What is Holy Spirit baptism?
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a vital experience of the Christian life. It is a special work of the Spirit beyond salvation. On the Day of Pentecost, disciples who had already made a decision to follow Yeshua (Jesus) "were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the SPIRIT gave them utterance" (Acts 2:4). Shaul (Paul) asked the Ephesians disciples if they had received the Holy Spirit, after which "the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues" (Acts 19:2). The EVIDENCE of receiving the Holy Spirit IS the manifestation of tongues. New Testament believers were constantly challenged to be filled with the Spirit (Acts 1:4,5; Ephesians 5:18). Christian’s Community Center is committed to the baptism in the Holy Spirit, with the EVIDENCE of speaking in tongues, because the experience is such an important focus of New Testament Christianity.
The first thing you must consider is Holy Spirit baptism. This next scripture is to let you know that Yahvah understands that there will be a bit of apprehension when we enter into things that are unknown to us. He wants you to know that there is nothing to fear and that whatever he has for you will never hurt you. You have never received the Holy Spirit; therefore it is unknown to you. But listen to Yeshua in Luke 11:11-13:
Luke 11:11-13: “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”
Why do we get baptized?
Holy Spirit baptism is the indwelling of God’s Spirit, within you. Acts 1:8 states, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Living a saved life on your own motivation is not enough. One needs the PROMISE of the Holy Spirit, or that POWER that Yeshua declared before he left. Acts 1:5 states, “For Yohannon (John) truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.”
How do I get it?
Acts 2:4: “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other Tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Notice that when they received the Holy Ghost they spoke with tongues. Do you see that?
Your next question may be how can I assist you? Let me show you what Acts 19:1-6 says.
Acts 19:1-6: “And it came to pass, that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus; and finding certain disciples, He said unto them have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, we have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, unto Johns’ baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is on Yeshua Mashiach. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Yeshua.
Who should get baptized and speak in tongues?
ALL believers should be baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of tongues. But why speak in tongues? What is the purpose? The purpose is three fold;
1) a heavenly prayer language (language of angels) for intercession to Yahvah (God)
when praying for ourself or others. Romans 8:26 states that “we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Holy Spirit makes intercession to God for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” In other words, our language is limited, our knowledge is limited. But when the Holy Spirit utilizes our lips, our tongue and our voice to pray in the heavenly prayer language, he knows what to pray for according to the
will of God (Romans 8:27). So we pray voluntarily, but he gives us the language
by which we do so (groanings which we cannot utter—something that is not our
native tongue; not learned).
2) to edify or build up our spirit man (or woman) by utilizing this prayer language,
3) to enable Yahvah (God) to speak to people using the language of angels followed by interpretation so that others know what He is saying.