Baptism of the Holy Spirit - 2

In this post I want to write about how the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a separate experience from Salvation. Now there doesn't necessarily have to be a long  gap between Salvation and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, even a few moment could separate the two. A lot of people believe that they receive the Baptism of Holy Spirit at the time of Salvation itself but that is not true. At the time of Salvation, the Holy Spirit draws you to Christ (John 6:44). He is with you and in you but that is not the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. (John 14:17) There is a difference between the Holy Spirit being with you, in you and the Holy Spirit coming upon you to anoint you and give you power. 

It is like one preacher says: There is difference between you having the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit having you. 

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is when you completely yield to the power of the Holy Spirit and stop depending on your own strength and power. In Acts 8, you read the story of how Philip preached Christ in Samaria. Many believed the message of Christ and were baptized in water. When this news reached Peter and John, they traveled to Samaria from Jerusalem and prayed for the believers there, that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For it is written:

Acts 8:15

Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he had fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

In this portion of scripture you can clearly see how the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a distinct experience for the believer. The people in Samaria had believed Christ and were baptized but they had not received the Holy Spirit. Therefore it possible for Christians to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and be baptized in water and when they die they will surely go to heaven, but they will never see the power of God in their lives to be a witness and preach Christ. 

In another instance we see Paul in Ephesus asking the disciples who had believed that Jesus was the Messiah if they had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Their immediate answer was that they did not even know that there was a Holy Spirit. Now that is a lot like some of the Christians of this day and age. They do not even know about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. So anyway, Paul prays for these people and they received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and they all spoke with tongues and prophesied. 

Acts 19:1-6

And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

I know some of you have already received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and are reading this post only to understand it better. But if you have not received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, you do not have to wait. You can receive it right now. Jesus said: How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Your heavenly Father wants to give you the gift of the Holy Spirit more than you want it. He wants to anoint you and give you his power. So ask in Jesus Name right now and you shall receive. 

The Holy Spirit:

• Will give you power to be a witness (Acts 1:8), 
• Will give you greater Revelation knowledge (John 14:26, John 16:13) 
• Will give you other gifts to help you in your Christian Life (1 Corinthians 12, 13 & 14) 

Luke 11:9-13

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?