The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

We Need the Baptism of the Holy Spirit

John the Baptist prophesied concerning it - Matthew 3:11.
Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received it -Acts 1:4-5.
The disciples recognized the need for it in the early church - Acts 8:14-17.
Paul asked the Ephesian believers if they had received the Holy Spirit - Acts 19:2.
"Impress upon all the necessity of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the sanctification of the members of the church, so that they will be living, growing, fruit-bearing trees of the Lord's planting." Testimonies for the church, vol. 6, pg. 86.

What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

First of all, biblically speaking, to be baptized with the Holy Spirit is the same as being filled with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:5 Jesus told the disciples they would soon be "baptized" with the Holy Spirit. Then when that event took place known as "Pentecost" the Bible says they were all "filled" with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). It is simply two different words describing the same experience.

When a person is filled with the Holy Spirit their whole life is changed. The inner motives and desires are transformed. Instead of hate their is love. Instead of anxiety there is peace. Instead of fear there is joy. Instead of timidity there is Christian boldness. Instead of weakness there is strength. They receive power to overcome their sins, and power to witness to others.

There are three steps of the Holy Spirit's work in the live of a Christian. However, briefly, John 16:8-11 teaches us that the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

Step #1: We know that we are sinners.
Before we know Jesus the Holy Spirit is constantly trying to get us to see our need and accept Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins and power to live a better life (Genesis 6:3 & John 16:13-14).

Step #2: We know we have eternal life and are children of God.
After we accept Jesus by faith then the Holy Spirit convicts us that we are truly children of God (Romans 8:16).

Step #3: We receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit with power to defeat Satan.
The devil's power is defeated in our life (John 16:11). We receive the power of God to overcome our sins and be a faithful witness of Him.

The above three steps are clearly seen in the lives of Peter and Paul. Both were sinners, both came to know Jesus as their personal Saviour and Lord, and both had experiences where they were baptized, or filled, with the Holy Spirit—Pentecost for Peter, and the prayer of Ananias for Paul. Both of these men became changed in character, and powerful in labor as a result of knowing Jesus and being filled with the Spirit. So it may be with us today.
"After the descent of the Holy Spirit, the disciples were so filled with love for Him and for those for whom He died, that hearts were melted by the words they spoke and the prayers they offered. They spoke in the power of the Spirit; and under the influence of that power, thousands were converted." Acts of the Apostles, pg. 22.

What the Baptism of the Holy Spirit Accomplishes

Victory Over Sin

1 Samuel 10:6 - The baptism of the Holy Spirit will change us into different people.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 - Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Galatians 5:16 - If we walk in the Spirit we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
Ezekiel 36:25-27 - The Holy Spirit will enable us to obey God's commandments.
"`The prince of this world cometh,' said Jesus, `and hath nothing in Me.' Jn. 14:30. There was in Him nothing that responded to Satan's sophistry. He did not consent to sin. Not even by a thought did He yield to temptation. So it may be with us. Christ's humanity was united with divinity; He was fitted for the conflict by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And He came to make us partakers of the divine nature. So long as we are united to Him by faith, sin has no more dominion over us. God reaches for the hand of faith in us to direct it to lay fast hold upon the divinity of Christ, that we may attain to perfection of character." The Desire of Ages, pg. 123.

Power for Service

Acts 4:5-13 - The Holy Spirit will impart confidence to share our faith.
Acts 1:5,8 - Whatever God requests us to do He will impart power to perform.
Acts 2:1-4 - According to His will the Holy Spirit will enable us to do miraculous deeds.
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 - The Holy Spirit will give us a variety of abilities as they are needed.

It is not programming, nor talent, nor education alone that will lead people to accept Jesus, and finish the work of sharing His good news with the world, but the power of the Holy Spirit abiding on the consecrated worker.
"The inworking ministry of the Holy Spirit is our great need. The Spirit is all divine in its agency and demonstration. God wants you to have the gracious spiritual endowment; then you will work with a power that you were never conscious of before. Love and faith and hope will be an abiding presence. You can go forth in faith, believing that the holy Spirit accompanies you." Evangelism, pg. 299.
"When you have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, then you will understand more of the joys of salvation than you have known all your life hitherto. `Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses to me. . . unto the uttermost parts of the earth.'" Ellen White, Letter 33, 1890 (Dec. 4, 1890, to Dear Brethren & Sisters in Norwich, Mass.)