Who are some of the most powerful and effective Christians of all time?

Peter, John, the apostle Paul (They were awesome examples of Christians)

• Yes, Peter… whose bold preaching brought thousands to salvation in Christ.

• And John the guest of heaven, who was shown a sneak preview of the end times.

• And Paul who could confidently say… "follow me… as I follow Christ"

When Jesus had finished His work: Having died paying the penalty for our sins, and rising from the grave 3 days later… then publicly addressing a crowd of His followers encouraging & commissioning them to “tell the whole world”… He ascended into heaven.

• What did Peter & John and the rest of these eyewitnesses do…did they hit the streets running as they turned the world upside-down?

• No, they hid in fear keeping themselves hidden away… with 120 other believers. (Sure they were waiting for direction…  but they were also afraid)

And years later when Saul had his dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Now being confronted with the truth) did he continue on to Damascus now ready to spread the good news that Jesus HIMSELF had explained to him?

 No, he also was not equipped to do the work that God had called for.

• What was he still missing? 

• He was definitely a Christian the Spirit of God dwelt within him

• (for none can be saved without the conviction of the Holy Spirit.)

• The Bible is clear on this… the Holy Spirit in-dwells (or makes His home) in every believer. 

(Eph. 1:13-14.) In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

 All of these followers of Christ needed something more to do the job God had assigned them.

(What more could anyone need them personal instruction from Jesus Himself!)

They needed God’s baptism of power to be His witness’s 

That which was promised by John the Baptist when he declared in (Matthew 3:11) "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”   

The baptism in the Holy Spirit (Which Jesus baptizes us with)

Question: if we already have the Holy Spirit in us when we believed and were saved,
What is this baptism?

 As we have already explained the word baptize literally means: “to immerse”

 Example: A drop of water vs. being immersed in water…  There’s quite a difference!

 You can easily hide the damp arm… But if we immersed you in water we will all notice.
In the same way:

• Having the Spirit of God in your heart … makes you a child of God

• But being (immersed) in the Holy Spirit will not only change & impact you but also those around you.

WE ALL NEED THIS BAPTISM OF POWER

• This life-changing event (experience) is available intended and promised to every believer.

• Both the first apostles and later on… the apostle Paul needed to be baptized in the Holy Spirit (filled with the Spirit) Acts 9:17-18

• They needed to be infused with the same power that raised Christ from the dead.  

Read (John 20:19-22)  then (Acts 1:4-5) followed by (Acts 2:1-21)

What happened when they were filled with the Holy Spirit?

• They were changed from timid fearful followers without direction, hiding from the world to bold fearless leaders, directed by supernatural gifts with a mission that made those around them tremble.

This baptism of the Holy Spirit provides us also the power to become witnesses for God

• Jesus’ ministry produced results because He operated by the leading & power of the Holy Spirit.

• This dynamite power is available to us as well

John 14:12  "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”  

• We can only expect these kinds of results if we also receive this Baptism of Power and operate by the leading and power of the Spirit. 

• But sad to say many Christians have never been taught … that this power is available to them. (2 Tim. 3:1-6)

Many aren’t even aware that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is still available. 

(My father preached 20 yrs. without it and 3 years with it, the difference in results was dramatic)

Have You received this Baptism of Power?

 Maybe the church that you were raised in did not teach that it was available today.

• Some have assumed that the deposit of the Holy Spirit in their heart at the time of conversion (salvation) is all that they should expect.

For this reason, many do not pursue or seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

• This is very sad since it is very difficult to live the Christian life without all of the power and spiritual gifts that God freely provides us.

Imagine a homeless young man unable to read growing up on the streets of New York City. 

Every day struggling to find enough food to stay alive, at night huddling up next to buildings to try to keep warm.  Yet all the while he was unaware that a wealthy relative was searching for him placing ads in newspapers and distributing flyers in order to give him a large family inheritance. But because he could not read he was unaware that he was technically rich so he continued on his own, all alone.

It is hard to desire what you don't know is available.

• Like the poor rich boy; Many live like spiritual paupers when they are joint heirs with Christ. 

• You could be fulfilling the great commission instead of just trying to endure till He comes.

If this Baptism of the Holy Spirit is “news to you” you're not alone.

• Even in the Early Church there were those who had never heard.

Acts 19:1-6 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, 

“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him,  “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”  Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would 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 hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

(Many times the Holy Spirit was given by the laying on of hands)

There are often various manifestations (that are observed) when someone receives the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

• It is very important not to confuse the baptism of the Holy Spirit with that which might accompany it (like speaking in tongues).

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is not speaking in tongues

• This is just one manifestation

• There are many evidences of the Holy Spirit.

The essence of being filled with the Spirit is being enabled with God’s supernatural power and gifts to fulfill the call of God in your life.

 The Holy Spirit provides every type of spiritual gift;

• Utterance… beyond your own ability

• Knowledge… beyond what you've learned

• Supernatural power… not limited by natural law.

• Where your ability ends...  The Holy Spirit's begins

If You need this free gift, ask for it, If You want this baptism of Power, ask for it.

 Ask Jesus to baptize you in the Holy Spirit...

• It is something you need  • It is something you should desire

• It is the only way to fight the spiritual battle all Christians are engaged in.

Don’t argue about whether you have been filled before… 

If there is doubt ask again … and continue to ask and continue to be filled.

John 7:37-39   On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

 Anytime you're asking God for something so powerful & unlimited it can be fearful. 

• God knows this and this is what he has to say to you.

Luke 11:9-13 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil (imperfect), 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!” 

God will only give you something good. 

• You don't have to be afraid

• Have you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit? (It is available)

You need this baptism of power to be effective witnesses for Jesus Christ!
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