THE EVIDENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT As you learned in a previous chapter, the Holy Spirit has many purposes in the lives of believers. One of the main purposes of the Holy Spirit, however, is to make the Christian a powerful witness for the Gospel: But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me...to the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8) The true evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit was visible immediately in the life of the Apostle Peter. Before the Day of Pentecost he had fearfully denied that he knew Jesus. After his baptism in the Holy Spirit, Peter stood and gave a powerful witness to the Gospel that resulted in the salvation of 3,000 people. It was the power of the Holy Spirit in the early church that resulted in the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. The book of Acts is a record of this powerful witness which was evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT There are seven passages in the New Testament where the word baptize is used in relation to the Holy Spirit. Four of these are the words of John the Baptist recorded in the Gospels: I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. (Matthew 3:11) I indeed have baptized you with water: but He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. (Mark 1:8) John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose; He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. (Luke 3:16) And I knew Him not: but He that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. (John 1:33) Jesus also spoke of the baptism of the Holy Ghost: For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:5) When Peter spoke of events which took place in the home of Cornelius he quoted the words of Jesus: Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that He said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 11:16) Paul also used the word baptize in relation to the Holy Spirit: For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (I Corinthians 12:13) Use of the phrase to baptize into the Holy Spirit is the same as used to describe Christian baptism in water. In both cases baptism is an outward confirmation of an inward spiritual experience. The Holy Spirit was given during a time of Jewish observance called the feast of Pentecost. For this reason, baptism in the Holy Spirit is often called a Pentecostal experience and the time of the giving of the Spirit called the day of Pentecost.” The Holy Spirit came down from Heaven and completely immersed [baptized] believers assembled in the upper room of a house in Jerusalem. They had been waiting or tarrying for His coming as they had been commanded to do by Jesus. Peter said this experience was the fulfillment of Gods promise,In the last days...I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh.” This promise was given by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions; And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. (Joel 2:28-29) Male and female, young and old were to be included in this outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They were to prophesy, dream dreams, and see visions. Gods Spirit was to empower both servants [men] and handmaidens [women]. On the day the Holy Spirit was given, Peter said: Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (pray and meditate on this word see you monday)
Posted on: Sat, 01 Feb 2014 08:23:41 +0000
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