Message: The Provision: The Holy Spirit
Text: Acts 1:4-8
Introduction
God has given us a solution for our complete lack of spiritual power, the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, most discussion today concerning the Holy Spirit revolves around the gift of tongues. This is Satan’s design to distract us from the true power of the Holy Spirit. He has used these divisions and arguments to cause Christians to steer clear of the true source of our power. We never preach on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and many of Christians have been led to believe that such a thing does not even exist.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is mentioned in all four Gospels and the book of Acts. Simply put, baptism means “to dye.” The baptism of the Holy Spirit is when ever fiber of your being has been transformed by the Holy Spirit.
Baptism = Filling
Another term used throughout the New Testament is the filling of the Holy Spirit. This term is used interchangeably with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Simply put, a garment that is fully immersed (baptized) into dye will cause every fiber to be filled with the new color. Christians are commanded to be filled with the Spirit; it is not optional.
Baptism = anointing
Another term that is used interchangeably with the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the filling of the Holy Spirit is the anointing of the Holy Spirit. When someone is anointed, oil is poured on their head. This results in every strand of hair being fully covered in oil. It is simply another metaphor for the same thing.
Subsequent to salvation
It is very apparent in Scripture that the filling of the Holy Spirit is not a one size fits all concept. Many people are filled with the Spirit when they come to faith in Christ. Others are filled when they are baptized. Others are filled through the laying on of hands. Throughout the New Testament we find different people being filled with the Spirit at different times throughout their spiritual journey. It is also apparent that this is not a one-time event. The same people who were baptized with the Spirit in Acts 2 were filled again in Acts 4.
Who has who?
It is crystal clear that all believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, yet not all believers are filled with the Holy Spirit. We so often miss the truth behind this. It is not that you must get more of the Holy Spirit within you. It is that you must yield more of yourself to the Holy Spirit.
How to filled
– Repent and be baptized
This is exactly what Peter says in Acts 2. You cannot be filled with the Spirit unless you are a believer in Jesus.
– Desire to be filled
You must actually desire for the Spirit of God to influence every area of your life.
– Obey
The Spirit of God will not fill a life that is already filled with sin. You cannot submit to God and rebel against Him at the same time.
– Earnestly pray
There must be earnest, continual prayer in our lives for the Holy Spirit to fill us.
– Faith
You must believe that the God will answer your prayers and fill you with the Spirit as He has promised.
Application:
Will you seek the filling of the Holy Spirit in your life?
Are you willing to do whatever God asks of you so that you might be filled?
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