15/11/09

Are you baptized in the Holy Spirit?

John 15:26,27 - But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.


One of the most important part of Jesus' mission after opening Heaven's gates for us was to make sure we are able to enter. For this He sent us His Spirit - the Holy Spirit.

Like I put in my previous mails the Holy Spirit being one is still seven. Whom we receive in the start is the Spirit of Truth, Who helps us to understand the Word of God.

Take the case of Saul who later became Paul. Saul was proficient in the Law of Moses but only when he was baptized in the Holy Spirit did he really understand the books of Moses (Torah) and confess Christ as the Son of God.

By breathing unto the Apostles Jesus imparted unto them the Holy Spirit, and the Apostles unto the people by laying of hands or while preaching the Word. The Apostles received their baptism in the Holy Spirit during Pentecost although they had received the Holy Spirit nearly 40 days before, this happen only when they in their helplessness surrendered unto Him (you will understand actually what happened in the background when you read it with the book of Moses - Ten Commandments).

In Acts we read all who were baptized in the Holy Spirit were sure if they were or not. In baptism of the Holy Spirit there is not symbolism like in baptism of water, so how were they so sure to answer with a 'yes' or 'no' that they were baptized?

It is only when we study and understand scriptures, we too will be sure if we are really baptized or not.

Baptism in Lord Jesus Christ (water) enables one to make a claim to Heaven and the baptism of the Holy Spirit enables one to enter Heaven. Without both entering Heaven is not possible.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Father God, we thank You for your Spirit Whom we have received through your Son Jesus Christ. We pray that all those who have not surrendered unto your Spirit do so and be baptized by Him. So that, they really understand the Word and be strengthen by it...

We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
John 20:21,22
21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit:

Acts 1:4-5
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence.

Acts 8:14-17
14 Now when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit:
16 for as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 10:44-48
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Acts 19:1-6
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples:
2 and he said unto them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said unto him, Nay, we did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was given.
3 And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John's baptism.
4 And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus.
5 And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Acts 9:17-20
17 And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
18 And straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized;
19 and he took food and was strengthened. And he was certain days with the disciples that were at Damascus.
20 And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others.
(All rights are with God)