Stages of Faith
Unbelievers
Believers
Disciples
Servant-Leaders
Reproducers
1. Find Jesus
He allowed them to observe.
He met a need.
He came into their life first.
He challenged them to more.
2. Move Forward
3. Do Something...You Need A Helper
Do you have a testimony to share and encourage others with? Tell us here!
Baptism in the Holy Spirit - Power for Ministry
Introduction
John, the forerunner of Jesus, says in all four Gospels that he is baptizing in water, but when the Messiah comes, He will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
>>Matthew 3:11 >> Mark 1:8 >>Luke 3:16 >>John 1:33
Jesus
On several occasions, Jesus talks to His disciples about the Helper - the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit - that will come in His place after His death, resurrection, and ascension. The plan of Jesus was to multiply Himself and send out the disciples on the same mission. The Greek word for Helper, parakletos, means “someone that assists in stirring up an army.”
>>Luke 24:49 >>John 15:26, 16:13-15 >>Acts 1:5, 8
Baptism in the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts
Jesus wants to totally cover us with His Spirit. In the same way, a person is covered by water at the time of baptism in water. This is what it means to become baptized in the Holy Spirit. It is possible to go to heaven just by faith in Jesus, but it is impossible to serve Him fully here on earth without being clothed with power from on high. The Book of Acts describes six occasions where people were baptized in, or filled with, the Holy Spirit mostly in connection to repentance and baptism in water.
>>Jerusalem, Acts 2:1-18, Acts 4:31 >>Samaria, Acts 8:14-21 >>Damascus, Acts 9:17
>>Caesarea, Acts 10:44-46 >>Ephesus Acts 19:6-7
Practical Questions
Let’s study examples of baptism in the Holy Spirit from the Book of Acts
When did the baptism in the Holy Spirit take place in the first church?
Immediately in connection to repentance and water baptism (Acts 19:5-6)
In response to eager and persevering prayer (Acts 2:1-4, 4:31, 8:14-16
In connection to preaching the Word (Acts 10:43-46
Through the apostle’s hands, a transmission of power (Acts 8:17, 9:17-18)
What was the experience like?
In the Book of Acts, no baptism in the Holy Spirit is like another. The Holy Spirit is sovereign!
Everyone has an experience, but it is individual and unique for each one of the disciples.
Speaking in Tongues:
The gift of speaking in tongues is written in plural in the original text. There are at least 3 ways of speaking in tongues—one for personal edification and two prophetic purposes.
Does everyone speak in tongues when they are baptized in the Holy Spirit?
Most of the time, this specific spiritual gift was released at the time of baptism in the Holy Spirit. In Acts 19, the disciples were prophesying as well. My experience is that 99% of people start speaking in tongues.
You cannot speak in tongues without being baptized in the Holy Spirit, but it is possible to be baptized int he Holy Spirit without having started to speak in tongues yet. If you have no started speaking in tongues, or are unsure if you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit, simply ask God for this gift, receive it in faith, and begin to speak!
Can everyone speak in tongues?
Yes, everyone can speak the type of tongues for personal edification (Mark 16:17).
Not everyone speaks in prophetic tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10, 30).
Why should someone speak in tongues?
It builds up our spiritual life and makes us strong in faith (1 Corinthians 14:2,4,18).
It helps us in prayer when we do not know how to pray (Romans 8:26, Jude 20).
Advice when using the gift of speaking in tongues
Speak in tongues often (1 Corinthians 14:18, 39-40)
Pray that you will get the gift of interpretation, so that you can build up others (1 Corinthians 14:5, 12-13, 19, 26)