What is Baptism in the Holy Spirit? (Living Supernaturally)
Acts 2:1-4
- Key Passages on "Baptism in the Holy Spirit":
John 1:33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, `The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' (Jesus will baptize in the Holy Spirit)
1 Cor 12:13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
- What does "baptism in the Holy Spirit" mean? (This reception of the Spirit at conversion is what Paul refers to as "baptism in the Spirit." The coming of the Spirit into the life of an individual is what incorporates that person into the one unified Body of Christ, the Church. The subsequent physical rite of water baptism is then our way of expressing to the Church and the community that we now belong to Christ and His people. The phrase, "the baptism in the Spirit," is not used in Scripture to refer to a second experience sometime after conversion that transports one to a higher level of spirituality and deeper experience of the Spirit of God.)
- What does it mean to "drink the Spirit"? (This means that we can now draw on the Spirit's power and guidance to help us in our daily lives and to assist us in our ministry to other people. This is a perfect metaphor to describe our need to depend on the Spirit day by day and even hour by hour. We need to drink our fill of the Spirit regularly for healthy Christian living.)
- Eph 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.
Instead, be filled with the Spirit. What does being filled with the Spirit mean? (In experience, however, there may be one or more times after conversion when we are catapulted to a new level of communion with the Spirit. This may follow a time of yielding ourselves more completely to God, effectively dealing with a sinful behavior, or opening ourselves up in a new way to the work of the Spirit. And while some groups refer to this as "the baptism of the Holy Spirit," this second, third, or fourth deeper experience with the Spirit, however, is not what Scripture means by the phrase "baptism in the Spirit." It is growth and maturity better expressed by the metaphors of drinking and filling. )
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- Have you ever wondered why some Christians never get on fire for God? Why do some seem to have a vibrant faith? What’s the difference? (Spiritual gusto comes when we surrender fully to God--when we accept God's goals and methods for our lives. Passion comes as we choose to be single-minded in our pursuit of God, when we're willing to go anywhere and be anything God desires. The Bible calls that being led or filled by the Spirit. Only when the Spirit fills us can His fruit flourish in us. After discussing the fruit of the Spirit in Gal. 5:22-23, Paul concludes with a powerful description of the distinction between the Spirit-led life and the self-led life. "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit" (Gal 5:24-25)).
- Read Acts 2:1-4. What reaction to the Holy Spirit is seen here? (As we walk anywhere the Spirit leads, we can have the same zest.)
- How can we become filled with the Spirit?
Ask daily, Lk 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Repent from sin, Jn 16:8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment
Follow- yield to the Spirit, 1 Thess 5:19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire;