What is the Promise of the Father?
"And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." Luke 24:49
"Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which,"'' He said, ""you heard of from Me." Acts 1:4
"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever." John 14:16
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." John 14:26
"As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." Matthew 3:11
"Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear." Acts 2:33
The Promise of the Father is the receiving of His Holy Spirit through baptism after a person has come to faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and King. The Holy Spirit comes to live within the new believer and brings with Him the very Glory, Grace, Presence, and Power of God, the Father and Jesus Christ, His Son to help the new believer to live out a magnificently blessed life in Christ.
Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is a distinct part of the Divine Trinity. There is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. They are each a separate function of the same true and living God. Though their works are separate, they work in complete harmony with each other. The Bible clearly teaches: "There are three that bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Work (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit".
Years ago in the Old Testament the prophets promised the Holy Spirit would come. The book of Joel says: "I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind." In the New Testament we see these prophecies fulfilled in Acts 2:16: "This is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel..." as the Holy Spirit was being poured out to all.
What is the Holy Spirit Baptism?
First, Holy Spirit baptism is not salvation. It is the difference of being born OF the Spirit and being baptized IN the Spirit. When we are born of the Spirit we receive new Life, or we are born again, and no one can be saved except by the Spirit: "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body (Christ's body) we were made to drink of one Spirit."
A person can be saved and born OF the Spirit and yet not be baptized IN the Holy Sprit. However, a person cannot be baptized IN the Holy Spirit without first being born OF the Spirit. Salvation, or regeneration, by the Spirit is before baptism in the Holy Spirit. Our Lord Jesus confirmed this to His disciples when He said: "...how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him." This statement indicates we must seek, or ask for the baptism in the Holy Spirit from the Father in heaven. The Father gladly wants and greatly desires to give the Spirit to all who ask.
Why is the Holy Spirit Baptism so Important?
The Holy Spirit Baptism is important because it is the power for Christian living and service. When Jesus left this earth, He said, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things".
The Baptism gives us power for service. John the Baptist wrote, "I baptize with water for repentance...He (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." He gives us the fire to cleanse us, and He gives us the Spirit to empower us! When the Holy Spirit comes upon an individual there is ACTION!
So many Christians have been stopped from productive lives (although saved) and peaceful living by not seeking the promised Spirit Baptism. Those who yield and submit to the Father's will by receiving power from above find they can now witness, worship, overcome defeats, stop backsliding, have explosive prayer lives, and manifest godliness as never before. People, and whole churches for that matter, that were once weak, dead, and ritualistic, have become ALIVE and on fire by Holy Spirit Baptism.
What prevents us from the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
Foremost, Satan prevents us from being baptized in the Holy Spirit! The evil one does not want Christians to receive power. He desires us to stay weak, confused, and fighting over Holy Spirit Baptism.
Fear is also a major obstacle. For some reason many have been deceived into believing that God would give us something that we would not like or want. Scripture says however, "Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by hi son for a fish; he will not give him a snake will he? If you the being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?
Distrust is another reason many never receive the Holy Spirit Baptism. How strange it is that many trust God the Father and God the Son, but distrust God the Holy Spirit. Trust Him! He is faithful in whom He is and all that He does.
Not yielding our will is another reason that the Holy Spirit Baptism is not received. Simply not submitting to God's will prevents us from receiving the "good gifts" that He desires to give. Believe God and His Word for a powerful life. Stop fighting and give up in loving submission.
Prejudice is another obstacle. Some have possibly been taught untruthful doctrine about the Holy Spirit, which has resulted in prejudice. Do not let this prevent you from seeking all that God has for you. Even if there has been some error concerning the Holy Spirit Baptism you must respond to the truth of the Holy Spirit Baptism.
Finally, and possibly the strongest opposition to receive the Holy Spirit Baptism is unbelief. There are those who simply do not believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Do not let your hard heart and doubt keep you from Father's great promise and blessing. The Bible is clear with examples and commands to receive. Believe it!
How does Baptism in the Holy Spirit benefit the believer?
- He gives power
- He is the Teacher
- He gives us a conviction of sin
- He gives us refreshment
- He is our guide for truth
- He gives us the ability to be a witness of Christ
- He gives us comfort and inner peace
- He gives us Authority to proclaim Christ
- He gives us spiritual gifts
- He gives us inner and outer character
- He gives us spiritual Life
- He gives us a new tongue as a prayer language, or gift
All of these are the benefits of God for His children. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the ONLY way to receive them. They cannot be obtained through morality, good works, education, or any other way. They must be received as a gift, and this gift brings power and fruitfulness into the lives of the believer.
How do I receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
First, you must be saved. Saved from your sins through the blood of Jesus Christ. You must believe by faith that Jesus Christ took away your sins. You must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. You must also believe that He died, was buried, and was resurrected from the grave on the third day. You cannot be baptized in the Holy Spirit without first receiving salvation.
Next, you must ask the Father. Pray, seek, and wait for the Holy Spirit Baptism. It may come instantly, or there may be some waiting. Most Biblical examples are of instant receiving.
You must receive Him as a gift. The Baptism cannot be earned. Like salvation, the Holy Spirit Baptism is a gift of God. The difference in salvation and Baptism in the Holy Spirit is that salvation is God's gift to the world, and the Holy Spirit is God's gift to His children.
Finally, you must exercise your powerful gift. It is only to be used for God's glory. Use your baptism for power in lifting up the name of Jesus, worship of the Lord, healing the sick, helping the depressed and oppressed, opening the eyes of the blind, speaking in a new tongue, and witnessing to the good news of good things!
He lives in us. We are the Father's dwelling place. He does His work through us. Praise the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit! Praise the name of the Lord!
