New Life Church, a Kingwood, Texas Assembly of God Church
The Baptism with the Holy Spirit
By Gary W. Piercy
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Table of Contents
Introduction
If someone made a promise to give you a treasure what would you do? You might begin to prepare yourself or your home for the time that you would be able to receive that promised treasure. Certainly you would tell your family and friends about the tremendous treasure that had been promised to you. Perhaps you would spend sleepless nights in anticipation of the time when you would ultimately realize the promised treasure.
On the other hand, you might doubt the validity of the promise or you may have sat in anticipation of the treasure being delivered and been discouraged when it did not arrive because of some miscommunication between the one who had made the promise and you. Others around you might discourage you and make light or tell you that the promise was for someone else in another time causing you to doubt the promise.
Someone has indeed promised to give you a treasure! In fact, it is not just any old someone who has promised to give you a treasure. God Himself has promised to give you a treasure. It is the treasured baptism in the Holy Spirit. This promise of the Father is just as valid, just as reliable, just as real today as it was when the Holy Spirit was first poured out some 2000 years ago. The precious promised Holy Spirit is for you today!
Let's look at the Bible in order to gain knowledge and understanding concerning God's promised Holy Spirit.
The Promise
"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy your old men will dream dreams; your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days" (Joel 2:28-29 NIV).
The Promise Is From God Himself
Notice the Bible says, "I will pour out my Spirit…" (Joel 2:28). This is a promise from God Himself and as such it is not the same as a promise from another human. We have all had it happen to us. Someone says they will do this or that, and for whatever reason the promise is not kept. It could have been because the individual was unable to keep the promise or it could have been because the individual had no intention of keeping the promise. Yet, for whatever reason the promise was not kept.
Here, however, it is of the utmost importance that a distinction is made between a promise that is made by a human and a promise that is made by God. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word that is most often translated promise in relation to God making a promise is the Hebrew word debar. Now what is most interesting about debar is that it is simply word. In other words, debar means word. Think about this for a moment. When God says something, anything He says it with debar/word. The whole idea is when God speaks a word God speaks a promise. Someone has said, "If God said it, I believe it that settles it."
The Bible says, "…It is impossible for God to lie…" (Hebrews 6:18 NIV) and "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak, and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" (Numbers 23:19 NIV). Paul wrote, "But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not 'Yes' and 'No.' For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not 'Yes" and 'No,' but in Him it has always been 'Yes.' For no matter how many promises God has made (emphasis mine), they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God" (2 Cor. 1:18-20 NIV).
The Promise Foretold By the Prophets
Notice in Joel the promise is to "pour out my Spirit" (Joel 2:28 NIV), but Joel was not the only Old Testament prophet to prophesy about the time when God would give His people a new Spirit. On two separate occasions the prophet Ezekiel prophesied, "I (God) will given them an undivided heart and put a new Spirit in them…" (11:19 NIV) and again, "I (God) will give you a new heart and put a new Spirit in you…" (36:26 NIV). Notice it is God who said, "I will pour out my Spirit" (Joel 2:28 NIV).
God knows what His people need. There are many things in life that are nice to have and there are a few things in life that are necessary and without a doubt the Holy Spirit is a necessity. The Apostle Paul provides understanding when it comes to the necessity of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer in Romans 8:1-9. Notice,
- It is through the law of the Spirit of life that we are free from the law of sin and death,
- It is the mind controlled by the Spirit that finds life and peace,
- It is the Holy Spirit that is sent to control our lives,
- It is the Holy Spirit that literally lives within the believer, and
- It is the Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, and if that same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you, He will also give life to your mortal bodies.
God knows what your need is and God knows how to meet your need. There is a great difference between knowing what someone needs and knowing how to meet that need. The Bible gives assurance that God is able both to will and to do His work in His people.
The Promise Confirmed by Jesus
Jesus confirmed God's promised to pour of His Spirit when He said, "I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49 NIV) and "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13 NIV). Notice Jesus sees the Holy Spirit as a promised gift from God to those who ask for the promised gift!
Just before Jesus ascended into heaven the Bible records, "…while He (Jesus) was eating with them, he gave them this command: 'Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:4-5 NIV). Again, notice Jesus speaks of a promised gift. God has promised to give his people a gift of the precious treasure, the priceless pearl, the Holy Spirit. Thank God for the sure and certain promise of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
The Promise for All People
The promised Holy Spirit transcends all so-called boundaries. Again, notice Joel 2:28-29 says, "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy your old men will dream dreams; your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days" (NIV).
God does not discriminate when it comes to giving the gift of the Holy Spirit. Notice the Bible says, "Your sons and daughters will prophesy…" (Joel 2:28 NIV). This may not seem to be a significant point in our culture, yet for the culture of the Middle East, even today; this is a very significant departure from the male dominated societies. Yet God's promise to pour out His Spirit on both male and female alike is the beginning of the concept that the Holy Spirit is for everybody.
Further the Bible says, "Your old men will dream dreams and your young men will see visions" (Joel 2:28 NIV). The idea that the Holy Spirit is only for adults must be abolished. God desires for every child, every teen, every parent, every grandparent, and every single adult, everyone to be filled with His Spirit. There are no boundaries that the promised Holy Spirit cannot transcend as the Bible declares, "Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days" (Joel 2:29). All social classes, from the least to the greatest; all economic classes, from the poorest to the richest; all racial groups, all denominational groups, there are no boundaries when it comes to the promised outpouring of the Holy Spirit. God's promise to pour out of His Spirit is a promise to all people in all places for all time.
The Purpose
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:4-8 NIV).
Why would God give such a precious gift to His people? Have you ever stopped to ask yourself that question? Why do you give gifts? You may give gifts out of obligation; however, many times you give gifts because you love the person to whom you are giving the gift. God has promised to give you the gift of His Holy Spirit because He loves you and He knows what you need. There is no one single purpose for the gift of the Holy Spirit, there are many.
Power to Overcome Sin
One reason God has promised to give you His Holy Spirit is to give you the power to overcome sin. Paul wrote, "For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live," (Romans 8:13 NIV). Of course the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:10), but it is the Holy Spirit within that gives us the power to overcome sin. In Jesus Christ "the law of the Spirit of life sets me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2 NIV). Overcoming the sinful nature is a very difficult thing to do in your own strength. Yet, the power of the Holy Spirit enables you overcome and to say "No" to sin.
Power to Share Your Faith
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8 NIV). Often believers think of "power" as being some type of dynamic force. This may come in part because the word translated power in this verse is the word dunamis. This Greek word is the word from which our English word dynamite comes from. There can be no doubt that the Holy Spirit gives us power; however a better understanding of the idea being presented here is that of dynamic ability. That is, the ability to clearly give your testimony, to tell others what Christ has done for you and to direct them to the Lord.
Just as the promised Holy Spirit is for everyone, the dynamic ability to share your faith is given to everyone who has received the promised gift. Many Christians think it is the pastor's job to be a soul winner, when in fact it is the responsibility of every believer to win souls and when you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit will enable you to share your faith effectively in a way that people will come to Christ. Understand it is not your responsibility to save the lost because this is Jesus' responsibility. Your responsibility is to be a witness, and by the dynamic ability of the Holy Spirit in you, you can touch lives for the Kingdom of God.
The Power to Minister to Others
The Holy Spirit's presence in your life is essential if you want to minister (serve) others. Paul wrote, "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good" (I Cor 12:7 NIV). Notice Paul said "to each one." It is wonderful how indiscriminate God is when it comes to this gift of the Holy Spirit. He says He will "pour out His Spirit on all people" (Joel 2:28 NIV) and then He tells us that everyone (literally "each one") can be filled with the Holy Spirit for the purpose of touching another person's life. God is not only looking behind pulpits to touch the world, He is not only looking in Bible colleges and seminaries to win the lost, He is looking for empty and open vessels who will simply say, "here I am send me."
The purpose here is not to teach on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, however, it is important to know and understand that "to each one (you are an each one) the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good" (I Cor 12:7 NIV). The Holy Spirit distributes ministry gifts (Eph 4), spiritual gifts (I Cor 12), and practical gifts (Rom 12) because there are some needs that you are unable to meet with your own power, talents, and abilities. The various gifts of the Holy Spirit are given as the Holy Spirit wills and these gifts are given to each one within the Church for the common good. When you receive the promised Holy Spirit you need to begin to seek the Lord to direct you and teach you how to operate in the power of the Holy Spirit to minister to others.
The Practice
Unfortunately the subject of the promised Holy Spirit has been misunderstood, misinterpreted, misused and ignored by many in the Church. There are those who through an incorrect interpretation of the Scriptures teach that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit was only for the early church and is therefore not relevant for today. Others have looked with skepticism at some of the practices of Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches (not all of the practices have been biblical) and decided based on personal observations of unbiblical behavior that the promise of the Father was not for them. However, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, referred to as the baptism in the Holy Spirit, is just as viable today as it was on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2:1-4 where Luke recorded these words,
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them" (NIV).
Practiced in the Early Church
Acts 2:1-8
Throughout the Book of Acts Luke records the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. The first time, as mentioned above was on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. Jesus had commanded his disciples to go to Jerusalem to wait for the promised Holy Spirit whom He Himself would send (Acts 1:8). The obedient disciples found themselves some fifty days later waiting together in prayer and unity when "Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them" (Acts 2:4). Notice everyone received the Holy Spirit and everyone (implied) "began to speak in tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
The Bible says those who received the Holy Spirit spoke "in tongues as the Spirit enabled them." This was not some gibberish or some unknown language, rather, as the Bible clearly shows us, the disciples were speaking a known language spoken in the world, but it was an unknown language to them. Luke records the event in this way,
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. Utterly amazed, they asked, "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs--we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?" Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine" (Acts 2:5-13).
Even on that day, there were scoffers and those who did not believe their ears.
Acts 10:1-47
Luke records other events in Acts in which believers received the Holy Spirit. One notable passage is Acts 10. In this chapter, Luke records a vision that the Apostle Peter received from the Lord. The vision was given to Peter to prepare him for the mission God was about to send him on. In the vision, the Lord commands Peter to eat animals that Jewish law forbade him to eat. Of course Peter argued with the Lord and stood his ground based on his traditions. However, the Lord was persistent repeating the vision three times. Then the Lord told Peter that three men were looking for him and that he was to go with them. When Peter awoke from the vision men from Cornelius' household (a God-fearing gentile) were waiting downstairs for Peter and thus he went with them to Cornelius' house (Acts 10:9-23). Luke recorded,
We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen--by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. (Acts 10:39-48 NIV).
Luke records the Holy Spirit was poured out "even on the Gentiles." However, how did Peter recognize that the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit? Notice verse 46 says, "For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God" (Acts 10:46 NIV). The word translated "for" in this verse is the Greek word gar, which carries with it the idea of "cause." Thus, Peter recognizes the believers at Cornelius' household had received the Holy Spirit "Because they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God" (Acts 10:46).
Acts 19:1-6
While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied. Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied (NIV).
Once again, Luke records the events surrounding believers receiving the promised Holy Spirit. Notice these were believers or as Luke designate them "disciples." Paul asks them a straightforward question, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" (Acts 19:2 NIV). These believers repented of their sins, but they had yet to receive the promised Holy Spirit. It is obvious from the text that Paul probably taught them more concerning Jesus and the promised Holy Spirit than the text records, but Luke's is certain to point out that the "Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied (Acts 19:6 NIV).
Acts 8:9-25
Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, &ldquot;This man is the divine power known as the Great Power." They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. However, when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin." Then Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me." When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages. (NIV)
In the account, Luke records a great revival that was taking place among the Samaritans because of Phillip's message concerning Jesus. When the Apostles heard that the Samaritans were coming to Christ, they went to Samaria. Luke does not explain specifically why Peter and John went to Samaria, however Luke explained that although the people believed in Jesus and received baptism they had not yet received the promised Holy Spirit.
Notice the Samaritans were believers in Jesus. However, they had not yet received the Holy Spirit. The question is, "How did Philip, Peter, and John know that these believers had not yet received the promises Holy Spirit? Was there something missing?
Within the context, Luke further wrote "Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit" (Acts 8:17). Luke does not specifically tell us that what happened to the believers when they received the Holy Spirit. However, from the context we know that something happened. Luke continues, "When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit" (Luke 8:18-18, NIV). Something outwardly happened when the Samaritan believers received the Holy Spirit because it caught the attention of Simon and he offered to give them money so that he could have the ability to lay his hands on people and they might receive the Holy Spirit. Of course Peter rebuked Simon for his greedy motivation, however, although Luke does not specifically tell us what happened to the believers when they received the Holy Spirit, from the context of the entire book of Acts, one might conclude that the believers spoke in tongues just as had been experienced in the other recorded events.
Practiced in the Modern Church
As mentioned earlier, there are those who disregard the promised Holy Spirit because of misunderstanding, misinterpretation, misuse, or ignorance. Yet the question is, "Why would anyone turn down a promised gift?" Jesus died on the cross so that the Father to give us this precious promised Holy Spirit. So why would anyone not want all the Father has provided in Christ Jesus? The answer lies within the heart of the individual, but what is important to understand is (as pointed out) the Holy Spirit is God's promised gift available to all. God's intention is for all believers to be overflowing with His Holy Spirit.
Some might object saying, "I don't think speaking in an unknown tongue is for today" or "I don't think you have to speak in tongues to prove you have received the baptism in the Holy Spirit."
Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
If you simply allow the Bible to speak for itself, Luke, the author of Acts, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, makes it very clear that speaking in tongues as the Spirit of God enables the believer is the way the early church recognized that believers had indeed received the Holy Spirit. In light of the biblical evidence, many conclude that the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit is that the believer will speak in a tongue that is unknown to him or her.
It is clear that a believer does not have to speak in tongues in order to go to heaven. The Book of Acts makes it clear that the Samaritan believers had not yet received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8) and in Acts 19 Paul asks clearly, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" The baptism in the Holy Spirit is subsequent to salvation. It is a further work of God in the life of the believer. Paul wrote concerning salvation, "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved" (Rom. 10:9-10).
Thus, the baptism in the Holy Spirit evidence by speaking in other tongues is subsequent to salvation and is not a prerequisite to salvation. Nevertheless, having said that, why would you not want to have this precious promised gift of the Holy Spirit? Why would you not want all that God has available to you?
A Gift is given to be Received
There are those who might say, "If God wants me to have it he will give it to me." Well, God does want you to have this gift and He has already given the gift, as He opened the floodgates on the day of Pentecost 2000 years ago. Thus, the gift is available for you to receive. However, God will not make you do anything
Jesus told his disciples, "Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:22). The Greek word lambano translated receive is the same word that is often translated take in the New Testament. Stop and think about that for a moment. Someone can set a present in front of you and say, "Receive this gift." However, until you reach out and take the gift it will continue to sit right where it is. Jesus said, "Receive the Holy Spirit," that is "take the Holy Spirit." The Holy Spirit is God's promised gift to all believers, everywhere, in everyplace. All you must do is receive, that is, take it.
What Will Happen? How Will I Know?
The Holy Spirit will not overtake your ability to be yourself, nor will the Holy Spirit make you do anything at all that you do not want to do. God calls his people to live by faith. The writer of Hebrews defined faith as "…being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see" (Heb 11:1 NIV). Thus, when you ask the Father for the gift of the Holy Spirit be certain that it is His good pleasure to give you the Holy Spirit and because you ask, He will gladly give the Holy Spirit to you. After all, He promised to give this gift to all people. Remember the words of Jesus, "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13 NIV). Therefore, in light of these Scriptures, when you ask, receive.
When You Receive/Take, Respond By Faith
How does God speak to His people? First, and primarily, He speaks through His Word. Second, He speaks through others (which will always line up with His Word). Third, He speaks to us through impressions. When it comes to the baptism in the Holy Spirit many people have the mistaken idea that when the Holy Spirit comes He comes from the outside in and that he grabs hold of our tongue and makes us speak in another tongue. This is a misconception to say the least.
Here is a simple way to understand what might possibly happen. As you seek the Lord and ask Him for the gift of the Holy Spirit, just begin to worship and magnify the Lord. As you do, you will have words that you do not understand begin to be impressed upon your mind. You may have heard others speak these words or you may have never heard these words before. You may have many words impressed upon your mind or you may have only one or two words impressed on your mind. However, it is up to you to take a step of faith (being sure of what you hope for) and simply say the word or words you have impressed upon your mind. Yes it will sound strange, maybe even sound funny. Nevertheless, this is evidence of God's promise coming into your life, so take the step of faith, and say those words. Do not allow fear to keep you from God's best. When you take that step of faith, you have received the promised baptism in the Holy Spirit! Will it change your life? Maybe not initially, but over a lifetime the Holy Spirit will enable you to become all God wants for you to become.
Practice, Practice, Practice
This may seem unspiritual, but you have to allow the Holy Spirit to flow in your life. Therefore, once you take the step of faith and receive/take the baptism in the Holy Spirit evidenced by speaking in other tongues, it is important that you pray and worship in the Spirit. Paul wrote, "For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind" (I Cor. 14:14-15 NIV). As you continue to pray and worship in the Spirit (that is, in tongues) you will become more comfortable with the experience and the experience will become a very important part of your walk with the Lord.
What's Next?
It is up to you. This may be very new to you or you may have prayed many times to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit in the past. Nevertheless, this is a new day. It is the day the Lord has made and it is the day for you to receive the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. You do not have to wait for the next church service, you do not have to do anything but to ask and receive by faith.
Perhaps you received the baptism in the Holy Spirit in the past, but you have not allowed the Spirit to continually flow in your life. This does not mean the Holy Spirit has abandoned you, He is still there, you just need to take that step of faith once again and allow the precious promised gift of the Holy Spirit to flow once more.
Pray this prayer from your heart. Father, I thank you for your love and for your grace. I thank you for the promise of the gift of your precious Holy Spirit. Your Word informs me the Holy Spirit is your gift for me. I believe the Holy Spirit is your gift to me and I ask you now for that gift and by faith, I receive and take the gift of the Holy Spirit into my life.
Now just begin to worship the Lord thanking Him for the salvation He has freely given to you and blessing Jesus for saving you and providing for you. As you worship, as words enter your mind that you are unfamiliar with, take that step of faith and speak those words. It may sound strange, it may sound funny, but that is does not matter. Speak them by faith and take the gift God has for you.
God bless you as you begin your walk in the Spirit.
