Baptism in the Holy Spirit - Acts 1:4-5

Baptism in the Holy Spirit

The word Baptize come from the Greek “baptizo” and means to be immersed. This word is distinct in its meaning and is found some 80 odd times in scripture. Whilst being baptized generally was a sign of conversion it is obvious the bible is distinctly trying to emphasize a different work over and above that of conversion.

In Acts 19:2 Paul specifically asks new converts whether they have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, something that was obviously not automatically meant to be a part of conversion. It is therefore also important, even necessary, that we in our generation seek out this exciting gift from God.

Wait for that which was promised

Whilst last week we examined how the Spirit of God has always been at work throughout the ages, I deliberately said little about His work in the New Testament. It is here that I wish to begin our study in the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus, after commissioning the disciples before his return to the Father, gives them what I believe is one of the most important commands ever given. In Acts 1:4-8 Jesus tells them to “wait” and that at Pentecost they would “receive” that which was promised. Whilst we know the promise was for the Holy Spirit, I believe the emphasis here is on the waiting.

Why was it so important to “wait” for the promise of the Holy Spirit? Had not the disciples spent much time with Jesus and heard truly amazing truths and seen miracles again and again?

I believe the answer to this question lies in the result of the waiting. Acts 2 gives us the account of this dramatic event as it unfolds. There are a number of things which are evident of the Spirit’s encounter on Pentecost.

Believers are transformed (Evidence)

Believers speak with new and strange languages (Signs)

Believers are compelled to talk about what they have received (Go)

Spend some time discussing these statements above and share your own encounters…

Waiting is something that not everyone is good at, in fact if we are to examine scripture we can find numerous examples of man’s inability to wait for God. None more famous than that of Abraham and his impatience & the birth of Ishmael. See Gen 7, are there other examples?

 

Isaiah 40:31 says “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up on wings of Eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not grow faint”. Un-doubtable one of the most powerful and demonstrative examples of the power of waiting and running with what God has for us is seen in this scripture.

Again Zec 4:6 tells us that it is “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord…” Being able to let go and let God is not one of our strong points. As followers of Jesus, we must learn to do as Jesus did, that is only to go where the Father points and only to do what the Father commands.

Waiting Precedes the Going

As a result of being filled with this new power, “dunamis” power as the scripture says, the bible tells us that they firstly took the gospel of Jesus to Jerusalem. This was prophesied by Jesus himself in Acts 1:8 “…first in Jerusalem…” Emphasis here though was not on the power itself, but merely a catalyst to do the commandments of Jesus “to go into all the world”. Why is this important?

In fact as we examine scripture in Acts 6 beginning with the stoning of Stephan, the disciples or believers were “thrust out” of Jerusalem, out of their homes and comfortable lifestyles into unknown territory. It is so easy to get stuck at the “altar…” and to forget that there is a whole relationship that needs to be developed.

As a result the church expanded westward and in less than a few hundred years would become the religion of the Roman Empire and ultimately the then known world.

Witnesses

Jesus tells the disciples they are to be His witnesses, that is, eye witnesses to what Jesus has done at the cross, his resurrection & his ascension into heaven. But the power of His message is in redemption and power of His blood through the forgiveness of sins. But Jesus uses a very powerful word which ultimately prepares the disciples for greater things. The word for witness used here is “martyr” from the Greek indicating the way in which many believers would die taking this message to the world. Thus indicating the road ahead to be a difficult one for many of them. It is this work the Holy Spirit most certainly enables the disciples to take when He clothes them with power. See Acts 1:8

Clothed from on high

Luke 24:49 says "And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." See also John 14:15-20. The interesting aspect of this scripture is that Jesus describes the empowering here as a “clothing”.

See Judges 6:34; 1Chron 12:18; 2Chron 24:20

In all the examples above, scripture shows us that the clothing or upon of the Holy Spirit was for the empowering for God’s people to do His work.

Jesus makes the comment in John 14 “these things and many more you shall do” indicating that we should expect to be used in much the same ways that Jesus was used by the Father to outwork His plan. Again and again in scripture we see Jesus asking for strength to do these things. How much more should we do the same?

In Conclusion

The Holy Spirit baptism is without any doubt an empowering for the outworking of God’s plan. Without it, the church and body of Christ universally simply become just another organization or “toothless tiger” without any real power to be all He has called us to be.