HOLY GHOST BAPTISM
HAVE YOU RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST BAPTISM YET? (Acts 19:2)
Before we get started let me be clear. Don't expect anything than what is written in the word of God. My comments will only break things down, but not to drown the sound teachings of the holy scriptures. The following scriptures are the precedence as we study this subject:
Deut. 4:2
2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Proverbs 30:6
6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
Galatians 1:8-9
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Following The Apostles Teachings:
The Bible says that the New Testament saints depended on the teachings of the apostles as the apostles searched and studied the scriptures to understand the law and the prophets. They did so in order to understand the scriptures and teach sound doctrine. They were baptized with the holy spirit themselves. By the same holy spirit, they were given grace to set the teachings and doctrine for the church so that the church will be built upon a sound doctrine and a sure foundation. We therefore, do not need to reinvent the wheels, but to believe and obey what God through the apostles, prophets and the law has laid down as the yardstick by which we can measure sound doctrine and sound teachings. That will mean that as we seek to find how the Holy Ghost baptism was attained, we have only one source to look, that is the holy Scriptures. Our personal experiences and testimonies are not supposed to be a substitute for the Holy Scriptures.
Acts 1:2
2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
Ephesians 2:19-20
19, you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
The Exegesis That Connect Old Testament Events To The New Testament:
The blood of the lamb that was smeared at the door post of the the Israelites in Goshen represented the blood of Jesus that saved us from sin and its consequences, Exodus 12:12-13, 22-23, Heb. 9:22, 10:19, 13:12, 1Ptr. 1:2, 1 Jn. 1:7. The day following the destruction of the firstborn of all the Egyptians marked Israel exiting the land of Egypt and never to return. We are told by the scriptures never to go back to worldliness once we are purged by the blood of Christ, 2 Peter 2:22, and Prov. 26:11. After leaving Egypt, they were baptized in the cloud and in the sea onto Moses, Exodus 14:22 and 1 Cor. 10:2-4. We also got baptized in water unto Christ after we repented of our sins and believed on Christ. Fifty days after their exodus, the law was given at Mount Sinai. Before God pronounced his laws, at mount Sinai, it was preceded with thundering, smoke and fire, Exodus 19:16-18.
1 Cor. 1:2-4
Remember in Exodus 13:1-2. God made a commandment to take all the firstborn of Israel for himself. God's seal of approval was upon Jesus as the only begotten son, first born of them that slept and as the first born of the virgin Mary. As sinless and the first born he also qualified to be the redeemer of mankind from their sin and death. God's plan of redemption was long planned before the foundation of the earth, therefore, the events that happened in the old testament, are not isolated from that of the new testament.
Now let's make the connection here. The time Christ said he was going to show himself to God correlated with the day the first-fruits are waved before the Lord by the priest. The waving of the first fruit always started the counting of the seven sabbath weeks, that brings us to the fifty day (pentecost or the feast of weeks), Lev. 23:15-16. Now we should also remember that fifty days after Christ's resurrection, according to the scriptures, the Holy Ghost Baptized the disciples while they gathered, and waiting in prayer at the upper room on the day of Pentecost.
According to the scriptures, on the fiftieth day, Israel was commanded to have a holy convocation (gathering), Deut.16:9, Lev. 23:21; It was at this time the disciples also gathered in the upper room as a New Testament church when God sent the Holy Spirit to baptise them. The baptism was preceded by rushing roaring wind-storm and fire. That was the same time on God's calendar that the law was given at Mount Sinai, which was also preceded by thunder and fire. It is important to know that God does not do things haphazardly as some people might falsely think. He is God of order and time, and does nothing outside his season of time.
Acts 2:1-4
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.If God is saying that we need the holy ghost baptism, then why is it that we are not seriously praying for the holy ghost baptism in many of our modern day churches? The answer is very simple, but yet is been obscured in many ways. Obscured because Instead of following the way the Bible has directed, we have pushed the bible-way aside and many churches are using unbiblical strategies to attain this amazing gift. Other churches have also built their own human theology around how one receives the holy ghost baptism, the role he plays in the believers' life, and the task or ministry he fulfills. In the midst of these, some people are also afraid of what spirit they might receive if they pray for it. God has given us an assurance regarding the later in Luke 11:13, and 2 Tim. 1:7
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.Now Let's make the connection here, God sent his only begotten son who died on the feast of passover for our sins, and he was raised from the dead after three days. When Mary Magdalene saw him, she wanted to hold Jesus, but he asked her not to touch him, because he had not ascended to his father, John 20:17. The reason Mary could not touch Jesus is because as the first fruit of them that slept and a high priest, he needed to wave himself before God before anybody could touch him,1 Cor.15:20. The same way Israel could not touch their first fruits except to give all to the priest to wave them before God. But when Jesus came to the disciples in John 20:26:27, this time Jesus bade Thomas to touch him so that he could prove to the disciples that he had resurrected. That also meant that between the time Mary saw Jesus and when he appeared to the disciples, Jesus ascended to heaven to wave himself as the first fruit to the father, and then came back to earth to finish whatever else needed to be done and say goodbye to his disciples before ascending back to heaven. Wow, Amazing!!Exodus 19:1818 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire:and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. 1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.Luke 11:1313 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?2 Tim. 1:77 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Conditions That Need To Be Fulfilled:
We like to quote Joel 2:28, as also stated by Peter in Acts 2, without considering or acknowledging the verses that come before verse 28. The book of Joel started with God's warning to Israel concerning the coming judgment if Israel didn't repent of their sins. He only assured them a restoration and the last days' outpouring of the holy spirit on the condition that they repented. The condition that was given by God here was that they fully rent their hearts in repentance and submit to God in humility. Now let us expound on the condition of repentance.
The Abuse Of Grace And Neglect Of The Holy Ghost Baptism:
The weaknesses and the frustrations seen in churches today are mostly due to the lack of genuine repentance and the mischaracterization of the grace of God. Many times people are told to accept Jesus into their hearts and try to do the best they can because they are under the grace. They are not taught to turn away from their wicked ways and seek the baptism of the holy ghost for a victorious living. In many instances the need for the holy ghost baptism and its importance to the believer's life is shallowly talked about or in some cases not at all. For this reason, people get conditioned in their minds to continue to live their usual life as long as they remember that they are under grace. Grace is made to appear here as a license to just live any kind of way and still presume that you are alright with God regardless, Titus 2:11-12, Let us seek for the genuine repentance that throw us remorsefully at the feet of Christ. Let us cry for mercy and the baptism of the holy spirit and let us stop the cliche and the games we play in churches. The convictions of the holy spirit is very important. Let us read the following scriptures regarding repentance;
Titus 2:11-15; Amos 5:6-15,; Proverb 16:1-3; Zephaniah. 2:1-3,; Luke 3:7-9 Matthew 3:7; Luke 13:1-5,
Titus 2:11
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Amos 5:6-15
6 Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel.7 Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth, 8 Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name: 9 That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress.10 They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly. 11 Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them. 12 For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right. 13 Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time. 14 Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. 15 Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. 3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.1 Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired;2 Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you.3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.1 There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.Acts 2:3838 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.Acts 10:4343 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
The Salvation Of The Soul And The Holy Ghost Baptism:
The message of salvation is not a fashion to just wear, but a very serious message which is the power of God to bring people to repentance, and it is always carried effectually by the holy ghost, Romans 1:16, and 1 Cor. 2:1-4. The subsequent plan after one has repented is to be baptized in water and and to receive the holy spirit baptism. Some people can receive the holy ghost baptism before water baptism. Without the Holy Ghost baptism, most people always get frustrated when they try to assimilate into the new life they so desire.Those sensations and goose bumps they felt initially as a new believer, usually dissipate after a few weeks if not days. Without the holy ghost baptism, many people after their public confession finds themselves struggling to stay afloat or fall back into the world, when the reality sets in. We should understand that we need to wait upon God for the Holy Ghost baptism seriously, because it is very essential to our godly lifestyle.
1 Cor. 2:1-5
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.2 For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
What Are The Signs Of The Holy Ghost Baptism:
There are four distinct signs that accompanied the Holy Ghost baptism on the day of pentecost; (Acts 2:1-4).cts 10:34-43
1) The sound of rushing mighty wind,2) The cloves or flame of fire,3) Speaking with new tongues and4) ProphesyingAfter a believer is baptised with the Holy Ghost and received power, he/she will speak with new tongues or speak with new tongues and prophesy. Of these signs, the rushing of mighty wind and clove of fire have not been visibly seen after the day of Pentecost outpouring. Mind you, that does not mean that it is not happening invisibly. It's just that God choses in his own plan not to send those signs visibly subsequent to the day of Pentecost outpouring. The other two signs (Speaking in new Tongues and Prophesying) are still happening in our days. Until we receive the baptism and speaking with new tongues or speaking with new tongues and prophesy, we should not relent. Once a person receives the Holy Ghost baptism they will either speak with new tongues or speak with tongues and prophesy and start to have a strong desire for God's word, holiness and for prayer.Now we know that the Bible has given us every sign we should look for as confirming that one has received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Personal experience is good, but we shouldn't assign any sign to signify the baptism of the Holy Ghost if it doesn't match up with what the Bible has given us. When Apostle Paul came to the Ephesians he asked a group of believers if they received the holy ghost baptism since they believed. Their answer was no, the apostle gave brief and direct teaching on salvation, water baptism and holy ghost baptism. When that was over, he laid his hands on them, and prayed for them, and they received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and started to speak with new tongues, and prophesy. Another example is when Peter was instructed to go to Cornelius house, we see an incident that gives us God's mind on the baptism of the holy ghost; this time God did not wait for Peter to lay hands on them before he poured out the spirit to baptize them. They also started to Speak in tongues and prophesy, In another time in Acts chapter 8, when the apostles that were in Jerusalem heard of the Samaria revival, they sent Peter and John to go and pray for them so that they will receive the holy ghost baptism. So if the Holy ghost baptism was not that essential to the Christian faith, why would the apostles be so adamant about making sure the believers received the holy ghost baptism?34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
The Holy Ghost Baptism And Our Witness:
The church should learn from the Christ and pray for people to be baptized with the holy spirit before sending them out to preach or evangelize. Many times many churches do just the opposite by sending people out without the power of the Holy Spirit to witness what they themselves cannot even affirm and later we try to find out if they have the holy ghost. The holy ghost baptism is not an accessory or a peripheral element to the believer, but the core and essential power the believer needs before he/she can get fired up to live a victorious Christian life. When Jesus was physically with the disciples, he never send them out to witness without giving them the power of the holy Spirit. Do we as the church really consider the following scriptures seriously?
Matthew 10:1,16
1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Mark 16:17,
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.....
- Luke 9:1-2 1 Summoning the Twelve, He gave them power and authority over all the demons, and power to heal diseases. 2 Then He sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
- John 20:21-22
1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Matthew 12:2929 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
The Work Of The Holy Ghost:
The church has the responsibility to advance the desire for the Holy Ghost baptism and not to stifle the desire by ignoring the importance of the Holy Ghost baptism in the believers' life. Jesus told his disciples to wait for the Holy Ghost. They were told that when the Holy Ghost come upon them, they will receive power to witness what Christ taught them, Acts 1:8. And in John 16:8, The holy ghost reminds us of things we forget, convict and guide us in all truths. This is what the Holy Ghost does in the life of the believer. To the world, the Holy Ghost reproves the world of sin, righteousness, and of judgement because Satan is condemned. There are churches who claim to have a sound doctrine and yet adamantly will deny baptism of the holy spirit, I mean how does that really happen. The Bible talks about how there will be a people who will have a form of godliness but will deny the holy ghost power. He goes as far as telling us to turn away from such people. This is serious my friends,
2 Tim. 3:5
2 Peter 1:21
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
- 1 Tim. 3:1-5
- John 16:8-15
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.When we allow the holy ghost to baptize us and fill the church, we will not compromise God's word, and will not call what God abhor as an acceptable conduct or behavior. It is the holy spirit who bear witness with our spirit regarding our covenant with God and confirms our identity as God's Children. He also help us to portray the character of Christ. Act 1:88 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.Mark 1:88 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
Romans 8:1616 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Hebrews 10:1515 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
The Power That Comes With The Holy Ghost Baptism:
Jesus knew from God's plan that without the baptism of the holy ghost the message of reconciliation and our godly living will not be effective so he told the disciples to wait until they have received the holy ghost baptism. The boldness of Apostle Peter and the conversion of three thousand soul was not a coincidental, it is just what the holy ghost or the holy ghost baptism does. That means when we get the holy ghost baptism, we become effective witnesses for Christ as well. All the genuine miracles, signs and wonders that we read in the bible and see in our days are by the power of the holy spirit.
2 Cor. 5:19-20
2 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.In Luke 18:1-8 Jesus told a parable that command us to pray without ceasing. Would not the same Jesus who has given us this commandment also give us the holy spirit whose job is it to help us in prayer so that we will be obedient to the command of Christ? From the scriptures and by experience, I have notice that the devil fights against those that devote their lives to prayer as he did to our Lord and master Jesus Christ. I also realized that when you get baptized with the holy ghost, it increases the desire for prayer, therefore the more you pray the more you want to pray. God takes you to a new dimension that supercede that of the natural.
James 5:16-18
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. Acts 1:88 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Luke 12:12 When this things are happening, do not get distracted but make the studying of the word of God and prayer your greatest desire. You will become one of the most dangerous weapons the enemy will have to contend with. That is why people that are serious with prayer and the word of God, have many unnecessary enemies, even sometimes within the church. With the holy ghost in you and through you, be wise, vigilant and circumspect as you mount up prayer wing, because as a prayer warrior you are for signs and wonders, says the Lord.
Jude 1:20 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Romans 8:26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
Personal testimony:
I have personally come to believe how important the baptism of the holy ghost is. When I got saved in 1988, I prayed for the baptism of the holy spirit many times, but after many attempts, I settled with myself that I have received it already, because I am fluent when I pray in English and that has to be my tongues. Do you see the deception here? this is how many build false notion and stop pursuing this awesome grace of God. But thank God in that same year I went for PENSA conference in Ghana. The main speaker was Evang. Emeka Nwampka.
On the Thursday of the conference week a holy ghost baptism session was conducted. Even when they called for those who needed the holy ghost baptism, I did not respond until a friend, (Akwesi Boakye), insisted that I go forward. He didn't believed that I had received the holy ghost baptism yet. Initially, I defended my old dogma, until I realized that the friend was not going to give up. I went to the front and a minister asked me to stop praying. After laying his hand on me and prayed, he asked me to begin to pray. I received the baptism of the holy ghost instantly and started to speak with "real" different tongues, of which many of the things I was saying I could understand or visually see what I was saying, including a lot of revelations I saw that day.. Amazing! it is real! I became a different man thereafter. Praise Jehovah God!!!
END OF PERSONAL TESTIMONY
There is no difference between the Holy Ghost baptism that came on the day of Pentecost and the one we receive during our Holy Ghost baptism.The best place to start, as a believer, is to change any of our ways that does not please the God, prepare our heart, and desire him. Through out the Bible, both the old and the new Testament, God always instruct us to turn away from our wicked ways before he ever give us holy things. He is always searching our hearts and calling us unto himself so that he can give us what can make us stand as his people. Some people receive the holy ghost baptism by;
1) Laying on of hands,
2) In the midst of prayer gathering
3) Individuals in their own time waiting and seeking God for the baptism.
John 20:22
22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
- Acts 8:14-17
- Acts 19:2-6
14 Now when the apostles which 'were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Mark 16:17, And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.....2 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.3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.4 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.5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
We Should Pray For Those Who Do Not Have The Holy Ghost Baptism:
In the Bible, God made a noticeable seen when it came to the Holy Ghost baptism so that no one will be able to discount his importance in the life of the believer and his work in the church of God. God wants every believer to be baptized with the Holy Ghost and that is why the apostles went around to pray for those who had not received the baptism of the holy ghost.
- Acts 8:14-17
- Acts 19:1-2, 4-6
- 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
14 Now when the apostles which 'were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:15Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.1 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,2 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.....4 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.5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.1 Corinthians 6:19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?After we receives the holy spirit baptism, we are to avoid anything that will quench or cause us to be drag into sinful behavior, because those things grieves the Holy Spirit. The one who receives this awesome gift should also begin to dive deep into the studying of the word of God and prayer, because it is during this time that God, the gracious Lord, will cause the fruits of the spirit and the spiritual gifts to begin to take their flight in a very special way in the believer's life. The Holy Ghost will begin to expand your understanding and your love for the truth. Do not be surprised if you see yourself going into seclusion every so often to spend time with God in prayer. You will begin to have a strong desire for righteousness and a strong abhorant for sin and its appearances.19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.The Holy Ghost Baptism should never be faked, neither should anyone attempt to learn the signs that accompany its presence, else you will be frustrated. Worst of all it is a sin to fake Holy ghost baptism. Do not worry so much about those false teachers who are faking and deceiving people. The speaking in tongues or prophesying when you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit is given by God and is real. No christian should be satisfied without the baptism of the holy spirit. If you have not been baptized with the Holy Spirit and you think your christian life is good, then wait until you are baptized with the Holy Spirit and you will never want to live without him. He is that awesome. Anyone who has received a real baptism of the Holy Ghost can attest to this. It is my prayer that you seek this awesome grace to be baptized, and if you already have it, stir up and never quench the fire. May The Lord Who Gives This Awesome Promise Bring It To Pass In The Life Of Every Christian Who Read This, In Jesus' Name!! AMEN!!!