BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

Acts 2:1-2 – “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.”

Acts 2:3-4 – “Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

The Seven Feasts of Israel: The Feast of Passover, The Feast of Unleavened Bread, The Feast of First Fruits, The Feast of Weeks, The Feast of Trumpets, The Day of Atonement, and The Feast of Tabernacles.

The Feast of Weeks, also known as the Day of Pentecost, means “fiftieth”.

Leviticus 23:16 – “Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the Lord.”

Leviticus 23:17 – “You shall bring from your dwelling two wave loaves of two-tenths of an ephah. They shall be of fine flour; they shall be baked with leaven. They are the firstfruits to the Lord.”

Every one of us can be washed clean by the blood of Jesus Christ, delivered from the power of evil, and baptized with the Holy Spirit.

1. What is the Baptism with the Holy Spirit?

The baptism with the Holy Spirit is an encounter with Jesus Christ, the Mighty Baptizer, who fills us to overflowing with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 3:16 – “John answered, saying to all, ‘I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’”

Acts 1:5 – “For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Baptize – to immerse, saturate

“To be baptized in the Holy Spirit suggests that the believer’s whole personality is immersed, surrounded, and enveloped in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.” – Derek Prince

2. What is the Purpose of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit?

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.”

We are empowered for ministry and service.

A. Power that Releases Miracles

John 14:12 – “Most assuredly I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”

B. Power to Love

Romans 5:5 – “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

C. Power to Praise

Acts 2:11b – “We hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”

D. Power to Share

Acts 1:8b – “You shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

“Up to that time, I had not led one person to Jesus. Afterward, I could not stop sharing with anyone and everyone who would listen.” – Che Ahn

3. How Do We Receive the Baptism with the Holy Spirit?

A. Turn from Sin and Turn to Jesus as Savior and Lord

Acts 2:38 – “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

B. Let Go of any Unforgiveness, Resentment, or Bitterness

Acts 2:1 – “When the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”

C. Surrender Fully to Jesus Christ

Romans 6:13 – “And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.”

D. Receive the Power 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.”

1 Corinthians 14:14 – “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.”

“You were made for a mission. God is at work in the world, and He wants you to join Him.” – Rick Warren

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you experienced a time in your life when you knew you needed the power of God?

2. Why do we sometimes struggle to surrender to the Holy Spirit?

3. What is your assignment from heaven for this season of your life?

4. What do you need from the Holy Spirit to fulfill that assignment?