Good morning people who embrace the baptism that results in the power of God being seen.
Mark 1:8 NIV I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:5 NIV “For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is for today. I feel this needs to be stated upfront. The first church was birthed in the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The result was 3,000 people being added to the church on the first day. God’s way works.
It reminds me of yesterday’s scripture when multitudes responded to John’s message of baptism for repentance for the forgiveness of sins. That message still applies today, as does the message of being baptised in the Holy Spirit. God’s way works.
Full immersion into the Holy Spirit is for today. Receiving Jesus by grace through faith is essential to having a relationship with God. There is no other way. Subsequent to this – and sometimes simultaneously – there is a separate distinct baptism of the Holy Spirit that is for every believer. This baptism will result in power to be witnesses and martyrs for God (Acts 1:8).
People get caught up on the evidence of Holy Spirit baptism. There is a lot of debating, but not enough embracing. I’ve learnt that it’s not about my preference or even about what I am comfortable with (it wasn’t Jesus’ preference to go to the cross, and it most definitely wasn’t comfortable).
Today, I am simply calling us back to the Bible. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is God’s way and it is for today. Speaking in tongues is a sign, as is the Holy Spirit’s power to be witnesses and martyrs for the glory of God. The church will expand as a result of people being baptised in the Holy Spirit.
If you have been baptised in the Holy Spirit, I encourage you to be continually filled and to speak in tongues as much as possible and to take opportunities to testify of God’s goodness.
If you have not been baptised in the Holy Spirit, I encourage you to ask the Father to baptise you in the Holy Spirit and with power. I add my amen to your prayer in Jesus’ name.