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Holy Spirit Baptism

DEFINITION
At salvation we receive Jesus Christ as Savior (Jn 3:16), are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:9), and are baptized by the Spirit into the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13). Then a powerful experience, known as the baptism with the Holy Spirit, is available, whereby Jesus baptizes us into the power of the Spirit (Matt 3:11; Acts 2:33).

PURPOSE
The baptism with the Holy Spirit empowers the believer in three ways:

1.) for living--filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18), with His fruit and gifts;
2.) for service--Jesus promises, You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me (Acts 1:8);
3.) for spiritual warfare--Paul encourages us to battle demons through prayer and praise: I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding (1 Cor 14:15).

EVIDENCE
The initial physical sign of this baptism is speaking in an unknown, unlearned language, or "tongue". Jesus promises believers, they will speak with new tongues (Mk 16:17). In three instances in Acts believers receive the baptism, and in each case the sign is given as speaking in an unknown tongue (2:4; 10:45,46;19:6).

VALUE
Scripture discusses at least five benefits of the unknown tongue. In 1 Corinthians 14 Paul mentions four.

1.) We speak to God, for he who speaks in a tongue [speaks] to God (v.2).

2.) We speak mysteries, for in the spirit [we speak] mysteries (v.2).

3.) We grow spiritually, for He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself (v. 4).

4.) We bless and thank God, for we bless with the spirit (v.16) and give thanks well (v.17). Acts mentions another.

5.) We speak of God's wonderful works, for the Galileans, spoke of the wonderful works of God (2:11).

RECEIVING
To receive the baptism with the unknown tongue, try this:

1.) understand God's Scriptures regarding it;

2.) confess any sins;

3.) ask Jesus for his baptism;

4.) believe you are receiving it;

5.) praise the Lord in English;

6.) speak in the new tongue with sounds that the Spirit will turn into speech.

CONTINUING
Continue to speak and sing in your new language daily. As you do, you will be empowered for living, manifesting the Spirit's fruit and gifts, for service, witnessing for Jesus with your life and lips, and for spiritual warfare, as you pray and praise your way to victory. May you, like Paul, say, I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all (1 Cor 14:18).

[Scripture from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982. Thomas Nelson, Inc.]

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Reach Out Fellowship
218 Osborne Rd
Albany NY 12205
(518) 482-4565
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Rev. Dr. Jerry Lynn, Senior Pastor
Rev. Jim Castillo, Assistant Pastor