In this message we are going to learn about the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
We need to understand how we can move in power, so we first need to understand how Jesus moved in power as the Son of Man.
We can now learn how, like Jesus, to move in the power of God.
Holy Spirit Baptism of Jesus
Firstly, everything starts with the Father. John baptizes Jesus and the Father justifies Him.
MATTHEW 3:16-17 …AND BEHOLD, THE HEAVENS WERE OPENED TO HIM, AND HE SAW THE SPIRIT OF GOD DESCENDING LIKE A DOVE AND ALIGHTING UPON HIM. AND SUDDENLY A VOICE CAME FROM HEAVEN, SAYING, “THIS IS MY BELOVED SON, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED.”
The reformation we are seeing around the world at this time is showing us the importance of the Father in everything we are and do as sons and daughters of God.
Jesus is the One who Baptizes Us
MATTHEW 3:11 … BUT HE WHO IS COMING AFTER ME IS MIGHTIER THAN I, WHOSE SANDALS I AM NOT WORTHY TO CARRY. HE WILL BAPTISE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FIRE.
Jesus is the one who baptizes us because:
We are united with Him in one Baptism (water and Spirit). Neither baptism is part of the new birth experience.
Father has given Jesus the kingdom.
In the Old Testament God would cause the Spirit of God to come upon people.
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is when the Spirit Comes upon us
Holy Spirit came UPON Jesus
MATTHEW 12:18 “BEHOLD! MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN, MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL PLEASED! I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE WILL DECLARE JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES.
Holy Spirit will come UPON us
ACTS 1:8 BUT YOU SHALL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS COME UPON YOU; AND YOU SHALL BE WITNESSES TO ME IN JERUSALEM, AND IN ALL JUDEA AND SAMARIA, AND TO THE END OF THE EARTH.”
To emphasize the point, the Greek word for upon – epi; means upon. It never means in, or fills, or within.
Old Testament ‘Baptism in the Holy Spirit’
In the Old Testament, the Spirit of God would come upon people at the instruction of God.
So, in some respects, they were baptised in the Holy Spirit. King Saul prophesied when the Holy Spirit came upon him.
1 SAMUEL 19:23-24 SO HE WENT THERE TO NAIOTH IN RAMAH. THEN THE SPIRIT OF GOD WAS UPON HIM ALSO, AND HE WENT ON AND PROPHESIED UNTIL HE CAME TO NAIOTH IN RAMAH. AND HE ALSO STRIPPED OFF HIS CLOTHES AND PROPHESIED BEFORE SAMUEL IN LIKE MANNER, AND LAY DOWN NAKED ALL THAT DAY AND ALL THAT NIGHT. THEREFORE THEY SAY, “IS SAUL ALSO AMONG THE PROPHETS?”
Here we see that the Spirit of the Lord came upon King Saul.
Baptism Comes with Further Infilling of the Holy Spirit.
ACTS 2:4 AND THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES, AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE.
Holy Spirit baptism is different from being filled with the Holy Spirit. Although you are filled with the Holy Spirit again, Jesus baptizes you; baptism is when the Holy Spirit also comes upon you.
Understanding the purpose of Holy Spirit baptism is to release power, we know why He comes upon you.
From then on, when the Spirit is upon us, whoever you touch by faith, believing, you unleash the power of God, and have the anointing smear on that person.
There is no question that Holy Spirit fills us at this baptism. However, Holy Spirit infilling happens many times in our lives, starting at new birth.
We determine how “filled” we are. We also limit how filled we are if we will not allow God to save us. Jesus reconciled us through His death; His resurrection is what saves us. It also is why we need to work at our salvation:
PHIL 2:12-13 THEREFORE, MY BELOVED, AS YOU HAVE ALWAYS OBEYED, NOT AS IN MY PRESENCE ONLY, BUT NOW MUCH MORE IN MY ABSENCE, WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING; FOR IT IS GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO FOR HIS GOOD PLEASURE.
Proof of Baptism in the Holy Spirit is POWER And Force
Defining Power in the Greek
ACTS 1:8 BUT YOU SHALL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS COME UPON YOU; AND YOU SHALL BE WITNESSES TO ME IN JERUSALEM, AND IN ALL JUDEA AND SAMARIA, AND TO THE END OF THE EARTH.”
Dynamis is the word where we get dynamite from: dynamis; force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself): — ability, abundance, meaning, might(-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle(-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.
Looking at Greek we see two words that stand out: Force and Power. These are similar but different – and worth meditating upon:
Force Causes an Object to Move Against Another Object
“Force is the fundamental result of an interaction between two objects.
While power is an expression of energy consumed over time, producing work, of which force is an element.”
God made the laws of physics in the physical realm. And in my opinion, within the spiritual realm, we can apply this same law. Let’s use healing as an example.
Spiritually speaking, force is an interaction between God (one object) and man (the other object).
The force causes something to shift in the person for their benefit.
The mathematical formula for Force (F) is F=ma (force = mass multiplied by acceleration)
So, first let’s look at mass in the spirit:
Power has Weight of Glory
Mass is an object weighing something. What is interesting is that glory means weight in Hebrew: ḵâḇôḏ; weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness: — Power has mass! And it accelerates from one place to another. We see this beautifully in the healing of the women who was bleeding:
LUKE 8:43-46 NOW A WOMAN, HAVING A FLOW OF BLOOD FOR TWELVE YEARS, WHO HAD SPENT ALL HER LIVELIHOOD ON PHYSICIANS AND COULD NOT BE HEALED BY ANY, CAME FROM BEHIND AND TOUCHED THE BORDER OF HIS GARMENT. AND IMMEDIATELY HER FLOW OF BLOOD STOPPED. AND JESUS SAID, “WHO TOUCHED ME?” WHEN ALL DENIED IT, PETER AND THOSE WITH HIM SAID, “MASTER, THE MULTITUDES THRONG AND PRESS YOU, AND YOU SAY, ‘WHO TOUCHED ME?’ BUT JESUS SAID, “SOMEBODY TOUCHED ME, FOR I PERCEIVED POWER GOING OUT FROM ME.”
Power Shifts Things
This weight of glory accelerates, hitting (in the example above) her uterus, destroying the enemy’s works. So, it is with us as we operate in the power of God. The power or force of the Holy Spirit within us will heal the sick, raise the dead, perform signs and wonders.
ISAIAH 10:27 IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THAT DAY… AND HIS YOKE FROM YOUR NECK, AND THE YOKE WILL BE DESTROYED BECAUSE OF THE ANOINTING OIL.
Jesus will destroy yokes of bondage through the glory, destroying those yokes and breaking all the works of the devil.
Power Produces Work overtime
The formula for power is: P=W/T measured in Horsepower. P = w/t (power = work divided by time) Therefore, using simple mathematics, we can move power to calculate work: W=P t (Work=Power x Time.)
Healing is Work Jesus teaches us that healing people is work:
JOHN 9:1-4 NOW AS JESUS PASSED BY, HE SAW A MAN WHO WAS BLIND FROM BIRTH. AND HIS DISCIPLES ASKED HIM, SAYING, “RABBI, WHO SINNED, THIS MAN OR HIS PARENTS, THAT HE WAS BORN BLIND?” JESUS ANSWERED, “NEITHER THIS MAN NOR HIS PARENTS SINNED, BUT THAT THE WORKS OF GOD SHOULD BE REVEALED IN HIM. I MUST WORK THE WORKS OF HIM WHO SENT ME WHILE IT IS DAY; THE NIGHT IS COMING WHEN NO ONE CAN WORK
Now let’s go back to the formula: Work=Power x Time.
God made this law of physics in the physical realm. Greater power is needed to get work done in a short period. In my observation, the same law applies in the realm of the spirit.
Miracles versus Healings
Holy Spirit baptism will release power, which produces miracles and healings. Energy flows from God over time, resulting in recovery.
Let us say that we want to see a crippled walk. To see that happen immediately will require more power than to see that occur as healing.
I believe that is ONE reason why there are fewer miracles than healings in some countries. I know that this is not taking into account God’s greatness or sovereignty, but for simplicity sake, let’s look at this mathematically.
If it requires 100 units of work to heal a disabled person, the person is healed in 1 hour (which for a miracle is quite long). 100=? x 1 It accordingly requires 100 units of power.
Now let us say God will heal that person in 100 hours. The exact amount of work is required to cure the person, therefore: 100=? x 100
The answer is 1 unit of power, not nearly as much as is required for a miracle. We have seen Jesus do healing miracles as the work of God. However, not all healings are instantaneous, as we find in the Epistle of James:
JAMES 5:14-15 IS ANYONE AMONG YOU SICK? LET HIM CALL FOR THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH, AND LET THEM PRAY OVER HIM, ANOINTING HIM WITH OIL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. AND THE PRAYER OF FAITH WILL SAVE THE SICK, AND THE LORD WILL RAISE HIM UP.
Here we see that healing is sometimes a process.
These take time, and although the same amount of work is done compared to a miracle, it may not use as much power as a miracle.
Authority is Different from Power
Defining Authority: exousia; in the sense of ability privilege, (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence: — authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
Authority is related to the realm of jurisdiction you have. All believers may heal the sick, cast out demons because all believers are in the kingdom of God:
REVELATION 1:6 AND HAS MADE US KINGS AND PRIESTS TO HIS GOD AND FATHER, TO HIM BE GLORY AND DOMINION FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.
And we have all received grace:
EPHESIANS 4:7 BUT TO EACH ONE OF US GRACE WAS GIVEN ACCORDING TO THE MEASURE OF CHRIST’S GIFT.
Disciples Required Power and Authority to Heal the Sick:
LUKE 9:1 THEN HE CALLED HIS TWELVE DISCIPLES TOGETHER AND GAVE THEM POWER AND AUTHORITY OVER ALL DEMONS, AND TO CURE DISEASES.
Authority is given at New Birth, Before Holy Spirit Baptism
Because that comes when you are born again, when you become a son or daughter of God. This is when you receive Him.
JOHN 1:12 BUT AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, TO THEM HE GAVE THE AUTHORITY TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD, TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN HIS NAME:
It would follow that someone could cast out demons without baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Full Authority is Released at Water and Spirit Baptism. The external anointing of Power is released after passing the test in the wilderness.
Teaching and Preaching is NOT Proof of Baptism in the Holy Spirit – Jesus was able to teach before being baptized in the Holy Spirit.
MARK 1:22 AND THEY WERE ASTONISHED AT HIS TEACHING, FOR HE TAUGHT THEM AS ONE HAVING AUTHORITY, AND NOT AS THE SCRIBES.
Evidence of Holy Spirit Baptism is Tongues OR Prophecy
Some argue that tongues are the proof of Holy Spirit baptism. And although I agree that tongues are available for all who want to receive it, it is not PROOF of baptism. Power is proof of Holy Spirit baptism.
When the Holy Spirit fell they ALL spoke with tongues.
ACTS 2:4 AND THEY WERE ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK WITH OTHER TONGUES, AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE.
You will prophesy:
ACTS 2:17-18 AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THE LAST DAYS, SAYS GOD, THAT I WILL POUR OUT OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL FLESH; YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS. AND ON MY MENSERVANTS AND ON MY MAIDSERVANTS, I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT IN THOSE DAYS; AND THEY SHALL PROPHESY.
Also ACTS 19:6 …
WHEN PAUL HAD LAID HANDS ON THEM, THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME UPON THEM, AND THEY SPOKE WITH TONGUES AND PROPHESIED.
The PURPOSE of Holy Spirit Baptism is to Witness of Jesus
We need to remember that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is not mainly for ourselves (although our prayer language is). Instead, it demonstrates the Father to those around us, releasing the power of God.
ACTS 1:8 BUT YOU SHALL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS COME UPON YOU; AND YOU SHALL BE WITNESSES TO ME IN JERUSALEM, AND IN ALL JUDEA AND SAMARIA, AND TO THE END OF THE EARTH.
Jesus only healed and performed miracles following His baptism in water and Holy Spirit
We are filled with Holy Spirit at New Birth, Holy Spirit baptism, and any other time we desire to be.
Holy Spirit baptism is when Holy Spirit comes upon you.
The power of God comes upon you at baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Authority starts when you are born again.
The authority to act and command in the kingdom of God comes at water baptism.
Tongues and prophecy are evidence but not proof of Holy Spirit baptism.
The purpose of baptism in the Holy Spirit is so you can be a witness.