing and evolving out of our hearts.

So if you are a BELIEVER of Christ that has never been baptized with the Holy Spirit, I encourage and invite you to ask the Lord for this Gift. He promises to give and provide this good and desirable Gift to those who ask. In Luke 18:1-8, the parable of the persistent widow Jesus showed His disciples that they should always pray and not give up

CONCLUSION
Our final intention is always to glorify God, not simply to be blessed. We are told to "... be filled with the Spirit."  (Ephesians 5:18).  Literally, this passage conveys the thought that we should be filled continually as in be being filled.  The idea is that the experience is designed not to be a one-time occasion but rather a continuing experience.

Regardless of their various gifting, believers are called to abide in Christ and develop the same fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.) (Galatians 5:22-23).

Christians may receive different Spiritual Gifts; however, we should each be known by the same Fruit of the Spirit.

Download The Baptism and Gifts Of The Holy Spirit PDF

 

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