The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

Read Again (Second Edition)

In the Bible, we have seen how the baptism in water preceded the baptism in the Holy Spirit, as indicated in the life of our Lord Jesus.  However, let’s not be narrow-minded to think that Jesus did not have the Holy Spirit for those whole 30 years. God just wanted to show us how the journey of faith should be, however, with no algorithms. John the Baptist’s birth preceded the birth of our Lord Jesus, and also the ministry of John the Baptist preceded the ministry of our Lord Jesus.

The Bible says, “Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me...” (Malachi 3:1). The Bible in this verse is referring to John the Baptist. He came to prepare the way of our Lord Jesus. The Bible tells us that he began preaching that the kingdom of God is near, baptising people, and many began coming to him confessing their sins. Let us read: “Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins” (Matthew 3:5-6).

The Bible is shedding light on what the Jews did during water baptism—they confessed their sins. Now, many people are taught that it is of the utmost importance to confess all your sins before God prior to baptism in water or when signing up as a member of the body of Christ. Is it true, though? It is true that they confessed their sins, but what sins? We look at it this way: that they confessed all their sins, as in all the sins they could remember. What if they forgot that they once stole money while they were kids?

However, if they were to confess all their sins, it would take forever for them to enumerate all their sins. In what manner were they confessing their sins? Let’s see in the Bible, “...We have sinned, we have done wrong, and have committed wickedness” (2 Chronicles 6:37). Of course, in some instances, they mentioned just one sin they committed; however, imagine if they had never gone to the place of worship in their life. Then they would have spent the whole day confessing their sins. The actual reality is, they just had to acknowledge that they were sinners, and they would be forgiven.

Did Jesus suggest that people confess their sins before they could be saved? The Bible says, “When He saw their faith, He said, ‘Man, your sins are forgiven you’” (Luke 5:20). Jesus only forgave this man’s sins when He saw their faith; in fact, the faith here is the faith of his friends. Which means that when we believe, we become forgiven, which ultimately leads to the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The Bible records that after Jesus came out of the water after John baptised Him, the Holy Spirit came upon Him like a dove. 

Therefore, baptism is imperative among us believers. When is the right time for someone to receive the Holy Spirit within them? It is when that person believes in Christ by hearing a sermon talking about Christ. John the Baptist preached, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11). John is talking here about his ministry, which preceded the ministry of our Lord Jesus, which, according to him, is greater than his ministry. 

John acknowledges Christ’s ministry as greater than his already even before it started because somehow, prophetically, they met. Therefore, when you have been baptised in water, the next baptism is in the Holy Spirit. We must understand that the words "baptism" and "infilling" are two different words. It’s like drinking water to be filled with water and whereas baptism is being immersed in the water. Therefore, when one receives the Holy Spirit, there is a phase of the infilling with the Holy Spirit and ultimately the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

We must understand that the word "baptise" in Greek is actually "to be immersed" or "to be submerged." See what Jesus said, “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—” (John 14:16). The Holy Spirit, in whom you are now baptised, will abide with you forever. Not until your next sin. Jesus said, forever. In this, we understand that it is by grace; it is not by our meticulousness because we are not, only God and His goodness toward us cannot fizzle. 

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is inevitable when one accepts Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, and later, baptism in the Holy Spirit will come. You cannot be touched by the supernatural power of God and remain the same; if you are baptised in water, you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit within you. I would like to quote these words of John from Matthew 3:11, “...He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”; the word "with" in the Greek is "en" (έν): a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time, or state). Therefore, the baptism is not "with" but "in" the Holy Spirit. Just as one is baptised in water and is submerged, even the baptism in the Holy Spirit is the same. 

Our relationship with the Person of the Holy Spirit as believers is not like that of those in the Old Testament. During the Old Testament days, the Holy Spirit would come upon the prophets and go. For instance, the Bible records, “When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting against him. Then the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him; and the ropes that were on his arms became like flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands” (Judges 15:14). The Bible tells us that he was bound, and yes, he submitted himself to that. However, we must understand that here Samson was just a normal human being until the Spirit of God came upon him.

The Bible doesn’t say that Samson used his might to break loose the ropes that bound him, but they became like flax that is burned with fire, and his bonds broke loose from his hands when the Holy Spirit came upon him.  When we are favoured by the Almighty God, we rest and let God do the rest. When they bound him, the Holy Spirit was not with him; however, the reason is not because he had sinned. What I understand here, therefore, is that the Spirit of God came to them in their time of need and would leave immediately afterward. Look at what the Holy Spirit did for Samson: the Holy Spirit came to burn the ropes that had bound Samson; he didn’t use his might, as we might have been taught. It’s clear even here in the Bible. 

The Holy Spirit would come and go for them in their covenant of the law. You child of God, who is saved by the covenant of the blood of Jesus, the Holy Spirit abides with you forever. We cannot pray that prayer of David when he said, “Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me” (Psalm 51:11). David had to make this prayer because of the covenant that was in place in his day. Today, we have the promise from the Lord Jesus Christ that the Holy Spirit will abide with us forever.

Once you receive the Holy Spirit in this covenant, we have Him forever. The Holy Spirit will not come while you are upright and leave you when you are no longer upright; this is actually against what Jesus preached in the Upper Room. Now, how did worshippers receive the Holy Spirit in the first church? The Bible records this, “‘And He commanded us to preach to the people, and testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.’ While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word” (Acts 10:42-44).

Wonderful, isn’t it? When Peter spoke about the remission of sins, the Holy Spirit fell upon them. It is when we know that our sins are forgiven that we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. These people did not even pray for baptism in the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit baptised them. The word "heard" here in the Greek is just normal hearing. People heard the words which Peter preached, and the Holy Spirit fell upon them. I would like now to show you something just before I close this topic. I said earlier that the people of the Old Covenant would receive the Holy Spirit at a certain time and would leave immediately after performing a task, as opposed to believers in the New Covenant, with whom the Holy Spirit abides forever. 

Read the following verse: “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders of Israel’” (Acts 4:8). Peter was already filled when coming to these rulers and elders of Israel. But in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit would only come at a certain stage of the proceedings. In the New Testament, the Bible doesn’t say the Holy Spirit came, but it says “being full of the Holy Spirit” or “filled with the Holy Spirit.” Why? Because the Holy Spirit is always present with us in the grace covenant. 

Now, as I close on this topic, never put pressure on yourself, wanting to receive the Holy Spirit. If you do put pressure on yourself, you may even fall for the scams of Simon. Simon said, “...Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:19). Now, if Simon wanted this gift with money, it means that he would scam people if he received the Holy Spirit by means of paying. Think with me now, don’t you think that Simon was scamming people and scheming regarding having spiritual gifts?

The Bible says, “But Peter said to him, ‘Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money’” (Acts 8:20). If this was his mentality, then he had underhand, devious dealings whereby he promised to give people spiritual gifts. The apostle Peter cursed him and his money. You cannot work for the indwelling and baptism in the Holy Spirit, let alone pay money in any other form. No matter how sugar-coated it may be, the Holy Spirit is a free gift from God.

Paul assures us, saying, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). If we work for our salvation, we will boast, which will result in condemning others, but when we remember that it’s a gift, we will want to pass it on to others for free. 

Stay in health and favour.