Understanding the baptism of the Holy Spirit
  (C. Pinkney)

The Holy Spirit is the dynamic and active member of the Triune God.
His function is to bring to each believer the gifts or enablements of Grace. The role of the Holy Spirit is to reveal Jesus and deliver Christ’s knowledge, attributes  character, and power to us. We are called out of the world to partake in the Kingdom of God. Through the Holy Ghost we are empowered to grow, mature, gain experience and develop  testimonies concerning the Kingdom of God. These testimonies are our personal 'God Stories.' "We declare the things we know and we testify about the things that we have seen." (John 3:11) This is what it means when the resurrected Jesus declares, "You shall be witnesses to me, In Jerusalem, In Judea, Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

Jesus promises “the comforter” who will remain with the disciples:
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, (Comforter) that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. John 14:26 -But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

1. Jesus commanded his disciples to wait for the “promise of the Father” before any attempt to minister their “great commission.”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.”

2.  The promise of the Father was fulfilled approximately a week later as the disciples gathered in one accord in an
upper room. Pentecost had fully come when the Power of God fell upon the 120 disciples who had assembled. Remember, Jesus was among the disciples for 40 days after the resurrection; therefore it was about a week after his return to heaven that the comforter came with power.

3. Each person was touched by the power (dunamis) of God. All the disciples spoke with new languages as the Spirit gave them utterance. In all probability their behavior suggested drunkenness to some as they were not acting according to standard sober behavior. Dunamis power is supernatural God-derived power. God desires that each disciple is empowered with this power. The disciple must be Spiritually renewed to receive the Holy Spirit baptism.

4. Pentecost, The Church is birthed.

Peter, under the power of the Spirit, gave an explanation of the prophetic significance of what had just occurred. It was “that which was prophesied by the prophet Joel”. “Joel 2: “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. 29 And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. 30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. 32 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.

5. Tongues:

There are tongues of men and tongues of Angels (heavenly language). 1 Cor. 13:1 - Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels.. Any who prays in an unknown tongue “edifies himself.) 1Cor. 14:2-4 - For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. The mind is unfruitful while praying in tongues (prayer language) The prayer language prays mysteries whose purpose is known to God. (intercession.) Praying with tongues which are actual tongues of existing languages is a sign for the unbeliever.

6. Are tongues available today?

Cessationists teach that Spiritual Gifts are passed.
The theological argument against the Holy Spirit baptism is negated by the millions who have received power and anointing with the evidence of speaking in “Tongues” in the present day. God remains the same, yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Cessationists do however, hold that true believers are born again and have received the in-grafted Spirit which makes them a “new creation.”

7. On receiving the Holy Spirit:

Many Christians don't realize that God never created us to live our lives on our own. He created us to live our lives in fellowship with Him! That means that God wants you to feel His presence walking with you throughout your day. He wants you to hear His voice guiding your along your way. Understanding the role of the Holy Spirit is so crucial to the life of EVERY believer. But, if receiving the Holy Spirit is a gift that is available to every Believer, then why do so many Christians live spiritually dry lives? Why are so many of us secretly longing for more of God's presence? Why can't we feel Him each and every day? Why do so many of us sit confused about God's real plan for our lives, when His Spirit is sitting right there with each of us, waiting to give us counsel? Well, in order for the Holy Spirit to counsel you, you have to be able to hear His direction. H. And, in order for Him to give you comfort, you have to be able to recognize His presence. Both of those things, believe it or not, take practice. I. They are often easy to do when we're in church engulfed in worship and praise. But, what happens when we return home? I. Can you still feel His presence while you're driving in your car every day? Can you still hear Him speaking while you're doing work around the house each week? J. Or, have you, like so many of us, begun to ignore the role of the Holy Spirit in your life.

PREPARATION FOR RECEIVING

A. Desire the Holy Spirit;
B. Study Bible references to the Holy Spirit
C. Have a person who has the power of the Spirit and manifests Tongues lay hands of you. (The laying on of hands is a method of transferring Holy Spirit.) but always pray first that no ungodly or counterfeit spirit will interfere in the matter. Plead the blood of Jesus realizing that Jesus is the baptizer in the Holy Spirit. Right Motive. The first thing you must have before asking God for this gift is the right motive.
D. Renounce any occult and Satanic practices below:

Confess and Renounce any former practices that are Satanic in nature.
Any involvement in any of these occult activities need to be fully confessed and fully renounced before God the Father before attempting to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Here is a list of demonic involvements and activities:
If you were involved with any of these activities you should renounce them.
 
1. Fortunetelling of any kind

2. Tarot Cards

3. Ouija Boards

4. Seances and any involvements with mediums or spiritualists

5. Astrology and any form of horoscopes

6. I’Ching

7. Hypnotism

8. Transcendental or any type of far eastern meditation

9. Witchcraft

10. Satanism

11.Voodoo

12. Channeling or spiritism of any kind

13. Astral projection

14. ESP

15. Dungeons and Dragons

16. Any New Age techniques or activities

17. Necromancy - seeking a spirit of any departed soul

Prayer to receive the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit will guide you into truth and empower you to live the Spiritual Christian life. He will give you the desire to study the Word. He will give you the desire to associate with believers who have received this like, precious gift. He will help you to shake off the characteristics (life style) of your former self.

Father, I believe that I am truly saved and born again. I believe that all of my sins have now been fully forgiven and washed clean under the Blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Father, I now by an act of my free will, turn my entire life over to You. I now place my body, my soul, my spirit, and my entire life into Your hands. I now ask that You place and enter me into Your perfect will for my life. I now ask that You set me up on the perfect plan and destiny that you have set up for my life. Father, I now want to go one step further. I now want to receive the Baptism of your Holy Spirit – the release of your Holy Spirit to come up and enter into my soul from my spirit. Father, in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ, I now ask that you allow the Holy Spirit to enter into my soul. Father, from this moment on, by an act of strong faith and belief, I am now going to believe that the Holy Spirit has now entered into my soul – regardless of whether or not I feel anything. Thank you, Father. Thank you, Jesus

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Uploaded June 26, 2019
02-16-2024