THE HOLY SPIRIT
(Acts 19:1-2) While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
The word baptism means “to be immersed in” There are three different baptisms mentioned throughout the New Testament.
Three Baptisms
Baptized into the Body of Christ. This is what brings us into the body of Christ, we call it salvation. When we give our hearts to Jesus we are totally submerged in Him, His family and His church.
(1 Corinthians 12:13) For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body...
(Galatians 3:26-27) You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Water baptism. This experience is designed to be completely separate from your salvation
(Acts 2:41) Those who accepted his message were baptized... water baptism is a public declaration to show your private decision to follow Jesus. God designed the experiences to be destinctly different to make sure that there is no temptation to confuse your salvation, which is from God alone, with anything you can do. Just like married couples wear a wedding band to show their commitment to each other, water baptism is a public expression of your faith in Jesus.
(Matthew 10:32-33) Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
The third baptism is ……
Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
This baptism provides the power you need to live this life victorious. You are called by God to make a difference on this earth and you need the power of the Holy Spirit to do everything God is calling you to do.
(Acts 8:14-17) When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
(1 John 5:7-8) For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.
Be Filled with the Spirit
1. Remove all barriers.
(Acts 2:38-39) Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
2. Request the gift of the Holy Spirit.
(Luke 11:13) If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!
3. Receive Him by faith.
(Ezekiel 47:3-5) As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in--a river that no one could cross.
(Hebrews 11:6) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
4. Relate to Him daily.
(2 Corinthians 13:14 Message) The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you. THE HOLY SPIRIT