ACTS 1: 4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
This is what Jesus spoke right after his resurrection and there were about 500 followers. On the day of Pentecost when this actually happened there were only 120 that were actually waiting for this promise, yet Jesus had told them they should wait for it. What did he mean when he said they would be baptized in the Holy Spirit?
The Greek used is baptizo which means to be submersed and also to be continually dipped. This is different that being baptized into the body of Christ, which happens at salvation and it's different from being baptized in water which is an outward act of a choice you make to follow Christ. In the same way we are submersed into the body and submersed in water for baptism, we are submersed in the Holy Spirit by Jesus for a life of consecration, boldness, power and witnessing.
Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
It was right after this moment that Peter stood up from where he was and spoke the gospel with boldness, resulting in 3000 being saved. Peter who was just coming out of the failure of denying Christ was the one in the face of the religious crowd breaking down their man made traditions and proclaiming the uncompromising gospel of Jesus Christ, the savior of the world!
The 380 that didn't receive (at least at this time) the baptism in the Holy Spirit were no less followers of Christ than the 120 that were in the Upper Room but they didn't at that time experience the baptism Jesus had told them about. It's that baptism that fills us with the power to stand up and be bold about Christ. It's that power that fills us with the Holy Spirit equipment to become his witnesses! It's that power that brings the gifts of the Holy Spirit that are just as alive today as they were then, and which actually equips to set captives free, bring sight to blind, healing of broken hearts and more! Just after that experience those followers went forward preaching and they saw signs and wonders including healing, deliverance, & all kinds of miracles!
Here's something else he said right after he told them to wait for the promise:
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.”
Even today there are Christians that are satisfied with their own salvation, going to church and shall we say "a little dab will do ya Holy Spirit, and actually spend almost no time at all sharing and demonstrating their faith to others. All through the book of Acts, an experience and work of the Holy Spirit AFTER salvation is seen. While there may be debates about what the evidences of that work will be there is no question that work results in power to witness and a flame that burns toward boldness- that makes one submersed and consumed with witnessing! That proimise is still available and to receive, one only needs to ask. If you've experienced the baptism in the Holy Spirit, you know it! If you don't know it, make that your Pentecost Celebration commitment; to seek it and find it! Also don't think that a one time experience is enough. As long as we are in this flesh we will need that continual dipping to stay filled for both increased Christ-likeness
and increased power to witness Amen!
Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
It was right after this moment that Peter stood up from where he was and spoke the gospel with boldness, resulting in 3000 being saved. Peter who was just coming out of the failure of denying Christ was the one in the face of the religious crowd breaking down their man made traditions and proclaiming the uncompromising gospel of Jesus Christ, the savior of the world!
The 380 that didn't receive (at least at this time) the baptism in the Holy Spirit were no less followers of Christ than the 120 that were in the Upper Room but they didn't at that time experience the baptism Jesus had told them about. It's that baptism that fills us with the power to stand up and be bold about Christ. It's that power that fills us with the Holy Spirit equipment to become his witnesses! It's that power that brings the gifts of the Holy Spirit that are just as alive today as they were then, and which actually equips to set captives free, bring sight to blind, healing of broken hearts and more! Just after that experience those followers went forward preaching and they saw signs and wonders including healing, deliverance, & all kinds of miracles!
Here's something else he said right after he told them to wait for the promise:
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.”
Even today there are Christians that are satisfied with their own salvation, going to church and shall we say "a little dab will do ya Holy Spirit, and actually spend almost no time at all sharing and demonstrating their faith to others. All through the book of Acts, an experience and work of the Holy Spirit AFTER salvation is seen. While there may be debates about what the evidences of that work will be there is no question that work results in power to witness and a flame that burns toward boldness- that makes one submersed and consumed with witnessing! That proimise is still available and to receive, one only needs to ask. If you've experienced the baptism in the Holy Spirit, you know it! If you don't know it, make that your Pentecost Celebration commitment; to seek it and find it! Also don't think that a one time experience is enough. As long as we are in this flesh we will need that continual dipping to stay filled for both increased Christ-likeness
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