The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit

Did you know there is a second baptism? Many people have heard of water baptism but have not heard of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The apostles were told by Jesus to wait in Jerusalem after He rose from the dead. In Acts 1:5 He said “’John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” In Acts 1:8 He goes on to say “’you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’” Then in Acts 2:1-4 we see this promise come to pass. It says “when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Immediately the apostles began to minister to people outside of where they were and Peter gives a Spirit filled sermon where thousands came to the Lord. It also says in Acts 2:43 that “many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.” They received power to become witnesses for Him throughout the world after they were baptized in the Holy Ghost. This was something that was prophesied by John the Baptist years before. In Matthew 3:11, John the Baptist said “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.” We see the same account in Luke 3:16 where John the Baptist says “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” John was talking about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is also called the infilling of the Holy Spirit. In acts 19 we see Paul speaking to some disciples about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. In acts 19:1-7 it says “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. Now the men were about twelve in all.” The baptism of the Holy Ghost is often-times accompanied by speaking in tongues. Speaking in tongues sometimes comes later for the baptized believer. Speaking in tongues is speaking in your own prayer language and it builds you up. You will begin to operate in the power of the Holy Ghost once you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
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I personally was baptized in the Holy Spirit in 2009. I immediately began to operate in more power through the Holy Spirit once that happened. I began to receive revelation from the bible and I began seeing visions and having prophetic dreams more frequently. After receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost I became more effective as a minister as well. I also began to speak in tongues about 3 months after I was baptized in the Holy Spirit. This is what the Lord was speaking about in Jude 1:20-21. These scriptures say “but you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God.” Praying in the Holy Spirit means praying in tongues. It is a prayer language that is unique to you and helps you build yourself up. Ask the Lord for the baptism of the Holy Spirit and to speak in tongues. It will change your life. Blessings!